Embark on these 6 extraordinary adventures in Morocco
From the medina to the mountains, Morocco’s charm is undeniable.
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the ancient country of Morocco is home to more than its medinas. Boasting vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes and unexplored terrain, it draws thrill-seekers and explorers from across the globe. Offering unparalleled experiences from the souks to the sand, this North African destination is one that transcends time. And with Exodus Adventure Travels, you can too, as their expert local guides make every trip even more extraordinary
1. Highlights of Morocco
Morocco lives up to all the Voyages of Sinbad imagery and romanticism you ever dreamed of. In fact, the greatest Moroccan journeys surpass them on a daily basis. Experienced local guides lead you through the medinas and souks of Fez and Marrakech, bringing timeless traditions to life. They introduce you to contemporary life in the hidden quarters of Rabat (the capital) and Essaouira’s fishing community, but it’s the wilderness that’s one of the most memorable Highlights of Morocco. Sipping mint tea in remote Amazigh villages or listening to the stories of camel drivers in isolated Saharan camps are experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.
When to go:
There’s no bad time to be in Morocco. With such geographic diversity on offer, every season offers its own take on adventure. The lowlands and deserts swelter in midsummer but you’ll experience Africa at its most challenging and rewarding. Winter can be icy in the High Atlas, but the peaks are undeniably at their most beautiful when shrouded in white.
2. Cycle Morocco’s Great South
North Africa’s great peaks are always breathtaking and the chance to Cycle Morocco’s Great South is an opportunity to take in some of the most impressive vistas the country has to offer. During a challenging journey (averaging about 68km/day) you pedal through the Atlas foothills – under the shadow of Mount Toubkal – and traverse the aptly-named Paradise Valley palm groves (near Agadir) to arrive beside the shimmering Atlantic at Essaouira. Marrakech is a fitting finale to celebrate the fact you conquered the legendary Tizi n’Test Pass on two wheels.
When to go:
The northern hemisphere in Autumn is ideal, before the mountain passes become icy. The fruit seasons vary across the region, but you’ll enjoy the golden landscapes and irresistible local produce. On hotter days, the heat can be overcome by heading to a relaxed rooftop (or mountaintop) during the siesta hours.
3. Mount Toubkal Climb
Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, is legendary among mountaineers as the ‘Roof of Africa’. Its 4,167m summit looms high over Imlil Valley and picturesque Amazigh villages that cluster like isolated fortresses. While summit-attempts on popular Toubkal tend to focus around the crowded refuge, Exodus’ Mount Toubkal Climb takes the adventure to new heights and maximises the sense of high-altitude adventure with full-service camping. While distances are relatively low (around just 11km/day), the six-days of hiking among lesser-known peaks and passes make for an invigorating and challenging experience.
When to go:
May-August is most popular when the midsummer peaks are predominantly rocky rather than snow-covered – you’ll also avoid the need for specialised equipment (although Exodus supply cramp-ons when necessary). Timing your trip to coincide with the new moon might well mean some of the best stargazing of your life.
4. Undiscovered Atlas
Crisp mountain mornings in Amazigh villages and sun-soaked afternoons gazing across the gleaming peaks of the High Atlas are aspects of a Moroccan adventure known to relatively few outsiders. The lesser-known 2,531m summit of Jebel Aklim escapes the daily crowds that are often seen on the famous peak of Toubkal, while the Aklim Range boasts particularly spellbinding views. A wild-camping trip through Undiscovered Atlas means you can soak up sublime mountain landscapes, but you’ll also experience friendly hilltop villages, terraced valleys with walnut and pomegranate forests and remote kasbahs nestled among desert oases.
When to go:
Spring, when the meltwater crashes through the valleys, sees the most dramatic cascades. Take your adventure to a new level by departing in midwinter to enjoy the typically crisp blue skies and gleaming snow-capped mountains. A wild camping trip in this season – when temperatures dip to an average low of about 7 degrees Celsius – is challenging but particularly rewarding.
5: Marrakech and the Sahara
A combined trip to Marrakech and the Sahara encapsulates the most exciting aspects of the country. Marrakech’s Djemaa el Fna square (the legendary ‘Place of the Dead’) is your launchpad to the great ‘sea of sand’ – just as it was for generations of camel trains. South of the city, you’ll cross the highest pass in the Atlas Mountains before descending to the ancient ksar (fortress village) of Ait Benhaddou. A slow, Sahara-bound journey by camel will take you to a camp of Amazigh-style tents for a star-studded night under the sky.
When to go:
Spring (March-May) is a great time to be in this area. You’ll avoid the crowds and benefit from the wildflowers and fruit blossoms that dot the highland valleys. Marrakech, however, is at its most scenic even earlier in the year when the High Atlas peaks are blanketed in white.
6. Treasures of Morocco
Exodus’s Treasures of Morocco adventure is a high-end spectacle encompassing all the romance of Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech – along with the exciting aspects of the more remote parts of the country. Stylish traditional riads offer blissful escapes from the sensory overload of great medinas, while desert camps are oases of luxury amid the billowing dunes where your camels lie waiting. The Roman city of Volubilis, traditional kasbahs and ksars, tea ceremonies with hospitable Amazigh families and pampering hammam sessions are treasured Moroccan memories that remain with you forever.
When to go:
Avoid the crowds (and the heat) by visiting in the winter months when daytime conditions are typically warm and sunny (without being too hot in the Sahara). The cooler evenings and mornings invite you to enjoy a cosy start and end to your day, often with the comfort of a romantic fire and a soothing glass of mint tea.
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