May 17, 2027 - May 21, 2027
Morocco Photography Tour
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Morocco has an incredibly diverse array of things to see. From colorful market stalls crowded with interesting people to the silent “sand sea” of the Sahara desert dunes, this trip is a feast for the eyes (and the lens). Enjoy the remarkable hospitality of the locals–to say nothing of the delicious food!–as you practice a wide rage of photographic techniques with your professional photographer and guide.
Nothing can quite prepare you for the landscapes in this part of Morocco. Traveling across desert plains, you’ll see grandeur from a bygone age where dramatic rock formations, an extraordinary testament to natural forces, form a backdrop to sweeping river valleys and crumbling Kasbahs. Dunes offer a kaleidoscope of shifting color and texture and the architectural splendor of the region’s most famous Kasbah –-Ait Benhaddou, dating back to at least the 13th century is undiminished and it still houses many families within its mud-brick walls.
For this incredible location, we have prepared 2 options for you:
- 8-Day Tour: Fully experience Morocco to visit Ait Benhaddou, Dades valley, Todra Gorge, Ksar village, Dessert Dunes.
- 3-Day Tour: Air Benhaddou, Dades Valley, back to Marrakesh.
This trip will be led by: Darren Lewey
Location
Where do we go?
We’ll fly into and out of Marrakech. The time in between will be spent exploring southwards. We will split up into two 4x4s to ensure everyone has plenty of space to take unblocked pictures of the stunning views on the road trip. We’ll see many sights along the way, such as:
Program Highlights
- High Atlas and the Tizi n Tichka summit before arriving at Ait Benhaddou
- Dades Valley
- Todra Gorge
- Local family & people shoots
- Dunes at Merzouga & overnight stay in nomad tents
- Gnawa musicians in a nearby village followed by a large desert market at Rissini
- Skoura and its palmeries, a UNESCO heritage site
- Marrakesh
Trip highlights
What you can expect from this trip
- Day 1 - TBA
- Day 2 - TBA
- Day 3 - TBA
- Day 4 - TBA
- Day 5 - TBA
- Day 6 - TBA
See full itinerary here
Day 1
Day 1 - TBA
With arrival and airport collection, we head to the desert over the High Atlas and the Tizi n Tichka summit before arriving at Ait Benhaddou. En route includes several opportunities to photograph crumbling Kasbahs perched overlooking the river valley. Ait Benhaddou is the site of the oldest Ksar in Morocco and still houses many families within its labyrinth of mud-brick walls. We’ll arrive in time for the ‘golden hour’ of light whilst the remote setting offers the chance for some time-lapse star trail night sky photography from the terrace of your auberge.
Day 2
Day 2 - TBA
The morning is set aside for both exploring the village, concentrating on the stunning views around the Ksar and the narrow passageways as well as photographing two families in their homes including their work on a traditional loom weaving Berber carpets. After lunch, we depart for Dades Valley arriving in the late afternoon light to photograph the rock formations known as ‘monkey toes‘. The auberge for the evening is a short drive further on.
Day 3
Day 3 - TBA
After breakfast, we’ll visit a sandal maker and his Berber family where you can photograph him in his workshop and at home. After lunch you’ll begin to return to Marrakesh with an overnight at Skoura and its palmeries, a UNESCO heritage site.
Day 4
Day 4 - TBA
If you booked the 3-day program, you’ll continue your journey back to Marrakesh airport in time for late afternoon flights.
If you booked the full 8-day program, there's more in store for you. :)
At first light, we’ll photograph our second family a short walk from the hotel. After breakfast, we depart back along the road to the main Gorge where you can stop to photograph the overview of the palmeraie in Todra’s river valley, a maze of date palms and patchwork of tiny crop fields. Afterwards, we’ll continue on to the hotel for that evening and the location for some fabulous photography in a Ksar and village, mostly untouched by tourism. This special village offers unique shots of tunnels within it.
Accommodation
Where do we stay?
We will stay at the best available hotels depending on the location plus a one night at a tent in the desert. See the representative photos above.
Included
- Fully loaded program of photography practice led by our instructor
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Lodging expenses – hotels or camping equipment, depending on the location
- Breakfasts
- Local transportation
- Ride in a camel caravan
- Snacks & water during the day
- All entrance fees to the attractions listed in the itinerary
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakech
- Lunch & dinners
- Personal expenses like souvenirs, bar beverages, laundry
- Insurance (travel, medical, cancellation, which are all recommended)
Your instructor
Darren Lewey
Darren LeweyDarren began taking photographs in the early 1980’s and printing in a makeshift darkroom at home. He went onto study photography, firstly on an art and design foundation course, before graduating with a degree in Photographic Studies in 1992 and an MSc in Film Production in 1994.
Photographing both landscape and portraiture using digital and large format film, his images are characterised by a high level of compositional and technical accomplishment. Based in Morocco, Darren explores the region for project related work.
Darren first visited Morocco in 1991 to make a student film and take photographs in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. He returned in 1993 again for a student project, this time to Essaouira. During the 1990’s he made several visits to the town, making a documentary on an Englishwoman’s adventure with Gnawa music.
Darren is also qualified lecturer with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and has several years experience planning and delivering courses in the UK. He is a passionate photographic educator, collaborating with Swiss Photo Club since 2022.