Real Morocco

Intrepid Travel · 12 days

3.5

1 Reviews

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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

This adventure through Morocco’s most popular spots and best kept secrets will give you everything you’re looking for – with a small group of travel buddies, you'll ride a camel during sunset in the Sahara, watch performers in Djemaa el-Fna, hike through Todra Valley, tuck into a home-cooked meal made by locals, try delicious mint tea at a local women’s coop in the famed Ait Benhaddou, learn how to surf (or show your skills) in sleepy seaside villages and rub shoulders with the true Moroccan culture in the Atlas Mountains. Wandering through ever-changing landscapes, you’ll get the chance to learn about the rich history of this country while also kicking back and doing all your favourite things with your new friends. This is the real Morocco!

Highlights

Enjoy the slow pace and laidback lifestyle of Morocco’s seaside villages in Taghazout and Essaouira – where you can catch the waves in a surf lesson and stretch out your worries in a yoga class.
Tick the Djemaa el-Fna Square off your bucket list in Marrakech and wander through the colourful chaos of street performers, singers, poets and street food carts all vying for your attention.   
Stay the night in a Saharan desert camp under the North African stars after riding a camel through the sand dunes watching the sunset over the vast, untouched landscape.
Take a break from the bustling city streets high in the Atlas Mountains – enjoy homecooked meals, authentic local connections and a breath of fresh air in Aroumd.  
Prepare for the best mint tea of your life on a visit to the Tawesna teahouse. This experience is more than just a cuppa, it’s about discovering a culture, sharing a true moment and contributing to the economic inclusion of women.

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Public Bus

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Marrakech, Morocco

Finishes

Marrakech, Morocco

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. This adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. After meeting your fellow travellers and the group leader, why not get to know each other while exploring the city’s main square – Djemaa el-Fna – or get lost exploring the city’s spice souks or bazaars. For dinner, maybe load up on some delicious street food, but be warned – the eggplant fritters are addictive and the barbeque smells around the city will be sure to make you hungry (even if you’ve just eaten!). Marrakech is also known as a great spot for trendy rooftop bars, so why not head to one of the local favourites with a view and grab a cocktail.

Optional Activities:

Marrakech - AMAL Women's Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant (110 MAD)
Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure (605 MAD)
Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour (438 MAD)
Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride (1999 MAD)
Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour (540 MAD)
Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage (750 MAD)
Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure (640 MAD)
Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove (715 MAD)
Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch (2000 MAD)
Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret (60 MAD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Todra Gorge

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Todra Gorge. This is a long travel day, so make sure you have a book handy. After a while, you’ll come across a bright tablecloth of green that might seem so out of place, you'll think you’re dreaming. This valley is pretty impressive, with all its palm trees and mud-brick villages. Arrive at your hotel at the top of the valley, and take some time to relax, recharge and chill out under the palms. Maybe head out for a brief stroll before enjoying an included dinner with your group. Settle in for the night and get a good night’s rest, ready for a beautiful hike tomorrow.

Optional Activities:

Todra Gorge - Hike (350 MAD)

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Sahara Camp

After breakfast, take a hike through the shaded palms of the Todra Valley for a couple of hours, taking in the picturesque scenery of the gorge ahead. Be rewarded at the end of your adventure with a home-cooked lunch served in the backyard of a local family. You'll be treated to dates, nuts, tea and a delicious meal to refuel after your walk. Then, make your way to the Sahara. After a few hours of transit, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a sun-kissed desert. The mode of transport? Camel, of course! Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset while you wind through the vast expanse of sand and loop back to your private camp for an overnight stay in the middle of the sandy dunes. In the camp, you'll have a thin mattress, blankets and sheets (and an auberge not so far away, just in case). Ensure you bring a sleeping sheet and warm jumper if it's winter (you'd be surprised how cold it can get). Sleep under the stars and have a mind-blowing 'I am so far from home' kind of moment.

Included Activities:

Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch
Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
Sahara Desert - Camel ride

Accommodation:

Desert Camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Ait Benhaddou

Remember to set your alarm this morning because you'll get up well before dawn. Climb a nearby sand dune to catch the sunrise – this sight is worth the early rise – then head back to camp for breakfast, collect the rest of your gear and travel to Ait Benhaddou. Stop for the best mint tea in the world at the Tawesna Association. All profits here are devoted to the women’s projects in the village of Ait Benhaddou. This experience in the inclusive female teahouse is more than just a cuppa – it’s about discovering a culture and contributing to women’s economic inclusion and responsible tourism. Then, explore the medieval mud-brick town of Ait Benhaddou. If you’re wondering why it looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it before on the silver screen. Walk the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a view over the Old Town. You can also visit one of the most interesting old houses in the Kasbah for a small fee. You'll spend the night just outside the walls.

Included Activities:

Ait Benhaddou - Tea at Tawesna association

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Aroumd

This morning, take a private transfer towards Imlil, high in the Atlas Mountains. Calling dibs on a window seat would be a smart move – the drive features some great scenery. Imlil is a little village that sits at the foot of North Africa’s highest peak, and when you arrive, you’ll head out for a scenic walk. On your way to the mountain village of Aroumd, take your time to explore the landscape, the rolling mountains and the bursts of green flora. Tonight’s stay is in a family-run gite (or mountain home) in the village. The Amazigh people here are famous for their hospitality, so make the most of this opportunity to sit down, break bread with the family and learn about their culture.

Included Activities:

Imlil – Scenic Walk

Accommodation:

Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Aroumd

After breakfast, enjoy a slow-paced morning in the mountains. Today, you’ll head through Imlil on a day hike, exploring the scenery of the surrounding peaks and villages. Traverse through bursts of green and stop to admire the Imlil waterfall, where you can get up close and personal with the cascades. Walk at your own pace, enjoying the seclusion of being far away from the tourist crowds of the main cities. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and return to your homestay accommodation for a relaxed and free afternoon and group dinner.

Included Activities:

Imlil – Day Hike with Picnic Lunch

Accommodation:

Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Marrakech

Say goodbye to the mountains and return to Marrakech. When you arrive, you have a free day to stroll through the bustling souks. If you like, explore the courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Why not head out on a cycling trip, go quad-biking or indulge in a luxury hammam and spa. You might like to visit Le Jardin Secret too – a traditional medina garden revived for the 21st century. Once owned by a powerful local chief U-Bihi – who was poisoned by Mohammed IV – this historic riad has one of the most beautiful courtyards in Marrakech, combining exotic and traditional Islamic gardens that are fed by original khettara (an underground irrigation system). In the evening, you’ll no doubt be drawn back to Djemaa el-Fna for a final night out.

Optional Activities:

Marrakech - Palais Bahia (70 MAD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Marrakech

Today is free to wander, rest or take part in a fun optional activity. Say goodbye to some of your trip mates, as others will be joining you for the next leg of the adventure. You will have another meeting at 4 pm today to meet them. As evening falls, you might want to grab dinner or explore the bustling nightlife of the city with your new travel buddies. Marrakech has some great rooftop bars – so find one with a view and order your favourite cocktail.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Taghazout

After breakfast this morning, travel to Taghazout. This cool, laidback fishing village has quickly gained a solid reputation as one of the country’s best surfing spots. The waters stay warm all year round, and the surf is top-notch for both rookies and adept wave riders (so there’s no excuse not to catch some rolling waves). After getting your fill of the beautiful local beaches, maybe ask your leader for the best spots for a seafood dinner, before spending the night at a local surf camp.

Accommodation:

Surf Camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Taghazout

Kick off your adventures in the sleepy town of Taghazout with an early morning yoga session, to help you relieve any tension before diving into the water once again. Oddly enough, the skills required for surfing and yoga tend to complement each other, through concentration, flexibility and balance. Good news, if you were planning on hitting the waves again today! Don’t know how to ride a board or didn’t get the chance yesterday? No stress – today includes a half-day surfing course to teach you the basics, and if you already know the ropes, there’s always time to refine your skills in unfamiliar territory.

Included Activities:

Taghazout – Surfing Class
Taghazout – One Hour Yoga Class

Accommodation:

Surf Camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Essaouira

Get up early today if you want to catch the sunrise, then travel to the old fishing town of Essaouira. Along the way, stop by a female-led cooperative specialising in Argan production. Learn about how these women extract the Argan from the trees, watch the beans being roasted and pressed, then taste the Argan oil and paste, all made right here! Arrive at your destination – a place where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the town translates to ‘little picture’ – so get your camera ready! It’s safe to say you’ll be taking lots of snaps during your time in this picturesque place. Join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mullah, port and by the skala (sea wall). Then head out to taste some street food, you'll get to try harira (soup), mesman (flatbread), Moroccan sweets and sample olive oil and honey.

Included Activities:

Essaouira – Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Essaouira - Argan Oil Cooperative Visit
Essaouira – Street Food Tasting

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Marrakech

Chat with locals on a shared bus ride back to Marrakech. With no activities planned after arriving, you’re free to leave at any time. Depart from the bus station or walk back to the hotel with your leader and depart from there. If you wish to extend your adventure, there are a range of optional activities to get to know the city better. Why not become a Moroccan MasterChef in an Urban Adventure’s cooking masterclass with a local guide? Journey through the souks of Marrakech and shop for the best ingredients before learning the insider tricks on how to whip up a deliciously authentic tagine in a classic riad setting while getting to know the family that lives there. To find out more about the Tajine Cookery Class, visit urbanadventures.com. If you need to organise additional accommodation tonight, just speak to your booking agent.

Optional Activities:

Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour (438 MAD)
Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour (540 MAD)
Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage (750 MAD)
Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure (605 MAD)
Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour (2207 MAD)
Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride (1999 MAD)
Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure (640 MAD)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
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 willdo 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. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

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.

AUD $1,150

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Feb 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

3.5

Marc

Traveled, September 2024

10/04/2024

This trip was really disappointing, honestly i felt like we were going to tourist trap after tourist trap. Also, there were so many activities included that involved animals treated poorly (camels, mules...), this was heartbreaking to see, really this should be really advised in the itinerary since we chose intrepid for being a b-corp, but didn't feel like it. The other Intrepid tours I've done have been animal-friendly, but this one not.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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