Example Trip

Offbeat Morocco: Road trip past oases, canyons, and the Sahara

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Highlights

Hiking with nomads. Sleeping in a 200-year-old Kasbah. 4x4 desert adventure. Mountain biking. Artisanal workshops

Location

Morocco

Budget

from € 1,300 p.p. excl. flight tickets

Berber traditions & vast Sahara: 14 days of pure Morocco

Are you ready to trade the famous Arabian Nights fairytale for a real adventure? This 14-day road trip takes you deep into southern Morocco, far beyond the tourist clichés. Along winding mountain passes, ancient Berber traditions, and endless desert silence.

You start in the bustling alleys of Marrakesh, but soon dive into the rugged High Atlas. Hiking with nomads in the green M’Goun Valley, sleeping in a 200-year-old mud-brick kasbah in the Ziz Valley, and tearing across the Erg Chigaga sand dunes in a sturdy 4x4: this is Morocco at its purest.

Via the surreal rocky landscape of Tafraoute, you end with your feet in the sand and the fresh sea breeze in your face at Essaouira. A trip full of magic, tradition, and unpolished adventure!

14 days in Marokko

Day 1

Arrival

In a little over three hours of flight, you'll land in a completely different world! Soak up the energy of Marrakesh's hectic traffic right away. Between donkey carts, scooters, and colorful taxis, navigate your way through the iconic red city. Welcome to Morocco!

Day 2

Marrakesh

Today, dive into the historic heart of Marrakesh with a local guide. Wander through the secret alleys of the medina, admire the grandeur of Bahia Palace, and let your senses be stimulated in the fragrant souks. End the day with fresh mint tea at the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

Day 3 - 4

M'Goun Vallei

The road trip truly begins! You wind through the High Atlas towards the south. En route, pass the iconic mud-brick village of Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate.

The M'Goun Valley is pure and pristine. Put on your hiking boots for a trek to a nomad camp in the mountains, where you'll sleep under the starry night sky and share stories by the campfire. Or hop on a motorcycle for an adventurous ride past rose fields and walnut orchards.

Day 5 - 6

Ziz Vallei

Your destination is the palm-filled Ziz Valley. Here you will stay in a carefully restored 200-year-old mud-brick Kasbah (an old North African fortress) where owner Ali tells you all about ancient irrigation systems and true oasis life. After a beautiful walk through a green gorge with trickling streams, visit a nomad family.

Drink fresh mint tea, watch artisan bread bake over an open fire, and experience an ancient way of life. A unique, genuine encounter!

Day 7

Desert (M'hamid)

Via the pottery village of Tamegroute and Zagora, you reach the edge of the Sahara. Here you leave the car behind and board a 4x4. We speed through dry riverbeds to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes. Enjoy a magical sunset and a night in an intimate tented camp.

Day 8

Foum Zguid

After a breathtaking sunrise, the 4x4 takes you to Foum Zguid. Then comes the most scenic drive of the trip: through the Anti-Atlas, ancient kasbahs, and the green Aït Mansour Gorges, you'll drive to Tafraoute, a charming mountain village surrounded by bizarre granite formations.

Day 9

Tafraoute

Tafraoute is a dream destination for adventurers. Rent a mountain bike and ride past the surreal painted rocks (Les Rochers Peints) and Napoleon's Hat. Or take a day hike through the lush Ameln Valley, visit traditional Berber villages, and enjoy the relaxed, hospitable atmosphere far from mass tourism.

Day 10 - 12

Essaouira

Soak up the relaxed vibes of Essaouira! Stroll through the blue-and-white medina, admire the iconic fishing boats in the harbor, and taste fresh grilled fish. In the mood for adventure? Take a quad bike tour across the beach dunes or join a unique woodcarving or silversmithing workshop with local artisans.

Day 13

Essaouira - Marrakesh

Enjoy your last morning on the coast. With salt on your skin and unique memories in your bag, take a relaxed three-hour drive back to Marrakesh. Wrap up your trip with a fantastic dinner on a charming rooftop terrace in the medina.

Day 14

Departure

It's time! With a little sand in your shoes and a heart full of beautiful memories, board your flight home. As you take off, dream away recalling the vast deserts, impressive canyons, and warm encounters. Until the next adventure!

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What our travelers say about us

     
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Auralie Blauwbloeme 
 31 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic trip through Namibia with two families with teenagers. The trip was fully planned according to our wishes and tailored to the composition of the group. The personal approach, the communication, the preparation… everything was top-notch. Our next trip to Africa will be with Charlie's Travels again!

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    +5
 
 
 
 
 
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   RJ 
 64 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!! What an amazing trip we took through Kenya with Charlie's Travels. Self-drive, highly recommended, and wonderfully taken care of from start to finish! Thank you so much ❤️🍀

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   GoeVerhaal. 
 71 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked our honeymoon to Namibia with this organization, and how fantastic was it? We received clear information beforehand, they used a detailed app, and we received thoughtful messages before and during the trip to check in. Truly an organization with a heart for the mission of showcasing the beauty of Africa. When we looked into the organization further after the trip, we understand why. Thank you for everything! We didn't feel like just a number, received incredibly quick answers to questions before and during the trip, and received a beautiful, customized itinerary where everything was perfectly arranged everywhere on-site. You gave us the trip of a lifetime ❤️ Best regards and see you again! Laura and Arne

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   Merel Doreleijers 
 86 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I look back with immense pleasure on my pioneering trip to Madagascar with Charlie's Travels. What made this trip so special for me was its off-the-beaten-track nature. We visited places you wouldn't easily get to as an ordinary tourist, saw beautiful nature, and had a lot of contact with the local people. That made the experience very authentic. One of the biggest highlights was driving off-road myself. In addition, there were so many unexpected moments that I won't soon forget: a football match against the locals in the Tsaranoro Valley, unexpectedly finding myself in a local sacrificial ritual, and a canoe trip that went very differently than planned. We thought we were going on a sailboat trip, but it turned out to be a few leaky canoes. In hindsight, it actually became one of the best memories of the trip for me. That is also the charm of a pioneering trip: not everything goes as planned, but it is precisely those unexpected moments that make the adventure complete. I also appreciated the variety of accommodations. From homestays, B&Bs, and hotels to sleeping in a tent under the starry sky. That fit perfectly with the adventurous nature of the trip. I do think, however, that a pioneering journey isn't for everyone. You need to be flexible and be able to accept that plans sometimes change. If you can surrender to that and simply enjoy the journey as it unfolds, that is precisely what yields the most beautiful stories and memories. The reason I am not giving 5 stars is that the communication before and during the trip was sometimes a bit disorganized. I would also have liked to see more transparency regarding certain costs. In my opinion, those are areas where Charlie's Travels can still improve. Despite that, I look back on a fantastic trip full of special experiences and memories that I won't soon forget. If you are looking for an adventurous, authentic journey off the beaten path and are open to the unexpected, then I can certainly recommend a trip with Charlie's Travels.

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   Martijn van Heest 
 88 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sjoerd from Charlies Travels organized my trip through Morocco, and it was fantastic! Due to limited time, I skipped the big cities and mainly visited the less crowded places in the interior. For a large part of the time, I stayed with families and experienced just how warm the culture of this country is. My 'guides' felt more like friends; they were hospitable, took me to visit family, and managed to strike a perfect balance between 'going on with life' while showing me the most beautiful spots in Morocco. For me, the added value of Charlies lay in selecting these amazing, not always obvious places, and the accompanying partners/guides/families who were willing to give me an inside look. Highly recommended for everyone!

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   Victor Bijlsma 
 158 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went on a pioneering trip to Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau with Charlie's Travels. It was special to visit such pristine countries without mass tourism. The difference between Senegal & Gambia was already significant – and the trip was very diverse. From beaches and big cities to eco-lodges & local markets. Highly recommended to utilize the expertise of Charlie's team; it saved a lot of hassle :)

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   Jasper M. 
 179 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic pioneering trip with Charlie's through Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau 💯 World-class tour guides and a fun group!

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   Casper Berkhout 
 265 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Uganda and Kenya for almost a month and we did not leave dissapointed! Our goal was to visit "off the beaten track" destinations and experience real local culture and Charlie's did not let us down. In Uganda we saw TONS of wildlife, with the bike safari in Lake Mburo being the undisputable highlight... unforgettable. We spent a day with the Batwa people, which was a unique culturally enriching experience. In Kenya we got to relax at the beach in a luxurious resort and get our tan on! All the tour guides that were organized by Charlie's were both knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic. This was the most memorable vaction in years, and we would reccomend booking a trip with Charlie's to anyone (if you are adventurous enough of course ;) ).
  
 
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   Maikel Hurts 
 282 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola surprised me in ways that are difficult to put into words. The country is raw and pure, with landscapes that seem to breathe: the red earth glowing in the sun, endless savannas disappearing into a haze of warmth, and the ocean incessantly beating its rhythm against the coast. With Xavier Rudd playing through the car speakers, everything took on an extra layer of meaning. His music—those earthy sounds, that peace and freedom—seemed to become one with the landscape. As the road wound through villages full of color and smiling faces, it felt as if every song had been written especially for this moment.

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   Wolfeew 
 282 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been to Africa with Charlie's multiple times – Kenya, Uganda, and most recently to Angola: Friendliness and rawness personified, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Beautiful, untouched nature, tranquility, and fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast – what a country. It's wonderful to be taken under Charlie's wing!

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   Hanneke 
 282 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola with Charlies was amazing! Remote and real pioneering. A great country to discover with friends. One big adventure, from camping in the beautiful desert to making memories for life with proud locals. Went home with a big smile and would love to be back soon!

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   Jan 
 283 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic organization, in short. We traveled to Namibia with a group of 7, and CT guided us through the entire process to set it up exactly how we wanted. During the trip, "our" travel coach Nick was also attentive, asked how we were doing, and arranged a few things for us, such as a New Year's breakfast. CT works with local organizations that we felt comfortable with.

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   Tessa Tuk 
 320 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Last October, I went on a pioneering trip to Malawi with Charlie's Travels, and it turned out to be a unique experience. The moments that stuck with me the most are the beautiful hike through Nyika National Park, where we camped in the middle of nature and zebras walked past our tent in the morning; and the evening we all dove into a local pub and danced the night away with the locals. The paradisiacal Likoma Island and the car rides through the stunning African landscape, with spontaneous stops at local bars along the way, are also memories that will stay with me for a long time. Malawi is called 'the warm heart of Africa,' and that is exactly how it felt. It was amazing to discover this country with Charlie's Travels and a wonderful group of people. Highly recommended!

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   Lisa Snepvangers 
 334 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Kenya for a month with our family of 5, all arranged by Charie's Travels, and it was AMAZING. We wanted a mix of off-the-beaten-path and comfort, a mix of adventure and vacation, and they made it all happen. Everything from planning the trip and airport pick-up to hotel bookings and activity arrangements went smoothly. We really had the most amazing time! (so much so that I'm writing this review years after taking this trip, cause we're still talking about it!) Definitely recommend booking your trip with Charlie's Travels!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Saskia Looijen 
 341 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie's Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with so many different things to do. We explored the lesser-known north: hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colorful hills, an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi, and beach vibes and lots of beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also beautiful bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are getting better but offer challenges here and there, which is highly recommended for the more adventurous traveler. The setup and organization by Charlie's Travels were excellent, always flexible and tailored to everyone's wishes.

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