Morocco cultural tour
Highlights
Views of High Atlas Mountains | Ait Benhaddou fortifications | Marrakech | Essaouira | Fes | Sultan's palace in Meknes | camp in the Sahara | Berber culture | Todra Gorge | Casablanca | Hassan II Mosque | Kasbahs and souksTravel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Small group adventure
What is a small group adventure?It's a great way to travel! Whether you are traveling on your own, with a partner or with friends, a small group trip is a fantastic way to see the world. You'll travel on a fixed itinerary that has been designed to help you discover the best of region. From the known highlights, the hidden gems that you won't find in the guidebooks.
Itineraries run on set departure dates, accompanied every step of the way by an English speaking local group leader. You chose the itinerary and the date that suits you best and you book on.
Why travel on a small group adventure?
Small groups allow us to explore where larger tour groups can't. Our maximum group size of 16 travelers allows us to use local transport to get from A to B, to visit rural villages, spend time with the locals and even stay at a local home overnight, and it allows us to give our travelers genuine, real life experiences of the countries we are visiting; what you'll be doing and how you'll travel depends entirely on your chosen itinerary.
Is an adventure right for me?
The word adventure means something different to everyone, and our range of trips reflects that. Whether you want to explore local markets, visit out of the way temples and meet local people or go on an early morning safari drive searching for the 'big five', we'll have a trip for you. If you are looking for a physical challenge such trekking the Kokoda Track or summiting Kilimanjaro, we can help with that too.
So what can I expect on this trip?
This is a classic style of small group adventure. You'll find your trip combines a good mix of included activities and free time, with some meals included as per your itinerary. We don't want you to feel chaperoned, it's your vacation not ours. Your group leader will be on hand to assist with organising anything you might wish to do in your free time, but how you spend it is up to you. Anything listed as included in your itinerary will be included in trip price; whereas anything listed as optional will be at an additional cost should you wish to take part.
These trips are great value, including things that you would struggle to organise independently, such as a night at a homestay in a remote village, or local guides around a remote place of interest. Transport will be a combination of private vehicle and public transport, whichever is the most appropriate for the route we are traveling; this might include train, plane, camel, tuk tuk, bicycle, boat…
On a majority of these trips you'll stay in 2-3 star accommodation, locally owned and reflective of the region you are traveling through. All solo travelers will be automatically roomed on a twin share basis with another group member of the same sex, unless you opt to pay for your own room at time of booking. There are no compulsory single supplements for solo travelers willing to share. Single rooms aren't available on camping trips, and you will be expected to help out with camp tasks such as setting up and breaking down your camp.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes! We are a fully ATOL bonded tour operator meaning that we can book flights from the UK as part of your vacation package. Just ask us for a quote including flights when you make your inquiry.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.

We also suggest that passengers use refillable water bottles, and our leaders will suggest purchasing bigger bottles of water to store in our vehicle whilst on the road.
With the help of our Moroccan suppliers, we also contract local specialists to run all our activities on this adventure. Before signing them up, we’ll always make sure that these individuals share our philosophy and stance on important environmental issues. Therefore, you can be sure that your local guide in the Atlas Mountains will never contribute to the problem of waste management. Hardly any waste collection takes place in the High Atlas, but our guides will always carry their rubbish back with them to Marrakech, something we actively encourage our passengers to do too.
The Impacts of this Trip
We provide our travelers with advice on responsible travel behaviour and encourage them to share their cultures with the people they meet as a way of improving understanding of our two very different lifestyles. The trip begins with a brief language lesson to learn a few words of Arabic (or Berber, depending on the background of your leader), which will enable to you talk to locals when at shops and restaurants or exchange some words of Arabic with locals on the bus.
Our leaders are all Moroccans from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they are very proud to share their country and culture with their groups. Throughout the trip, they will share with you their favourite local restaurants and food specialties, from cous cous and tagines to berber pizza and picnic lunches with food bought from roadside markets.
Throughout this fantastic trip, there are many opportunities to really experience how Moroccan people live, eat, and travel. We stay in locally run hotels, dine in local restaurants and use public transport whenever possible. Life is always locally flavored, whether it be by drinking an avocado juice at a local bar, or trying Kefta (minced lamb mixed with spices and then grilled) at a roadside stall. The emphasis on this trip is on building and enjoying relationships within the communities we travel and throughout the trip you will stay in a variety of accommodation, all of them locally owned and run. We enjoy a homestay and home cooking in the Atlas mountains and a small family-run riad in Essaouira.
We have our breaks at local cafes selling mint tea or café au lait and if we are feeling hungry, we can snack at street stalls selling chickpeas, nuts and even snails. Souqs (markets) sell olives, preserved lemons, dates and spices and our desert safari sees us sharing a meal with the Berber people. Even when we go shopping we like to get our travelers to shop at cooperatives where the artisans receive a fair price for their wares, therefore cutting out the middle man.
This trip also supports various organisations along the way. In the Middle Atlas mountains, we visit Kasbah Myriem, an organisation run by Franciscan nuns who educate and train local women to weave and use traditional patterns for their carpets and other hand-made products. Their mission is to give unmarried woman an education and guaranteed paid employment, and have the support of the local communities since they buy all their wool and dyes from nearby farmers. Passengers learn about the project and have the opportunity to buy some of their high-quality products.
In Tinerhir, we visit our foundation's supported organisation which works with physically and mentally handicapped people who learn to read, write and work with computers at school, and learn the basic skills to function in day-to-day life. They also receive professional instruction by local artisans on weaving, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork, so that they can become useful and valuable members of society and earn an income of their own.


We also suggest that passengers use refillable water bottles, and our leaders will suggest purchasing bigger bottles of water to store in our vehicle whilst on the road.
With the help of our Moroccan suppliers, we also contract local specialists to run all our activities on this adventure. Before signing them up, we’ll always make sure that these individuals share our philosophy and stance on important environmental issues. Therefore, you can be sure that your local guide in the Atlas Mountains will never contribute to the problem of waste management. Hardly any waste collection takes place in the High Atlas, but our guides will always carry their rubbish back with them to Marrakech, something we actively encourage our passengers to do too.

The Impacts of this Trip
We provide our travelers with advice on responsible travel behaviour and encourage them to share their cultures with the people they meet as a way of improving understanding of our two very different lifestyles. The trip begins with a brief language lesson to learn a few words of Arabic (or Berber, depending on the background of your leader), which will enable to you talk to locals when at shops and restaurants or exchange some words of Arabic with locals on the bus.
Our leaders are all Moroccans from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they are very proud to share their country and culture with their groups. Throughout the trip, they will share with you their favourite local restaurants and food specialties, from cous cous and tagines to berber pizza and picnic lunches with food bought from roadside markets.
Throughout this fantastic trip, there are many opportunities to really experience how Moroccan people live, eat, and travel. We stay in locally run hotels, dine in local restaurants and use public transport whenever possible. Life is always locally flavored, whether it be by drinking an avocado juice at a local bar, or trying Kefta (minced lamb mixed with spices and then grilled) at a roadside stall. The emphasis on this trip is on building and enjoying relationships within the communities we travel and throughout the trip you will stay in a variety of accommodation, all of them locally owned and run. We enjoy a homestay and home cooking in the Atlas mountains and a small family-run riad in Essaouira.
We have our breaks at local cafes selling mint tea or café au lait and if we are feeling hungry, we can snack at street stalls selling chickpeas, nuts and even snails. Souqs (markets) sell olives, preserved lemons, dates and spices and our desert safari sees us sharing a meal with the Berber people. Even when we go shopping we like to get our travelers to shop at cooperatives where the artisans receive a fair price for their wares, therefore cutting out the middle man.
This trip also supports various organisations along the way. In the Middle Atlas mountains, we visit Kasbah Myriem, an organisation run by Franciscan nuns who educate and train local women to weave and use traditional patterns for their carpets and other hand-made products. Their mission is to give unmarried woman an education and guaranteed paid employment, and have the support of the local communities since they buy all their wool and dyes from nearby farmers. Passengers learn about the project and have the opportunity to buy some of their high-quality products.
In Tinerhir, we visit our foundation's supported organisation which works with physically and mentally handicapped people who learn to read, write and work with computers at school, and learn the basic skills to function in day-to-day life. They also receive professional instruction by local artisans on weaving, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork, so that they can become useful and valuable members of society and earn an income of their own.

13 Reviews of Morocco cultural tour
Reviewed on 13 May 2019 by Richard Peters
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The huge variety of activities we did over the two weeks; from castles, the old medinas to Roman ruins, camel riding in the desert to walking in the Atlas mountains. Yousseff our guide was brilliant; very knowledgeable and although we packed a lot in, we never felt hassled.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you want to see Morocco and go off the betaen track, this is the trip to do.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It certainly benefited local people we met - from having meals with local fmilies to calling in for tea with families of nomads.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It couldn't have been better for me.
Reviewed on 22 Apr 2019 by Ann Howard
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting local people.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Consider the amount of travel involved..... Long days in the minibus can be tiring.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes did benefit local people ie guides, local restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good, well organised, fabulous guide. This vacation certainly gives you a good overview of a wonderful country.
Reviewed on 22 Nov 2018 by Jeanette Woodman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Staying in the Sahara
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just enjoy. It was all taken care of
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. The operator went to great lengths to use local guides where possible. Also they have a great philosophy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Awesome vacation. Our tour leader Khalad was exceptional. He was extremely patient and tried to accommodate everyone. He was very passionate and knowledgeable.
Reviewed on 14 May 2018 by Vittoria Carbone
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The desert. So different from everything I know....
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Check the weather forecast before going there! I was sure it have been warm beginning of May and instead a part from Marrakech and the desert it was always so cold!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definetely benefited local people. Not really reducing environmental impacts or supported conservation.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It has been a fantastic trip. Very tiring but this tour allows to see the many different faces of Morocco: cities, countryside, desert.
Reviewed on 19 Dec 2017 by Emilia Majcher
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Variety of landscapes, very efficient guide, nice and welcoming people.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take some warm clothes if you want to visit Morocco in winter.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10
Reviewed on 05 Nov 2017 by Lynette Crowe
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Had an amazing trip, our tour guide Abdoul & driver Samira were fantastic as were all our other guides. The highlight for me was the Berber family we stayed with and meeting Abdouls family. Am grateful for the time and insight into their family lives and work loads. Met and had a fantastic time with the other people on the tour.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Look into and Respect other cultures before traveling.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, our group was very respectful of another culture
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Amazing, insightful, 10 out of 10
Reviewed on 24 Oct 2016 by Philip Leavey
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Climbing up to the Kasbah at Ait Benhaddoo and watching the sunset over the Atlas Mountains followed by the moon rising from the opposite horizon
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Enjoy the experiences and don't worry about any minor discomforts
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Very much as local people and businesses benefited
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We were fortunate to have had such a great experience
Reviewed on 30 May 2013 by Elizabeth Wingate
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Chefchaouen, meeting nomads and the Atlas Mountains scenery
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't bother booking a single supplement room. I have shared rooms with unknown females often and have yet to really not get on with my room/cabin mates. Save the money for souvenirs etc ! I have made a couple of good friends too.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Maybe a bit. Probably the amount of money I spent on the trip and the locally produced items that I bought to take home contributed more than the rather contrived visits to local charities.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very enjoyable.
Reviewed on 06 Aug 2012 by Graham Jackson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
A huge variety of sights, places, experiences and people - we gained an insight into the size, diversity and history of Morocco. We were made welcome at each visit, at each accommodation and by all the local guides. The local guides were very knowledgeable and and this enabled us to make the most of our tours of the main cities.Our tour guide worked tirelessly to ensure we were all comfortable, informed and safe in all the places and situations and had a professional and friendly attitude to the group and to the local businesses that we used.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You need a basic level of fitness to cope with the heat and pace of the vacation. Travel light as there are opportunities to wash clothes and buy anything you find you need. Be open to every opportunity and be willing to adapt when there are changes - it is all part of the cultural experience. When changing money on arrival, ask for lots of small notes (20/50 MAD notes)- you will need them for tips and buying bottles of water.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used excellent locally run accommodation, and local guides and saw how local people had been supported to extend and develop their local business. The relationship between the guides and local communities was crucial to the way in which we were welcomed - in every restaurant, guest house and village. Unfortunately we were unable to visit the charities supported by the operator as
these were closed due to Ramadan.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had an excellent vacation and saw the very best of Morocco and more! We packed so much into the 15 days and learned so much, it was an unforgettable experience that has inspired us to return and revisit some areas in the Atlas Mountains and on the coast. We would certainly recommend this vacation to our friends and relatives!
Reviewed on 25 May 2012 by Sandra Goldman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
ATV driving on the Dunes and beach in Essoeira.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't forget your scarf when riding Camels in the Sahara.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
4 stars.
Reviewed on 19 May 2011 by Francesca Mecklenburgh
Well where does one begin!! We had the most wonderful vacation, saw some amazing sights, met some really lovely people and had a great great vacation, I would certainly recommend the moroccan vacation to friends.Our leader Jamal was really great, kind, patient, funny, we had some great laughs,
sorting out problems, taking us to some good restaurants and venues, I hope
the operator really look after him because he is a real jewel.
We are glad to be back home only for the rest!! Anyway thank you for organising
everything, the transfers were waiting for us at the airport and came on time to take us back so all in all a great time.
Reviewed on 21 Mar 2011 by Ragnhild Waage
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The medinas, the hammams and hiking in the mountains.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Morocco can be cold and there is little indoor heating, so remember to bring your long johns and woolly underwear! A pack of cards for something to do at night might also be a good idea.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Mostly yes. I am not sure about Fés, where the lunch was in a big touristy place and I suspected that the local guide may have put his own personal gain before benefiting the community. Travelers should be strictly instructed to use the toilet facilities in the Sahara and not leave smelly traces among the dunes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a great vacation for those who like to get away from it all and experience different ways of life. I would have liked a little less driving and shopping and more hiking and culture. I love the colours and the music of Morocco and may well return another time.
Reviewed on 13 Jan 2011 by Martha Benco
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hiking in the mountains above Chefchaouen.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Arrive a good few days early to get over jet lag - you will need all your energy!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, through the use of local transport and family-owned hotels/restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good.
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