Premium Morocco Explorer
Price- $2,920
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12 Days | Varied culture, landscapes and cuisine await in magical Morocco
Few places on the planet offer the marvellous diversity you’ll find in Morocco. In 12 days, this Premium adventure will take you through buzzing cities, tranquil oases, vast deserts and into the homes of welcoming local people. Explore Meknes’s animated medina, the historical Old Town of Fes and the lively Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech. Bake bread with the locals in Imlil, eat pastilla in the home of a Fes family and spend an unforgettable evening beneath the stars in the Sahara. From the country’s much-loved highlights to all the little moments that make up daily life, fall in love with the real Morocco.
Trip overview
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StartCasablanca, Morocco
EndMarrakech, Morocco
DestinationsMorocco
StylePremium
AgesMin 15
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 12
ThemeExplorer
Trip CodeXMPF
Itinerary
Welcome to Morocco! Your adventure begins in Casablanca, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will take place here at 6 pm, where you will meet your local leader and your new travel companions. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to visit the Villa des Arts, a gorgeous Art Deco gallery featuring exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan art. If you are looking for a different type of cultural experience, then you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism. This evening, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with a wonderful dinner with your group, set in traditional restaurant. Nowhere is Morocco’s cultural heritage more evident than in its food, and tonight you’ll have the chance to try classic dishes like tagine and couscous.
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This morning you’ll visit one of Casablanca’s most impressive sites: the Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, it is one of the only religious sites here that’s open to non-Muslims. Drive to Meknes to visit Mausoleum Moulay Ismail, where the 17th-century sultan who made Meknes his capital is laid to rest. Continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, where a local guide will help you imagine the bustling city that once was. Enjoy a picnic of fresh bread, cheese, fruits and olives from the market. Travel to Fes and settle in at your Riad, a beautiful oasis in the heart of the medina – your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Prepare for a treat this evening as you are warmly welcomed into the home-turned-restaurant of a local family for a pastilla dinner in a private after-hours experience. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.
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Today head into the Old Town, known locally as Fes el Bali. Your leader will share stories of the city’s history as you walk through labyrinthine streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods and eye-catching specialty sections. Walking by historic khans, dye-pits and stalls loaded with fragrant herbs and spices, with the squawk of chickens and sounds of copper craftsmen at work filling the air, it’s easy to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the medina for a refreshing glass of traditional mint tea at a tranquil family-owned tea house.
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Today, leave the intensity of the city behind for the desert oasis town of Erfoud. Prepare for a long driving day and have your camera ready as there will be plenty of stops to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape along the way. Wind past olive groves, shepherds tending to their flocks, forests of cedar, pine and oak, and valleys filled with date palms – all with views of the High Atlas Mountains in the distance. Arrive in Erfoud, your gateway to the Sahara Desert. Built by the French in the early 1900s, the town features tightly packed red sand buildings that blend seamlessly into the desert surroundings. While here, be sure to try some dates fresh from the local market – the dates in Erfoud are so delicious they celebrate them with a festival every year.
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Spend the morning exploring Khemliya, a village on the fringe of the orange-coloured Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This traditional Saharan village is known for a distinctive style of music and dance. For lunch today you will get to see how the local speciality dish of medfouna is made, and then sample some yourself. Then it’s time to do as the locals do and ride a camel through the desert towards your accommodation – a spectacular camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here in this magical escape from the modern world you’ll experience the true essence of desert life. But the remote location doesn’t mean skimping on amenities – permanent tents feature large beds, en suite bathrooms and delightful, authentic décor. Tonight, embrace your extraordinary surroundings and enjoy a traditional feast beneath a sky jewelled with thousands of stars, followed by live Gnaoua music around an open fire.
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Start the day with a truly unforgettable experience – walk with a camel across the desert during sunrise, watching the landscape turn remarkable shades of orange. After breakfast drive to Todra Gorge, a massive trench that rises over 250 metres to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. You’ll stop for lunch with a local family living within an old kasbah. Here you’ll enjoy some regional dishes and another look inside a typical Moroccan home. Continue to Skoura, home to a historic oasis, sprawling palm plantations and a town dotted with mudbrick castles. Your accommodation for the evening is an excellent ecolodge, with charming rammed-earth bungalows, water conservation systems and a sweep of organic gardens – produce from which is used to create the wonderful meals served on site.
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Today you will take a beautiful walk through shady palm groves. It will take around two to three hours, depending on the interests of the group, and will be over gentle terrain. During your walk your leader will explain the importance of date farming in Morocco and you’ll see examples of the agricultural practices of the area. Afterwards, visit the Kasbah Amridil, a 17th century fortified residence that serves as a living museum. The kasbah is well preserved and maintained by the same family who built it, giving you a look at what life here was like 300 years ago – with goats wandering the courtyards and a traditional olive oil press. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend relaxing at the lodge. You may like to stretch out by the pool with a good book – there are few better spots to while away an afternoon in the sunshine.
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Depart Skoura and travel to Ait Benhaddou – a hilltop site almost unchanged since the 11th century. Its kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. You may recognise the site from films and TV shows such as Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Explore the Old Town, heading up to the top of the hill for some scenic views. Afterwards, visit Tawesna – a riverside teahouse – for a tasty lunch including freshly made Amazigh bread, soup, Moroccan sweets and mint tea. This community-run establishment provides women with a small income to support themselves and their children. They use natural ingredients sourced from local cooperatives to prepare tea and pastries, taking great pride in sharing their stories and giving visitors an authentic Amazigh experience. Visit Taman’Art Space, an art studio and cultural centre created by a local artist. Meet with the artist and founder, and talk about his methods, inspiration and process, all while sipping a cup of tea on the terrasse, surrounded by gorgeous views.
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After breakfast, set off to explore the quaint village of Imlil and the surrounding area on a pleasant walk, expected to take no more than three hours, depending on the abilities and interests of the group. During the walk you’ll enjoy more insight into everyday life as the locals go about their mornings.
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After breakfast, you’ll travel to Marrakech, your final destination and home for the next two nights. Today a local guide will bring the magic of Marrakech to life as you tour the medina and the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil orange blossom-scented courtyards and the extravagant Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque; the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Make your way to Djemaa el-Fna, stopping off to taste some of the marvellous freshly squeezed orange juice from a local stall – sure to be one of the most delicious glasses of OJ you ever have.
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Today is free to explore Marrakech further. Perhaps visit Le Jardin Secret, a traditional garden with a magnificent courtyard, or head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills. For your final evening, perhaps join your group for a farewell dinner – your leader will be able to recommend some fantastic local restaurants.
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Your trip ends today, after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakech.
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Inclusions
Meals
Meals 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinnersTransport
Transport Private vehicleAccommodation
Accommodation Comfortable hotel (9 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)Premium Inclusions
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Casablanca - Welcome Dinner
- Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque
- Volubilis - Picnic Lunch
- Fes - Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner
- Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
- Meknes - Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
- Fes - Medersa El Attarine
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Fes - Tea Break
- 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 - Palm grove walk
- Ait Benhaddou - Lunch at Tawesna
- Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
- Ait Benhaddou - Taman’Art Space Studio Visit
- Imlil - Valley walk
- Imlil - Home-cooked Picnic Lunch
- Marrakech - Medina walking tour
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia
- Marrakech - Fresh orange juice tasting
Add On Activities
- Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD700
- Casablanca - Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) - Free
- Casablanca - Jewish Museum (entrance fee) - MAD50
- Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806
- Marrakech - Imlil & Aroumd day trip - MAD1817
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
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