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4.6
| 82 reviews

Explore Moroccan Kasbahs and Camp in the Sahara

Morocco
5 nights
Easy

Stroll through remarkable gorges, explore ancient kasbahs and ride camels through the dunes to a Berber camp

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking local guides

All accommodation

2 nights in a riad, 2 nights in a hotel and 1 night in a Berber camp

Meals

5 breakfasts and 3 dinners

Transfers

Airport transfers and all travel on the trip

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

…

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.6
| 82 reviews
A real value-for-money adventure!
May 2024
Kristian Z.
A real value-for-money adventure!
May 2024
Kristian Z.
A real value-for-money adventure!
May 2024
Kristian Z.
Marvellous Morocco made Magic with MBA!
May 2024
Hilary G.
Marvellous Morocco made Magic with MBA!
May 2024
Hilary G.
Marvellous Morocco made Magic with MBA!
May 2024
Hilary G.
Well organised and locally vibrant
May 2024
Eeshwar C.
Well organised and locally vibrant
May 2024
Eeshwar C.
Brilliant Trip - thank you!!
April 2024
Mark E.
Brilliant Trip - thank you!!
April 2024
Mark E.
A Journey
April 2024
Isabella C.
A Journey
April 2024
Isabella C.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
Fantastic trip
April 2024
Natalie J.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
This was a fantastic opportunity
April 2024
Eleanor C.
One of the best trips I’ve had!
March 2024
Rachel T.

Wander the winding streets of ancient, walled kasbahs and through the pathways of dramatic deep gorges

Spend a night at a traditional Berber camp and sleep under the huge desert sky spotting shooting stars

Experience the best of Moroccan culture and nature as you soak up vast landscapes, sleep in riads and learn about ancient traditions

Key Information

Day 1

Welcome to Marrakech

Driving

15 mins

Your host will meet you at the airport and take you to your traditional riad accommodation in Marrakech’s historic medina. You'll then get the chance to spend the day exploring the city’s colourful souks, wander the UNESCO-listed main square and indulge in some amazing Moroccan food.

Day 2

From Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou

Driving

4-5hrs · 190km

You will be picked up in a modern 4x4 or minibus before setting off on a journey that will take you up and over the Atlas Mountains before descending to the desert on the other side. Along the way you'll stop at a high mountain pass, a 17th-century kasbah, and an oasis where you'll learn a bit about Berber folklore and grab lunch. The day ends in Ait Ben Haddou, a red clay city where films and shows like Gladiator and Game of Thrones have been filmed. Relax with dinner and sunset in this picturesque walled city.

Day 3

Draa River Valley and Camel Trekking in Merzouga

Driving

6-7hrs · 390km

Heading to the scenic Draa River Valley today you'll check out the area’s numerous kasbahs and oases. Calm water backed by the snowy Atlas Mountains makes this valley particularly beautiful. Later in the day you will arrive in Merzouga to meet your camels and gear up for a night in the desert. The 1.5-hour sunset camel trek will end at a traditional Berber camp in the dunes. Enjoy hot mint tea and fresh dinner around the fire, and sleep under the stars or in a comfortable Berber tent.

Day 4

Dades Valley and Todra Gorge

Driving

5-6hrs · 300km

After a leisurely breakfast in the camp (and a incredible sunrise if you're early enough) you’ll be picked up by your driver and taken to Todra Gorge, an impressive canyon with sheer 160m cliff walls. Hike around to check out the views, and when you’re done exploring continue the drive through the Dades Valley to your hotel. Known as the 'Valley a Thousand Kasbahs', this rose red landscape is spectacular.

Day 5

Ouarzazate to Marrakech

Driving

7-8hrs · 365km

This morning’s drive will take you along the Rose Valley to Skoura Oasis, a surprisingly verdant village in the desert. Continue onto Ouarzazate to have lunch at a kasbah, then finish the trip with a leisurely drive back over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech for a final night in the old town.

Day 6

Goodbye Morocco

Driving

15mins

Relax over your last Moroccan breakfast, explore the town some more if you have time, then transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.

Day 1

Riad · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Campsite · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Riad · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Moroccan food has a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Local specialities include tajines (a stew cooked in an earthenware pot), couscous, and pastilles (flaky pastries stuffed with meat and dusted with cinnamon and sugar). Food is often spiced with cumin, turmeric and ginger.

The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals: Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milk Lunch: Salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish, seasonal fruit Dinner: Soup, classic Moroccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, fruit

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form

What is the accommodation like?

Marrakech

In Marrakech, you'll stay in a beautiful riad - traditional Moroccan houses with an interior garden or courtyard. The exact riad you stay in will be confirmed nearer the time based on availability and group size. All are chosen for their excellent reputation, location, beautiful decor and welcoming service.

Ait Ben Haddou and Dades Valley

On Days 2 and 4 you'll sleep in small local hotels both featuring private rooms with unique decor and ensuite bathrooms.

Berber Camp

The Berber camp provides permanent carpeted tents with beds, or, if you prefer, blankets for sleeping under the stars.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

This trip has been rated as Easy

This is a relaxed trip that is mostly cultural exploration with a dash of activity. The camel trek, though a little uncomfortable, is easy and fun for most travellers. Any other hiking is optional and entirely up to whether you want to join or not.

The desert can get quite hot, with daytime temperatures averaging 15 - 40°C from March to October, and 5 - 20°C from November to February. Nighttime temperatures drop significantly and can even approach freezing in the winter. As much as 10mm of rain can fall in any month, particularly from October to January, but generally the desert is dry.

In the summer (June, July, August), daytime temperatures have been known to approach 45°C on occasions in the desert and in the towns and cities on this trip, so please ensure that you come prepared with sun protection, light and airy clothing and electrolytes/rehydration solutions if travelling at this time of year. If it becomes unsafe to camp in the desert due to extreme summer temperatures, your host will accommodate you in a nearby hotel instead.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Marrakech Airport (RAK)

Arrive anytime on Day 1

Ends

Marrakech Airport (RAK)

Depart anytime on Day 6

Transfers

Private transfers between the airport and your riad are included for any time you choose to arrive on day 1 and depart on day 6, or if you have booked additional pre or post trip accommodation with your host.

If you are making your own arrangements to extend your stay in Morocco, private transfers between Marrakech airport and Marrakech city are not included but can be arranged with your host for an additional cost. Please see Optional Extras for details.

Travel options

There are daily flights to Marrakech from major airports across the UK and Europe.

Please note that mobile boarding passes are not accepted at Marrakech airport. You will need to present a printed boarding pass on departure.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What's provided?

  • Bedding for the night in the camp

What do I need to bring?

  • Good walking shoes
  • Light-weight long-sleeve shirts
  • Light-weight trousers
  • A warm jacket for the evenings
  • Clothes for sleeping in
  • Underwear
  • Personal toiletries
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Hand Sanitiser
  • Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock)
  • Camera
  • Universal plug adaptor
  • Electrolytes/rehydration solutions (Summer)
  • Medium sized rucksack for easy transportation and storage of your belongings
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room

Payable Before Departure

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room

… Per Night

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room

Payable Before Departure

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room

… Per Night

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade

…

Private transfer between Marrakech Airport and Marrakech City (per vehicle)

Payable Before Departure

Private transfer between Marrakech Airport and Marrakech City (per vehicle)

…

Fiona P.(June 2024)
Guide and driver very nice,

Guide and driver very nice, although would have appreciated being given more information to learn about the history and culture of Morocco. As expected it was a lot of driving but the bus was comfortable. Food in Morocco was lovely. Hotels pleasant.

Kristian Z.(May 2024)
A real value-for-money adventure!
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