Morocco

Chaotic. Colorful. Overwhelming. Enthralling. From the high Atlas Mountains to the desert to the coasts, Morocco is a country that mesmerizes travelers.

With a history dating back to the Carthaginian Empire, Morocco is a mix of cultures, which makes it one of the most interesting places in the world. The sprawling and disorderly medinas can test your patience, but they reward your senses each and every visit.

Using our local connections, you’ll get a cultural experience not available with other companies. You’ll learn about the history of the country, eat fabulous meals, and get off the beaten path through immersive experiences with traditional Berber and Bedouin tribes. We have some really special things planned.

This tour is for people looking to see more than just the famous sites of Morocco — it’s for travelers who want to understand the country’s culture, history, and food more.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a more authentic and nuanced travel experience, this tour is for you.

Tour Itinerary

Arriving in the bustling city of Casablanca, this Morocco trip officially gets off to a start! A private driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to our hotel in the center. The remainder of the day will be yours to rest and recover from jet lag and meet your fellow travelers. In the early evening, we’ll have a quick orientation meeting followed by a welcome dinner.

Included meals: Dinner

Leaving early, we’ll drive to the laid-back royal city of Meknes. Upon arrival, we’ll take a walking tour that will include the sprawling local markets and the fascinating ancient Royal Stables. Afterward, we’ll have lunch at a unique, local restaurant in the heart of the medina before continuing to beautiful Fes. You can join us for an optional group dinner later in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Heading straight into the heart of the largest ancient medina in the world (the old walled city – a UNESCO site), we’ll enter the main gate for a half-day walking tour that will include the leather tanneries, spice shops, gorgeous 800-year-old schools, mosques, friendly residential areas, food markets and more, with endless stops in this maze of lanes. After lunch, you’ll have time to explore more of the vibrant medina at your own pace. You can join us for an optional group dinner later in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today involves a scenic journey to Merzouga, straight across the magnificent Middle Atlas Mountains and ending up at the edge of the great Sahara Desert. The trip will take approximately 8 hours but will involve several stops along the way including the Swiss-like town of Ifrane, the gorgeous Ziz Valley, a forest that’s home to the unique Barbary Apes, and a quick sandwich stop . We’ll then arrive at our fantastic riad in the small village of Merzouga just in time to catch the sunset over the desert where we’ll have dinner in our riad.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, we’ll out to a local Gnawa village (a small ethnic group from sub-Saharan Africa known for their unique music). We’ll spend some time with the villagers, listen to their music, and have a traditional Gnawa lunch. After lunch, you can choose a 1.5 hour camel trek or a 30 minute jeep safari across the mesmerizing Erg Chebbi sand dunes to reach our idyllic Sahara Desert Camp. We’ll spend the evening in the desert with traditional music around the campfire, eating incredible traditional food, and stargazing before sleeping in our yurts.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With an early wake-up, you’ll have a chance to witness the sunrise over the dunes, creating a magical, multi-colored start to the day. After breakfast at our camp, we’ll begin our trip out of the desert, via jeep, and back to Merzouga. We’ll then drive towards the Dades Gorge. En route, we’ll visit an excellent fossil workshop in Erfoud where they extract marine fossils from under the desert. Eventually, we’ll cross the Jebl Sahro Mountains and reach our next beautiful spot located in the stunning Dades Valley.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s activities all take place in the Dades Valley, in local villages known for their hospitality. We’ll begin with a hike through the stunning Monkey Fingers Gorge. This slot canyon offers some of the most spectacular landscapes on the trip and there will be several hiking routes depending on how long each person wishes to hike. Afterward, we’ll stroll through a Berber village full of ancient kasbahs and unique rock formations. Today’s lunch will be at the home of friends who have invited us to join them for a traditional meal cooked up by the family. The rest of the day will be yours to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. You can join us for a group dinner later in the evening if you’d like.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Heading out in 4×4 vehicles, we’re going to leave the paved roads and drive straight across the high desert valleys towards the remote village of Bou Tharar. We’ll visit with Bedouin cave-dwellers who spend half the year living inside of caves scattered across the countryside. We’ll learn about their traditions and way of life. From here, we’ll continue through the otherworldly landscape until we reach Bou Tharar. Upon arrival we’ll take a guided walk around the beautiful village, full of welcoming people, impressive 300 year old kasbahs (fortified homes of village leaders) and endless fields of flowers. After lunch, we’ll continue across this surreal landscape until we reach Ouarzazate, a sparkling town known for its movie studios and picture perfect kasbahs. After, we’ll continue to the tiny village of Tisseldei. You can join us for an optional group dinner later in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After a relaxing breakfast, we’ll head to Marrakech, perhaps the most lovable city in all of Morocco. The drive across this section of the striking High Atlas Mountains will include stops at a local rosewater cooperative and at viewpoints where you’ll stare in awe at the unbelievable scenery. When we arrive we’ll have an evening orientation walk through the main square of Marrakech and dinner at the evening pop-up food stalls.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Marrakech is full of bustling markets, incredible architecture, centuries old crafts, intense colors and aromas, constant celebrations and a positive vibe that is truly contagious. Our guided walking tour of medina will take us to the awe-inspiring Bahia Palace as well as local markets full of textiles, crafts, clothing, leather shoes, ceramics, metal work, wood work and so much more. We’ll also be doing a food tasting throughout the tour! After the walking tour, you’ll have free time to remain in the medina if you wish. You can join us for an optional group dinner later in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today, we’ll spend time in the lovely seaside town of Essaouira. With a guided tour, we’ll visit the city ramparts overlooking the water and stroll around the narrow streets of this very laid back town. With a calming sea breeze, as well as traditional woodworkers, potters and silversmiths working away in their workshops, you’ll enjoy wandering around and interacting with locals. For lunch, we’re going straight to the fish market where our guide will choose a variety of fresh fish that will be cooked up for us at a local restaurant. After some free time, we’ll drive to Marrakech in the late afternoon while also stopping at an Argan oil cooperative. You can join us for an optional group dinner later in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a free day. You can spend your time wandering around the never-ending medina, people watching in the main square, visiting the beautiful Jardin Marjorelle, getting pampered at a wonderful hammam, or simply relaxing at the hotel. Our guides will be there to help you figure out what to do. In the evening, we’ll have our final dinner as a group.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we say goodbye. You’ll be picked up at the hotel for your airport transfer according to your flight time. (If your return flight is from Casablanca, we provide a transfer at an extra cost.)

Included meals: Breakfast

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Tour Essentials

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip will be mid-range riads, hotels, and desert camps. All the rooms come with en suite bathrooms.

Transport

During the trip, we’ll travel via private bus throughout the country. And on some camels as we journey into the desert!

Meals

Daily breakfast, six lunches, and six dinners are included in the cost of this tour. Alcohol is not included and can be purchased at your own expense.

Sustainability

We aim to offer as sustainable an experience as we can. The tap water is safe to drink so we encourage you to bring a water bottle. Trash is recycled whenever possible. We avoid mass tourism activities that cause harm to the environment and/or do not benefit local communities.

Small Groups

This tour will have 10-15 travelers on it so we can provide a great small group tour experience. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy unique, rewarding activities that would not be accessible with more people.

Expert guides

You will be led by an expert tour leader who will always be around to provide extra information, create spontaneous experiences, join the group for all of activities and meals and ensure that the trip is as informative, fun and memorable as possible! You will also have excellent licensed, local guides for walking tours, activities and excursions.

What’s Included

What’s Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transportation, including driver
  • Airport transfers (arrival Casablanca / departure Marrakech)
  • All activities and entrance fees listed
  • All included meals listed above
  • Local tour guides during activities
  • Expert tour leader

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to/from the destination
  • Any passport/visa fees
  • Meals not listed
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Optional activity fees
  • Some tips

Reviews

“To me, what made my Moroccan tour with TNN so special was the mix. The mix of travelers that were all ages, fun, and loved adventure. The mix in the itinerary that covered shopping in a medina one day, to camel riding, hiking, meeting local Berber villagers, and relaxing by the beach other days.”

– Pam, Morocco

“I was a little hesitant to join a tour group as all my other travel adventures have been solo. And by the end, I actually wished the tour lasted another week for so many reasons. This comes from someone who generally goes his own way while traveling.”

– Dee, Morocco

“Morocco with TNN was a trip of a lifetime for me! While we saw the big sights, we also visited some hidden gems and got to connect with locals in a way I never imagined. The itinerary was carefully thought out to make our experience exceptional.”

– Heather, Morocco

“I liked the tour because we experienced new things every day. I embraced the new and the unexpected, and enjoyed getting to know 11 new people! Awe inspiring places, warm and welcoming people, appreciation and flexibility.”

– Janet, Jordan

“This TNN tour exceeded my expectations in a lot of ways. The group felt united in our desire to discover new places and things. Add in the convenience that I had to make no plans of my own, it’s an awesome way to travel.”

– Brady, Morocco

“The perfect blend of structured activities and free time. We hit several highlights of the country as well as many under the radar places, all with memorable interactions with locals.”

– Kelly, Romania

FAQ

Please note that we do not offer visa assistance. Currently, as a United States or Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Morocco for stays up to 90 days. However, it is important to note that you will need to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in Morocco. 

If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States or Canada, it is important to check the latest visa requirements for Morocco, as these requirements may vary. You may need to obtain a visa in advance of your trip, or you may need to show additional documentation at the border.

In addition to your passport, it is recommended that you bring a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds for your stay in the country to show upon entry.

You should fly into Casablanca at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN). You should fly out of Marrakesh at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).

  • On the first day, our orientation meeting generally takes place in the early evening around 5:30pm. It’s best to arrive by the afternoon so you have enough time to get settled in before we meet up.
  • On the last day, you can depart at any time. We’ll have breakfast available for you and the rest of the day is yours to explore in Marrakech.

Yes! This tour includes airport transfers at no extra cost. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport in Casablanca upon arrival and taken to the hotel. (If you arrive 1-2 days early, you will be able to receive an airport transfer as long as you are staying at the same hotel that we’ve chosen for the tour.) Upon departure, we will arrange a transfer for you if departing from Marrakech. 

If you depart from Casablanca, we can provide a transfer at an extra cost. The drive takes 2.5 hours. The cost of the transfer is about $200 USD per 5-person van. Your tour leader will arrange this for you if needed.

Another option is to take the 3-hour train from Marrakech to the center of Casablanca, where you can then transfer to another train that goes to the airport. The total trip takes 5 hours and costs approximately $20 USD.

During our tours, the weather in Morocco is generally mild and very pleasant with warm days and cool nights. In fall and spring, it’s warm and sunny with highs in the low 80°s F (27° C) and lows in the low 60°s F (16° C). Coastal cities (Casablanca & Rabat) tend to be cooler with occasional rain. Inland cities (Marrakech and Fes) tend to be warmer and drier.

We will send you a packing list ahead of time to help you prepare. When it comes to clothes in Morocco, it is recommended to wear comfortable pants that reach at least to your shins and shirts that have at least short sleeves. Tight fitting clothes and shirts without sleeves are not recommended as they can be interpreted as culturally insensitive. In general, neither men nor women in Morocco wear shorts, however, they are acceptable while we are in the desert areas and in the Dades Valley as these regions are more relaxed. In and around mosques, women should wear a scarf that covers their hair.

As a woman traveling in Morocco, we encourage dressing like the locals do. Cover your chest, shoulders, back, and legs to show respect, and bring a scarf for extra coverage when needed. In more conservative areas, we recommend clothing that cover your arms as well. We recommend traveling in pairs or groups as often as possible. Don’t walk alone at night and practice other similar safety precautions.

Morocco uses a standard European plug outlet (Plug Types “C” and “F”) so if you’re coming from the US or Canada, you will need a plug adapter. You can easily find cheap ones online, so we’d suggest shopping around. 

As for electricity, most mobile phones, laptops and other devices can handle all types of voltage when charging. Check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V. If that range is listed on the charger, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour. You won’t need a converter, only the plug adapter.

While all of the hotels we stay at have WiFi, the connection can be spotty. It will work and you’ll be able to send emails and do whatever you need to do, but it just might take longer than normal. You can also activate the international plan from your network at home, purchase a local SIM card upon arrival or purchase an e-sim online.

In the desert, we recommend preparing for a digital detox.

In Casablanca, you’ll stay at a long-running classic hotel is located on a quiet street in the very heart of the city center, with good rooms, traditional character and friendly staff.

In Fes, you’ll be set right in the famous ancient medina of this grand city, this gorgeous riad offers plenty of traditional style and charm, with comfortable, thoughtfully decorated rooms and beautiful public spaces.

In Merzouga, you’ll stay in a traditional desert-style hotel, with a palace design, is located at the edge of the sand dunes and offers beautiful, modern rooms and a great swimming pool.

In the Sahara Desert, you’ll be set among the idyllic sand dunes of the Sahara, this desert camp offers spacious tents with comfortable beds, private bathrooms (with hot water) and spectacular desert views all around.

In Dades Valley, your traditional Berber style riad which offers well-designed rooms and a very peaceful and friendly atmosphere to enjoy.

In Tisseldei, your excellent hilltop accommodation offers well-appointed and cozy rooms, a swimming pool and terraces looking straight out over the picturesque valley and village below.

In Marrakech, you’ll be located in the trendy Gueliz neighborhood, with good standard rooms, a great location close to the medina and all modern amenities and a rooftop swimming pool.

Twin share rooms:

  • If you are traveling solo, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender in a room with two single beds.
  • If you book two spots, you’ll get the entire room for you and your travel partner. 

Private rooms:

If you’d like to get your own private room, you can add that option at checkout for $350 USD. There are a maximum of 8 single rooms available. Private rooms run on a first come, first served basis.

This tour requires a certain level of physical activity. Please note that the trip can involve somewhat long days, long journeys by van (with stops), walking tours, a variety of temperatures and early morning wake-ups. While there is no strenuous hiking involved on this tour, you should be prepared to be on your feet a lot.

Daily breakfast, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. You can refer to the itinerary to see which ones. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice. Alcohol is not included. Water is provided throughout the whole trip.

No, we will provide you with drinking water throughout the trip.

You should budget an average of $30-50 USD per day for all your extra needs. Most of your expenses are covered in your trip price, but you will need cash for non-included meals and any additional purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc.) as well as activities you do on your own. Certainly bring more money if you plan to shop in the markets!

Yes, you will be able to withdraw cash in Mexico. We recommend using ATMs which are available in cities and will dispense local currency. However, please check with your home bank as many banks charge foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money from an ATM overseas. Learn how to avoid paying extra fees here.

If using an ATM machine is not an option, the second-best method is to simply bring US dollars or Euros in cash that you can exchange at money exchange booths or banks located all over the country.

Tips are not included in our tour costs. How much you tip depends greatly on how much you want to tip. Generally, $10-15 per day is considered a generous tip for the guides.

Find our general FAQ here to get any of your other questions answered.

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Book with confidence. Your deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days after your booking is made, as long as it’s 60 days prior to departure, so you don’t lose out in case your plans change.