Morocco

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to Morocco?

Morocco is one of the most visually extraordinary countries on earth and also one of the easiest places to feel genuinely out of your depth as an independent traveller. The medinas of Marrakech and Fez - labyrinths of alleys, souks, riads and workshops - are beautiful precisely because they have not been straightened or simplified for visitors. Navigating them without a guide is half adventure, half chaos. With a knowledgeable tour manager, you get the former without the frustration of the latter.

The country rewards a guided approach in other ways too. The contrast between the imperial cities, the High Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert and the Atlantic coast is extreme, and making sense of Moroccan history - the Berber kingdoms, the Arab conquest, the French and Spanish protectorates, the complicated relationship between tradition and modernity - requires someone who understands it firsthand. For British-Indian travellers, Morocco has particular appeal: halal food is universal, spice-rich cuisine feels familiar, the hospitality culture is warm and genuine, and the souks have a commercial energy that many of our passengers find very comfortable.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our Morocco Tours

• Indian dinners included on most multi-day tours, alongside exceptional Moroccan cuisine
• Halal food standard throughout Morocco, making meal planning straightforward
• Vegetarian options plentiful, with tagines, couscous and salads all naturally accommodating plant-based diets
• No pork in any included meals
• Midlands, Leicester and London pick-up points for all UK departures
• Spice-rich, flavour-forward cuisine that many of our Indian passengers particularly enjoy

Best Time to Visit Morocco

March to May is one of the best periods: the mountain passes are clear, the desert is warm rather than extreme, and the cities are at comfortable temperatures for walking and exploring.

October and November are also excellent: the summer heat has passed, the light is extraordinary and the souks are at their liveliest without the peak season crowds.

June to August brings intense heat in Marrakech and the interior, sometimes exceeding 40°C. The coast (Essaouira, Agadir) is cooled by Atlantic breezes and remains manageable.

December to February is mild and pleasant in the south. Occasional cold and snow in the High Atlas can actually make for extraordinary scenery, particularly in the Todra Gorge.

Popular Destinations Within Morocco

Marrakech - the Djemaa el-Fna square (a UNESCO Intangible Heritage site, alive with storytellers, musicians and food stalls every evening), the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Garden and the souks of the medina.

Fez - the most complete medieval Islamic city in the world. The Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years. The Chouara tanneries, seen from the surrounding leather shops, are genuinely unforgettable.

The Sahara Desert - typically approached through the Draa Valley via Ouarzazate. Overnight camps at Merzouga with camel rides at dusk and star-filled desert skies are among the most requested experiences on any Morocco tour.

The High Atlas Mountains - the range that runs across the centre of Morocco, with Berber villages, walnut groves and the Ourika Valley within day-trip distance of Marrakech.

Chefchaouen - the blue city. A mountain town in the Rif, painted in shades of blue and white throughout, with a relaxed pace and extraordinary photographic character.

Essaouira - the Atlantic coast fortress city, with whitewashed medina walls, a working fishing port, sea breezes and a well-established artisan craft tradition.

Practical Information

• Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
• Language: Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and Berber dialects; French widely used in business and tourism; some Spanish in the north
• Time zone: Western European Time (GMT in winter, GMT+1 in summer)
• Electricity: Type C and E plugs (220V). A European adapter works; UK adapters may need a converter.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am-7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our Morocco holidays are fully protected