Morocco vacation, Marrakech to the Sahara
Highlights
Marrakech | Stay at private oasis camp at Tellougui | High Atlas Mountains | Camel trek | Koranic Library and traditional pottery at Tamegroute | Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou | Visit to rug makers at Tazenahkt |Travel 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.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
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We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our desert tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the desert environment; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. On this break the desert trip is organised by Lahcen from the Fibule du Draa, who is well renowned for his work in the region to supply sports facilities for the local young people.
All food on our desert trip is sourced locally and we use a local restaurant near Ait Ben Haddou. We also include a visit to the pottery cooperative at Tamegroute where customers can purchase souvenirs from pottery made on site. We have worked with our desert supplier for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for his services and that of his guides, offering the ‘cheapest’ price simply isn’t an option for us.
All our desert trips are based on individuals or a small group - we feel that this offers a more personal experience and therefore minimises the impact on rural and desert areas. Your visit to the Souks and Sahara will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
We ask all our customers to respect the environment. Litter, in particular, is damaging to the fragile desert environment and we encourage people to take their litter home. All our trips are tailor made for individuals to minimise the impact of large groups on rural and desert communities.
The following applies to our UK and Morocco partner offices - We work under the principles of reduce, reuse then recycle. We are committed to continuous improvement in all areas within this policy. Paper: We use both sides of the paper before recycling. Recycling: We recycle as many materials as possible including paper, cardboard, printer cartridges, cans and plastic. Energy Use: We turn off (not leave on standby) electrical items overnight or during vacations. Purchasing: We buy recycled / biodegradable products, including recycled printer toners, where possible and refill containers.
The Impacts of this Trip
All our guides and drivers in Morocco are local people. We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the local people and their culture and history; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. We have worked with our local Morocco agency for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for their services and that of the guides.
Traveling with one of our excellent English-speaking drivers allows you to experience much more of the country and its people. Your driver will gladly discuss both your daily schedule and general matters about Morocco and the places you pass; he can suggest great places to eat traditional cuisine, bring to your attention projects which help local communities, particularly in rural areas.
Most of the riads we use are locally owned or are partnerships with a European owner and a Moroccan National. All staff members at these properties are local and all food and materials are sourced locally. Your visit will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
Local staff are also encouraged to undertake courses as and when applicable. e.g. The Mule Care Initiative Workshops held on the 1st and 2nd March in Imlil, sponsored by Expedition Providers Association & The Donkey Sanctuary.
Through our long term partnerships in Morocco we have been able to support and encourage volunteering for local causes such as conservation projects. For example, the Berber Cultural Center in the village of Imi'n tahnoute, Association des Bassins d’Imlil for the Protection & Sustainable Development of the Valley Populations around Imlil & the Toubkal National Park, Solidarity & Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the village of Demnate. We also facilitated the opportunity for our local staff to support an initiative alongside Elaine Moran, a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Demnate. Elaine has the funding to provide materials to repair and maintain pathways but needs manual labour and transportation for work crew which is where our partner agency can help.
Our partner agency in Morocco regularly donates money to local causes. This is done on a case by case basis and is generally not by making monetary donations to large organisations but more by assisting local people/families at times of need. e.g. providing a sheep to a family who cannot afford one at the time of Eid El Kebir, purchasing flight tickets to enable a student to attend study placement awarded overseas, paying for medical treatment or prescription medication, purchasing clothing for a person to attend interviews and obtain employment, offering temporary accommodation/purchasing meals for the homeless as well as initiatives for staff welfare and contributions to local animal and childrens’ charities.


We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our desert tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the desert environment; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. On this break the desert trip is organised by Lahcen from the Fibule du Draa, who is well renowned for his work in the region to supply sports facilities for the local young people.
All food on our desert trip is sourced locally and we use a local restaurant near Ait Ben Haddou. We also include a visit to the pottery cooperative at Tamegroute where customers can purchase souvenirs from pottery made on site. We have worked with our desert supplier for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for his services and that of his guides, offering the ‘cheapest’ price simply isn’t an option for us.
All our desert trips are based on individuals or a small group - we feel that this offers a more personal experience and therefore minimises the impact on rural and desert areas. Your visit to the Souks and Sahara will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
We ask all our customers to respect the environment. Litter, in particular, is damaging to the fragile desert environment and we encourage people to take their litter home. All our trips are tailor made for individuals to minimise the impact of large groups on rural and desert communities.
The following applies to our UK and Morocco partner offices - We work under the principles of reduce, reuse then recycle. We are committed to continuous improvement in all areas within this policy. Paper: We use both sides of the paper before recycling. Recycling: We recycle as many materials as possible including paper, cardboard, printer cartridges, cans and plastic. Energy Use: We turn off (not leave on standby) electrical items overnight or during vacations. Purchasing: We buy recycled / biodegradable products, including recycled printer toners, where possible and refill containers.

The Impacts of this Trip
All our guides and drivers in Morocco are local people. We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the local people and their culture and history; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. We have worked with our local Morocco agency for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for their services and that of the guides.
Traveling with one of our excellent English-speaking drivers allows you to experience much more of the country and its people. Your driver will gladly discuss both your daily schedule and general matters about Morocco and the places you pass; he can suggest great places to eat traditional cuisine, bring to your attention projects which help local communities, particularly in rural areas.
Most of the riads we use are locally owned or are partnerships with a European owner and a Moroccan National. All staff members at these properties are local and all food and materials are sourced locally. Your visit will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
Local staff are also encouraged to undertake courses as and when applicable. e.g. The Mule Care Initiative Workshops held on the 1st and 2nd March in Imlil, sponsored by Expedition Providers Association & The Donkey Sanctuary.
Through our long term partnerships in Morocco we have been able to support and encourage volunteering for local causes such as conservation projects. For example, the Berber Cultural Center in the village of Imi'n tahnoute, Association des Bassins d’Imlil for the Protection & Sustainable Development of the Valley Populations around Imlil & the Toubkal National Park, Solidarity & Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the village of Demnate. We also facilitated the opportunity for our local staff to support an initiative alongside Elaine Moran, a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Demnate. Elaine has the funding to provide materials to repair and maintain pathways but needs manual labour and transportation for work crew which is where our partner agency can help.
Our partner agency in Morocco regularly donates money to local causes. This is done on a case by case basis and is generally not by making monetary donations to large organisations but more by assisting local people/families at times of need. e.g. providing a sheep to a family who cannot afford one at the time of Eid El Kebir, purchasing flight tickets to enable a student to attend study placement awarded overseas, paying for medical treatment or prescription medication, purchasing clothing for a person to attend interviews and obtain employment, offering temporary accommodation/purchasing meals for the homeless as well as initiatives for staff welfare and contributions to local animal and childrens’ charities.

21 Reviews of Morocco vacation, Marrakech to the Sahara
Reviewed on 31 Aug 2019 by Charlie Wallace
The whole week was fantastic. It met all our expectations and some! Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Mar 2019 by Erin Tilley
The best vacation I've ever been on. Life altering and gave me a new found perspective on life. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Feb 2019 by Anthea Powell
Riads 4.5 * Desert trip (less carpet visit) 4 * Information from tour guides especially around prices and customs 2.5 * Adil our driver to Essaouira was excellent and merited 5 * Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Jul 2018 by Shameem Klein
Overall, we got much more than we thought such a vacation might give us. For this, we are deeply grateful and would thoroughly recommend the service. Can I give more than 5 stars? Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Nov 2018 by Liz Weaver
All of it was great, Marrakesh in its madness, then out at beautiful quiet Kasbar Angour. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2017 by Mark Lillington
Our vacation was first class, the booking agent understood our requirements and delivered. Highly recommended Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Oct 2017 by Mark Shaw
Driver we had for 5 days who was excellent. Riad berbere really lovely and well run and jardins de skoura too. Live most of it. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2017 by David Garrison
The most memorable was 4X4 travel through remarkable scenery. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Sep 2016 by Theresa Hall
Amazing! Marrakech was fascinating and we loved the nightlife in Djemaa el-Fna square. We had great guides at every stage of the vacation and learned a lot about the Moroccan culture. All the organisation from the vacation provider went very smoothly and I would use them again. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Mar 2016 by Anna Gonzales
Our main driver was very knowledgeable about the area as is a qualified guide and he was very attentive to our needs. He made our long road trip a pleasure. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Feb 2016 by Juliet Simpson
The most memorable moments were sitting on a high dune in the Ch'Gagga desert at sunset without anyone else around apart from my husband and then later that evening stargazing at a sky with no light pollution. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jun 2015 by Derek Moorhouse
Excellent...great places to stay, lovely people...we talked with our guides. We were not just talked to! We were out of our comfort zone when we arranged it for us to share with old friends...who had flown half way across the world...but we were not disappointed! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Nov 2015 by Jason Levine
Excellent....I loved the overnight in the Sahara Desert as well as the hike in the Atlas Mountains Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Oct 2015 by Gill Rawlinson
The trip to the Sahara was amazing - we marvelled at the fantastic stars and the contrasts the country offer. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Aug 2015 by Derek Facer
The scenery in the Sahara is spectacular. Marrakech is an incredibly bustling city and the guided walks in the High Atlas are fantastic too Read full reviewReviewed on 17 May 2015 by Pamela Bohl
Wonderful time as a family. Being in the remote High Atlas with our son so he could appreciate how much different the lifestyle is in some parts of the world. He held a baby goat that was born an hour earlier during the daily trip to the high pastures. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 May 2015 by Helen Santiago Fink
Enjoyable and culturally informative; increased understanding of the country's topography. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Apr 2013 by Giovanna Beber
It's difficult to choose what was the most memorable part of our vacation: wandering through the colorful and lively souks of Marrakech... Riding a dromedary at sunset? Or listening to Berber music around the fire in the moonlit desert? Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Sep 2012 by Mohamed Karimullah
Most memorable was seeing the beautiful scenery along the Marrakech/Zagora route, and sleeping outdoors in the desert under a moonlit sky. Read full reviewOur travel guides
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