Southampton Travel Club goes to Morocco!

Breakfast done? Bags packed? Sweet. Today’s the day we properly hit the road.

• Your Trip Leaders will meet you at the riad and we’ll start making our way toward Dades Gorges.
• First up: the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains.
• Then we level up with a stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for pretty much every iconic movie and tv show ever: Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia… you name it. It looks like a movie set because, well, it is.
• After lunch, we keep the adventure rolling through Taourirt Kasbah, the palm-filled oasis of Skoura, and the Valley of the Roses (yes, it smells as good as it sounds)
• We’ll cruise past Berber villages like El Kelaa des M’Gouna and Boumalne du Dades, where the landscapes are stunning and the culture is rich. This is where we will be settling for the night.

Trust us… tomorrow gets even better.

Fuel up at breakfast, we kick things off with a drive to Tinghir, a lush oasis town where olive and pomegranate trees grow along the river.

• From there, we follow the road into the famous Todra Gorges, winding alongside palm groves and bright green riverbanks. When we reach the narrowest (and most dramatic) part of the gorge, you’ll have time to wander between the towering rock walls. It feels like nature built its own skyscrapers.
• In the afternoon, we keep rolling east through the palm-filled towns of Tinjdad and Touroug, stopping by a local workshop to see how Morocco’s incredible fossilised marble is made.
• Then… it’s time. We head straight for Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara. You’ll drop any extra luggage safely at the hotel (only the essentials come with you for tonight’s adventure.)

Because next?
its time to hang out with some camels. 🐪✨

• Hop on a camel and head with the group to the tallest sand dune to catch the sunset whilst surfing the dune on a sand-board.
• You’ll arrive at your Berber camp tucked deep inside the Erg Chebbi dunes, some of which are over 820 feet tall. The camp has cosy Berber tents, mattresses, linens, toilets, and a restaurant.
• Tonight is something special: Dinner under the stars. Traditional Berber music by the fire. A sky so full of stars it doesn’t feel real.

After an unforgettable night in the desert, we’re doubling down by getting you up early to catch sunrise from the top of the dunes. Trust us… it’s 100% worth the early start. 

• After breakfast back at the camp, it’s time to hop on your camels again and make your way across the dunes toward the hotel. Say your final goodbye to the Sahara before the next chapter of the trip begins.
• Then we hit the road toward Fez. We’ll stop in Midelt for lunch after crossing the Tizi-n-Talghomt Pass.
• Next up: a drive through Morocco’s cedar forests, where we’ll stop to meet the famous Barbary macaque monkeys chilling in their natural habitat.
• We keep moving through the mountain town of Ifrane (often called “Moroccan Switzerland” because it looks nothing like the rest of the country) before finally rolling into Fez, Morocco’s cultural capital.
• A comfy hotel stay and dinner await you here. After a day of deserts, valleys, monkeys, and mountains… you’ve earned it.

Today we dive into Fez, one of the oldest imperial cities in the world. It feels like stepping straight into a time machine. Founded in 808 (yes, eight-oh-eight), it’s packed with history, culture,

• We’ll kick things off at the Golden Gates of the Royal Palace. Then it’s time to get lost (in the best way) inside Fez’s Medina, one of the largest and most atmospheric in the world.
• In Fez, you will get to experience everything: mosques, madrassas, caravanserais and several other cultural sites.
• Once we’ve soaked up Fez’s magic, we’ll hit the road and head north to Chefchaouen, aka the insanely popular Blue City.

Wake up and get ready to explore Chefchaouen properly, because this place is even prettier in the morning light.

• After breakfast, our local guide will take you through the winding blue streets, sharing the stories, secrets, and little details you’d totally miss without someone who knows the city inside-out.
• When the tour wraps up, the rest of the morning and early afternoon are yours.
  Shop for souvenirs, wander the dreamy alleys, grab a mint tea, take a hundred photos… honestly, Chefchaouen is one of those places where “just exploring” becomes the activity.
• Later, we’ll make our way to Casablanca, Morocco’s cosmopolitan powerhouse. It’s big, bold, and full of modern energy, but still sprinkled with pockets of old-world charm. Expect a stunning coastline, stylish cafés, and the iconic Hassan II Mosque towering over the Atlantic — plus a totally different vibe from Marrakech or Fez.

Once we arrive, the evening is all yours. Chill, explore, grab dinner, or just enjoy the slower pace.

After breakfast, it’s time to dive straight into Casablanca. Morocco’s buzzing coastal metropolis with a perfect mix of modern flair and historic gems.

• We’ll kick things off with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world. Perched right on the edge of the Atlantic, it’s an architectural masterpiece that genuinely takes your breath away. Even before you step inside.
• Then we’ll explore the city’s lively streets, from sleek boulevards and bustling markets to charming pockets of old Casablanca that offer a glimpse into the city’s past. Think seaside views, Art Deco buildings, and a totally different vibe to everywhere else on the trip.
• By the end of the day, you’ll understand exactly why Casablanca is Morocco’s cool, coastal powerhouse.

Then we make our final journey back to Marrakech, where we’ll spend the night. One last evening to soak up Morocco before the trip wraps, so, enjoy every minute.

Start your final morning with a hotel breakfast, then we’re heading out for one last dose of Marrakech magic.

• We’ll take you on a city tour packed with some of the city’s biggest icons: the Saadian Tombs, the stunning Bahia Palace, and the towering Koutoubia Mosque with its famous minaret watching over the city.
• From there, we stroll straight into the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, the beating heart of Marrakech. It’s chaotic, colourful, and completely unforgettable. Street performers, sizzling food stalls, snake charmers, market sellers… it’s the place where everyone ends up, locals and travellers alike.
• After the tour you’ll have some free time to grab last-minute souvenirs, snap your final photos, or just enjoy one more mint tea in the sun.

Then, around 2 hours before your flight, we’ll meet you back at the hotel to say our goodbyes and get you transferred to the airport. What. A. Week.