Best Tours to Morocco with Sarah Tours

In-depth cultural and active tours to Morocco often cover a wide range of experiences. Our cultural, adventure, and spiritual tours to Morocco include:

• Exploring historic cities like Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat, where travelers can discover UNESCO-listed medinas, kasbahs, and mosques, among many other landmarks.

• Visiting the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the holy town of Moulay Idriss near Meknes, well-preserved sites that showcase Morocco’s deep-rooted history and culture.

• Engaging with Berber culture in the Atlas Mountains, where travelers can learn about traditional crafts, architecture, and local life in remote Berber villages and rural markets.

• Experiencing the Sahara Desert Mystery, with camel treks, nomadic life, and a night in traditional Berber tents under the African skies.

• Moroccan cuisine is known worldwide as one of the best gastronomies. Sarah Tours itineraries focus diligently on Moroccan gastronomy, savoring Moroccan cuisine through cooking classes, food markets, and meals in local homes.

• Attend local festivals or cultural events like the World Sacred Music Festival in Fes, sharing the deepest authentic spiritual encounters

Taking a tour to Morocco with us is to guarantee a rewarding experience. Authenticity is key in cultural tours, and many of our tours offer the chance to:

• Stay in traditional riads (guesthouses) or boutique hotels for a more genuine experience than large hotels. Knowing how to choose the best accommodations to embellish your Morocco discovery is an advantage Sarah Tours has over other tour operators.

• Interact with local artisans, musicians, and storytellers, allowing travelers to learn firsthand about Moroccan traditions. Music Tours to Morocco are our specialty.

• Participate in daily activities, such as visiting a family home for a meal in one of our historic cities, such as Fez or Marrakech, exploring local markets (souks), or spending time with Berber families in the mountains.

Morocco is a hospitable destination, a predominantly Muslim country, so understanding local customs is very rewarding:

• Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Dress decently, men and women. Women should cover their shoulders with dresses or pants to show respect and not disturb the spiritual environment and rituals of worshipers.

• Always ask permission before taking photos, especially of people in rural areas, as they tend to be more conservative, traditional, and superstitious, or in markets where people are busy with their livelihood.

• Haggling is common in markets, but always be polite and friendly. It is mainly about interacting with locals, especially artisans. They admire appreciation for their products. • Avoid public displays of affection, as these can be frowned upon in conservative areas. Moroccans have great respect for shared space and time for everything.

• When meeting locals, greet them with a handshake or say "Salam Alaikum" (peace be upon you). Moroccans compete for who is going to be more polite in greetings. Our guides are excellent at sharing this info with you. Not just recite texts from historical sites.

Cultural tours to Morocco with us often feature a variety of accommodations to give travelers an authentic Moroccan experience:

• Riads or Dar: Riads are traditional Moroccan dwellings with interior gardens in their patios. A Dar with a roof garden but a tiled or marbled patio. They are located in medinas (old cities) and offer intimate, cultural stays with Moroccan décor and architecture.

• Kasbahs or Guesthouses: In rural areas, you may stay in beautifully restored granaries, fortresses, or traditional homes with family-run hospitality. They are mainly in southern Morocco oases and valleys.

• Desert Camps: If you visit the Sahara Desert, you may spend a night in a Berber camp, typically in traditional Berber tents or luxury conditioned tents with modern amenities but an authentic desert feel in the midst of the dunes.

Food is a vital part of Moroccan culture, and cultural tours often include. Sarah Tours is a champion in this department, providing the best culinary experience in all of its tours:

• Guided food tours of local markets to try authentic eateries or street food like M’semmen (flatbread), Harira (thick fermented soup), and briouat (triangular philodow pastries).

• Cooking classes where travelers can learn how to prepare staples like tagine (a slow-cooked stew) or couscous under the guidance of local chefs. This could be done in most of the riads you will be lodged in as they are mainly family-owned accommodations.

• Home-cooked meals with Moroccan families, providing insight into traditional eating customs. This is a step deeper as it is spontaneous and most authentic. You can ask for this experience while traveling with Sarah Tours.

• Visits to spice markets and tea ceremonies, where mint tea is a cultural staple. This is an experience not only for buying spices but also for being educated by experts about the benefits of herbs and spices.

While Morocco’s official languages are Arabic and Berber (Amazigh), French is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.

• English is commonly understood in most tourist regions, but learning a few Arabic or Berber phrases can enhance the cultural experience. Simple words like “Shukran” (thank you) or “Salam” (hello) are appreciated.

• Tour guides usually speak multiple languages so that communication won’t be a barrier, but practicing a few phrases is encouraged. Please ask them at least how to learn greetings in Moroccan dialect or Arabic.

Morocco is known for its vibrant festivals, which vary by season and ethenicity:

• Fes Festival of World Sacred Music: This major cultural event in June attracts international performers of sacred music from all denominations in a stunning spiritual setting.

• Marrakech Popular Arts Festival: Held in July, this festival showcases Morocco’s folklore through music, theater, and dance. Folk music and dance are the core of every culture's artistic, spiritual, and ritualistic expression. The Folk Festival of Marrakech is a pallet of Morocco's social and anthropological aspects of life among Berbers and Arabs in Morocco.

• Timitar Festival in Agadir: In July, this festival celebrates Berber culture and music. It is open to world fusions as it is the heart of old ritualistic tunes deeply rooted in Africa.

• Moussem of Tan-Tan: A UNESCO-recognized cultural event where thousands of nomads gather for a traditional camel festival, embracing innovation while maintaining traditional ways. Sarah Tours is a scholarly tour operator.

• Rural day markets (souks): Daily village or Berber nomadic souks are a festival in themselves. You are welcome to visit them on your road trip.

• Sarah Tours is always searching for spontaneity, so wherever a cultural ceremony is happening, you will be first invited to it.

Sarah Tours In-depth cultural tours prioritize meaningful engagement with local communities, often including:

• Homestays with Berber families in cities, the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert.

• Workshops with artisans in medinas, where travelers can learn traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and leatherwork directly at artisan's workshops.

• Visits to rural villages, offering you to see the lifestyle of local farmers, herders, and craftspeople on your trip with Sarah Tours.

• Our Morocco tours often provide opportunities for community-driven tourism projects, where fees support local initiatives and conservation efforts. We also specialize in agriculture tours, visiting farms, and sustainable projects.

Cultural or adventure tours typically include Morocco's most significant historical, natural, and religious landmarks with immersive activities: • Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech is one of the largest mosques in North Africa and has marvelous architecture.

• Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco's largest mosque, has stunning ocean views, unsurpassed Moorish architecture, and Islamic Caligraphy on marble, plaster, tiles, and cedar wood. All purely Moroccan arts are created by master local artisans and architects of the Kingdom of Morocco.

• Fes el-Bali (Old Fes): The most significant and oldest medina in Morocco, it is full of mosques, madrasas (Islamic schools), craftsmen's guilds, and souks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage city that has maintained its vibrant life for over 12 centuries.

• Moulay Idriss Zerhoune: a holy town and the birthplace of Islam in Morocco from the 8th century AD. A sufi sanctuary for Muslims from around the globe.

• Chefchaouen: The most authentic blue city and perhaps the most atmospheric in the Mediterranean basin.

• Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an example of traditional Moroccan earthen clay architecture. It is called the Tobe style, and it is made of sun-baked bricks unique to Morocco's southern desert and valleys. In Spanish, it is Adobe derived from the a tobe in Arabic, literally earthen.

• The Sahara experience: At least one tented night over the dunes of Erg Chebbi under the African skies. This could be the highlight of any overland trip in Morocco.

Packing depends on the season and region, but for an in-depth cultural experience:

• Modest clothing: Light, breathable fabrics covering shoulders and knees, particularly for spiritual visits.

• Comfortable walking shoes for exploring medinas, souks, and rural areas.

• Layers: The weather can vary, especially between coastal, mountainous, and desert regions. Bring warm clothes if visiting the mountains or desert at night.

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat: Morocco’s sun can be intense, particularly in desert areas.

• Re-usable water bottle: Staying hydrated is key, especially during walking tours. Most importantly bring yourself, and get your camera rolling. Morocco is a very photogenic destination.

Depending on the itinerary, our tours use a variety of transportation options, including private vehicles, 4x4s for desert excursions, camels in the desert and oases, and mules in the Atlas Mountains for trekking experiences. We may also use domestic flights or comfortable vans since we cater to small groups for longer distances to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Indeed, Sarah Discoveries most tours to Morocco include breakfast and dinner, especially those that showcase local cuisine. You’ll enjoy a mix of traditional dishes like couscous, tagines, and fresh seafood. We also cater to dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options, with advance notice.

It all depends on where you come from. Citizens from Great Britain, the European Union Nations, North America, the USA, Canada, and others can visit Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa. We advise you to check with your local Moroccan Embassy or consulates for the most up-to-date information. You are always welcome to Morocco.

Morocco is the most stable and safe to visitors in the whole African continent. Safer than Spain and France in Europe. Morocco is generally safe for tourists, especially in major tourist areas like Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, and the Sahara Desert. However, staying informed about local conditions and following travel advisories is essential to visit any destination on earth.