Morocco tours at Christmas and New Year

• Mild days, cold nights. Days in Marrakech and on the coast are often sunny and pleasant, but it gets cold after sunset, especially in the Atlas and the desert.
• Snow is possible in the Atlas. After snowfall, the Tizi n’Tichka pass and some Middle Atlas roads can close for a few hours; if that happens, your driver adjusts the timing or the order of the route.
• Demand is high. Much of Europe is on holiday, so hotels and desert camps fill up earlier than at other times of year.
• Christmas isn’t a holiday in Morocco. Life carries on as normal; 1 January is a public holiday.
• Days are short. It gets dark early, so it’s best not to pack too much driving into each day.

Spending the last night of the year in the Merzouga dunes is a popular plan at this time of year, so it needs booking well in advance. For a more comfortable night in a tent with a private bathroom, check availability at Tassili Luxury Desert Camp. Nights in the desert are very cold, so pack accordingly.

• Warm clothes for the evenings: a fleece or down jacket, plus a hat and gloves for the desert or the Atlas.
• Layers for the day, which can be warm in the sun.
• Comfortable shoes for the medinas and the sand.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: the winter sun is still strong.

Not sure about these dates? Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco compares the whole year.