It’s also a kaleidoscope of colour: vivid red dirt and verdant valleys; bright, jewel-toned food; intricate mosaics; and vibrant textiles. (Even the taxis are colour-coded: red in Casablanca, yellow in Marrakesh and hot pink in Kelaat M’Gouna, in honour of the fragrant damask roses that grow there.)

In partnership with Intrepid Travel, Broadsheet explored the diverse country with a small group of travellers under the guidance of a local expert. Over eight days, we traipsed through a labyrinthine medina made up of 9000 winding, unnamed alleyways; hopped on camelback for a sunset ride through the otherworldly Sahara desert; hiked the lush green ribbon of the Todra Valley; and sampled all kinds of meltingly tender tajine – welcomed at every turn with warm Moroccan hospitality and a glass of mint tea. Here’s how to get the most out of a week in Morocco.