10 Days | From souk to Sahara, see the best of Morocco’s south
From the colourful, chaotic Marrakech medinas to the vast, serene Sahara Desert, this tour immerses you in the rich cultures and landscapes of South Morocco. Stay in traditional accommodation like riads and a desert camp and explore villages off the beaten track like Aroumd in the Atlas Mountains. Feast on tagine and couscous, visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, travel through the Sahara on a camel’s back during sunset and relax in seaside Essaouira. This ten-day tour is perfect for travellers looking to discover the diversity of Morocco’s south in a short amount of time.
Trip overview
- Start
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Morocco
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- XMSF
- Take a guided hike through the High Atlas Mountains and spend a night with an Amazigh family in the traditional village of Aroumd.
- Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the Sahara Desert – the most majestic place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in a Bedouin camp under the North African stars.
- 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 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.
- Visit an Argan oil women’s coop and duck in and out of souqs to haggle with traders as your local leader helps you to navigate the 16th-century walled city of Taroudant.
- In 2024, Ramadan will take place from 10 March to 08 April. 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.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (4 nights), Riad (3 nights)
- Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
- Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
- Tamegroute - Ancient Library
- Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
- Tamegroute - Medfouna lunch (Amazigh pizza)
- Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
- Taroudant – Argan oil women coop 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
- Ouarazate - Atlas Movie Studios - MAD80
- Ouarzazate - Kasbah Taourirt - MAD20
- 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 - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
Dates and availability
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 5 (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.
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