The Magic of Morocco: Total Eclipse

 OVERVIEW

The Magic of Morocco: Total Eclipse

Embark on an 11-day Moroccan photography adventure like no other and experience the rare magic of a total eclipse with OFFBEAT in 2027!

Join OFFBEAT’s co-founders Dave Brosha and Paul Zizka 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, timed around the incredible celetestial event of a total eclipse. Parts of Morocco will be in the path of totality, and while we can not, of course, guarantee clear skies, we believe this area of the world offers one of the highest chances of experiencing totality with clear skies.

Aside from the excitement of the total eclipse, 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 sojour!

Location: Casablanca to Marrakech, Morocco

Dates: July 29 - August 5, 2027
Tour Leaders*: Dave Brosha and Paul Zizka
Max Participants: 14
Where You'll Stay: Comfortable 4-star hotels, with exception of one night in the Merzouga Berber Camp
Trip Duration: 11 Days
Photography Level: All
Physical Rating: Easy

 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Dramatic landscape photography techniques
• Astrophotography in the Sahara Desert and eclipse photography in Tangier.
• Street photography techniques
• Long exposure techniques
• Expanded creative vision

 ITINERARY 

(Note: subject to change)

Day 1  - July 29, 2027  // Casablanca

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 - July 30, 2027 // 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 - July 31, 2027 // Chefchaouen 

Chefchaouen is known as a photographer's paradise, and our tour will allow the group exceptional time to make the most of exploring its blue-walled streets.

Participants will be able to practice their street photography, all taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this incredible town.

Day 4 - August 1, 2027 // Chefchaouen to Tangie

After a nice morning breakfast and a final exploration of Chefchaouen, we will make our way to Tangier, a bustling city in northern Morocco known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches and it's historic medinas.

Tangier will serve as our base for the total eclipse event which will happen in the morning of August 5th. Part of the day will be spent getting the group ready for the eclipse event, and familiarizing everyone with the shooting location.

Day 5 - August 2, 2027 // Tangier to Fes

ECLIPSE Morning.  We will wake for an early breakfast and then get in position in a great location to creatively photograph the eclipse. Tototality is a spectacle experienced by few in their lifetime, and we will maximize the morning and be prepared to shoot it well in advance of the actual event. 

Once the excitment around totality has simmered down, we will head towards the exotic city of 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 remainder of the day to explore Fes on Day 5. 

Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).

Day 6 - August 3, 2027 // 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 7 - August 4, 2027 //  Fes to Sahara Camp

This will be a big driving day through the scenic Atlas Mountains. In later afternoon we will find ourselves driving 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. Once we arrive at near our camp, we will switch modes of transport from minivan and ride like a local, on camel back, to our tented camp where you will be welcomed with mint tea. As the sun sets over the Saharan dunes, we'll be busy with our camera. Return to your camp for a traditional meal before a campfire, and then we will set out an incredible night of astrophotography.

Overnight Sahara Berber camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).

Day 8 - August 5, 2027 // Sahara Camp 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 9 - August 6, 2027 // Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou via Ouarzazate

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.

Day 10 - August 7, 2027 // Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech

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. Once we arrive at our destination, we will take 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, lest 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 late 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 11 - August 8, 2027 // 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)

* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.

 THE FINER DETAILS 

Included:

• Daily instructions/mentorship with Dave Brosha and Paul Zizka
• 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners included
• 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.
• Lifetime membership to OFFBEAT Community.

Not Included:

• Flights to or from arrival city of Casablanca or departure city of Marrakech
• Some dinners/lunches; we build in some free time for you to wonder and experience food choices on your own.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel Insurance
• Optional guided tours.
• Tips for guides and drivers.

 PRICE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

Cost: CAD $8,995* (Based on double occupancy)

Payment options: Full payment or $1500 non-refundable deposit to secure a space with remaining four payments as listed below.

Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1500

• April 25, 2025 - $ 1,873.00
• November 1, 2025 - $ 1,873.00
• April 25, 2026 - $ 1,873.00
• November 25, 2026 - $ 1,873.00

Single Room Supplement fee: $850; please email sales@offbeatphoto.ca to have this option added on to future invoices.

Note: If you are interested in bringing your spouse/partner on this, we have a  discounted spousal/partner rate of 5500.

Failure to pay by due dates 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, refunds will not be given but participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant. In such case, participants are responsible for handling payment for the transfer.

 PARTICIPANTS

• 8 minimum

We require a minimum of 8 participants in order to run this workshop. If the minimum numbers are not reached by April 2027 the workshop may be cancelled and deposits will be refunded to participants. See our cancellation policy below for more details.

 ACCOMMODATIONS 

Your time for the duration of the workshop is split between comfortable hotels.

Important note:   please note that accommodations will be shared (two participants of the same sex per room). Accommodations are always made for friends/spouses traveling together to ensure you room together.  A single room may be available for a supplemental fee.

 WHAT TO EXPECT 

The workshop is suitable for participants of all levels of experience in photography. Most locations will be readily accessible with short hikes.

This event focuses 100% on landscape + outdoor + night + street photography, but participants are free to ask questions about and practice portrait photography as well. It is worth noting that the workshop will be quite active in order to maximize field time. Participants are not expected to participate in every aspect of the workshop/tour. It’s up to you to get out as much as you like, though of course it is recommended you give it your all.

 LEAVE NO TRACE 

We preach and live the ethics of "leave no trace" photography, which means that the utmost care is given, while hiking and photographing, to leaving zero impact on the natural environment. Participants are expected to approach this tour with the same ethics at all times.

 INSURANCE

It is not only advised but required that workshop 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.

 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.

 TRAVEL VISA 

It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they have a valid Travel Visa (if applicable/required) for the duration of the workshop.