Real Morocco





Catch the sunset in the desert and ride waves in coastal villages
This adventure through Morocco’s most popular spots and best kept secrets will give you everything you’re looking for – with a small group of travel buddies, you'll ride a camel during sunset in the Sahara, watch performers in Djemaa el-Fna, hike through Todra Valley, tuck into a home-cooked meal made by locals, try delicious mint tea at a local women’s coop in the famed Ait Benhaddou, learn how to surf (or show your skills) in sleepy seaside villages and rub shoulders with the true Moroccan culture in the Atlas Mountains. Wandering through ever-changing landscapes, you’ll get the chance to learn about the rich history of this country while also kicking back and doing all your favourite things with your new friends. This is the real Morocco!
4.7
6 reviewsStart: Marrakech, Morocco
End: Marrakech, Morocco
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Ages
- Min 18 - Max 35
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- 18 to 35s
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds
Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience
Why you'll love this trip
- Enjoy the slow pace and laidback lifestyle of Morocco’s seaside villages in Taghazout and Essaouira – where you can catch the waves in a surf lesson and stretch out your worries in a yoga class.
- Tick the Djemaa el-Fna Square off your bucket list in Marrakech and wander through the colourful chaos of street performers, singers, poets and street food carts all vying for your attention.
- Stay the night in a Saharan desert camp under the North African stars after riding a camel through the sand dunes watching the sunset over the vast, untouched landscape.
- Take a break from the bustling city streets high in the Atlas Mountains – enjoy homecooked meals, authentic local connections and a breath of fresh air in Aroumd.
- Prepare for the best mint tea of your life on a visit to the Tawesna teahouse. This experience is more than just a cuppa, it’s about discovering a culture, sharing a true moment and contributing to the economic inclusion of women.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. This adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. After meeting your fellow travellers and the group leader, why not get to know each other while exploring the city’s main square – Djemaa el-Fna – or get lost exploring the city’s spice souks or bazaars. For dinner, maybe load up on some delicious street food, but be warned – the eggplant fritters are addictive and the barbeque smells around the city will be sure to make you hungry (even if you’ve just eaten!). Marrakech is also known as a great spot for trendy rooftop bars, so why not head to one of the local favourites with a view and grab a cocktail.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Marrakech - AMAL Women's Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant - MAD110
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD1999
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret - MAD60
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
If you want more time to hang out in Marrakech, it might be a good idea to arrive a day early – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Todra Gorge. This is a long travel day, so make sure you have a book handy. After a while, you’ll come across a bright tablecloth of green that might seem so out of place, you'll think you’re dreaming. This valley is pretty impressive, with all its palm trees and mud-brick villages. Arrive at your hotel at the top of the valley, and take some time to relax, recharge and chill out under the palms. Maybe head out for a brief stroll before enjoying an included dinner with your group. Settle in for the night and get a good night’s rest, ready for a beautiful hike tomorrow.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Todra Gorge - Hike - MAD350
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
After breakfast, take a hike through the shaded palms of the Todra Valley for a couple of hours, taking in the picturesque scenery of the gorge ahead. Be rewarded at the end of your adventure with a home-cooked lunch served in the backyard of a local family. You'll be treated to dates, nuts, tea and a delicious meal to refuel after your walk. Then, make your way to the Sahara. After a few hours of transit, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a sun-kissed desert. The mode of transport? Camel, of course! Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset while you wind through the vast expanse of sand and loop back to your private camp for an overnight stay in the middle of the sandy dunes. In the camp, you'll have a thin mattress, blankets and sheets (and an auberge not so far away, just in case). Ensure you bring a sleeping sheet and warm jumper if it's winter (you'd be surprised how cold it can get). Sleep under the stars and have a mind-blowing 'I am so far from home' kind of moment.
- Desert Camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch
- Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert - Camel ride
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The camel trek through the Sahara is a fantastic way to experience the desert, but it may be painful on your backside. If you'd prefer, it's possible to walk alongside the caravan on the sand for about an hour. Alternatively, it’s also possible to organise a 4WD drive. This can be organised directly with your tour leader and will cost approximately 100MAD per person.
Remember to set your alarm this morning because you'll get up well before dawn. Climb a nearby sand dune to catch the sunrise – this sight is worth the early rise – then head back to camp for breakfast, collect the rest of your gear and travel to Ait Benhaddou. Stop for the best mint tea in the world at the Tawesna Association. All profits here are devoted to the women’s projects in the village of Ait Benhaddou. This experience in the inclusive female teahouse is more than just a cuppa – it’s about discovering a culture and contributing to women’s economic inclusion and responsible tourism. Then, explore the medieval mud-brick town of Ait Benhaddou. If you’re wondering why it looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it before on the silver screen. Walk the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a view over the Old Town. You can also visit one of the most interesting old houses in the Kasbah for a small fee. You'll spend the night just outside the walls.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ait Benhaddou - Tea at Tawesna association
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
This morning, take a private transfer towards Imlil, high in the Atlas Mountains. Calling dibs on a window seat would be a smart move – the drive features some great scenery. Imlil is a little village that sits at the foot of North Africa’s highest peak, and when you arrive, you’ll head out for a scenic walk. On your way to the mountain village of Aroumd, take your time to explore the landscape, the rolling mountains and the bursts of green flora. Tonight’s stay is in a family-run gite (or mountain home) in the village. The Amazigh people here are famous for their hospitality, so make the most of this opportunity to sit down, break bread with the family and learn about their culture.
- Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Imlil – Scenic Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. Today’s scenic walk will be approximately 40 minutes.
Your main piece of luggage will remain with the vehicle in Imlil and you won’t have access to it again until Day 7. You will need a small bag for your two-night stay in Imlil.
Facilities at the homestay are shared (both the bathroom and sleeping arrangements), but they’re cosy, comfortable and offer an experience that is so much more memorable than a hotel. WiFi and power sockets to charge devices are available.
After breakfast, enjoy a slow-paced morning in the mountains. Today, you’ll head through Imlil on a day hike, exploring the scenery of the surrounding peaks and villages. Traverse through bursts of green and stop to admire the Imlil waterfall, where you can get up close and personal with the cascades. Walk at your own pace, enjoying the seclusion of being far away from the tourist crowds of the main cities. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and return to your homestay accommodation for a relaxed and free afternoon and group dinner.
- Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Imlil – Day Hike with Picnic Lunch
Today’s hike will be approximately 4 hours or 10 km. This duration includes a one-hour lunch break. We recommend hiking shoes for this activity.
In winter, you may take an alternative route if snow makes the regular path unsafe.
Say goodbye to the mountains and return to Marrakech. When you arrive, you have a free day to stroll through the bustling souks. If you like, explore the courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Why not head out on a cycling trip, go quad-biking or indulge in a luxury hammam and spa. You might like to visit Le Jardin Secret too – a traditional medina garden revived for the 21st century. Once owned by a powerful local chief U-Bihi – who was poisoned by Mohammed IV – this historic riad has one of the most beautiful courtyards in Marrakech, combining exotic and traditional Islamic gardens that are fed by original khettara (an underground irrigation system). In the evening, you’ll no doubt be drawn back to Djemaa el-Fna for a final night out.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Today is free to wander, rest or take part in a fun optional activity. Say goodbye to some of your trip mates, as others will be joining you for the next leg of the adventure. You will have another meeting at 4 pm today to meet them. As evening falls, you might want to grab dinner or explore the bustling nightlife of the city with your new travel buddies. Marrakech has some great rooftop bars – so find one with a view and order your favourite cocktail.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change here.
After breakfast this morning, travel to Taghazout. This cool, laidback fishing village has quickly gained a solid reputation as one of the country’s best surfing spots. The waters stay warm all year round, and the surf is top-notch for both rookies and adept wave riders (so there’s no excuse not to catch some rolling waves). After getting your fill of the beautiful local beaches, maybe ask your leader for the best spots for a seafood dinner, before spending the night at a local surf camp.
- Surf Camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Accommodation in Taghazout is in multi-share dormitories. Here you won't be staying in twin share rooms, but rather cool hangouts with shared facilities. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender dormitories.
Kick off your adventures in the sleepy town of Taghazout with an early morning yoga session, to help you relieve any tension before diving into the water once again. Oddly enough, the skills required for surfing and yoga tend to complement each other, through concentration, flexibility and balance. Good news, if you were planning on hitting the waves again today! Don’t know how to ride a board or didn’t get the chance yesterday? No stress – today includes a half-day surfing course to teach you the basics, and if you already know the ropes, there’s always time to refine your skills in unfamiliar territory.
- Surf Camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Taghazout – Surfing Class
- Taghazout – One Hour Yoga Class
Get up early today if you want to catch the sunrise, then travel to the old fishing town of Essaouira. Along the way, stop by a female-led cooperative specialising in Argan production. Learn about how these women extract the Argan from the trees, watch the beans being roasted and pressed, then taste the Argan oil and paste, all made right here! Arrive at your destination – a place where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the town translates to ‘little picture’ – so get your camera ready! It’s safe to say you’ll be taking lots of snaps during your time in this picturesque place. Join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mullah, port and by the skala (sea wall). Then head out to taste some street food, you'll get to try harira (soup), mesman (flatbread), Moroccan sweets and sample olive oil and honey.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Essaouira – Walking Tour with a Local Guide
- Essaouira - Argan Oil Cooperative Visit
- Essaouira – Street Food Tasting
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Chat with locals on a shared bus ride back to Marrakech. With no activities planned after arriving, you’re free to leave at any time. Depart from the bus station or walk back to the hotel with your leader and depart from there. If you wish to extend your adventure, there are a range of optional activities to get to know the city better. Why not become a Moroccan MasterChef in an Urban Adventure’s cooking masterclass with a local guide? Journey through the souks of Marrakech and shop for the best ingredients before learning the insider tricks on how to whip up a deliciously authentic tagine in a classic riad setting while getting to know the family that lives there. To find out more about the Tajine Cookery Class, visit urbanadventures.com. If you need to organise additional accommodation tonight, just speak to your booking agent.
- Breakfast
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD1999
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
It's best to book flights later than 4 pm this evening in case of any delays and to allow time to transfer to the airport.
Inclusions and activities
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Private Vehicle, Public Bus
Desert Camp (1 night), Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Surf Camp (2 nights)
- Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch
- Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert - Camel ride
- Ait Benhaddou - Tea at Tawesna association
- Imlil – Scenic Walk
- Imlil – Day Hike with Picnic Lunch
- Taghazout – Surfing Class
- Taghazout – One Hour Yoga Class
- Essaouira – Walking Tour with a Local Guide
- Essaouira - Argan Oil Cooperative Visit
- Essaouira – Street Food Tasting
- Marrakech - AMAL Women's Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant - MAD110
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD1999
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret - MAD60
- Todra Gorge - Hike - MAD350
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- The weather in Morocco can be extreme. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially if you're not used to the heat. If you do travel in the warmer months, bring the necessary sun protection and drink plenty of water. At night the temperature can drop, so bring your warm clothes, too. Camping can be especially cold in winter and near Aroumd you can expect snow at the start and end of the season.
- Travelling during Ramadan can be a rewarding cultural experience, however, some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period. Refer to the "Climate and seasonal information," section of your Essential Trip Information for more details and dates.
- Todra Gorge and Aroumd are remote areas of Morocco. They’re best explored on foot, so you’ll need a moderate level of fitness and hiking shoes. You’ll also take only a small bag of essentials with you for your two-night stay in Aroumd. Please see the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- Although you shouldn’t expect any aggressive selling techniques in Morocco, please be aware that you may be approached regularly by shop owners and street vendors.
- We've sourced our accommodation carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different from Western standards.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels or hostels in line with the Intrepid style of travel. Yes, we do cool, mostly central and often very original accommodation in Morocco, but remember, occasionally we are not in the right centre of action, which means you may need to hop on a public transport to get to the city centre (or grab a lovely old Merc taxi – plenty of them around). Please note that service and accommodation in Morocco is not quite the same standard you are used to. Your accommodation will not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. In fact, on Intrepid trips you may sometimes share your room with more than one person. But that certainly isn’t the rule.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.
HEATING
Some of our guesthouses/hotels are unable to supply heating as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It's also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold showers, which are a pleasure for most of the year. Air-conditioning systems (if available) don't always function.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Hotel Amalou
156 Avenue Abdelkrim Khattabi Gueliz, Gueliz, 40 000 Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech
MOROCCO
Phone: +212 524422356
Description
Hotel Amalou is centrally located in the Gueliz district. The property is 4 km from Bahia Palace and 1 km from Conference Palace. There are 59 rooms all with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and TV. Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Outdoor swimming pool is available to hotel guests.
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met outside Marrakech Airport (RAK) by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. The driver will wait a maximum of one hour from the time the plane lands. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +44 20 4576 9838.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. The price should be agreed before entering the vehicle and should be approximately MAD250 during daylight hours and MAD300 at night.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Desert Camp), Days 5 and 6 (Guesthouse) and Days 9 and 10 (Surf Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please also note that there is a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability, please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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