Moroccan Desert Adventure: River Canyons & Camels
7 days, Marrakech to Marrakech
Itinerary Notes
Please note that if you are travelling to Morocco between November and February, your tour will have a level of flexibility based off of winter weather conditions on roads in the mountains. Heavy snow is not uncommon, so plan on packing warmer clothing to suit conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1Marrakech
Arrive at any time.
After tonight's welcome meeting get ready to channel all of the buzz and excitement of arriving in a new place by opting to head out on the town with your CEO and crew. Take the fun to new heights, grab drinks, kick back at a rooftop bar, and get to know your new travel companions as you prepare for the thrilling journey ahead.
On arrival check the notice board (or ask reception) for the exact time and location of the group meeting. Afterwards, there will be the possibility to go out for a meal as a group in a nearby local restaurant. If you arrive late, no worries, your leader will leave you a message at the front desk.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Gomassine Marrakech (or similar)
Day 2Marrakech/Skoura
Depart Marrakech in the morning and transfer to Skoura, one of Morocco’s beautiful oases. While Ouarzazate, further west is now the region’s commercial centre, Skoura’s historic mud-brick castles remain a testament to the past. Explore the area on a guided visit, soak up the atmosphere of this green haven, and listen to the wind catching in the palm trees lining the streets. During your visit you will see different Kasbahs in the area, and learn about their historical and cultural significance. Later, spend free time at the hotel and enjoy a swim in the pool before an included dinner this evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. There will be free time for lunch upon arrival to Skoura.
Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs Guided Visit
Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with large palm groves and this is where the group will set off on a guided city tour of the Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs. Enjoy the views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains in the distance alongside a desert landscape. Along the way your guide will offer commentary on Skoura's significance, and provide an overview of the landscape and its defining features. There will be stops along the way at key interest points so that photos can be taken. The walk will start and end at the hotel.
Accommodation
Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Skoura/Merzouga
Leave Skoura behind and journey into the vast, golden reaches of the desert. Along the way stop to spend some time walking in Dades Gorge before continuing on to Tinghir for a lunch stop on your own. Later, saddle up and travel by camel to the perfect perch atop the dunes to view the sunset as it paints the sky hues of red, blue, and yellow. Under a canopy of stars, enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment by the campfire. Let your imagination run wild as you listen to traditional music on the drums alongside stories about the region. We dare you to top this campfire experience!
Private Vehicle
Sit back and enjoy the scenery from your private vehicle, there will be a stop en route to explore the Dades Gorge and a stop for lunch before arriving at the desert camp.
Dades Gorge Visit
Explore the winding Dades Gorge. Take in the dramatic landscape, the rising mountains in the distance, and spend time here stretching your legs on a walk through the gorge. Max elevation 1400m (4593ft) above sea level.
Camel Ride
Hold on and enjoy a ride on this even-toed ungulate, also known as the desert horse. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips.
Accommodation
Camp- Auberge Dunes D'Or Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Merzouga
Have breakfast at camp before returning to civilization. Then, opt to spend time further exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, and discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursion, or simply relax at the hotel. Later, attend a cooking class to learn about local cuisine and taste your creations. Cap off the day with a sunset sand boarding experience from the highest dunes with the sun turning everything a shining gold!
You can pre-book this optional 4x4 desert excursion when booking your tour on the check-out page.
Sunset Sand Boarding
Enjoy an epic sand boarding experience in the dunes during sunset. As the light turns the undulating hills a deep gold, you will be boarding down the slopes and laughing with your friends!
Cooking Class - Merzouga
Attend a cooking class and learn how to make the locally loved dish of Medfouna, and hear stories about traditional dishes and Moroccan cuisine. Medfouna is a regional delicacy in eastern Morocco which is best described as a stuffed pizza sans cheese. Stuff the flatbread with various meats and spices before baking it in a fire pit.
Free Time
Spend free time enjoying the dunes on a 4x4 excursion or sit by the pool and cool off in the desert heat.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion
View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a land cruiser excursion. You'll be driven around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in land cruiser cars, taking in the views of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Pass a kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa - played by members of the community - as you enjoy a cup of mint tea with the locals.
Accommodation
Auberge Dunes D'Or (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Merzouga/Aït Ben Haddou
Leave right after breakfast and travel along the Route of 1000 Kasbahs to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most iconic and beautiful kasbahs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the narrow alleys and admire the uniqueness of this place both in traditional architecture and historical significance. At the end of the visit, climb to the highest point of the kasbah and witness the views of the surrounding desert and the Ounila River around golden hour and sunset. In the evening, you can choose to join an optional cooking class to make tajine. Otherwise, dinner will be on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley, located in the foothills of the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. Of all the remaining kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. It's a collective grouping of dwellings inside defensive walls and was once one of the many trading posts on the route linking Sudan to Marrakech. The kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Tagine Cooking Demonstration
120MAD per personLearn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Learn about the tagine itself (a clay pot) and different ingredients and spices. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.
Accommodation
Auberge La Baraka (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Aït Ben Haddou/Marrakech
Journey to the "Red City," Marrakech. Unlock the many secrets this ancient city has to offer in its maze-like alleys, ornate palaces, and lush gardens. Enjoy a guided visit of the medina and see the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Jamaa el Fna square. End the day with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Marrakech Medina Guided Tour
Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. Shop to your heart’s content in the souk and search out spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or the famous Moroccan lanterns. Visit the Saadian Tombs - a complex of sepulchers and mausoleums that house the remains of Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahb. The tombs were sealed off until their re-discovery in 1917. Tour the grounds of the Bahia Palace, marvelling at the intricate decoration, and experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Accommodation
Hotel Gomassine Marrakech (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Marrakech
It's not goodbye, it's see you later. After all, after a trip like this, who wouldn't be itching to return?
Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion. Please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.
Please note that should you opt to pre-book and participate in the optional Hot Air Balloon Marrakech activity you will finish the experience between 9am and 10am, please book ongoing travel after 1pm.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Hot Air Balloon Marrakech
Get an early start and watch the sunrise over the red dust, palm groves, and majestic open landscapes of Marrakech from a hot air balloon. After soaking up the sights, refuel with an authentic Amazigh breakfast in a Moroccan tent.
*Please note if you purchase the Marrakech Hot Air Balloon ride on the final day of your tour you will not finish until 10am. We recommend booking your departing flight no earlier than 1pm to ensure you have enough time to make it to the airport.