Morocco: Cities, Desert Dunes & Atlantic Coast

Land in Casablanca, drop your bags at the hotel, and link up with the rest of the crew in the evening. The first night is usually a group thing, heading out to a local spot in the city center to get to know everyone. If you arrive early, the Hassan II Mosque is the main draw, but check opening and tour times before you go.

The road trip starts today. It's an overland journey up the coast from Casablanca, with the first stop in Rabat, Morocco's capital. You'll have time to stretch your legs in the city's old quarter and see the views from the Kasbah des Oudaias before grabbing lunch.

From Rabat, it's another push onward to Chefchaouen, the famous 'blue city' tucked into the Rif Mountains. Once you arrive, a quick orientation walk helps you get your bearings in the blue-washed streets before you check in for the night.

A full free day to explore Chefchaouen. You can spend the hours getting lost in the blue alleys of the medina, shopping for souvenirs, or just finding a cafe to people-watch from. For something more active, there are hiking options in the surrounding Rif Mountains. A solid move for sunset is the short hike up to the Spanish Mosque, which has a panoramic view over the whole city.

Leave the blue city behind for the overland drive to Fès. After checking in, you've got free time to start exploring. The city is famous for its ancient, labyrinthine medina. A good first stop is one of the traditional Amazigh pharmacies to see local remedies and spices, followed by a walk through the pungent, colourful alleys of the ancient leather tanneries.

Another full day to get lost in Fès. This is your chance to dive deep into the medina on your own terms. The artisan quarters are packed with workshops, and the food stalls are everywhere, selling local snacks and spiced treats. You'll be navigating solo or with your hostel mates, as local regulations mean only certified guides can lead tours inside the medina. It's a day for aimless wandering.

It's a long travel day, heading south from Fès all the way to Marrakech. Settle in for the overland journey and watch the landscape shift from green hills to the drier plains surrounding the Red City. You'll arrive in the evening with enough time to drop your bags and head out to get a first taste of its energy. The main square, Djemaa el-Fna, comes alive after dark and is a good place to start.

A free day in Marrakech is all about the Djemaa el-Fna. The main square is the heart of the medina, constantly changing from morning to night with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls. Spend the day exploring the surrounding souks. In the evening, the group links up for a night out on the town. Some new people might be joining the crew here for the next leg of the trip.

Leave the city bustle for the quiet of the Skoura oasis, a green haven known for its historic mud-brick castles. The drive from Marrakech takes you into a different Morocco. Once there, a guided walk through the 'Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs' explains the history of these old fortresses, with views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains in the distance. The afternoon is for downtime—a swim in the lodge pool is a solid option before a group dinner in the evening.

Today you head deep into the desert. The drive from Skoura includes a stop to walk through the impressive Dades Gorge. After a lunch break in Tinghir, the journey continues to the edge of the Sahara. Here, you'll trade the vehicle for a camel, riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes to a desert camp. The timing is set for a classic Saharan sunset from atop the sand. The night is spent around a campfire with a traditional dinner, local music, and stories under the stars.

After breakfast at the camp, you'll head back to a proper hotel in Merzouga. The day is a mix of desert activities. You can opt for a 4x4 excursion deeper into the dunes or just chill by the pool. Later, a cooking class focuses on making medfouna, a local stuffed flatbread sometimes called 'Berber pizza,' which you bake in a fire pit. The day wraps with sandboarding on the highest dunes as the sun sets, turning the whole landscape gold.

It's back on the road after breakfast, traveling along the 'Route of 1000 Kasbahs' to Aït Ben Haddou. This iconic, UNESCO-listed fortified village is a classic Moroccan landscape, famous as a filming location for movies and shows like Game of Thrones. You'll walk through its narrow, winding alleys and climb to the highest point for views over the desert as the sun gets low. For dinner, you can join an optional tajine cooking class or find your own spot.

The route circles back to Marrakech today. After the overland drive, you'll dive straight into the city with a guided tour of the medina. This walk covers some of the main sights, including the historic Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic college built in the 14th century, the ornate Bahia Palace, and the chaotic Djemaa el-Fna square. In the evening, the plan is usually to grab dinner together at the famous food stalls that set up in the square after dark.

Another free day to tick off anything you missed in Marrakech. This is your chance to bargain for a lantern in the souks, find the perfect cup of mint tea, or just wander the medina's backstreets. In the evening, the group gets together for another night out. More new faces might join the crew here as the trip pivots towards the coast for its final leg.

Today's drive takes you out of Marrakech, through the High Atlas Mountains, and towards the Atlantic coast. There's a stop along the way in Taroudant, a market town often called 'Little Marrakech' for its red rampart walls. You'll have some free time to browse its souks before the final leg of the journey to the fishing village and surf town of Taghazout. Settle in for a group dinner on arrival.

Wake up to the sound of waves. The main event today is a surf lesson on the beaches Taghazout is famous for. After you've learned the basics from an instructor, the afternoon is free to practice your new skills, go for a swim, or just relax on the sand. If you'd rather stay on land, there are usually options for hiking or yoga. The day ends with the whole crew watching the sunset from the beach with tea and dates.

It's a short coastal drive north to the breezy, blue-and-white port city of Essaouira. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, you have a free afternoon. Your best bet is to explore the historic ramparts, wander through the art galleries and wood-carving shops in the medina, or watch the fishing boats in the harbour. For a local spa experience, you can opt for a traditional hammam (steam bath).

One last drive, heading back inland from the coast to Marrakech. The trip officially ends upon arrival back in the city around midday. Grab some last-minute photos with the crew before everyone heads their separate ways for flights home or onward travels.