8 day Tour Itinerary – Morocco Photography tour

The 7 nights / 8 day Morocco photography tour in the region of Ouarzazate and the High Atlas is the premier landscape range in Morocco. It features the people and landscapes of this captivating region in a specially tailored photographic tour to include a range of different genres. The chosen accommodation is in comfortable B&B’s and hotels serving excellent food. Their websites are accessible via the highlighted links.

The average drive time is 2-3 hrs a day in a Toyoto Landcruiser 4×4 or spacious MPV which is a comfortable ride time allowing more time at destinations.  The total distance covered is about 1600km and includes 2 days at the dunes. The tour has been tailored to include enough time at locations to produce the images you want to take as well as covering a range of photographic experiences and settings.  It’s not a whistle stop of key cultural highlights but an in depth photography tour exploring Moroccan imagery offering exceptional value for money.

Morocco Photography Tour subjects to photograph include: Kasbahs, rock formations, mountains, night star trails, field workers, craftswomen, premier dunes, nomads, musicians & artisans.

Day 1: After setting off from Marrakesh late morning we’ll head over the High Atlas and the Tizi n Tichka summit on the road to Ouarzazate before arriving at Ait Benhaddou, a journey of about 4 hrs, stopping en-route to take photos where desired.  Ait Benhaddou is the site of the oldest Ksar in Morocco.  The Kasbah or Ksar as it’s correctly known as, still houses many families within its labyrinth of mud brick walls. We’ll arrive in time for the ‘golden hour’ of light whilst the remote setting offers the chance for some time lapse star trail night sky photography from the terrace of your auberge.

Day 2:  The day is set aside for both exploring the village, concentrating on the stunning views around the Ksar and the narrow passage ways as well as photographing two families in their homes including their work on a traditional loom weaving Berber carpets. Usually we take lunch with one family. After lunch, our tour continues onwards towards the Dades Valley, firstly taking a slight detour to the village of Fint south of Ouarzazate, an oasis with spectacular dark rocks and a meandering river. En-route to the Dades Gorge you’ll take in some spectacular scenery before arriving in the late afternoon light to photograph the rock formations here known as ‘monkey toes‘. The auberge for the evening is a short drive further on. 3.5 hours drive in total.

Day 3:  After breakfast we’ll visit a small Berber country market to try some more candid shooting followed by a visit to our sandal maker and his family where you can photograph him at work in his workshop and at home next door baking bread. His village is situated at 1800metres. Then afterwards we’ll continue north through villages and over mountain passes giving a true glimpse of High Atlas life. Todra Gorge is a our next stop and your hotel location for the night. Here also there are good opportunities for framing stars with rock formations.  A 2-5 hours drive depending on the route and time of year.

Day 4:  Our location in Todra Gorge is ideal for photographing a nomad family at first light, a short walk from the hotel.  After breakfast we depart back along the road to the main Gorge where you can stop to photograph the overview of the palmeraie in Todra’s river valley, a maze of date palms that takes you through luxuriant ribbons of palm and olive groves, almond and pomegranate trees and patchworks of tiny crop fields. Afterwards we’ll continue on to the hotel for that evening, one hour drive away, and the location for some fabulous photography in a Ksar and village mostly untouched by tourism. This special village offers unique shots of tunnels within the Ksar.  This is what we’ll be focusing on in the afternoon followed by a walk around the village in the late afternoon light.

Day 5: An early start in the tunnels with a cooler light and the chance for photographing any curious locals gathered around. Afterwards it’s the weekly market a short walk away to try some more street photography. Lunch is followed by a portrait workshop photographing a Ksar resident in her mud brick home. 

Day 6: After breakfast we’ll set off for the dunes at Merzouga firstly stopping at Rissini for the large weekly market which has a huge variety of imagery. We’ll take lunch there before the 40 min. onwards journey to our hotel: Riad Nezha. The afternoon arrival allows the opportunity to photograph your first desert sunset via a camel trek through the dunes ending with your overnight stay in a luxury camp(Optional & included in the tour price). Total journey time 2.5 hours. 

Day 7: After morning photography of camel trains in the desert, we’ll head for portraits of Gnawa musicians in a nearby village before our return takes us back towards the High Atlas, before arriving at Skoura and its palmeries, a UNESCO heritage site.  Overnight accommodation here is at Chez Laila.  The late afternoon is set aside for photographing the ruins of a Kasbah set amidst palm trees. The hotel has a swimming pool so there’s the chance for an afternoon dip. 4 hours drive.

Day 8:  We take the 5 hour journey back to Marrakesh airport which includes some exceptional landscape photography for those with later flight departures.

From the UK, Easyjet and BA are the main carriers to Marrakesh. From the US, flights into Casablanca are also available.  We can research these flights for you. Please let us know your flight plans before booking.

The Morocco photography tour is limited to 6 people but mostly we run with 3 or 4 depending on the time of year. All hotels are of a good standard; 3 to 4 star and have private bathrooms, en-suite facilities and the price is inclusive of accommodation, breakfast and local fees paid to families and our network of local guides.

The tour is priced at £1995.00 ($2500) per person based on 7 nights. 

Please note the tour needs a minimum of 2 to run.  Once this number is reached the tour status will run from available to guaranteed to run and you can proceed with flights. Final payment is only required once the tour is guaranteed. You’ll need about £200 ($250) cash to bring with you to cover lunches. and dinners.