Morocco Camels & Casbahs Hiking Tour
A Legendary Saharan Journey & Dazzling Marrakech
- Available: March, April, October, November, December
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Deluxe Camping
Highlights
- Marvel at the mesmerizing old medinas of Marrakech and Fes, with their bustling ancient souks
- Trek the spectacular sand dunes of the Sahara on camelback, camping under star-strewn desert skies
- Discover Berber villages and lush oases and follow trails past ancient kasbahs in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains
Itinerary
Arrive in Marrakech
Day 1
Welcome to Morocco! Arrive in Marrakech this morning and meet your MT Sobek representative at the airport. After transferring to the hotel, join your guide and group for a trip briefing and lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Jardin Majorelle, an enchanting botanical and artist's landscape garden containing a variety of cacti, palms, and other plants—as well as a Cubist villa painted in striking “Majorelle Blue,” a color patented by the garden's designer. Tonight, savor a welcome dinner with your trip leader at a restaurant in the medina, and enjoy the famed buzz of Djemaa El Fna square, with its snake charmers and fire-eaters.Accommodation: Es Saadi Hotel
Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Discover Mesmerizing Marrakech
Day 2
Head out and explore the "pearl of the south." Founded in the 11th century, Marrakech is one of Morocco's oldest cities, replete with gorgeous gardens and pink Moorish-style buildings. Discover the Bahia Palace, a beautiful vizier's palace decorated with intricate stucco work, mosaics, and courtyard fountains. Also visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a historical Islamic college built in the 16th century that is of great cultural and architectural significance. Have lunch in the medina, then wander its labyrinthine streets and alleyways, visiting souks selling Moroccan lanterns, Berber carpets, ceramics, and other local crafts.Accommodation: Es Saadi Hotel
Activity: 5.5 hours guided city touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to Essaouira
Day 3
Rise for a drive to the lively port city of Essaouira (formerly known as Mogador), famed for its beautiful 18th-century ramparts and traditional character. After lunch, take a tour of the "Wind City of Africa" and explore its atmospheric, UNESCO-listed medina. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with quaint artisan shops and cafes and check out the sweeping harbor views as you stroll the fortifications. Overnight in a charming hotel on the Atlantic coast.Accommodation: Hotel Le Medina Essaouira MGallery
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Follow the Coast Road to Rabat
Day 4
Head north on the coastal road to Safi, then continue on a cliffside stretch with beautiful sea views to Oualidia—the "oyster capital of Morocco." Enjoy lunch at a restaurant with views over the pretty lagoon. Next, enjoy a pleasant drive to Rabat. This afternoon, explore Rabat's iconic Hassan Tower, a red sandstone minaret flanked by unfinished stone pillars. These are the remnants of a massive unfinished mosque that is an important historical monument and a symbol of Rabat. Enjoy a night at a delightful family-run guest house in town.Accommodation: Villa Mandarine
Transportation: 6.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Meknes & Travel to Fes
Day 5
After breakfast, set off on your journey to Meknes, an enchanting imperial city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the late 17th century. Marvel at the grand historic gateway of Bab Mansour and enjoy lunch before continuing to the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins at Volubilis. Arrive at your hotel in Fes by sunset.
Accommodation: Hotel Les Merinides
Transportation: 5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Wonders of Fes
Day 6
Dive right into the medieval walled city of Fes, where thousands of craftsmen ply their trades. Observe the magnificent UNESCO-listed medina from scenic viewpoints and then visit the King's Palace, Fes el-Jedid with its old Jewish quarter, and Fes el-Bali (the oldest section). Here wander through some of the best souks in the world, including the henna, brass, and leather tanners' souks. Marvel at the fabulous architecture, taking in the great Kairaouine Mosque, the largest in Morocco. Break up the day with a hearty lunch right in the center of the action.
Accommodation: Hotel Les Merinides
Activity: Full day city touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey Along the High Atlas Mountains to Erfoud
Day 7
Rise early for a gorgeous drive to the oasis town of Erfoud. The journey takes you through cedar forests in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains up to the mountain town of Ifrane at 5,463 feet. Travel onward to your lunch stop in Midelt, situated between the Middle and High Atlas mountains, before ending the day in Erfoud — your gateway to the Sahara Desert.
Accommodation: Hotel Xaluca
Transportation: 7-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head into Erg Chebbi on Camels
Day 8
Start the day with a visit to a traditional village and then transfer by minibus to Derkaoua and Yasmine Auberge. From here, absorb the wonders of the desert as you travel on foot and by camel to the remote eastern side of Erg Chebbi — home to the largest and most spectacular dunes in Morocco. This afternoon, you'll climb an incredible 400-foot-high dune, giving you epic desert views! Return to camp for dinner and a night under the stars.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp – Morocco Camel Trek
Activity: 4.5-hours camel trek and walking
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek by Camel to Erg Znigui
Day 9
Mount camels for a thrilling ride south along the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the dunes near Merdani before continuing across a dramatic black plateau dotted with red dunes to Znigui. Along the way, you may occasionally pass nomads tending to their herds amidst the pumpkin-colored sea of sand. Camp on the dunes near Znigui tonight.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp – Morocco Camel Trek
Activity: 5-hours camel trek and walking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride Camels & Visit with Nomads
Day 10
Rise today for another exciting camel ride, this time to the rock of Beigga, a mixture of standing stones and sand. Stop for tea in a nomadic camp or village along your journey. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a tent on desert sands before setting off on a dune walk, giving you a real sense of space amidst this vast ocean of sand. Return to the camp in the afternoon.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp – Morocco Camel Trek
Activity: 4.5-hours camel trek and walking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy Your Last Camel Trek & Drive to Boumalne Dades
Day 11
Bid farewell to the desert early this morning and enjoy your last camel trek back to the road. Meet the minibus and journey on to Boumalne Dades, passing Rissani, Tinejdad, and Tinerhir on the way. Stop for lunch in the old fortified Berber village of Khorbat and spend the night at a comfortable hotel surrounded by mountains in Boumalne Dades.
Accommodation: Hotel Xaluca Dades
Activity: 1.5 hours camel trek and hiking
Transportation: 5.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to the Ancient Village of Ait Benhaddou
Day 12
This morning, return to the Dades Valley for a delightful hike on the bank of a wadi, visiting an old Kasbah en route. After lunch, drive to Skoura's palmeraie (palm grove), a beautiful oasis of date palms and other fruit trees such as olive, pomegranate, almond, and fig. Learn about its ancient and ingenious underground irrigation system, then visit Amridil, one of the old ksars (fortified villages) located in the oasis. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, a historic ksar on the former caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check into your riad-style hotel.
Accommodation: Riad Ksar Ighnda
Activity: 2 hours walking
Transportation: 3.5 hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Marrakech
Day 13
Rise early today for your return drive to Marrakech, crossing the rugged Tichka Pass at 7,300 feet and then descending to the plain of Marrakech. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, with time to explore the city or enjoy the hotel's amenities. This evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner in the medina.Accommodation: Es Saadi Hotel
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart for Home
Day 14
Bid farewell to Morocco this morning as you transfer to the airport for your departure flight.Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
MT Sobek has been exploring Morocco since 1975 so you're in expert hands on this unique journey.
Discover Morocco's ancient cities, cultural hubs and desert dunes with our knowledgeable and longtime guides who offer rich insights into the local culture and way of life.
Our camel trek traverses some of Morocco's most secluded and breathtaking desert scenery, complete with comfortable tents and impeccable service from our Saharan team.
Dates & Prices
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Abdellah A.
Abdellah was born in the Central High Atlas Mountains in the Amazigh (Berber) village of Ait Bougumez. Mountain adventure has always been Abdellah's true passion and he has over 20 years of experience in travel and tourism-formally earning his mountain guide degree certification in 2005. Abdellah is fluent in English, French, Amazigh, and Arabic, and enjoys sharing his wondrous country, including the local culture in the Atlas. He loves to organize meetings with local families and nomads for MT Sobek travelers.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Touring cities and ancient sights includes walking up to 2-3 hours on uneven cobblestone streets and some dirt trails. In the Sahara, you may be riding a camel for up to five hours through sand dunes and on somewhat hilly terrain. No previous experience is required.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
5.5 hours guided city touring
Day 6
Full day city touring
Day 8
4.5-hours camel trek and walking
Day 9
5-hours camel trek and walking
Day 10
4.5-hours camel trek and walking
Day 11
1.5 hours camel trek and hiking
Day 12
2 hours walking
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Upscale city hotels, enchanting riad retreats, charming guesthouses, and MT Sobek mobile camps in the desert.
Weather
The climate is moderate and subtropical, cooled by breezes off the Atlantic and Mediterranean. In the interior the temperatures are more extreme, with cold winters and hot summers.
FAQs
Because the desert can get quite warm in summer, the best time for a camel trek is from October to November and March. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds.
The walking is fairly easy from 1 to 6 miles on a mixture of sandy terrain and hard-packed desert floor with vehicle support. The camels will walk very slowly and will be tied together. The seats will be padded with blankets and you will have have the chance to hop off to stretch your legs.
Plan to dress conservatively. We suggest covering shoulders, knees, and wearing loose fitting clothing.
Visas are not required for US citizens for visits lasting less than 90 days. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.






