Morocco Encompassed

Salam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Casablanca Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Arrive at your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Your hotel will feature an onsite restaurant and lounge. Typical rooms include satellite television, air conditioning, and an en suite bathroom.

This evening, your tour will begin with an orientation meeting lead by your tour leader at approximately 6pm. After, you’re free to explore Casablanca by night, enjoy a cocktail with fellow travelers at the hotel bar, or retire early to rest up before tomorrow’s discoveries.

This morning, depart around 8 am for a five-hour journey by minibus to the city of Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl. En route, stop in Rabat, an elegant capital on the Atlantic coast. Visit the most significant monuments of the city, including the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Oudaya, a fortress strategically located on the ocean.

After lunch in Rabat, we’ll continue our drive to the “Blue City”. Arrive early evening and check in to our riad in the heart of Chefchaouen’s medina. Depending on where we stay, our riad—a traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard that has been converted into a comfortable, rustic guesthouse—may feature a hammam (Turkish bath), dining room, and roof terrace with sweeping views of the city and mountainsides. Typical rooms are colorfully decorated by local artists. Tonight you are free to explore at your own pace, browsing the local shops, enjoying tea in a café, or taking in the Moroccan charm of our riad.

Overnight at Riad Dar Sababa Chefchaouen.

Today we join our local guide in Chefchaoun to explore the blue and white art painting, from the walls of houses, buildings, and streets, through the doors, windows, and stairs, to the electricity poles and vases that decorate the doors of the homes. When the blue mixes with the color of the sky and the freshwater of its waterfalls, the magic is complete.

Visit the Kasbah of "Waa'a El-Hamam" square, the Grand Mosque, Enjoy the outdoors at Ras Elma: Gather with locals at this cascading waterfall and river where mountain water trickles its way into the town and residents enjoy picnics.

Before sunset, a trek is advised to the Spanish Mosque for admiring one of the best Moroccan sunsets.

In the evening, head out on your own to take in Chefchaouen by night. Perhaps you’ll sit longer at dinner to enjoy the atmosphere, walk the medina to shop, or gather in the riad’s courtyard with fellow travelers

Overnight at Riad Dar Sababa Chefchaouen (or similar).

This afternoon, drive inland to Fez. Arrive early evening at our riad in Fez. The evening is free for your own discoveries. Ask your tour leader for recommendations if you’d like to experience this city at night.

Overnight at Riad Dar Al Madina Al Kadima Fez.

Today is dedicated to a full-day exploration of Fez. Led by your tour leader and a local city guide, we leave the 21st century and all previous conceptions of urban design behind as we enter Fez's medina, often considered the world's most well-preserved medieval city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's said that this is the world's largest car-free urban area; undisturbed by traffic, you're sure to agree that strolling here is a feast for the senses!

Enter via the Bab Boujloud, or "Blue Gate" and visit the famed Al-Bou Inania Madrasa, the Nejjarine Museum, Seffarine Square, and the Chouara Tannery, and the Karaouine Mosque and University, the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, founded in the year 859 AD. After lunch in the Medina, have an opportunity to Visit authentic Moroccan Mosaic local Craftsmen.

The evening is free for your own discoveries. Ask your leader for recommendations if you’d like to experience this city at night.

Overnight at Riad Dar Al Madina Al Kadima Fez.

Today, our total transfer time to Merzouga is up to 6 hours, especially in winter when road closures may lead to unexpected detours. We will break up the long transfer with stops along the way.

Pause at Ifran, a Moroccan ski resort. Then, ascend scenic roads past pine groves and giant cedar trees. Midmorning, you cross the 6,000-foot pass and continue west toward the Sahara. We’ll have a lunch pause in Midelt.

As you approach Merzouga, admire views of the remarkable Ziz vast valley. In the early afternoon, arrive at the Merzouga Desert dunes. Your tour leader will help you communicate and interact with the welcoming locals. Later, settle into your Sahara camp, where dunes rise and fall around you and feel the adventuresome spirit of explorers of old. You'll even have the opportunity to enjoy a camel ride. Witness an incredible sunset, and relax after dinner under a canopy of stars. where (weather permitting) the Milky Way may be clear and bright.

At the camp, you’ll stay in a walk-in canvas tent, complete with a camp bed, mattress, fresh linens, and pillow, and en suite toilet facilities. There is a separate tent for dining.

Overnight at an authentic Sahara camp in the heart of dunes.

Awake amidst the silence of the desert this morning, as Morocco's natural beauty continues to astound you. After breakfast, At we absorb the feeling of the remote desert environment and explore where few foreigners venture, along routes known only to the camel and goat-herding Tuareg nomads—the original Morocco travelers. We begin our day boarding a Jeep for a ride to meet the real nomads. Here, we enjoy an exclusive visit with members of a local desert community in their homes to experience a traditional side of Moroccan life. Our leader will guide us around many untouched lands of the Sahara desert on a full-day orientation visit. Don't worry your leader knows the area like a lifelong friend!

Visit Khamlia, a remote desert village. This region is renowned for the ritual songs of its Gnawa musicians, and we'll get the chance to hear their melodic chants during a lively performance.

In the early afternoon, drive back to our hotel in Merzouga. Check-in and relax.

Overnight at Merzouga

Today, we leave the open desert behind and set off for the Dades Canyons. En route, stop in Todra for lunch. The real attraction here is the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep ravine carved by the Todra River over millennia.

After our picnic at Todra Gorges, we drive to Dades Gorges and check in at our guest house. In the early afternoon, we will have an exciting visit inside of the Dades Gorge. Our local guide will take us through this natural wonder. Whether you are a walker or an athlete, a magnificent excursion awaits you in the valley! (full equipment provided).

Overnight at Palais des Figues Dades Gorges

This morning, we set off for the fortified kasbah of Ait Ben-Haddou (a 12-century fortified city), a prime example of classic Southern Moroccan architecture. En route, pause at the Valley of Roses and Amridil Kasbah in Skoura, the one that serves as the first stop on the road of 1000 kasbahs, between Ouarzazate and the Tafilalet region.

After lunch in Ouarzazate, join your tour leader for a visit to Atlas Corporation Studios, the first film studio in Morocco. Many famous films have been shot there, such as The Jewel of the Nile, with Michael Douglas, Ali Baba and the 40 thieves with Fernandel, Gladiator by Ridley Scott, Mission Cleopatra by Alain Chabat and Babel, with Brad Pitt. Part of the Game of Thrones filming even took place here!

Arrive early afternoon at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, A Kasbah's - or fortified city. Check-in our riad in front of the kasbah and spend the evening as we wish.

Overnight at Hotel le Casbah Ait Ben-Haddou

Today, we leave the High-Atlas behind and travel to Tafraout, an anti-Atlas town in the middle of Argan forest, the Land of Igoudars (collective attics), and a pearl of the south.

The evening is free for your own discoveries. Ask your tour leader for recommendations if you’d like to experience this city at night.

Overnight La Maison Traditionnelle Ameln Tafraout

Today we will join our local guide, Hassan, on a 4-hour trek in Ait Mansour Oasis. Experience the beauty of this special area. Each elementary component of existence is magnified. The smallest drop of water captured, directed into small canals, flowing in the gutters. The air rustling in the fronds cooled in the shade of the palm trees.

After lunch with Hassan's family, drive to Napoleon's hat site (le chapeau de Napoléon). Arrive at Tafraout and discover these calm city souks and alleys by foot. Arrive at our Mountain Guest House and relax for the rest of the evening.

This morning, set out for the city of Essaouira. En route, pause at the coast and the delightful resort of Agadir, where you will have the chance to view the beaches of this former fishing village, as well as the famous surfing area of Taghazout. Visit the NP Cooperative, to view traditional methods of extracting argan oil.

Arrive early afternoon in Essaouira. Check-in and relax in this funky town for the evening.

Overnight at Riad Etoile De Mogador Essaouira

Today, join your local guide for a walk through Essaouira's medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an excellent example of a fortified African City. Spanish cannons still line the battlements while parasols dot the harbor's beaches, creating a remarkably picturesque setting. Walk along the city's ramparts just north of Moulay Hassan Square where local artists sell their paintings. Continue on to the Skala de la Ville, which is a fortification built along the cliffs that defended the city from sea attacks, but now provides visitors with an unparalleled view of the port and its bright-colored fishing boats.

In the Medina, artisans, and craftsmen practice their trades as they have for hundreds of years. Explore the many souks including the spice and jewelry souks. Visit a jewelry shop, renowned for its quality and design. Browse the extensive collection of uniquely handcrafted silver jewelry and watch artisans create beautiful silver pieces.

Overnight at Riad Etoile De Mogador Essaouira

Today, we bid farewell to the Atlantic ocean as we embrace a picturesque route back to Marrakech. Discover historic and exotic Marrakesh today. Begin at the Koutoubia, a 12th-century Mosque and minaret, and one of the oldest Moroccan mosques now in existence. Then, explore Bahia Palace, and its 360 rooms. For more recent fascinating finds, you'll see the richly decorated tombs of the Saadi Dynasty.

End your thrilling evening in the famed Djemaa el Fna square, a dazzling display of acrobats, storytellers, and snake charmers. Marrakech is almost unique as the ancient city that is still vibrant, Take your time and absorb this vibrant kaleidoscope of culture.

Around 5 pm, check-in to our hotel in Marrakech city center.

Overnight at Riad Palais Sebban Marrakesh

Your adventure ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakesh join our post-trip activities.