Morocco: Deserts & Beaches

Main Destination Morocco from $674.25 USD 11 Days Tour

Now's the time to explore Morocco on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Fall in love with the desert life and Moroccan culture on this 11-day tour through the country. Guided by your trusty CEO (Chief Experience Officer), you'll visit incredible sites like the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, spend the night in unique accommodations like a traditional desert camp, and hit the coast with surf lessons of the beaches of Taghazout.

Travel Style

18-to-Thirtysomethings

Service Level

Basic

Physical Grading

2 - Light

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Discover Moment: Marrakech
Your Big Night Out Moment: Marrakech. Dades Gorge walk. Sand boarding in the desert dunes. Guided medina visit in Marrakech. Sunset camel ride in the desert. Traditional dinner and drums under the stars. Aït Ben Haddou kasbah tour. Surf lesson in Taghazout. Sunset beach bonfire. Essaouira orientation walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Stand in the shadows of Dades Gorge, Venture on a camel ride through sand dunes, Explore the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, See history come to life in ancient medinas, Go surfing in Taghazout, Wander around the coastal city of Essaouira

How large will the group be?

Max 14, avg 10.

What meals are included in this trip?

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Private air-con van, public bus.

Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Where will we stay during the trip?

Hotels (7 nts, twin-share), desert camp (1 nt, multi-share), surf house (2 nts, multi-share)

Itinerary

Day 1

Marrakech

Arrive at any time.

After tonight's welcome meeting get ready to channel all of the buzz and excitement of arriving in a new place by opting to head out on the town with your CEO and crew. Take the fun to new heights, grab drinks, kick back at a rooftop bar, and get to know your new travel companions as you prepare for the thrilling journey ahead.

Day 2

Marrakech/Skoura

Depart Marrakech in the morning and transfer to Skoura, one of Morocco’s beautiful oases. While Ouarzazate, further west is now the region’s commercial centre, Skoura’s historic mud-brick castles remain a testament to the past. Explore the area on a guided visit, soak up the atmosphere of this green haven, and listen to the wind catching in the palm trees lining the streets. During your visit you will see different Kasbahs in the area, and learn about their historical and cultural significance. Later, spend free time at the hotel and enjoy a swim in the pool before an included dinner this evening.

Day 3

Skoura/Merzouga

Leave Skoura behind and journey into the vast, golden reaches of the desert. Along the way stop to spend some time walking in Dades Gorge before continuing on to Tinghir for a lunch stop on your own. Later, saddle up and travel by camel to the perfect perch atop the dunes to view the sunset as it paints the sky hues of red, blue, and yellow. Under a canopy of stars, enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment by the campfire. Let your imagination run wild as you listen to traditional music on the drums alongside stories about the region. We dare you to top this campfire experience!

Day 4

Merzouga

Have breakfast at camp before returning to civilization. Then, opt to spend time further exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, and discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursion, or simply relax at the hotel. Later, attend a cooking class to learn about local cuisine and taste your creations. Cap off the day with a sunset sand boarding experience from the highest dunes with the sun turning everything a shining gold! You can pre-book this optional 4x4 desert excursion when booking your tour on the check-out page.

Day 5

Merzouga/Aït Ben Haddou

Leave right after breakfast and travel along the Route of 1000 Kasbahs to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most iconic and beautiful kasbahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the narrow alleys and admire the uniqueness of this place both in traditional architecture and historical significance. At the end of the visit, climb to the highest point of the kasbah and witness the views of the surrounding desert and the Ounila River around golden hour and sunset. In the evening, you can choose to join an optional cooking class to make tajine. Otherwise, dinner will be on your own.

Day 6

Aït Ben Haddou/Marrakech

Journey to the "Red City," Marrakech. Unlock the many secrets this ancient city has to offer in its maze-like alleys, ornate palaces, and lush gardens. Enjoy a guided visit of the medina and see the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Jamaa el Fna square. End the day with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.

Day 7

Marrakech

Take advantage of more free time in Marrakech to wander the Djeema el Fna square in the heart of the medina. Try to keep up with the ever-changing market as it switches up its offerings throughout the day. In the evening, welcome new friends to the group and join your CEO and fellow travellers for a night out on the town. Cheers to the next several days of making memories!

Day 8

Marrakech/Taghazout

Today we make our way through the High Atlas Mountains and visit the market town of Taroudant. Concealed within striking red walls, Taroudant is often called “Little Marrakech.” Wander through the old town at leisure and browse its lively markets before continuing on to the fishing village of Taghazout.

Day 9

Taghazout

Wake to the soft tones of waves crashing along the shoreline, then suit up for a surf lesson. Hit the waves for a free afternoon of surfing or swimming. Prefer land surfing? Opt to go hiking or do yoga. After a day of embracing your wild side, what could be more fitting than gathering around a bonfire on the beach as the sun kisses the horizon goodnight?

Day 10

Taghazout/Essaouira

Take coastal living northward to colourful, sun-drenched Essaouira. After an orientation walk around the city, enjoy free time to get to know the ramparts and rocky beaches of Essaouira further. No rest for the weary? Not true here — opt to pre-book the Traditional Hammam Experience and enjoy a spa experience that is ritual for the many of the locals.

Day 11

Essaouira/Marrakech

Hit the road one final time and return to Marrakech. Even though your trip ends on arrival, make sure you take the time to take plenty of photos with newfound friends to commemorate the memories made. (Morocco scrapbook, anyone?)

Is travel insurance required for my trip?

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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