Map of Essential Morocco including Morocco

Chaotic and colourful, rugged and flavoursome – get a taste of the essential highlights on this ‘Moorish’ adventure through Morocco.

From couscous to camels, mint tea to tanneries, get a taste of Morocco’s best bits on this ‘Moorish’ adventure through mountains, gorges, desert and Berber villages. Kick start in the French-infused port city of Casablanca, hang out with a local family on a homestay in Moulay Idriss, navigate the mother of all medinas in the cultural capital of Fes, wind your way up through Tizi n’Tichka and the High Atlas mountains, before indulging in a Berber-style BBQ, riding camels along the sand dunes during sunset, and setting up camp under the Saharan stars. From the colourful and chaotic Marrakech markets to the rolling hills and Roman ruins of Volubilis – this is an essential adventure through Morocco that you can’t miss!

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Over 29? We’ve got over 900 other great adventures to choose from for solo travellers, friends, families, food lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and more.


Start
Casablanca, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Destination
Morocco
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
XMYM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Who knows where the best street food is in Marrakech? Those who know the streets of Marrakech best. Venture out for some street food tasting in the maze of Marrakech streets with a local expert.

  • Ride camels far out into the Sahara Desert, and camp beneath a blanket of stars - an experience you won't soon forget.

  • Don't get in a hoof when you're offered a camel burger in Meknes – it’s a local delicacy! And like all good food in the medina, this unusual lunch is cooked before your eyes at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

  • It's easy to get lost in a labyrinth (think less David Bowie film, more medieval maze), especially when there are enticing distractions at every turn. Never fear, your local guide knows the city of Fes like a lifelong friend.

  • 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 – be part of it!

Is this trip right for you?

  • In a full-day tour around the Medina of Fes (Day 4), you'll be on your feet for a good five to six hours. Keep in mind that this is one of the highlights of Morocco and well worth the exertion!

  • The Todra Gorge visit (Day 7) takes you to a remote area of Morocco. It is an amazing place to discover on foot, but to do so you'll need a moderate level of fitness and suitable footwear and clothing. If trekking isn’t your thing, have no fear, as there are plenty of other activities to do in the valley.

  • 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 really drop, so bring your warm clothes. Camping can be especially cold at the start and end of the season. Even in the warmer months the temperature can be low in the mountains.

  • In 2023, Ramadan will take place from 22 March to 20 April. Travelling during this holy month 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.

  • 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.

Itinerary

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. There are no planned activities until your welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have time, why not check out Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. Modelled after Marseille in France, this bustling port city has an eclectic architectural style, a fusion of Art Deco French colonial buildings and Mauresque (Moorish) government institutions, all mixed in with an old medina and the city's modern-day landmark - the Hassan II Mosque. A great way to spend the day exploring Casablanca is to wander around the Old Medina and city walls, then jump in a taxi and visit the Quartier Habous – the new medina full of shaded squares, narrow streets and lined with arcades that lead from one souk to another. This is a great place to enjoy a Moroccan coffee and maybe start working on your bargaining skills. Finish the day with a walk along the Corniche and watch the locals enjoy games of football on the beach during sunset. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Casablanca - Religious Casablanca Urban Adventure - MAD1850
  • Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD700
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
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.

Please be aware that some of our travellers to Casablanca are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Intrepid trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Intrepid Travel and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers against joining any tour offered by unauthorised guides.
After breakfast, opt to take a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque (entrance fee payable locally), more than 6000 craftsmen joined forces to build this beauty in 1993 and it's one of the few mosques in Morocco that foreigners can enter. Later, head to the station and take a local train to Meknes. Upon arrival, jump into a taxi and head to the whitewashed village of Moulay Idriss – one of Morocco's most important pilgrimage sites – then go for a stroll and indulge in a rather unusual lunch, a camel burger! However if you’re a vegetarian, don’t get the hump, there’ll be an option for you too! You’ll also witness a demonstration on the art of mint tea making, this sweet treat is a Moroccan speciality. Tonight, you'll get to hang out with a local family, an experience that’s only been allowed for foreigners since 2005 – lucky you!
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Moulay Idriss - Mint tea making demo
  • Moulay Idriss - Camel burger lunch
Optional Activities
  • Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque - MAD130
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's travel time is approximately 2.5 hours
Take a drive through the beautiful rolling hills to Volubilis and enjoy a guided tour of these epic Roman ruins, then head back to Meknes where you'll meet your local guide for a tour of the city. Continue your adventure on a 40-minute train ride to the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco – Fes. Vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming, Fes is a visual and pungent feast for the senses, with a huge, well-preserved medieval old city that’s the mother of all medinas. Later this afternoon, enjoy some free time and perhaps check out the exquisite carvings and magnificent tile work at the Medersa el Attarine, near the spice and perfume market. Alternatively, Fes is a shopping heaven for those who want to pick up a souvenir or two.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Meknes - Medina walking tour
  • Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Getting lost in Fes is half the fun, but you'll have an orientation walk this morning to help you get the lay of the land first. Join your leader through this vibrant labyrinth of a city, alive with the many craftsmen, markets, ceramics and beautiful mosques. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's coolest buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to visitors. You'll also visit the famous tannery and its dye pits (which are also famously stinky, but well worth it), and a ceramic factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. Today is going to be a big day so remember to keep hydrated and pack some snacks.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fes - Medina walking tour
  • Fes - Medersa El Attarine
  • Fes - Tannery visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Travelling south across a bunch of different terrain, you will reach Ifrane, a mountain resort established by the French in 1929. After a short stop for coffee and an opportunity to stretch your legs, continue further south. Then, at Midelt, the landscape opens up, giving way to awesome views to the west. This smallish market town, surrounded by farmland and orchards, is a great spot to break up the journey to the Sahara and watch Berber people and nomadic shepherds tending to their flocks. You'll stay the night in Midelt, but first it's time for a nice walk (approximately 2 hours). The walk itself is easy, but the terrain is rocky in some places, so wear your best walking shoes. Bring your camera too, or your smartphone or whatever, because the scenes along the way might just make your Instagram account explode.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Midelt - Berber village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
On your way to the desert, stop at the spectacular narrow defile known as the Gorges du Ziz, then head to the large town of Errachidia. Pass the 500-year-old ruins of the Ksar of Meski then descend into the Ziz Valley, a particularly fertile region that produces figs, olives, dates and tamarisk – a fruit grown for its tannin and used in the curing of leather skins. Arrive in Merzouga, drop your main bags off at your overnight camp set next to a simple Auberge (that's French for ‘inn'), and get ready for a once in a lifetime experience – a desert full of awesome. The mode of transport? Camel, of course! Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset, this ride takes about an hour, going through the vast expanse of sand, and loops back to your private camp for an overnight stay. In the camp, you'll have a thin mattress, blankets and sheets (and auberge not so far away, just in case). Make sure you bring a sleeping sheet 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' kinda moment.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sahara Desert - Camel ride
  • Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The camel trek through the Sahara is an amazing 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 (walk isn't too demanding, you'll be fine with basic level of fitness).
Hope you remembered to set your alarm this morning, because you'll be getting up well before the crack of dawn. Climb to a nearby sand dune to catch the sunrise and experience the amazing interplay of light as the Sahara slowly comes alive all around you. Head back for brekkie, collect the rest of your gear together and then travel west to Todra. Come across a bright tablecloth of green that might seem so out of place you'll think you are 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, then take a hike into the gorge where sheer cliffs rise more than 1000 feet above you.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Todra Gorge - Hike - MAD300
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
From Todra Gorge, travel along the ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’ and enjoy views of the Dades Gorge. You'll also travel past the town of Skoura, home to the beautiful little houses rising like a mirage beyond a dry riverbed. Quench your thirst with a mouthful of mint tea (the best in the world!) at Tawesna teahouse, whose profits are devoted to the projects of the women association in the village. This experience is more than just a cuppa – it’s about discovering a culture, sharing a true moment, contributing to women economic inclusion and sustainable tourism – be part of it! Continue to the medieval mud-brick town of Ait Benhaddou, which is at its best in the late afternoon sun. If you wonder why Ait Benhaddou looks familiar to you, it’s probably because you’ve seen it before! Perhaps not live, but certainly on the silver screen, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and loads of other movies and shows were filmed in this kasbah. Explore the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a superb view over the old town, you can also (for a small fee) enter one of the most interesting of the old houses and climb up to the turrets for a view over the river. You'll spend the night just outside the walls.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ait Benhaddou - Tea at Tawesna association
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Continue west, passing a few Berber villages before stopping for a delicious BBQ lunch in one of the many townships along the way – enjoy mouth-watering kefta (Moroccan minced meat) and veggies served with fresh bread, then perhaps wash it all down with a local drink. Continue to take in those epic views of the countryside as you wind your way up towards Tizi ‘n Tichka. This is a whopping 2260 metres above sea level, the highest pass on the road to Marrakech and often gets covered with snow during the winter months. Leaving the Atlas behind, you'll descend into the plains that surround Marrakech and arrive late afternoon. With no planned activities after your arrival, this is a good chance to get lost in the fun of Jemaa el Fna, where there are so many fire eaters, fortune tellers, actors, musicians and hawkers vying for your attention.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Marrakech is a feast for the senses, and this morning you’ll get to venture out for some street food tasting in the maze of Marrakech streets with a local expert. Set off on a tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood flowing through the city and sample some sweet and savoury specialities. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom, and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This splendid mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. The rest of the day is free so where do you start? Why not head out on a cycling trip, go quad-biking or indulge in a Luxury Hammam and Spa, the options are endless. You might also like to visit Le Jardin Secret, 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. For a meaningful activity, you may want to visit AMAL Women’s Training Center for an optional meal. Amal is a non-profit organisation that helps disadvantaged women gain work experience by providing a comprehensive training in gastronomy. Every year 30 to 40 women complete the training which then helps them to find appropriate employment and improve their living conditions. Please ask your tour leader for more details. In the evening you will no doubt be drawn back to Jemaa el Fna for a final night out.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Marrakech - Medina walking tour
  • Marrakech - Street food tasting in Old Medina
  • Marrakech - Palais Bahia
Optional Activities
  • Marrakech - AMAL Women's Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant - MAD110
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret - MAD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
There are no activities planned after breakfast this morning, 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 ‘Tajine Cookery Class’, visit urbanadventures.com.
Optional Activities
  • Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
  • Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust - MAD1650
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
  • Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806
  • Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
  • Marrakech - Oukaimeden Day Tour - MAD1882
  • Marrakech - Ourika Valley Day Tour - MAD1817
  • Marrakech - Imlil & Aroumd day trip - MAD1817
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Camel, Minibus, Taxi, Train

Accommodation

Desert Camp (1 night), Guesthouse (2 nights), Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Moulay Idriss - Mint tea making demo
  • Moulay Idriss - Camel burger lunch
  • Meknes - Medina walking tour
  • Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
  • Fes - Medina walking tour
  • Fes - Medersa El Attarine
  • Fes - Tannery visit
  • Midelt - Berber village walk
  • Sahara Desert - Camel ride
  • Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
  • Ait Benhaddou - Tea at Tawesna association
  • Marrakech - Medina walking tour
  • Marrakech - Street food tasting in Old Medina
  • Marrakech - Palais Bahia

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Essential Morocco trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. How to endear yourself to the locals: don’t pose for photos where the holiest of holy people pray. If you want to take a photo of people, always ask - they may say no, so respect that. Even if it’s hot, cover your shoulders, knees and hair. Don’t shake someone’s hand or eat with your left hand - this is the one you use to wipe your butt.
2. Morocco is the land of legendary hospitality, so mind your manners. You'll need a scarf to cover your shoulders and be prepared to take off your shoes if you enter someone's home (plan ahead and wear clean socks).
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 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.
4. The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry. In an effort to best control and monitor shopping and activities with an aim for the best experience possible, Intrepid has established a system of carefully selected shopping experiences and activities based on positive feedbacks from our previous travelers. On occasion these will be as part of included walking tours or outside of included activities in free time. Please note that if you feel that you do not wish to join in on these shopping experiences we assure you there is no obligation and if you indicate your desire to not partake your group leader will help to facilitate a suitable alternative during this time.
Intrepid have set up a centralized system of receiving payments from these recommended suppliers, of which are then distributed towards local Responsible Travel projects (such as 'say no to plastic' cotton bags for our travelers and drinking water refilling stations), traveler information packs, and leader bonuses. Further details of these arrangements can be provided by your group leader on request.
While Intrepid endeavors to ensure that these suppliers and services maintain reasonable levels of quality, please note recommended suppliers are chosen based on past travelers feedback and experiences and Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of the product. A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of you our traveler is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective.

Essential trip information

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