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.

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

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

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 (4 nights), Riad (3 nights)

Others

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

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

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

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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 a myriad of things to see, do, taste, smell and enjoy! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. 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 metres 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: Ouarzazate - Zagora
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Ouarzazate - Zagora

This morning you’ll journey south towards the Sahara Desert, stopping in the regularly used film location of Ouarzazate along the way. Continue to travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, a small oasis town on the Sahara fringe that is perfect for an overnight stop. Here, take a stroll through the palm groves, explore the ksars and wander around the surrounding countryside.
Day 5 Day 5: Tamegroute - Erg Chigaga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Tamegroute - Erg Chigaga

After breakfast today, you’ll drive along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges and through seas of sand past the occasional desert oasis of date palms, to the township of Tamegroute. Here, you’ll visit an intriguing library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature, the Koran and stories of the prophet Mohammed (subject to unregulated opening times). After, join a local guide to uncover the underground Kasbah. Enjoy a hearty lunch of Medfouna – nicknamed the ‘Amazigh Pizza’ – a crispy flatbread filled with a variety of smoky ingredients like beef, egg and vegetables. Then, carry on driving to the frontier town of M’Hamid. From here, your group will jump into 4WD vehicles and drive to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes. This is the largest dune in the Moroccan Sahara and one of the less asited – meaning your experience will be further from surrounding towns and villages, making for a unique experience. Arrive in the late afternoon and then all aboard for the experience of a lifetime – riding on the backs on camels into the Saharan sunset. Tonight, enjoy a night under the stars at your desert camp.
Day 6 Day 6: Oulad Berhil
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Oulad Berhil

Travel to the market town of Oulad Berhil today after breakfast, stopping along the way to stretch your legs and take in some epic views. Today will be a long travel day, so stock up on snacks, your favourite playlists and your go-to book. Enjoy desert scenery along a route that’s actaully a reserve for the Indigenous argan trees. You’ll make a pitstop at a local woman’s cooperative specialising 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 and then have the opportunity to try the Amlou paste – a common dip in Morocco made with almond and argan oil. Arrive at your accommodation by the early evening. Your riad for tonight has a steam bath and a pool – the perfect way to relax after a long day of travel!
Day 7 Day 7: Taroudant - Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Taroudant - Essaouira

In the morning, take to the souqs of Taroudant and haggle with local traders for silver jewellery or colourful Moroccan ceramics and mosaics. After, head west to the coastal town of Essaouira. The name Essaouira means ‘pretty picture’, which is appropriate, since it’s such a picturesque town! Within the stone ramparts, you’ll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops – ironically, the perfect spot for photos! This evening is free for you to explore or relax.
Day 8 Day 8: Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: 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 9 Day 9: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: 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 Jemaa el-Fnaa Square – one of the largest public squares in the world – and take it all in. From fire dancers to performers and street food carts, this is somewhere you actiually 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 10 Day 10: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: 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.

10 days tour

South Morocco Discovery (20 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip South Morocco Discovery (20 Destinations)

Day 1: Marrakech

Day 2: Aroumd

Day 3: Ait Benhaddou

Day 4: Ouarzazate - Zagora

Day 5: Tamegroute - Erg Chigaga

Day 6: Oulad Berhil

Day 7: Taroudant - Essaouira

Day 8: Essaouira

Day 9: Marrakech

Day 10: Marrakech

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