Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from the main tourist routes. High passes, windy roads, and rough surfaces make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days, we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. The best part about all of these long drives is the spectacular views and fun stops en route such as mountain passes, kasbahs, palmeries, sand dunes, goats up trees, etc. We also use public transport on some of our trips around Morocco. Be it a train or a public bus, remember that the best part of it is the possibility to interact with local people traveling along with you. 4x4 , Private vehicle , Public bus , Taxi

Accommodation

We’ve sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different from standards you are used to at home. OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. RIADS: On each departure of this trip, we aim to spend at least one night in a traditional Moroccan riad. In the height of the season, however unlikely, there may be an occasion when contracting a full group in a riad will be impossible due to high demand and availability. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite (even if you paid for single room supplement) and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own. HEATING: Some of our guesthouses/hotels are unable to supply heating as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It’s also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold showers, which are a pleasure for most of the year. Air-conditioning systems (if available) don’t always function. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)

Others

Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk Tamegroute - Ancient Library Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride Tata - Leader-led orientation walk Tissint – Waterfall of Attiq Tleta Tagmoute – Amazigh village and collective granary visit Tafraoute – village walk and souk visit Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks) Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike with tea and picnic Taghazoute – Argan oil women’s co-op visit Essaouira - Guided walking tour Essaouira – Local fisherman visit

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD150 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 - MAD100 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 - MAD250 Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD80 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 - MAD2050 Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750 Marrakech - Ourika Valley Day Tour - MAD1817 Marrakech - Oukaimeden Day Tour - MAD1882 Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806 Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000 Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD630 Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD350 Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Marrakech

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Marrakech in Morocco. This vibrant city has many things to see, do, taste, smell and enjoy. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, you may want to head to the bustling public square of Djemaa el-Fna. This is the largest public square in the world where street food vendors and performers all vie for your attention. This is also one of the best spots to grab a tasty local dinner! There’s not much time to explore Marrakech this, but if you arrive early there’s plenty to see and do. Just speak to your booking agent to organise extra accommodation.
Day 2 Day 2: Aroumd
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Aroumd

This morning, take a short drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil. When you arrive, store your main luggage and load your overnight bags onto pack mules. Make the 1-hour trek to the peaceful village of Aroumd. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Amazigh culture. Spend the night in a family-run mountain gite where, surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, you’ll enjoy traditional hospitality and homecooked food. Use the rest of the day to explore the village and the surrounding farmlands. If the group is up for it and weather permits, there will be a chance to hike to the pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (approximately 4 hours return). Regardless of your fitness levels, the gentle pace of Aroumd makes it a special place to explore beyond the reach of the modern world.
Day 3 Day 3: Ait Benhaddou
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Ait Benhaddou

This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco’s highest pass, Tizi n’Tichka (2260 m above sea level), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara. Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco’s most iconic sites and a World Heritage site. It was once an important stop for caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. Does it look familiar? The town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator! Enjoy a leader-led walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy the views across the surrounding plains. Your evening is free, with the option of partaking in a local cooking demonstration and meal of Morocco’s most famous dishes –couscous and tagine.
Day 4 Day 4: Sahara Desert
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sahara Desert

Today, you’ll have a full day of driving as you journey south towards the Sahara Desert. After breakfast, drive through the Draa Valley to Zagora, where you’ll see the original route of the caravans. Then, travel along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges through seas of sand and past the occasional desert oasis of date palms to the township of Tamegroute. Here, you’ll visit a library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature and stories of the prophet Mohammed. After, join a local guide to uncover the underground Kasbah. Carry on driving to the frontier town of M’Hamid. From here, your group will jump into 4WDs to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes. This is the largest dune in the Moroccan Sahara and one of the less visited – meaning your experience will be further from surrounding towns and villages, away from the tourist trail. Arrive in the late afternoon, where you’ll get ready for the experience of a lifetime – riding on the backs on camels into the Saharan sunset. Tonight, the starry sky won’t disappoint.
Day 5 Day 5: Tissint/Tata
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Tissint/Tata

If you’re an early bird, you might want to head to the nearest dune this morning and watch the sunrise – this spectacle in the Sahara Desert is well worth the alarm! After breakfast, you’ll hop back into the 4WDs and drive out of the desert, switching to your private vehicle on the way to Tata. On the way, stop at the waterfall of Attiq in Tissint for a refreshing change of scenery. These waterfalls are all saltwater and the translation of ‘Tissint’ in the local language is ‘salt’! When you arrive in Tata mid afternoon, you’ll have a free evening to relax. If you like, explore downtown with your leader tonight and head out for a great local dinner.
Day 6 Day 6: Tleta Tagmoute/Tafraoute
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Tleta Tagmoute/Tafraoute

This morning, drive to Tleta Tagmoute – a small village where you’ll get to see the oasis granaries, date palm plantations and fruit trees. The lifestyle and irrigation system here is quite unique to the region and you’ll get a deeper understanding of what life was like here with a visit to the old collective granary that’s still in use. After exploring, continue to Tafraoute, arriving in the afternoon. This southern Moroccan village sits in the shadows of the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Although it’s now more of a campervan destination, Tafraoute remains authentic and a great base for exploring the Anti Atlas region. When you arrive, you’ll head out for a village walk and visit the local souqs to check out how the traditional babouche is made. Then, head to one of the most controversial sights here – the Pierres Bleues (painted rocks). The Belgian artist Jean Verame spray painted these boulders in 1984 and visitors still debate whether these rocks are an artwork or not (so you can decide for yourself!).
Day 7 Day 7: Tafraoute
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Tafraoute

Go for a hike in the Ameln Valley this morning, passing through small Amazigh villages where you’ll stop to try the local Amlou (almond, Argan and honey spread) with tea. The hike will take you through palm trees, almond trees and fields of alfalfa crops used by locals to feed their animals. The area is quite rocky in general, so sturdy shoes are needed. Stop for a picnic lunch set against the beautiful view of the valley. Return to Tafraoute for a free afternoon and evening.
Day 8 Day 8: Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Essaouira

Today will be a bit of a long travel day as you head towards the Atlantic. Passing desert scenery, your route is actually a reserve for the Indigenous argan trees. You’ll stop at a local woman’s cooperative along the way, which specialises in Argan oil production. This coop provides women and their families in the rural area with extra income for their community, promoting independence. You’ll learn about how the Argan is extracted from the trees, how it’s produced, then you’ll get to try the freshly made Amlou paste. Carry on to Essaouira (translating to ‘pretty picture’). Within the stone ramparts, you’ll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops – the perfect spot for photos. This evening is free for you to explore or relax.
Day 9 Day 9: Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Essaouira

Today after breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala (sea wall). Essaouira is one of the oldest port cities in the country, and fishing here is still quite traditional. You’ll have the chance to meet one of the expert fishermen in the port, who will tell the group all about their story and show you some of the tricks they use, what type of fish to catch and what seasons mean to them. After, enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Jimi Hendrix spent a lot of time here during the 60s, so you know this is a great spot to sit, people watch and listen to the sound of the ocean. Maybe grab a freshly cooked plate of the day’s catch at the port or browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries. This is also a hotspot for surfing, so consider taking a lesson if that’s your thing. If you’d prefer to relax, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in a hammam (Moroccan day spa) or local-style bath.
Day 10 Day 10: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Marrakech

Enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, then catch a bus back to Marrakech in the afternoon. Enjoy free time when you arrive, to explore or partake in optional activities. Walk around the famed Djemaa el-Fna – from fire dancers to performers and street food carts, this is somewhere you actually want to get lost. Maybe check out the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi. Join your group tonight for an optional farewell dinner.
Day 11 Day 11: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Marrakech

Your adventure ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakech (subject to availability). Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

11 days tour

South Morocco Discovery

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip South Morocco Discovery

Day 1: Marrakech

Day 2: Aroumd

Day 3: Ait Benhaddou

Day 4: Sahara Desert

Day 5: Tissint/Tata

Day 6: Tleta Tagmoute/Tafraoute

Day 7: Tafraoute

Day 8: Essaouira

Day 9: Essaouira

Day 10: Marrakech

Day 11: Marrakech

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