MAGIC OF MOROCCO
Casablanca to Marrakech
》TRIP INFO
LOCATION: CASABLANCA TO MARRAKESH
DATES: APRIL 28 - MAY 7, 2025
DURATION: 10 DAYS
INSTRUCTORS: DAVE BROSHA, JOEL ROBISON AND STEPHEN DESROCHES*
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVELS: ALL
PHYSICAL RATING: EASY
WHERE YOU’LL STAY: COMFORTABLE 4-STAR HOTELS + 1 NIGHT IN MERZOUGA BERBER CAMP
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 15
COST: $6,900 CAD
A payment plan is available for this workshop. See below.
Embark on a 10-day Moroccan photography adventure like no other!
Join OFFBEAT’s Dave Brosha, Joel Robison and Stephen DesRoches and immerse yourself in the captivating blend of history, culture, and incredible natural beauty that this enchanting country offers. We will mix landscape, astronomy, and street photography in this land of wonder.
We will explore vibrant Casablanca, exploring its bustling streets and indulging in Moroccan flavours, discover the mesmerizing blue streets of Chefchaouen, a hidden gem in the Rif mountains, unearth the ancient treasures of Volubilis and delve into the labyrinthine alleys of Fes — a medieval wonder.
Want to get away from civilization? We will venture into the Sahara Desert to ride camels through towering sand dunes and experience Saharan magic at a Berber camp, explore the dramatic Todra Gorge, visit the iconic Ait Benhaddou, and traverse the stunning Atlas Mountains on our way to world-renowned Marrakech.
Once in Marrakech, we will get lost in its bustling, photogenic markets and the UNESCO-listed Djemaa-el-Fna square.
This journey in Morocco is a sensory feast, a tapestry of colours, flavours, and memories. Join OFFBEAT for an unforgettable Moroccan sojourn!
》YOUR OFFBEAT INSTRUCTORS*
DAVE BROSHA // LEADER
Holding a passion for the world and an eye for the beauty it contains, Prince Edward Island-based, award-winning commercial, personal, and adventure photographer Dave Brosha is on a continual journey to seek out and capture the beauty of this world – whether it’s the beauty of some of the most extreme and pristine environments in the world or the beauty of some of a person’s most personal moments. In addition to living throughout northern Canada for much of his life, Dave has also lived in Asia and has travelled extensively through both the many provinces and territories of his native country and numerous countries abroad. An explorer at heart, his images – no matter what the genre – are full of heart and soul, and are a testament to the human spirit.
JOEL ROBISON // LEADER
Joel Robison is a creative portrait photographer from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. His work is a blend of whimsy and realism and focuses on the fine line between our imagination and the real work around us. Much of his work is inspired by his own interpretations of real-life events, dreams, fears and his understanding of mental health. His work has been featured around the world with clients like Coca-Cola, Google, Oprah Magazine, Adobe and others. He has taught workshops both online and offline around the world and is passionate about inspiring other artists to develop their own creative identity.
STEPHEN DESROCHES // LEADER
From a love to create and build on ideas, Stephen has built his career around photography and design. When not designing educational and image-related products, the art of photography has become a full-time daily creative exercise for personal and commercial work. Photography for Stephen is about staying inspired to create. It’s about being forced away from an office, a computer screen and not being indoors. Photography is more than just taking pictures for Stephen. It’s a lifestyle that encourages adventures, exploring and documenting the important things in life that are always changing. [Bio photo: Dave Brosha]
* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.
》INS AND OUTS
What’s Included:
Daily instructions/mentorship with Dave Brosha and Joel Robison and Stephen DesRoches
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
Guided tours + entrance fees
Camel Trek in the Sahara Desert
All in-country transportation and hotels during workshop dates
Location scouting and itinerary planned by OFFBEAT instructors
What’s Not Included:
Flights to or from arrival city of Casablanca or departure city of Marrakech
Some dinners/lunches
Travel Insurance
Optional guided tours
Alcoholic beverages
Tips for guides and drivers
》WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. Dramatic landscape photography techniques
2. Astrophotography in the Sahara Desert
3. Street photography techniques
4. Long exposure techniques
5. Expanded creative vision
》ITINERARY
The itinerary is subject to change.
DAY 1 - APRIL 28, 2025
Arrival
Welcome to Morocco! You will be met at the airport by our local guides and transferred to your hotel. Today you will have a free afternoon exploring depending on your arrival time, followed by a welcome meeting and dinner with your OFFBEAT leaders and the rest of the participants. Overnight in Casablanca (Dinner included).
DAY 2 - APRIL 29, 2025
Casablanca to Chefchaouen
We will start with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, before moving on Chefchaouen in order to have photowalk through this beautiful town. High up in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen boasts a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the Kasbah built back in the 18th century, central Mosque and cafes with authentic menus. Overnight Chefchaouen (Breakfast included).
DAY 3 - APRIL 30, 2025
Chefchaouen to Fes
We enjoy some free time in Chefchaouen this morning - spend your time exploring this beautiful city with your camera or relax at the hotel before we move on to Fes after lunch, via Volubilis. This Roman settlement of Volubilis is the largest ancient attraction in Morocco and is a UNESCO listed site dating back to AD 40. We will explore Volubilis before moving onwards to Fes. Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, and its medina is a heady mix of aromas, sounds and sights. We will have the whole day to explore Fes on Day 4. Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).
DAY 4 - MAY 1, 2025
Fes
Today, we will dive photographically into Fes. Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. Its Medina, home to 400,000 inhabitants, with only donkeys and bikes as a means of transportation, is a heady mix of aromas, sights and sounds. There are plenty of mosques and palaces to visit but be aware that only Muslims can enter mosques in Morocco. This day will be a big mix of dye-pits, tanneries, pharmacy, pottery and restaurants. Overnight in Fes (Breakfast included).
DAY 5 - MAY 2, 2025
Fes to Erfoud
We will visit Ifran and Errachidia before continuing on to Erfoud, an oasis town in the Saharan desert. On arrival you'll have time to explore this small town, its beautiful surroundings and souk. Capture some inspiring photos of the lush scenery with a background of Mountains. Overnight Erfoud (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
DAY 6 - MAY 3, 2025
Erfoud to Sahara Camp
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Rissani town for a visit to one of its old villages then continue to Merzouga area where we will visit and learn about the Gnawa people at the village of Lkhamlia, experience their wonderful music and lifestyle. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we will drive along the road with the majestic sand dunes on our side amid stunning golden coloured sand dunes that reach up to 500 feet high, creating an otherworldly landscape. Then, switch modes of transport from minivan and ride like a local, on camel back, to your tented camp where you will be welcomed with mint tea. As the sun sets over the Saharan dunes, cwe'll be busy with our camera. Return to your camp for a traditional meal before a campfire, before heading out for an incredible night of astrophotography. Overnight Sahara Berber camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
DAY 7 - MAY 4, 2025
Sahara To Todra Gorge
After a wonderful breakfast in the dunes, we leave the desert, making a stop to have Moroccan tea with a local family and learn a little about their lives in this harsh environment. En-route to Todra, if time allows, we can stop to visit ancient irrigation wells where you can see how they were created from an intricate network of underground canals running from the Atlas to the Sahara, more than 300km and dating back to the 14th Century. Moving on to stunning Todra Gorge for a guided walk through the Todra valley with its 300M high cliffs, exploring the gorge. We will visit Tizgui, one of the old villages of Todra and visit a local carpet cooperative where we photograph and learn how to make Moroccan tea and Berber rugs. After leaving Morocco's Grand Canyon, we make the short journey to the Dades valley. We will drive on the road of 1000 Kasbahs, a green and fertile valley by the Dades River that flows through it giving life to a huge variety of colourful fruit, walnut trees and extraordinary red rock formations. Overnight Dades Valley (Breakfast & Dinner included)
DAY 8 - MAY 5, 2025
Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Benhaddou
Straight after breakfast, we head off through the road of The Roses Valley, famous in Morocco for roses. On arrival in Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts great examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. This afternoon we have a guided tour of the famous Kasbah and one of the oldest villages in South Morocco. This is where Lawrence of Arabia was once filmed and also used as a backdrop for movies like Gladiator. After all these magnificent sites, we take the drive to Marrakech driving over the stunning Tizi n Tichka pass in the Atlas Mountains, which we will, of course, stop to photograph.
DAY 9 - MAY 6, 2025
Marrakech
This morning we will enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech. Marrakech is set against the snow-capped Atlas Mountains; its landmark is the Koutoubia Tower, sister to the Tower of Hassan in Rabat and the Giralda Tower in Seville. It is said that after the third of these was completed, the sultan had the eyes of his architect put out, l est he should build another more beautiful tower elsewhere. No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the city's UNESCO-listed Djemaa-el-Fna, an extraordinary gathering and marketplace. The afternoon is yours to spend free time relaxing by the pool and/or editing with your OFFBEAT leaders before we have our final group meal. (Breakfast & Dinner included)
DAY 10 - MAY 7, 2025
Depart Morocco
It is time for your return to Marrakech airport, and our team will ensure you arrive at the airport the final morning of this grand adventure. (Breakfast included)
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT OFFBEAT WORKSHOPS
”
“Attending this workshop turned into a key moment in my life and one that I will forever remember. The camaraderie, generosity of time and spirit that was shared among the leaders, photographers and the models were very impressive and added to an extremely rewarding experience. Not only are the leaders of OFFBEAT very good photographers, they are very, very good people and yes, I definitely plan on attending future OFFBEAT workshops.”
-M. Ricco
“I felt the level of collaboration and support among the participants in this one was exceptional and so was the size of the group. It is easier to hide in bigger groups when I feel insecure with my skills and talent. The content was timely, appropriate and exceedingly well organized. The facilitators’ presentation skills were exceptional. I came away with a little more confidence and a lot more knowledge. Thanks, Dave and Paul!!!”
-Jan L.
“I've done four OFFBEAT trips so far—all to spots that I never thought I'd see. And I will keep coming back. The quality of the experiences, the photography, and the people are without peer.”
-B. Dodge
PRICE/PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Cost: $6,900 CAD
Single Supplement: $650 CAD
Spousal/Partner Supplement fee available: $4,500 CAD (includes everything indicated in the list above except photography instruction). Please register with deposit only & contact Dave at sales@offbeatphoto.ca to adjust payment schedule.
Payment options: Full payment or $1,500 CAD non-refundable deposit to secure a space with three further installment payments:
Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1,500
Installment schedule:
April 25, 2024 - $1,800
July 25, 2024- $1,800
October 25, 2024 - $1,800
Note: Failure to pay by payment due date means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).
If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant.
》IMPORTANT INFO
Please visit our FAQs for more information on What to Bring, our Physical Ratings and Photography Levels.
IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR YOU?
Physical Rating
EASY
Hiking experience // None necessary.
Pace // Slow.
Distance/Description // Mainly roadside with some short hikes (3KM round trip max).
Footwear // Light hiking shoes or sneakers.
Photography Level (All): This workshop is open to both amateur and professional photographers.
See these ratings described in our FAQs.
INSURANCE POLICY
It is not only advised but required that participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).
Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility.
By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.
Please see our Insurance page for more information about our insurance partner, World Nomads.
》OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2022.