Morocco With Intrepid: Travel for Good

If you have ever been to Morocco, you will know it is the kind of place that gets under your skin in the best way. Marrakech is an assault on the senses, hitting you with colour, noise, smells, some of the most delicious food and, in the height of summer, intense heat. Scooters and mopeds whizz by in the narrow cobbled streets of the medina. It‘s a delightful place to visit, explore and experience, but it can feel a little overwhelming at times. A trip into the Agafay desert camp, with its tranquillity, was a welcome break. The balance of the two was a brilliant mix.

What really makes a trip like this work is travelling with a company that actually cares about the impact it has. Intrepid Travel is a B Corp, meaning they strive to make travel a force for good. By travelling with them you are benefiting the places and communities that you visit.

Intrepid are the world’s largest adventure travel company. They are leaders in small-group adventure travel with local leaders who know where to take you, deal with anything that arises along the course of the trip, and handle dietary requirements and any other requests that they can fit into the itinerary. Intrepid have a keen focus on doing things properly.

The Intrepid Foundation supports community projects around the world. It is not a token charity add-on. They have been doing this for more than twenty years, and they match donations dollar for dollar. An excellent example of this is the Amal Centre in Marrakech, which was one of the highlights of our time in the city. We were treated to lunch there. It is a non-profit that trains women, many from vulnerable backgrounds, in professional cooking and hospitality. The food is excellent, but the story behind it is even better. Another highlight of the visit to the Amal Association was buying a coffee from the Sign Café, which is staffed by Deaf baristas who encourage you to order in Moroccan Sign Language. There are picture guides to help, and they gently and with good humour correct any mistakes. The coffee wasn’t bad either!

The trip I went on was a short taster version to give me a flavour of what is on offer, and I can say I‘m totally sold on them.

A Quick Look at the Trip Itself

On arrival in Marrakech, after settling into our riad, we headed out for a gentle introduction to Moroccan cooking: warm bread, slow-cooked tagines, bright salads, and that first hit of mint tea. It was a wonderful place, and the staff made theatre of removing the cone lids from the tagines to allow the steam to escape, almost genie-style, from the pot. Later that afternoon we were guided round the medina on a food tasting tour. This was where Marrakech really wakes up. We weaved our way through narrow alleys, stopping for fresh olives, honey pastries, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and tiny cups of spiced coffee, dodging the stream of mopeds. The medina is loud, colourful, and full of life; every corner has a new smell or flavour.

We rounded the first day off with rooftop drinks at Bidaya with views over the Atlas Mountains. Bidaya is a beautiful, atmospheric rooftop bar with soft music playing, warm air, and a view that stretches from the city rooftops to the mountains. It’s relaxed, stylish, and a perfect breather after the medina’s chaos.

The next morning was at leisure, and I chose to wander the medina, heading to the barber’s shop to get a much-needed haircut. Later that morning we headed to the Agafay desert.

We settled into our air-conditioned tents and headed for lunch. Agafay isn’t dunes; it’s a stone desert, wide and open. Lunch was peaceful, with long views and a stillness that we hadn’t experienced in the city. The food was excellent, the flavour enhanced by the views and the company.

Next on the agenda was a sunset camel ride. Slow, gentle, and surprisingly calming. As the sun dropped over the horizon, the desert turned from bright yellow to a more golden hue and the shadows stretched out. It was a moment that everyone enjoyed. It’s important to point out too that, as Intrepid is a B Corp, they ensure that any animal encounters are thoroughly audited and checked, and that the animals are treated with the utmost love and care. I watched the interaction between the handler and his camels and was very impressed to see how much he clearly loved them.

Another Moroccan tradition is mint tea, poured high from a silver pot, the scent drifting through the air. It’s simple, but it’s one of the most authentic cultural moments of the trip — hospitality expressed through ritual.

After dinner under the stars, some of the party sat around a large open fire and whiled away the evening. Others retired to their tents. The following morning started early with pre-breakfast yoga, a gentle stretch in the already baking heat of the desert. It provided a perfect way to round off the peaceful trip to the desert before heading back to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.

Once back in Marrakech we headed to The Amal Association for lunch and then on to the Intrepid Summit session at The Grand Plaza Hotel, learning the theory behind all of the experiences we'd had over the past couple of days. The formal part of proceedings was rounded off with a Moroccan gala night in a riad — lanterns, music, and that warm Moroccan hospitality that makes you feel instantly welcome. Riad evenings always feel a bit magical: tiled courtyards, soft lighting, and the sense that you’re tucked away from the world.

The whole trip was a great balance of city buzz, desert calm, and plenty of food, and was a perfect taster of Intrepid's Premium product — just one of the trip styles they feature. They are proud to say that there is no such thing as a typical Intrepid guest, because they have a trip style for everyone.

In simple terms these trip styles are:

Basic

Simple guesthouses, local transport, and a bit of rough-and-ready charm. Great if you want authenticity and do not mind things being basic.

Original

Their classic style. Comfortable, sociable, good value, and a mix of included activities. Most people travel Original.

Comfort

A slower pace, nicer hotels, private transport, and more included meals. Ideal if you want the cultural bits without the backpacker edges.

Premium

Boutique stays, more space, more comfort, and standout experiences. Still Intrepid, just with softer pillows.

Tailor-Made Trips

If none of the above fits, Intrepid also builds Tailor-Made trips. You tell them what you want, whether that is food, culture, photography, wellness or something else, and they design it around you. It is flexible, it is custom, and it still uses their local teams, which is the real magic.