Marrakech & the Sahara

Discover Morocco’s incredible variety, from the vast expanse of the desert to the rippling High Atlas Mountains

Experience the grandeur of the Sahara on a journey that takes us from Marrakech and across the High Atlas Mountains. En route, explore the historic ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou, before a camel trek and night under a thousand stars at a camp in the Sahara. On our return to the city, we stop in the remote mountain village of Tighza to enjoy a peaceful walk and authentic hammam. Finally, there is time to explore Marrakech, one of the great cities of the Arabic world.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Driving: There are sometimes long journeys on this trip, but this is the only way to see everything Morocco offers. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch our legs. Approximate drive times are noted on the daily itinerary.

Weather: Morocco is hot in summer but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day for our sightseeing, so expect some early starts. Morocco can get cold in winter, normally with mild daytime temperatures. Pack winter clothes and nightwear for November to March, when nighttime temperatures can drop considerably, especially in the desert and the mountains. During these months, there can also be rain throughout the country and snow in the mountains. As Morocco is generally mild to hot it is not set up for colder temperatures and so there may not be heaters available. Of course, you can also ask for more blankets from the hotels.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. A polio vaccination certificate may be required for some travellers. Please confirm your needs and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

There is evidence that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) is spread by contact with camels.  This trip includes camel rides to and from our camp in the Sahara, which is undertaken at your own risk.  Alternatively, it is possible to book a vehicle locally at additional cost (780MAD per vehicle – price subject to change) for these transfers.  We suggest that you visit the Travel Health Pro website which includes information about the virus.

Visa

Morocco

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

Food & Drink

The included meals are listed on the day-to-day itinerary.

Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices.

• Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
• Dinners:
  • In cities: 80-200 dirhams (US$8-US$19)
  • In small towns and villages: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
• Drinks in restaurants
  • Soft drinks: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$1.90)
  • Beer: 30-50 dirham (US$2.85-US$5)
  • Wine: 150 dirham (US$14) and more

Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian cous cous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements, you should 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.

Weather

From April to June, and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot, with temperatures averaging 26C (79F) in the day, 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 clear and sunny, and a particularly attractive feature of the winter months is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains.

The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those prevailing 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 plateaux (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).