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Adventures / Adventure Tapas

Explore Moroccan Kasbahs and Camp in the Sahara

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

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Trip Ref #10149

Adventures / Adventure Tapas

Explore Moroccan Kasbahs and Camp in the Sahara

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

DURATION
5 nights
LOCATION
Morocco
ANNUAL LEAVE
4 days off work
SEASON
Year-round
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Menara Airport, Marrakech
ACCOMMODATION
Traditional riad · Hotel · Campsite
DIFFICULTY
Easy

More of a cultural adventure than a physical one. All hiking optional and the camel riding just involves holding on!

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 Riad's and learn about ancient traditions

Included

Guides

Expert, English-speaking local guides

Accommodation

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

Meals

Munch on tasty food throughout

Transfers

Airport transfers and all travel on the trip

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Some meals as described

The Area

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 (and day) you choose to arrive or depart.

Travel options

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

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Traditional 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

Traditional 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

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 Benhaddou and Dades Valley

On Day 1 and Day 3 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).

Day 1

Welcome to Marrakech

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 Benhaddou

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 Benhaddou, 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

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

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

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

Time to go home. Quite the long weekend!

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.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What's provided?

  • Bedding for the night in the camp

What do I need to bring?

  • Good walking shoes
  • Light-weight long-sleeve shirts and trousers
  • A warm jacket for night
  • Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock)
  • Camera
  • Medium sized rucksack for easy transportation and storage of your belongings

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.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

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. As much as 10mm of rain can fall in any month, particularly from October to January, but generally the desert is dry and weather isn’t an issue.

Sure can. If you would like to leave anything in Marrakech, your host will look after this for you.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

https://www.worldnomads.co.uk

For current advice about travelling in Morocco, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

From …
Transferrable Deposits

Cancel up to 31 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Free Date Changes

Free date changes up to 31 days before departure.

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