Morocco – From Medinas to the Desert to the Ocean
Trip dates: November 27 through December 6, 2026 (10 days, 9 nights)
Your Morocco photography adventure begins in Marrakech, the vibrant heart of Morocco. From the moment you arrive, you are surrounded by color, movement, scent, and sound.
We will photograph the light, texture, and energy of Marrakech’s ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with narrow alleys, lively souks, handwoven carpets, aromatic spices, intricate metalwork, and endless visual surprises. We also hope guests will arrive the day before the trip begins, allowing time to rest, acclimate, and prepare for a full schedule.
In Marrakech, we will explore iconic locations such as Majorelle Garden, Koutoubia Mosque, and the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where storytellers, musicians, food stalls, and evening crowds create one of Morocco’s most memorable street photography experiences.
Leaving Marrakech, we will head south toward the Sahara Desert. The journey itself is stunning, winding through the Atlas Mountains, past Berber villages built from earth and stone, and on to the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village known for its cinematic history and timeless desert architecture.
As we continue south, the landscape shifts from rocky plateaus to sweeping dunes. Three nights under dark Saharan skies provide exceptional opportunities for desert landscape photography, camel caravan images, night photography, star trails, and Milky Way compositions.
In the desert, we will stay in both a fixed tented camp and a wild tented camp. Each guest will have a private tent in the dunes, with couples sharing. Days will be filled with oasis villages, camel treks across golden sands, and the profound stillness of the Sahara. At night, we will gather around campfires, listen to traditional desert blues music, and enjoy Moroccan specialties such as tagine and couscous beneath a sky filled with stars.
After the quiet beauty of the desert, we will travel west with a stop in Tafraoute before reaching Essaouira, Morocco’s breezy coastal town on the Atlantic. The salty air, ocean sunsets, blue boats, whitewashed buildings, and relaxed medina offer a refreshing contrast to the desert.
Essaouira is ideal for slower, more observational photography. We will photograph the colorful fish market, historic ramparts, artisan shops, coastal scenes, and the daily rhythm of a town shaped by wind, sea, music, and history.
Cost: $6495/person, double occupancy in town, private tent in desert
Deposit: $1250/person
To Register: 2026 Departure Full
Our 2026 Morocco Photography Adventure is currently full, but Morocco remains one of our most requested destinations. If this journey speaks to you, we invite you to join our priority list for future Morocco photography adventures, waitlist openings, private opportunities, and other upcoming Road Runner Photography Tours.
Guides: Denise Silva, Geff Bourke, and local guides
Group Size: max 7 guests
Why Morocco:
Morocco offers an extraordinary range of photographic opportunities in one journey:
Street Photography – Marrakech’s bustling souks, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and Essaouira’s fishing port.
Architectural Photography – Aït Benhaddou, Berber kasbahs, historic medinas, and desert villages.
Desert Landscapes – Camel caravans, rolling dunes, golden light, and sweeping Sahara scenes.
Astrophotography – Milky Way and star trail photography over the Sahara Desert.
Seascapes – Essaouira’s Atlantic coastline, blue boats, working harbor, and ocean sunsets.
Images provided by Chris Phillips, Happy Tsui, and Jared Gerlach, enlarge to see specific artist.
See what previous guests experienced → Testimonials
View common questions → Frequently Asks Questions
Itinerary: (subject to change)
- Day 0 (Arrival in Marrakech) Figuring people should arrive a day early if possible.
- As people feel up to it and depending on arrival times, an evening walk focused on bustling souks, colorful spices, intricate doors.
- Sunset and blue hour photography at Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Overnight in Marrakech.
- Day 1 (Office 1st day of the trip)
- Full day exploring Marrakech.
- Early morning: visit Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Garden.
- Late morning and midday: dive into the medina for candid street and architectural details.
- Sunset: Photograph from a rooftop cafe overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Overnight in Marrakech.
- Day 2 (Tamdaght)
- Depart Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountains (photo stops en route: mountain passes, Berber villages).
- Arrive Tamdaght in the afternoon.
- Golden hour and sunset at Kasbah Tamdaght and Aït Benhaddou.
- Capture the kasbah bathed in evening light or opt for minimalist desert shots with long shadows.
- Overnight in Tamdaght.
- Day 3, 4, and 5 (Fixed desert camp (2 nights) Wild desert camp (1 night)
- Sunrise and sunset photography on the dunes, where the changing colors of the sand create dramatic contrasts.
- Guided camel trek on one evening in the desert from fixed camp (sunset shoot)
- Astrophotography: Milky Way, star trails over the dunes. With no light pollution, the desert sky explodes with stars.
- Portraits of nomadic life and camp settings.
- 3 Overnights in desert.
- Day 6 and 7 (Tafraoute)
- Depart desert and head southwest through the Anti-Atlas Mountains toward Tafraoute.
- Arrive by evening; soft light on the dramatic granite boulders.
- Full days exploring:
- Painted Rocks at sunrise.
- Ameln Valley — traditional Berber villages with pink granite backdrops.
- Rock formations like “Lion’s Head” and hidden oases.
- 2 Overnights in Tafraoute.
- Day 8 and 9 (Essaouira)
- Early start; drive north to Essaouira (about 6.5 hours from Tafraoute).
- Arrival mid-afternoon. Capture harbor life: blue boats, fishermen, gulls.
- Sunset shoot at the ramparts or the beach with camel silhouettes.
- Visit the Essaouira Medina:
- Blue-and-white architecture, local artisans, atmospheric alleys.
- Sunset shoot overlooking the Atlantic. Capture the golden glow over the ocean, with fishermen silhouetted against the waves.
- 2 Overnights in Essaouira.
- Day 10 (return to Marrakech)
- After breakfast return to Marrakech
- Last chance for quick medina shots if time allows before heading to the airport (depending on individual flight times).
- Depart Morocco
Inclusions:
- Welcome/Farewell dinners
- Most breakfasts and dinners
- Guided camel trek in the desert for sunset shoot
- Lodgings
- Certified local leader and guides with years of experience
- 3 nights in the desert (2 fixed camp and 1 wilderness)
- Double occupancy
- Breakfasts at lodgings
- Private group transportation (3 people per vehicle)
- Local insurance/taxes for the group (not personal insurance)
Exclusions:
- International flights to and from Morocco
- Personal trip/medical/evacuation insurance
- Lunch and dinner (other than as noted above)
- Visa (if required) – US citizens do not require a visa
- Tips and gratuities (local guides, drivers, and leader)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hotel services (laundry, room service, etc)
- Personal services (spas, massages, etc)
Trip Insurance:
All participants are strongly advised to purchase travel protection insurance. Travelinsurance.com offers many different options from various vendors and allows for product comparison.
