Your passport to adventure
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
Morocco is right on the doorstep of Europe. In fact, it’s so close that you could hop on an hour-long ferry ride from Spain and you’ll reach the Moroccan shoreline.
Blessed with four different mountain ranges, bustling cities, sprawling deserts, long sun-kissed beaches which border both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is a magical country that leaves travelers wanting more.
If you’re planning or going on a Morocco tour or holiday – don’t waste your hard earned cash by going at the wrong time. Below, we’ll tell you:
Short answer: The Spring months of March to May and the Autumn months of September to October are the best times to visit Morocco.
The best time to visit Morocco is during Spring and Autumn. During the Spring months, which are generally from March to May, Morocco’s landscape is generally green and lush, and hiking through its mountain ranges are a popular activity.
During the Autumn months of September to October, temperatures are much more favourable for exploring Morocco’s wealth of tourist attractions such as the towering Atlas Mountains and Marrakech.
Average temperature in °Centigrade
Average temperature in °Fahrenheit
Located in Marrakech’s main square – Djemma el Fna is a hub of activity. As the sun sets, the action here intensifies, with hosts of entertains showing off their skills such as music, snake charming, juggling, acrobats and even comedians.
During the day there are often snack stalls, but at night, they are replaced with a more substantial fare, which includes grilled meat and tajines, couscous and pastilla, merguez sausages, fried fish and for the more adventurous, stewed snails.
If you’re going on a Moroccan tour, make sure a visit to the High Atlas Mountains is on your travel itinerary.
It’s North Africa’s highest mountain range, with the highest mountain – Toubkal – towering at 4167 metres high. There’s a route for everyone here, no matter if you’re a casual day hiker or a serious mountaineer.
Be mesmerised by the spectacular rocky gorges at Todra and the Dades Canyon and come and explore the mud-thatched Berber villages that dot the High Atlas valleys. The Berber have resided in the Atlas Mountain range for thousands of years. In fact, they have been traced back to at least 3000 B.C.
The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest desert. It runs through 10 countries – Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Libya, Niger, Tunisia, Chad, Egypt and Sudan.
There are sections of the Sahara Desert that cannot be accessed by travellers, however, it can be visited in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
In Morocco, it’s all about camel rides and 4×4 adventures over the orange sands of the Sahara. In fact, you can even spend a night camping here, underneath the starry North African skies. Camping in Morocco is a once in a lifetime experience.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is situated at the base of the High Atlas Mountains.
It is believed that the town of Ait-Ben-Haddou was established in 757 and its founder, Ben-Haddou, still lies buried in his tomb behind this spectacular city.
The word ‘Ksar’ refers to a large group of kasbas (homes) that are built close together and which are located behind the fortified walls of a city.
The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou has a very strong bond with Hollywood, it has appeared in more than 10 movies, mostly as a replacement for Jerusalem including, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), and Prince of Persia (2010).
Small Group Tour
9 Days
This tour gives a great insight into the incredible history and culture of Morocco as well as its beautiful scenery, taking in the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and Atlantic Coast.
Shoestring tour
8 Days
This affordable budget tour provides a fantastic introduction to Morocco’s imperial cities, with busy medinas and amazing historic sites to explore and great opportunities to try local Moroccan cuisine. Starting and finishing in Casablanca, the tour includes the popular city of Marrakech, the old town of Rabat, amazing ruins at Volubilis, and of course time to explore the bustling medina at Fez.
Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year
Held in the second week of January, Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, kicks off the start of the crop year. Various events are hosted in towns such as Agadir and Tiznit to highlight this special period – the most significant being the traditional celebrations hosted by the Berber tribes in the middle Atlas, where they sing, dance and prepare couscous in the hope of having a healthy agricultural year.
Tafraoute’s Almond Blossom Festival
Usually held in the second week of February, Tafraoute’s Almond Blossom Festival celebrates the year’s harvest of almonds.
As Morocco’s almond-producing capital, a gathering is held to sell almond products and there are lots of local celebrations thrown into the mix as well. Expect to see and hear traditional Berber music, dance and theater.
International Nomads Festival
This is a free to see open air event which showcases nomadic culture by inviting local, national and international artists to showcase their poetry, music, dance, storytelling and so much more.
The main part of the event takes place at a Nomadic Camp set up around 20 kilometres from M’Hamid. If you do decide to go to the event, pay careful attention to your transport needs as the roads are not in good condition.
Merzouga World Music Festival
The Merzouga World Music Festival is usually held around mid-April, amongst the towering Erg Chebbi sand dunes. The festival is a place of cultural exchange, with artists and performers from all over the globe ready to show off their skills.
Festival of Roses
One of Morocco’s most eye-catching events, the Festival of Roses, held in the town of Ouarzazate (or the Valley of Roses as it’s known) celebrates the season’s rose harvest.
Ouarzazate produces the bulk of Morocco’s Rose Water, which is a common ingredient in many Middle Eastern Dishes. Expect to see lots of food stalls, Berber dancers and musicians.
Gnaoua World Music Festival
If you’d like to get familiar with Morocco’s diverse cultural history, then a visit to the Gnaoua World Music Festival is a must. Held annually in the seaside town of Essaouira, it celebrates the Gnaoua people and their ancestral contribution to the world. It’s estimated that over 500,000 people attend the event each year.
Timitar Music Festival
Known as one of Africa’s top music festivals, the Timitar Music Festival features over 40 artists from all over the globe to promote the Amazigh culture. Usually held in the coastal towns of Morocco, be sure to stay hydrated as it’s held in Morocco’s sweltering summer.
Tafraoute Summer Music Festival
Held in the almond capital of Trafraoute, this free three-day event features local bands, musicians and artists from all corners of Morocco. It aims to show case the best of Moroccan culture.
Tanjazz Festival
Morrocan’s sure love their music festivals and the Tanjazz Festival held in early September gives a stage to amateur musicians and household names in Tangier.
Dates Festival
Held in Erfoud, the Dates Festival celebrates the season’s date harvest by hosting religious ceremonies, traditional processions, camel racing and you guessed it, music and dance.
Independence Day
On 18 November 1944, Morocco’s King announced its independence from French and Spanish colonial powers. The day is celebrated countrywide with spectacular parades and street vendors selling traditional foods.
Tan Tan Moussem
To get one more view into Morocco’s rich cultural history, the Tan Tan Moussem brings together over 30 tribes from southwestern Morocco and north-west Africa to share stories, dance and challenge each other in camel races.
This 8-day small-group tour of the Maldives explores several of the most interesting of the many inhabited local islands within reach of Male to discover the unique culture, beautiful scenery & friendly local people of this tropical paradise.
Type
Days
Price
Small Group
8
From
$1215
$1280
CAMPING OR ACCOMMODATED. This comprehensive 20-day tour covers the well worn route from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, crossing South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, and ending in Zimbabwe. It's a truly grand African safari.
Type
Days
Price
Overland
20
From
$2895
$3330
CAMPING OR ACCOMMODATED. This 3-week East African wildlife odyssey takes you from Livingstone to Nairobi taking n all the major sites en route, including South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar and the Serengeti
Type
Days
Price
Overland
22
From
$3430
$4030
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
Consider yourself a boffin on all things Egyptian? Put your knowledge to the test in this quick quiz!
The buzzing metropolis of Bangkok has been the capital city of Thailand since it was moved from Ayutthaya after the Burmese invasion in 1768.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza is the oldest structure in existence and is so advanced, even using modern technology, it can't be duplicated today.
This monumental temple complex was built by King Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.E.) in what was once known as ancient Nubia, as a demonstration of both his worldly and divine power.
Discover the best times to visit Botswana for an unforgettable safari adventure—a detailed month-by-month guide for the ultimate experience.
Test your knowledge of Morocco with this challenging quiz.
We are proud to announce that all of our Egypt tours are now fully equipped with WiFi during all sightseeing activities.
Sheri Bolton recently went on a 10-day Egypt tour with Encounters Travel from 24 March - 3 April 2017. Here are some of her best snaps.