This trip is exotic and exciting—kind of like riding a camel. You'll savor tagines and be mesmerized by Berber music. Hike to a rustic village in the Atlas Mountains. Meander past olive groves to the sea. And yes, ride a camel on the dunes. Perhaps you've traveled with us before. But come to Morocco and your non-camel vacations just won't compare.
Day 1 A local expert introduces us to the 16th-century hamlet of Tamesloht and its zaouia (holy site) | Stroll through the rose gardens or take a dip in the pool at our mountain hideaway.
Day 2 In the High Atlas Mountains, hike to a village accessible only by foot and experience traditional life | Share mint tea, fresh bread and olive oil with a welcoming Berber family | Trek through the verdant Imlil Valley, surrounded by rugged peaks | Enjoy a lively performance of singing, drumming and dancing before dining on Moroccan specialties.
Day 3 Look for goats climbing argan trees as you hike through sun-kissed olive groves toward the Atlantic | Explore the narrow streets of Essaouira, an artsy whitewashed port town and World Heritage site with delightful cafés and galleries | Kick back at the luxurious Heure Bleue Palais, with spectacular ocean views.
Day 4 Camel ride through scenic sand dunes | Hike through a canyon to a welcoming oasis | Wash away your cares in a traditional hammam | Cinnamon, turmeric and anise dance on your tongue during a lavish Moroccan dinner.
Days 5-6 Explore Marrakech's vibrant medina on a guided walk | Visit an argan oil women's cooperative | Enjoy a final hike into in the picturesque foothills of the Atlas Mountains | Peruse Marrakech's Jemaa el Fna, brimming with snake charmers, herbalists and musicians.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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Tucked away in the Atlas Mountains, a welcoming retreat with rose gardens, citrus groves and horse stables. (pool, spa)
A traditional Moroccan riad, "built around a magnificent lantern-lit patio and courtyard garden planted with palm and banana trees," said Andrew Harper. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Set amid gardens, this timelessly elegant hotel is brimming with colorful tiles, fountains, arcades and hidden alcoves. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 3* | 800 | 5* | 1100 | ||||||
| Tamesloht Village and Riad Walking Tour (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 1100 | 5* | 1800 | 9 | 1800 | ||||
| 3 | 3* | 200 | 6* | 600 | ||||||
| Essaouira Guided Walk (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 4* | 200 | 6* | 500 | ||||||
| Beach Walk or Camel Ride (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 300 | 5* | 700 | ||||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| Medina Walking Tour (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
Note: The terrain on this trip consists of dirt paths that range from level to moderately hilly.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings Morocco has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.
Most companies' trips in Morocco are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
