Morocco Highlights: From Coast to Medina With Jess

From bustling Marrakech to laidback Essaouira – though soaring mountains and the sun baked Agafay Desert – this epic adventure wraps the best of Morocco into one unforgettable week

PACKAGE INCLUDES

All activities mentioned on the itinerary
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
Private minibus & sidecar
Arrival airport transfer
Accommodation in twin rooms
Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip

Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

FEBRUARY 16TH – FEBRUARY 23RD, 2025

ABOUT – JESS @pointsbyj

Hey travellers! I’m Jess from Points By J, helping people travel affordably with credit card points. Points have taken me to six continents, and I’m BEYOND excited for my next big adventure to Morocco! I’ve dreamt of this destination for years. Imagine glamping under the stars in a desert camp, perfecting your tagine skills in a local cooking class, cruising through the desert in a 4×4, and catching the best waves in Essaouira. This Flash Pack trip promises countless “firsts”! My guiding principle to travel is all about embracing a relaxed and present approach. Tasting local flavours and building new friendships, with every trip, I gain a deeper appreciation for the world’s richness and diversity, often discovering something new about myself. Join me and use your points for airfare. Let’s explore Morocco together!

About this trip

Morocco is vast, and with limited time to explore, it’s best to just focus on the highlights. But which ones?

Allow us to introduce our compact, yet perfect, eight-day Morocco adventure, made up of iconic locations and immersive experiences, always with that special Flash Pack twist.

In little over a week you’ll get to witness the chaos of Marrakech’s labyrinthine medina and explore the fascinating suburbs by sidecar. You’ll sleep overnight in a desert camp, bonding with your group beneath the stars. You’ll sip mint tea in a Berber tent and learn to make the perfect tagine. You’ll trek through the Atlas Mountains, zoom through the desert in a 4×4 and learn to surf Essaouira’s best breaks.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities for relaxing too. Think sipping ice-cold wine at a vineyard in the lush Argan Valley and feeling renewed after an authentic Moroccan hammam. There’ll even be time to salute the sun as it sinks below the Atlantic horizon during a private beachside yoga session.

These are the highlights of Morocco. Who needs two weeks, anyway?

Welcome to Marrakech

Arrive in Marrakech, your senses coming alive as you weave through the chaotic streets in your exclusive Flash Pack transfer
Settle into your central hotel, a chic haven of air-conditioned calm
Meet your group for a celebratory drink and have your first taste of authentic Moroccan food as you venture out for a welcome meal at a traditional local restaurant

Sidecar adventure & streetfood tour

Explore the city on an exhilarating sidecar adventure. Ride on the back of the vintage motorbike or in the sidecar as you wind through the spice-scented streets
Visit the photogenic Yves Saint Laurent Museum and one of the city’s exotic gardens
Navigate the bustling alleys to secret foodie spots, all washed down by a spicy herbal infusion known as khoudenjal

Berber cooking lesson

Travel towards the Atlas Mountains. Your first stop at a Berber Village will see you welcomed into a local home for a rustic tagine cooking class
Sit together on Berber carpet to enjoy your delicious dish, accompanied by traditional Tafarnout bread baked in a clay oven
Make your way to an idyllic hotel hidden in the Atlas foothills to spend the rest of the day relaxing

Sleep under the desert stars

Hike through fields of wildflowers, fruit orchards and lush valleys filled with crops on your way to the stone and mudbrick village of Tikhfist in the Atlas Mountains
Travel by 4×4 into the desert, leaving the Atlas behind in a trail of dust as you negotiate the rocky terrain
Dine beneath the stars, with live music and a campfire, in your cosy Berber camp set amongst the rocky dunes

Vineyard visit & on to Essaouira

Head to the seaside town of Essaouira, stopping off for some organic wine-tasting in the fertile Argan Valley
After three tastings and lunch, continue to the coast and check in at your boho riad
Explore the laid back town at your own pace: watch fishing boats being mended in the atmospheric port or find a bar with a rooftop terrace

Surfing & yoga

Today you’ll be donning a wetsuit and joining a surf pro for a private lesson on the golden sand and in the gentle waves
Downward dog during sunset yoga flow and meditation, breathing and stretching to a soundtrack of lapping waves
Head for tonight’s delicious dinner at a local fish restaurant

Hammam Experience

Enjoy the ultimate Moroccan experience: a hammam. This centuries-old cleansing ritual involves steaming, rinsing and scrubbing of the skin
Slip into a fluffy robe and relax a little longer with fresh mint tea and cake on the terrace
Dine out at one of the city’s most atmospheric venues: a low-lit Moroccan eatery with live music, belly dancing and entertainment until late

Until next time, Morocco

All good things must come to an end and it’s time to say your goodbyes
Your Pack Leader can help you arrange a transfer back to the airport, before your start planning your next adventure
It’s been one glorious week of pure Moroccan escapism. You’ve had an invigorating taste of North Africa’s addictive energy now; returning home feeling energized and, perhaps, ready for more?

Our favourite hotels

Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.

Domaine de la Roseraie

Tucked away in the heart of Berber country, you’ll find this idyllic hideaway at the foothill of the High Atlas Mountains. Expect cottage-style rooms with private patios leading out into aromatic rose gardens and lime and lemon groves, three glistening outdoor pools, and a yoga studio with breathtaking views of the mountains.

Dar L'Oussia, Essaouira

Built on the ramparts of Essaouira’s medina, this large boutique riad is right in the heart of the action: a stone’s throw from the souks with panoramic views of the ocean. Set over five floors, there’s a gorgeous roof terrace – ideal for sundowners – Moorish-style rooms and a traditional courtyard restaurant.

Yes We Camp, Agafay Desert

Staying in this desert camp, you’ll feel transported to an expedition from the golden age of explorers. Beautifully crafted Berber tents dot the lunar landscape, the waft of fresh bread drifts from the campfire and the clear starry skies are filled with simplicity and silence. It’s a magical experience.

Important Notes

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly in and out of Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

Before 4 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 6 pm starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 15 minutes away from the airport.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel, and your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t include departure transfers, however. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel, with the cost in a taxi being around 20 EUR for three people, the equivalent of approximately £17/$21.

If you and some other Flash Pack friends are all getting the same flight, we recommend splitting the taxi journey.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

Pack Leader: 5 USD per day
Drivers: 3 USD per day
Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty (approximately 25 USD) at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Do I need a visa?

You do not need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada for up to 90 days.

Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires a visa.

We recommend that you travel with at least six months validity remaining on your passport and can show a return ticket. When entering the country, make sure your passport is stamped as some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passport bears no entry stamp.

What are the Covid-19 requirements for visiting Morocco?

Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travellers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.

What other vaccinations and medication will I need?

We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.

What fitness levels do I need for this trip?

The trip includes light walking and hiking, suitable for most fitness levels. The surfing and yoga sessions are also suitable for beginners. We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness. Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed.

Why do I need to print my travel documents?

There’s a chance that Marrakech Airport will not accept mobile versions of boarding passes (and other important documents). With this in mind, please ensure you have printed all boarding passes and other required documents to present alongside any mobile information you have stored on your phone.

Will the itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.

What are the drive times like?

This trip has much shorter drives than our Best of Morocco itinerary which is more for those who love road trips. You will stay at four different locations in Morocco on this trip. The drive times between locations are between 1.5 to 3.5 hours. The total drive time is 13 hours.

What will the accommodation be like?

On this trip, you’ll be staying in three- to four-star riads (boutique Moroccan B&Bs) that are clean and comfortable but not the same standard as a large chain hotel. Riads are typically traditional Moorish houses with beautiful tile work and an interior courtyard with fountain; some of them have hammams and pools. One of the most noticeable differences between hotels and riads is their more intimate size. What you lose in facilities, you’ll gain in authentic atmosphere and hospitality.

What about Ramadan? Will it affect my trip?

Some aspects of your itinerary could change during Ramadan and the national celebration of Eid Al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-breaking) as many shops and restaurants will be closed. It will also be quite difficult to obtain alcohol during Ramadan – your Pack Leader will be able to advise.

What should I expect from the hammam experience?

Hammams are a traditional part of Moroccan culture, which many local people visit every week to relax, detoxify and catch up on the local news. Men and women have separate areas and within these areas you’ll undress in a shared room, store your clothes in a locker and be given a robe to wear (it’s usual to go topless, keeping on your bikini bottoms or underwear, but if you feel more comfortable keeping your swimsuit on, just let the attendant know).

First, you’ll relax on marble seats in a hot steam room, designed to open up your pores. Then you’ll be taken to a private room where your masseuse will apply black beldi soap (made from olive leaves and argan oil) all over your body, which they will then scrub off using a kess (exfoliating mitt) and you’ll be given an invigorating full body massage.

The process takes around 30-45 minutes and you’ll come out feeling refreshed, renewed and with the softest, cleanest skin you can imagine. Back in your robe, you’ll be taken to a shared room to relax and served a refreshing mint tea. Be sure to drink lots of water, too. It’s a good idea to bring flip flops, shampoo and conditioner and leave your valuables at home.

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