18 Days : Morocco offers a variety of activities, from desert to city to the sea.

Morocco, welcome! An Intrepid representative will meet you at Casablanca Airport and transfer you to your hotel. The adventure begins at 6 p.m. with a welcome meeting. The Villa des Arts is a wonderful option for those who arrive in Casablanca with plenty of time. The stunning Art Deco gallery hosts many exhibitions of international and contemporary Moroccan art. The Museum of Judaism offers a fascinating and unique experience in cultural experiences. Enjoy a delicious banquet-style dinner in the courtyard at a charming riad to celebrate the start of a new journey. Moroccan cuisine is a major part of its cultural heritage. Tonight, you can enjoy classic dishes such as tagine, couscous, and pastilla.

Accommodation

• Hotel Gray (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• Complimentary Airport Transfer
• Casablanca – Welcome Dinner

Optional Activities

• Casablanca – Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) – Free
• Casablanca – Jewish Museum (entrance fees) – MAD50
• Casablanca – The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventures – MAD948

All Meals Included

• Dinner

Additional Information

We will need to collect your insurance details and information about next of kin at the meeting. It is very important that everyone attends. Please let the hotel reception or your travel agent know if you will be arriving late. For more information about where the meeting will be held, ask reception or find a note in lobby.

Today you’ll visit the Mosque of Hassan II, one of Casablanca’s most iconic sites. The Mosque of Hassan II is second in size only to Mecca’s great mosque. It sits on both land and over the sea and is the only open religious site that is accessible to non-Muslims. You can then drive north from Casablanca to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital and first Imperial city. Begin your visit by exploring the souks and medina. Next, explore the Kasbah des Oudaias, a beautiful walled area. Here you can enjoy a mint tea and a view of the ocean and Bou Regreg rivers. Continue your walk to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the huge minaret of Mosque of Hassan II. Continue on to Meknes in the afternoon.

Accommodation

• Riad Ritaj (or similar) (1 night).

Includes Activities

• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Rabat – Kasbah des Oudaias
• Rabat – Hassan Tower
• Rabat – Mausoleum Mohammed VI

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

The average driving time today is approximately 3.5 hours.

Begin your journey with your leader to explore Meknes’s charming medina, the old walled area of the city. It’s a unique experience to see the medina, which is less well-known, as locals go about their day. You can visit the shrine of MoulayIsmail, the granaries, and a local market that sells vegetables, olives, and sweets. Continue on to Volubilis. The remains of Volubilis, once a Roman provincial capital and distant outpost, are a stunning sight. A local guide will take you around the city, give expert advice, and help you to imagine what it was like once. A picnic lunch with fresh bread, cheese, seasonal fruits and olives is available at the market. Continue on to Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen, high up in the Rif Mountains is known for its bright blue buildings – it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Accommodation

• Dar Echchaouen (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Meknes – Mausoleum Moulay Ismail
• Picnic Lunch at Volubilis
• Volubilis – Entrance and guided tour
• Walking tour from Meknes to Medina

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 4 hours.

Today, Chefchaouen will be revealed beneath the blue as you take a medina tour with a local guide. You will discover the charm of this city by exploring its cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and unusual doorways. You can stop by for a taste of goat’s milk – Chefchaouen is full of goats and this creamy goat cheese is one of Morocco’s finest. You will have a free afternoon to explore the city. Perhaps you’d like to capture more photos of the blue-hued buildings of the city, shop for handicrafts or just relax in a cafe while watching the world go by. Talk to your leader about the possibility of a home-cooked meal for dinner.

Accommodation

• Dar Echchaouen (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Chefchaouen – Goat Cheese Tasting
• Walking tour of Medina – Chefchaouen

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Create your tour

Let Chefchaouen go and make the trip to Fes. Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and cultural center. It is a lively, noisy and exciting feast for the eyes. You might want to relax in a local Hammam upon arrival. Ask your leader for great suggestions. You’ll get to experience a different side Moroccan life by being warmly welcomed into a family’s home for a pastilla meal. This sweet and savoury dish is one of the most popular in Morocco. It’s made with layers of pastry and meat and is cooked with eggs and caramelised onions, lemon, and sugared almonds. As you talk with your hosts about Fes, learn how this famous Moroccan pie is made. Then end the evening with a traditional sweet treat.

Accommodation

• Riad Houyam (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Fes – Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The average driving time today is approximately 3.5 hours.

Today, head to the Old Town also known as Fes el Bali. Medieval Fes was a world-renowned centre for education and culture, both Islamic as well as Jewish. Its libraries and religious institutions are legendary. The mosques are of international renown. As you wander through the narrow streets and alleyways, your leader will tell stories about the city’s past. Donkeys loaded with goods are also common, as well as the special sections of the souk. The streets are filled with historical khans, medresses, dye-pits, stalls full of fruits, herbs, soups, and the sound of copper hammering fills the air. Spend the day exploring Al-Attarine Madrasa and visiting the tanneries. Also, visit the magnificent Funduk Nejjarine which is a beautiful restored 18th-century Inn.

Accommodation

• Riad Houyam (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Walking tour from Fes to Medina
• Fes – Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes – Medersa El Attarine

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Shopping in carefully chosen places is part of today’s experience. Intrepid established a centralised system to receive and distribute payments from recommended suppliers, as the practice of getting kickbacks or commissions for recommending services, shops, or activities is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture. This section contains important information. Talk to your local tour leader for more details.

You should inform your tour leader if you do not want to shop. You can have some free time on the tour, but it’s not possible to arrange a meeting place inside the medina because it is so difficult to navigate. You will not be able to return to the group if you leave the group.

Today, you can leave the bustle of the city behind and head to Erfoud, a desert oasis town. Be prepared for a long drive and bring your camera as you will have many stops along the route to enjoy the changing Moroccan landscape. You will pass olive groves and shepherds tending their flocks. There are forests of cedar and pine, oak forests, and valleys full of date palms. All this with stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains. You will arrive in Erfoud to access the Sahara Desert. The French built the town in the early 1900s. It features tightly packed red sand buildings, which blend seamlessly with the desert environment. You should try fresh dates from the local market while you are here – Erfoud dates are so delicious that they have a festival each year.

Accommodation

• L’Hotel by Chateau de Sable or similar (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 7 hours.

Spend the morning exploring Khemliya on the edge of the orange-coloured Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes. The traditional Saharan village is well-known for its unique style of music and dance. Today’s lunch will allow you to witness the making of the Saharan speciality, medfouna. Then, taste it for yourself. You can then ride a camel through desert to your Feature Stay accommodation. This camp is hidden in the Sahara sand dunes. This magical oasis is a wonderful escape from the bustling world and you will experience desert life at its best. The remoteness doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on comforts. Permanent tents offer large beds, en-suite bathrooms, and authentic decor. Enjoy a traditional dinner under a star-filled sky, with live Gnaoua music and an open fire.

Accommodation

• Golden Camp (Featured Stay) or something similar (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• Sahara Desert – Camel ride
• Khemliya Village Walking Tour
• Khemliya – Medfouna cooking demonstration
• Sahara Desert – Amazigh Dinner with Gnaoua Music

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Additional Information

Day 8 and 9 are romantic ways to see the Sahara. However, you can also drive to the camp if that’s what you prefer. If you prefer not to take the camel rides, please let your booking agent.

Enjoy a memorable experience by riding a camel across the desert at sunrise to witness the amazing orange hues of the desert. Drive to Todra Gorge after breakfast. This is a huge trench that rises more than 250m to create one of the most spectacular and stunning natural sights in Morocco. You can hike in the limestone stacks, which make it a great area for hiking. To make the most out of the beautiful surroundings, you’ll take a gentle stroll through the gorge. Continue on to Dades Valley where you will spend the next two nights. The area is renowned for its stunning scenery, with lush green valleys giving way to strange rock formations created by the wind. You will find a lovely pool and terrace at your accommodation. So take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful views.

Accommodation

• Hotel Xaluca (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Sahara Desert – Camel ride
• Todra Gorge – Hike

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The average driving time today is approximately 4.5 hours.

A full day is allotted to you to discover the beautiful backcountry of Morocco. Walking is the best option. There are several circuits within the area. You can choose to do a 10-kilometre circuit, which will take approximately 4 hours. However, your leader can customize the route according to the preferences of the group. After a brief transfer to the trailhead, you will be accompanied by a local guide. Although the trail is undulating and can be difficult in parts, it is easy for anyone with basic fitness. You can stop in a village along the way to have tea with an Amazigh (Berber family) member. This is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse into the Amazigh way life. Enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Rose Valley and surrounding mountains, and share your stories with others about the Dades Valley.

Accommodation

• Hotel Xaluca (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Dades – Tea-making demonstration
• Dades – Hike

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Leave the Dades Valley to begin the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Skoura Oasis is your first stop. It’s home to several private kasbahs including the Kasbah Ameridhl with its elaborate decorations and mudbrick fortifications. Continue on to Ait Benhaddou, a hilltop location that has remained almost unchanged since the 11th Century. The fortified village and its grand kasbah are some of the most stunning in Morocco. The site is well-known for its many TV and film credits, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones. For stunning views, walk through the Old Town’s narrow streets and up to the top. For a delicious lunch, stop by Tawesna, a local teahouse along the river. They offer freshly made Amazigh bread and soup, Moroccan sweets, as well as mint tea. The community-run business provides women with a modest income to help them and their families. Tea and pastries are prepared using natural ingredients from local cooperatives. The women take great pride in telling their stories and offering authentic Amazigh experiences.

Accommodation

• Kasbah La Cigogne (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Skoura – Kasbah & Oasis Visit
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking
• Ait Benhaddou Lunch at Tawesna

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is about 2 hours.

After breakfast, leave Ait Benhaddou and continue driving for several hours along the winding roads through the Atlas Mountains. The scenery is stunning and you can take your time. However, keen photographers might need to stop for photos. Today’s destination is Ouirgane. This charming village is nestled in the peaceful foothills the High Atlas Mountains and offers a great alternative for walking. It has a mild winter and moderate summer and is an ideal place to walk around the red-earth hills or pine forests nearby, observe a variety of birds, or just relax at a 1000m altitude with the incredible view of Jebel Tubkal in the background. Talk to your leader today about the many hiking opportunities available.

Accommodation

• Auberge Chez Momo or similar (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.

You will be taken to Tahanaout, where you can take a cooking class with a local celebrity chef. His organic garden is surrounded by olive groves, orchards, and all set in a Berber douar. You will be able to harvest fresh ingredients from the garden, and the chef will teach you how to season them with aromatic Moroccan herbs. Enjoy delicious lunches while you learn how to make tagines and salads. Continue to Marrakech after a delicious meal. Check in to your exquisitely decorated riad upon arrival. You can spend the evening at the Djemaa El-Fna square, which is one of the most important public spaces in the country. It transforms into an active hub of activity when night falls. Perhaps you would like to end your day with a cup o’ tea at one the rooftop restaurants that overlook the square.

Accommodation

• 2 Ciels Luxury Boutique or similar (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Tahnaout Cooking Class

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Additional Information

The average driving time today is 1.5 hours.

Meet with a local guide to bring Marrakech’s magic to life. After breakfast, you will embark on a morning tour through the Old Medina and the bustling Souks, which are the heartbeat of the city. You will find tranquil courtyards with orange blossom scent and many chambers and salons within Bahia Palace. The Koutoubia Mosque is open to Muslims, but the minaret is worth a visit. You can walk back along the streets of Djemaa el-Fna’s old medina. Stop by a local stall to sample some delicious freshly squeezed orange juice – it will be one of your favorite glasses of orange juice. You can explore the rest of your day at your own pace. You can visit Le Jardin Secret, an old medina garden that has a beautiful courtyard, or go back to the medina to practice your haggling skills. Perhaps you can join your group for a farewell meal. Your leader will be able recommend great local restaurants.

Accommodation

• 2 Ciels Luxury Boutique or similar (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Fresh orange juice tasting

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

You will spend the next two night in Essaouira where the medina meets the Atlantic Ocean. You will get to know this relaxed and charming city by taking an orientation walk with your guide. They will show you how to navigate the maze of markets stalls and narrow streets and give insights into local life in North Africa. Explore the fish market, a port full of colourful boats. You will pick your catch of the day, and then take it to a local restaurant. Follow their example and hand over the market purchase to have it grilled to make the best of fresh food. You will be taken by your leader to the fresh vegetable markets, where you can choose your vegetables and salads to go with your seafood lunch. Enjoy a delicious meal with your group. You are free to explore Essaouira in the evening.

Accommodation

• Riad Dar l’Oussia or similar (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Essaouira – Seafood Market Lunch
• Essaouira Leader-led orientation walk

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Additional Information

Driving time today is approximately 2.5 hours.

This is a combination trip so the group leaders and travellers will likely change. Your leader will inform you on Day 14 when you depart for Essaouira, and what you can expect from this portion of your trip. They are available to answer your questions and ensure a smooth departure.

Essaouira is a name that means image. This is fitting for this picturesque town. The town is home to a large number of British and Jewish residents. Its charm attracted people such as Jimi Hendrix and Orson Welles, who, according to local legend, spent much time here in 1960s. You are invited to spend a day exploring the charming streets of sandstone, before heading to the cart-haulers who call ‘ballak ballak’. Your guide will give you advice on how to spend your day. You might ride horseback along Essaouira’s stunning coast and golden sand dunes. The Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum houses a collection of artifacts, woodwork and carpets. Or you can just watch the kitesurfers ride the crashing waves. A cooking class is available in Morocco. You can also explore the surrounding area on a day trip.

Accommodation

• Riad Dar l’Oussia or similar (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Essaouira – Horse Riding – MAD250

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

You are free to explore the area throughout the morning. You can pick up handicrafts from the market stalls or have a last coffee on the square. This Moroccan town has a European twist and is easy to enjoy. Drive back to Marrakech in the afternoon. After you’ve settled into your hotel, you’ll likely be drawn back towards the Djemaa el-Fna and its surrounding medina. You can end your adventure by eating at one of the outdoor restaurants that line the square.

Accommodation

• 2Ciels Hotel, or something similar (1 night).

All Meals Included

This day does not include meals.

After breakfast, your trip is over. You can leave anytime, and check-out is generally at midday. You will be notified of the time for pick-up if you have booked a private airport transfer. If you want to spend more time exploring this area, additional accommodation can be pre-booked. Talk to your leader to learn more about Marrakech’s many extra activities.

Optional Activities

• Marrakech-Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling daytrip with lunch – MAD2000
• Marrakech – Imlil & Aroumd Day Trip – MAD1817
• Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride MAD2050
• Marrakech – Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. – MAD640

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

You would like to customize this itinerary?

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (16 nights), Feature stay (1 night)

Activities included

• Complimentary Airport Transfer
• Casablanca – Welcome Dinner
• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Rabat – Kasbah des Oudaias
• Rabat – Hassan Tower
• Rabat – Mausoleum Mohammed VI
• Meknes – Mausoleum Moulay Ismail
• Picnic Lunch at Volubilis
• Volubilis – Entrance and guided tour
• Walking tour from Meknes to Medina
• Chefchaouen – Goat Cheese Tasting
• Walking tour of Medina – Chefchaouen
• Fes – Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner
• Walking tour from Fes to Medina
• Fes – Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes – Medersa El Attarine
• Sahara Desert – Camel ride
• Khemliya Village Walking Tour
• Khemliya – Medfouna cooking demonstration
• Sahara Desert – Amazigh Dinner with Gnaoua Music
• Todra Gorge – Hike
• Dades – Tea-making demonstration
• Dades – Hike
• Skoura – Kasbah & Oasis Visit
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking
• Lunch at Tawesna – Ait Benhaddou
• Tahnaout Cooking Class
• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Fresh orange juice tasting
• Essaouira – Seafood Market Lunch
• Essaouira Leader-led orientation walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures cannot be booked.

Important notes

1. If you arrive on Day 1, or have pre-booked accommodation through us, a complimentary airport transfer will be provided. Your flight details must be provided to your booking agent no later than 14 days before you travel.
   2. If you don’t want to share a hotel room, a single supplement is available. You can apply the single supplement to all nights of your trip, but it is subject to availability. Only a few single supplements are available for each trip departure. For more information, please speak with your booking agent.
   3. It is always an adventure to travel. As destinations reopen, there will be some challenges as everyone adjusts to their new normal. Our leaders are experienced in dealing with any unexpected circumstances along the journey. So pack your understanding, flexibility, and just relax.