After breakfast, we’ll pile into a private minibus and head to Zawiya Ahansal, a traditional Berber village surrounded by leafy almond groves and tucked away in the jagged peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Upon arriving, we’ll meet our hosts, who will treat us to a family-style lunch of traditional Moroccan fare, featuring an assortment of steaming meat and vegetable tagines. Over the first of many cups of carefully prepared mint tea, we’ll partake in a cultural orientation, which will prepare us to thoughtfully engage with rural communities in the area. We’ll learn about respectful dress, health and safety, several Arabic greetings, and the importance of greeting those we meet along the way. Then, we’ll set out by foot for a historical tour, glimpsing traditional gardens and taking in the ancient architecture that surrounds us, such as the Ait Sidi Moulay Igherm, a towering, 15th-century structure that houses descendants of the area’s founding saint, Sidi Said Ahansal, as well as religious pilgrims.

Start the day with an optional early-morning hike where, alongside a local mountain guide, you’ll ascend about a mile up into the mountains for a first glimpse of the sun casting its rays through the towering Atlas peaks. After the descent, we’ll join the rest of the group for breakfast, where we’ll get ready for a full day immersed in community activities. We’ll have the opportunity to partake in ongoing community programs focused on women’s empowerment, organic gardening, and education—depending on what’s happening within the community, and group interest. After lunch, take some time to rest back at the hotel before the full afternoon ahead of us. We’ll explore regional poetry, traditional drum music, carpet design and weaving, and henna. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a hands-on lesson in crafting and baking a few varieties of breads that form the foundations of Berber cuisine. We’ll wind down with a cup of tea, then head to dinner, which will be followed by a cultural presentation and discussion.

Opt to start the morning with another stunning sunrise hike, or sleep in and join the group for breakfast. We’ll spend this morning and early afternoon with our hosts, learning about and participating in community initiatives. Hydrate up (there will be more tea at your disposal), because tonight we’ll take turns soaking in a hammam, a wood-heated bathhouse and steam room. Lather yourself in locally made olive oil soaps, while learning about the significance that hammams have historically held in Moroccan culture and society. Warm, exfoliated, and smelling at our best, we’ll head to bed.

This morning, we’ll say goodbye to our hosts and hit the road. On our journey, we’ll weave through Berber villages, winding mountain passes, and the Ait Bouguemez and Ait Bouilli valleys, stopping for a picnic lunch at a cozy mountain guesthouse. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Marrakech, a city buzzing with activity—from its narrow alleys packed with vendors and goods to its striking mosques standing tall against the skyline. Take some time to explore the bustling area on your own before reconvening for a group dinner in town.

We’ll begin the day with a guided tour of Marrakech’s many medieval markets and lush gardens, stopping for lunch overlooking the Jemaa el-Fna Square, the city’s central marketplace where locals and tourists alike gather to browse handicrafts, mingle, and enjoy storytelling and dance performances. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring alongside our guide, or choose to explore the city on your own. Zig-zagging through the intricate geometries of Islamic and Moorish architecture, you’ll likely encounter mounds of colorful spices and cool gardens shaded by olive trees, enlivened by the occasional calls to prayer emanating from nearby mosques ringing out through the city. After dinner on your own, you can opt to join the group for a nightcap at a cocktail bar, a somewhat rare find in this predominantly Muslim country.

This morning we’ll begin our adventure into the Sahara Desert, where we’ll have the chance to learn about Sahara Desert Berber culture and meet with folks from various nomadic tribes who sustain themselves in remote oases. We’ll cross the Tizi n’Tichka, gateway to the Sahara and the highest mountain pass in North Africa, watching the landscape and architecture change before our eyes. We’ll pause for a picnic lunch and a visit to the legendary Kasbah Telouet—a stunning, remote village steeped in fraught history—before arriving at Skoura Oasis, a maze of red, mudbrick buildings amidst towering palms. Take the afternoon to explore on your own before meeting up with the group for dinner and an introductory presentation on desert Berber culture.

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Ighils, a remote, Berber oasis village nestled deep in the Sahara. We’ll spend the morning meeting our hosts, and assisting them in leading educational workshops for local kids, then gathering for a community lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll meet with community leaders and learn about life in a desert oasis, visit sprawling date palm gardens, and glimpse ancient village architecture. Take some time to relax, settle down with a cup of tea, and rest up before our dinner back at Skoura.

This morning, we’ll trace the longest river in Morocco south, winding through the Draa Valley and into the Sahara’s sweeping sand dunes. Flanked by innumerable oases villages, ancient kasbahs, and date palm orchards, the valley offers some spectacular views. We’ll stop over in the outpost town of M’hamid, where we’ll enjoy lunch and fuel up for our three-hour camel trek across the sand dunes to our campsite. Once we arrive, enjoy an evening enveloped by the Sahara’s vast, rolling sand-scape and sweep of sky. We’ll enjoy dinner outside, under a massive bed of stars, and drift to sleep in our cozy tents within a traditional Berber camp.

Wake up to the silent, sandy sprawl of the Sahara, and spend the morning hiking through rolling dunes at a relaxed pace that allows for photography and contemplation. In the afternoon, we’ll drive back through the Draa Valley and head to Ouarzazate, stopping for lunch along the way. We’ll arrive in the city later in the afternoon, and take some time to independently explore the historic Saharan trading post, now famous for its adobe kasbahs, green oases, and the largest film studio in the world.

From Ouarzazate, say farewell to the city and your fellow adventurers and depart for home or the next destination. For those who wish to continue on our three-day extension, join us on a journey to Essaouria, a port city perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch and drop in on an argan cooperative. Once we arrive and settle into the traditional, ornate riad that will be our home for the next three nights, take the afternoon and evening to explore the city on your own. Wander the historic Portuguese and African trading post at your own pace, strolling along the waterfront, sampling fresh Essaourian seafood, and glimpsing the stunning fusion of architecture that reflects the city’s European and Islamic roots.

This morning, we’ll tour Essaouira’s ancient markets, historic ports, and imposing forts alongside a local guide. The rest of the day is yours to explore Morocco’s “windy city” on your own. Consider chatting with shopkeepers in the city’s historic center, relaxing at a local spa, or reclining on the crescent-shaped beach. For the intrepid, hop on the humped back of a camel and enjoy a ride along the coast. Wherever you end up, cast your gaze skyward in the early evening to catch the city’s characteristically striking sunsets over the sea.

After a leisurely breakfast together, set out to enjoy another day of independent exploration in Essaouira. Consider visiting the fish market, relaxing on rooftop terraces, or visiting some of the city’s many cultural museums. Strike out on your own, or check in with our guides, who will be more than happy to offer suggestions for things to do or to make arrangements for independent activities. We’ll regroup tonight to celebrate our time together over a farewell feast.

After two weeks of exploring Morocco’s markets, mountains, deserts, and oases, it’s time to say goodbye to this incredible country and our fellow travelers. Head to the airport and off to your next destination, or arrange to spend extra time in the area and explore on your own. Until the next adventure!