Premium
Explorer
Premium Morocco in Depth with Essaouira
18 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
48 reviews
18 days
Start
Casablanca, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Trip Code
XMPHC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
17 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Comfortable hotel (15 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)
From £3,344(18 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Get to know the Moroccan way of life as you travel with a local leader and expert guides, visit a local home for dinner in Fes, enjoy tea with an Amazigh family in the Dades Valley and meet the women of the Tawesna social enterprise in Ait Benhaddou.
Discover Morocco’s iconic sights during visits to the ruins of Volubilis, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the remarkable Sahara Desert, the timeless Ait Benhaddou, the bustling cities of Fes and Marrakech the laidback seaside city of Essaouira.
In a remote oasis among the dunes of the Sahara Desert, embrace an escape from the modern world at your feature stay camp. Enjoy comfortable beds, en suite bathrooms and authentic décor, plus a traditional feast and live music under a sky full of stars.
Morocco is a paradise for food lovers – this trip is bursting with culinary experiences, including a traditional feast at a restaurant in Casablanca, picnic at the ruins of Volubilis, goat’s cheese tasting in Chefchaouen and medfouna demonstration in Khemliya.
See behind the scenes of Moroccan cuisine during a hands-on cooking class with a celebrated chef. Harvest fresh ingredients from the on-site organic garden, learn how to transform them into classic aromatic dishes then tuck into your creations.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip includes a hike through the scenic Dades Valley on Day 10. The hike will be tailored to each group, but you will need a moderate level of fitness and appropriate footwear and clothing to enjoy it. Please let your leader know if you would like to opt out of this activity.
Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
Itinerary
Venture from mountain to desert and city to sea in Morocco
Indulge in a feast for the senses as you embark on an 18-day Premium journey through Morocco. Explore the blue washed streets of Chefchaouen, Meknes’s animated medina, the historical Old Town of Fes and the lively Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech. Sip tea with an Amazigh family in the Dades Valley, eat pastilla in the home of a Fes local, spend an unforgettable evening beneath the stars in the Sahara and slow down in the seaside town of Essaouira. From varied culture to boundless hospitality, discover a country that defies expectations.
Inclusions
Meals
17 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Comfortable hotel (15 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)
Included activities
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Casablanca - Welcome Dinner
Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque
Rabat - Kasbah des Oudaias
Rabat - Hassan Tower
Rabat - Mausoleum Mohammed V
Meknes - Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Volubilis - Picnic Lunch
Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
Meknes - Medina walking tour
Chefchaouen - Goat Cheese Tasting
Chefchaouen - Medina walking tour
Fes - Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner
Fes - Medina walking tour
Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
Fes - Medersa El Attarine
Fes - Tea Break
Sahara Desert - Camel ride
Khemliya - Village walking tour
Khemliya - Medfouna cooking demonstration
Sahara Desert - Amazigh dinner with Gnaoua music
Todra Gorge - Hike
Dades - Tea-making demonstration
Dades - Hike
Skoura - Kasbah and Oasis visit
Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
Ait Benhaddou - Lunch at Tawesna
Ait Benhaddou - Taman’Art Space Studio Visit
Tahnaout - Cooking class
Marrakech - Medina walking tour
Marrakech - Palais Bahia
Marrakech - Fresh orange juice tasting
Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch
Essaouira - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional activities
Casablanca - Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) - Free
Casablanca - Jewish Museum (entrance fee) - MAD50
Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD700
Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD300
Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD1999
Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. If you are flying into Marrakech we can provide an optional transfer to the starting point city of Casablanca. This transfer is on request and prepaid. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (49)
5 stars
44
4 stars
5
Anja
May 16, 2025
A fabulous trip in a wonderful country made even better by our guide Mohamed. The sights, sounds and colours of Morocco are not to be missed and the memories of this experience will last a lifetime
Jane
May 09, 2025
Wow, what an amazing trip to Morocco ! This premium small group tour explored Morocco in depth. I visited all the cities and places I had dreamed of, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech and more! The accomodation in traditional Riad's was simply a design spectacular experience. The tour leader Abdellah was the best ever, professional, funny, kind, informative and authentic! I learnt so much about the country, the people, the rituals, and traditions. Riding a camel in the Sahara desert, staying in a clamping traditional tent, such a memorable experience. Value for money ! The group size was perfect, the modern transport comfortable not to mention the drivers. They were brilliant! I would definitely recommend this trip. Choosing one country in depth, was such a great idea! Many thanks Intrepid for an environmentally respectful trip that supported and valued the Moroccan people, families and communities!
Steven
May 07, 2025
If you are interested at all in visiting Morocco, book with Intrepid. I had an incredible, immersive experience that has enriched my life. Thank you to Dani our guide for his care, attention & good humour! We all the best time.
David
Apr 02, 2025
We had an excellent trip and guide and were impressed at the hotel choices, food quality and knowledge of places and culture that we visited. The highlight of the trip, for me, was the desert and the camel ride there and back.
Mary
Mar 28, 2025
I really enjoyed my trip to Morocco with tour guide Miriam. The tour was incredibly well organized with a variety of interesting activities. Glamping in the Sahara Desert, riding a camel, a hands on cooking lesson, hot air ballon ride were some of the incredible activities. Miriam was very good at reminding us of safety in crowded areas especially walking through the Medinas. Miriam provided several breaks on longer days of driving which made the journey interesting and relaxing. The pace of the tour was perfect. The accommodations were varied and exceptional. The meals were excellent. I would highly recommend taking this tour during Ramadan as I got a better understanding of this time in Morocco. A fantastic experience overall and would definitely recommend.
Ann
Feb 21, 2025
The Essaouira extension was the perfect way to end an unforgettable Morocco experience. Beautiful and laid-back, the city ranks high on my favorites list and the trip was just the right combination of free time and group activity. Kudos to Ibrahim, our tour leader, for providing a first-rate experience of this must-see city!
Sylvia
Feb 12, 2025
A comprehensive tour of Morocco, with many visits and activities. Everything flowed smoothly and the trip leader was great. We saw all the highlights, and much of it in depth. Highly recommended!
Sue
Jan 15, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed my Moroccan experience with Intrepid. The tour itinerary was comprehensive and varied; our tour guide Hassan professional and knowledgeable; our driver safe, friendly and courteous. I elected to add on the optional free time in Essaouira which I would recommend, as the laid-back coastal vibe was a relaxing way to end the more structured itinerary.
Laura
Jan 07, 2025
Excellent trip, Jamal our leader was fantastic, we were able to get a real feel for Morocco. We saw so many of Morocco’s beautiful landscapes, were welcomed by its beautiful people into their homes to experience the real culture and community of Morocco. I’ve recommended this trip to everyone, if you’re considering going take this as your sign!
Ursula
Nov 08, 2024
This was a great overview of the people and landscape of Morocco, and our group leader was terrific. The balance between travel days and walking excursions was good, and the bus rides were tolerable, with just enough interesting stops. I loved the guided walks through the different medinas, and the included meals. The cooking class was definitely a highlight. There was a great mix of culture and local shopping - I bought a rug, a tagine set, some local spices and oils, and some beautiful leather. I can't wait to get back to all the pictures I took!
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