Moroccan Desert Adventure: River Canyons & Camels

G Adventures · 7 days

4.6

20 Reviews

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Now's the time to explore Marrakech on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Is there life on Mars? You might think you've found it on this lively one-week journey through Morocco, Marrakech, and its other-worldly surroundings.

Includes

Activities

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Dades Gorge walk
Camel ride in the desert
Traditional dinner and drums under the stars
Sand boarding in the desert dunes
Aït Ben Haddou kasbah tour
Guided medina visit in Marrakech
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Simple Hotels (5 nts, twin-share), desert camp (1 nt, multi-share).

6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Private air-conditioned van, public bus, camel.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Highlights

Stand in the shadows of Dades Gorge
Take in the dramatic view at Ait Ben Haddou
Ride a camel to watch the sunset from the desert
Take a cooking class and go sandboarding in the Sahara
Explore the ancient medina of Marrakech with a local expert

Moroccan Desert Adventure: River Canyons & Camels

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Private air-conditioned van, public bus, camel.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Marrakech, Morocco

Finishes

Marrakech, Morocco

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech

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.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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.Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Accommodation - Hotel Gomassine Marrakech

Day 2: Marrakech/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.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. There will be free time for lunch upon arrival to Skoura.Activity - 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

Day 3: Skoura/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!

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - 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.Activity - 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.Activity - 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

Day 4: Merzouga

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.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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!Activity - 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.Accommodation - Auberge Dunes D'Or

Day 5: Merzouga/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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - 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.Accommodation - Auberge La Baraka

Day 6: Aït 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - 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

Day 7: Marrakech

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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $799

AUD $639

(Tour only)

Offer ends 01 Apr, 2026 Per Person Standard

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 06 Jun 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Jonathan F.

Traveled, November 2023

12/22/2023

Very well organized, it makes the logistics of travel almost stress free

5.0

Hannah S.

Traveled, November 2023

12/22/2023

Easy and goes to the best places. Plus the tour guides llkm after you very well

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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