South Morocco Discovery

10 Days | From souk to Sahara, see the best of Morocco’s south

4.9 out of 5 based on 362 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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CHF  602
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From the colourful, chaotic Marrakech medinas to the vast, serene Sahara Desert, this tour immerses you in the rich cultures and landscapes of South Morocco. Stay in traditional accommodation like riads and a desert camp and explore villages off the beaten track like Aroumd in the Atlas Mountains. Feast on tagine and couscous, visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, travel through the Sahara on a camel’s back during sunset and relax in seaside Essaouira. This ten-day tour is perfect for travellers looking to discover the diversity of Morocco’s south in a short amount of time.

Trip overview

Map of South Morocco Discovery including Morocco
Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Morocco
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
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
XMSF
This trip generates 31 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Take a guided hike through the High Atlas Mountains and spend a night with an Amazigh family in the traditional village of Aroumd.
  • Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the Sahara Desert – the most majestic place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in a Bedouin camp under the North African stars.
  • Recharge with two days in seaside Essaouira where Jimi Hendrix spent time in the 60s, and explore the whitewashed houses, lively port and tiny picturesque alleyways.
  • Explore Ait Benhaddou, a World Heritage site with a grand history and a long list of film and TV credits, on a walking tour with a local guide who knows all the local insights.
  • Visit an Argan oil women’s coop and duck in and out of souqs to haggle with traders as your local leader helps you to navigate the 16th-century walled city of Taroudant.

Is this trip right for you?
  • In 2024, Ramadan will take place from 10 March to 08 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.
  • Some of the accommodation on this trip is more basic, like the desert camp and the homestays, but these will be great opportunities to gain a deeper insight into local life.
  • When travelling in Morocco, temperatures can get very hot in the summer while in the desert, so ensure you bring appropriate sun protection. At night and in the mountains, temperatures can drop to freezing, so ensure you also bring layers. Please refer to our Essential Trip Information for more details.

Itinerary

Map of South Morocco Discovery including Morocco

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (4 nights), Riad (3 nights)

Activities
  • Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
  • Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
  • Tamegroute - Ancient Library
  • Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
  • Tamegroute - Medfouna lunch (Amazigh pizza)
  • Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
  • Taroudant – Argan oil women coop visit
  • Essaouira - Guided walking tour
  • Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
Add on activities
  • Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD150
  • Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Medersa Ben Youssef - MAD40
  • Marrakech - Museum of Marrakech - MAD40
  • Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250
  • Marrakech - Photography Museum - MAD40
  • Ait Benhaddou - Cooking Demonstration & Dinner - MAD100
  • Ait Benhaddou - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
  • Ouarazate - Atlas Movie Studios - MAD80
  • Ouarzazate - Kasbah Taourirt - MAD20
  • Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
  • Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
  • Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD250
  • Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD80
  • Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
  • Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
  • Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
  • Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - Ourika Valley Day Tour - MAD1817
  • Marrakech - Oukaimeden Day Tour - MAD1882
  • Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806
  • Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
  • Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD630
  • Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2 (Gite) and Day 5 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip 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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 362 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Hannah · Traveled February 2024
The south discovery trip far exceeded my expectations. The trip was well organised, varied and fun! Our tour guide Hamid ensured we had an authentic Moroccan experience, was approachable, knowledgeable, fun and professional throughout and really made the trip special! The Atlas Mountains and Sahar desert experience were outstanding!
Review submitted 27 Feb 2024

Ian · Traveled February 2024
This was a wonderful tour. We were able to see and experience things we had never seen or experienced before and we also learnt so much about the country and its culture
Review submitted 26 Feb 2024

cora · Traveled February 2024
I wasn't sure if a group tour would be for me but this trip exceeded all expectations. I made great friends, saw amazing places and can't wait to organize the next adventure. Thank you!
Review submitted 18 Feb 2024

Leah-Ann · Traveled February 2024
As a solo traveller it’s a bit daunting going on a tour on your own but I have to say from start to the end (today) I have never felt alone. Our tour guide, Mohamed, was unbelievable, a kind & caring gent with deep love of Morocco & a great depth to his local understanding of culture & history. I have made friends on this tour & I am looking forward to another.
Review submitted 19 Feb 2024

Roy · Traveled February 2024
Truly the journey of a life time. Mohammad, our guide is a wonderful person and a credit to his profession - he made the trip the most enjoyable and informative I could have ever wished it to be. So many great memories, I genuinely can't recommend it any more highly.
Review submitted 21 Feb 2024
South Morocco Discovery
From
CHF  602