My Moroccan Adventure – A Journey Through Sand, Souks, and Starry Skies

My Moroccan Adventure – A Journey Through Sand, Souks, and Starry Skies

One of the best parts of my job as a professional travel expert is exploring incredible destinations so I can bring back insider knowledge for you and my clients. Recently, I had the chance to dive into the magic of Morocco on a whirlwind familiarisation (fam) trip – and what a journey it was! From camel rides at sunset to exploring movie-worthy kasbahs, every moment reminded me why Morocco is such a special place.

Day 1: Lights, Kasbah, Action! My adventure kicked off in Marrakech...

After breakfast, I had a couple of hours to meander through the souks, the medina and the main square, just as the stallholders were setting up for the day.

One thing immediately apparent is that Marrakech is an assault on all your senses in one hit! Back at the Riad (traditional Moroccan guest house/hotel), the minibus was ready to take us on our next chapter, to Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hollywood favourite. Along the way, plenty of photo opportunities were taken advantage of, along with a wonderful lunch on the terrace of Restaurant Palais de Tichka. One of the first of many Moroccan Tagines! Ksar Ait Ben Haddou is a village in the High Atlas Mountains. It is a World Heritage Site and has been since 1987. A Ksar is a fortified village and Ksar Ait Ben Haddou has been around since the 17th Century. It is a fine example of southern Moroccan architecture. The fortified structures are made of mud, straw and wood, giving the village beautiful, earthen tones. Many of the buildings are also decorated with motifs, etched into the walls. This Kasbah has graced the screen in classics like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. As the day-trippers left, we had the place almost to ourselves – perfect for soaking up the history and snapping some incredible photos. I walked with our guide through the narrow alleyways to the top of the granary. Sadly, this was left in a state of ruin after the earthquake of 2023, but the views were to die for and well worth the climb. Our base for the night was Kasbah Titrit, a guest house ideal for lovers of nature and history, located in an oasis in the Ounila Valley, an ancient caravan route linking the city of Marrakech to the Sahara. Known in particular for its architectural monuments of Berber culture and its landscapes with stunning contrasts, it is the starting point for the road of 1,000 kasbahs. Kasbah Titrit is a calm and warm place, offering just 8 suites with a private terrace.

Day 2: Desert Dreams Come True This was the day I’d been waiting for (..or was it?!! .....read on) – heading to the Erg Chebbi dunes!

First, a stop to see the magnificent Todra Gorge and have lunch. Deep in the rocky Atlas Mountains on one of the roads to the Sahara from Marrakech lies the dramatic scenery of the Todra Gorge - a natural oasis created by the River Todra carving its way through limestone for many centuries. The gorge looks almost prehistoric with canyon walls that reach over 400 metres in height. One of Morocco’s top attractions for visitors, Todra Gorge a paradise for photography enthusiasts, climbers, bikers and hikers. It is an ideal spot to break the journey between Marrakech and the desert for an overnight or a couple of days but it equally lends itself to longer exploration, or certainly an overnight stay. After winding through more dramatic landscapes, we arrived at Merzouga, where we were met by the jeeps, that were taking us to meet some new friends! Our camel caravan awaited. One by one we were allocated a camel ( all boys, but I had decided to call mine Camilla). I was at the front of the 2nd Caravan and was to be guided by a Berber, which put me at ease. Gliding across the golden dunes as the sun dipped below the horizon was pure magic...for the others!! Ha ha. Let‘s just say I had the most, vocal and sassy one of them all - everyone else seemed very comfortable and almost being rocked to sleep with the sway. Safe to say Camilla had many name changes quite quickly into the journey! That all said, a must-do experience! Don't let me put you off - clearly an off day! Our stay at Madu Luxury Camp was the cherry on top. Imagine a cosy tent with all the comforts of a luxury hotel, surrounded by endless dunes. After a beautiful dinner under the stars, we enjoyed lively Berber music by the campfire. It was one of those pinch-me moments that I’ll never forget. I even enrolled myself into the Berber band, taking the helm on the bongo drums! I set my alarm for sunrise as this was an opportunity not to be missed. The sun changes the colour intensity of the sand dunes up to 15 minutes after sunrise, and up to 15 minutes before sunset, to give an infinite number of shade variations. It was so worth the bleary eyes to witness the sun rise above the Dunes!

Day 3: Souks, Sounds, and Stories

On our way to our next stop of Ouarzazate, we not only did site inspections of other Riads but also stopped in Rissani for a taste of the Gnaoua music (Religious songs and rhythms) Lunch was taken in Nkob, with a view of lush palm groves, which was just what we needed before continuing to Tin Joseph, a charming and quirky guest house in Ouarzazate. This city is known as the “Hollywood of Morocco” for its connection to film and TV productions. For my main course, I had chosen the chicken pastilla - this is a traditional dish which was delicious and is best described as a chicken-filled Bakewell tart. Exploring accommodations and learning about local offerings gave me fantastic ideas for tailoring trips to every traveller's taste. Day 4: Until Next Time, Morocco! Leaving early after breakfast, we made our way back to Marrakech, via the Tizi n'Tichka famous Atlas Mountain pass. The view from the top was amazing, as we could see the road we were about to embark on as it twisted and turned back on itself with its tight hairpin bends. On our arrival back into the city, we had a brief window of opportunity to get in any last-minute shopping, or simply sit in the square having a quick bite, watching the world go by before our flight home. Saying goodbye to Morocco was bittersweet, but I left with a head full of ideas and a heart full of memories. From kasbahs to campfires, this trip was a masterclass in the magic of Moroccan culture and hospitality.

Why Morocco Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List

Morocco is a treasure trove of experiences – picture yourself wandering through historic medinas, savouring tagine under the stars, and soaking up the vibrant colours of the desert. It’s an escape like no other, whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or just looking for an adventure.

Feeling inspired? Let me take the guesswork out of planning and create a tailor-made Moroccan escape just for you. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, I’ll make sure it’s a trip to remember!