Highlights of Morocco

Name: Highlights of Morocco
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.3 (108 reviews)

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15 Days from

USD 1,599

incl. Taxes

4.3/5 from

Culture

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Culture

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

5 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AMH

Discover imperial cities, the Atlas Mountains, Sahara and Atlantic coast

For sheer diversity, Morocco is the perfect destination. We explore the imperial cities of Marrakech, Meknes and Fez and continue our journey to the mountain ranges to the south, where dunes and kasbahs are scattered among palm oases inhabited by friendly Berbers. A highlight of our trip is a camel trek in the Sahara. We fit in a visit to Todra Gorge, the beautiful 16th-century kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and enjoy a village walk in the picturesque Tighza valley of the High Atlas. We complete the trip with a walk along the sandy beach of Essaouira and a city tour in bustling Marrakech.

Highlights

Discover the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech
Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the impressive Todra Gorge
Experience a traditional hammam in the Atlas Mountains
Walk from a remote Berber community into the magnificent and inspiring High Atlas Mountains
Relax in the charming fishing port of Essaouira

Key Information

Six nights three-star hotels, one night auberge, two nights Riad, one night Sahara camp, two nights lodge and two nights Kasbah
15 days land only / flight inclusive
Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs.
Travel by private minibus and camel

Countries visited: Morocco

What's Included

All breakfasts and four dinners
All accommodation
Tour leader throughout
Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas or vaccinations
Single supplement

People, Places & Planet

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.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
In the desert we hire cameleers which supports the local economy.
The traditional hammam experience in Tighza village provides employment for local women.
On the way to Essaouira we visit a Women’s cooperative Argan Oil farm.
On the free day in Marrakech we suggest guests have lunch at the Amal Women’s training centre which helps women improve their livelihood.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. We visit a number of heritage sites on this trip.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Our local partners have reached B Corp Certification which requires that they demonstrate high levels of social and environmental performance.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary

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 Gomassine or similar

This morning we drive four hours to Casablanca, a modern and commercial seaport, to visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world. After, we drive two hours to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to Casablanca in importance. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old quarter that we take time to explore.

Accommodation: Rabat Hotel Bouregreg or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. Sultan Moulay Ismail's old capital of Meknes is our first example of one of the imperial cities of Morocco. We meet our guide and wander the narrow streets of the old city, and explore the souk, perhaps having your first chance at bartering for souvenirs. 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. After exploring this site we continue our journey approximately two hours drive to the ancient city of Fez, where we spend two nights.

Accommodation: Hotel La Paix or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded over 1,000 years ago, Fez 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 shall 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

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we have a journey approximately 10 hours long, with frequent stops and beautiful scenery along the way. We travel over the stunning Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada, a flat stony desert, gradually approaching the spectacular site of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge (inn) on the edge of the dunes from where it is easy to climb to watch the sunrise.

Accommodation: Auberge La Source or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A free morning provides time to explore the largest 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 genuine Saharan experience – a 45-minute camel trek through the dunes, where we watch the sunset. We then come back to the camp at the edge of the desert to spend the night.

Accommodation: Full-service at Camp La Source or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After sunrise, we leave our desert camp and head towards the little city of Skoura, nestled on a beautiful palm grove and located near Ouarzazate. From here onwards to explore Todra Gorge, and the picturesque oases they hide in (journey time approximately four hours). Following the 1,000 Kasbahs Road for approximately 2hr 30min, you will marvel at the breathtaking vistas of impressive ancient kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves.

Accommodation: Skoura Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

There is the opportunity to take a one-hour drive to Toundout Valley and enjoy a three-hour guided hike through a Berber village, where you will learn a little of their culture. Alternatively, relax in and around the lodge, walking through the magnificent lush palm groves. Considered the palm grove capital of Morocco, Skoura will certainly offer peace and relaxation through its various walks discovering multiple palm groves and kasbahs.

Accommodation: Skoura Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leaving Skoura, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the 'Route of the Thousand Kasbahs' via the desert city of Ouarzazate and on to the well-preserved Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This Unesco World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular sights of the Atlas, and the location of several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). After admiring the view, we may see some of the simple village houses. 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 picturesque walk on an uphill gradient to the village of Tigzha, where we spend the next two nights. Our luggage will be transported to the gîte for us. For those who do not want to walk, mules are available (100 dirhams, payable locally). This is a unique remote village experience however the only accommodation in the area is basic. It is a guest house in the style of the village houses.

Accommodation: Kasbah Oliver or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start our day with an optional walk through the villages of the Tigzha Valley, heading into the hills on mule tracks with the peaks of the High Atlas acting as a backdrop to our walk. The length of our trek will depend on the ability of the group, 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.

Tigzha is just one of four villages in this remote valley that has been supported by Exodus for more than 10 years on various responsible tourism projects. We will 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 will 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 Kasbah for our final dinner in the mountains.

Accommodation: Kasbah Oliver or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving the gite, we walk back to our bus for a short drive to the palace of Telouet. This once-grand building stands abandoned and crumbling but we can visit a small part of this labyrinthine, fairytale-like structure. 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 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. Journey time is between approximately 10 hours, with plenty of comfort breaks and photo stops along the way.

Accommodation: Riad Al Madina or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

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, boat yards 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 Al Madina or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive back to Marrakech, journey time approximately 2hr 30min. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour to find our bearings and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, ending in the Djemaa el Fna, 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 Gomassine or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

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, there will be time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After this, you can unwind by taking a 30-minute calèche ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned by Yves St. Laurent.
For lunch, we would highly 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 Gomassine or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Vaccination

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis vaccines are all recommended.

Eating and Drinking

14 breakfasts and four dinners included.

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 to 100 Dirham (US$6-10) Dinners: In cities 80 to 200 Dirham (US$8-19) and in small towns villages 60 – 100 Dirham (US$6-10)

Soft drinks in restaurants : 10 to 20 Dirham (US$1-1.90) Alcohol: Beer 30 to 50 Dirham (US$2.85-5)– Wine 150 Dirham (US$14) and more

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. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (e.g. 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 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 similar to those in Marrakech, with the nights usually a little cooler and the days a little hotter. Mountain temperatures are cooler than in Marrakech.

In the winter months, 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 the winter months 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).

Is this trip for you?

This trip provides an insight into the enormous variety that Morocco has to offer, including cities, desert and mountain scenery. We spend quality time in the places that matter; that said the pace is not rushed, however a couple of the journeys are long, up to 7 hours. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch your legs. Accommodation standards are comparable to that of Sub-Saharan Africa. The temperatures in the cities may also be hot in the summer months but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day.

Please note, Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 and 10 March 2024 to 10 April 2024.

Ramadan, one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar, is a special time to visit Morocco. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, before refilling with an air of festivity upon their return.

Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time, so we continue to run trips. Please be aware, however, that their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal.

Tourist sites are still open, but may close earlier than usual. Restaurants may close during the day, but this is accounted for in meal arrangements for your group. Shops are typically open, though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast.

Your leader will know how timings need to be adapted to allow all the trip inclusions to run during Ramadan. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year, we suggest patience and flexibility.

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.

Hotel, Gite & Bedouin Camp

You will spend six nights at three-star hotels, one night in an auberge, two nights in a riad, one night in a Sahara camp, two lodge nights, and two nights in a basic kasbah. Some accommodation standards are more often comparable with those found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some hotel water supplies are heated via solar panels, so hot water can not always be guaranteed, especially in Tighza. Tigzha is a unique village experience where we stay in a guest house in the style of the village houses so it is basic. In Essaouira, you stay in a Moroccan Riad that adds to the traditional exotic experience.

However, all are clean, comfortable, and with traditional Moroccan elements. Please note, local authorities have forbidden camps inside the Erg Chebbi dunes for environmental reasons. This means that all Bedouin camps will be set up on the edge of the desert, close to built accommodation.

In Comfort departures – on these dates we have upgraded the hotels and in Essaouira we stay in a traditional Riad right in the heart of the medina. These small family-run guesthouses offer tranquil, authentic stays in the heart of the old city.

You can request a single room on this trip subject to availability. The single supplement applies to hotel nights only and therefore does not cover any nights in the mountains, desert or Bedouin camps. Please note, in winter some accommodation can feel quite cold as they are often poorly heated. Some properties in more rural areas may only have power in the evening (which also means only heating in the evening), however blankets are provided to keep you warm at night.

Allan Crawley

Reviewed March 2023

The High Atlas-stunning scenery

A fast moving adventure, stunning snow capped mountains, un paralleled views and scenery. A camel trek, the Sahara at sunset and sunrise with an overnight in the desert. Tours and histories of the major cities . Be prepared for low overnight temps and hotels with out heating and only Luke warm shower temperatures, and a small bus. Overall an excellent trip. A lovely country with friendly and hospitable people.

Gail Madeley

Embrace everything! This is described as a leisurely holiday but you will be kept busy. Consider the heat and your tolerance to it. It was in to the mid 30s for most of our time in mid May which we found fairly comfortable as it is dry and not humid but I would find it hard later in the summer. Don’t expect to pay by card in many of the restaurants, you will need a fair amount of cash. I wish that I had taken earplugs as the cities were noisy - Moroccans like their motorbikes and spend half the night revving them up! Rural locations and Essaouira are much quieter. If you like using a walking pole it can be handy in he High Atlas, but this is not essential. Definitely try the public hammam as it supports a good cause and it is hilarious! In Marrakesh, the Jardin Majorelle is worth visiting but book for as early as possible as it gets very busy. I would recommend visiting the Jardin Secret as well which is quieter and really beautiful too.

Suggestions

As we flew from Manchester, we had extra time in Marrakesh either side of the trip. Thanks to fairly last minute EasyJet cancellations, we actually arrived two days in advance which meant that we got to know Marrakesh quite well. As a result, I feel we got more out of Marrakesh .

Angela Beckwith

Reviewed September 2021

Wonderful Trip

We were one of the lucky first groups able to travel post-Covid lockdown, and what a way to re-start travel! The trip was excellent with a fantastic mixture of cities, culture, landscape and activities.

Morocco is a very diverse country, with so much to see and experience. I found the people friendly and welcoming, and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Our guide, Fouad, was outstanding, as was our driver Mo-Mo, and both took such good care of our group from start to finish.

There were too many great experiences to mention them all, but the walking tours through Rabat, Fez and Meknes were all awesome – all of the local guides were so enthusiastic to share their country and knowledge with us and we were very lucky to get to experience it with them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping under the stars in the Sahara was a dream come true. We were lucky to have perfect clear skies and the Milky Way was incredibly bright and clear. Waking up early to take an optional morning camel trek out to the dunes to watch the sunrise (having already camel trekked for the sunset the previous day) and seeing the sand change colours as the light changed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fouad was absolutely outstanding. He went out of his way to make sure everyone got the most out of their trip and was constantly organising added little extras (tea and cake at a local home in the Atlas Mountains; local live music demonstration on the edge of the desert; organising for specific shops to open early so a few more last-minute souvenirs could be purchased). He was super organised and never once lost his smile and humour. He took great care of everyone, especially when a few of our group member suffered from dodgy stomachs, and made sure everyone had access to pharmacies and extra stops whenever necessary. He was truly like family by the end of the trip. Likewise, our diver Mo-Mo was such a lovely gentleman, always ready with a smile and a helping hand. He took incredible care of us in the bus and made us all feel very safe whilst on the roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reviewed June 2019

Morocco

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip as we had so many places to explore and to learn the history and culture of the country. The scenery was so diverse and in all towns and villages we were met with smiles. Families invited us into their homes and treated us to delicious meals which was very special as it was during Ramadan . Our leader was very helpful in telling us the best places to eat and drink. The only downside was the mini bus that we had to travel in as it was quiet cramped and uncomfortable and on the days when the journey took 10 hours it felt like torture

Most Inspirational Moment

The Camel trek which was so much fun

Thoughts on Group Leader

Youssef was a great leader looking after us all and listening to anyone who had a problem. He had to be creative at times during Ramadan but he always came up with a solution

Advice for Potential Travellers

Carry an inflatable cushion

Read All Reviews

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability