Beyond the famous sights, Morocco is a country of small, unforgettable moments: tea with a nomad family, the first light over the dunes, a dinner in a candle-lit courtyard. These are the unique experiences we love to add to our guests’ private journeys – many of them included in our VIP All-Inclusive package.
At a glance. Best for couples: balloon flight, private dune dinner · Best for families: camel ride, cooking class, quad biking · Best for curious minds: fossil hunting, Gnawa music, artisan workshops · Most experiences need a private guide or advance booking.
1. A hot-air balloon flight at sunrise
Before dawn, a driver collects you from your riad in Marrakech for a flight over the plains and Berber villages as the sun rises behind the High Atlas. The flight lasts around an hour and is followed by breakfast in a traditional tent. It is included in our VIP All-Inclusive package.
2. A private dinner in the Sahara dunes
In the Erg Chebbi dunes, we can arrange a private table on a carpet in a quiet hollow of sand, lit by lanterns, with a three-course dinner and a sky full of stars. It is one of the most romantic evenings Morocco can offer – perfect for an anniversary or a proposal. Read more about the best luxury desert camps in Merzouga.
3. Sunrise from the top of a dune
Set your alarm before dawn, climb the dune behind your camp – or ride a camel – and watch the light turn the sand from grey to pink to gold. The silence of the desert at that hour is unforgettable.
4. Tea with a nomad family
Around Merzouga, a few nomad families still move their goats and camels between grazing areas. With our guide, you are welcomed into a tent for tea and bread baked in the sand, and learn how life works far from any road. These visits are always respectful and small-scale.
5. Gnawa music in Khamlia
The village of Khamlia, at the edge of the dunes, is home to Gnawa musicians whose hypnotic rhythms of drums and iron castanets came from West Africa centuries ago. An afternoon of music and mint tea here is a highlight of our desert days.
6. Fossil hunting in the Kem Kem beds
Southeast Morocco is one of the richest fossil regions on Earth. Around Alnif, you can search for 400-million-year-old trilobites, and in the Kem Kem beds near the Algerian border, palaeontologists have found dinosaur remains. Our 11-day Fossil Tour is designed for collectors and curious travellers alike.
7. A cooking class in a riad
Shop for spices and vegetables in the souk with a chef, then learn to cook a tagine, Moroccan salads and pastries in a riad kitchen – and enjoy your work over lunch. Cooking classes in Marrakech or Fes are included in our VIP package.
8. A day in the Atlas villages
Walk with a local mountain guide between Berber villages in the Imlil or Ourika valleys, past walnut trees and terraced fields, then share a home-cooked lunch with a family. It is the perfect contrast to the energy of Marrakech. See our guide to the best day trips from Marrakech.
9. Quad biking or a buggy ride in the dunes
For a burst of adrenaline, ride a quad bike or a buggy across the dunes of Erg Chebbi or the stony Agafay desert near Marrakech. A one-hour ride with an experienced guide is included in our VIP package.
10. A traditional hammam and argan massage
The hammam is the Moroccan way to relax: warm steam, black soap made with olive oil, a deep scrub and an argan oil massage. Your riad or hotel spa is the most comfortable place for a first hammam. Discover our favourite places to stay in the best luxury hotels and riads in Morocco.
11. Meet the master artisans of Fes
Fes has been a city of craftsmen for over a thousand years. With a private guide, visit the Chouara tannery, a zellige tile workshop, the copper-beaters of Seffarine Square and a weaver at his loom – and see how each piece is made by hand. More in our guide to the best things to do in Fes.
12. Sunset on the Essaouira ramparts
End your journey with the Atlantic breeze. Walk the 18th-century skala of Essaouira at sunset, watch the seagulls over the fishing harbour and enjoy grilled fish in the port. Essaouira is part of our 13-day and 14-day tours.
How to add these experiences to your trip
- Choose the VIP package if you want the balloon flight, a cooking class and a quad or buggy ride all included.
- Plan the desert well: two nights at Erg Chebbi give you time for nomads, Gnawa music and sunrise.
- Book special evenings ahead: private dune dinners and proposals need a few days’ notice.
- Ask us anything: every itinerary is private, so we can add an experience on any day.
Make your trip unique
Tell us what you would love to experience and we will build it into a private itinerary – from our 7-day Sahara tour to our 14-day grand tour. Compare our private tours or contact our team: we reply the same day, often within an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most unique thing to do in Morocco?
A night in a private camp in the Sahara, with sunrise from the dunes, is the experience most of our guests call unique. A sunrise balloon flight over Marrakech comes a close second.
Are hot-air balloon flights safe in Morocco?
Flights are run by licensed operators with experienced pilots and only take off in suitable weather. If conditions are not right, the flight is moved to another morning.
Can children join these experiences?
Most of them, yes. Camel rides, cooking classes, village walks and short quad rides are great for families; balloon flights and quad biking have minimum ages set by the operators.
Which experiences are included in your tours?
All tours include private guides and entrance tickets, and our Sahara tours include a camel ride in the dunes. Our VIP All-Inclusive package also includes the balloon flight, a cooking class and a one-hour quad or buggy ride.
Continue reading: 15 best things to do in Morocco and how to plan a Sahara desert trip.
