Yalla Habibi! Ultimate Morocco Recs & Itinerary 🇲🇦
Morocco was hands down one of my favorite trips of all time and I loved being able to take a group through our Dean’s List Destinations in March of 2025. Here are all the things you need to know to make it a successful trip:
✈️ into RAK
🚙 get an amazing tour guide (aka @thehilalou) and driver Said
📆 8 days is a good amount to do all of this
📍 Marrakech - Dadès Valley - Togdha Gorge - Merzouga / Sahara Desert - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
👗Almost all outfits in my Amazon storefront - the dress isn’t as conservative as I was expecting. Pack layers since it’s hot during the day and cold at night (plus several scarves)! 🧣
MARRAKECH
🌇Do a city & Tour of Palais du Bahia
🍴Dinner: La Trattoria & Cafe Arabe
🥗Lunch: Cafe Nomad
☕️ Thirty-five
🧑🍳Moroccan Cooking Class at @moroccanculinaryartmuseum 🥘
🌸 Tour the Majorelle Gardens (and YSL museum if you have time)
🛍️ Shop at the Souks in the Medina
🕌 Visit Koutoubia Mosque
🍃 Koutoubia Herbal
⬇️
DADÈS VALLEY
🏜️drive through for amazing views or do a coffee stops
⬇️
TOGDHA GORGE
🏜️Canyon Hike
🏞️ Valley & Nature Walk
🫖Tea & Lunch with Local Family
⬇️
MERZOUGA / SAHARA DESERT
⛺️ stay in a luxury tented camp in Merzouga
🐫ride camels
🏜️climb & hike up the sand dunes
🚙 do a 4x4 tour through the desert
🫖drink tea with the nomads
💧see irrigation system and old mines in the Sahara
🔥dance & play music around the fire
🌅ride ATVs into the sunset
🏂sandboard from the top of the dunes
⬇️
AIT BEN HADDOU
🏰Visit the site where they filmed Gladiator, GOT Season 3, and The Mummy
🧵Check out the woman’s rug co-op to learn more about these gorgeous woven Moroccan pieces and their history
⬇️
MARRAKECH
🧖♀️Hammam Spa Experience at Bain Bleu
🛍️ Shop at the Souks
🍴Comptoir (traditional Moroccan with belly dancers) and Sky Bar Renaissance (rooftop, DJ vibes)
✈️ fly out of RAK
QUICK FACTS: (including cultural respect and understanding local customs)
1. 🇲🇦 Language: The official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). French is most commonly used in business, education, and diplomacy, but I’ve been able to use French with every person I’ve spoken to.
2.⚱️ Visit the Souks: Explore the bustling markets for unique crafts, spices, and souvenirs. We even saw a huge boa snake skin!
3. 🌄Time Zone: 5 hours ahead of Charlotte (EST).
4. 🍽️ Food Recs: Nomad for lunch - Moroccan traditional cuisine and Cafe Arabe for drinks (there’s only like 3 places that serve alcohol in the Medina). Don’t miss out on tagine, raspberry Morocco rose Gelato, couscous, and Moroccan mint tea!
5. 🌞 Weather Preparedness: Pack for varying climates, from hot deserts to cooler mountains.
6. 🚗 Transportation: No Uber. Our taxi was 20 DH to get to our Airbnb in the heart of Marrakech.
7. 🐫Capital City: Rabat and Population: 37.1 million (2020 est.)
8. 💸Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
9. 👗Dress: I would recommend bringing scarves to cover your shoulders and watch length of dresses/skirts, but it’s not nearly as conservative as what I prepared for. Let me know if you have any questions here.
10. 🕌 Religion: Predominantly Sunni Muslim. Have loved hearing the prayers daily from the mosques close to us.
Some of my favorite Arabic words to know ⬇️
جمال jamāl beauty
حب ḥubb love
سلام salām peace
أمل amal hope
نور nūr light
سعادة saʿāda happiness
And of course, Habibi 💁🏼♀️ (babe, term of endearment)
5️⃣ things you need to know about staying in the Sahara 🏜️ in 🇲🇦 to have an unforgettable experience:
1️⃣Weather and Timing☀️🌙
The Sahara can have extreme temperatures, with scorching heat during the day and chilly nights. The best times to visit are during the cooler months, from October to April, to avoid the intense heat of summer.
2️⃣Accommodation Options ⛺️
You can choose from a range of accommodations, including luxury desert camps, traditional Berber tents, and hotels in nearby towns like Merzouga or Zagora. Each option offers different experiences, from basic amenities to luxurious comforts under the stars. We stayed in 2 separate camps - the second one being a more luxurious one, but both had running water and electricity.
3️⃣Transportation🚙
Accessing the desert typically involves a drive from major cities like Marrakech or Fes. Many visitors opt for guided tours that include transportation, camel rides, and excursions, as navigating the desert can be challenging.
4️⃣Activities🐫
We had THE best time on our camel ride to the camp, sunset ATV ride, sandboarding, climbing the dunes, and stargazing. You can also experience local culture through traditional music, dance, and cuisine, which is often part of the desert camp experience.
5️⃣Safety and Preparation💧
It’s essential to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing, and protect yourself from the sun. While the desert is generally safe for tourists, it’s wise to stay with a group or guide, especially if venturing into more remote areas.
Let me know if you have any questions about staying in the Sahara or want to attend a future trip with me - it was a magical adventure for our @mydeanslist destination 🩵✈️