South Morocco Discovery

11 days4.9513 reviews
Explorer
From
NZD $1,310

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.

Map of South Morocco Discovery including Morocco
Trip code: XMSF
Start
Marrakech, Morocco
End
Marrakech, Morocco
Destinations
Morocco
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)
Days
11
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
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: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
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 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’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.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of South Morocco Discovery including Morocco

Inclusions and activities

Meals

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)

Included activities
  • 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 - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
  • Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike with tea and picnic
  • Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
  • Essaouira - Guided walking tour
  • Essaouira – Local fisherman visit

Optional activities
  • 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

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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.

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

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.

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 513 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.

Filter by rating

Michelle · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 27 Nov 2024

Mary · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 26 Nov 2024

Rebecca · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 27 Nov 2024

Jeannine · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 20 Nov 2024

Robyn · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 20 Nov 2024
South Morocco Discovery
From
NZD $1,310