18 Days | Sparkling coastlines, soaring mountains, ancient cities and the Sahara Desert
On this 18-day Moroccan adventure, you’ll travel in the footsteps of pirates, sultans and nomadic people. Explore the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, the medieval city of Fes and the intricate clay architecture of the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Get to know the locals during your homestays in authentic Amazigh gites, ride a camel in the Sahara over sunset, hike through palm groves, gorges and valleys and kick back in the whitewashed Essaouira. This exhilarating journey is the ultimate way to discover the best of Morocco.
Trip overview
- Start
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Morocco
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- XMSQC
- Connect with local life during your two homestays – one in Moulay Idriss, widely regarded as Morocco's holiest place, and one in a traditional gite with an Amazigh family where you’ll tuck into a homecooked feast.
- Spend time in some of Morocco’s most iconic cities – relax in Essaouira’s sea breeze, wander the blue lanes of Chefchaouen and travel back in time in Fes’ bustling medina.
- Hike in the shadows of the High Atlas Mountains, then explore the palm groves and valleys of the Anti Atlas Mountains, surrounded by local Amazigh village life.
- Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the deep Sahara – the most incredible place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in an Amazigh camp under the North African stars, away from any sound or light pollution.
- Veer off the beaten track to Tata and Tafraoute, deep in the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Check out giant blue rocks, visit the traditional granary, meet the women at a local women’s coop producing Argan oil and duck in and out of souqs.
- This trip involves plenty of walking and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
- Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
- When travelling in Morocco, temperatures can get very hot in the summer while in the desert, so ensure you bring appropriate sun protection. At night and in the mountains, temperatures can drop to freezing, so ensure you also bring layers. Please refer to our Essential Trip Information for more details.
- There are a couple of days with long driving hours, particularly getting to the Sahara and to Essaouira, but a, but you’ll make plenty of stops along the way for sightseeing, photo ops and to stretch your legs.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Itinerary
Inclusions
17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
4x4, Private Bus, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Train, High Speed Train
Desert camp (1 night), Gite (1 night), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Riad (2 nights)
- Tangier - Leader-led orientation walk
- Chefchaouen - Sunset viewpoint
- Moulay Idriss - Leader-led village walk
- Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
- Meknes - Leader-led orientation walk
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Fes - Medresse el Attarine
- Fes - Tannery visit
- Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
- Marrakech - Medina walking tour
- Marrakech - Spiced Sand Coffee
- Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
- Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
- Tamegroute - Ancient Library
- Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
- Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
- Tata - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tissint – Waterfall of Attiq
- Tleta Tagmoute – Amazigh village and collective granary visit
- Tafraoute – village walk and souk visit
- Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
- Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike with tea and picnic
- Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
- Essaouira - Guided walking tour
- Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
- Casablanca - Jewish Museum (entrance fee) - MAD50
- Casablanca - Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) - Free
- Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque - MAD130
- Casablanca - Religious Casablanca Urban Adventure - MAD1850
- Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD700
- Tangier - Cafe Hafa - MAD60
- Chefchaouen - Hammam (public baths) - MAD150
- Chefchaouen - Picnic lunch for hike - MAD70
- Chefchaouen - Walking Tour with Local Guide - MAD350
- Chefchaouen - Medina visit with local guide - MAD300
- Chefchaouen - Kasbah - MAD60
- Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD165
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
- Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
- Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
- Marrakech - Medersa Ben Youssef - MAD40
- Marrakech - Museum of Marrakech - MAD40
- Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250
- Marrakech - Photography Museum - MAD40
- Ait Benhaddou - Cooking Demonstration & Dinner - MAD313
- Ait Benhaddou - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
- Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
- Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
- Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD300
- Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD100
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability, and excludes the following nights: Day 4 (Moulay Idriss), Day 9 (Aroumd) & Day 11 (Sahara Desert).
2. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change on Day 8.
3. Optional transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca - If you are flying into Marrakech we can provide an optional transfer to the starting point city of Casablanca. This transfer is on request and prepaid. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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