VACATIONS & TOURS

Premium Morocco Explorer

Casablanca, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Erfoud, Sahara Desert, Skoura, Ait Benhaddou, Imlil, Marrakech

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OUR PRICES STARTING FROM

$3,435

12 Days, Guided, 21 Meals

Prices reflect land-only rates.

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Overview

Few places on the planet offer the marvelous diversity you'll find in Morocco. In 12 days, this Premium adventure will take you through buzzing cities, tranquil oases, vast deserts and into the homes of welcoming local people. Explore Meknes's animated medina, the historical Old Town of Fes and the lively Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech. Bake bread with the locals in Imlil, eat pastilla in the home of a Fes family and spend an unforgettable evening beneath the stars in the Sahara. From the country's much-loved highlights to all the little moments that make up daily life, fall in love with the real Morocco.

DAYS 12 Days, Guided, 21 Meals
MEALS 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
11 nights accommodation
Services of a trip leader
All on-tour transportation and related fees
Airport transfers (Restrictions apply)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Casablanca

Meal(s)

Dinner

Welcome to Morocco! Your adventure begins in Casablanca, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will take place here at 6 pm, where you will meet your local leader and your new travel companions. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to visit the Villa des Arts, a gorgeous Art Deco gallery featuring exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan art. If you are looking for a different type of cultural experience, then you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism. This evening, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with a wonderful banquet style dinner with your group, set in the courtyard of a beautiful riad. 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.

Day 2 - Fes

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you'll visit one of Casablanca's most impressive sites: the Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, it is 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 Riad Salam, a beautiful oasis in the heart of the medina – your Feature Stay for the next two nights. This evening you'll be welcomed into a local family's home for dinner. Learn how the Moroccan pie pastilla is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.

Day 3 - Fes

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. The group will get a closer look at some of this history with visits to the ornate inner courtyards of centuries-old Islamic school El-Attarine Madrasa and Funduq al-Najjarin, a splendid 18th-century inn.

Day 4 - Erfoud

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 5 - Sahara Desert

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 will get to see how the local speciality dish of medfouna is made, and then sample some yourself. Then it's time to do as the locals do and ride a camel through the desert towards your accommodation – a spectacular camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here in this magical escape from the modern world you'll experience the true essence of desert life. But the remote location doesn't mean skimping on amenities – permanent tents feature large beds, en suite bathrooms and delightful, authentic décor. Tonight, embrace your extraordinary surroundings and enjoy a traditional feast beneath a sky jewelled with thousands of stars, followed by live Gnaoua music around an open fire.

Day 6 - Skoura

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a truly unforgettable experience – walk with a camel across the desert during sunrise, watching the landscape turn remarkable shades of orange. After breakfast drive to Todra Gorge, a massive trench that rises over 250 metres 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 a historic oasis, sprawling palm plantations and a town dotted with mudbrick castles. Your accommodation for the evening is an excellent ecolodge, with charming rammed-earth bungalows, water conservation systems and a sweep of organic gardens – produce from which is used to create the wonderful meals served on site.

Day 7 - Skoura

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Today you will take a beautiful walk through shady palm groves. It 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. Afterwards, 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.

Day 8 - Imlil

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

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 recognize the site from films and TV shows such as Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Explore the Old Town, heading up to the top of the hill for some scenic views. Afterwards, visit Tawesna – a riverside teahouse – for a tasty 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 Amazigh experience. Afterwards, 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.

Day 9 - Imlil

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, set off to explore the quaint village of Imlil and the surrounding area on a pleasant walk, expected to take no more than three hours, depending on the abilities and interests of the group. During the walk you'll enjoy more insight into everyday life as the locals go about their mornings. Once you've worked up an appetite, you will be met by a local from the village who will invite you into their home to join in a bread making workshop, teaching you about this important staple. The fresh bread will then be enjoyed as part of your homemade lunch, including olives sourced from the area, couscous or tagine and seasonal fruits.

Day 10 - Marrakech

Meal(s)

Breakfast

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 that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil 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, stopping off to taste some of the marvellous freshly squeezed orange juice from a local stall – sure to be one of the most delicious glasses of OJ you ever have.

Day 11 - Marrakech

Day 12 - Marrakech

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Overview

Itinerary

transportation--genericDay 1 - Casablanca

Meal(s)

transportation--genericDay 2 - Fes

transportation--genericDay 3 - Fes

transportation--genericDay 4 - Erfoud

transportation--genericDay 5 - Sahara Desert

transportation--genericDay 6 - Skoura

transportation--genericDay 7 - Skoura

transportation--genericDay 8 - Imlil

transportation--genericDay 9 - Imlil

transportation--genericDay 10 - Marrakech

transportation--genericDay 11 - Marrakech

category--popular-destinationsDay 12 - Marrakech

Departure Dates & Pricing

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Day 1 - Casablanca

Day 2 - Fes

Day 3 - Fes

Day 4 - Erfoud

Day 5 - Sahara Desert

Day 6 - Skoura

Day 7 - Skoura

Day 8 - Imlil

Day 9 - Imlil

Day 10 - Marrakech

Day 11 - Marrakech

Day 12 - Marrakech