Road to Morocco

Day 1: Arrival Day Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Casablanca Airport, you will be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm with an important welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, a great option for your limited time in Casablanca is to visit the Villa des Arts. This gorgeous Art Deco gallery holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international 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 banquet style dinner with your group, set in the courtyard of a gorgeous riad. 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, couscous and pastilla.

Accommodation Gray Boutique Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar / Meals Included: Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Casablanca - Welcome meeting

• Casablanca - Welcome Dinner

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07 MAY  Day 2 Rabat – Meknes

This morning you will visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca - the massive edifice of the Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building sits partly on land and partly over sea and is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Later, leave Casablanca and drive north along the coast to Rabat, the elegant capital of Morocco and its first Imperial city. Start your visit with a walk through the medina and souks, then explore the lovely walled quarter known as the Kasbah des Oudaias, where you’ll enjoy an included mint tea in a little treasure of a café overlooking the ocean and Bou Regreg River. Afterwards, continue the walk to visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the vast minaret of the Mosque of Hassan II. In the late afternoon, continue to Meknes, the former capital of Morocco. Enjoy dinner tonight with your group.

Accommodation Riad Ritaj (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque

• Rabat - Kasbah des Oudaias

• Rabat - Hassan Tower

• Rabat - Mausoleum Mohammed V

 

08 MAY  Day 3 Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen

 Join your leader and explore the charming streets of Meknes’s medina - the old walled section of the city. There’s something particularly special about exploring this lesser-known medina as the locals go about their daily lives.  Walk to the shrine of Moulay Ismail, visit the granaries and stop by a local market selling vegetables, olives, and sweets. Drive on to the ruins of Volubilis. Once a provincial Roman capital, a distant outpost of the empire, the remains make an undeniably impressive sight. Here a local guide will show you around, provide expert knowledge, and help you imagine the bustling city that once was. Enjoy a picnic lunch of fresh bread, cheese and seasonal fruits and olives from the market. Continue to Chefchaouen. Nestled high in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its buildings washed in bright shades of blue – this is undeniably one of the world’s prettiest cities.

Accommodation Dar Echchaouen Maison d'hôtes & Riad (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Meknes - Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

• Volubilis - Picnic Lunch

• Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour

• Meknes - Medina walking tour

 

09 MAY  Day 4 Chefchaouen

This morning, you’ll discover Chefchaouen beneath the blue during a tour of the medina with a local guide. Tour its winding alleyways, cobbled plazas and unique doorways and find out what makes the city so alluring. Stop off for a tasting of goat’s cheese – you’ll see there’s no shortage of goats in Chefchaouen and this soft, creamy goat’s cheese is some of Morocco’s best. Enjoy a free afternoon for further explorations. You may like to take the opportunity to snap some more pictures of the city’s blue-hued buildings, shop for handicrafts, or simply sit at a cafe and enjoy the pleasure of time passing by. This evening your will get the chance to taste the customs and traditions of Rifi people of chefchaouen with a home cooked dinner with a local family in their humble home.

Accommodation Dar Echchaouen Maison d'hôtes & Riad(Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Chefchaouen - Goat Cheese Tasting

• Chefchaouen - Medina walking tour

• Home cooked dinner with local family

 

10 MAY  Day 5 Fes

Say goodbye to Chefchaouen and make the journey to Fes. Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco; a vibrant, noisy, and fascinating feast for the senses. On arrival, perhaps take some time to unwind in a local hammam – speak to your leader for some great recommendations. This evening you’ll have the unique opportunity to see a different side of Moroccan life as you are warmly welcomed into the home of a local family for a pastilla dinner. One of the country’s most celebrated dishes, this sweet and savoury delight is made with layered pastry and meat, cooked with eggs, caramelised onions, lemon, and sugared almonds. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes, then end the night with a traditional sweet treat.

Accommodation Riad Marjana (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

 

Included Activities

• Fes - Home-cooked Pastilla Dinner

 

 

11 MAY  Day 6 Fes

Today head into the Old Town, known locally as Fes el Bali. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Your leader will share stories of the city’s history as you walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Filled with historic khans, medresses and dye-pits, stalls loaded with fruits, herbs, and soups, and where the squawk of chickens, smell of spice and sound of hammering of copper fills the air. Spend the day exploring the old city, visiting Al-Attarine Madrasa, the tanneries and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th-century inn.

Accommodation Riad Marjana (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Included Activities

• Fes - Medina walking tour

• Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin

• Fes - Medersa El Attarine

 

12 MAY  Day 7 Erfoud

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. We will have a lunch stop (own expense) as well as photo stops along the way. 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.

Accommodation Hotel Chergui (Standard room) or similar /  Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

 

 

13 MAY  Day 8 Merzouga

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 Feature Stay 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.

Accommodation Golden camp (Standard tent) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Sahara Desert - Camel ride

• Khemliya - Village walking tour

• Khemliya - Medfouna cooking demonstration

• Sahara Desert - Amazigh dinner with Gnaoua music

Optional Activity

• 4X4 Jeep journey to the camp and back (1-3 passengers per vehicle) - 860 MAD per vehicle

 

14 MAY  Day 9 Dades

Start the day with a truly unforgettable experience – a camel ride 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. The limestone stacks make a perfect area for hiking, and so to make the most of the stunning surroundings you will take a short and gentle walk through the gorge. Then continue to the beautiful Dades Valley, your base for the next two nights. This area offers up scenery like no other – sprawling green valley’s give way to otherworldly rock formations carved out by the wind. Your accommodation offers a delightful pool and terrace, so take some time to sit back and soak in the ethereal views.

Accommodation Hotel Riad Bahammou (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Sahara Desert - Camel ride

• Todra Gorge - Hike

 

15 MAY  Day 10 Dades

You have a full day to explore the beauty of this largely untouched Moroccan backcountry and the best way to do so is on foot. There are a couple of circuits in the area – there is the option to tackle a 10-kilometre circuit that will take about 4 hours, but your leader can tailor the route based on the preferences of the group. Take a short transfer to the start of the trek, then set out with a local guide. The trail undulates and can be challenging in sections but is accessible to everyone with a basic level of fitness. Stop in a village en route and enjoy tea with a local Amazigh (Berber) family. This experience offers a unique glimpse into the Amazigh way of life that few visitors to Morocco have the chance to see. Set against the sensational backdrop of the surrounding mountains and famous Rose Valley, take the opportunity to share stories and learn about family life in the Dades Valley.

Accommodation Hotel Riad Bahammou (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Dades - Tea-making demonstration

• Dades - Hike

 

 

16 MAY  Day 11 Ait Benhaddou

Depart the Dades Valley and set off on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Your first stop is Skoura Oasis, home to several privately owned kasbahs, including the Kasbah Ameridhl, with its extravagant decorations and mud-brick fortifications. Continue to Ait Benhaddou – a hilltop site almost unchanged since the 11th century. Its grand 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 its long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill for some scenic views. Afterwards, visit Tawesna – a local teahouse on the river – for a tasty lunch including freshly made Amazigh bread, soup, Moroccan sweets, and of course some mint tea. This community-run establishment provides women with a small income to support themselves and their children. The women 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.

Accommodation Ksar Ighnda (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Included Activities

• Skoura - Kasbah and Oasis visit

• Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk

• Ait Benhaddou - Lunch at Tawesna

 

 

17 MAY  Day 12 Ouirgane

Leave Ait Benhaddou after breakfast and drive for several hours through the winding roads of the Atlas Mountains. You can take your time as the scenery is magnificent and keen photographers may call for a few photo stops. Our destination today is Ouirgane. Nestled in the tranquil foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, this pretty village provides visitors with an alternative and lesser-visited base for walking. With its gentle winter climate and moderate summer, it is a great place to stroll around the nearby red-earth hills and pine forests, watch a wide variety of bird life or just sit back and relax at an invigorating altitude of 1000 metres – all with the amazing view of Jebel Toubkal in the background. Speak to your leader about some wonderful hiking options this afternoon.

Accommodation Ksar Shama (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

18 MAY  Day 13 Ouirgane - Marrakech

Travel to the nearby town of Tahanaout where you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class with a celebrated local chef. You will explore his organic kitchen garden surrounded by beautiful olive groves and orchards set in a traditional Berber douar. Harvest ingredients fresh from the garden and let the chef teach you the art of seasoning with aromatic Moroccan herbs. Learn to cook tagines and salads, and then savour your creations over a delicious lunch. After a splendid feast, continue to Marrakech. This evening why not head to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna, one of the largest public spaces in the world. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. You may like to finish your day with a cup of tea at one of the roof-top restaurants overlooking the square.

Accommodation Bab Hotel (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Included Activities

• Tahnaout – Cooking class

 

19 MAY  Day 14 Marrakech

After breakfast today, meet with a local guide who will bring the magic of Marrakech to life as you set off on a morning tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque; the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Walk back through the streets of the old medina to Djemaa el-Fna, stopping off to taste some of the marvellous freshly squeezed orange juice from a local stall – this is sure to be one of the most delicious glasses of orange juice you ever have. The rest of the day is free to explore further. Perhaps visit Le Jardin Secret, a traditional medina garden with a magnificent courtyard, or head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills.

Accommodation Bab Hotel (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Included Activities

• Marrakech - Medina walking tour

• Marrakech - Palais Bahia

• Marrakech - Fresh orange juice tasting

 

20 MAY  Day 15 Essaouira - Marrakech

After breakfast leave for Essaourira a city where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean and where you will spend the next two nights. Get to know this laidback and windswept city during an orientation walk with your leader who will help you navigate a maze of market stalls and narrow streets while sharing insights on local life in one of North Africa's most attractive places. Pass the harbour filled with colourful boats and explore the fish souk. Here you will choose a catch of the day and take it to a local-filled restaurant – follow their lead and hand over your market purchase for it to be grilled for the freshest of meals. Your leader will also take you to the fresh vegetables markets where you will choose your salads and veggies to accompany your seafood lunch. Enjoy a delicious meal together with the rest of your group. The evening is yours to uncover Essaouria further.

Accommodation Riad Dar L’Oussia (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

 

Included Activities

• Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch

• Essaouira - Leader-led orientation walk

 

 

21 MAY  Day 16 Essaouira

The name Essaouira means image, which is appropriate for the picturesque town. This artists' town was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations, and its charm has seduced people like Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent much of his time here in the 1960s. Enjoy a free day to wander the city’s charming sandstone streets, giving way to the cart-haulers calling ‘ballak, ballak’. Your leader will offer advice on the best ways to spend the day. Perhaps explore Essaouira’s magnificent coast and golden sand dunes on horseback. Discover the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum and its collection of artefacts, woodwork, carpets and stringed instruments, or sit back and watch the kite surfers ride the crashing waves. You can also discover the taste of Morocco in a cooking class, or head outside of the city to the beautiful surroundings on a daytrip.

Accommodation Riad Dar L’Oussia (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

 

22 MAY  Day 17 Essaouira - Oualidia

Today drive to Oualidia - a charming a little fishing village and a resort known locally as the oyster capital, and one of the best surfing spots in Morocco. The Laid-back town is combination of pleasant lagoon beach, fishing port, birds’ habitat, and a 17th century Kasbah built by the Sultan el Oualid after whom the city is named. El Oualidia is the biggest source of oyster in the country, with the first farm set up in the 50s. On arrival, the fresh salty air can make you impatient to indulge in Oyster feast. Sit with a view over the Atlantic coast and your foodie guide will bring you to taste different fresh oysters in the region raised in local farms closed to the laguna.

Accommodation Chateau Eden El Rouh (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Included Activities

• El Oualidia – Oyster tasting

 

23 MAY  Day 18 Oualidia

Today is at your leisure. Perhaps head out on a boat ride with a fisherman, watching out for bird life to manifests before you in the estuary. You may be lucky to spot the pink flamingos, coot, curlew, waders, and warblers and so many others, and get moved by the mish mash of their musical sounds.

Accommodation Chateau Eden El Rouh (Standard room) or similar / Meals Included: Breakfast

 

24 MAY  Day 19 Casablanca

Today, make your journey to Casablanca – your home for tonight. This evening, you will end your trip with a farewell dinner – the best way to sum up your experience. Dine in an elegant spot with the best ocean view in the city. With a romantic ambiance, live music, a waterfront, Moroccan and international gastronomy, you name it.

Accommodation Gray Boutique Hotel (Standard room) / Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

 

Included Activities

• Casablanca – Farewell dinner at Ummaya restraurant or similar

 

25 MAY  Day 20 Casablanca

No activities are planned for the final day as you will be transferred to the airport for departure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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