20 Day Morocco Tour: Toubkal, a Sahara Trek & Atlantic Surf
A 20 day Morocco tour built around three big adventures: the summit of Toubkal at 4,167 m, three days walking with camels in the Sahara and waves on the Atlantic, with rest days in between.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 20 day Morocco tour
This 20 day Morocco tour is made for active travellers. It links the summit of Toubkal, a camel trek in the Sahara and surf on the Atlantic.
First, you rest in Marrakech and walk up to the Toubkal refuge with a mountain guide. Then you reach the summit at sunrise, at 4,167 m. After that, you cycle in Skoura, hike the Dades canyons and climb in the Todra Gorge. Next, you walk three days with camels across Erg Chebbi. Finally, you surf and ride a horse on the beach near Essaouira. As a result, our 20 day Morocco tour mixes big efforts with real rest days. It is private and runs on your dates.
Highlights of this 20 day Morocco tour
- Summit of Toubkal, 4,167 m
- Night at the Toubkal refuge
- Cycling in the Skoura oasis
- Dades canyon full-day hike
- Rock climbing in Todra
- Three-day camel trek
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Surf or kitesurf lessons
- Beach horse ride at Sidi Kaouki
20 day Morocco tour: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport; in the evening, the food stalls and musicians of Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Marrakech
A guided morning in the medina and a free afternoon to rest before the mountains.
- 3dayDay 3
To Imlil
Drive to the foot of the High Atlas and take a warm-up walk to the village of Aroumd.
- 4dayDay 4
Up to the Toubkal refuge
Walk up the valley with a mountain guide and mules, past Sidi Chamharouch, to the refuge at 3,207 m.
- 5dayDay 5
Summit day
Start before dawn to reach the summit of Toubkal at sunrise, then walk all the way down to Imlil.
- 6dayDay 6
Rest day in Imlil
Sleep in, then an easy walk among the walnut trees and lunch in a Berber home.
- 7dayDay 7
Over the Tizi n’Tichka
Cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and explore the old ksar on foot at sunset.
- 8dayDay 8
Skoura by bike & the Dades
Cycle the palm grove of Skoura, then continue along the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 9dayDay 9
Dades canyon hike
A full day on foot through the red canyons and side valleys of the Dades, with a picnic on the way.
- 10dayDay 10
Todra climbing & Merzouga
Rock climbing with an instructor in the Todra Gorge, then the drive to the edge of the dunes.
- 11dayDay 11
Camel trek, day 1
Meet your desert guide and camels and walk into Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon.
- 12dayDay 12
Camel trek, day 2
Walk in the cool morning, rest in the shade at midday and reach a camp among the highest dunes.
- 13dayDay 13
Camel trek, day 3 & buggy
Sunrise from a dune, walk back to Merzouga, then a buggy ride and sandboarding in the afternoon.
- 14dayDay 14
Rest day at the dunes
The pool, a long lunch and Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia.
- 15dayDay 15
West to Ouarzazate
A long drive back west through Tinghir and the Dades, with stops to stretch your legs.
- 16dayDay 16
Back over the Atlas
The Tizi n’Tichka pass and its Berber villages, arriving in Marrakech for the afternoon.
- 17dayDay 17
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and sunset on the ramparts.
- 18dayDay 18
Surf or kitesurf lesson
A lesson with board and wetsuit, on the beach that suits the day’s wind and waves.
- 19dayDay 19
Sidi Kaouki on horseback
Ride a horse along the wild beach of Sidi Kaouki, then a free afternoon in the medina.
- 20dayDay 20
Back to Marrakech
The drive back to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this 20 day Morocco tour
Included
- 19 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
- 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 2Riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 4Toubkal refuge
- Night 5Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 6Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 7Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 8Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 9Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 10Riad in Merzouga
- Night 11Desert camp
- Night 12Desert camp
- Night 13Riad in Merzouga
- Night 14Riad in Merzouga
- Night 15Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 16Riad in Marrakech
- Night 17Riad in Essaouira
- Night 18Riad in Essaouira
- Night 19Riad 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
May, September and October are best: Toubkal is usually free of snow and the Sahara is cool enough to walk. Winter brings snow to the summit, and summer is far too hot for a desert trek.
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarPossible
- AprGood
- MayBest
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovPossible
- DecAvoid
What to bring for this trip
- Broken-in walking boots
- Warm fleece and down jacket for the summit
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- Headtorch for summit day and the camps
- Sleeping bag for the refuge
- Trail shoes or sandals for the sand
- Scarf or cheche and wide-brimmed hat
- High-factor sun cream and lip balm
- Swimsuit and rash vest for the surf
- Refillable water bottle
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.
20 Day Morocco Tour: your questions
How fit do I need to be for this 20 day Morocco tour?
You should be used to long hill walks. Toubkal summit day is long and reaches 4,167 m, and the camel trek means a few hours a day walking on sand. No climbing experience is needed.
When is the best time for this 20 day Morocco tour?
May, September and October. In winter Toubkal is under snow, and in summer the Sahara is too hot for a trek on foot.
Do we carry our own bags on the treks?
No. Mules carry the bags on Toubkal and camels carry them in the desert. You only carry a daypack.
Can we skip the Toubkal summit on this 20 day Morocco tour?
Yes. We can replace it with a two-day valley trek around Imlil, which is easier and does not need an early start.
Is the surf lesson for beginners?
Yes. The instructor chooses the beach for the day’s wind and waves, and gives you a board and a wetsuit.
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 13 – Camel trek, day 3 & buggyDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 11 – Camel trek, day 1Details →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 8 – Skoura by bike & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 3 – To ImlilDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 18 – Surf or kitesurf lessonDetails →Kite surfing lift-offDay 18 – Surf or kitesurf lessonDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 20-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 20-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 20 days in morocco
20 Days Morocco Tours from Casablanca: Coast, Atlas, Sahara & the NorthPrivate tour · Round trip from Casablanca · Round trip, all regionsA round trip that starts and ends at Casablanca airport: south along the Atlantic to Oualidia and Essaouira, a two-day trek in the High Atlas, the Sahara, the gorges, Fes and Chefchaouen, and back by Rabat.
Morocco Itinerary 20 Days: Fes, the Sahara & the Hidden AtlasPrivate tour · Fes to Marrakech · Slow travel, quiet placesA slower route with fewer hotel changes: three nights in Fes, two nights in the dunes, the gorges and kasbahs, then the green, little-visited central Atlas – Ouzoud, the Aït Bouguemez valley and the lake of Bin el Ouidane.
3 Week Trip to Morocco: Tangier to the Surf Coast in 20 DaysPrivate tour · Tangier to Agadir · North to south, one wayArrive by ferry from Spain or fly into Tangier and travel south for three weeks: Asilah, Chefchaouen and Fes, the Sahara, the gorges, Marrakech and the High Atlas, ending with surf at Taghazout near Agadir.