18 Day Morocco Trip for Hikers: Toubkal, Happy Valley & the Sahara on Foot
Eighteen days on foot, on a bike, in a kayak and on a horse: the highest peak in North Africa, the green valleys of the central Atlas, a lake, the gorges and a three-day walk across Erg Chebbi.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 18 day Morocco trip
This 18 day Morocco trip is made for hikers and outdoor people. You climb Toubkal, trek in the central Atlas and walk across the Sahara with camels.
First, you walk from Imlil to the Toubkal refuge and reach the summit at sunrise. Then you rest in Imlil and see the Ouzoud waterfalls. After that, you trek in the Aït Bouguemez valley and kayak on Bin el Ouidane lake. Next, you ride a horse at Aït Benhaddou, cycle in Skoura and climb in the Todra Gorge. Finally, you walk for three days in Erg Chebbi. As a result, our 18 day Morocco trip is active in every region. It is private, on your dates.
Highlights of this 18 day Morocco trip
- Summit of Toubkal, 4,167 m
- Ouzoud waterfalls
- Trek in the Aït Bouguemez valley
- Kayak on Bin el Ouidane lake
- Horse ride at Aït Benhaddou
- Bike ride in Skoura
- Rock climbing in Todra
- Three-day desert trek with camels
- Quad or buggy
18 day Morocco trip: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Settle into your riad and walk to Jemaa el-Fna in the evening.
- 2dayDay 2
To Imlil & warm-up walk
Drive to 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.
- 4dayDay 4
Summit day
Reach the summit for sunrise and descend all the way to Imlil.
- 5dayDay 5
Rest day in Imlil
A slow morning, a hammam and a short walk between the walnut trees.
- 6dayDay 6
To the Ouzoud waterfalls
Drive to Ouzoud and walk down to the pools at the foot of the falls.
- 7dayDay 7
Into the Happy Valley
Cross the mountains to the green Aït Bouguemez valley and take an afternoon walk.
- 8dayDay 8
Trek in Aït Bouguemez
A full-day trek between earth villages and fields, up to the granary of Sidi Moussa.
- 9dayDay 9
Kayak on Bin el Ouidane
Drive down to the turquoise lake of Bin el Ouidane and paddle along its shores.
- 10dayDay 10
Back to Marrakech
A long scenic drive back to Marrakech and a free evening.
- 11dayDay 11
Aït Benhaddou on horseback
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then ride a horse around the ksar of Aït Benhaddou.
- 12dayDay 12
Skoura by bike & the Dades
Cycle in the Skoura palm grove, then drive to the Dades Valley.
- 13dayDay 13
Dades hike & Todra climbing
A morning canyon hike, then rock climbing on the walls of the Todra Gorge.
- 14dayDay 14
Into the desert on foot
Drive to Merzouga, meet your guide and camels and walk into the dunes.
- 15dayDay 15
Across Erg Chebbi
Walk in the cool morning, rest at midday and reach the next camp.
- 16dayDay 16
Highest dunes & quad
Sunrise from a high dune, walk out of the desert, then a quad or buggy ride.
- 17dayDay 17
Back west to Ouarzazate
A long drive through Tinghir and the Dades, with stops on the way.
- 18dayDay 18
Over the Atlas to Marrakech
The Tizi n’Tichka pass and back to Marrakech for an evening flight.
What’s included in this 18 day Morocco trip
Included
- 17 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
- Local guide for the guided visits
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 5Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 6Guesthouse near Ouzoud
- Night 7Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
- Night 8Guesthouse in Aït Bouguemez
- Night 9Guesthouse at Bin el Ouidane
- Night 10Riad in Marrakech
- Night 11Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 12Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 13Guesthouse near the Todra Gorge
- Night 14Desert camp
- Night 15Desert camp
- Night 16Riad in Merzouga
- Night 17Riad in Ouarzazate
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: Toubkal is usually free of snow, the lake is warm for kayaking and the desert is cool enough for walking. In midsummer the desert trek is too hot, and in winter the high passes are snowy.
- 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 starts
- Sleeping bag for the refuge
- Trekking poles
- Trail shoes or sandals for the sand
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel for Ouzoud and the lake
- Scarf or cheche and wide-brimmed hat
- Comfortable clothes for climbing and cycling
- 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.
18 Day Morocco Trip for Hikers: your questions
How fit do I need to be for this 18 day Morocco trip?
You should be a regular hiker. Toubkal summit day is long, the Bouguemez trek is a full day, and the desert walk is a few hours a day on sand. Rest days follow each big effort.
When is the best time for this 18 day Morocco trip?
September and October are best: Toubkal is free of snow, the lake is warm and the desert has cooled down. Late May and June work for the mountains, but the desert is hot.
Do I need experience for the kayak and the climbing?
No. Both are for beginners, with equipment and a short lesson from our guides.
Can we change the 18 day Morocco trip to add the coast?
Yes. We can replace the Bin el Ouidane day and the drive back with a few days of surf in Essaouira or Taghazout. Ask us and we rebuild the plan.
Where do we sleep on the treks?
In mountain guesthouses, the Toubkal refuge and simple desert camps. Our team cooks the meals in the desert and mules or 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 16 – Highest dunes & quadDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 11 – Aït Benhaddou on horsebackDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 12 – Skoura by bike & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →
Wellness and relaxationDay 5 – Rest day in ImlilDetails →
Kayaking through the riversDay 9 – Kayak on Bin el OuidaneDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 18-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 · extraResponsible eco travelStay with a local familySee 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 · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →Request this 18-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
More ideas for 18 days in morocco
18 Days in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Tangier, SlowlyPrivate tour · Marrakech to Tangier · Slow travel, many rest daysOne direction, south to north, with long stays: Marrakech and Agafay, the kasbah road, two nights in a desert camp, a night in Midelt, three nights in Fes and three in Chefchaouen, ending at the Strait of Gibraltar.
18 Days in Morocco with Kids: Mountains, Dunes & SurfPrivate tour · Marrakech to Agadir · Family, broken-up drivesA family trip that ends on the beach: a balloon flight and mule walks, the kasbahs and the Sahara reached in short stages, then walled Taroudant and a family surf week near Agadir.
18 Day Morocco Tour: The North, the Sahara, the Atlas & EssaouiraPrivate tour · Casablanca to Marrakech · Grand tour, easy paceThe complete Morocco loop with time to breathe: Rabat, three nights in Chefchaouen, three in Fes, the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs, Marrakech and three nights on the ocean in Essaouira.
A similar trip, shorter or longer
- 14 days14 Days Tour from Marrakech
- 15 days15 Day Morocco Tour
- 16 days16 Day Morocco Trip for Active Travellers
- 20 days20 Day Morocco Tour
All Morocco itineraries, 4 to 30 days · Luxury tours · Small group tours · Women only tours · Activities · Travel tips · About our team