16 Day Morocco Trip for Active Travellers: Toubkal, Sahara & Surf
An active trip with real challenges and real rest: climb Jebel Toubkal, walk with camels across Erg Chebbi, climb in the Todra Gorge and surf the Atlantic, with easy days in between.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 16 day Morocco trip
This 16 day Morocco trip is made for active travellers. You climb Toubkal, walk with camels across the Sahara and surf the Atlantic, with rest days between.
First, you walk from Imlil to the Toubkal refuge and reach the summit at sunrise. Then you rest in Marrakech and ride a horse at Aït Benhaddou. After that, you cycle in Skoura, hike in the Dades and climb in the Todra Gorge. Next, you trek for three days in Erg Chebbi, sleeping in desert camps. Finally, you surf or kitesurf in Essaouira. As a result, our 16 day Morocco trip has a big effort in every region. It is private, on the dates you choose.
Highlights of this 16 day Morocco trip
- Summit of Toubkal, 4,167 m
- Night at the Toubkal refuge
- Horse ride at Aït Benhaddou
- Bike ride in Skoura
- Rock climbing in Todra
- Three-day desert trek with camels
- Quad or buggy
- Surf lesson in Essaouira
16 day Morocco trip: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Settle into your riad; in the evening, a walk to Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
To Imlil & warm-up walk
Drive to the foot of the High Atlas and walk to the village of Aroumd.
- 3dayDay 3
Up to the Toubkal refuge
Walk up the valley past Sidi Chamharouch to the refuge at 3,207 m, with mules for the bags.
- 4dayDay 4
Summit day
Start before dawn, reach the summit for sunrise and descend all the way to Imlil.
- 5dayDay 5
Rest & back to Marrakech
A slow morning in the village, then Marrakech and an afternoon hammam for tired legs.
- 6dayDay 6
Aït Benhaddou on horseback
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then ride a horse around the ksar of Aït Benhaddou.
- 7dayDay 7
Skoura by bike & the Dades
Cycle through the palm grove of Skoura, then drive the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 8dayDay 8
Dades hike & Todra climbing
A morning canyon hike in the Dades, then rock climbing on the walls of the Todra Gorge.
- 9dayDay 9
Into the desert on foot
Drive to Merzouga, meet your desert guide and camels, and walk into the dunes in the late afternoon.
- 10dayDay 10
Across Erg Chebbi
Walk in the cool morning, rest at midday in the shade and continue to the next camp.
- 11dayDay 11
Highest dunes, quad & rest
Climb a high dune for sunrise, walk out of the desert, then a quad or buggy ride and a quiet evening.
- 12dayDay 12
Back west to Ouarzazate
A long drive through Tinghir and the Dades, with stops to stretch your legs.
- 13dayDay 13
Over the Atlas to Marrakech
The Tizi n’Tichka pass and a free afternoon in Marrakech.
- 14dayDay 14
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with an argan cooperative on the way, and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- 15dayDay 15
Surf day
A surf or kitesurf lesson in the bay, or a mountain-bike ride on the coastal tracks.
- 16dayDay 16
Back to Marrakech
A morning in the port, then the drive back to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this 16 day Morocco trip
Included
- 15 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
- Surf lessons with board and wetsuit
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 3Toubkal refuge
- Night 4Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 5Riad in Marrakech
- Night 6Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 7Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 8Guesthouse near the Todra Gorge
- Night 9Desert camp
- Night 10Desert camp
- Night 11Riad in Merzouga
- Night 12Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 13Riad in Marrakech
- Night 14Riad in Essaouira
- Night 15Riad in Essaouira
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
September and October are best: the Toubkal path is free of snow, the desert has cooled down for walking and the ocean is warm. In midsummer the desert trek is too hot, and in winter Toubkal is under snow.
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGood
- DecAvoid
What to bring for this trip
- Broken-in walking boots
- Down jacket, hat and gloves for the summit
- Headtorch for the early start
- Sleeping bag for the refuge
- Trekking poles
- Trail shoes or sandals for the sand
- Scarf or cheche and wide-brimmed hat
- Comfortable clothes for climbing and cycling
- Swimsuit and rash vest for the surf
- High-factor sun cream and lip balm
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
16 Day Morocco Trip for Active Travellers: your questions
How fit do I need to be for this 16 day Morocco trip?
You should be used to long hikes. Toubkal summit day is 8 to 10 hours of walking, and the desert trek is a few hours a day on sand. Rest days come after each big effort.
When is the best time for this 16 day Morocco trip?
September and October are ideal: Toubkal is free of snow and the desert has cooled down. Late spring works too, though there can be snow high on Toubkal until May.
Do I need climbing experience in the Todra Gorge?
No. Our climbing guide chooses routes for beginners, gives you the equipment and a short lesson. Experienced climbers can do harder routes.
Can I skip the Toubkal summit on the 16 day Morocco trip?
Yes – we can replace it with a valley trek around Imlil, or a two-day walk to the Azzaden valley.
Where do we sleep during the desert trek?
In simple desert camps in the dunes, with mattresses and blankets. Our team cooks the meals and the camels carry the bags.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 11 – Highest dunes, quad & restDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Aït Benhaddou on horsebackDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 7 – Skoura by bike & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 15 – Surf dayDetails →Kite surfing lift-offDay 15 – Surf dayDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 16-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraDesert camping & stargazingExtra night or luxury tent in the desert campSee the activity →
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Request this 16-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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