North Africa’s jewel is home to charming people and beautiful landscapes- 15 days

Morocco, welcome! Your adventure starts in Casablanca. You will be met at Casablanca airport and taken to your hotel. At 6pm, a welcome meeting will be held where you will meet your new travel companions and the local leader. You may want to visit Villa des Arts, an Art Deco gallery that exhibits contemporary Moroccan art. The Museum of Judaism is a fascinating and unique place to experience a different kind of cultural experience. 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 try traditional Moroccan dishes such as tagine and couscous.

Accommodation

• Idou Anfa Spa & Hotel or something similar (1 night).

Includes Activities

• Complimentary Airport Transfer
• Casablanca – Welcome Dinner

Optional Activities

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

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 will visit the Mosque of Hassan II, one of Casablanca’s most iconic sites. It is second only to the Mecca mosque in size, and the only one that is open to non-Muslims. To visit Mausoleum Moulay Ismail in Meknes, the 17th-century Sultan who made Meknes his capital, drive to Meknes. Continue on to Volubilis’ Roman ruins. A local guide will take you back in time to the bustling city. A picnic of fresh bread and cheese, as well as fruits, olives, and other goodies from the market is a great way to spend your time. You will be staying at Riad Salam in Fes, the medina’s most beautiful oasis. Tonight, you will be invited to dinner at a local family. As you talk with your hosts about Fes, learn how to make Moroccan pie pastilla.

Accommodation

• Riad Salam Fes (or similar) (1 night).

Includes Activities

• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Picnic Lunch at Volubilis
• Fes – Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner
• Volubilis – Entrance and guided tour
• Meknes – Mausoleum Moulay Ismail

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Additional Information

The average driving time today is approximately 4.5 hours

Today, head to the Old Town (also known as Fes el Bali). As you wander through the streets and alleyways of the Old Town, your leader will tell stories about the city’s past. Donkeys are piled high with goods and specialty sections. It’s easy to picture yourself in medieval times walking past historic khans, dye pits, and stalls filled with fragrant herbs, spices, and the sounds of copper craftsmen working,

Medieval Fes was a world-renowned centre for education and culture, both Islamic as well as Jewish. It is known for its libraries and religious institutions, as well as the fame of its mosques. This group will be able to see some of the history through visits to the beautiful inner courtyards of El-Attarine Madrasa, an Islamic school that dates back centuries, and Funduq al-Najjarin which is a magnificent 18th-century inn.

Accommodation

• Riad Salam Fes (or similar) (1 night).

Includes Activities

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

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

• Hotel Xaluca Erfoud, or something similar (1 night).

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 7 hours.

Create your tour

Spend the morning exploring Khemliya on the edge of the orange-colored 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 local specialty dish, medfouna. Then, taste it for yourself. You can then ride a camel through desert to reach your camp, which 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

• Sahara Sunny luxury camp (1 night)

Includes Activities

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

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.

Begin your day with an unforgettable experience: walk with a camel through the desert at sunrise and watch the landscape change to incredible orange shades. Drive to Todra Gorge after breakfast, which is a huge trench rising over 250m to create one of the most spectacular and stunning natural sights in Morocco. Stop for lunch at a local family in an old kasbah. You’ll be able to enjoy Moroccan cuisine and a glimpse into a typical Moroccan house. Continue on to Skoura to see a historical oasis, sprawling palm plantations, and a town filled with mudbrick castles. The ecolodge you will be staying in is a charming rammed-earth bungalow, equipped with water conservation systems, and an extensive organic garden, which are used to produce the delicious meals prepared on-site.

Accommodation

• Kasbah Sawadi or similar (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch
• Todra Gorge – Hike
• Sahara Desert – Camel ride

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.

Today’s walk will take you through beautiful palm groves. The walk will last approximately two to three hours depending on your interests and it will be over gently rolling terrain. Your leader will discuss the importance of date cultivation in Morocco, and you will see examples of local agricultural practices. The Kasbah Amridil is a fortified 17th-century residence that now serves as a living museum. The original family that built the kasbah has taken great care to preserve it and maintain it. This allows you to see how life was 300 years ago. There are goats roaming around the courtyards, and an olive oil press. You can relax at the lodge for the rest of the afternoon. Relax by the pool and read a book. There aren’t many better places to spend an afternoon in the sun than the one at the lodge.

Accommodation

• Kasbah Sawadi or similar (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Skoura – Kasbah Amridil
• Skoura – Walk through a palm grove

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Leave Skoura to travel to Ait Benhaddou, a hilltop location that has remained almost unchanged since the 11th Century. The kasbah, which is the largest in Morocco, is stunning. Also, the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou is an excellent example of clay architecture. The site may be familiar to you from TV and movies such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. For stunning views, explore the Old Town and climb up to the top. For a delicious lunch, stop by Tawesna, a riverside teahouse, for freshly made Amazigh bread and soup, Moroccan sweets, and mint tea. The community-run business provides women with a modest income to help them and their children. Tea and pastries are prepared using natural ingredients from local cooperatives. They take great pride in telling their stories and offering a true Amazigh experience. Then, continue on to Imlil via the Tizi Ni Tichka mountain pass, which takes you to the base of Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa.

Accommodation

• Riad Oussagou (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Ait Benhaddou Lunch at Tawesna
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.

Start your day with breakfast and a walk around the charming village of Imlil. It should take between three and four hours depending on the ability and interests of the group. You’ll get a better understanding of daily life from the locals as they go about their day. After you have gained some appetite, a villager will welcome you to their home and teach you how to make bread. You can then enjoy the fresh bread as part of your homemade lunch.

Accommodation

• Riad Oussagou (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

After breakfast, you will travel to Marrakech, where you will spend the next two nights. As you explore the vibrant souks and medinas of Marrakech, a local guide will help you to experience the magic of this city. You will find tranquil, orange-scented courtyards as well as the magnificent Bahia Palace. The Koutoubia Mosque is open to Muslims, but the minaret is worth a visit. You can stop at a local stall to sample some delicious freshly squeezed orange juice.

Accommodation

• Riad Nesma (or similar) (1 night).

Includes Activities

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

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

The average driving time today is 1.5 hours.

Today you are free to explore Marrakech. You can visit Le Jardin Secret, which is a traditional garden that has a beautiful courtyard. Or you can 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

• Riad Nesma (or similar) (1 night).

Optional Activities

• Marrakech – Asni & Ouirgane Day Trip with Lunch – MAD1806
• Marrakech – Imlil & Aroumd Day Trip – MAD1817
• Marrakech-Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling daytrip with lunch – MAD2000
• Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride MAD2050
• Marrakech – Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. – MAD640

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

This is a combination trip so the group leaders and travellers will likely change. Your leader will inform you on Day 11 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 that you have a smooth departure. Driving time today is approximately 2.5 hours

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 most of his time in the 1960s here. 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

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Driving time today is approximately 2.5 hours.

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

14 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (12 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Activities included

• Complimentary Airport Transfer
• Casablanca – Welcome Dinner
• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Picnic Lunch at Volubilis
• Fes – Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner
• Volubilis – Entrance and guided tour
• Meknes – Mausoleum Moulay Ismail
• Fes – Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes – Medersa El Attarine
• Walking tour from Fes to Medina
• Khemliya – Medfouna cooking demonstration
• Sahara Desert – Camel ride
• Sahara Desert – Amazigh Dinner with Gnaoua Music
• Khemliya Village Walking Tour
• Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch
• Todra Gorge – Hike
• Skoura – Kasbah Amridil
• Skoura – Walk through a palm grove
• Ait Benhaddou Lunch at Tawesna
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking
• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Fresh orange juice tasting
• Essaouira – Seafood Market Lunch
• Essaouira Leader-led orientation walk

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.