Morocco

This magical Moroccan trip officially starts upon your arrival in the bustling city of Casablanca. A private driver will pick you up from the airport to transfer you to our accommodations in the city center. The remainder of the day will be yours to rest and to get acquainted with your fellow travelers. In the evening, we’ll come together for a quick orientation followed by a delicious welcome dinner!

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll head out for a 1.5 hour drive to the beautiful capital city, Rabat. We'll explore the quiet lanes of this stunning imperial city on a guided walking tour before stopping for lunch in the heart of the old town.

We'll then continue on to Fes, only 2.5 hours away. Upon arrival in Fes, we’ll check into our gorgeous riad accommodation in the medina and enjoy a short rest before finishing off the day with a traditional Moroccan dinner prepared by our local, welcoming hosts.

In the morning, we’ll start our day by heading straight into the heart of the ancient medina, the old walled city, a designated UNESCO site). We'll embark on a half-day walking tour that will include colorful souks, leather tanneries, traditional weavers and a variety of other craftspeople.

We'll visit a beautiful mosque and wander through markets displaying an incredible array of goods such as spices, housewares, artwork, soaps, shoes and much, much more! You'll then have free time to wander the vibrant markets on your own before meeting for an excellent dinner.

After breakfast, we’ll leave for a 1.5 hr drive to the incredible Roman ruins of Volubilis.

Located in the countryside, situated over beautiful low hills, these ruins include homes and temples, as well as detailed mosaics and well-preserved columns. After a guided tour of the ruins, we'll head to the nearby historic city of Meknes for lunch. From here, we'll journey on to a winery in the primary wine region of Morocco. The Moroccan wine industry is beginning to blossom and gain recognition, and we’ll be lucky enough to try several of the country’s unique varieties during a wine-tasting.

After our lunch, we'll return to Fes for a relaxed evening.

Today we’ll take a scenic journey to Merzouga, straight across the magnificent Middle Atlas Mountains, ending up at the edge of the Sahara Desert. The total trip will take approximately 8 hours and will involve several, scenic stops along the way, including the gorgeous Ziz Valley, a Swiss-like town, Ifrane, and a forest that’s home to the unique Barbary Apes. We'll arrive at our fantastic riad in the small town of Merzouga in time to catch the sunset over the desert!

After breakfast, we’ll go to a local Gnoua village where we’ll learn about the daily life of the tribal people who typically only live in remote Morocco. For those who wish, there will be a chance to stop at the Berber carpet collective, where beautiful, hand-woven carpets from villages around the region are brought to be sold.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the choice between two incredible adventures. One option is a 1.5-hour camel trek to ride on the back of the emblematic animal of this unique country. The other, a 30-minute jeep safari across the mesmerizing Erg Chebbi sand dunes to reach our idyllic Sahara Desert Camp.

We'll spend a picturesque evening in the desert enjoying wonderful food, entertained by traditional music while sitting around the campfire and stargazing before we head off to sleep in our wonderful (and very comfortable!) yurts.

After eating breakfast while watching the sunrise over the dunes, we'll leave the desert via jeep and head back to Merzouga, where we’ll take a few minutes to get organized before driving towards the Dades Valley. En route, we'll visit a few small villages and a fossil workshop in Erfoud, where spectacular marine fossils are discovered buried beneath the desert.

Once across the Jebel Sahro Mountains, we’ll reach our next beautiful landing place in the stunning Dades Valley. We’ll check into our rooms and meet back together for a delicious, multi-course dinner prepared by one of the most impressive chefs in Morocco!

Today we’ll embark on a spectacular day trip through the plains, high deserts, valleys and mountains of the Dades region. By the end of the day, you’ll be in awe of the dramatic landscapes and grateful for our local guides for providing such a custom, unique, unforgettable experience.

This day involves a 4x4 excursion unlike any other, as we meet Bedouins living inside of caves and locals in the picturesque town of Bou Tharar, all while surrounded by surreal nature. We'll return to our hotel in the afternoon for a rest before sitting down for a wonderful dinner.

The day’s activities all take place in the center of the Dades Valley, a local community that is as welcoming as it is remote. You’ll begin with a visit to a local friend’s home, where you’ll spend time with the several generations of women who live here. We'll share a home-cooked meal, learn about their village and daily life, and they'll even do some henna tattoos on your hands and feet if you wish!

You'll also have a chance to wander through the village, interact with more local Amazigh and catch glimpses of the ancient kasbahs (fortified homes shared by several families) and awesome natural formations all around. People are very friendly so you'll be able to see their homes, enjoy tea, ask questions and take photos as well.

After breakfast, we'll begin our all-day journey to Marrakech, often considered the most lovable city in Morocco. We'll drive over the grand High Atlas Mountains, stopping in the film studio town of Ouarzazate, as well as the village of Tisseldei for a lunch overlooking the valley. Driving back down to the coastal plains, we’ll arrive at our hotel in the center of Marrakech in time for a quick wander and dinner.

There is no other medina (walled city) quite like Marrakech. It is full of bustling markets, incredible architecture, centuries old crafts, intense colors and aromas, constant celebrations and a positive vibe that is truly contagious.

Our guided walking tour of the city will take us to several quarters that are home to the awe-inspiring Bahia Palace and local markets that focus on textiles, crafts, clothing, leather shoes, ceramics, metal work, spices and so much more! We’ll slowly make our way through the medina with our local guide, as we explore hidden nooks and crannies of the city.

After the walking tour, you’ll have some free time in the medina for shopping, additional exploration or simply enjoying a tea in the bustling main square. In the evening, we’ll head out for a local dinner near the historical center.

On this day, you’ll have free time to enjoy this wonderful city at your own pace. Stroll through the never-ending markets, get pampered at a wonderful luxury hammam, people-watch from a rooftop cafe, visit one of the museums or simply relax at the hotel... the choice is yours! Your tour leader will be on hand to make suggestions and offer assistance.

In the evening for our final group dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

You'll be picked up at the hotel for your airport transfer to the Marrakech airport according to your departure flight time. (If you choose to depart from Casablanca, we can arrange a private transfer from Marrakech to the Casablanca airport at an extra cost. The travel time is approximately 2.5 hours by vehicle.)