Welcome to Rural Explorer

Discover authentic Morocco beyond the cities, immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, vibrant Berber culture, and unforgettable adventures. Let our expert team guide you through the heart of rural Morocco for a journey you'll never forget.


Rural Explorer is a travel company that offers a unique perspective, covering all of Morocco's sights. Morocco’s rural areas offer a vastly different experience from its bustling cities, providing a deeper dive into traditional culture, stunning natural landscapes, and a slower pace of life. Here’s a look at what you can expect when you travel with Rural Explorer:

  • Landscapes and Regions:
    • Atlas Mountains:

    The High, Middle, and Anti-Atlas mountain ranges are home to numerous Berber (Amazigh) villages. These regions feature rocky plateaus, lush valleys, and, in winter, snow-capped peaks, making them ideal for trekking and experiencing traditional mountain life. Imlil is a popular starting point for hikes, including ascents of Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.

    • Sahara Desert:
    • The vast expanses of the Sahara, particularly around Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) and Erg Chigaga, offer an iconic rural Moroccan experience. Enjoy camel treks, sandboarding on towering dunes, and spending nights under a blanket of stars in traditional desert camps.
    • Rural Coastlines:
    • Beyond well-known coastal cities, quieter, traditional fishing villages like Tafedna and Imsouane (popular for surfing) provide a glimpse into a unique seaside rural life.
    • Green Valleys and Oases:
    • Regions like Souss-Massa and parts of the Anti-Atlas are renowned for their fertile valleys, palm groves, and oases, showcasing diverse agricultural practices and unique ecosystems.
    • Berber Village Life:
    • Often the highlight of rural exploration, staying in traditional guesthouses (gîtes) or homestays with local families allows you to learn about Berber customs, culinary traditions (such as bread-making and tagine preparation), and daily routines. Sharing mint tea, a significant gesture of hospitality, is a cherished experience.
    • Trekking and Hiking:
    • The mountains offer endless opportunities for walks, from leisurely village strolls to multi-day treks. Local guides can lead you to hidden spots while introducing you to the region’s flora and fauna.
    • Camel Rides and Desert Experiences:
    • In the Sahara, camel trekking is a quintessential activity, often paired with overnight stays in desert camps where you can enjoy traditional music and stargazing. Quad biking and sandboarding are also popular activities.
    • Local Markets (Souks):
    • Rural souks are vibrant and bustling, offering an authentic glimpse into local life and commerce. You’ll find fresh products, spices, textiles, and handicrafts. These markets serve as social hubs for community gatherings and catching up on local news.

    • Traditional Crafts and Workshops:
    • Morocco boasts a rich artisanal heritage. In rural areas, you can observe local artisans practicing traditional crafts such as pottery, carpet weaving, or leatherworking. Many tours offer workshops where you can learn these skills firsthand.
    • Gastronomy:
    • Moroccan cuisine, blending Amazigh, Arabic, African, and Mediterranean flavors, is a cornerstone of the rural experience. Take advantage of cooking classes to learn about local ingredients and savor meals prepared with fresh, locally sourced produce.
    • Cultural Exchange:
    • Moroccans are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. Engage with locals, ask questions, and participate in cultural practices. Learning a few words of Darija (Moroccan Arabic) or Tamazight (Berber language) can enrich your interactions.
    • Planning Your Rural Escape:
    • Guided Tours vs. Independent Travel:
    • While independent travel is possible, booking with us ensures tailored activities and experiences. We specialize in rural adventures, offering multi-day tours and day trips from major cities, led by Berber guides who provide invaluable insights and access to local communities.
    • Accommodation:
    • Options range from rustic guesthouses and homestays to luxurious desert camps or eco-lodges, depending on your preferences and the region.
    • Best Time to Visit:
    • Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most pleasant weather for exploring rural areas, with mild temperatures and vibrant community activities. Summers can be very hot, especially in the desert, but our vehicles are equipped with powerful air conditioning, and most accommodations, including desert tents, feature AC and often include swimming pools.
    • Respecting Local Customs:
    • Dress modestly, particularly in villages, and greet locals with “Salam” (peace). Accepting offers of tea is a cherished gesture of hospitality. Support the local economy by purchasing handmade crafts and using local services.
    • Responsible Tourism:
    • Be mindful of your environmental impact, avoid leaving waste, and aim to contribute positively to the communities you visit.

      Exploring rural Morocco is a deeply enriching experience, offering a chance to connect with the country’s authentic heart and witness a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Discover the cultural treasures and wonders of Morocco.

    Our Trips

    Discover Morocco’s beauty with our curated trips—multi-day adventures, day excursions, and family-friendly journeys, all designed for unforgettable experiences.


    nomads

    Multi Day Tours

    Morocco’s rural areas offer a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, rich Berber (Amazigh) culture, and authentic experiences. Multi-day tours are an excellent way to explore these regions in depth, providing opportunities for trekking, cultural immersion, and desert adventures.

    Here’s a breakdown of our popular multi-day rural tours in Morocco:

    1. Desert Tours (Sahara Desert – Erg Chebbi & Erg Chigaga)

    These are among the most sought-after rural multi-day tours, delivering a quintessential Moroccan experience.

    Duration: Typically 2 to 10 days, starting from a city of your choice in Morocco.

    Highlights:

    day-trips

    Day trips

    Embark on a day trip with one of our expert guides and immerse yourself in the rich natural and cultural history of the area. Discover unique stories that bring each destination to life, shared by your knowledgeable guide. Visit hidden spots and unique features you might miss without their expertise. Feel confident with a guide who understands the area’s weather, terrain, and wildlife, allowing you to focus entirely on sightseeing while we handle the details. Our day trips include:

    • A professional driver-guide
    • Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
    • A bottle of water per day
    • Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned 4WD vehicle or minibus
    • Free time to explore sites such as kasbahs, museums, and gardens
    family-trips

    Family friendly trips

    Our recommended family trips offer wonderful opportunities for families with school-age children to travel together, explore Morocco’s stunning destinations, and feel confident that the activities are suitable for all. We select family-friendly trips based on short to moderate drive durations, easy-to-moderate activities, and flexible itineraries. Active children aged 12 and older may enjoy additional trips, but these are our suggested options. The suitability of a trip is subjective and should be evaluated case by case, considering the trip’s demands and your family’s fitness and experience. There are no age requirements for children to join scheduled group trips. However, families with children under 12 are encouraged to book private tours, which offer special family pricing.

    Our Services

    Explore our curated selection of authentic Moroccan experiences, from guided treks and cultural immersions to family-friendly adventures and bespoke tours—crafted for comfort, discovery, and unforgettable memories.


    DADES Valley TREKS

    Located at the crossroads of four stunning valleys—the Dades Valley, the Valley of the Roses, the Todra Gorge, and the Birds Valley—this region offers some of southeastern Morocco’s most spectacular scenery. These valleys form part of the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, with the Dades and Valley of the Roses to the north and the Hamadas of N’kob and Draa Valley to the south.

    Saghro TREKS

    The eastern part of the Anti-Atlas range, the Saghro Massif, is a volcanic landscape of granite, lava, and conglomerates, culminating at Almou n’Mansour (2,712m). Situated between the Ziz River to the east and the Draa River to the west, it lies south of the Dades Valley and Valley of the Roses, and north of the Hamadas of N’kob, Tazarine, and the Draa Valley.

    High Atlas Treks

    The M’Goun hike offers an unforgettable journey through Morocco’s Central High Atlas, featuring the ascent of Jbel M’Goun (4,071m), the country’s second-highest peak. This itinerary includes exploring the scenic Ait Bouguemez, known as the Happy Valley.

    Why Choose Rural Explorer

    Discover authentic Morocco with a passionate, experienced, family-run team dedicated to your adventure, comfort, and safety.


    1.

    Personal

    We are a small, family-owned tour company, not a corporate entity. Our team of passionate, genuine people is here to support you every step of the way.

    2.

    Experienced

    With over 30 years of crafting tours, we’ve explored countless unique locations and served clients from diverse backgrounds. If anyone can make your trip unforgettable, we can.

    3.

    Fun

    We believe life is a grand adventure filled with incredible experiences. Our mission is to seek out these moments and share them with you in affordable, memorable ways.

    4.

    Safe

    Peace of mind is essential for enjoyment. With 30 years of experience, we’re prepared for any challenge, with contingency plans from A to Z to ensure your safety and comfort.

    Testimonials


    James Oliver
    Traveler

    "Although the weather was cloudy and SNOWING we could still savour the dades valley sights – awesome. Very knowledgeable guide and taking in trading post stops with a great lunch picnic, made the day varied and interesting."

    Carlos
    Adventurer

    "Tour with rural explorer not like with others with similar programmes We were picked up exactly as planned and the tour was really informative our guide/driver was spot on keeping everyone amused and informed and together. Timekeeping was good. Hamoud the driver was really chatty and everyone I spoke to said they felt really valued and looked after by him."

    Rosalee Melvin
    Traveler

    "An amazing day  tour of the dades valley and Canyon aided by a well-informed and helpful guide. The Dades Canyon is awesome and the personal experience makes whatever photos or film you have seen of it fade into the background. Our trip was fantastic! Hamou was a guide with a great personality, attentive, knowledgeable and having some good whit! He took us to some places where you don’t normally go (Monkey fingers Canyon, tea with nomads, and print foot dinosaur) as we were trying to time the day we headed to dades gorges winding road for Sunset. The trip lasted four hours thanks hamou for this great experiences."

    Macie Naquin
    Traveler

    "Hamou, our tour guide, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable. It was a great way to see the the dades valley and canyon and learn about the Berber culture and geography of the region. I highly recommend it."

    Taking you anywhere you can imagine.

    Not only to the mountains, desert, imperial cities and rural ares, but anywhere you want to go.

    Contact us: +212-662-548-923

    Book Now