ACCOMMODATIONS

• Hotels (8 nts).

MEALS

• 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners 

Allow USD255-335 for meals not included.

TRANSPORTATION

• Private air-con minivan/coach, 4x4 vehicle, walking.

STAFF & EXPERTS

• Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides

DAY 1: CASABLANCA

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

There are no activities planned for the day, leaving you free to enjoy the city at your own leisure. With its art deco and French colonial buildings, the medina, restaurants and entertainment, there is plenty to keep you busy!

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Accommodation

Hotel Imperial Casablanca (or similar)

DAY 2: CASABLANCA/ FÈS

Drive to the imperial city of Meknes for a guided tour of some of its fascinating sites. Continue on to the ruins of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. After the ruins it’s off to Fes.

This is a long and busy day. The times listed are actual driving times and do not include stops at Meknes and Volubilis. We will not arrive in Fes until evening.

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meknes City Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of this imperial city. Gain local insight into city sites – each guide may put their own spin on the tour. Expect to visit the 18th-century Bab Mansour, the ornamental gate to the city, the bustling souk, the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Meknes Royal Palace.

Volubilis Guided Tour

Listen to a certified local guide explain life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the impressive, well-preserved Roman ruins. Peer into old bathhouses, marvel at the still-present mosaic floors, and gaze up at towering marble pillars. Hear stories about life in this Roman city that will leave you in awe of just how far their empire stretched.

Accommodation

Pickalbatros Royal Mirage (or similar)

Meals included:

• Breakfast

DAY 3: FÈS

Embark on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Medina of Fez, exploring the winding lanes, alleys, tanneries and artisan shops. After, enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional tagine lunch at a cooperative that benefits rural Moroccan women and children. This evening, opt to have dinner and entertainment at a historic Riad.

Fès Medina Guided Tour

Visit the Fes medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets lying within 365 hectares. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century; there are 350 mosques in the medina that are still in use today.

Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Explore the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. A highlight is a visit to the famous Fes tannery with great views over the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides.

G Adventures for Good: Traditional Moroccan Lunch

Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch that benefits rural Moroccan women and children. This G Adventures lunch program provides access to education opportunities and healthcare services. The proceeds from this lunch program help support vocational training for rural women, allowing them to support their families and children. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked Moroccan meal and learn a bit of Arabic while you meet some of the women that are part of this program.

Optional Activities - Day 3

Dinner in Converted Fès Ria

20-30EUR per person

Sit down to a fantastic meal in a renovated riad, a Moroccan palace that has been transformed into a restaurant. Tantalize your taste buds and senses with delicious, local cuisine accompanied by music and belly dancing.

Accommodation

Pickalbatros Royal Mirage (or similar

Meals included:

•  Breakfast | Lunch

DAY 4: FÈS/ MERZOUGA

Travel through the Middle Atlas mountains to the Sahara Desert, overnighting in a kasbah-style desert hotel at the edge of the dunes.

Start early and watch the scenery of this diverse country change while travelling over the Middle Atlas mountains. Pass through cedar forests and the ski area of Ifrane into the desert regions. Drive by the vast palm groves of the Ziz Valley and right up to the majestic Saharan sand dunes. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of Barbary apes en route.

Spend the night in a comfortable Kasbah-style desert hotel at the edge of the dunes.

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Nasser Palace (or similar)

Meals included:

•  Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 5: MERZOUGA/ TINGHIR

Explore the Sahara on a thrilling 4x4 dunes tour. Visit the village of Khamliya where you will meet Gnaoua musicians and learn about the history of their music in the Sahara before enjoying a performance. Depart back through the desert and visit local Nomads to learn about nomadic life and share in some mint tea in one of their homes. Return to our Auberge then transfer to Tineghir for the evening.

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Sahara Dunes & Culture Excursion

View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a 4x4 excursion. Watch the dunes as the colours creep across the landscape. Climb to the top of a dune and take in the view of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Continue on to the village of Khamliya where we meet Gnaoua musicians and learn about the history of Gnaoua music in the Sahara and enjoy a performance by these talented artists. Depart back through the desert region and visit local Berbers living in the area, learning about their way of life and sharing in some mint tea in one of the homes.

Accommodation

Hotel Tomboctou (or similar)

Meals included:

•  Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 6: TINGHIR/ OUARZAZATE

Visit Dades Valley then continue along the “Route of 1,000 Kasbahs” with an included visit to Kasbah Taourit. Opt to visit a Berber herbalist in Ouarzazate.

Start the morning with a visit to the Dades Gorge with its unusual natural rock formations and stunning scenery. Continue with a scenic drive along the "Route of a 1000 Kasbahs" with an included visit to Kasbah Taourit.

After lunch continue to Ouarzazate, a former Foreign Legion stronghold. In Ouarzazate opt to visit a Berber herbalist and find out about the traditional medicines and cooking spices of the Berber people.

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Dades Valley and Route of 1,000 Kasbahs scenic drive

Drive through the scenic Dades Valley and “Route of 1,000 Kasbahs”, passing by many of the mud-brick fortresses and abandoned villages. Stop at the Dades Gorge to admire the formations of the rock and the kasbahs built with their backs against the rock for protection.

Kasbah Taourit Visit

Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, a palace built in the 19th century for the relatives and servants of the ruling el Glaoui family. Originally, the Kasbah had hundreds of rooms and riads, but now the structure is partially destroyed. UNESCO has helped with the restoration of the Kasbah, allowing travellers to wander through the halls and rooms. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

Optional Activities - Day 6

Berber Herbalist Lesson

Learn about the traditional, natural remedies and cooking spices of the Berber people. Both herbalists and pharmacists swear by the healing properties of natural ingredients like ginger, argan oil, and mint leaves. Even ingredients usually found in a yummy tajine like saffron and cumin are used as pain relievers and to help with circulation.

Accommodation

Berbere Palace (or similar)

Meals included:

•  Breakfast

DAY 7: OUARZAZATE/ MARRAKECH

Visit Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, then continue to Marrakech. Take some free time to wander this incredible city. Opt to take a historical tour, visit the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, or wander the souks and shops.

Continue on to the village of Aït Benhaddou. During your visit to the Kasbah, lose yourself in the narrow, winding passageways and feel the magical atmosphere of this incredible structure.

Travel to Marrakech through the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2200m in the High Atlas Mountains. Travel along winding mountain roads with breathtaking views from the highest peaks of Morocco.

Private Vehicle

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Guided Tour

Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site and Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou with your CEO. Of all the remaining Kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. The Kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.

Accommodation

Dellarosa Hotel and Suites (or similar)

Meals included:

•  Breakfast

DAY 8: MARRAKECH

Take the morning to explore Marrakech, opt to take a city tour or visit the markets. After, visit a historic Riad for a hands-on cooking class from a master Moroccan chef, and enjoy the lunch that you have prepared.

Take the morning to explore the fascinating city of Marrakech and dive into the labyrinthine souks. Tourists and locals alike find everything they desire here. Whether it’s spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or famous Moroccan lanterns, the selection here is exhaustive. Don’t forget to bargain; that’s definitely part of the fun. Opt to indulge in the chaos of the famous Djemaa el Fna square to watch acrobats and fortune tellers plying their trade.

Try your hand at Moroccan cooking from the direction of a master chef.

Free Time

Spend free time relaxing at one of the tea houses around the square, indulging in the ubiquitous sweet mint tea, watching the hustle and bustle from your shady spot. Or head to Djemaa el Fna Market for some lively entertainment.

National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Moroccan Foodie Experience

With its unusual combination of cultures – Berber, French, Jewish, Andalucian – Morocco is known for some incredible flavours that visitors talk about (and miss) long after they return home. In the heart of bustling Marrakech, visit a historic riad for a hands-on cooking class led by a renowned Moroccan chef who will discuss key ingredients and techniques. From rolling traditional semolina to measuring out spices for a mind-blowing tagine, learn the culinary tricks of a master while preparing lunch as a group, which we’ll all sit down to eat (and marvel at).

Optional Activities - Day 8

Djemaa el Fna Market Square Visit

Wander past fresh orange juice stalls and water sellers in colourful costumes reminiscent of an era past. See storytellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines as the day progresses. When the sun sets, the square fills with dozens of food stalls, and is packed with locals, entertaining chefs, and waiters. Grab a spot on a bench with other diners and try the “tanjia” (slow cooked lamb), harira soup, grilled seafood, famous Moroccan couscous, tajine, snails, or even sheep’s head (for the truly adventurous). Wash it all down with some spiced tea.

Jardin Majorelle Visit

25-50MAD per person

Visit this stunning garden in the heart of the city designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). Follow the pathways through trees, exotic plants, streams, and pools while watching the numerous birds who call this peaceful paradise home.

Marrakech City Tour

Let a local guide show you the best of Marrekech. See the Koutoubia Minaret, Palais Bahia, Palais Badi, and Medresa Ben Youssef. Wander the bustling medina and take in the sights, aromas, and sounds of the brightly coloured souks.

Accommodation

Dellarosa Hotel and Suites (or similar)

Meals included:

•  Breakfast | Lunch

DAY 9: MARRAKECH

Depart at any time.

Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage is available.

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meals included:

•  Breakfast

Price includes:

• National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Moroccan Foodie Experience, Marrakech
• National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Sahara Dunes & Culture Excursion, Merzouga
• G Adventures for Good: Traditional Moroccan Lunch, Meknès
• Arrival transfer
• Guided city tour of Meknes including the ancient granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail and Bab Mansour
• Guided visit to Volubilis
• Guided walking tour of the Fes medina including Medersa Bou Inanya and tanneries
• Visit Taourirt Kasbah and Aït Ben Haddou
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Please ask us about adding great value:

• Flights - we will quote the best fare for you for your travel dates
• Travel insurance

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094, request a call back using the red button or submit an enquiry through the form below