Snapshots of Morocco’s Soul with Ale Uzarraga

-Welcome to Morocco, where the air is perfumed with spices and possibility. After touching down at Marrakesh Menara Airport, you’ll transfer to your riad — a traditional Moroccan guesthouse — nestled within the city’s historic heart.

-The afternoon is yours to wander the labyrinthine streets or simply soak in the courtyard’s tranquility.

-As evening falls, gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, sampling authentic Moroccan flavors and setting the tone for the cultural journey ahead.

-Begin your day with a guided exploration of Marrakech’s legendary medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Capture the vibrant chaos of souks, the intricate tilework of palaces, and the timeless rhythm of daily life.

-After a local lunch in the medina, journey over the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, the “door of the desert.” This cinematic outpost has long been a crossroads of Berber, Arab, and Saharan cultures.

-Settle in with a cozy dinner, and let the desert winds hint at tomorrow’s adventure

-After breakfast, set out for the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes — a photographer’s paradise where golden sands stretch to infinity. Along the way, glimpse kasbahs and oases that have inspired storytellers for centuries.

-Upon arrival, trade wheels for hooves and ride camels into camp as the sun paints the desert in surreal hues.

-Tonight, under a sky ablaze with stars, share stories and dinner around the campfire.

-Wake to the silence of the desert and enjoy the sunrise over the dunes before a thrilling SUV ride across the sands.

-Visit a nomadic family for traditional tea, learning firsthand about their resilient way of life.

-Later, immerse yourself in the hypnotic music of the Gnawa people — a spiritual tradition rooted in West African ancestry — at a local village. Capture the energy, movement, and emotion before settling in Merzouga for the night.

-This morning, delve into the lush Merzouga oasis, a living testament to human ingenuity in the desert. Engage with local families, sharing a home-cooked lunch and gaining insight into oasis agriculture and traditions.

-The afternoon is free to explore or reflect, with the oasis offering endless inspiration for both conversation and photography.

-After breakfast, wind through the lively markets of Rissani, where Berber traders have gathered for centuries. The stalls brim with spices, textiles, and local crafts — perfect for candid portraits and street photography.

-Continue to the dramatic Todra Gorge, a natural wonder carved by millennia of water and wind, before reaching Boumalne Dades for the evening.

-Lace up for a hike through the breathtaking Dades Gorge, passing through Berber villages that cling to red-rock cliffs. Meet local residents, observe ancient irrigation systems, and photograph daily life against a backdrop of towering canyons.

-Enjoy lunch amid wild landscapes before returning to the riad for a well-earned rest.

-Travel to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar famed for its earthen architecture and film history. Wander its winding alleys and learn about the Berber tribes who built and defended it.

-After lunch, return to Marrakech for a final evening of celebration: a farewell dinner with live entertainment, where music and dance bring your Moroccan journey full circle.

-Rise and shine with one final Moroccan breakfast, then bid farewell to newfound friends and the vibrant tapestry of Morocco.

-Transfer to the airport, carrying home not just photographs, but memories of genuine connections and cultural discovery.