Trace a path from the Atlantic shores to the Sahara sands on an expedition through the heart of Morocco.Your experience winds through the blue alleyways of Chefchaouen and the High Atlas peaks, connecting you to ancient traditions.Guided by experts, meet the storytellers, chefs, and nomads who reveal the living soul of the “Land of the Setting Sun."
Travel Style
National Geographic Signature
Service Level
Luxury
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Tree Nursery and Women's Cooperative Visit, Akrich
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Casablanca
Signature Moment: Market Visit and Cooking Class Experience with a Talented Chef, Sidi Harazem
Signature Moment: Marrakech Medina Tour Through Storytelling (Hikayat), Marrakech. Arrival transfer. Welcome Dinner. Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Tour of Rabat including the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Chefchaouen visit to Rass Elma and the Spanish Mosque. Morning yoga class. Volubilis guided tour. Fes Medina guided tour and rooftop tea experience. 2 nights at a luxury desert camp in the Sahara. Full-day 4x4 excursion in the Sahara Desert. Meet Amazigh nomads. Gnaoua music experience. Medfouna cooking class. Visit Todra Gorge. Ait Ben Haddou visit. Farewell Dinner. Departure transfer. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Explore Marrakech's old city with a master of Hikayat (traditional storytelling), bringing history to life, Enjoy being hosted by a local family for an authentic Moroccan cooking and culinary experience, Learn to prepare Medfouna, the traditional ‘hidden pizza’ of the Sahara, in a local village, Share mint tea with local Amazigh nomads immersing yourself in their traditional way of life, Walk through the Roman city's ruins learning about its history and importance to Moroccan culture
How large will the group be?
Max 22, Avg. 16
What meals are included in this trip?
12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, walking, 4x4 land cruiser vehicle.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
Yes, for those travelling solo there is a single supplement.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (8 nts), Traditional Riad (2 nts), Desert Camp (2 nts).
Itinerary
Casablanca
Welcome to Morocco. Your expedition begins as you touch down in Casablanca, where the salt-heavy Atlantic breeze mixes with the kinetic energy of the country’s cultural traditions. You will be met at the airport and whisked to your hotel to settle in. As the city lights flicker to life against the darkening ocean, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers. An engaging presentation sets the historical stage for the days ahead, followed by a welcome reception and dinner to mark the start of your Moroccan exploration.
Rabat / Casablanca
Stand at the edge of the Atlantic beneath the soaring minaret of the Hassan II Mosque, where the sound of crashing waves combines with the call to prayer. Step inside to feel the cool marble underfoot and admire the sheer scale of this modern masterpiece. Travel north to Rabat, the capital, where the 12th-century Hassan Tower stands sentinel over the city like a sandstone giant. Pay respects in the hushed silence of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V before winding through the medina souks, inhaling the scent of spices and cured leather. Emerge at the walled Kasbah of the Udayas, walking its blue-and-white alleys before sipping mint tea where the Bouregreg River meets the sea.
Chefchaouen / Akchour
Leave the coast for the sanctuary of the Rif Mountains, winding upward until you arrive in Chefchaouen — a city draped in mesmerizing washes of indigo, powder blue, and azure. Follow your National Geographic Expedition Leader through this enchanting labyrinth, the cobblestones echoing underfoot as you climb steep streets past the historic kasbah and intricate Hispano-Moorish architecture. As the late afternoon light softens into the "golden hour," hike up to the Spanish Mosque. From this vantage point, watch the city glow against the mountain peaks as the sun dips below the horizon, casting the valley in deep violet shadow before you travel to your accommodation in Akchour.
Akchour/Fès
Breathe in the crisp mountain air with a short morning hike or yoga session in Akchour, surrounded by the sound of rushing water and rustling leaves. After lunch in the small mountainside town of Moulay Driss Zarhoun, travel south to Volubilis, the evocative ruins at the western edge of the Roman Empire. Walk across intricate mosaics baked by the sun and stand beneath the triumphal arch, tracing the layers of history in this ancient outpost. Continue to Fes. Step into the cool, tiled tranquility of your traditional riad , where the chaos of the city fades away and refined hospitality awaits. End the day with dinner on the rooftop, watching the lights of the ancient city flicker below like a sea of stars.
Fès
Immerse yourself in the sensory labyrinth of the Fes Medina. Pass through the grand gates into the world’s largest walled old city, navigating thousands of winding streets defined by their craft. Hear the rhythmic tapping of coppersmiths, smell the sawdust of cedar woodworkers, and brace yourself for the distinct, pungent aroma of the famous tanneries, viewing the honeycomb of dyeing pits from above. Visit the historic Al Qarawiyin University before escaping the bustle for an exclusive rooftop tea experience, finding a moment of quiet above the medina’s chaotic charm.
Fès/Sidi Ali
Engage all your senses with a unique cooking experience. Join Chef Najat at a local market to touch, smell, and select fresh ingredients before heading to an open-air kitchen in Sidi Harazem. Hosted by a local family, featuring a world-famous chef, you’ll learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine — the balance of sweet and savory, the heat of the oven — and bake bread in a traditional clay kiln. Share the feast you’ve created at a long communal table outdoors. In the afternoon, travel to the calm, reflective waters of Sidi Ali. Relax on the terrace with cocktails as your expert shares insights into the deep traditions of Moroccan hospitality.
Sidi Ali/Merzouga
Journey toward the gateway of the Sahara, watching the landscape shift from rocky plains to the endless, shifting sands of Merzouga. Transfer by Land Cruisers to reach your secluded desert camp. As the heat of the day fades into the golden hour, climb a high dune to witness the desert panorama stretch to the horizon. Watch the sands shift from burning orange to cool violet while the sun sets. Dinner is served at camp, accompanied by the hypnotic, rhythmic music of local Berber musicians under a canopy of stars so bright they feel within reach.
Merzouga
Venture deeper into the dunes of Erg Chebbi by Land Cruiser to meet Amazigh nomads. Share mint tea in the shade of their traditional dwelling, listening to stories of life in the sands. Continue to Khamlia to hear the hypnotic rhythms of Gnaoua music, the castanets echoing the history of the Sahara. Later, roll up your sleeves for a cooking class to prepare Medfouna — the traditional "hidden pizza" of the desert. Enjoy your creation for lunch back at camp, surrounded by the absolute silence of the dunes.
Merzouga/Gorges du Dadès
Leave the desert behind and ascend toward the High Atlas Mountains. Stop at the Todra Gorges, where massive rock walls soar 400 meters (1,300 ft) above the valley floor, creating a cathedral of stone. Walk the path that winds through this natural canyon, feeling the scale of the geology and the cool air trapped between the cliffs. After lunch near the gorges, continue the drive through the dramatic Dades Valley, where the road carves through red rock landscapes dotted with green oases. Arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon to refresh before dinner.
Gorges du Dadès/Marrakech
Step back in time at Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s best-preserved ksars . Wander the earthen alleyways of this fortified village, admiring the traditional clay architecture that glows red against the blue sky — a scene straight out of a movie. Continue the journey by crossing the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains, winding down toward the red city of Marrakech. Check into your superb hotel and refresh before dinner.
Marrakech
Leave Marrakech behind and participate in a G Adventures-supported community initiative dedicated to sustainability in the Atlas foothills. Start with a visit to the Ancient Jewish Cemetery and tree nursery to learn about reforestation. Plant a sapling and leave a living mark on the landscape that will be given to land owners to replenish their soil. Meet a local farmer to understand the project’s impact before a short walk to the Ashbarou Women's Cooperative. This women-led initiative is focused on preserving Amazigh heritage and fostering economic empowerment through traditional carpet weaving. Share a homemade lunch prepared by the women and feel the texture of raw wool as you try your hand at traditional weaving, connecting directly with the artisans who sustain their community through this craft. Travel back to Marrakech for a free evening at your leisure.
Marrakech
Discover the soul of Marrakech through the ancient art of Hikayat (storytelling). Join a master storyteller to navigate the Medina, where history and fable intertwine in the smoky air of the souks. Visit the intricate Bahia Palace and the stunning Medersa Ben Youssef, admiring the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Enjoy a traditional tangia lunch in the heart of the old city. Conclude your expedition with a farewell dinner on a rooftop terrace, toasting the sights and sounds of Morocco as the city hums below.
Marrakech
Your expedition to Morocco concludes today. After breakfast, individual transfers are provided to the airport at any time during the day.
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.
