Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 16:22
Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 16:22
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
Experience the very best of Morocco, from mazey medinas and lively souks to the broad-shouldered Atlas Mountains and stretching Sahara sands. Over two immersive weeks, we ride a camel over desert dunes, sip mint tea with friendly Amazigh hosts, navigate the ancient ksar of Ait Benhaddou and enjoy a remote village walk through the High Atlas range. There’s also time to visit the Todra Gorge and tour all four great Imperial Cities of Morocco: Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech.
Highlights
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Journeys: To see the highlights of Morocco, there are some long journeys. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch our legs. The approximate drive times are noted in the daily itinerary.
Weather: Temperatures are hot in summer (May to September) but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day for our sightseeing, so expect some early starts. During winter (November to March), the daytime is usually mild, but it can get cold at night, particularly in the desert and mountains, so pack some winter clothes.
Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 28 February-29 March 2025. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.
There is a local tour leader and a driver plus local guides at various sites.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 5
Max group size: 16
Buzzy Marrakech is a whirlwind of tradition and culture, an invigorating introduction to Morocco. However, today is a relaxing one, a chance for our group to congregate at the hotel and settle in. We may have a welcome briefing this evening or tomorrow, depending on when everyone arrives.
Accommodation: Hotel Akabar or Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
Buzzy Marrakech is a whirlwind of tradition and culture, an invigorating introduction to Morocco. However, today is a relaxing one, a chance for our group to congregate at the hotel and settle in. We may have a welcome briefing this evening or tomorrow, depending on when everyone arrives.
Accommodation: Hotel Akabar or Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
We drive to Casablanca this morning, a modern and commercial seaport. Here, we visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, which has a soaring 655ft (200m) minaret and a sliding ceiling to enable the sea breeze to cool the building. We have a guided tour of the mosque and the stunning ablutions hall with a local specialist. Please note: knees and upper arms must be covered.
After, we drive two hours to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to Casablanca in importance. Here, we have free time to explore. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old town, where you can see distinctive buildings with Moorish and Andalusian designs. Also visit the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) before continuing to the busy souk to sample locally made treats, such as harsha (a semolina bread) with the special almond paste, amlou.
Accommodation: Rabat Hotel Bouregreg (or similar)
Strike out from Rabat on a 2hr 30min drive over the northern plain towards Meknes. The scenery changes as the land becomes more cultivated, this being one of the most fertile areas of Morocco. In Meknes, we meet our local guide for an exploratory walk in the old town. Built in the Spanish-Moorish style, the medina has crumbling ramparts with nine immense gates. We plunge into a busy local market, where vendors vie for attention and craftsmen sharpen their tools, before walking to El Hedim square, a scaled-down version of Djemaa El Fna in Marrakech. Then, we stand before the monumental Bab El Mansour gate, which was built in 1732.
In the afternoon, we take a 45-minute drive to the largest and best-kept Roman ruins in Morocco: Volubilis, once a large Roman town and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Under the Romans, it was an affluent city. This can be seen in the beautiful second-century forum, the basilica and the capitol. We wander through the streets, discovering remains of townhouses with mosaic floors and see baths, oil presses, aqueducts and shops, all of which reveal the daily lives of the inhabitants.
After exploring this site with a local guide, we continue our drive (approximately two hours) to the ancient city of Fez, where we spend two nights.
Accommodation: Hotel La Paix (or similar)
The fascinating city of Fez is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, it has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges), including the ninth-century al-Karaouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. Fez medina is one of the largest in the world, an immense warren of souks, home to thousands of craftsfolk with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy and pungent, the medina is an absorbing experience. Our city guide walks us through different sections of the souk, including those selling leather, brass and copper. No visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina, we visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive up to a panoramic viewpoint over the city.
Accommodation: Hotel La Paix (or similar)
Today, we travel to the edge of the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. It’s a 10-hour journey but with frequent stops and beautiful scenery along the way. We travel over the stunning Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley and to the spectacular site of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge (inn) by the dunes. Tonight is a good time to pack your overnight bag for the Sahara.
Accommodation: Auberge La Source (or similar)
Drive time: 8hr 30min
A free morning means we have time to explore the largest erg (sand sea) in Morocco, or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famed for its pink tones that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset.
In the late afternoon, we take part in a classic Saharan experience – a 45-minute camel trek through the dunes, where we watch the sunset. We then return to the edge of the desert to spend the night in a camp. This evening, we enjoy a home-cooked meal, sit under the stars and join camp staff as they play traditional music and sing. You might like to dance around the campfire to the beating drums.
Accommodation: Full-service at Camp La Source (or similar)
After sunrise, we leave our desert camp and head towards the little city of Skoura, which is nestled on a beautiful palm grove near Ouarzazate. Following the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, we have vistas of ancient kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves.
After around four hours of driving, we stop to explore Todra Gorge. We take a short walk along a narrow road through the gorge and have time to take photos. Of course, there is also the usual pop-up souvenir stalls to tempt you.
Accommodation: Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Drive time: 6hr 30min
There is the opportunity to take a one-hour drive to Toundout Valley and enjoy a three-hour guided hike through an Amazigh village, where you learn a little of their culture. Alternatively, relax in and around the lodge, walking through the lush palm groves. Considered the palm grove capital of Morocco, Skoura offers peace and relaxation through its various walks discovering multiple palm groves and kasbahs.
Accommodation: Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Leaving Skoura, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs via the desert city of Ouarzazate and to the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular in the Atlas range, and the location of several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). Here we tour atmospheric alleys and see the earthen walls of the dwellings.
Continuing into the mountains, we branch east through a wide flat mountain valley, finally arriving at Anmiter, where we leave our bus and take a 90-minute walk on an uphill gradient to the Amazigh village of Tighza, where we spend the next two nights. Tighza is a rural village set in the Atlas mountains. From the terrace of our Riad you can look down into the valley and enjoy the sunset over the surrounding mountains. It is a peaceful retreat and provides the opportunity to meet local villagers and share their way of life. Our luggage is transported to the village for us. For those who do not want to walk, mules are available (100 dirhams, payable locally).
We’re greeted with a mint tea on arrival at the village.
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Drive time: 1hr 30min
We start our day with an optional walk through the villages of the Tighza Valley, heading into the hills on mule tracks with the High Atlas peaks as our backdrop. The length of our trek depends on the group’s ability, but it is likely to be approximately four hours. The afternoon is free to relax with a book, enjoy the mountain views, take a stroll through the beautiful landscape or challenge the village children to a game of football.
Tighza is one of just four villages in this remote valley and has been supported by Exodus for more than 10 years through various responsible tourism projects. We visit the village hammam, built with money raised by Exodus clients. This is an authentic experience and terrific fun. It is very much a traditional hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. A standard treatment is included, but you need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 dirhams (US$1.90) plus a customary tip of 20 dirhams. Refreshed, we return to the accommodation for our final dinner in the mountains.
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Drive time: 1hr 30min
Leaving the riad, we walk back to our bus for a short drive to the palace of Telouet. This once-grand building stands abandoned and crumbling and we have deemed it unsafe to enter; however, we can walk around the outside and take photographs. We continue our scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which at 7,415ft (2,260m) above sea level is the highest road in Morocco. The scenery is spectacular and there are some wonderful views of the mountains. We also stop at a women’s cooperative argan oil farm, where you can see the trees, get a demonstration of the production process, and purchase products if you’d like. Our journey finally brings us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech, and then onwards to the pretty seaside town of Essaouira.
Accommodation: Riad Da El Qdima or Mechouar Plaza (or similar)
Drive time: 7hr 30min
Enjoy a free day in Essaouira, an old Portuguese fishing port overlooking the Atlantic. The settlement dates to the 15th century but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, the town is extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to the desert, kasbahs and cities we have so far visited. Our hotel is situated in the heart of the old walled city, where we have plenty of time for shopping in the souks or strolling along the beach. With many pleasant cafes and some outstanding seafood restaurants, there is plenty of choice for our evening meal.
Accommodation: Riad Da El Qdima or Mechouar Plaza (or similar)
After breakfast, we drive back to Marrakech. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour to find our bearings and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide takes us to the opulent Bahia Palace, a one-time royal residence, and ends the adventure in the Djemaa el Fna square, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is worth seeing this renowned landmark in the evening, as Marrakech revolves around this open-air central square, with food stalls, juice sellers, snake charmers and acrobats. It is a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists.
Accommodation: Hotel Akabar or Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
Drive time: 3hr 30min
Today is free in Marrakech and there is no shortage of things to do. You might wish to visit the largest mosque in the city, Koutoubia, or venture through the souks and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs, we have time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After, you could take a 30-minute calèche ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.
For lunch, we recommend the Amal Women’s Training Centre and Moroccan Restaurant, which Exodus supports in their cause to empower women from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are a non-profit organisation dedicated to training students to become self-sufficient and improving their quality of life through acquiring new skills in a professional restaurant setting. For a superb traditional Moroccan meal and the opportunity to support this worthy cause, do pay them a visit. This evening, it’s common for the group to enjoy a final meal together on Djemaa el Fna.
Accommodation: Hotel Akabar or Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
Enjoy your final breakfast this morning and take the chance to reflect on your unforgettable Morocco adventure. You’ve navigated lively medinas, ridden a camel in the Sahara and experienced a traditional hammam in the Atlas Mountains. Now, however, is the time to start your journey home and start planning your next adventure. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
Enjoy your final breakfast this morning and take the chance to reflect on your unforgettable Morocco adventure. You’ve navigated lively medinas, ridden a camel in the Sahara and experienced a traditional hammam in the Atlas Mountains. Now, however, is the time to start your journey home and start planning your next adventure.
We use a variety of accommodation throughout this tour, spending time in hotels, an auberge (inn), Sahara camp, lodge and riad. The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.
Marrakech: Hotel Akabar / Hotel Ayoub (nights 1 and 13-14)
We begin and end the adventure at Hotel Akabar (above), which has a sun terrace with a pool, restaurant and bar. It is within walking distance of the Djemaa el Fna square and 10 minutes from the Guéliz district, where there are many cafes, restaurants and shops. For some departures in 2024 and for all departures in 2025, we use the Ayoub Hotel and Spa or similar, which is also located in the new city.
Rabat: Hotel Bouregreg (night 2)
Right next to Rabat medina, this 69-room hotel is well placed for our adventures. Popular nearby stops include Rabat Beach (Plage de Rabat), Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas. The hotel also has two restaurants, one serving traditional Moroccan cuisine, the other serving international fare, plus a piano bar.
Erg Chebbi, Sahara: Camp La Source (night 6)
Our night in the Sahara is one you’re unlikely to forget. We stay in a desert camp, where we enjoy a homemade meal. Spend the rest of the evening stargazing, chatting around the campfire, and join the camp staff as they play traditional music.
Essaouira: Mechouar Plaza (nights 11-12)
In Essaouira medina, the 20-room Mechouar Plaza has an ideal address. It’s decorated with exposed brick throughout and has a bar and restaurant serving Moroccan and international cuisine. For some departures, we stay at the Riad Dar El Qdima or similar.
Worth knowing
Single supplement from £ 240
Pre-tour accommodation available in Marrakech on request.
Post-tour accommodation available in Marrakech on request.
There are 14 breakfasts and four dinners included.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. If you have special dietary requirements, inform us prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (eg coeliac or vegan), you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.
For most of this trip, we use a private bus, the size of which depends on the group size. The roads in Morocco are reasonably good and driving conditions in towns and on the plains are good. On mountain roads, the pace is slower. Buses usually have air-conditioning and heating but please note this is not up to European standards.
From April to June, and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot, with temperatures averaging 26C (79F) in the day and falling to 16C (61F) at night. It is unusual for there to be much humidity, so it is quite pleasant except at midday when the sun is very strong. Desert temperatures are like those in Marrakech, with the nights usually a little cooler and the days a little hotter. Mountain temperatures are cooler than in Marrakech.
In winter, the daytime temperatures in Marrakech are around 18C-22C (64F-72F) with night temperatures falling to 4C-7C (39F-45F). The days should be sunny and a particularly attractive feature of winter is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas. The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those north of the mountains. There is a small chance of rain and it has even been known to snow very infrequently in January and sometimes February on the higher desert plateau (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).
Start hotel: Hotel Akabar, Avenue Echouhada-Quartier De L’hivernage, Marrakech Morocco
Phone: +212524437799
Or
Start hotel: Ayoub Hotel, 61,62 Rue Ibn Qodama, Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi 40000
Phone: +212 5244-33374
Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm
Airport: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
The start hotel is approximately a 20-minute drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Marrakech Airport (RAK) from the end hotel. If you’re not taking the Exodus transfer, allow three hours for check in, bag drop, immigration and security.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Marrakech airport
The amount of time it takes to get through Marrakech Airport can vary considerably. Therefore, we suggest you mitigate for delays and allow two hours to get through immigration, security and baggage reclaim on arrival. Take a pen with you to complete the arrivals form and have the details of your accommodation to hand for this purpose. Operators are not allowed to wait inside the terminal building for clients, so please find your Exodus representative outside the main doors.
Upon departure from Marrakech, we suggest allowing three hours to navigate the airport: check in, bag drop, immigration and security can take even longer on exit. The airport doesn’t accept mobile boarding passes, so we suggest having a printed boarding pass to avoid subjecting yourself to further delays.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Marrakech
Location end: Marrakech
For November to March departures, you also need:
Although Morocco is a Muslim country, the dress code in the large cities is not as strict as it used to be, so it is fine to wear tops with no sleeves and shorts. When entering mosques and in more rural areas, it is best to be more modest, for example, wearing clothes that covers below the knees and shoulders. Additionally, women should avoid wearing revealing clothes.
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
If, while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag please be sure to check out our partner Pack for a Purpose (www.packforapurpose.org). This is a great opportunity to bring small items needed locally by schools and medical clinics. While in Tighza you can leave items at the Kasbah Oliver reception and these will then be collected by a local association for distribution.
The following items would be much appreciated:
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Morocco. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/morocco
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/morocco
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Morocco.html
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis vaccines are all recommended.
Morocco's time zone: Africa/Brazzaville (UTC +01:00)
Morocco's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and E (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Morocco's currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD), a non-convertible currency. You can only import/export a maximum of 2,000 dirham to or from Morocco.
It is easy to use Visa/Mastercard at the ATMs in larger towns and cities. Credit cards are normally accepted for more expensive souvenirs, such as carpets (most shops charge up to five percent extra for the use of credit cards).
If you wish to exchange money, you can do so at the airport. Morocco only allows 2,000 dirhams to be imported or exported, but there is no limit on the amount of foreign currency you take. Ensure you keep hold of your exchange receipt as you may need to show it at the airport bank at the end of your trip, where it’s normally possible to change any unspent dirham notes back into euros, British pounds or US dollars.
Allow approximately 30-70 dirhams (US$3-US$6.50) per day to cover small souvenirs, soft drinks etc. See the Food & Drink section for more details on expenditure.
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. However, tipping is part of the local culture and generally expected. While tipping is at your discretion, our groups typically ask for advice on how much to give. Below are some recommendations:
Tipping kitty: We have found it useful for the group to have a kitty – about 350 dirhams (US$34) per person – to ease the confusion and embarrassment around tipping local staff (cooks, guides, hotel staff etc). If you do not wish to join the group kitty, do not feel pressured.
Tour leader and driver: Many also wish to tip the tour leader and driver at the end of the trip; we suggest 30 dirhams (US$2.90) a day per person for the leader and 20 dirhams (US$1.90) a day per person for the driver. This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.