Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
Your transfer from Marrakech airport gets you to the hotel in the city centre, and then the day is yours to explore. Walking through the medina and checking out Djemaa el Fna market gives you a real feel for what Marrakech is all about. There's a welcome meeting at 7:30pm at the hotel to meet the group.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore medina and Djemaa el Fna market
Landmarks/POIs Djemaa el Fna - Day 2
Marrakech
After breakfast, head to Majorelle Gardens where the cobalt blue architecture and exotic plants create something special. Later, other travelers arriving from Casablanca join up with the group, and then a guide takes you through Marrakech's medina. You'll wander the winding streets, see various gardens and souks, and walk around the Djemaa el Fna and Koutoubia Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Majorelle Gardens
- Berber Museum visit
- Guided tour of Marrakech medina
- Djemaa el Fna exploration
- Koutoubia Mosque viewing
Optional Activities
- Yves Saint Laurent Museum entrance (100 MAD per person)
Landmarks/POIs Majorelle Gardens Berber Museum Yves Saint Laurent Museum Koutoubia Mosque - Day 3
Marrakech to Ouarzazate
The journey out of Marrakech crosses the plains toward the High Atlas, going over the Tizi n Tichka pass where mountain views are constant. Lunch happens somewhere along the way, and then you continue to Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified kasbah that's been used in Hollywood films. By evening you're in Ouarzazate, known locally as Morocco's 'Hollywood of North Africa'.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel through High Atlas mountains
- Visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
Landmarks/POIs Tizi n Tichka Ait Benhaddou - Day 4
Ouarzazate to Merzouga
Traveling into the Sahara takes you through palm groves and rose fields before stopping at Todra Gorge, where limestone cliffs rise dramatically on both sides (it's compared to Morocco's Grand Canyon). You reach Merzouga in the afternoon and have time to relax before mounting camels for a trek into the Sahara. The sunset from the dunes is followed by a night at a Berber camp in Erg Chebbi.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Berber meal at Sahara camp)
Included Activities
- Visit to Todra Gorge
- Camel trek into Sahara Desert
- Sunset viewing
- Night at Berber camp with local food and music
Optional Activities
- Visit Kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura
- Afternoon swimming in Merzouga
- Jeep transfer to Berber camp instead of camel trek (available locally at no additional cost)
- Sahara hotel accommodation with en-suite facilities as alternative to camp (at no additional cost)
Landmarks/POIs Todra Gorge Erg Chebbi - Day 5
Merzouga to Fes
Starting early means catching the sunrise over the desert from camel-back, then heading back to Merzouga for breakfast and cleaning up. From there, traveling north takes you through cedar forests where Barbary Macaque monkeys live in the trees. The route crosses the Moyen Atlas mountains and passes through Ifrane, which has an Alpine feel to it, and you'll see Berber nomads along the way. Fes comes into view by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise camel ride
- Travel through cedar forests
- Stop in Ifrane town
Landmarks/POIs Moyen Atlas Mountains Ifrane - Day 6
Fes
Walking through Fes el Bali means navigating one of the world's oldest and largest medieval cities with its 9,400 labyrinthine alleys. A guide takes you to the historic dye-pits and tanneries, and lunch happens in the medina itself. The afternoon and evening open up for exploring on your own or trying optional activities.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in the medina)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fes el Bali (old walled city)
- Visit to dye-pits and tanneries
- Lunch in medina
Optional Activities
- Tagine Making Class (payable locally)
- Moroccan entertainment and food at restaurant in town (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Fes el Bali - Day 7
Fes to Rabat
Leaving Fes, you visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis, which date back to AD40 and carry UNESCO recognition. Next comes Meknes, an Imperial City sometimes called the Versailles of Morocco for its architecture and monuments. Lunch and free time break up the day before traveling to Rabat, Morocco's capital, where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Stop at Imperial City of Meknes
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Meknes - Day 8
Rabat to Marrakech
A guided tour of Rabat shows off the Chellah necropolis with its layered ancient and medieval ruins, the Royal Palace, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch, the drive to Casablanca brings you to the Hassan II Mosque, which is the world's third largest and has the tallest minaret (it can hold 25,000 people inside). Some group members head their separate ways, and then you continue on to Marrakech for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rabat
- Visit Chellah necropolis and ruins
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Landmarks/POIs Chellah Royal Palace Mausoleum of Mohammed V Hassan II Mosque - Day 9
Marrakech to Essaouira
After a relaxed morning, a private vehicle takes you west to Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. The evening is left open for wandering the old town and trying local seafood and other cuisine at the waterfront restaurants.
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Essaouira
Optional Activities
- Explore charming old town
- Dine at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Essaouira - Days 10 - 12
Essaouira
Three days in Essaouira let you move at your own speed through the breezy seaside city. Winding streets have whitewashed houses, shops fill the old medina, and ocean-facing cafes are perfect for coffee or meals. During warmer months, the windy shores work well for wind and kite surfing. Early evening on day 12 means heading back to Marrakech to spend the night.
Optional Activities
- Explore winding streets and whitewashed houses
- Browse ancient medina shops
- Dine at ocean-facing restaurants
- Water sports including wind and kite surfing (seasonal, warmer months)
Landmarks/POIs Essaouira Medina - Day 13
Marrakech Departure
The tour finishes after you check out of the hotel. An included transfer takes you from Marrakech to the airport for whatever comes next.
Included Activities
- Airport departure transfer
