Original
Explorer
South Morocco Discovery
11 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
576 reviews
11 days
Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Trip Code
XMSF
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)
From £748(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Take a guided hike through the High Atlas Mountains and spend a night with an Amazigh family’s gite.
Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the deep Sahara – the most majestic place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in an Amazigh camp under the North African stars, away from any sound or light pollution.
Veer off the beaten track to Tata and Tafraoute, deep in the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Check out giant blue rocks, visit the traditional granary, meet the women at a local women’s coop producing Argan oil and duck in and out of souqs.
Recharge with two days in seaside Essaouira where Jimi Hendrix spent time in the 60s, and explore the whitewashed houses, lively port and tiny, picturesque alleyways.
Explore Ait Benhaddou – a UNESCO World Heritage site with a grand history and a long list of film and TV credits, on a walking tour with a local guide who knows all the local insights.
Is this trip right for you?
In 2025, Ramadan will take place from 1 March to 30 March. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.
Some of the accommodation on this trip is more basic, like the desert camp and the homestays, but these will be great opportunities to gain a deeper insight into local life.
When travelling in Morocco, temperatures can get very hot in the summer while in the desert, so ensure you bring appropriate sun protection. At night and in the mountains, temperatures can drop to freezing, so ensure you also bring layers. Please refer to our Essential Trip Information for more details.
There are a couple of days with long driving hours, particularly getting to the Sahara and to Essaouira, but a, but you’ll make plenty of stops along the way for sightseeing, photo ops and to stretch your legs.
This trip doesn’t spend a lot of time in Marrakech, so it’s highly recommended that you spend more time in this bustling city before or after the trip. Please consult with your booking agent on booking additional accommodation.
Itinerary
From the Atlas Mountains to the deep Sahara, explore the best of Morocco’s south
Venture into the best of south Morocco on this 11-day adventure, where you’ll get to stay in a family gite in the Atlas Mountains, camp under the stars in the deep Sahara and experience a traditional riad in Essaouira. Visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, go on a camel safari at sunset in the desert, hike in the oasis of the palm groves and feast on tagine, couscous and fragrant Moroccan tea. This is the perfect trip to get off the beaten track and discover the charm of southern Morocco.
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
4x4, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (6 nights), Riad (2 nights)
Included activities
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 - Ameln Valley hike
Tafraoute - Traditional Amazigh House visit
Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
Essaouira - Guided walking tour
Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
Optional activities
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
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 - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2 (Gite) and Day 4 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (553)
5 stars
504
4 stars
43
3 stars
6
David
May 17, 2025
This trip is fantastic for all who love great scenery, great food and welcoming people. The scenic splendours from mountain to coast are breathtaking, and the cultural aspects were fascinating well beyond anything I expected. Very highly recommended!
Tracey
May 17, 2025
Morocco has been a great experience made all the more special by Intrepids organisation and planning of an interesting itinerary.
Nick
May 13, 2025
I came to Morocco without an huge anmount of knowledge but learnt a great deal annd saw some anwe inspiring landscapes. I loved every place I went to. The most thrilling however was being taken on the roads less travelled in South Morocco and meeting nomads and villagers in the desert and mountains. Great great country.
Laurence
May 04, 2025
First trip with intrepid, amazing tour and country made all the better by our fabulous group tour leader El Mahdi. He was the best, like a top chef, adding the perfect amount of sweet and savoury!!
Shamara
May 04, 2025
Morocco encompassed was fantastic! The itinerary enabled me to experience the great diversity of the North and South of Morocco. It was extremely well organised with a very professional guide. There were many rich cultural experiences included and I learnt so much about Morocco and Morrocan culture. I highly recommend this tour.
Glynis
May 01, 2025
I had a fantastic time on our South Morocco journey. Rachid was a great guide and communicator. Thankyou.
Rachel
Apr 29, 2025
Trip was fantastic, was as per trip notes (make sure you read these as they give so much information😀)
Kevin
Apr 25, 2025
This was my second Intrepid trip in Morocco and it was just as good as the first. Mbark, our excellent guide, did a great job managing the itinerary and teaching us about the culture and history of this amazing and diverse country. Had lots of fun with a great group of fellow travelers. We've already booked our next Intrepid trip.
Rachel
Apr 25, 2025
Fantastic comoany to travel with, get to see parts of the country of the standard tourist path and unique experiences like the old Grainery which few get to see.
Wendi Ann
Apr 20, 2025
Amazing trip with a fabulous guide. Thoroughly loved the variety and experiences. 100% recommend!
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