Morocco – From Medinas to the Desert November 27 – December 6, 2026

Morocco: From Medinas to the Desert

Your Morocco photography adventure begins in Marrakech, where ancient traditions unfold amid color, movement, texture, and sound. Within the medina’s narrow alleys and lively souks, handwoven carpets, aromatic spices, intricate metalwork, storytellers, musicians, and evening crowds create an ever-changing world of photographic possibilities.

We will explore Marrakech through its architecture, street life, gardens, markets, and public spaces, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Garden, and Jemaa el-Fnaa. From quiet morning light to the energy of the square after sunset, the city offers endless opportunities to photograph both its grand landmarks and the details of daily life.

Leaving Marrakech, we cross the Atlas Mountains and travel south through villages built from earth and stone. Along the way, we photograph dramatic mountain scenery, traditional architecture, and the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, where weathered walls rise from the surrounding desert landscape.

As we continue toward the Sahara, rocky plateaus give way to sweeping dunes and immense open skies. Three nights in the desert allow us to slow down and experience the landscape as the light continually reshapes it. We will photograph rolling dunes, camel caravans, oasis villages, desert life, and the subtle patterns created by wind and shadow.

With little light pollution, the Sahara also offers exceptional opportunities for night photography, including the Milky Way and star trails above the dunes. Our time in both fixed and wild tented camps adds another dimension to the journey—private tents, evenings around the fire, traditional music, Moroccan meals, and the profound stillness of the desert after dark.

From the Sahara, we travel west through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to Tafraoute, a landscape of pink granite, hidden valleys, traditional villages, and remarkable rock formations. The softer pace and sculptural terrain offer a striking contrast to both Marrakech and the desert.

Our journey concludes in Essaouira, where the Atlantic breeze, blue fishing boats, whitewashed buildings, historic ramparts, artisan workshops, and working harbor create a final change in rhythm. Here, we will photograph coastal life, ocean light, lively markets, quiet alleys, and the daily character of a town shaped by wind, sea, music, and history.

The photographs will remind you of Morocco. The experience will keep calling you back.

Journey at a Glance

• Marrakech — medinas, markets, architecture, gardens, and street photography
• Atlas Mountains and Aït Benhaddou — villages, mountain landscapes, and kasbahs
• Sahara Desert — dunes, camel caravans, desert life, and astrophotography
• Tafraoute — granite formations, valleys, villages, and hidden oases
• Essaouira — coastal life, harbor scenes, seascapes, and historic streets

Cost: $6495/person, double occupancy in town, private tent in desert (couples share)

Deposit: $1250/person 

Group Size: max 7 guests

Leaders: Denise Silva, Geff Bourke, and local guides

To Register: 2026 Departure Full

Our 2026 Morocco Photography Adventure is currently full. If you’d like to join us on a future Pantanal adventure, we invite you to join our priority list for future departures, waitlist openings, and early access to upcoming Road Runner Photography Tours adventures.

Join the Priority List

Why Morocco

Morocco brings an exceptional variety of photographic experiences into one journey:

• Street life in Marrakech and Essaouira
• Historic medinas, kasbahs, villages, and architectural details
• Mountain scenery across the Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges
• Desert landscapes, camel caravans, and shifting light
• Milky Way and star-trail photography in the Sahara
• Fishing harbors, Atlantic seascapes, and coastal life

 

See what previous guests experienced → Testimonials

View common questions → Frequently Asked Questions

Images provided by Chris Phillips, Happy Tsui, and Jared Gerlach, enlarge to see specific artist.