Best of Morocco

From vibrant and bustling medinas to the sparse but breathtaking Sahara, the country packs a remarkable variety of adventures into its corner of North Africa.
Introduction

The journey of a lifetime awaits in Morocco on this exhilarating two week adventure. From the sights and sounds of Marrakech, the ancient Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and the vast Sahara Desert, to the history of Fes, Rabat and Meknes, there’s plenty to amaze. Plus top off your trip with a relaxing few days by the coast in breezy Essaouira.

Duration
13 Days
Starting At
$1695 per person
Style
Escorted
Departures
July 2018 - December 2019
The Journey
Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Merzouga, Fes, Rabat, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou, Essaouira
Roundtrip Flights From U.S. Included
No
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Tour Highlights

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Highlights

  • Essaouira – Spend three days in this charming seaside city on the Atlantic Coast
  • Marrakech – UNESCO-listed medina, mosque, palaces and souks
  • Rabat – The lively capital city
  • Volubilis – UNESCO-listed Roman ruins
  • Fes – The oldest medieval city in the world, medina dye pits and tanneries
  • Erg Chebbi sand dunes – Beginning of the Sahara
  • Todra Gorge – Towering red canyon
  • Ait Benhaddou – UNESCO Listed ancient kasbah

What's Included

  • Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport on day 1
  • 11 nights 3 – 4 star hotels & riad, 1 night camping – Berber desert camp in the Sahara Desert (hotel upgrade available)
  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners including a traditional Berber meal our Sahara camp
  • Private return transfer from Marrakech – Essaouira and Essaouira – Marrakech
  • Camel trek into the Sahara
  • Guided sightseeing of Casablanca, Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech
  • Escorted by a licensed English speaking Moroccan tour guide
  • Specialist local guides at some sites
  • All transportation and transfers in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles
  • Entrance Fees to all included sites

Not Included

  • International flights and visas (if applicable)
  • Gratuity for your tour guide & driver. Budget approx USD$2 – 3 per person per day. Tipping your tour guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
  • Tipping Kitty: $90, paid in USD or local currency

The Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Days 10-12

Day 13

Day 1

Marrakech

Saturday. Upon arrival at Marrakech airport you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in the centre of town. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore Marrakech – why not head to the medina and discover the delights of Djemaa el Fna, the exuberant market place, which is a hive of activity, sights and smells at both day and night. Later on there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel at 19:30hrs.

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 2

Marrakech

After breakfast we head over to the beautiful Majorelle Gardens just a short drive from the hotel. These botanical gardens were designed by the French Artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. He used a distinctive shade of cobalt blue for the majority of the garden and although a lot of his other work has largely been forgotten – this garden is seen as his greatest master piece. The garden has been owned by Yves Saint Laurent since 1980 and his ashes were scattered here after his death in 2008. The garden contains an extensive collection of exotic plants and trees and is home to 15 species of bird. There is also a Berber Museum representing the various indigenous tribes of Morocco including over 600 artefacts.

This afternoon you will meet up with the rest of the group who are coming in from Casablanca before embarking on a guided tour of Marrakech. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city’s exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city.

Overnight: Marrakech  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Ouarzazate

Departing the city this morning we travel across the plains of haouz and reach the great High Atlas mountains. Climbing over the pass of Tizi n Tichka, we stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views over the Mountains and valleys to Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defense purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco. Carrying on we continue south to the Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zazat). Ouarzazate is famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including James Bond – The Living Daylights, The Mummy and more recently Game of Thrones.

Overnight: Ouarzazate | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Sahara

This morning we begin our journey into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, rose fields and magnificent gorges. Travelling from Ouarzazate, there is a possibility of visiting the kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura before seeing the rose fields and reaching scenic Todra Gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 1000ft, it is known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colors as the sun slowly moves from east to west. After time to wander through Todra we hit the road again for Merzhouga – our base before we head into the Sahara. Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi. We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara.

If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara Hotel Upgrade.

Overnight: Merzouga | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Fes

Departing early, we climb back on our camels disembarking for a truly stunning sunrise. After freshening up and breakfast in Merzouga we’re back on the road heading for Fes. It’s a long drive today however there is a lot to see on the way. We’ll pass through cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Moyen Atlas mountains. Just before Fes we stop at Ifrane – a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort. Along the way we also start to see our first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the mountains and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination. We arrive into Fes in the early evening.

Overnight: Fes | Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

Fes

Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali – the old walled city. This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends – so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder of the day is at leisure – why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).

Overnight: Fes | Breakfast

Day 7

Volubilis & Meknes

Departing Fes this morning we visit the fascinating UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date back to AD40. Continuing on we stop at the Imperial City of Meknes, which became known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its impressive buildings and elaborate monuments. After lunch and some free time our final stop of the day is Rabat – Morocco’s capital where we overnight.

Overnight: Rabat | Breakfast

Day 8

Rabat & Casablanca

This morning we take a guided tour of Rabat and visit some of the capital’s highlights, including the impressive Chellah – a necropolis and complex of ancient, medieval ruins, the Royal Palace and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch we continue to Casablanca where we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world – it can hold 25,000 worshipers at any one time. After our visit to the mosque we say goodbye to our fellow passengers leaving us in Casablanca and continue on to Marrakech for the night.

Overnight: Marrakech | Breakfast

Day 9

Essaouira

Today we have a leisurely morning before starting our journey to Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast via private transfer, and upon arrival enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Why not find a restaurant in the charming old town and try the local cuisine.

Overnight: Essaouira | Breakfast

Days 10-12

Essaouira

Spend the next three days exploring the sights and delights of Essaouira at your own pace. Set on the rugged shores of the breezy Atlantic Coast, this charming seaside city offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. While away the days here exploring its winding streets lined with whitewash houses, picking your way through the shops in its ancient medina, or by sitting at an ocean-facing restaurant sipping on a cup of coffee. During the warmer months why not try some water sports too, as the windy shores here offer ideal conditions for wind and kite surfing. On the evening of day 12 a private transfer will take you back to Marrakech for the night.

Overnight: Essaouira (2), Marrakech (1) | Breakfast x 3

Day 13

Morocco

Today your touring arrangements come to an end.

Breakfast

Know Before You Go

The Fine Print

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

Prices are correct at time of publication; however, as airfares continually fluctuate and classes of service may have limited capacity, prices and availability will change accordingly.

Deposit due upon booking. Reservations accepted until sold out.

Deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure with some exceptions where payment is due earlier. Payment plans available.

Passport must be valid 6 months beyond travel dates. Visa requirements vary dependent upon your nationality, the countries you are visiting, whether you require a single or a multi entry visa and the duration of your stay. Some visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport, others must be procured in advance, and embassy’s can often take several weeks to process them, so it is important that you start thinking about obtaining your visa at the time of booking. For more information about visa requirements, visit the US Department of State.

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