Morocco Photo Tour
October 26 to November 7, 2025
Morocco is as exotic as it gets. From the medieval market in Fez that's more than a thousand years old to golden dunes in the Sahara Desert, and from camels and veiled women to ancient Kasbahs, this North African country is a paradise for photographers. Even having a 'simple' lunch can produce amazing shots with out-of-this-world decor that begs to be photographed.
The nomadic Berber people of the Atlas Mountains are friendly and willing to be photographed, and remarkable Chefchaouen, a city painted in cobalt blue, offers wonderful backdrops for local models. Photograph the stunning 3rd century B.C. Roman ruins of Volubilis and experience the vastness of the Sahara Desert. Join Jim for this exciting photo tour to capture history, ancient ruins, fabulous portraits, and impressive interiors along with dramatic landscapes. You'll return home with some of the best images ever.
What you will learn on this photo tour:
How to find strong compositions
How to dramatize your photos with wide angle lenses
Emphasizing graphic design
How to work with foreign models
Preconceiving images
How to expose in contrasty situations
Using doorways for framing models
Using HDR for night photography
Day 1, Sunday, October 26
Leave your home country so you arrive in Casablanca (airport code CMN) on October 26. If you depart North America, you will have to leave on the 25th because of the hours in the air and the time change. Upon arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, you will be met and transferred by van to your hotel, where you will check in and relax for the afternoon. Depending on the time, our group can visit the impressive Hassan II mosque situated beautifully on the Atlantic Coast. Overnight Novotel or Club Val D'Anfa Hotel (4 star).
Day 2, Monday, October 27
After breakfast, we leave toward Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of Morocco in the Rif Mountains. On route, we will stop in Rabat, the capital of the country, and visit the King's Palace to photograph the classic Moorish arches, the stunning mosaics, as well as the uniformed guards. After lunch, we continue on to Chefchaouen for the night. Dinner will be served in the beautiful and photogenic hotel, Casa Hassan or similar (4 star).
Day 3, Tuesday, October 28
Chefchaouen is one of the photographic highlights of the tour. The cobalt blue color of many of its doors, windows, alleys, and ancient walls make for wonderful graphic images. Flower pots, people, bicycles, and other subjects stand out beautifully in this kind of environment. Many of your favorite pictures will be taken here. We have an entire day to photograph this wonderful city, and Jim will arrange a model (or two) to pose for us. Casa Hassan or similar (4 star).
Day 4, Wednesday, October 29
Before breakfast we can get up early and have a last shoot of the beautiful town without any people. After breakfast, we head for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. The partially excavated site was developed in the 3rd century B.C. by the Berbers, and then it expanded after the Roman conquest. We spend time photographing the well-preserved ruins, and you will be amazed at the beautiful mosaics from more than 2000 years ago. We have lunch in Meknes, one of Morocco's imperial cities. We will visit the remarkable stable of Moulay Ismael, the Bab Mansour, and the Medina. The medieval architecture in this city is dramatic and photogenic. Late in the day we drive to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. Dinner will be served in the hotel. Riad Myra Hotel or similar (4 1/2 star).
Day 5, Thursday, October 30
At sunrise, we will take advantage of an elevated overlook of the city to take great shots in the low angled sunlight. After breakfast, we begin our guided tour of the ancient medina, one of the world's largest walled cities. It is a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of colorful spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. We continue to photograph after lunch, and then we have dinner in our hotel. Riad Myra Hotel or similar (4 1/2 star).
Day 6, Friday, October 31
After an early breakfast, we will begin our ascent across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Most of the day will be spent winding our way through the beautiful forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as we cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Halfway, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks. In the afternoon, we make our way down through the Ziz River Valley. Upon arrival in Erfoud, we jump into the 4x4s and head out to the dunes. Sunset on the dunes is spectacular. Overnight Auberge Dune Dor (3 star).
Day 7, Saturday, November 1
This morning we photograph Berber men leading camels on the dunes at sunrise for a classic desert silhouette. Then, after breakfast, we drive in 4 x 4 vehicles on the dunes and visit a nomadic Berber village. Listen to some of their music while you take great travel portraits. This is a wonderful cultural exchange as well as a great photo opportunity. Overnight Auberge Dune Dor (3 star).
Day 8, Sunday, November 2
We head back to Erfoud enroute to the dramatic geological desert region with spectacular views, sheer cliffs, and earth-toned rock formations. We do landscape photography of the rugged terrain and the river valleys, and we will stop to photograph vendors, shepherds, and other locals we'll encounter. Dinner will be served in the Kasbah. Ksar Ighanda Hotel (3 star).
Day 9, Monday, November 3
After an early breakfast, we set off towards Quarzazate along the route of the 1000 Kasbahs. The city of Quarzazate is famous as a movie set for many Western films, and nearby is Kasbah Ait Benhaddou which was used in Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Gladiator. It's stunning to photograph in low angled sunlight. You will have opportunities to seek out hidden treasures, i.e. beautiful compositions, in this remarkable place. Dinner will be served at the Kasbah Ksar Ighanda Hotel (3 star).
Day 10, Tuesday, November 4
After breakfast, we drive towards Marrakech over the High Atlas Mountains. Once we check into our hotel, we head to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina. It is alive with people in the day, and at night it is filled with storytellers, entertainers, snake charmers, and barbeque pits. Great people photography everywhere. Dinner will be served at the Riad Adore or Riad Chergui or similar Hotel (4 star).
Day 11, Wednesday, November 5
Today we explore Marrakech in more depth. We visit the Palace of the Bahi, the exquisite architecture of the Saadian Tombs, and the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque. We also explore the souk, or market, with many colorful Moroccan products to photograph. The city is stunning at twilight, too, and we will use our tripods to capture the cobalt blue sky against the warm color tones of the artificial lights in this medieval atmosphere. Overnight Riad Adore or Riad Chergui or similar Hotel (4 star).
Day 12, Thursday, November 6
We head north today toward Casablanca. We stop enroute in the coastal town of El Jadida where you'll visit the citadel and enjoy photographing the underground cistern. We then continue to Casablanca where we'll have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Novotel or similar (4 star).
Day 13, Friday, November 7
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our journey home, knowing we've taken amazing pictures of the people, culture, architecture, and landscapes of Morocco.
Tour cost: $7450
Single supplement: $1415
Included: 13 nights hotel accommodations, 12 breakfasts and 12 dinners, air-conditioned transportation, English speaking guide, excursions to Volubilis, Meknes and the Berber village in the desert, entrance fees to historical sites (including Hassan II Mosque), portage tips for luggage, tips for photographic models, airport transfers, photo instruction, critiques on demand.
Not included: International airfare, tips for local guide and driver, all lunches, alcoholic drinks, and items of a personal nature.