Spain, Portugal & Morocco: Madrid to the Sahara

Main Destination Morocco from $3,239.10 USD 19 Days Tour

Some trips just make sense — and this is one of them. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are a perfect trio, and we’ve connected them into one epic 19-day adventure. Start in Madrid, soaking up Spanish culture and tapas before heading to Porto and winding your way down Portugal’s stunning coastline. Cross back into Spain to explore Seville’s flamenco-filled streets, then set sail across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco, where ancient medinas, bustling souks, and striking desert landscapes await. Think vibrant coastlines, intricate Moorish architecture, spice-laden flavours, and a fusion of cultures that has been centuries in the making. From historical landmarks to hidden gems, this trip is the ultimate deep dive into one of the world’s most captivating corners.

Travel Style

Classic

Service Level

Standard

Physical Grading

3 - Average

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, Porto
Your Local Living Moment: Rif Mountain Hike & Goat Cheese Making, Chefchaouen. Orientation walks in Porto, Lisbon and Seville. Chapel of Bones visit in Évora. Flamenco show (Seville). Orientation walk of the old town of Tangier. Tétouan city visit. Chefchaouen orientation walk. Ouazzane city visit. Guided visit to the Fés Medina. Tour of Volubulis. Meknes visit. Full-day Casablanca tour. Free time in Fés. Film Studio visit in Ouarzazate. Welcome Tea and bonfire at Erg Lihoudi desert camp. A camel ride and 4x4 jeep excursion to desert oasis camp. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Enjoy a traditional Fado performance paired with a delicious Portuguese dinner, Stroll through the vibrant streets of Morocco’s famous Blue City, Hike the Rif Mountains and cap it off with a hands-on goat cheese-making experience, Trek or ride a camel across the Sahara before sleeping under the stars in a desert camp

How large will the group be?

Max 16, avg 12.

What meals are included in this trip?

18 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Train, private vehicle, ferry, 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 (18 nts).

Itinerary

Day 1

Madrid

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend arriving a day earlier to explore all that this amazing city has to offer.

Day 2

Madrid/Porto

Get ready for a full travel day. Journey to Porto, including a quick lunch stop in charming Salamanca. Arrive in Porto by the early evening.

Day 3

Porto

Enjoy an orientation walk of Porto with the rest of the day free to explore. Opt take a cruise down the Douro River. In the evening, visit a port wine cellar and raise a glass to the day. Head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhão Market. Wander the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, visit São Francisco church, the palatial former 19th-century stock market Palácio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

Day 4

Porto/Lisbon

Journey to Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, and take in your surroundings on an orientation walk.

Day 5

Lisbon

Free day to explore Lisbon. Opt for a day trip to nearby Sintra. In the evening enjoy a Fado night and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods. Opt to take a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding mountains to Sintra. Get lost in the city's winding streets lined with pastel coloured houses, palaces, majestic gardens and lush forests. It doesn't get more postcard-worthy than this.

Day 6

Lisbon/Évora

Travel to Evora in the heart of the Alentejo region. Enjoy an included tour to the haunting, but mesmerizing Chapel of Bones. Opt to visit Diana's Temple, one of the best preserved Roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula.

Day 7

Évora/Seville

Journey to the Algarve coast to the small fishing village of Olhão. Explore its bustling fish market, active waterfront and white washed laneways. Continue to Seville and enjoy an orientation walk on arrival.

Day 8

Seville

Spend a day enjoying this city and its Moorish influence. Opt to explore the district of Santa Cruz and the Alcazar Palace before joining the group in the evening for a dramatic flamenco performance. Take the time to see all this great city has to offer. Opt to explore the interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from Moorish times, or the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter— a charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares.

Seville is home to the world’s largest gothic cathedral — climb the adjoining tower for great views of the city. Other attractions include the Museo Arqueológico, the Casa de Pilates and the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains, and shaded lawns.

Day 9

Seville/Tangier

Travel from Seville to the port in Algeciras and board a ferry to Morocco's coastal Tangier. After getting settled, enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk of the old town which will be followed by an optional group dinner at a local spot.

Day 10

Tangier/Chefchaouen

Set off from Tangier in the morning with a stop in the city of Tetouan for a visit. Walk through and explore several significant sites like El Feddan Square, Mellah Avenue, and the Tetouan Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Chefchaouen embark on a CEO guided visit of the beautiful blue streets and Hispano-Moorish architecture of northern Morocco. Finish the walk with a view over the city at sunset.

Day 11

Chefchaouen/Fès

Take part in a short guided hike through the Rif Mountains before a hands-on goat cheese making experience with a local family on their farm. Then, visit the off-the-beaten path town of Ouazzane and its unique neon-mint green medina. Arrive to Fés in the early evening and enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties like Pastilla.

Day 12

Fès

Enjoy an immersive, guided tour of the incredible Fés medina, one of the world’s largest with more than 9000 winding streets. Visit various landmarks within the gates and finish up at the tannery. Lunch will be on your own in the medina and your CEO can help with options. The remainder of the evening is free for you to explore Fés on your own.

Day 13

Fès/Casablanca

Continue onwards from Fés to Casablanca today with stops en route. The first being the ancient city of Volubilis to learn more about its historical importance to Morocco and the culture behind it during your guided visit. Then, spend time visiting various historical sites in Meknes before ending up at the bustling souk area with vibrant market stalls and loads of handicrafts. Proceed to Casablanca for a free evening in this coastal city.

Day 14

Casablanca

Enjoy a full day getting to know the must-see sites and hidden gems of Casablanca. From mosques to bakeries and the historic courthouse in Casablanca there is so much to see and so little time. You’ll be busy all day until a free evening in which you can choose to attend the optional group dinner.

Day 15

Casablanca to Ouarzazate via Marrakech

Transfer to Marrakech in the morning before continuing onwards to Ouarzazate, a city south of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. Arrive in the evening and get settled before attending an optional group dinner.

Day 16

Ouarzazate to Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp

In the morning before leaving the group will explore the famous atlas film studios in Ourzazate and learn a bit about the film making in Morocco. Drive to Zagora and then to Mhamid. From there head out into the Sahara desert for two nights of camping under the stars. The walk will take about two hours and we will arrive at the camp around sunset. Enjoy a cup of tea and watch the colors change in the sky as the sun slips below the horizon. From Ourzazate we drive to Zagora along rural roads. In Mhamid (Oulad Edriss) we meet the local crew and start the desert journey to Erg Lihoudi. Any luggage will be brought to camp by jeeps. Dinner will be served fireside.The camp is in Erg Lihoudi. Our camps will be comfortable, but still somewhat basic. You’ll see some spectacular night skies.

Day 17

Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp to Bertam Oasis.

Wake up to a stunning sunrise, enjoy some breakfast at camp and then start the day. This is our second day of the Berber desert journey. Then you have a choice of walking or riding a camel to our lunch stop. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sahara as you travel like people have for millenniums. After lunch we’ll enter the 21st century again and travel to the next desert camp by 4x4. Arrive at the oasis of Bertam to catch sunset before having dinner fireside with stories and music.

Day 18

Bertam Oasis to Skoura

After another sunrise out in the desert and some breakfast at camp the group will travel to Zagora by 4x4. Enjoy some free time to shower, freshen up, and relax by the hotel pool after our Sahara adventure. After lunch continue on to Skoura. Explore this oasis city famed for its date palms. Have dinner as a group in Skoura.

Day 19

Skoura/Marrakech

After breakfast the group will travel directly to Marrakech. The tour ends on arrival to the airport around 1pm, or at the Marrakech hotel for those have booked post-tour nights.

Please do not book any departing flights earlier than 4PM

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.

Related

Featured Adventures

Moroccan Coast Explorer
Moroccan Coast Explorer
View Itinerary from
$419.30 USD
Journeys: Morocco Highlights
Journeys: Morocco Highlights
View Itinerary from
$1,444.15 USD
Solo-ish Morocco
Solo-ish Morocco
View Itinerary from
$1,023.20 USD
Coastal Morocco: Waves & Market Stalls
Coastal Morocco: Waves & Market Stalls
View Itinerary from
$299.25 USD