Deserts & rivers
"Morocco Deserts and Rivers was lots of fun and staff was able to help us with additional activities . Great memories ."Mark Wilkes
Morocco is a land of striking contrasts, vibrant culture, and landscapes that awaken every sense. Our Deserts and Rivers adventure showcases the very best of this extraordinary country. From the rugged beauty of the Atlas Mountains to the timeless stillness of the Sahara Desert. Begin your journey on the river, travelling through remote gorges and scenery few travellers ever get to witness, while enjoying gourmet meals in unforgettable surroundings. After returning to Marrakech, with its colours, markets and energy, we continue across Ait Benhaddou, a filming location for countless iconic movies and into the Sahara. Here you’ll ride camels, sleep under a canopy of stars, and experience the peace and vastness of desert life. This adventure highlights Morocco’s remarkable diversity and is the perfect blend of culture, comfort, and exploration.
For travellers drawn to similar experiences, you may also enjoy our Hidden Morocco rafting trip.
Itinerary & Map
Arrive in Marrakech and be met by your Trip Leader. You’ll spend the night in a beautiful hotel just outside the old town walls. We’ll explore the vibrant Djeema El Fna after dark to see how it comes alive.
No meals included.
A gorgeous drive through the heart of the Atlas Mountains to the river. On a clear day, you’ll get spectacular views of Mt Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. We camp on the bank of the river beside the spectacular La Cathedrale.
Included: All meals
After a thorough safety talk and paddle instructions, you’ll paddle off down the best river in Morocco. As well as all the fun rapids, you may well see monkeys or turtles from the raft. We stop in a superb lunch spot for a feast of gourmet sandwiches. This afternoon sees more fun rapids including the highlight, “Wee Stinky”
Included: All Meals
As the sun creeps over the hillside, you’ll wake up to hot drinks and a yummy breakfast. We put on the water for some fun filled rapids in the morning before pausing and taking a walk up to a Kasbah, giving us a great outlook over the area. After a lunch of fresh salads, we float down another series of fun rapids camping at “Cheeky Monkey” Rapid in the heart of a spectacular gorge.
Included: All meals
Considering we are in the heart of the Atlas Mountains, each corner brings a new rapid or amazing sight such as one of the many Kasbahs we see today. After lunch we walk up to one of the most spectacular in the area. The afternoon sees us with more rapids and the chance to swim in the lovely clear water before we reach camp in the heart of the stunning gorge.
Included: All meals
After breakfast you’ll drift through two spectacular gorges 400 metres high. As we emerge onto the lake, we get a tow across by power boat and then we get to relax at our stunning lakeside hotel. Relax and take in the scenery, or soak in the hot tub. We enjoy our evening meal tonight together with stunning views.
Included: All meals
Today sees an amazingly scenic drive up to and through the heart of the majestic Atlas mountains. We board our 4 wheel drive vehicles (or minibus) early at the lake, stopping en route to enjoy a great lunch alongside the River Dades. We arrive mid afternoon at the Xaluca Dades and enjoy local food, music and entertainment.
Included: All meals
We depart to Erfoud today and then towards the Rissani Kasbah and other surrounding areas of interest for the afternoon. We’ll treat you to an amazing Berber Pizza today. Overnight Xaluca Erfoud.
Included: All meals
Let’s try another type of transport today! Camels! After breakfast we board our new best friends, we take us to the Sahara Desert Great Dunes. We have some amazing photo opportunities here. We take a chance to enjoy lunch and relax. In the evening we visit a local Nomad village and meet the families who are totally at home and welcoming out here. We enjoy a traditional Moroccan Dinner with proud families entertaining us with music and dance. We Bivouac in the desert under the stars!
Included: All meals
Today we leave Erg Chebbi Auberge after breakfast and head for Ait Benhaddou and sample the history and hospitality of the locals. We have our lunch in the stunning Todra Gorge before making our way to Ouarzazate. We visit the Kasbah and in the evening after settling into our hotel we take a tour of the spectacular hillside medina. We enjoy dinner on the terrace of our hotel with Moroccan music and entertainment all included!
Included: All meals
After breakfast we depart Ait Benhaddou bound for Marrakech. We stay in Marrakech at Le Meridien N’Fis.
Included: Breakfast & lunch
After breakfast we take our return flight back home.
Included: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
| Dates & Reserve Spot | Duration |
|---|---|
| Sunday 15 March 2026 - Thursday 26 March 2026 Total Cost: $4650 | £3495 | €4195 | 12 days |
| Sunday 29 March 2026 - Thursday 9 April 2026 Total Cost: $4650 | £3495 | €4195 | 12 days |
| Sunday 5 April 2026 - Thursday 16 April 2026 Total Cost: $4650 | £3495 | €4195 | 12 days |
| Sunday 12 April 2026 - Thursday 23 April 2026 Total Cost: $4650 | £3495 | €4195 | 12 days |
| Sunday 14 March 2027 - Thursday 25 March 2027 Total Cost: $4995 | £3695 | €4295 | 12 days |
| Sunday 28 March 2027 - Thursday 8 April 2027 Total Cost: $4995 | £3695 | €4295 | 12 days |
| Sunday 4 April 2027 - Thursday 15 April 2027 Total Cost: $4995 | £3695 | €4295 | 12 days |
What you should bring
We find most of our clients have in their posession already what is needed for a river trip. We have broken down here the items into what you’ll need on the river and in camp. Each guest will get a drybag to use for the river trip distributed at your Pre-departure meeting in Marrakech. A short video on the size of this and how to pack your drybag can be viewed here. An equipment list of what you will require for your Moroccan adventure will be sent to you prior to your departure along with your Water By Nature Travel Bag and other goodies.
Download equipment file- A pair of Chacos / Keens or similar sandals. (Sandals with a closed toe are ideal) Trainers are also ok.
- A pair of river shorts (longer leg length) shorts can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- A Swimming costume or bikini for ladies.
- A set of thermal long sleeved top and bottoms to wear under your personal flotation device. Merino wool polypropylene or capilene is the best, not cotton.
- A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off – can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- Sunglasses.
- Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head – can be purchased on line or from your river crew.
- 1 Litre Nalgene / Sigg or similar water bottle.
- Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
- Waterproof camera such as GoPro for the ‘action’ shots
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF30 minimum.
- Neutral coloured long trousers.
- Tops – long sleeved shirt or t shirts.
- Fleece jumper / sweatshirt.
- Light weight down jacket.
- Shorts.
- Sarong or long skirt for ladies to cover your legs whilst in the company of locals.
- Wide brimmed sun hat. Thin scarf or buff for the Sahara to keep sand off your face.
- Woolly hat and gloves.
- Underwear & socks
- A 3-season sleeping bag (Can be hired in advance)
- Travel Pillow.
- Light weight down jacket.
- Shoes or boots for wearing around camp.
- Thermal top and bottoms. (Good to sleep in)
- Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
- Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
- Hand wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
- Small pack towel.
- Headlamp or head torch with spare batteries.
- Any medication you may be taking.
- Insect repellent.
- Blister plasters.
- Your favourite book/kindle or a journal for recording your river memories.
- Sketchpad.
- Binoculars.
- Photographic or video equipment. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere.
- Spare memory card.
- Solar or portable charger.
- Zip lock bags to keep valuables dry and sand free.
- Rehydration tablets (Phizz, Nuun and O.R.S are easily available)
- The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items, gratuities and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink.
- If you wish to pass on a gratuity to your guides we leave this entirely up to you.
Deserts & rivers Reviews
Great Memories
Morocco Deserts and Rivers was lots of fun and staff was able to help us with additional activities . Great memories . We travelled also to Fez and the whole experience was perfectly executed. Thanks from me and the family.
Country of Contrasts
Although I am a Water By Nature veteran now, Morocco was my first experience traveling with Hamish and WBN. It was also my first foray into an Arabic country. The trip was amazing from start to finish. The trip is essentially a two for one. Rafting first, then sightseeing through the vast and different desert regions. The accommodations and food were awesome and different everywhere we went. The rafting was great fun. Aside from the river and rapids, the other highlights were visiting and iteracting with the various tribespeople we met along the river. I’ll bet some of those people had never seen such colorful, strange looking travelers in our full-on rafting gear. They has also never seen themselves in a photo or on a phone! We were able to take a short hike to see how the people lived In harmony with the river and their surroundings. The desert portion of the trip was equally rewarding. Each “oasis” was populated by a different peaceful sect completely unique in every way. The finale was spending time on the sand dunes and riding camels through a beautiful star filled night sky. Contrary to what other might say, the camels were very comfy. My only comment is that I would have liked an extra day on the camels and dunes getting deeper into the desert with our Bedouin guides. Will save that for my next trip!
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