Morocco: Camels to Casbahs

Morocco is a land of fabled casbahs, medieval medinas, and mythic charms. On this incredible odyssey, we discover the country’s sensuous beauty in royal cities, mysterious souks, Roman ruins, and red-rock canyons sculpted by nature. Morocco’s evocative towns also provide a visual feast, from Fez, a walled city suspended in a medieval dream, to tiny Essaouira, an 18th century gem set by the sea. A special highlight is a 3-day journey by camel (or on foot) ending at the golden-orange sands of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Trip Leader Mark Gordon knows his adopted homeland like few others and his connections with its culture and people, from the souks of Marrakesh to the canyons of the High Atlas, make this an incredible way to experience Morocco.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Casablanca / Rabat

In Casablanca, we visit the grand Hassan II Mosque, a remarkable blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern technology, then head up the coast to Rabat, a very walkable capital where we stroll through the picturesque Oudaya Kasbah and visit the Chellah, a walled royal necropolis atop the ancient Roman town of Sala Colonia.

Days 3-4
Moulay Idriss / Volubulis / Fez

We travel inland to Moulay Idriss, a striking hill town named for Morocco’s most famous saint. Nearby, we walk among towering marble columns at the dramatic Roman ruins of Volubulis. Entering magical Fez, we discover a completely preserved medieval city pulsating with life. Here we explore on foot through a honeycomb of twisting alleys of Arabic-Moorish architecture of blue-tiled facades, savoring the scent of spices, orange blossoms, sizzling lamb kabobs, and sweet honey cakes. We watch scenes unchanged in centuries, from donkeys laden with leathers bound for tanneries to children carrying boards of bread dough to communal ovens.

Day 5
Middle Atlas Mountains / Sahara / Erfoud

After a scenic crossing of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountains, we descend through the stunning canyon of the Ziz Gorge, an oasis of date palms, to the desert frontier town of Erfoud, where we stay in a stylish casbah-style hotel in the desert.

Days 6-8
Sahara Camel Safari

The silent world of the Moroccan Sahara is breathtaking, with ochre dunes, cobalt sky, and volcanic peaks. With our jeep-supported Berber crew and team of Tuareg cameleers, we ride camels (or hike), making a picturesque camel caravan as we go. The desert landscape is ever-changing as we follow the dry canyon of the Oued Rhies. After two camping nights, our overnight on Day 8 is in a charming hotel near Erg Chebbi, one of the country’s greatest natural wonders, its rolling sands endlessly shaped and reshaped by the wind.

Days 9-11
Todra / Dades / Ait Ben Haddou / Marrakesh

Bidding farewell to our Tuareg cameleers, we drive across the Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorge amid limestone cliffs, lush fig orchards, and sculpted red-rock formations. En route to Marrakesh on Day 11, we visit the Skoura oasis, one of Morocco’s most beautiful palmeries, and visit the famed desert citadel of Ait Ben Haddou, a restored medieval casbah.

Day 12
Essaouira

Set by the sea, the charming walled town of Essaouira is an artists’ haven of 18th century whitewashed houses with blue shutters. We explore the medina, artisan workshops, the fishermen’s market, the tiny harbor where wooden fishing boats are still built the traditional way, and along the seaside ramparts where Orson Welles filmed Othello.

Days 13-15
Marrakesh

Fabled Marrakesh is a palm-fringed city more Berber than Arabic, a metropolis for the tribes of the Atlas for a thousand years. At its heart is an 11th century medina and a central square replete with snake charmers, fire eaters, and fortune tellers. On foot and by horse-drawn carriage, we discover Marrakesh’s secrets, with excursions through the medina and the souks. Our explorations include the royal necropolis of the 16th to 18th century Saadian Tombs and the ornate Bahia Palace, built in 1894 by the grand vizier Si Ahmed Ben Moussa. Depart on Day 15.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2+, moderate. It combines overland travel and cultural exploration with a moderate three-day camel trek in the Sahara. In the cities, we stay in excellent hotels. In the Todra and Dades gorges, we stay in simple lodges. Transportation is by minibus and 4WD Land Rovers. Bottled water is carried on board our vehicles at all times for your use.

For our vehicle-supported three-day camel trek, we use mountain-style dome tents. The hiking on the trek is not difficult. It covers a variety of terrain, mostly hard-packed desert, rocky washes, and dry river beds. Our camels are led by their own individual handlers, our Tuareg cameleers. Most people alternately ride and walk, as camel riding can be uncomfortable for long periods. The camel riding is entirely optional; you are always free to hike or skip an afternoon’s hike and ride in the 4WD vehicles with our Berber crew. At Erg Chebbi, we have a beautiful day of sand-dune hiking, with ups and downs over the rolling dunes. In the mornings at camp, a basin of water is brought to your tent for freshening up before breakfast. We eat our meals in a dining tent set with table and chairs. Bottled water is provided at meals. It is expected that each participant be in good physical condition. You can rent a sleeping bag for the trek or bring your own. We recommend that you make a special effort to get in shape for the trip. Daily walking or hiking, jogging, or stair-climbing are excellent preparatory exercises.

Please note: Trip members should be aware that camels can sometimes be unpredictable animals. While there will be a handler leading each camel, it is still possible for the camel to stumble on rough terrain or make a sudden erratic movement. Camels cannot be saddled as securely as horses, and there are no stirrups, which increases the possibility of a fall. Therefore, it's important to hold on well and to stay alert while riding! Anyone participating in this optional activity must acknowledge the inherent risk in riding and perhaps falling from the saddle, and agree to accept any and all responsibility. Alternative activities, such as hiking or riding in the support vehicles, are always available for those who want a break from riding or prefer not to ride at all.

Explanation of Trip Levels