Destination: The Saharan Desert in Morocco
Travel Style: Classic Expedition
Activity Level: 3 - Medium
Group Size: Min 1, Max 16
Age Range: 18 to 65+
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Itinerary Overview
Join us on our small group tour to Morocco! Few countries hold as much dreamy fascination as Morocco. Desert fortresses rise out of the sands of the Sahara. Sapphire oceans caress white sandy beaches. The purple peaks of the Atlas Mountains glisten with snow. Behind every city wall is an adventure in art, architecture, and cuisine. Morocco is a land of endless wonder.
The country is made up of four different areas: the Sahara Desert (full of Berber towns and oases), the Atlas and Rif Mountains (perfect for hikers), the plains (home to the imperial cities of Marrakesh and Fez), and the sandy coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean (graced by small beach towns and the cities of Rabat and Casablanca).
Day 1: Arrive to Merzouga, Morocco
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Arrival Airport: RAK (Marrakesh International Airport) Morocco
Arrive at RAK (Marrakesh International Airport) Morocco, where you’ll meet your private driver and guide. Then depart to Merzouga, the entrance to the beautiful Sahara Desert.
The journey will take several hours (~5 hours), so be sure to stock up on snacks, water, and other trip necessities. You’ll have plenty of breaks along the way, but it is always nice to have a favorite snack on a long trip!
Our trip will take us through the Atlas Mountain Region. On our way, you will drive through many villages of the middle Atlas mountains such as Immouzer and Ifrane, and have the opportunity to observe the rural life in Morocco. We will even make a brief stop by the top of the cedar forest of Azrou where you will experience the homeland of Barber apes (Moroccan Makak).
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Morocco as you traverse the country North to South before arriving in the Oasis towns at the outskirts of the Sahara Desert and the Erg Chebbi Dunes known as Erfoud and Merzouga. By the end of the day you will have traversed the entire Atlas Mountains, arriving in the scenic Ziz Valley and Erfoud Oasis!
Accommodation: Chegui Erfoud
Day 2: Visit the Sahara Desert
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As a group, we will drive towards the picturesque Sahara Desert that continues to capture the imaginations of people around the globe. At a small town on the edge of the desert, we’ll eat an early lunch and board camels and embark on a journey deep into the epic dunes of the Sahara.
*Enroute you will have the option to stop for a 4x4 Jeep ride through the dunes (optional adventure experience)
In the afternoon, we will embark on a camel journey, which will take us approximately an hour until we arrive at a Bedouin campsite where we’ll be spending the night sleeping under the stars.
In the evening we’ll witness a traditional dance and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner, play drums, sip mint tea, and lounge under the stars.
Accommodation: Merzouga Jaimas Madu (Bedouin Tent)
Day 3: Continue Exploring the Saharan Desert Then Off to Ait Ben Haddou
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Long before the sun rises above the dunes, we’ll set our alarms for an early wake-up in order to climb a sand dune near the camp to catch the sunrise from a high vantage point, as the desert is flooded with color and glorious golden light.
After we’ve had our fun playing in the sands and filling our camera memory cards, we’ll hope in our vehicle (or board our camels once again) to head back to the town on the outskirts of the desert.
After lunch we will spend the early to late afternoon traveling through the beautiful Tizi'n Tiki Pass on our way to Ait Ben Haddou (6-8 hour drive).
Ait Ben Haddou is often featured in Hollywood films, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Son of God. Here we’ll have the opportunity to explore and photography this fascinating ancient settlement before continuing our journey onwards to Marrakesh.
Accommodation: Ait Ben Haddou Ksar Ighnda
Day 4: Travel to Marrakesh, Morocco Before Catching Our Flights Home
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After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, we will continue on to Marrakesh. The journey to Marrakesh will take a few hours so bring plenty of snacks and water for the journey (~5 hours). We will stop for periodic breaks, but always good to be prepared!
In the early afternoon depart for the Marrakesh airport to catch our flights back to our homes.
Departure Airport: RAK (Marrakesh International Airport) Morocco
Trip Inclusions
Travel Style: Classic
Service Level: Comfortable (clean accommodations; public and private transport)
Route: The Sahara, Marrakesh
Accommodation: Riads & Bedouin Tent
Transport: Private vehicles
Meals Included: Two meals per day
This Acanela Expedition © is the perfect fusion between comfort and adventure. Embark on this small-group exploration and have hands-on encounters with local people and cultures, while experiencing all the historical and culinary highlights along the way.
Dates & Prices
From $1,800 / person | Comprehensive package including accommodation for all nights; in-country transport by private bus, train, or flight; lecture and instruction materials from our expert driver guides; all activities; and two meals per day. *International airfare and visa fees are not included.
+ Single Supplement: +$150 per person (please note that this will be added to your booking if traveling without a companion traveler in your same accommodation)
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Frequently Asked Questions
+ Can you help me book my international flights?
Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours, and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. We would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.
+ Can you help arrange my travel visas?
If you are an American traveler joining this trip, you will not need a visa to visit Morocco.
Please use [VisaHQ][2] to verify the visa requirements for your travel plans, and please be certain that your passport will have at least six months' remaining validity throughout your time in Africa.
+ Is Morocco safe for female travelers?
Yes, absolutely!
+ What type of dress code should we follow in Morocco?
It's best to wear modest clothing - we recommend bringing long, flowy pants if you can (but no jeans, as they would be too hot). Short-sleeved or quarter-length-sleeved shirts are fine as well. We would also suggest bringing a lightweight scarf.
+ What are the accommodations like on this trip?
We will spend most of our trip sleeping in "riads" — boutique hotels (under 30 rooms) that used to be old Arabic mansions. On one night, when we are visiting the Sahara desert, we will sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent.
+ What is the best way to contact the in-country team?
The best way is to download WhatsApp, a messaging system used by all of our international partners. Their numbers are listed on the itinerary.
+ What are standard tip amounts? Is it customary to tip in Morocco?
Tips in Africa are, on average, $5-$10 (USD) per day for the guide and $2-$3 per day for the driver.
Morocco with Acanela: Video
Traveler Reviews
Haley Bond has spent most of her life dreaming of Morocco, and with Acanela’s help, she recently explored the country for herself. Here’s what she had to say about her Morocco vacation.
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