One Week in Morocco: Sahara & Todra Gorge
Experience Overview
Spend a week in Morocco and find the best balance between bustling city medinas and relaxing mountain and desert landscapes – with this week-long adventure that hits Marrakech, the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains. Get lost (the good kind) in Djemaa el-Fna Square, hike the Todra Valley, enjoy a homecooked lunch by a local family in Todra Gorge, then head to the Sahara for a bucket list camel ride during sunset and a camping experience under the expansive night sky. Travel to the mountains, where you’ll experience the Tawesna tea house to try the best mint tea in the world (and a locally sourced Moroccan meal to pair it with). Hike through the peaceful Imlil and return to colourful Marrakech to end it all with a bang!
Highlights
- Hike through rugged terrain and small villages, then take in the view of the valley as you tuck into a home-cooked meal prepared by a local family in Todra Gorge.
- Tick the Djemaa el-Fna Square off your bucket list in Marrakech and wander through the amazing chaos of street performers, singers, poets and street food carts all vying for your attention.
- Stay the night in a Sahara desert camp, far away from tourist crowds After a camel ride through the sand dunes, watch the sunset with your group.
- 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 with locals and contributing to the economic inclusion of women.
- 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 at an Aroumd homestay.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3096
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private Vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: XMYD
Starts: Marrakech, Morocco
Finishes: Marrakech, Morocco
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (4), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Desert Camp (1 night),Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (2 nights),Hotel (2 nights),Guesthouse (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $565 ($71 /day)
Itinerary
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 (2090 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
After breakfast, there are no activities planned and your trip comes to an end. 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’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Optional Activities:
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. (640 MAD)
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage (750 MAD)
- Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove (715 MAD)
- Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret (60 MAD)
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch (2000 MAD)
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure (605 MAD)
- Marrakech - AMAL Women's Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant (110 MAD)
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour (438 MAD)
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour (540 MAD)
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride (2090 MAD)
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
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
Reviews
Lydia - Traveled, March 2024
A great trip in general. If you want to see authentic Morocco this is the trip for you. Physical rating should be 3/5.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/05/2024
Jessica - Traveled, February 2024
An exciting and immersive tour which offers great value for money. We will be recommending to all our friends and family. We are very thankful to our guide for making this experience one to remember. Can’t wait for our next intrepid adventure!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Christian - Traveled, February 2024
It was so good, but our Tourguide Mo and the all the other people made it perfect. I would defenetly recommend it, even though you should be consodered about long busdrives at the days, but even they are great for taking some power naps after the full days
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Liam - Traveled, February 2024
Our trip to Morocco was a new experience in travel for my wife and I. Our first time out of North America and first time taking a group tour. We would recommend Intrepid to everyone who wants to travel and feel immersed within the local culture while supporting locals and responsible travel. I just hope they are as lucky as we were with our tour guide! Mohamed NAIT Baazar, what an incredible human! Without Mohamed we would have not enjoyed the trip as much as we did! Even meeting other tours and tour leaders along the trip it was clear to everyone in our group how fortunate we were to be travelling with Mohamed. He is a friend we will keep for life and hope to stay in touch moving forward! Kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgable, are a few of his wonderful qualities. If we ever get the chance to return to Morocco it will be impossible to find a guide better than himself. We are incredibly grateful, he made intrepid look incredible to two people who have never been on a group tour. Intrepid is extremely lucky to have him representing their brand!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Rachel - Traveled, February 2024
We had an amazing time on this trip and found it to be great value for money. Mo was an incredible guide and we were lucky to have him show us around southeastern Morocco! He went above and beyond for us!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Sophie - Traveled, May 2024
This trip is one you can chill out on and take a break away from your crazy life! Very chilled and slow paced compared to others if you’re wanting that kind of holiday. Would recommend if this sounds like your kind of thing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/13/2024
Lucian Alexandru - Traveled, May 2024
If you want to visit real Morocco, stay in guest houses and interact with the locals, this tour is for you! I have enjoyed this trip to the fullest, it was an amazing experience and I have learned a lot about Morocco and its culture! Our guide and friend, Hamza, is a very knowledgeable, friendly and caring person. He would go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy! This trip wouldn't have been the same without him! There was a couple of days when the bus drives were too long, but it was worth it in the end. The food was delicious and loads, except the breakfast that I didn't like too much...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2024
Jesse - Traveled, May 2024
Fantastic trip!!! Hamza was amazing!!!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2024
Jack - Traveled, June 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Morocco. Our guide Mo was excellent and very friendly, helpful and informative. The itinerary packs a lot in, so whilst you get to see and do lots of different things, this does mean that you have to endure some very long travel days. The highlight of the trip is the Sahara Desert and would do the tour for this alone. Would recommend if you are okay with long drives.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/08/2024
Mikeala - Traveled, June 2024
Incredible, must do trip! The Sahara desert was the biggest highlight! Thank you Moe for being an awesome tour guide! You’re the mo best
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2024
Luke - Traveled, June 2024
Showing off the incredible variety of Morocco this tour was a real chance to see and do some once in a life time experiences which I would recommend to all travellers!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/11/2024
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