South Morocco Discovery





From the Atlas Mountains to the deep Sahara, explore the best of Morocco’s south
Venture into the best of south Morocco on this 11-day adventure, where you’ll get to stay in a family gite in the Atlas Mountains, camp under the stars in the deep Sahara and experience a traditional riad in Essaouira. Visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, go on a camel safari at sunset in the desert, hike in the oasis of the palm groves and feast on tagine, couscous and fragrant Moroccan tea. This is the perfect trip to get off the beaten track and discover the charm of southern Morocco.
4.9
618 reviewsStart: Marrakech, Morocco
End: Marrakech, Morocco
- Duration
- 11 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- 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
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- 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
Why you'll love this trip
- Take a guided hike through the High Atlas Mountains and spend a night with an Amazigh family’s gite.
- Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the deep Sahara – the most majestic place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in an Amazigh camp under the North African stars, away from any sound or light pollution.
- Veer off the beaten track to Tata and Tafraoute, deep in the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Check out giant blue rocks, visit the traditional granary, meet the women at a local women’s coop producing Argan oil and duck in and out of souqs.
- 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 UNESCO 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.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Marrakech in Morocco. This vibrant city has many things to see, do, taste, smell and enjoy. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, you may want to head to the bustling public square of Djemaa el-Fna. This is the largest public square in the world where street food vendors and performers all vie for your attention. This is also one of the best spots to grab a tasty local dinner! There's not much time to explore Marrakech this, but if you arrive early there's plenty to see and do. Just speak to your booking agent to organise extra accommodation.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD165
- 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
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and emergency contact 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.
This morning, take a short drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil. When you arrive, store your main luggage and load your overnight bags onto pack mules. Make the 1-hour trek to the peaceful village of Aroumd. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Amazigh culture. Spend the night in a family-run mountain gite where, surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, you’ll enjoy traditional hospitality and homecooked food. Use the rest of the day to explore the village and the surrounding farmlands. If the group is up for it and weather permits, there will be a chance to hike to the pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (approximately 4 hours return). Regardless of your fitness levels, the gentle pace of Aroumd makes it a special place to explore beyond the reach of the modern world.
- Gite homestay (Multishare) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. The optional hike to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine requires appropriate footwear. A pair of good walking shoes with rigid and grippy sole will be sufficient. You will walk over well-trodden paths that may be muddy and unstable.
Facilities at the homestay are shared (both the bathroom and sleeping arrangements) but cosy, comfortable and definitely a unique and rare opportunity to stay with a local family.
This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2260 m above sea level), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara. Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites and a World Heritage site. It was once an important stop for caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. Does it look familiar? The town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator! Enjoy a leader-led walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy the views across the surrounding plains. Your evening is free, with the option of partaking in a local cooking demonstration and meal of Morocco's most famous dishes –couscous and tagine.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
- Ait Benhaddou - Cooking Demonstration & Dinner - MAD313
- Ait Benhaddou - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Today, you’ll have a full day of driving as you journey south towards the Sahara Desert. After breakfast, drive through the Draa Valley to Zagora, where you’ll see the original route of the caravans. Then, travel along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges through seas of sand and past the occasional desert oasis of date palms to the township of Tamegroute. Here, you’ll visit a library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature and stories of the prophet Mohammed. After, join a local guide to uncover the underground Kasbah. Carry on driving to the frontier town of M'Hamid. From here, your group will jump into 4WDs to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes. This is the largest dune in the Moroccan Sahara and one of the less visited – meaning your experience will be further from surrounding towns and villages, away from the tourist trail. Arrive in the late afternoon, where you’ll get ready for the experience of a lifetime – riding on the backs on camels into the Saharan sunset. Tonight, the starry sky won’t disappoint.
- Desert camp (Multishare) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Tamegroute - Ancient Library
- Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
- Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours, including 2.5 hours in the 4WDs.
The camel trek through the Sahara is a highlight of the trip, but if you'd rather, you can walk alongside the camels instead. The trip takes about an hour. For those who prefer not to walk or take the camel ride, it’s possible to organize a 4WD drive instead. This can be organized directly with your tour leader and will cost about 100MAD per person.The camp is simple, with bedding and basic shared toilet facilities. The blankets provided are warm enough between April and October, but you may like to bring your own sleeping sheet or jumper for extra warmth during the months between November and March. Electricity is not available in the camp, so it’s recommended you come prepared with fully charged phones, cameras and everything else you may need.
If you’re an early bird, you might want to head to the nearest dune this morning and watch the sunrise – this spectacle in the Sahara Desert is well worth the alarm! After breakfast, you’ll hop back into the 4WDs and drive out of the desert, switching to your private vehicle on the way to Tata. On the way, stop at the waterfall of Attiq in Tissint for a refreshing change of scenery. These waterfalls are all saltwater and the translation of ‘Tissint’ in the local language is ‘salt’! When you arrive in Tata mid afternoon, you’ll have a free evening to relax. If you like, explore downtown with your leader tonight and head out for a great local dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tata - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tissint – Waterfall of Attiq
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
This morning, drive to Tleta Tagmoute – a small village where you’ll get to see the oasis granaries, date palm plantations and fruit trees. The lifestyle and irrigation system here is quite unique to the region and you’ll get a deeper understanding of what life was like here with a visit to the old collective granary that’s still in use. After exploring, continue to Tafraoute, arriving in the afternoon. This southern Moroccan village sits in the shadows of the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Although it’s now more of a campervan destination, Tafraoute remains authentic and a great base for exploring the Anti Atlas region. When you arrive, you’ll head out for a village walk and visit the local souqs to check out how the traditional babouche is made.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Tleta Tagmoute – Amazigh village and collective granary visit
- Tafraoute – village walk and souk visit
Your travel time today is approximately 5 hours.
Go for a hike in the Ameln Valley this morning, passing through small Amazigh villages, both old and new. The hike will take you through palm trees, almond trees and fields of alfalfa crops used by locals to feed their animals. On the way, stop for a rare chance to visit a traditional Amazigh house that's preserved by your host to showcase the traditional lifestyle, which is changing fast in the modern day. You'll be able to learn about how the traditional Amazigh household functions, and learn about your host's story of growing up here over a cup of freshly made mint tea. The area is quite rocky in general, so sturdy shoes are needed. Also stop for lunch set against the beautiful view of the valley. In the afternoon, head to one of the most controversial sights here – the Pierres Bleues (painted rocks). The Belgian artist Jean Verame spray painted these boulders in 1984 and visitors still debate whether these rocks are an artwork or not (so you can decide for yourself!). The evening is yours to spend.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike
- Tafraoute - Traditional Amazigh House visit
- Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
Your hiking time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Today will be a bit of a long travel day as you head towards the Atlantic. Passing desert scenery, your route is actually a reserve for the Indigenous argan trees. You’ll stop at a local woman’s cooperative along the way, which specialises in Argan oil production. This coop provides women and their families in the rural area with extra income for their community, promoting independence. You’ll learn about how the Argan is extracted from the trees, how it’s produced, then you’ll get to try the freshly made Amlou paste. Carry on to Essaouira (translating to ‘pretty picture’). Within the stone ramparts, you'll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops – the perfect spot for photos. This evening is free for you to explore or relax.
- Riad (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
Your travel time today is approximately 7 hours.
Today after breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala (sea wall). Essaouira is one of the oldest port cities in the country, and fishing here is still quite traditional. You’ll have the chance to meet one of the expert fishermen in the port, who will tell the group all about their story and show you some of the tricks they use, what type of fish to catch and what seasons mean to them. After, enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Jimi Hendrix spent a lot of time here during the 60s, so you know this is a great spot to sit, people watch and listen to the sound of the ocean. Maybe grab a freshly cooked plate of the day's catch at the port or browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries. This is also a hotspot for surfing, so consider taking a lesson if that’s your thing. If you’d prefer to relax, don't miss the opportunity to indulge in a hammam (Moroccan day spa) or local-style bath.
- Riad (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Essaouira - Guided walking tour
- Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
- Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
- Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
- Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD300
- Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD100
Enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, then catch a bus back to Marrakech in the afternoon. Enjoy free time when you arrive, to explore or partake in optional activities. Walk around the famed Djemaa el-Fna – from fire dancers to performers and street food carts, this is somewhere you actually want to get lost. Maybe check out the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi. Join your group tonight for an optional farewell dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.
Your adventure ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakech (subject to availability). Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)
- Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
- Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
- Tamegroute - Ancient Library
- Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
- Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
- Tata - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tissint – Waterfall of Attiq
- Tleta Tagmoute – Amazigh village and collective granary visit
- Tafraoute – village walk and souk visit
- Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike
- Tafraoute - Traditional Amazigh House visit
- Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
- Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
- Essaouira - Guided walking tour
- Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
- Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD165
- 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 - MAD313
- Ait Benhaddou - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
- Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
- Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
- Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD300
- Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD100
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
This trip generates 40 kg of CO2-e per person per day
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
- In 2025, Ramadan will take place from 1 March to 30 March. 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.
- There are a couple of days with long driving hours, particularly getting to the Sahara and to Essaouira, but a, but you’ll make plenty of stops along the way for sightseeing, photo ops and to stretch your legs.
- This trip doesn’t spend a lot of time in Marrakech, so it’s highly recommended that you spend more time in this bustling city before or after the trip. Please consult with your booking agent on booking additional accommodation.
We've sourced our accommodation very 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 standards you are used to at home.
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.
RIADS
On each departure of this trip, we aim to spend at least one night in a traditional Moroccan riad. In the height of the season, however unlikely, there may be an occasion when contracting a full group in a riad will be impossible due to high demand and availability.
TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite (even if you paid for single room supplement) and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
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 Le Caspien
12 Rue Loubnane
Gueliz
Marrakech
40000
MOROCCO
Phone: +212 524422282
Description
Hotel Le Caspien has 40 rooms equipped with TV, air-conditioning, phone, Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. The hotel is in Marrakech's new town of Gueliz surrounded by plenty of restaurants, cafes and shopping options. Other hotel facilities include 2 restaurants and a small pool. It takes only a few minutes by taxi to reach the Old Medina and gardens.
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 our transfer dedicated number +44 2045769838.
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.
Alternate joining point
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
08 Oct 2025 (XMSF251008), 11 Oct 2025 (XMSF251011), 13 Oct 2025 (XMSF251013), 17 Oct 2025 (XMSF251017), 18 Oct 2025 (XMSF251018), 25 Oct 2025 (XMSF251025), 01 Nov 2025 (XMSF251101)
Moroccan House Hotel Marrakech
3 Rue Loubnane, Gueliz
Marrakech
40000
MOROCCO
Phone: +212 524420305
Description
Moroccan House Hotel Marrakech's rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, TV, phone and a mini bar. There is also a 24-hour reception, a swimming pool, a hamam (traditional Moroccan steam bath), a restaurant and laundry service. Luggage storage is available for early arrivals or late departures. The hotel is in Marrakech's new town of Gueliz surrounded by plenty of restaurants, cafes and shopping options. Other hotel facilities include a restaurant and pool. It takes only a few minutes by taxi to reach the Old Medina and gardens.
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 exclude Day 2 (Gite) and Day 4 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to 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.
Reviews
Filter by rating