The Best of Morocco
Cross Saharan dunes by camel and lose yourself in bustling souks on this 13-day hit-list of Morocco’s must-sees
Package includes
- Max 14 travelers per group
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
About your trip
This is Morocco’s ultimate hit list in 13 days, and when we say ‘ultimate’, we mean it.
Following in the footsteps of ancient traders, you’ll dine with indigenous Berber families and sleep in exquisite riads. Trekking by camel to a desert camp, you’ll experience a silent star-filled night before plunging into the mayhem of the Marrakech medina on a guided backstreet food tour. You’ll try your hand at traditional pottery and embark on an epic three-wheeled adventure in a classic vintage sidecar.
Most importantly, as the sun sets over a thousand red-tiled rooftops, you’ll discover the meaning of true Moroccan hospitality and forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
- Touch down in the port city of Casablanca, home to the mighty Hassan II Mosque, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting for you at the airport
- Relax at your boutique hotel and get to know your group over a cold beer and welcome dinner of Moroccan fusion dishes, raising a toast to the adventures to come
- Travel to one of Morocco’s prettiest towns: Chefchaouen, famous around the world for its blue-washed buildings and red-tiled roofs, set against a backdrop of the rugged Rif mountains
- Lose yourself in its beauty on a walking tour, winding through the steep cobbled alleys of the medina, strolling down the Spanish Quarter and visiting the landmark kasbah
- Enjoy a free day to explore Chefchaouen: perhaps hiking up into the local hills, shopping in the medina or sampling sweet mint tea as you watch daily life unfold
- Dine with a family in their home; feasting on lovingly prepared local dishes as you chat with your hosts about Berber life
- Soak up the epic scenery as you travel south to Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual heart, filled with grand mansions, palaces, mosques and merdersas (religious schools)
- Check in at your riad in the heart of the medina – the largest car-free urban area in the world – with time to relax, explore or book in for a traditional hammam
- At sunset, head up to the rooftop to listen to the call of the muezzins echoing across the city – a quintessential Moroccan experience
- Spend your morning immersed in the old-world atmosphere of the labyrinthine medina, visiting the famous tanneries and watching artisans in their generations-old workshops
- Marvel at the gates of the Royal Palace and explore the Jewish cemetery, before pausing at the pottery quarter where the city’s distinctive blue and white ceramics are made
- Begin your long journey to the Sahara Desert, winding through the Middle Atlas mountains with dramatic views of soaring peaks and plunging valleys
- Stop off to hike through native cedar forests home to Barbary apes, before lunch at a local restaurant where you can sample delicious fresh Atlas trout
- Arrive at your hotel in the oasis town of Erfoud and explore the spectacular Ziz Gorges: an ancient river valley filled with deep-green palms wedged between striated cliffs
- Sample Moroccan-style ‘medfouna’ pizza for lunch, meet a family of local musicians and visit a marble factory that processes fossilized desert stone
- Trek by camel out across the golden sand dunes to your remote desert camp
- Spend the rest of your day learning to sandboard, baking bread in the hot Saharan sand or huddling up on cushions around the campfire under a blanket of stars
- Wake up to the pure silence of the desert and trek back to the road where your minibus awaits; continue west to the spectacular towering rock walls of the Todra Gorge
- Hike through lush palm groves to an area popular with rock climbers; have a go yourself or relax by the river before spending the night at a hotel close to the gorge
- Enjoy a free day to relax and enjoy your hotel’s facilities: with a backdrop of mountains and gently swaying palms, it’s the perfect spot for soaking up the Moroccan sun
- Take an optional hike with your group through a dramatic section of gorge, where the towering rock façade rises up to 300 meters
- Continue west along the ‘Route of a Thousand Kasbahs’ to the medieval mud-brick city of Ait Behnhaddou, which dates back to the 11th century and is famed for its appearance in the film Gladiator & Game of Thrones
- Spend your afternoon exploring the old town’s atmospheric alleys and passageways, climbing up to the granary for incredible sunset views of the Atlas mountains
- Journey over the Atlas on the highest road in the country, stopping at the historic village of Telouet to explore the eerie abandoned palace of the Pacha of Marrakech
- Descend into the sun-drenched Marrakech Valley, plunging into the chaotic streets of Morocco’s most vibrant city
- Take a private backstreet food tour with a local guide, who will lead you down winding alleys to secret food spots that most visitors would never find
- Recreate the spirit of the 1900s on a vintage sidecar excursion into the Agafay Desert; cross the rocky plains and soak up the lunar landscapes from your unique sidecar viewpoint before dining on a picnic atop a rocky outcrop
- Return to Marrakech for rooftop drinks and a farewell dinner with your group, celebrating the end of an amazing two-week adventure
- Say goodbye to your Flash Pack group – now firm friends – and make your own way to the airport; your Pack Leader will be on hand to help you arrange a local taxi
- Return home with a lingering sense of awe. The sunbaked landscapes, labyrinthine alleyways and ornate architecture will be emblazoned on your memory – and heart – forever
Our favorite hotels
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
Merzouga Dunes Camp
Nothing can quite prepare you for the stillness and ethereal beauty of this wonderful camp set admist the pink sand dunes of the Sahara. Expect cozy tents, al fresco dining and incredible star-gazing opportunities under the clear desert sky.
Riad Bensouda, Fes
Set around the fountain courtyard, the 18 elegant rooms offer painted wooden ceilings, majestic doors and ancient zellij floors. There’s a courtyard pool, hammam with treatments and a stunning rooftop terrace looking out across the medina.
Riad Cherifa, Chefchaouen
A boutique riad forged from two 19th-century houses, featuring lovingly restored Andalusian-Moorish decor. Relax by the oasis-like outdoor pool, sip mint tea on the sunny terrace or book in for a treatment at the traditional hammam.
Important notes
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Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code
Fly into Casablanca Airport (CMN) and out of Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).
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What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?
Before 3 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 6 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately one hour away from the airport.
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What time should my flight depart on the last day?
Check-out time is 11 am but you can leave anytime that suits you. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from your final hotel, and your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.
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Are airport transfers included?
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which will cost around 180 MAD/20 USD.
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Are tips included?
Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:
- Pack Leader: 5.50 USD per day
- Drivers: 3 USD per day
- Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.
However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.
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Do I need a visa?
Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.
You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
- Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.
Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.
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What vaccinations and medication will I need?
While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.
1. Consult with a healthcare professional
We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.
2. Up-to-date medical advice
- UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
- US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialized health information.
- Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.
3. Government travel advice
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
4. Medication tips
If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.
We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.
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What fitness levels do I need for this trip?
We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness. Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed.
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What are the drive times like?
This is a trip for travelers that enjoy a road trip. The total drive time is around 35 hours so we don’t advise joining if you suffer badly with motion sickness or any other ailment that extensive travel can make worse. We use a comfortable vehicle, complete with Bluetooth through which you can connect your Flash Pack Spotify playlist, but there are some long drives, like from Fes to Erfoud, for example. We do break up the drives with local and authentic experiences like visiting a local market at Moulay Idriss, but it’s worth noting that you could be in the vehicle for up to five hours on most of the travelling days.
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Why do I need to print my travel documents?
There’s a chance that Marrakech airport will not accept mobile versions of boarding passes (and other important documents). With this in mind, please ensure you have printed all boarding passes and other required documents to present alongside any mobile information you have stored on your phone.
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What will the food be like?
Throughout the trip, you’ll be dining on authentic Moroccan cuisine. This will include tagines, cous cous and other traditional meals, with simple vegetarian options available.
Due to the fact that you will be eating authentic local meals, some people may find the food lacks variety. Please note that meals are often served in traditional tagine dishes even if they are not actually tagines.
Your Pack Leader will be happy to offer suggestions for local restaurants on the days when meals aren’t included.
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Will the itinerary change?
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.
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What will the accommodation be like?
On this trip, you’ll be staying in three- to four-star riads (boutique Moroccan B&Bs) that are clean and comfortable but not the same standard as a large chain hotel.
Riads are typically traditional Moorish houses with beautiful tile work and an interior courtyard with fountain; some of them have hammams and pools. One of the most noticeable differences between hotels and riads is their more intimate size. What you lose in facilities, you’ll gain in authentic atmosphere and hospitality.
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What about Ramadan? Will it affect my trip?
Some aspects of your itinerary could change during Ramadan and the national celebration of Eid Al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-breaking) as many shops and restaurants will be closed. It will also be quite difficult to obtain alcohol during Ramadan – your Pack Leader will be able to advise.
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