Overview
Set off on an unforgettable journey through Morrocco’s mesmerizing mélange of history, culture, and natural beauty. Tour the ancient medinas and vibrant markets of Fez and Marrakech, adventure though the Middle Atlas Mountains to the shape-shifting dunes of the Sahara, go back in time in the Berber Villages of Ouirka Valley, and relax in the laid-back beach town of Essaouira.
Days: 13
Best time to visit: March-May, September-November
Ideal for: Couples, Active Families
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Fes
Arrive in Casablanca where you will be met for a private transfer to Fes, a city packed with cultural sites, distinctive architecture, and abuzz with exciting markets. Settle into your hotel where you will spend the first few nights of your adventure, and then wander the cobblestone streets of Fes’ impressively-preserved medieval medina.
Days 2-3 – Explore Historical Fes
Spend the next two days exploring the innumerable treasures of Fez, from the medina of Fès el-Bali, the sprawling pedestrian zone filled with souks and cultural sites, to the Jnane Sbil gardens and Jewish Quarter of the Fez el-Jdid.
Learn about the city’s history on a guided tour of Old Fes, including visits to the theological college of Bou Inania Medersa, the Fondouk el-Nejjarine—the Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts—and the leather tanneries quarter, where the industry operates much the same as it did centuries ago. After a day of sightseeing stop by La Maison Bleue and enjoy the city’s flavorful traditional cuisine.
Day 4 – Middle Atlas Mountains & the Sahara Desert
Depart Fes with your local guide and drive through the beautiful cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, continuing into the Sahara. Spend the night in a small town and enjoy wandering the dunes, stargazing, and basking in the serenity of the desert.
Day 5 – Explore the Desert
Wake before sunrise and make your way to the ever-shifting dunes of the Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert. Enjoy your pick of activities like riding camelback into the dunes, searching for fossils near Erfoud, or cruising in a 4x4 to get deeper into the Erg Chebbi. Visit seasonal lakes and see elegant flamingos or stop in Merzouga to sip mint tea, and then enjoy another quiet night in the Sahara.
Day 6 – Ouarzazate & Ourika Valley
Travel westward from the Sahara to the oasis of Ouarzazate, a former outpost of the French Foreign Legion. Discover architectural landmarks such as the Kasbah Taourirt and the Kasbah of Ait Ben-Haddou, a fortified grouping of red-earthen homes. Continue your journey into the High Atlas Mountains, winding your way upward to the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka Pass, and descending to the Ourika Valley where you will spend the next two nights.
Day 7 – Ourika Valley
Spend today exploring the Berber villages of the valley, where fertile soil makes this an agricultural haven. Head to Tafza to visit the Ecomusée Berbere, which showcases the trappings of traditional mud-brick ksar, visit the mausoleum and archeological site of Aghmat, shop at local souks, or enjoy an afternoon hiking to the waterfalls of Setti Fatma.
Day 8 – Walking Tour of Marrakech
Travel into Marrakech this morning and immerse yourself in the history, architecture and markets of Morocco’s most alluring city. Settle into your hotel in the ancient, pink-walled medina, and then get acquainted with the city on a private walking tour. Visit the iconic Koutoubia Minaret Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the Ben Youssef Medersa.
Day 9 – Markets of Marrakech
Take some time today to wander through the colorful souks in Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where vendors sell carpets, jewelry, spices, metal and wood crafts, and storytellers, dancers, and snake-charmers perform. Check out the tropical Majorelle Gardens owned by Yves St. Laurent and the small but excellent Islamic Art Museum located in the home of painter Jacques Majorelle.
Day 10 – Art in Essaouira
After the busy streets of Marrakech, spend a couple of relaxing days in the laid-back port town of Essaouira. With its blue-painted and white-washed buildings, Essaouira is the perfect blend of authentic port, surf haven, and alluring resort town. Visit traditional woodworking shops, browse the many small art galleries, or attend a cooking class in the old medina area and learn how to prepare fish tagine.
Day 11 – Surf & Stroll in Essaouira
Spend the day on the beach learning to surf or kiteboard, take a walk along the city walls, or visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner of freshly caught seafood at one of the many restaurants overlooking the bustling Place Moulay Hassan.
Day 12 – Travel to Casablanca
Drive to north to Casablanca, where you can visit one of the largest mosques in the world, Mosque Hassan II, perched right on the Atlantic coast. Head to Rick’s Café for cocktails and a relaxing dinner for your final evening in Morocco.
Day 13 – Departure
Transfer to the airport in Casablanca for your international flight home.
Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.
What’s next?
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