
DURATION
6 nights
LOCATION
Morocco
ANNUAL LEAVE
5 days
SEASON
Feb-April, Sept-Oct
GROUP SIZE
Up to 12 people
MEETING POINT
Marrakech Menara Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Riad · Guesthouse · Glamping
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
No climbing or yoga experience is needed, just a sense of adventure and moderate fitness levels
Trek through dramatic wadis and canyons and tackle Morocco’s only via ferrata
Embrace your inner zen with sunset and sunrise yoga sessions deep in the dunes of the vast Sahara
Bed down in a traditional riad in the heart of Marrakech and a luxury camp in the desert
Featured as one of 'the best holidays balancing eco-credentials with a good time' by The Independent
Day 1
Welcome to Marrakech
Fly into the colourful city of Marrakech and head to your traditional riad in the historic medina. Spend the day exploring the souk and the unforgettable main square, the ever-changing show that is the Jemaa el-Fnaa – a place that’s been beguiling and entertaining travellers for centuries. Finish the day meeting your crew over dinner to hear all about the adventure ahead.
Day 2
Road-tripping to the gorge
Driving
6hrs
Up bright and early for your road trip across the country. Passing through the Atlas Mountains, you'll pause at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou for a quick look around and to grab some lunch. The journey then continues all the way to the limestone cliffs of Todra Gorge, a natural oasis with a river running through the middle and a dense 'palmeraie' (date palm forest) on either side.
Day 3
Time to scale some cliffs
Climbing
5hrs
Yoga
1 hr
You'll have a briefing this morning with your climbing guide and get set up with your kit before heading on foot to the entrance of the gorge. The 400m near-vertical red rock cliffs are a climber's mecca, with plenty of routes available for total novices to progress along. You'll spend the day getting to grips with the equipment and your technique before heading back to the guesthouse late afternoon. After a bit of time to chill, there'll be a pre-dinner yoga class to limber up and stretch out. Dinner will be a social affair and hearty affair.
Day 4
Higher and higher
Climbing
5hrs
Yoga
1hr
Building on the skills you learned yesterday, you'll hit some new routes as you start to get a feel for the rocks and the surroundings. You'll be climbing in an area with some shade so there's plenty of downtime if needed - and of course, a picnic lunch when you're ready or a quick walk to the local village to grab anything else you fancy. Heading back to the guesthouse late afternoon you'll again have another yoga class on the roof as the sun sets. This is the perfect way to relax before dinner and the roof is also a relaxing place to hang out a star-gaze at the end of the day.
Day 5
Hiking, mint tea and Sahara-dwelling
Hiking
3-4hrs · 13km · 400m up · 400m down
Yoga
1hr
Switch your climbing shoes for hiking boots today as you set off on a 13km loop of the gorge. Passing goat-herders, wandering donkeys and nomadic locals along the way, you'll follow the path to a plateau with 360° views across the Atlas Mountains. Back at the guesthouse, it's time to head to Merzouga. You'll travel part by private bus or car and part by 4x4 desert truck to get to your luxury camp in the dunes. There'll be time for a bit of sandboarding before a relaxing sunset yoga session. Dinner is served in one of the open tents, the vastness and silence of the desert providing a dramatic backdrop.
Day 6
Sunrise yoga and via ferrata
Get up pre-dawn to capture the magical sunrise over the Sahara. You'll have a gentle yoga class in the early morning rays to energise for the day, before heading back to Todra Gorge. Time to experience Morocco's only via ferrata and be rewarded with epic views of over the gorge. You'll follow an iron-railed route and be clipped in with a harness – although it might feel scary, you're very safe. There is the option to challenge yourself further by taking on a short but exposed wire bridge, the ultimate adrenaline fix. Head back to the guesthouse for a final yoga session (optional!) and a traditional Moroccan feast.
Day 7
Back to the city
Driving
7hrs
Back to Marrakech today, this time via Ouarzazate, an ancient city famed for being the setting of the 1962 film 'Lawrence of Arabia' and also most recently for housing the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant project. There'll be plenty of time to soak up the High Atlas views from the bus and reflect on your adventure before getting back into Marrakech late afternoon for goodbyes and flights home.
Included
Guides
Expert, English-speaking, qualified guides
Accommodation
4 nights in a local guesthouse, 1 night in a riad, 1 in a Berber desert camp
Meals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners
Transfers
Transfers from the airport and throughout the trip
Equipment
All climbing and yoga equipment, except climbing shoes.
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Riad · Twin share
Day 2
Guesthouse · Twin share
Day 3 – Day 4
Guesthouse · Twin share
Day 5
Glamping · Twin share
Day 6
Guesthouse · Twin share
Day 7
What is the food like?
Moroccan food is 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.
Breakfast will usually feature bread, jam, cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and milk. Packed lunches will be a mix of local ingredients such as bread, cheese, olives, salad etc. Dinner will usually include soup, a classic Moroccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts and fruit.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request it on your passenger information form.
What is the accommodation like?
Marrakech
You'll stay in a beautiful riad - a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden or courtyard. The exact riad will be confirmed nearer the time based on availability and group size, however, all are chosen for their excellent reputation, location, beautiful decor and welcoming service.
Todra Gorge
You'll spend your nights in Todra Gorge at the Auberge Tizgui. This locally owned and run guesthouse is famed for its hospitality and rooms are decorated traditionally. You'll stay in twin-share rooms by default.
Sahara Berber Camp
You'll spend one night in a Berber camp in the dunes of the Sahara. This is definitely more glamping than camping; each tent has raised beds and an en-suite as standard. There's plenty of space to enjoy the peace of the desert and to have a chat around the fire at night.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and single tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking as this is subject to availability.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Marrakech Airport (RAK)
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Marrakech Airport (RAK) or Marrakech Centre
17:00 Marrakech Airport / 18:00 Marrakech Centre
Transfers
On arrival you will be collected at the airport, a transfer is included for anytime you arrive on Day 1. For those arriving early, a transfer is still included at no extra cost, please arrange this with your host.
At the end of the trip, you can choose to be dropped off at the airport or in the city centre. For those flying the evening of the last day, we suggest booking flights that depart after 19:00. For those wanting to stay on, extra nights and transfers can be arranged with your host at an extra cost. Please see Optional Extras for more information.
Travel options
There are daily flights to Marrakech from major airports across the UK and Europe.
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 included?
- All your climbing and yoga equipment
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Small daypack (15+ litres)
CLOTHES
- Rock climbing shoes (see FAQ)
- Breathable wicking layers with some stretch for climbing (shorts, leggings and t-shirts are all fine)
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Lightweight long sleeve top for sun/wind protection
- Casual clothes for hot/warm weather
- Buff or neckscarf
- Scarf/something to cover shoulders for women (not needed while climbing)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Underwear & socks
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots or shoes (worn-in)
- Sandals (for leisure time, non technical)
FEB-MARCH/OCT-NOV only:
- Warm hat
- Gloves
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc.)
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
- Face mask
- Lip balm
Pre/post-trip B&B accommodation in Marrakech (Double or Twin)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post-trip B&B accommodation in Marrakech (Double or Twin)
… Per Night
Pre/post-trip B&B accommodation in Marrakech (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post-trip B&B accommodation in Marrakech (Single)
… Per Night
Pre/post-trip HB accommodation in Marrakech (Double or Twin)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post-trip HB accommodation in Marrakech (Double or Twin)
… Per Night
Pre/post-trip HB accommodation in Marrakech (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post-trip HB accommodation in Marrakech (Single)
… Per Night
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
… Per Person
Airport transfer to/from other Marrakech accommodation (one way)
Payable Before Departure
Airport transfer to/from other Marrakech accommodation (one way)
… Per Person
Airport transfer to/from trip accommodation in Marrakech (one way)
Payable Before Departure
Airport transfer to/from trip accommodation in Marrakech (one way)
… Per Person
I'll try to keep this as concise as I can, but there are a lot of incredible things I want to comment on from this trip. From start to finish it was an amazing experience!
The preparation in advance of this holiday was really good. I had a few questions which were answered very quickly, and setting up a WhatsApp group gave us all a chance to see who we were going to spend the week with. It also became a great tool for sharing photos - and there were a lot of them!
We stayed in Riad Makech the first night which was very comfortable and very close to a lot of great markets and cafes. This first day wasn't part of the tour but I would recommend flying in early so that you can have a few hours stretching your legs and exploring before the drive to the gorge. A few of us arrived at around the same time that morning as well, so it gave us a chance to get to know each other before meeting the rest of the group.
There were a few car journeys across the tour and all were managed really efficiently and the journeys were very comfortable. So much so that a lot of used this as a chance to get in a quick snooze! If you're able to stay awake the scenery is really spectacular and there were a few opportunities to get out and grab some photos.
When we arrived at the guesthouse near the gorge, Natalie and Dan met us and they couldn't have been more welcoming. The guesthouse felt like home very quickly and we were looked after so well by the whole team. The rooms are all en suite and most have really spectacular views. The food was incredibly tasty and filling, and definitely kept us all fully energised throughout the week. I want every meal to finish with some melon and a glass of mint tea now!
I had very minimal bouldering experience before this holiday so was a bit nervous about climbing, but Dan and Natalie were incredibly encouraging and made us all feel very safe and supported throughout all the climbing days. When Dan first set up the routes it looked quite daunting but this just added to the feeling of achievement once I made it to the top. There was a great feeling of camaraderie in our group as well, so it never felt like you were tackling the wall on your own. The gorge itself is such a dramatic landscape, that even when you're not climbing it's a wonderful environment to be in. Just make sure to bring lots of suncream!
Natalie had a wonderful series of yoga classes throughout the tour, and they complemented the muscle aches from climbing really well. Most classes were held on the top of the guesthouse with a near panoramic view of the gorge, so most of the breathing meditations were done with my eyes wide open! The standout classes for me were held in the desert though. Breathtaking is not an ideal word to use for a yoga class but the landscape was just that. Natalie had such a fun class set up for the first evening and the peace of starting the following day with the sunrise was truly special.
For me, the desert trip was the highlight of the holiday. The yoga classes I've already mentioned, but the food, the drumming and singing around the campfire, the view of the stars, driving over the dunes and sandboarding down them, all combined to make a really special experience. We had a full moon that night so didn't quite get the starlit sky that I was hoping for, but seeing the desert bathed in the light of a full moon was absolutely beautiful.
It might be that we got lucky, or it could be that this type of tour attracts a certain type of person. I've been on a few group tours like this by other companies, but this particular group of people were the most fun and interesting group I've every holidayed with. The majority were solo travellers like me, and we all got on so well from day one. There was so much laughter and great conversation and generosity and support from everyone; this certainly helped to make the holiday as fun as it was. Most nights at the guesthouse were spent on the roof playing silly games and sharing drinks and reminiscing on the amazing memories of the day. Dan and Natalie joined us on the last night as well, which gave us an opportunity to really thank them for the week they put together for us. It's very clear that they put a lot of effort into making this tour enjoyable for all their guests and really value our feedback to continue making it better.....although there really isn't much room for improvement in my opinion!
I finished this week feeling refreshed, buoyant and so much more confident than when I started. I really hope to keep in touch with the rest of the group and would book another holiday without any hesitation. Thank you both Natalie and Dan for an unforgettable experience.
Trip of a lifetime. People, country, food and activities all amazing. Yoga and rock climbing with Dan and Natalie was the best way to experience such an amazing place. A trip I won't be forgetting, don't hesitate to book this trip, it will push you out of your comfort zone in the best way.
Natalie and Dan have put together a fantastic trip and are wonderful hosts. The amount of experiences they've managed to fit into the itinerary is incredible. The gorge is absolutely stunning and getting to do sunrise yoga in the Sahara is such an amazing experience. 100% would recommend the trip.
This was an unbelievable trip. Dan and Natalie were amazing hosts - nothing was too much trouble and they were really helpful and keen to make sure everyone was happy to go at their own pace and enjoying themselves. Natalie leads the yoga classes, I had an injury at the time so she was really supportive and made sure to include alternative positions for me so I could still fully participate which I really appreciated. Highlights definitely included drumming around the campfire with locals in the Sahara under shooting stars and climbing outside for the first time ever! There really is something for everyone and along with having an awesome group to share the experience with this trip was truly unforgettable. Wish I could do it all over again! Thanks for an incredible holiday :)
The trip perfectly reflects the name of the website, it was a "much better adventure". It has everything: sport, adrenaline, culture, beautiful landscapes and architecture, great food. You do need to have the "adventure mentality": don't expect to stay in 5 star resorts (though the night in desert glamping was indeed quite luxurious), but all the accomodations were reasonable and supplied the essentials, and food was good and plentiful. The trip is packed with experiences and great value for money. Dan & Nat are amazing guides. Definitely recommended.
An incredible trip! Enjoyed every moment of it and was so sad to leave at the end. Laughed loads, ate great food and felt like I was away for weeks. We saw so much in the 6 days. I felt at home from the moment I arrived – Natalie and Dan are excellent hosts. I was a complete beginner when I went on this trip and it’s definitely made me want to come back and do more climbing!
This trip was an amazing experience. Dan and Natalie, the local hosts, have pulled together an excellent itinerary at great value. They're top hosts, being both welcoming, personal, and professional; but also got to know everyone well during the trip and pushed them to their limits.
I can't say enough good things about this trip. Natalie and Dan were excellent and are the nicest people. Fun, friendly, patient, and more. Morocco is friendly, beautiful, and mad - the infrastructure/accommodation is great (as long as you understand you're in North Africa not Norway). The biggest variable on trips is often the group dynamic but (at least partly thanks to Dan and Natalie) we got on the absolute best. Driving to the airport after a final rooftop drink in Marrakech was so bittersweet! My only advice would be to invest in lots of plasters and climbing tape to save your hands and ensure you can make the most of all the climbing. Other than that, enjoy!
I really can't recommend this trip enough! It was one of the best experiences I've had travelling.
Dan and Natalie are amazing people and the perfect hosts. Before the trip they had a WhatsApp group made so we could make introductions and ask any questions. They were really communicative and made everyone feel welcome even before we had set foot in Morocco.
When we arrived at the Gorge you could immediately tell this was more than just a business venture for them. They are a part of the community and the relationships they had with the locals and the love for the place was really amazing to see.
The activities were all really well run and we were given complete freedom to do things at our own pace. Both the yoga and the climbing were well taught and they made sure that all the beginners felt comfortable while still allowing those with more experience to test themselves.
To top everything off I got to experience all this with the best possible group of people. This has been my first trip away since lockdown and it was better than I could've dreamed.
Do yourself a favour and get it booked!
What an incredible trip. Dan, Natalie & all the local hosts were so helpful, friendly and knowledgable. Just the right amount of activity & rest. So many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and all in the company of a wonderful group of people! I cannot express what a great trip this was, thank you to everyone!
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 424kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
As this is an introductory trip, you do not need any previous experience rock climbing or practicing yoga. Both activities can be tailored to your experience so while absolute beginners are very welcome, so are those who have experience in both. Todra Gorge offers a multitude of quality single and multi-pitch sports climbs for all grades so there really is something for everyone. You should have a reasonable level of fitness for the hiking day but this can be taken at your own pace and if you'd rather sit it out, this is totally fine too.
All activities are also totally optional - so if you decide that yoga isn't for you or you would like to only climb for a little bit each day, this is of course absolutely fine, you are on holiday after all!
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Drinkable water is collected from the gorge while you are out and about - and water bottles can be filled up at each accommodation so some reusable bottles will be well used.
Todra Gorge is known for long dry months usually from February to November. In February to March, daytime temperatures sit around 15-20°C and drop to below 10°C at night. April will be a bit warmer, usually around 25°C in the day but again, cooler at night. The months of May-August are too hot to run the trip so it resumes again in September when daytime temperatures can still hit 30°C. It starts to cool a little in October and November, then becomes too cold for climbing from December until February. Moroccan heat is dry as so much of the landscape is desert - rainfall is rare in the months the trips runs but isn't unheard of. If you do experience rain it is likely to be short and sharp and often a welcome relief to the heat.
As you will be travelling by private bus to Todra Gorge and back, you can just take your bag with you all the way.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
You will need to bring your own climbing shoes. If you don't have already, these can be bought for approx. £30 from Decathlon or similar. You should buy those that fit comfortably in the shop - don't follow advice for them to be extra tight or a smaller shoe size than you would normally wear - your feet will swell with the heat in Morocco anyway so finding a pair that fit like normal shoes and no tighter is important.
Ramadan will take place from 22nd March to 20th April 2023 and 10th March to 8th April 2024. The national holiday of Eid ul-Fitr will follow for 2-3 days. Ramadan is an Islamic festival where the religious do not eat or drink during daylight hours. While this is a really interesting time to travel, especially to witness celebrations where the fast is broken in the evenings, you can expect some business hours will be shortened, alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and some restaurants will be closed during this festival period. Activities for local people tend to be limited during the day and the nights are very active in cities with lots of different foods being sold and consumed. Ramadan will not affect the inclusions on your trip although you should be aware that dinners will be served after locals break their fast in the evenings.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
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.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.