Travelling together
Morocco Group Tours
Small-group departures, coach tours and private trips for your own group: what each is like, the routes most of them follow, and what to ask before you pay a deposit.
A camel caravan heading into the dunes. Photograph: Asfour hamza, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Formats
- Scheduled or private
- Busiest seasons
- Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Solo travellers
- Twin share or own room
- Private groups
- By quote
Why Take a Group Tour in Morocco?
A group tour takes care of the hard logistics: finding your way in the Fes medina, getting to a desert camp, and the long drives between cities.
The choice comes down to who you travel with. A scheduled departure puts you in a group with strangers on fixed dates, at a set price. A private trip is built for a group you bring yourself. Match the format to your budget, your fitness and how much company you want.
Group Tour Types Compared
- Small group
- One minibus, one guideSmall enough for small riads and narrow medina lanes, with time for questions. Departures that need a minimum number of travellers can be cancelled if they do not fill. Suits first-time visitors and solo travellers.
- Coach tour
- Larger groups, fixed scheduleUsually the cheapest way to see the main sights, with more departure dates. Coaches cannot enter the medinas, so expect longer walks from the drop-off, and slower stops at restaurants and monuments.
- Private group
- Your own group, your own datesA private vehicle and guide for family, friends or a society trip. You choose the route, the pace and the dates; there are no strangers to share with. Serenity Morocco Tours plans these by quote.
Scheduled Departures and Private Trips
International operators such as Intrepid Travel and G Adventures sell scheduled small-group departures in Morocco. Group sizes vary by trip; many are capped at 12 to 16 travellers. G Adventures calls its tour leaders Chief Experience Officers, or CEOs.
Local Moroccan operators mostly build private trips around your dates and route. Before paying a deposit, read recent reviews, ask for references, and get every inclusion in writing.
Serenity Morocco Tours, our tour partner, runs private group trips and prices each one by quote. Tell them your dates, group size and the places you want to see through the quote form.
Most Popular Group Tour Routes
Imperial cities
Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, usually over a week: the Hassan II Mosque, the Roman site of Volubilis, the Fes medina with a local guide, and Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech.Desert and coast
Marrakech over the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou, the Todra Gorge and a night in a camp at Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, then west to Essaouira on the Atlantic.Grand tour
Two weeks or more joining the two: Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech and Essaouira.Atlas valleys
Walking from Imlil into Toubkal National Park, with nights in mountain villages, and the Ourika Valley on the way back to Marrakech.
What to Ask Before You Book
Where will we sleep?
Hotel, riad or guesthouse, and whether rooms are private or shared. At the desert camp, ask whether tents are shared or private and whether they have their own bathroom.Who leads the group?
A tour leader for the whole trip, local guides in each city, or both. Ask whether the city guides are officially licensed.Which meals and activities are included?
Get the list in writing. A cheaper tour with few inclusions can cost more once meals, entry fees and optional excursions are added.Is the departure guaranteed?
Some departures run only if a minimum number book. Confirm the trip will run before you buy flights.What does the cancellation policy say?
Read the terms for both sides: what you lose if you cancel, and what happens if the operator does.Does my insurance cover the activities?
Many operators require travel insurance. If the trip includes trekking or camel riding, check that your policy covers them.
Tipping on Group Tours
Tips are usually not included in the tour price. Guides, drivers and camp staff are customarily tipped, and on some tours the group pools tips for the drivers and support staff. Ask the operator what it suggests before you go.
Age & Fitness Considerations
- Cities
- Most fitness levelsWalking in the medinas on uneven paving, slopes and some stairs, with a vehicle between cities.
- Desert
- ModerateLong drives between stops, walking on soft sand, a camel ride to camp and simple camp facilities. The desert is very hot in summer.
- Atlas trekking
- Good fitnessSeveral hours of walking a day at altitude, on rocky paths with steep climbs and changeable weather. Mules usually carry the main bags; you carry a daypack.
- Private trip
- Set your own paceYou choose the hotels, the walking and the driving days, which helps travellers with limited mobility.
Solo Travelers: Joining a Group Tour
Room sharing is the norm
Solo travellers on scheduled departures are usually paired with a roommate of the same gender. If you want your own room, ask whether the trip offers one and what the supplement is.Pick a small group
A small group eats together and gets to know each other quickly; on a big coach tour it is easier to end up on your own.Ask about the age mix
Some trips draw a particular age range. Ask the operator who usually books before you commit.Arrive a day early
A spare night before the start protects you against flight delays and gives you a day to settle in.
Questions
Morocco group tours: questions
What is the ideal group size for a Morocco tour?
Small groups suit Morocco best. A group that fits in one minibus can stay in small riads and keep together in the medina lanes, where vehicles cannot go. Scheduled small-group departures from international operators are usually capped at 12 to 16 people, depending on the trip. Larger coach groups cost less but move more slowly through restaurants and sites.
Can I join a group tour as a solo traveler?
Yes. Operators such as Intrepid and G Adventures run scheduled Morocco departures that solo travellers book into. Solo travellers usually share a twin room with another traveller of the same gender, and some trips offer a private room for a supplement. Check the rooming rules for the specific trip before you book.
How far in advance should I book a group tour?
Book early for spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), the most popular seasons. Departures that need a minimum number of travellers can be cancelled if they do not fill, so confirm the departure is guaranteed before booking flights.
Are tips included in group tour prices?
Usually not. Tipping guides, drivers and camp staff is customary in Morocco and is normally paid separately. Ask the operator what it suggests before you travel, and carry small notes.
What meals are typically included in a Morocco group tour?
Breakfast is usually included, and dinner is normally included at the desert camp, where there is nowhere else to eat. Other meals vary from trip to trip, so check the inclusions list for the exact tour.
Is a Morocco group tour suitable for older travelers or those with mobility issues?
City-based cultural tours suit most fitness levels, though medinas have uneven paving, slopes and stairs. Desert trips involve long drives, soft sand and camel riding; Atlas treks need good fitness. A private group trip lets you set the pace and choose accommodation with fewer stairs. Ask the operator about walking and terrain day by day.
What happens if I do not get along with my group?
Most itineraries include free time, and you do not have to join every meal or optional activity. If a serious problem comes up, speak to the tour leader first and then the operator; reputable companies give you an on-trip contact number.
Can I customize a group tour itinerary or is it fixed?
Scheduled group departures follow a fixed itinerary. To change the route, add days or skip stops, book a private trip for your own group instead. Serenity Morocco Tours plans private group trips by quote.