There are few countries in the world which offer such a variety of sights and experiences as Morocco. From the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara, from the kite-surfing hotspots of the Atlantic coast to the quasi-Biblical film sets of Ait Ben Haddou, from the utter peace of a remote Berber mud hamlet to the Islamic splendour of the imperial medinas of Fes and Marrakech... it really is a case of "so much to see, so little time to see it"!
Which is where an experienced Morocco-based ground operator can prove invaluable. If you're looking for an exciting itinerary - one which really gets under the skin of this bewitching land, which you can tweak to meet your particular interests, or even custom-build from scratch - and you want to spend minimum time fretting about route-finding, hotel availability, vehicle reliability and the notorious faux guides, then booking through our chosen partner will pay dividends.
We chose to work with Mountain Voyage Morocco because they have a great track record - founder Mike McHugo has been creating bespoke trips through their sister property Kasbah du Toubkal since 1978 - as well as excellent local knowledge: Mike, his brother Chris and their Operations Director John Horne are based in Marrakech and, between the 3 of them, they have over 100 years' experience in Morocco! They understand the needs of service-orientated, time-pressured travellers from around the world, and can tailor-make an individualised itinerary to suit your needs, interests and budget.
Why we chose this partner
- Air-conditioned vehicles (mostly 4x4s) with careful drivers, most of whom speak English and/or French
- State-licensed guides who know their stuff, speak good English and will quickly dispatch unwanted touts and scammers
- An excellent knowledge of Moroccan hotels, kasbahs and riads, centred around (but not limited to) those selected and reviewed by i-escape
- Equally confident arranging camel treks through the palmeraie, 4x4 adventures in the dunes, expert tours of Roman Volubilis or shopping guides for the souks of Marrakech
- We were impressed with their social and eco conscience
Please be aware
- i-escape can only vouch for those properties which are featured and reviewed on our website. For other areas and accommodations, while we do trust our operator to provide the best options for your needs, you should make sure that you are happy with their suggestions before confirming
Best time to go
Spring (March-May) - lush valleys, flowers galore, snowcapped peaks, pleasantly warm and sunny conditions, cooler on the coast), but also the busiest season, particularly over Easter. In autumn (mid Septempter-mid November) temperatures are also very agreeable, but the countryside tends to look parched.
Winter (November-March) is the time to head for the desert regions of the south, but be prepared for cold nights, often subzero. In the summer, temperatures soar; retreat from the intense heat to the coast or the High Atlas which remain windy and cool.
Winter (November-March) is the time to head for the desert regions of the south, but be prepared for cold nights, often subzero. In the summer, temperatures soar; retreat from the intense heat to the coast or the High Atlas which remain windy and cool.
Our top tips
Booking through this company helps support Education for all Morocco. Their intention is to give girls the chance of a college education in Morocco, mainly focusing on girls in rural communities. The organisation is in the process of building a boarding school in Asni which will initially be designed to accommodate 24 girls - 8 from each of the 3 years covered by the College curriculum.
Lodging
Accommodation in Morocco is far ranging: everything from simple homestays in Berber villages to intimate city riads to palatial hotels where you'll live like a pasha in vast suites with exuberant decor.
We've reviewed many of the hotels and kasbahs in extensive detail, so if you like the look of any of these, be sure to request their inclusion in your itinerary. Otherwise, be guided by Mountain Voyage Morocco, who will recommend properties to suit your budget and preferences.
You'll surely be familiar with tagines and cous cous (although probably not the authentic, slow-cooked flavours you'll try here). But don't leave Morocco without trying some of the more unusual North African foods, too. Harira is a chickpea, tomato and lamb soup, traditionally served at dusk each day to break Ramadam fast). B’ssara is another flavour-packed soup of broad beans and cumin, often eaten for breakfast. We also love chermoula-coated fish (a feisty combination of herbs and spices) and makouda (tiny fried potato balls with harissa).
Activities
Some of the things we loved...
Activities include:
- Birdwatching
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Hot air ballooning
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Well being
- Windsurfing
With Kids
Children are welcome on the tours. Family pricing differs from one hotel to another, though discounts are normally offered for little ones.
Family friendly accommodation:
Family Rooms
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Transport
Mountain Voyage will arrange a vehicle with driver for your land transport within Morocco. This could be a 4x4, an A/C car, or a small minibus, depending on your group size and route. The driver normally stays with you throughout your trip, apart from Marrakech and any longer city stays. For any desert dune excursions, you travel by camel - either riding or walking alongside.
Location
By Air:
Most itineraries start and end in Marrakech, a few in Casablanca. Marrakech has flights from lots of European countries and with lots of airlines, while Casablanca is the only airport with direct connections from outside Europe. It is also possible, using internal flights or occasional flights from France/Spain, to fly into Fes, Ouarzazate or Essaouira, and tailor the itinerary accordingly. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Mountain Voyage will normally meet you at your arrival airport and transfer you to your first hotel. If your tour is part of a longer stay in the country, please indicate where you would like you tour to start.
More on getting to Morocco and getting around
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape