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Morocco Trips & Tour Packages

When people throw around the word ‘remarkable’, they’re probably referring to places like Morocco.

In a place where riding a camel over dunes at sunset is not unusual, where tagines spiked with saffron perfume the air and Amazigh people herd goats on the slopes of the High Atlas Mountains, the word remarkable just doesn't cut it. Whether you're wandering the wind-battered port town of Essaouira, exploring the famous Kasbah in Aït Benhaddou or sleeping beneath the Saharan stars , a healthy does of Maghreb hospitality will make a Morocco tour truly unforgettable.

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Articles of Morocco

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Morocco at a glance

Capital city.

Rabat (1.9 million)

37.9 million

Moroccan Arabic, French, Berber dialects, some Spanish

(GMT) Casablanca

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)

Learn more about Morocco

Best time to visit morocco.

The climate in Morocco varies wildly according to the season and area of travel. In the lowlands, the cooler months from October to April are popular among visitors. This time of year is pleasantly warm to hot (around 86°F) during the day and cool to cold (around 59°F) at night. Winter in the higher regions often brings snow and can therefore get seriously cold, particularly at night. Tourists flock to the coastline from June to September for fun in the sun, with warm mostly rain-free days. Further inland it can get hot and rain is rare, which makes the best times to travel March to June and September to December. As a Muslim country, Morocco observes Ramadan. If you are planning to go on holiday in Morocco during Ramadan, it is important to consider that many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating at reduced hours during this time.

Read more about the best time to visit Morocco.

Read more about the weather in Morocco.

Culture and customs

Morocco's culture has developed over centuries of influence from far and wide. Contemporary Morocco is a fascinating mix of Berber, Mediterranean, Andalucian and African traditions, which are present in the cuisine, clothing, music, language, customs and lifestyle. As an Islamic country, most Moroccans are Muslim; however, there are small populations of people who practice Judaism and Christianity. Classic examples of Islamic architecture can be observed all throughout the country and tenets of the Islamic religion are carried out in the customs and lives of the people. The 'Call to Prayer' can be heard five times a day, women are expected to dress modestly and alcohol isn't drunk by most of the population. 

Most of Moroccan society can be considered traditional, with respect for elders, connection to family, and giving alms to the poor hallmarks of everyday life for many Moroccans. Hospitality is another important element of society, with warmly welcoming people into your home a time-honored tradition and social responsibility that dates back centuries.

Eating and drinking

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savoring a cheap eat, or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. 

Believe the hype - Moroccan food is legendary.

Things to try in Morocco

These slow-cooked stews are synonymous with Moroccan cooking. Chicken, olive, and citrus are well-known favorites, but there are endless variations using different meats, vegetables, and seasonings.

2. Couscous

Forget instant cous cous and try the real deal in Morocco. Often served with vegetables and meat, regional varieties sometimes also include everything from sweet raisins to spicy harissa or smoky almonds.

3. Fresh fruit

Morocco has an amazing array of fruit available in the markets, shops, and juice bars. Choose from bananas, mangoes, oranges, avocados, or peaches - eat fresh or get them whipped up in a juice.

4. Mint tea

While traveling through Morocco you'll probably drink more sweet mint tea than ever before. Offered as a gesture of hospitality when visiting someone's home or shop, it's considered impolite to refuse, so accept graciously.

Read more about what to eat in Morocco.

Read more about what to drink in Morocco.

Geography and environment

Located in North Africa, Morocco has the best of many worlds within its boundaries. From the sun-drenched beaches of the coast to the sands of the mighty Sahara and the snowy peaks of the High Atlas and Rif Mountains, Morocco has great variety in its landscapes and terrain. This combination of desert, woodlands, forest, mountain steppe, and grasslands ensures a wide diversity of flora and fauna lives within the country.

History and government

Early history.

The land now known as Morocco has been inhabited for centuries, with Moroccan civilization being known for its richness in history and culture. Centuries of foreign trade, invasion, and dynastic rule have given Morocco many different cultural influences that are evident in today's society. From the Phoenicians who entered Morocco via the Mediterranean in the 6th century BC, to the Roman influence of 40 AD and the formation of Islamic Morocco in the years after, Morocco has evolved with the rise and fall of dynasties, formation and dissolution of empires and the birth of new governments, movements, and ways of living. Reaching its height under the Berber Dynasties of the 11th and 12th centuries (the Almoravids, Almohads, Marinids, and Wattasids), Morocco subsequently fell to Arab tribes in 1559. The current royal family are descendants of the Alaouite Dynasty who have largely ruled since the 1600s, despite enduring a few crises in the 18th and 19th centuries, mainly in relation to European influence in the area and surrounding countries.

Recent history

With the signing of the Treaty of Fez, Morocco was declared a protectorate of France in 1912 with Spain being allocated control of parts of Morocco, mainly in the north and south. European control was generally opposed by Moroccan citizens, with the people of Rif attempting to establish a separatist republic in 1921. Decades of opposition continued, with rioting and protests leading to increased political tension. In 1955, the road to Moroccan independence was paved by Mohammed V who negotiated reforms and the restoration of independence. By 1956, France had relinquished its protectorate of Morocco and in 1957, Mohammed V became king. In 1961, Hassan II assumed the title of King of Morocco and continued to rule until his death in 1999. His son, Mohammed VI, took over the mantle of king in 1999 and continues to rule today.

Top places to see in Morocco

1. marrakech.

Things just happen in Marrakech. One moment you're sitting down to a camel burger, the next you're chatting with a snake charmer. The labyrinthine markets are the perfect place to lose yourself but find a Moroccan memento or three.

The endless dunes of the Sahara will call to your inner explorer. Jump on a camel and start riding out over the sandy waves. At sunset, the desert glows rich and red and at night the stars turn the sky crystal.

The desert is calling! Add a  3 day Sahara Mini Adventure  to your Morocco trip itinerary.

3. Essaouira

The name 'Essaouira' means image, appropriate since its charm is undeniable. Within the stone ramparts, you'll find art galleries, wood workshops and whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters. Portuguese, British and Jewish influences all mingle in this artist's town.

Explore this windswept coastal city on our  11 day Premium Morocco Highlights with Essaouira trip,  or make it a quick journey on our  Five Days in Morocco tour.

Fes is the cultural heart of Morocco and home to some of its most iconic sights. Feel every sense come alive in the medina. Shops, dye pits and mosques all vie for space and you're as likely to see a donkey as a car.

5. High Atlas Mountains

The mountains are best explored at the ground level by foot or bicycle. Travel through Amazigh villages, up along crop terraces, down through lush valleys and past orchards, goats and Moroccan rural life. The seriously fit can tackle Mount Toubkal for incredible views.

Join a  7 day Mount Toubkal Trek  or a  Mount Toubkal Long Weekend Trek  for those short on time.

6. Todra Gorge

This is a rock climber's heaven or the ideal place for beginners to get a taste. It's a tight squeeze in some places but a sparkling river, the odd palmeraie, Berber villages and high cliff walls make it worth breathing in for.

7. Moulay Idriss

The small Medina of ancient Moulay Idriss was once forbidden to non-Muslims. Now it is a pleasure to explore as the faithful gather to pay homage to the founding father of Islam in Morocco at the 8th-century mausoleum.

8. Ait Benhaddou

Perfectly preserved, this is one of Morocco's most picturesque kasbahs. Centuries ago it was a stop for caravans as they carried salt across the Sahara. Today, it is inhabited only by a handful of families and the odd film crew.

Visit Ait Benhaddou on our  8 day Classic Morocco tour .

9. Casablanca

The very name conjures up images of war-time romance. But the real romance of Casablanca must be its French influences and the beautiful Hassan II mosque, the largest in Morocco.

10. Volubilis

Do some time travel and visit the ancient hilltop city of Volubilis, one of the Roman Empire's most remote bases. The ruins here are beautifully preserved and it's easy to believe you've stepped into the 2nd or 3rd century.

Rabat is Morocco's lively capital. Its history is long and colorful, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates, and more recently the Moroccan parliament. Stroll through the old quarter or enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean from Kasbah des Oudaias.

12. Chefchaouen

You might recognize this city from the famous photos of its bright blue buildings. Set against a wide valley and tucked between two peaks in the Rif Mountains, much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista, so it might remind you of the hills of Spain.

Get a chance to wander around this striking blue city on our  18 day Morocco Encompassed tour .

13. Tangier

The coastal town of Tangier is the gateway between the Mediterranean and Africa. Enjoy fresh seafood by the port, watch the sunset over the Atlantic or visit the Caves of Hercules.

Explore the Gateway to Africa on our  9 day North Morocco Adventure.

Morocco has one of the oldest retail cultures in the world. From bargaining in age-old souqs to swiping your credit card at a modern gallery, it's all possible in Morocco. But to experience brilliant bargains, exciting finds, and a dose of history, you can't go past the souqs.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country.   Australia   and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Morocco

1. Silver jewelry

Jewelry fiends will love Morocco's affinity with silver jewelry. Chunky rings, elaborate necklaces, and patterned earrings can all be found for great prices, especially if you're willing to haggle.

Save room in your backpack for an iconic silver teapot and some delicate tea glasses. Morocco's silversmiths have this ancient art running through their veins, with centuries of craftsmanship being passed from generation to generation.

The quality (and price) of leather in Morocco is pretty phenomenal. Handcrafted handbags, wallets, belts, and purses can be found in almost every souq around the country.

Festivals and events

Ramadan and eid.

The ninth and holiest of months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by most in Morocco and is thought to be a time of spiritual rejuvenation. For this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset - refraining from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Eid marks the end of fasting with 3 days of feasting and celebration.

Gnaoua World Music Festival

Seaside Essaouira hosts this world-famous festival that celebrates the mysterious music of the Gnaouas, brought to Morocco centuries ago via the African slave trade. Jazz, rock, blues, and pop music add a contemporary flavor, although the drums of the Gnaouas are the true soul of the festival.

Casablanca Festival

Touted as a 'celebration of all things Moroccan', this annual festival includes local and international music performances, dance, art installations, theatre, workshops, and street parades. This fusion of history and modernity, innovation and tradition is a shining example of what it means to be a citizen of cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Read more about festivals in Morocco.

Similar destinations

We have a variety of similar destinations, trips and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from a variety of locations around Africa. The option below may be of interest:

Tours from Marrakech

Tours to Marrakech

Tours from Casablanca

Sahara Desert tours from Marrakech

Tours by type

Morocco solo tours

Further reading

Morocco travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco?

• Australia: No - Not required 
• Belgium: No - Not required 
• Canada: No - Not required 
• Germany: No - Not required 
• Ireland: No - Not required 
• Netherlands: No - Not required
• New Zealand: No - Not required 
• South Africa: Yes - in advance (in general, visa processing can take approximately 20 working days)
• Switzerland: No - Not required 
• UK: No - Not required 
• USA: No - Not required 

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas.

Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.

Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Americans and British citizens do not require a visa to visit Morocco for stays up to 90 days. All other nationalities should check with the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information.

Is tipping customary in Morocco?

While tipping isn't mandatory in Morocco, rounding up the bill and leaving spare change at restaurants and cafes is generally standard practice. Taxi drivers and porters will also accept tips, 10 dirhams is usually sufficient in this case.

What is the internet access like in Morocco?

Morocco's cities have internet access available in internet cafes and hotel lobbies. In some cases, free Wi-Fi can be accessed in public places. Less internet access is available in rural areas, so be prepared to 'disconnect' when traveling out of Morocco's big cities.

Can I use my cell phone in Morocco?

Cell phone coverage is generally very good in Morocco's cities and metropolitan areas, although coverage can be limited in remote or mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone while in Morocco.

What are the toilets like in Morocco?

Morocco's toilets are a mixture of modern flushable toilets and squat toilets, so be prepared to encounter both. Carry your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

What will it cost for a…?

Morocco's unit of currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Here's what you can expect to pay for a:

• Mint tea = 6-10 MAD
• Fresh juice = 18 MAD
• Basic meal = 100 MAD
• Expensive meal = 200 MAD

Can I drink the water in Morocco?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Morocco. Your leader will advise where filtered water can be found, and some hotels provide it. For environmental reasons, we suggest carrying a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Morocco?

Major credit cards are accepted by most large shops, hotels and restaurants, although smaller vendors and market stalls often only accept cash.

What is ATM access like in Morocco?

ATMs are easily found in large cities and airports, although are less common in rural and remote areas. When traveling out of the city, be prepared by having enough cash, as ATMs aren't always an option.

What public holidays are celebrated in Morocco?

• 11 Jan: Independence Manifesto Day
• 1 May: Labor Day
• 26 Jun: Aid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan
• 30 Jul: Throne Day
• 14 Aug: Oued Ed-Dahab Day
• 20 Aug: Revolution Day
• 21 Aug: HM Mohammed VI's Birthday
• 1 Sep: Aid al-Adha / Feast of Sacrifice
• 22 Sep: Islamic New Year / Muharram
• 6 Nov: Green March Day
• 18 Nov: Independence Day
• 1 Dec: The Prophet's Birthday

Please note: Morocco public holidays may vary.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco?

Morocco is an extremely safe country to travel to as long as you abide by the local culture and customs.

Is Morocco a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

We recommend LGBTQIA+ travelers exercise discretion when traveling in Morocco as homosexuality is not widely accepted in the community. Homosexual acts (including kissing) are illegal in Morocco and can attract a fine or even a jail sentence for offenders. That said, some towns (such as Marrakech and Tangier) are considered more gay-friendly than others. As long as travelers use discretion and avoid public displays of affection, travel in Morocco should not be a problem.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or   ILGA  before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

What should I wear in Morocco?

While Moroccan days are generally mild-to-hot or hot-and-humid, they can give way to cooler nights – outside of the summer months, anyway. Packing layers and sensible footwear to deal with Morocco's changeable climate, uneven paths and conservative culture is always a good idea.

F emale travelers aren't expected to dress as conservatively as local women, but it’s still a good idea to pack clothing options that will allow you to cover up.

How will I get around Morocco?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Morocco, you may find yourself traveling by:

Board an iconic ‘ship of the desert’ and amble off across desert sands for a quintessential Sahara experience.

Where will I stay in Morocco?

Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavor to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When traveling with us in Morocco you may find yourself staying in a:

Admire beautiful arches and tiled mosaics while staying in a traditional Moroccan riad. The riad is the Moroccan traditional house, normally with two or more stories around an Andalusian-style courtyard that contained a fountain. Riads were the stately city homes of the wealthiest citizens such as merchants and courtiers.

Does my trip to Morocco support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Morocco directly support our foundation partners, Education For All and High Atlas Foundation. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Education For All

Education for All allows girls in remote areas of Morocco to access education and prepare for successful careers. Donations from our trips help girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.  

Find out more or make a donation. 

High Atlas Foundation

The High Atlas Foundation helps communities in Morocco implement human development initiatives such as organic agriculture, women's empowerment, youth development, education and health initiatives. Donations from our trips directly support their sustainable agriculture programs, which fund fruit tree and wild medicinal plant nurseries, irrigation infrastructure, organic certification, technical skills-building, carbon sequestration, and commercialization.  

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

Morocco’s Resilience: Intrepid Travel Helps Tourism Rebound After Earthquake

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

March 1st, 2024 at 10:21 AM EST

Intrepid Travel used its resources to bring tourism back to the High Atlas communities devastated by the September 8 earthquake.

Dawit Habtemariam

Intrepid Travel has been driving tourism back to Moroccan villages impacted by the September earthquake.

It’s been over six months since a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Marrakech and communities in the Atlas Mountains region. The natural disaster left over 2,900 dead, 5,500 injured and many homes, roads and buildings destroyed.

Since the earthquake, Intrepid has been doing its part to help these communities fully recover. After the earthquake struck, Intrepid Travel’s philanthropic arm, the Intrepid Foundation, quickly raised $550,000, plus $100,000 from its own funds. 

“It was the biggest appeal we’ve ever had in 35 years of history,” said Zina Bencheikh, managing director of the Middle East, Europe, and Africa for Intrepid Travel.

Intrepid worked with two partners to provide emergency services to get the communities back on their feet. Education for All built boarding house schools for girls who lost theirs to the earthquake. Its other partner, the High Atlas Foundation, brought shelter, food, and aid to the survivors. 

“When the earthquake hit Morocco, really for our business, we were hit in the middle of our core, where we operate,” said Bencheikh. “In fact, rural areas are really the core of our operations in Morocco. Specifically, all our tours go to rural areas.”

Intrepid Travel’s Deep Roots in Morocco

Intrepid, which recently hosted Skift in Morocco at it its annual company retreat, takes travelers off the beaten path with a community-based approach to tourism. To ensure this, the global organization partners with small, independent businesses to make sure income reaches the grassroots level of a destination, said Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton at the Skift Global Forum in September.

Over 90% of Intrepid’s guides directly come from Morocco’s rural areas. 

In Morocco, Intrepid takes travelers out of touristy areas. It partners with families, locals, and small businesses to give travelers authentic Moroccan experiences, said Mohamed El Bahri, an Intrepid tour guide.

On some tours, tourists watch and partake in breadmaking, stay in guest houses, hike the Agafay desert and Atlas Mountains, and have dinner with locals. 

“To know Moroccans, you have to go to their heart. What is their heart? It’s their house,” said El Bahri.

Tourism: a Vital Sector for Morocco

During the week of the September 8 earthquake, flight bookings for Morocco dropped 35%, according to ForwardKeys. Bookings remained 22% down for the three weeks after the earthquake. 

Tourism has become a major industry of Morocco’s economy, having taken up a bigger share of employment, said Siham Fettouhi, Morocco Tourism Office Director for USA and Canada, in October.

Tourism was 16% of Morocco’s total exports in 2022, according to UN Tourism . As a share of just service exports, it made up 45%.

Sending a Recovery Message

To help its communities, Intrepid leveraged its brand name, size and resources to convey that Morocco is still open to tourism.

One of the dangers of a natural disaster for a destination is that tourists can mistakenly assume the whole destination has been hit – that they should not visit out of respect for the impacted communities or because certain attractions are closed.

Intrepid did a PR campaign on behalf of Morocco.

Intrepid restarted tours to some of the impacted areas once their roads were open again. On December 1, Intrepid returned to the village of Imlil, which had been disconnected due to damaged roads. 

“It was quite fast because we really needed to send a strong message and make sure that our communities don’t get a double impact from this devastating earthquake,” said Bencheikh.

The fact that Marrakech’s major international events continued as scheduled also sent a strong message. In October, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund held their annual meeting in Marrakech. Over 14,000 attendees attended the meeting.

In the first 11 months of 2023, Morocco welcomed 13.2 million tourists, beating its 2019 level of 12.9 million, reported Morocco World News .

Atlas Communities Continue to Rebuild

While tourism continues to flow back to many of the impacted villages, many survivors are still healing. Not wanting to leave their communities, some are staying in tents waiting for their new homes to be built. 

The Daily Newsletter

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Tags: intrepid travel , morocco , tourism

Photo credit: A view of the Atlas Mountains from the village of View from the village of Imlil in Morocco in February 2024. Photo by Sean O'Neill. Source: Skift. Sean O'Neill

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Intrepid adds four new Morocco trips following increased demand

Post date: Jul 28 2023

Date: Jul 28 2023

By: Travelweek

TORONTO — Following increased demand, Intrepid Travel has announced four brand new trips in Morocco for 2024.

According to the tour operator, Morocco tours have seen significant growth since the pandemic, and the country is now one of its top-selling destinations globally.

Intrepid has signed a three-year partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office to expand the destination’s potential of tourism and increase the number of visitors to 50,000 each year by 2026.

“We are thrilled to be launching this new partnership with MNTO, investing more in the development of tourism in my home country,” said Hala Benkhaldoun, Morocco General Manager for Intrepid Travel. “Morocco is an extremely special place, one that more of the world should have the chance to see.”

Currently, Intrepid has 73 local team members based in its Marrakech office, and over 2,000 departures in the country each year, making it one of Morocco’s leading tour operators.

Among the many highlights of the four new trips is a rare venture through Morocco’s Happy Valley, or the Ait Bougmez region of the High Atlas Mountains.

Intrepid Travel-Morocco-Merzouga-Morocco-DSC00799

The four new trips are as follows:

Trekking in Morocco: Happy Valley in High Atlas: Priced from $1,405, this eight-day trip explores ancient ruins and cascading waterfalls, stopping for home-cooked meals in rural villages while learning about the rich history of the Amazigh people, the community that inspired the name ‘Happy Valley.’

Classic Morocco: This eight-day trip, priced from $1,570, includes visits to the sacred Hassan II Mosque and Roman ruins of Volubilis, an iconic solar-powered Sahara camping experience among the sand dunes. Guests will also enjoy a tasting at a Tawesna teahouse run by local women, hike through the High Atlas Mountain range, and spend time in beautiful Marrakech. 

One Week in Morocco: Sahara & Atlas Mountains: While on this eight-day trip, priced from $795 and developed exclusively for 18-29 year-olds, guests will discover the bustling streets if Marrakech, trek through the High Atlas Mountains and enjoy a night under the Sahara stars at a solar-powered camp.

Mt. Toubkal Long Weekend: Priced from $665, this five-day weekend tour allows travellers to climb the highest summit in North Africa with expert guides to take in incredible views of the High Atlas Mountain Range, the Sahara and the Atlantic Coast. They’ll also experience a night in an authentic mountain refuge at Toubkal base camp with like-minded trekkers, and enjoy home-cooked meals along the way.

Other new experiences include a M’goun Valley Henna Ceremony on Intrepid’s Morocco Uncovered trip, during which travellers will learn about the history and significance of henna tattoos and receive their own designs from Naquasha women; and a Taman’Art Space visit with a local artist on Intrepid’s Premium Morocco tour.

In addition to expanding offerings in Morocco, Intrepid’s non-for-profit The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Moroccan non-profit The High Atlas Foundation , one of 22 new partners for the brand globally in 2023. For every traveller booked on an Intrepid trip, the company will make a donation to an NGO partner chosen by its local team, including The high Atlas Foundation, which is dedicated to agricultural development, education and health access for women and youth in Morocco, and Education for All , a non-profit that expands female education access to the remote communities of Morocco.

For more information go to https://www.intrepidtravel.com/morocco.

Tags: Intrepid Travel, Lead Story

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Intrepid Travel: Much More Morocco for 2024

Intrepid travel’s all-new adventures.

The company’s new trips include off-the-beaten-path adventures through the country’s Happy Valley, or Ait Bougmez region, in the High Atlas Mountains. Intrepid (ha) travelers will find themselves crossing the country’s third-largest peak by foot during the Trekking in Morocco Happy Valley in High Atlas trip, 8 days of exploring waterfalls, ancient ruins and more, with stops for homecooked meals in rural villages.

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Intrepid Travel Morocco – Review: South Morocco Discovery

Morocco is an amazing country. I took a group of listeners of the Amateur Traveler podcast on a trip to Morocco which was run by Intrepid Travel , their South Morocco Discovery tour. Of all the trips we have done on 6 continents, this trip remains my wife’s favorite trip. Was it because everything went smoothly? No. Let me explain…

High Atlas Mountains

Ait benhaddou, ksar kasbah taourirt, sahara camp.

The  South Morocco Discovery trip starts in Marrakesh and then loops around southern Morocco before returning to Marrakesh 9 days later. One of the things that made this trip so memorable was the variety of the places we saw on our trip. We saw modern cities, mountain villages, the many faces of the Sahara, cities with mud walls that looked like Timbuktu and walled cities on the coast. This was our first trip to Morocco .

Over the course of the trip, we stayed in

• a traditional Berber homestay
• western style hotels
• at a Sahara desert camp in a tent
• a couple of riads (traditional Moroccan palace)

We were met at the airport by a van and driver from Intrepid . We are used to traveling independently but can certainly get used to having someone just come and meet us with a sign after a long trip from the west coast of the United States to northern Africa. If you book a group on a trip that all travel together, then the airport pick-up is included. When you all come from different places, as we did, it is an extra charge but worth it.

Most of our group was smarter than we were and added extra time in Marrakesh at either the beginning or the end of the trip. But we did not have enough vacation time, so we arrived the day the tour started.

We met up with our tour group at 6 pm that night and met our guide, Khalid, for the first time. At this point, much of the group were strangers. We did have my wife Joan’s brother join us, some friends from college, and some former guests on the Amateur Traveler podcast , so we knew more of the group than anyone.

One person in the group missed the requirement that you need to have travel insurance … oddly enough, since this was my trip, it was me, so I had to quickly go online and buy a policy.

We would grow to love our guide, Khalid. He was a deep source of information about Morocco. He loves Morocco but could patiently explain how things work even when he thought they might work better some other way. He is fluent in at least 4 languages, and we were not surprised when he won a worldwide competition as “guide of the year” the year after our trip.

We got acquainted a bit and then Khalid led us to a bus to the Medina. It was a bit overwhelming for the first night, with so many people crowded around. He got us seats outdoors at a large table and began ordering food. It was beyond chaotic, as food kept coming, waiters and cooks yelled at each other, and Khalid yelled at them when he didn’t get what he wanted. There was a huge assortment of food, including couscous with potatoes, carrot, eggplant, bread, sweet or hot sauce, skewers with veggies, chicken or beef, and turkey sausage. At the table next to our people were peeling vast quantities of hard-boiled eggs and making sandwiches or something.

Rachel, who traveled to Morocco by herself, told us that the day she spent in Marrakesh as a solo female traveler was much less comfortable than once she joined the group. This was particularly true when she visited the medina by herself.

We ate breakfast at the hotel and loaded up in the van and headed into the High Atlas Mountains. Even when you know they are there, it is surprising to see snow-capped peaks within an hour of Marrakesh. The country had received quite a lot of rain before our trip so this part of the trip was through lush green landscapes

We stopped at a weekly outdoor market along the way, which was a big dusty area, with a variety of items for sale, including spices, live animals, vegetables, mule shoes, and pottery. A few “helpful” guides attached themselves to some of us, trying to sell us their wares as they walked along pointing things out to us.  A few of us bought a few pieces of jewelry for a few dollars.

We also passed a “room” open to the market with a sheet across the entrance, which Khalid said was the dentist. We’re pretty sure the conditions wouldn’t have been very sanitary and aren’t sure what they would use for anesthesia.

We drove on from there to the town of Imlil where we would leave the van and take just our day packs on up to the mountain village where we would spend the night. There was an option to ride mules if the hike was too strenuous, which a few in the group did. For the rest of us, other mules carried our day packs. It was a decent hike, not too steep for most of it, and took a little over an hour.

We arrived in the village of Aroumd, to the guest house, or gite, where we would stay. We had tea in the courtyard, and lunch of cut vegetables, omelet, rice, lentils, chicken skewers, and oranges.

A local guide took part of the group on another hike in the mountains to a shrine. For the less adventurous, Khalid took us around the village, showing us the bakery, where everyone in town brings their bread to be baked each day, the hammam (baths), and the school nearby. We saw women gathering due to a village woman’s death. There were children running around and playing, and we heard the call to prayer from the mosque.

Dinner was in a large sitting room with benches all around the perimeter of the room, a common arrangement in the country. Each couple had their own bedroom, but the bathrooms were shared. It was quite comfortable, and the air was so fresh outside.

Breakfast was in the same room as dinner, with yogurt, bread, crepes, coffee, and juice. After breakfast, we packed up to head back down the mountain to Imlil to reconnect with our bags. The hike back down wasn’t bad either, though the mules were not available for riding for that stretch.

We began our drive to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of the Sahara. It was about a 6-hour drive. We stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant, sitting upon a terrace, with chicken or beef skewers and fries.

Ait Benhaddou was built along the salt caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It was built starting in the 17th century. The site is a fortified village, or ksar, with kasbahs, or fortified houses, within.

We were able to climb the steps to the granary, which would have served as storage but also for protection if attacked.

We were able to go into one of the houses and visit with the woman who lived there, who of course served us tea. We could ask questions through Khalid. The funniest story was that the film Gladiator was filmed there in part, and Russell Crowe had stopped to visit with her. She had no idea who he was, but she has a signed movie poster on her wall that he gave her. Parts of Game of Thrones were also filmed in the picturesque town.

We also got to see someone making art by putting tints onto paper, which all looked yellow at first until he held it over heat, at which point the actual colors appeared. He made paintings this way of desert scenes with camels and the building style of the kasbah.  So cool!

We stayed that night in a hotel near the site, Rose du Sable , and had the chance for a cooking class. Several of us made our own tajine, a traditional dish that we ate often on the trip, made with meat, vegetables, and spices, always served with bread.  It was fun to put together the meal with the spices they had pre-selected to use. Our rooms were just off the terrace around the pool.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drove to Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco. There was a very small cinema museum, which a few of us toured, seeing sets from movies that we had never heard of (mostly biblical stories).

We stopped at Project Horizon International, the non-profit that Intrepid supports in Morocco, to tour and see the work they do providing physical therapy and prosthetics for people with physical disabilities, along with training in art or a craft, so that they can have their own businesses. We were able to buy some of the craftwork in the gift shop, such as jewelry, painted glassware, or ceramics.

We drove on to Zagora, where we saw the famous sign “Tombouctou 52 Jours” (52 days by camel, it’s apparently only 6 days by jeep).

We stopped to pick up lunch food at a market and went to the rug merchant. None of us were interested in buying rugs but it was interesting to learn more about them.  We were able to use an upstairs room at the store to eat our lunches, in the company of the cats who lived there.

We took the van to the Ksar Kasbah Taourirt. It was a very well preserved town, restored with 3 sections: administrative (judge), living space, harem, sauna, first lady room, and cellar. It’s like a labyrinth, you don’t go out the way you came in.

We stayed at a 4-star Hotel Ksar Tinsouline . Joan and I tried out the pool, but it was very cold. We sat out on the patio visited. We enjoyed dinner on the patio, tajine, steak, fries, crème caramel. You can pretty much assume that every meal will include a tajine of some sort.

We had breakfast also on the lovely patio, and left around 10:30 am, with a day pack for the camp.

We drove to Tamegroute, where we all bought headscarves to be prepared for possible sandstorms in the Sahara, and visited a library with ancient books of religious studies and math and science texts, where an elderly man gave explanations of what we were seeing.

We stopped at a pottery factory, which operated just as it would have hundreds of years ago, including a man using the spinning wheel sitting in a hole in the ground, and kilns cut into the rock wall. We toured through the mud buildings and were able to buy really beautiful pieces made either there or at another ceramic factory within the same cooperative.

Then, finally, the camel ride. We got to a hotel of sorts with many low buildings and ate our picnic lunch that we’d prepared for at a small grocery store on the way. Then we saddled up, tied on our headscarves, and headed off on our camels… into a thunderstorm. None of us had expected that, and all we could do was laugh as ultimately after only about 10 or 15 minutes Khalid had the drivers turn the camels around and head back. It is not likely you will have this experience as this is the first time Khalid had run into this situation after years of guiding.

We tried waiting out the rain, but it was determined to continue. All the while we tried to find a spot that the rain didn’t come right through the dirt and grass roof and drip muddy water on us.  The camel drivers were pressed into service to provide tea, which may not have been a good idea, as the tea probably wasn’t boiled well enough and caused a few stomach ailments for the rest of the trip. If we had had a SteriPen with us, we probably could have avoided that problem.

Khalid was also calling ahead to the tour company to determine whether the rain would wash out any of the ravines we had to cross on our drive in the 4x4s. Eventually, he determined that it was safe, and we headed out.  One of the drivers really enjoyed the off-road freedom and raced a bit.

Most of the Sahara in Morocco is barren but not sand. We were driving to one area of large sand dunes.

We all safely arrived at the Sahara Camp, which had several large tents each with 2 or 3 beds, plus a kitchen and dining tent, and a lavatory building with a few stalls and a sink (no toilets – very rustic!).

People climbed up to the dunes for the view, but Joan was feeling pretty queasy so rested, and wasn’t able to eat dinner, finally tossing her lunch during the night. Turns out Jim and Rachel had also gotten sick. After the rain, the sleeping tents also smelled of wet camel… which was not the best smell.

In the morning those who could ate breakfast and eventually we headed out and back to civilization. The drive back was a bit calmer as Khalid had told the drivers to take it easy, especially as we had some cranky stomachs. Joan slept most of the way, surprising the other people in our 4X4 since the drive was anything but smooth.

We stopped along the way to visit with a nomad family who actually has lived in the same location for many years, but they live out in the desert in a few tents made of blankets and tarps. They do have a cooking tent, but of course no electricity. They have a motorbike for trips to town.

They were parents of grown children, who had all moved to the city, but 2 small grandchildren and a flock of goats lived with them. A few of us could fit into the tent and visited some, and when Khalid said where we were from, the mother did not know of America. Khalid explained that it is across the ocean, and she had heard of the ocean. It was amazing to see examples such as this where, in some ways, time has almost stood still, just a few hours drive from modern cities.

We drove on to Taroudant, with a few stops along the way. We were all very interested in seeing the “flying goats” who climb trees to eat the argan nuts. We were very lucky to have the chance to see a flock of goats who were, in fact, climbing in and jumping out of trees very close to the side of the road.

We also stopped to see how saffron is raised. We stopped and visited with a gentleman who grows saffron, and he showed us what the plant looks like and how he extracts the spice from the plant. He served saffron tea, and people had the chance to buy some as well.

We also stopped at an argan oil cooperative, where we could see the very manual process of grinding the nuts down into a paste much like peanut butter after which the oil is separated out and used in cosmetics and hair products.

We stayed in Taroudant, at Hotel Dar Zitoune , a riad in a garden setting, with many paths between the main building and other buildings with rooms. Staying in an old palace was quite the improvement over tents smelling of a wet camel.

We enjoyed a trip to see Taroudant’s original medieval walls as well as the local market.

Our last few days would be in Essaouira, on the coast. This walled city has a large old town medina where we all enjoyed quite a bit of shopping for handmade items such as woodwork, crafts, leather products, pottery.

I enjoyed wandering the side streets and adding to my collection of pictures of old doors.

Khalid took us on a walking tour with a local guide, which was very good.  It was good that we had 2 nights here and didn’t have to be in a van at all after some really long travel days. We went out to dinner at a restaurant that mostly offered seafood. I was able to get a slice of pizza and a break from ordering a tajine.

I went out exploring by the fishing port, and a local fisherman gave me an impromptu tour. I went back and paid him for his time later in the day.

We did walk along the water to another area with beaches and a few cafes. It was really a nice town, with a mix of modern and the old in the Medina. We had fun shopping and bargaining (sometimes trying a bit too hard to get the price down, and talking the guy out of the bargain).  We grabbed dinner with a small group.

Back to Marrakech. We were back at our original hotel, and all went together to a nice restaurant for dinner. A few of the group members were staying on to see more of Marrakech. We were off to the airport around 7 am for our flight home.

Morocco, specifically southern Morocco is amazing, beautiful and diverse. The  Intrepid Travel South Morocco Discovery  proved to be a great way to see a lot in a little period of time. Book extra time in Marrakech at the beginning or end of your tour. Bring a large card for your digital camera. I took hundreds and hundreds of photos.

See all my photos from Southern Morocco

Listen to the podcast episode from the trip.

Related Posts

by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

15 Responses to “Intrepid Travel Morocco – Review: South Morocco Discovery”

Another one for my bucket list! Thanks so much for the post.

Hi Chris, Morocco is on my bucket list. Is it ok if i’ll travel solo?

I certainly know women who have traveled solo to Morocco. We talked to Sherry Ott about that more than 10 years ago on https://amateurtraveler.com/episode-107-solo-travel-as-a-woman/ . But… I think I mentioned that the young woman on our tour did get hassled less when she was on the group. So probably depends on how confident a traveler you are.

I’ve really been enjoying your posts on Morocco, i’d like to spend honeymoon in morocco.

So glad to hear Nadia, as I mentioned, my wife’s favorite trip

I’m female (although not young, alas), and I traveled solo in Morocco in Essaouira, Marrakesh, Casablanca and Rabat either side of an Intrepid tour of Morocco. The vendors in the Marrakesh medina were pushy, but no worse than the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and certainly not up to Indian standards. Dressing modestly and being willing to say no and keep walking will help.

Odd coincidence – there had been a thunderstorm a couple of days before our visit to the Sahara (staying in a hotel, it was winter – we froze in Imlil!) and I have a photo of a sand dune with a lake at its foot.

I do think it’s a pity to go to Morocco and miss Fez.

Chris Christensen

That’s funny that you also almost had our thunderstorm experience.

Jake Batoto

Hi Chris! This is really great. I’ve been been hesitating about visiting Morocco but now, I made up my made. Thank you very much.

Hi Chris, this was a great read! My friend and I have booked the South Morocco tour with Intrepid for next winter! Did you find the walking around to need special shoes (hiking boots/firmer soles/whatever) at certain points, or were you pretty comfortable in sneakers?

I was comfortable in sneakers.

Great post with a lot of information and beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing your advice! And I agree with the comment above, sneakers should be fine!

I think south Morocco often doesn’t get enough attention. Thank you for this post!

Hi Chris Thank you for your great blog. What time of the year did you go to Morocco? I’m looking at doing this tour in June. Would places be air-conditioned?

how much extra cash do per person do you think is required on this trip? ignoring shopping, just for the meals and drinks/snacks?

The extra meals were something around $10 a day when I was there. Besides shopping a tip for the guide would be best in cash. Intrepid can give you some guidelines. The guides are great!

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Tags: article , essaouira , intrepid travel , marrakech , morocco , tour

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Good Morning Washington LIVE in Morocco with Intrepid Travel

by Good Morning Washington

WASHINGTON (7NEWS) — Join us on an unforgettable journey though Morocco with Intrepid Travel! Today Kidd O'Shea joins us on-location in Morocco with a preview of his itinerary. We discuss everything from food and adventure to the importance of supporting local communities. Intrepid offers small group trips with big adventures around the world! Find your perfect itinerary at intrepidtravel.com.

APRIL SALE Extended:   Book now for   up to 60% off!

All Morocco Tours from Intrepid Travel

22 intrepid travel trips through morocco.

• Food & Culinary
• Christmas & New Year

Morocco Real Food Adventure

My time in Morocco was outstanding. I truly felt like I got to get to know Morocco because of the diverse activities, scenery, food, people, and locations. Our tour guides were wonderful.

• Sightseeing

Best of Morocco

Morocco Encompassed

Best of Morocco Family Holiday

TourRadar and Intrepid really looked after us from when we first thought of going to Morrocco. The family trip was fabulous for this family of 4...grandparents, dad n grandson. The size of our group, 3 families, 14 people from 7 to 72 was perfect. We had a wonderful guide, Hamid, who made sure our days were balanced so the kids didn't get bored and older people had their cultural fix. Actually, the younger ones got as much out of the informative guides Hamid arranged for us as we did. The home visits were wonderful and we saw a different face of Morrocco with each of the 3 families who opened their homes to us. The village visit made a big impact on those of school age. We felt we were given a guiding hand in the souks and medinas and at no time were we pressured to buy. The tour provided excellent accommodation. The food was wonderful. The country, the people and their culture, surpassed all of our expectations. Hamid and driver, Moussa, are an asset to the trade and Intrepid. They were both patient and very caring. The children loved them. Will be back !!! Freda Backes

Classic Morocco

Cycle Morocco

An excellent balance of cycle vs bus - the cycling was hard enough to offer challenges but not so hard to struggle. We had an excellent group of only 7 and all concluded the advantages of travelling during Ramadan outweighed the disadvantages. The roads, towns and hotels were quieter and we loved our small group. Said is a brilliant tour leader - knowledgeable, helpful, always calm and really knows how to deal with people - both in the group and everyone we came in contact with.

• In-depth Cultural

Essential Morocco

Great trip full of joy

Sahara Mini Adventure

Spain, Portugal & Morocco

• Hiking & Trekking

Morocco: Women's Expedition

Totally recommend this tour. Loved every minute of it.

Mount Toubkal Long Weekend Trek

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South Morocco Discovery

Real Morocco

Morocco Family Holiday Comfort

It was an excellent tour led by Moha and a great way to see the beautiful country that is Morocco with small people. Can't fault it, busy but worth it!

All Morocco Intrepid Travel Tour Reviews

The intimate Intrepid experience was the best. Mohammed our tour guide was so personal and helpful. He called us his family. Highly recommend this tour

TourRadar and Intrepid really looked after us from when we first thought of going to Morrocco. The family trip was fabulous for this family of 4...grandparents, dad n grandson. The size of our group, 3 families, 14 people from 7 to 72 was perfect. We had a wonderful guide, Hamid, who made sure our days were balanced so the kids didn't get bored and older people had their cultural fix. Actually, the younger ones got as much out of the informative guides Hamid arranged for us as we did. The home visits were wonderful and we saw a different face of Morrocco with each of the 3 families who opened their homes to us. The village visit made a big impact on those of school age. We felt we were given a guiding hand in the souks and medinas and at no time were we pressured to buy. The tour provided excellent accommodation. The food was wonderful. The country, the people and their culture, surpassed all of our expectations. Hamid and driver, Moussa, are an asset to the trade and Intrepid. They were both patient and very caring. The children loved them. Will be back !!! Freda Backes

From start to finish, I was thrilled and impressed with the Moroccan cycling tour. As a pretty avid cyclist, I was hesitant about booking the trip due to what I considered as low cycling mileage on the itinerary. I decided, however, to go with the trip because for me, it was more about seeing and experiencing Morocco than cycling (which I can do a lot of at home). I'm so glad I did! My particular tour had a main guide, Mohamed, and a guide in training, Rachid. The two alternated lead and rear positions, enabling faster riders to ride ahead of the group at an adequately challenging pace with one and slower paced riders could take their time (and lots of photos) with the other. It was perfect! Plus, with a bit of travel lag and all of the other activities on the itinerary, the amount and length of rides turned out to be just right. I especially appreciated how the guides provided Strava route information for the rides, as well as a daily itinerary summary at the beginning of each day. In the trip itinerary literature, It was recommended to take a sleeping bag for winter season trips. I took one and was extremely that glad I did. All hotels had heat and extra blankets but for me personally, I needed more to be comfortable. I used my sleeping bag plus wore Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer pants and jacket to sleep in. Perfect. For daytime activities, I had a light jacket, a fleece vest, and a down-filled puffy vest which was great for layering. On the bike, I wore arm warmers, a base layer, a jersey, and a wind vest. On a couple of days, I also wore an additional light wind/rain jacket. On the bottom I wore cycling shorts covered by ankle-length cycling leggings. I took fleece-lined leggings as well but those weren't necessary. Short and full finger gloves a must, as well as thicker socks, and a neck/head covering beneath the helmet. Two cycling kits were adequate - there was enough time to wash and air-dry articles of clothing when needed. If in doubt, take more rather than less warm outerwear. With regard to food, there was always more than plenty of it and it was absolutely delicious! Generous amounts of snacks and beverages were also provided during rides. In addition, the guides provided excellent suggestions for reasonably priced places to eat meals that were not included in the trip. I cannot recall one instance during the entire trip in which I desired more or different food options. Overall, I enjoyed every second of the trip. The guides were young, fun, respectful, flexible, fit and well-organized. They went out of their way to get medicine for people who needed it, they arranged for me to get my delayed luggage from the airport two days after my arrival, and they even treated our group to incredible hospitality at their family's home for tea and dessert. Our driver, Mohamed, was also extremely safe at all times and the bike workers worked very efficiently to keep all cyclists on the road with minimal down-time. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! An absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish!

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The Scoop: What to Know About Intrepid Travel

Local experts, a focus on sustainability, and immersive small group experiences help set intrepid travel apart from other tour operators..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Intrepid Travel helps travelers see the world in an immersive and impactful way, with a company mission to create positive change through the joy of travel. A leader in responsible travel for 35 years, Intrepid has been recognized by TourScoop as one of the best group travel operators in the world.

In 2018, it became the world’s largest travel company to achieve B Corp certification, and in 2020 it became the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets  through the Science Based Targets initiative. Its not-for-profit initiative,  The Intrepid Foundation , has raised more than $13 million for some 135 partners that include Greening Australia, World Bicycle Relief, Gorilla Doctors, and Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL: 10 Best Travel Companies for Solo Travel Tours

Intrepid has its own network of destination management companies in 26 countries, providing travelers with local expertise and perspective. Its small group travel tours come in a variety of styles and themes, traveling to more than 100 countries around the globe. Guests experience the well-known highlights, secret spots, and local culture in a responsible and insightful way.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Destinations: More than 1,150 small group tours offered in more than 100 countries on all seven continents
• Tour Size Average: Tours average about 10 people
• Tour Type: Small group guided tours

How to Book with Intrepid Travel

You can book a tour online through  IntrepidTravel.com , by phone at 800-970-7299, or with your preferred local travel agent.

Credibility Check

Intrepid is no stranger to industry awards and recognition, and it’s received some big accolades recently. It was named one of Time’s 100  most influential companies  in 2023 and made Fast Company’s list of the 10  most innovative corporate social responsibility initiatives  that same year. Dr. Susanne Etti, Global Environmental Impact Manager for Intrepid Travel, was also named one of National Geographic’s  Travelers of the Year  for 2024. On  TourRadar , Intrepid Travel has a rating of 4.6/5 based on more than 8,500 reviews.

Tour Destinations

Intrepid tours span the globe, with more than 1,150 small group tour options in more than 100 countries and on all seven continents. Some of its most popular tour destinations include Morocco, Vietnam, Peru, India, Egypt, Cambodia, and Australia.

Intrepid Travel offers four styles of tours for different travel styles and budgets. Its  Basix  trips feature simple accommodations like budget hotels, camping, or homestays and offer lots of free time for independent exploration. Intrepid’s  Original  tours typically feature three-star accommodations, some meals, and included activities, while  Comfort  tours offer a higher level of accommodations and inclusions. The top tour tier,  Premium , includes stays at memorable four-star-level accommodations, exclusive unique experiences, and the company’s most experienced leaders.

Within these four levels, a variety of themed tours are offered. These include  family tours ,  food tours ,  active adventure tours ,  wildlife tours ,  walking and trekking tours , and  cycling tours .

Tour Guides

Intrepid works exclusively with local tour guides. The company believes that the best people to show travelers a destination are people who actually live there. Intrepid Travel’s local leaders know the backroads and hidden gems in a destination and help tourgoers mingle with other locals.

What’s Included with an Intrepid Travel Tour

Intrepid’s tour prices include all accommodations and transport during the trip, group activities, and local tour guides throughout the tour. Other inclusions vary depending on tour type. For example, Premium tours have more activities and excursions included, while Basix trips have more optional activities for an additional cost. Every tour type except for Basix includes at least some meals.

What’s Not Included

• Flights to and from your trip 
• Transfers to and from your trip (for all tour types except Premium)
• Gratuities for local leaders
• Optional activities 

Typical Travelers

Intrepid tours are designed for and attract travelers of all ages and interests. Basix trips tend to attract younger travelers, while Premium tours draw in a more mature clientele. The company also offers a range of family adventures that bring together three to five like-minded families. The minimum age for these trips varies depending on the destination and activity level.

Communication

After you book a tour with Intrepid Travel, you will receive your final documents by email or mail about 30 days before departure; these include the itinerary and an Essential Trip Information package. Intrepid consultants are available by phone, email, or live chat to answer questions, and the company proactively informs travelers of any potential changes related to individual travel plans and bookings.

Intrepid Travel’s Loyalty Program

Anyone who’s traveled with the company becomes part of the  Intrepid Insiders  program. Members receive emails with Insiders-only previews of sales, info about new trips, and partner offers.

Sustainability Efforts

Intrepid has been carbon neutral since 2010, and it carbon offsets all trips. The company continues to look for ways to reduce its carbon emissions, such as by removing short-haul flight legs from some trips. It’s also added  carbon labels  to 500 trips (including more than 100 of its top-selling tours) that detail the emissions generated through the accommodations, transportation, food, activities, staffing, and operations that go into each trip. As a certified B Corp since 2018, Intrepid prides itself on transparency and accountability.

Health and Safety Practices

Intrepid’s Travel Alerts page offers current info on travel alerts and advisories along with entry, health, and visa requirements travelers need to know. The Safe Travels Hub offers even more health and safety info, and Intrepid has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp for the health and hygiene protocols it has adopted.

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Best of Morocco

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• Learn about history and culture from a local tour guide and feel like you've travelled back to the Middle Ages in the labyrinthine medina of bustling Fes.
• Stay in a traditional Amazigh homestay high in the Atlas Mountains and enjoy a homecooked meal of Moroccan favourites, learning about the culture and traditions of an Indigenous population who stand the test of time.
• Trek through the dramatic red dunes of the Sahara Desert on a camel’s back, experiencing an unforgettable sunset – then stay under a blanket of North African stars in a desert camp.
• Kick back in the coastal town of Essaouira and discover the winding laneways at your own pace. Then, meet a local fisherman by the seaside and learn about his life and this traditional practice.
• Explore the old medina of Marrakech with a knowledgeable local guide, discovering the myriad of sights, smells and sounds along zigzagging lanes. Then, discover the colourful chaos of Djemaa el-Fna Square.

What's this trip about?

Travel themes.

• High Adventure
• Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Attractions.

• Ait Benhaddou
• Atlas Mountains
• Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

• Rabat - Leader-led orientation walk
• Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
• Fes - Medina walking tour
• Fes - Medersa El Attarine
• Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes - Tannery visit
• Midelt - walking tour Berrem village
• Midelt - Local family visit with tea & pastry
• Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
• El Khorbat – Oasis Museum
• El Khorbat – Kasbah village visit
• Sahara - Sunrise
• Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
• Atlas Mountains - Half-day hike
• Atlas Mountains – Local lunch with mountain view
• Essaouira - Guided walking tour
• Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
• Marrakech - Medina walking tour
• Marrakech - Tasting Trail

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

One of the worst tours i've ever been on..

One of the worst tours I've ever been on. My guide Mustapha was not detail oriented and he kept making errors. I've been on Intrepid tours where the group size was a...

The trip met my expectations, I thought

The trip met my expectations, I thought the route was well thought out, and I liked the guide. I would have liked to eaten in a larger variety of restaurants, only ...

Samir, the tour leader was amazing always

Samir, the tour leader was amazing always going out of his way to make sure everyone was happy, everyone knew exactly what was on the agenda for the day and helping ...

Excellent trip. Amazing scenery and look into

Excellent trip. Amazing scenery and look into the culture. The tour leader was e...

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We joined the intrepid “real italy food….

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....

Audrey Tavares

Central Asia Explorer

This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...

Do not book a tour with Intrepid

Do not book a tour with Intrepid. Their “policy” on deposits is unreasonable, inflexible and downright thieving. I booked a tour in India with them over seven month...

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Tour operator, intrepid travel, the intrepid travel experience.

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

•   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
•   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
•   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
•   Local transport - get close and personal
•   Local accommodation - experience real living
•   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

• Integrity – Doing the right thing
• Responsible – Think global, act local
• Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
• Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
• Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
• Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

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Finish point

• Moroccan House Hotel Marrakech
• 3 Rue Loubnane
• Phone: +212 524420305

Alternate Finish point

• For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
• 09 Jun 2024 (XMSC240609), 03 Jul 2024 (XMSC240703), 07 Jul 2024 (XMSC240707), 11 Jul 2024 (XMSC240711), 14 Jul 2024 (XMSC240714), 07 Aug 2024 (XMSC240807), 20 Nov 2024 (XMSC241120), 27 Nov 2024 (XMSC241127), 02 Dec 2024 (XMSC241202), 11 Dec 2024 (XMSC241211), 25 Dec 2024 (XMSC241225), 28 Dec 2024 (XMSC241228), 30 Dec 2024 (XMSC241230)
• Hotel Le Caspien
• 12 Rue Loubnane
• Phone: +212 524422282

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Borneo over Bali? Here are 5 'destination dupes' for travelers who want unique getaways without the crowds

• Matt Berna of Intrepid Travel said young travelers seek immersive, unique experiences.
• Some are skipping popular tourist spots in favor of so-called "destination dupes."
• Book a vacation in Seoul instead of Tokyo, for example. 

Millennial and Gen Z travelers are over tourist traps.

Intrepid Travel's President of the Americas, Matt Berna, told Business Insider that his company has seen a shift away from popular destinations among tourists between 18- and 35- years old. Intrepid Travel is a small group travel company.

According to Berna, young travelers aren't bogged down by FOMO — or the "fear of missing out" — that influenced older generations. Instead, they want to set the tone.

"They want to be a trendsetter, going to the next cool place," he said.

That's why more young folks are booking so-called " destination dupes ," alternative vacation spots that are more affordable and less crowded than the well-known locations.

Intrepid Travel compiled a list of destination dupes travelers should consider this year.

Visit Corsica instead of Positano.

According to Intrepid Travel, the Mediterranean island of Corsica is a good alternative to Positano, a cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

"Unlike the bustling and tourist-heavy atmosphere of Positano, Corsica offers a more tranquil and peaceful environment, allowing travelers to unwind and immerse themselves in the island's serene and calming ambiance," the company said.

In Corsica, "travelers can enjoy a more authentic, tranquil, and immersive experience, exploring the island's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse activities without the overwhelming crowds typically found in more popular tourist destinations," the company added.

Visit Seoul instead of Tokyo.

Japan's tourism industry is booming , with a record-breaking 3.1 million visitors this March.

Seoul is a great destination for travelers who want to avoid overcrowded attractions but still explore an Asian megacity like Tokyo.

"Seoul provides an authentic and immersive cultural experience, allowing travelers to explore traditional Korean customs, arts, and lifestyles in a dynamic and modern urban setting," Intrepid Travel said. "This experience provides a deeper understanding of South Korea's rich cultural heritage, which may be less accessible in the more globally popular tourist spots."

Visit Panama instead of Barcelona.

Intrepid Travel told BI that travelers should consider adding Panama to their bucket list instead of Barcelona.

"Panama's diverse natural landscapes, including lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, and pristine beaches, provide a captivating backdrop for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers," the company says.

The adventure travel company added that Panama has a "vibrant cultural scene, influenced by its indigenous heritage, Afro-Caribbean roots, and Spanish culture." It offers a "dynamic and diverse experience for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in local traditions, folklore, and contemporary arts, providing an authentic and enriching journey that differs from the more European-centric cultural landscape of Barcelona."

Travel from Kefalonia to Corfu rather than Split to Dubrovnik.

People with their hearts set on traversing Croatia's coastline might also like island-hopping across the Ionian Sea near Greece.

"Sail through some of the most beautiful Greek islands in the Ionian Sea," Intrepid Travel said. "Travelers can journey to secluded coastlines, private islands, verdant rolling hills and orchards, historic Venetian architecture, warm and inviting tavernas and some of the world's most transparent azure waters."

The company added: "With its unspoiled landscapes and pristine beaches, Kefalonia to Corfu offers a serene haven for travelers seeking a tranquil escape, unlike the more crowded destinations."

Tour Borneo over Bali.

Bali is a popular tourist destination in Indonesia , but Intrepid Travel said travelers can find similar vibes on the island of Borneo.

"While Bali is undoubtedly a stunning destination with its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage, Borneo offers an entirely different experience that is unmatched in its own right," Intrepid Travel said.

The company said that Borneo has a "rich cultural tapestry" with influences from indigenous communities that have preserved their culture "for generations."

"Travelers can immerse themselves in the authentic lifestyles of the local communities, partake in traditional ceremonies, and gain valuable insights into the unique customs and beliefs that define Borneo's cultural heritage," Intrepid Travel said. "By choosing Borneo over Bali, travelers can embark on a journey that transcends mere sightseeing and offers a profound appreciation of the natural wonders and cultural richness that define this remarkable destination."

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Initiative to advance literacy learning in Morocco launched

[Rabat, Morocco, 29 April 2024] UNESCO, the Moroccan government, and Huawei just launched a new initiative in Morocco to boost the digital skills of 10,000 literacy teachers by 2025. Although digital skills are a key to literacy teaching in the twenty-first century, many literacy educators have limited ability to use technology for impact in their teaching. This is what the new initiative aims to address.

The new program, launched on 23 April 2024, combines the efforts of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, and the Moroccan National Agency for the Fight against Illiteracy (ANLCA), with support from Huawei.

The announcement of the program's launch in Rabat, Morocco

"Literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning and a driver for sustainable and participatory development. In light of the digital transformation, it is essential that literacy instruction leverages the full potential of technology. We are proud to support the Kingdom of Morocco as a member of the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy in improving the digital skills of 10,000 literacy teachers by 2025," said Isabell Kempf, Director of UIL, during the launch.

Wasting no time, the launch event was immediately followed by a four-day workshop where literacy experts and educators joined representatives of academia and civil society to adapt existing training modules to the Moroccan context. As part of a process that is still underway, participants developed general guidelines for contextualizing the training modules in addition to translating the lessons into Arabic and devising an action plan for promoting the new curriculum. The modules will be integrated into a literacy training course that will be available through the Institute for Training in Literacy Professions (IFMA), a hybrid teaching and training portal developed by ANLCA.

"By strengthening the digital skills of literacy trainers, we contribute to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable community development. We are committed to working together to ensure that every individual, regardless of their context, has access to quality education that meets the challenges of the current digital era," stated Eric Falt, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb.

By training literacy teachers to use technology effectively and integrating ICT-facilitated learning into its national education programmes, Morocco is enhancing the quality of education in the country in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4.

"ANLCA, aware that the digitalization of literacy programs and training offers new opportunities for learning and for the socio-professional inclusion of individuals, has since 2017 promoted distance learning, for example by developing mobile applications based on existing literacy programs and by establishing the Institute for Training in Literacy Professions. Morocco's participation in this GEC–GAL initiative will reinforce these efforts and will accelerate production of a set of generic digital skills training modules for literacy trainers in synergy with the Moroccan context and IFMA standards," noted ANCLA Director Mr. Abdelouadoud Kharbouch.

This project is part of an initiative to improve the digital competencies of literacy educators worldwide, which was developed by GAL in partnership with the multisectoral Global Education Coalition (GEC).

Huawei has long been committed to promoting digital literacy worldwide. One example is Seeds for the Future , a flagship training program that has benefitted 2.8 million people since its launch.

"We designed Huawei's Seeds for the Future programme to be open and inclusive, and we would love to see the same spirit in the Literacy Educator Training programme led and promoted by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, which wisely uses the digital technologies to amplify education resources," explained Vicky Zhang, Vice President of Corporate Communications of Huawei.

Since its launch in 2016, the Global Alliance for Literacy within the Framework of Lifelong Learning has driven international discourse and guided the agenda for literacy provision globally for those who need it most. The alliance is made up of 30 countries and 16 associate members committed to promoting youth and adult literacy. It serves as a platform for its members to collectively discuss progress and challenges, exchange knowledge and share best practice. To date, the digital skills training for literacy educators initiative has been implemented in Bangladesh, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt and Nigeria .

Report Finds that Huawei DigiTruck Training Helps Boost Income, Employment and Entrepreneurship

The Awarding Ceremony of the 8th Huawei ICT Competition Europe was held in Istanbul

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Soccer jersey dispute between Algeria and Morocco clubs over Western Sahara goes to sports court

FILE - A player of RS Berkane, wearing a team jersey showing a red map with the green star of Morocco on the disputed Western Sahara territory, walks on the pitch during the CAF Super Cup 2022 soccer match, in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. A soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey will go to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)

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GENEVA (AP) — A soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey will go to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The court said Thursday the two sides “are currently exchanging written submissions” and set no timetable for appointing a panel of judges and setting a date for a hearing.

The Algerian soccer federation and the USM Alger club from Algiers are challenging a decision by the Confederation of African Football to let Moroccan club RS Berkane wear a team jersey that includes disputed territory on a map of Morocco.

The dispute already affected the teams’ semifinal of the CAF Confederation Cup, in which USM Alger is the defending champion. Neither semifinal game scheduled on April 21 and 28 was played and both were awarded by CAF as 3-0 wins to Berkane.

Berkane is scheduled to play the two-leg final on May 12 and 19 — against Zamalek of Egypt — and the court did not indicate Thursday if the Algerian appeal will be judged before those games.

Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1975. The United Nations brokered a cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria, that held until four years ago.

Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.

The laws of soccer state that “equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.”

Berkane arrived for the April 21 game in Algiers and had its team uniforms seized at the airport by Algerian authorities.

CAF refused an Algerian request to prohibit the shirts and, after Berkane refused to wear replacement shirts provided by USM Alger, the game did not go ahead. CAF ruled the Algerian club was in breach of competition rules and Berkane was awarded a 3-0 win by default.

An urgent appeal by the Algerians to suspend CAF’s ruling on the shirt was denied last week by the sports court in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On April 28, USM Alger went to Berkane’s stadium for the second leg but refused to play if the hosts wore the jerseys with the map. CAF awarded a second default win to Berkane.

The full appeal in the case has now been brought against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation and Berkane. One of the African soccer body’s most influential officials, FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, is president of the Moroccan federation and a former president of the Berkane club.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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The Match Factory Boards Serial Cannes Winner Oliver Laxe’s Next, Starring Sergi López (EXCLUSIVE)

By John Hopewell

John Hopewell

Chief International Correspondent

• Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Heuston Star in ‘Dangerous Animals’ for ‘Devil’s Candy’s’ Sean Byrne and Mister Smith (EXCLUSIVE) 15 hours ago
• The Match Factory Boards Serial Cannes Winner Oliver Laxe’s Next, Starring Sergi López (EXCLUSIVE) 20 hours ago
• Martin Freeman-Starring ‘The Responder’ Teases ‘Richer and Deeper’ Season 2, Debuts First-Look Photos: ‘This Is Not Just a Police Drama’ (EXCLUSIVE) 1 week ago

The Match Factory is set to handle international sales on a new film by “Fire Will Come” director Oliver Laxe , headlined by Sergi López, star of Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Having begun production, shooting in Spain and then Morocco, the untitled Oliver Laxe project is a Movistar Plus+ original film produced with Pedro and Agustín Almodovar’s El Deseo, Laxe’s Galicia-based label Filmes da Ermida, Oriol Maymó’s Uri Films in Barcelona, and Paris’s 4 A 4 Productions.   

Popular on Variety

“Driven by fate, they decide to follow a group of ravers in search of one last party to be held in the desert, in the hope that Marina will be there,” the brief synopsis runs.

“Life will challenge the characters. It will put them to the test in a radical and stark way, forcing them to ask themselves the important questions, to look inside, to search for the meaning of life,” Laxe said in a written statement. 

“Sometimes, when human beings are pushed to the limit, confronted with extreme challenges, their transcendental deep inner beauty can emerge,” he added to   Variety .

The son is played by young Bruno Núñez, outstanding in early episodes of “La Mesías.” As in other Laxe movies, most roles will be taken by non-professional actors. 

With López, “together they will be the vehicle to show the convulsions that affect the world of our time, a time that is asking us all to look inside ourselves,” the filmmaker declared.

Production Details

The film is being shot in Super 16, said Laxe, first in Spain, filming at locations in Aragon’s Teruel and Zaragoza, before moving to Morocco. 

Maymó is also serving as head of production. Director (“Dead Slow Ahead”) and cinematographer Mauro Herce, a Goya Award winner for his lensing of “Fire Will Come,” repeats with Laxe as DP; Laia Ateca (“Perfect Life”) is the film’s art director; Nadia Acimi (‘Fire Will Come,” “Mimosas”) heads up costume design; musician David Kangding Ray is thecomposer of the soundtrack.

Laxe’s new title conflates three film financing models: Regional co-production in Spain; international co-production; and streamer investment. 

The film is backed by Galicia’s Agadic and Catalonia’s ICEC, Spain’s ICAA and France’s CNC, among public sector film agencies as well as the E.U.’s Creative Europe Media Program and Council of Europe’s Eurimages fund, noted producer Xavi Font, at Filmes da Ermida. It has also accessed a Moroccan shoot incentive. 

IP rights are split between Movistar Plus+ and the film’s independent producers. 

Backed by the marketing muscle of Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay-TV/SVOD operator owned by telco giant Telefónica, Laxe’s latest will be released by independent distributor BTeam Pictures, which handled “20 Species of Bees”and Lullaby, Laxe’s new feature will be given a determined release in Spanish theaters before being made available in exclusivity on Movistar Plus+. 

“Movistar Plus+ is moving into film production but also with a large respect for traditional players, both independent production and distribution,” Font said.

Movistar Plus+: A Big New Kid on Spain’s Cinema Block 

Laxe’s new film is one of the earliest titles to go into production of five features on Movistar Plus+’s first movie slate, unveiled in January.

“The Beasts’” Rodrigo Sorogoyen, “Marshland’s” Alberto Rodríguez, “Maixabel’s” Iciar Bollaín and “Cardo” co-creator and star Ana Rujas direct the slate’s other titles.

Movistar Plus+ is aiming to create event films. Its revolution, Font noted, is that it hopes to do so with some of Spain’s biggest auteurs.

“The features bet on fiction with a unique auteurist vision but also have the ambition to reach a broad audience. That formula’s worked very well on the original series we’ve released over the last seven years,” Guillermo Farré, Movistar Plus+ head of original films & Spanish cinema, told  Variety .    

“Fire Will Come” confirms all the poised formal promise of ‘You Are All Captains’ and ‘Mimosas,’ while bringing greater depth and generosity of human observation to his rich, abundant mood-harvesting,” read  Variety’s  review . It “represents another step toward major auteur status for its unobtrusively gifted helmer.” 

Eight clues to Oliver Laxe’s New Production:

You say, Agustín, that Oliver is different? Could you give an example?

Almodóvar:  He’s a director with a sense of adventure, where a film’s very shoot forms part of its inspiration, and search. His shoots aren’t locked, everything anticipated. He shoots things generated by the interaction of the crew when it films. Oliver Laxe has a large and original talent, and that attracts us. 

Is the film told from the point of view of the son? 

Laxe : No, the point of view is that of the father. It’s really important to build a strong relation between the dad and son. They are a team and have a mission. I’d really like to express tenderness between them, how they treat each other. We will see the same tenderness in the group of drivers and between the ravers and civil population. They’re just good people who want to have a simple life.

Agustín, did Oliver come to you or you go to him? 

Almodóvar:  We’re always pretty pro-active. We went to him. We coincided at a prize gala. We told him we’d always liked a lot what we’d seen of his work, and he could count on us as co-producers if he needed us. That’s just what’s happened.  

What’s been the impact of Movistar Plus+ backing on the film?

Font:  Without Movistar Plus+’s economic backing, we couldn’t be making the film as it is written. That’s hugely important.  Could this film be the most open of Oliver Laxe’s to date?

Farré : It’s a very personal film but has certain elements which could make it more open that the first three features. It’s the search for a missing person. There’s an adventure edge. It’s a road movie about people who end up in the same place who otherwise wouldn’t have met one another. It’s a fantastic journey.   

And could it be seen as a step-up in scale?

Farré : There are few visions that are so unique and different as Oliver’s and he always has the ambition, without damaging what he wants to tell, to achieve more. This is a very ambitious film in its themes and production levels. 

Oliver, you called “Fire Will Come” a “dry melodrama.” Turning on bedrock questions of identity and family bonds, will your next film be somewhat “wetter”?

Laxe:  Not really. I’ll use the same language. In a way, we trust in a cinema that hides. We don’t want to say, we want to evoke.

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