Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins in Casablanca, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and your new travel companions. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Villa des Arts – an Art Deco gallery featuring exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan art. If you’re looking for a different type of cultural experience, then you can discover a unique part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism. This evening, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with a group dinner in traditional restaurant. Nowhere is Morocco’s cultural heritage more evident than in its food, and tonight you’ll have the chance to try classic dishes like tagine and couscous.
This morning, visit one of Casablanca’s most impressive sites – the Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, it’s one of the only religious sites here that’s open to non-Muslims. Drive to Meknes to visit Mausoleum Moulay Ismail, where the 17th-century sultan who made Meknes his capital is laid to rest. Continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, where a local guide will help you imagine the bustling city that once was. Enjoy a picnic of fresh bread, cheese, fruits and olives from the market. Travel to Fes and settle in at your Riad – an oasis in the heart of the medina and your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Prepare for a treat this evening as you are warmly welcomed into the home-turned-restaurant of a local family for a pastilla dinner in a private after-hours experience. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.
Today, head into the Old Town, known locally as Fes el Bali. Your leader will share stories of the city’s history as you walk through twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods. Walking by historic khans, dye-pits and stalls loaded with fragrant herbs and spices, it’s easy to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the medina for a glass of traditional mint tea at a family-owned tea house. You’ll then get a closer look at some of Fes’ history with visits to the ornate inner courtyards of centuries-old Islamic school El-Attarine Madrasa and Funduq al-Najjarin – an 18th-century inn.
Today, leave the intensity of the city behind for the desert oasis town of Erfoud. Prepare for a long driving day and have your camera ready as there will be plenty of stops to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape along the way. Wind past olive groves, shepherds tending to their flocks, forests of cedar, pine and oak, and valleys filled with date palms – all with views of the High Atlas Mountains in the distance. Arrive in Erfoud, your gateway to the Sahara Desert. Built by the French in the early 1900s, the town features tightly packed red sand buildings that blend seamlessly into the desert surroundings. While here, be sure to try some dates fresh from the local market – the dates in Erfoud are so delicious they celebrate them with a festival every year.
Spend the morning exploring Khemliya – a village on the fringe of the orange-coloured Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This traditional Saharan village is known for a distinctive style of music and dance. For lunch today, you’ll get to see how the local speciality dish of medfouna is made, then sample some yourself. After, it’s time to do as the locals do and ride a camel through the desert towards your accommodation – a camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here, in this escape from the modern world, you’ll experience the true essence of desert life. The remote location dsn’t mean skimping on amenities, however! Permanent tents feature large beds, en suite bathrooms and authentic decor. Tonight brings a traditional feast beneath a sky jewelled with thousands of stars, followed by live Gnaoua music around an open fire.
Start the day with a camel ride across the desert during sunrise, watching the landscape turn remarkable shades of orange. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Todra Gorge – a massive trench that rises over 250 m to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. You’ll stop for lunch with a local family living within an old kasbah. Here, you’ll enjoy some regional dishes and another look inside a typical Moroccan home. Continue to Skoura – home to an oasis sprawling with palm plantations and a town dotted with mudbrick castles. Your accommodation for the evening is in an ecolodge with rammed-earth bungalows, water conservation systems and organic gardens that provide the produce for the meals served on site.
Today, you’ll take a walk through shady palm groves. This will take around two to three hours, depending on the interests of the group, and will be over gentle terrain. During your walk, your leader will explain the importance of date farming in Morocco, and you’ll see examples of the agricultural practices of the area. After, visit the Kasbah Amridil – a 17th century fortified residence that serves as a living museum. The kasbah is well preserved and maintained by the same family who built it, giving you a look at what life here was like 300 years ago – with goats wandering the courtyards and a traditional olive oil press. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend relaxing at the lodge. You may like to stretch out by the pool with a good book – there are few better spots to while away an afternoon in the sunshine!
Depart Skoura and travel to Ait Benhaddou – a hilltop site almost unchanged since the 11th century. Its kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. You may recognise the site from films and TV shows like Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Explore the Old Town, heading up to the top of the hill for some scenic views. After, visit the riverside teahouse Tawesna for lunch, including freshly made Amazigh bread, soup, Moroccan sweets and mint tea. This community-run establishment provides women with a small income to support themselves and their children. They use natural ingredients sourced from local cooperatives to prepare tea and pastries, taking great pride in sharing their stories and giving visitors an authentic experience. Visit Taman’Art Space – an art studio and cultural centre created by a local artist. Meet with the artist and founder and talk about his methods, inspiration and process, all while sipping a cup of tea on the terrasse. After, traverse the winding mountain pass of Tizi Ni Tichka to reach Imlil – a small village at the base of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.
After breakfast, set off to explore the village of Imlil and the surrounding area on a leader-led walk, which will take about three hours, depending on the abilities and interests of the group. During the walk you’ll gain more insight into everyday life as the locals go about their mornings.
After breakfast, you’ll travel to Marrakech – your final destination and home for the next two nights. Today, a local guide will bring the magic of Marrakech to life as you tour the medina and the bustling souks. Explore the orange blossom-scented courtyards and the extravagant Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque – the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Make your way to Djemaa el-Fna – the busiest and largest public square in the world – stopping off to taste some of the freshly squeezed orange juice from a local stall. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free, and you’ll most likely want to watch the sun go down in the square, as it comes alive with street performers.
Today is free to explore Marrakech at your own pace. You might like to visit Le Jardin Secret – a traditional garden with a gorgeous courtyard. Or, head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills. For your final evening, maybe join your group for a farewell dinner – your leader will be able to recommend some fantastic local restaurants.
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your time in Marrakech, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
