If you want to hit Morocco’s highlights, this is your adventure. Wander through kasbahs, spice markets, and cities pulsing with energy on this comprehensive trip. Climb onto a camel and explore the edge of the Sahara before admiring the views from the heights of the Atlas Mountains. Experience the energy of imperial cities as you explore souks stuffed with exotic wares. Then take a moment to appreciate this amazing adventure as you spend a night in a mountain gîte.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: AFER Association Community Lunch, Meknès
Your G for Good Moment: Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative Visit with Tea, Morocco
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Mountain Gîte Stay with Traditional Moroccan Meal, Aroumd (Aremd)
Your Discover Moment: Marrakech. Tangier guided tour including the medina, kasbah, and the grand and petit souks. Volubilis guided tour including Roman ruins. Fès medina guided tour including artisans' quarter and Fès tannery. Sunset camel ride in the desert. Todra Gorge stay with walk through local villages. Aït Ben Haddou kasbah tour. High Atlas Mountains hike. Marrakech medina guided walk of souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa square. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Wander through ancient medinas and Roman ruins, Ride a camel into the Sahara, Spend a night in a mountain gîte, Enjoy traditional Moroccan fare at a local home, Shop in seaside Essaouira, Set eyes on the blue city of Chefchaouen
How large will the group be?
Max 14, Avg 10.
What meals are included in this trip?
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private air-conditioned van, camel, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (13 nts), mountain gîte (1 nt, multi-share).
Itinerary
Casablanca
Arrive at any time. Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca.
You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture.
Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.
Casablanca/Chefchaouen
Stop in Tangier for a guided tour of the medina before continuing on to Chefchaouen for the evening. Depart in the morning for Tangier. Take a guided tour of city sites, including the medina, kasbah, Grand Socco (a bustling square at the entrance to the medina) and Petit Socco, a little square in the medina perfect for people-watching and mint tea-drinking. In the afternoon, continue on to Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen
Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen to explore. The city, whitewashed in different shades of blue, is spectacular on its own but with the surrounding mountains, it's a sight to behold. At sunset, opt to visit the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Take in the view from the mountains by pre-booking the Rif Valley Mountains Hike when booking your tour.
Chefchaouen/Fès
Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch before taking a guided tour of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continue on to Fès. Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After, continue to the imperial city of Fès, one of Morocco's most interesting cities. Enjoy free time this evening.
Fès
Explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fès medina with a local guide. Take in a view of one of the ancient tanneries from above and marvel at the myriad of colour and processes. The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Explore the artisan quarters, sample treats from the carts, and view Fès' famous leather tannery from above.
Fès/Merzouga
Enjoy a long, but beautiful, travel day across the unique landscapes of Morocco to get to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Travel through the diverse landscapes that make Morocco so unique. Pass through cedar and pine forests, keeping an eye out for Barbary apes. Pass over the Middle Atlas Mountains through the pre-desert countryside with its deep gorges filled with a splendid oasis of green palm groves. Arrive at the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.
Spend the night in a desert auberge (simple hotel), located right on the edge of the dunes. Have a local-style dinner and spend the night.
Merzouga
Explore the sand dunes by foot or opt to take a 4x4 excursion around the dunes. In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride to watch the sunset before returning to your hotel for an evening of entertainment. Spend the cool morning exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursions. You can pre-book this optional excursion when booking your tour.
In the afternoon, take a camel ride deep into the dunes to watch the sunset. Learn to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flare to photos.
This evening, indulge in a traditional dinner, then gather around a campfire under the stars near to your hotel. Listen to stories about life in this region and, perhaps, some traditional music on the drums.
Merzouga/Todra Gorge
Rise early to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, continue through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river or sampling some local Amazigh delicacies.
Todra Gorge/Aït Ben Haddou
Visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to participate in a tagine cooking class for an intro to Moroccan cuisine. Travel along the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” to the thriving town of Ouarzazate for a lunch stop. This town is home to Atlas Film Studios, where many films have been shot over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.
Continue on to the fascinating and beautiful Aït Ben Haddou, a wonderful example of a kasbah.
In the evening there may be the chance for an optional cooking class. Learn the secrets of how to make the perfect tagine and then sample your skills for dinner.
Ait Benhaddou / High Atlas Mountains
Enjoy a hike to the village of Aroumd (Aremd), at the base of the High Atlas Mountains. Soak in views of Mt Toubkal from the mountain gîte hideaway before a home-cooked dinner. Leave the pre-desert country for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m. Head into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads, arriving at the village of Imlil.
Embark on the 1 hour hike from Imlil to the little village of Aroumd (Aremd), arriving at our simple mountain gîte for the night.
Enjoy a homemade dinner of local produce in the cozy salon. Settle in and enjoy the tranquility, fantastic views, and clean mountain air of this magical region.
High Atlas Mountains / Essaouira
Hike back to Imlil and transfer to the coastal town of Essaouira. Along the way stop by the G Adventure—supported Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative Project for a carpet weaving demonstration and some tea before continuing on. The remainder of the day in Essaouira is free for exploration. After breakfast, take a scenic hike back down the mountain to meet the van in Imlil and head to the coastal town of Essaouira, arriving mid-afternoon. There will be a stop along the way to Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish.
Browse the many shops for leather, jewellery, lamps or trinkets. Watch the brightly painted ships bring their catch into the busy harbour or take a stroll along the long, sandy beach. This is the perfect place to enjoy some local seafood and unwind.
Essaouira
Enjoy a free day exploring this coastal port town any way you like. Want to soothe aching muscles? Pre-book the Traditional Hammam Experience when booking your tour.
Essaouira/Marrakech
Drive to Marrakech for a medina tour with a local guide. Opt to visit Djemaa el Fna Square in the evening to see the gathering of musicians and street performers. Journey to Marrakech. After arriving in the "Red City," join a certified city guide for a tour of the Marrakech medina.
Later, opt to discover the secrets of this amazing, ancient city. Relax at one of the tea houses around the square, watching the hustle and bustle from a shady spot.
End the day like a local with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.
Marrakech
Enjoy a final free day to explore. Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion.
Another great place to start your day of exploring is Djemaa el Fna square, in the heart of the medina. The square changes its offerings throughout the day. Finish up your souvenir shopping or wander the new part of the city for a taste of the modern.
Marrakech
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
