Complete Morocco: The Sahara to the Coast
18 days, Tangier to Marrakech
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Tangier
Arrive at any time. Attend an evening welcome meeting at the joining hotel. Then, set out on an orientation walk of the Old Town of Tangier with your CEO. This will be followed by an optional group dinner where you will get to know your fellow travellers.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
CEO-led Orientation Walk in Tangier
Enjoy an orientation walk of Tangier's old town with your CEO. Become familiar with the area and experience the sights and sounds of this northern Moroccan coastal city.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Flandria Tanger (or similar)
Day 2Tangier/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.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Tangier and your visit to the city of Tétouan.
Tetouan Guided Walk
Spend 2 hours on a walking city tour of Tétouan and explore serveral significant landmarks while learning about the local history. Stops include Moulay el Mehdi square, El Feddan Square, the Royal Palace, and the Kasbah of Sidi Al-Mandri. Pass through the souks of the old medina and conclude the walk with a visit to an old Spanish fortress on a hilltop overlooking city.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Tétouan and Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen CEO-led Orientation Walk
Join your CEO guided visit of the blue city. Begin at the hotel and then climb up the stairs to explore the incredible blue streets. Pass by the historic Kasbah dating back to the 15th century and get to know this unique Moroccan city. Finish the walk at Rass Elma and climb to the Spanish Mosque to watch sunset glow over the tops of the Rif Mountains.
Accommodation
Puerta Azul Chefchaouen (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Chefchaouen/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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Local Living Moment: Rif Mountain Hike & Goat Cheese Making
Start out today with a hike through the gorgeous scenery of the Rif Mountains. Walk through lush mountain scenery, passing small waterfalls and streams along the way. The group will also walk through villages and may be able to pick fresh figs from trees on their way (if in season). Then, visit the farm of a local family and experience a hands-on goat cheese making lesson from your friendly hosts.
Distance: 7-8km
Duration: 4hrs
Terrain: Small, rocky footpath through the fields of fig and weed, with elevations around 500 to 600 meters.
Ouazzane guided tour
Spend a few hours visiting this unique green town and discover this hidden gem for Morocco's more curious traveller. Explore the historic medina and marvel at the intricate architecture of the Grand Mosque and Kasbah and browse the various souks. You'll also have time to find a local spot for lunch on your own.
Accommodation
Riad Dar Anebar (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Fès
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.
Fès Medina Guided Tour
Follow a local guide through the Fès 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. Visit the mausoleum and the Al Qarawiyin University.
A highlight of the tour is the view of the famous Fès tannery from the balcony of a leather shop, where you can observe the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides. Take some time to shop for leather goods before returning to your hotel.
Free Time
Spend a few hours on your own in Fés and have lunch at a delicious nearby restaurant. Your CEO will share some of the best options for specialty foods of the city and other Moroccan classics.
Accommodation
Riad Dar Anebar (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Fès/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.
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.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle transfer between Fés and Casablanca. There will be a few stops along the way to break up the journey.
Meknes Visit & Tour
Arrive to Meknes and set off on a tour of the city with a local guide. Visit historical landmarks like Bab Mansour, Bab El Khmiss, and the bustling souk area of Meknes with stalls selling spices, handcrafts, clothes, and food in a lively, fast-paced atmosphere. Make a stop by Dar Jamai, the National Museum of Music and learn about Morocco's musical heritage and traditions. Finish up at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Have lunch on your own at one of the local spots nearby.
Accommodation
Kyriad Residence Casablanca Centre Ville (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Casablanca
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.
Guided Tour Casablanca
Begin the day with a ride past Rick's Cafe to see the location of the 'Casablanca' movie as you go by. Then stop at the world's second largest mosque, Hassan II Mosque which houses stunning mosaics and a minaret overlooking the Atlantic. Explore the historic Old Town and discover the oldest bakery while becoming immersed in Moroccan culture. Other stops during this full day include the courthouse built during the French Colonial era, the Notre Dame Church and its Grotto, the seafood market, and Mohamed V square also known as the United Nations Square. Cap the day off at a rooftop overlooking Casablanca where you can choose to have a drink and get some food.
Accommodation
Kyriad Residence Casablanca Centre Ville (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Casablanca 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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle transfer from Casablanca to Marrakech.
Free Time
Spend an hour or so of free time to grab lunch while in Marrakech before heading off to the next destination.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Ouarzazate 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.
Atlas Film Studios Tour
Discover the sets of blockbusters from years past at Atlas Film Studios, the largest film studio in the world. Get behind-the-scenes access to the sets and props used in the making of films like Raiders of the Lost Arc and Gladiator (2000), as well as TV show Game of Thrones. Wander past jetplanes, through a colosseum, and into a tomb as your guide reveals the scenes that they were used in and how they were built.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Desert Walk
Head out into the vast landscape of the Sahara, one of the world's largest deserts and walk along the sand dunes around you. Make sure to bring your camera for some fantastic photos of the desert's formidable landscape of sand.
Overnight at a Desert Camp
After travelling by foot into the desert enjoy some tea and watch the sunset near our desert camp for the night. Eat dinner around the fire and enjoy a quiet night beneath the starry skies.
Accommodation
Hotel Zagour - Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Erg 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.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Berber Desert Journey
Today you have the choice to walk or ride a camel. Its about a two to three hour walk or ride ride until we reach our lunch stop. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sahara as you travel like people have for centuries.
Bertam Oasis Overnight
After travelling by foot, camel, and 4x4 we'll arrive at the Bertam Oasis. This temporary overnight camp is more basic, and has been set up just for the group. Catch another desert sunset, enjoy dinner and stories around a fire and spend another night in tents under the stars.
Accommodation
Chez Belhou: Mobile desert Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Bertam 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.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take advantage of some free time in Zagora to freshen up at the hotel. Grab a hot shower washing the desert dust away and spend some time by the pool before lunch. It's the perfect way to feel refreshed after our desert adventure.
Free Time
Wander the town, visit the palm plantations, visit the markets, and imagine discovering this haven after days or months travelling through the desert.
Accommodation
Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 11Skoura/Marrakech
After breakfast the group will travel directly to Marrakech and enjoy a free afternoon in the city.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy time on your own in Marrakech. Your CEO can help you with suggestions for places to visit or activities to try.
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Day 12Marrakech
Visit the important sites within the medina this morning. Make stops to Jardin Secret and Bahia Palace. End the morning adventure with a trip to the bakery to learn a brief introduction into Moroccan bread making, then have a taste.
Collect your tanjia lunch on the way back to the Riad. Enjoy your own cooking as lunch on the terrace. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Marrakech on your own. Don't miss a chance to visit Jardins Majorelle with their vibrant blue garden houses and thriving plants.
Marrakech Medina Guided Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of the Medina in which you will make stop to Jardin Secret and Bahia Palace. End the tour with a stop at the bakery to grab some Moroccan bread to go with your tanjia lunch.
Free Time
Explore Marrakech on your own. Go back to the food stalls in the Medina, or visit the Djemaa El Fna Market in search of souvenirs.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Musée de Marrakech
50MAD per personWander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
Djemaa El Fna Market Square Walk
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.
Koubba Ba’adiyn
40MAD per personVisit one of the lasting relics preserved after the destructive Almohad rule - a 12th-century shrine displaying the sophistication of earlier Almoravid architecture and design.
El Badi Palace
70MAD per personVisit the ruins of what was once the most ornate palace of the 16th-century. Its sunken gardens and pools give a glimpse into its former glory.
Jardins Majorelle
200MAD per personVisit this enchanting 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. (Please note that the entrance fee to Musée Yves Saint Laurent is an additional 30 MAD.)
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 13Marrakech
Set out on a full day excursion to Ouzoud, a beautiful oasis waterfall near the Atlas Mountains. Walk up the stairs to the top of the falls and enjoy breathtaking views of the flowing water. After a delicious lunch right near the falls the group will travel back to Marrakech. Enjoy a local dinner in the heart of Jamee Lafna Square.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ouzoud Waterfalls Visit
Travel to North Africa's highest multi-tiered waterfalls. At a height of 360ft (110m), the Ouzoud Falls are named after "the act of grinding grain" in Amazigh culture.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Marrakech/Agadir
Spend a free morning in Marrakech. Enjoy breakfast at a nearby cafe on your own. In the early afternoon the group will set off to Agadir. Upon arrival, visit Souk Lhad, the local market and have dinner on your own from one of the many food stalls.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Souk El Had Visit
Souk Lhad is the biggest souk (market) in Morocco’s city of Agadir. A popular place with locals and tourists alike. There are about 6,000 different stalls with vendors selling a wide assortment of Moroccan items from clothing and rugs to fresh fruits and vegetable. Wander the stalls, find some delicious treats to try, and soak in the beautiful atmosphere of a bustling market in Morocco.
Accommodation
Hotel Aferni Agadir (or similar)
Day 15Agadir/Sidi Kaouki
Today we go local. Drive to Sidi Kaoukki and walk along Tamri beach to take in the views of the shoreline and rock formations before an exhilerating sandboarding experience on the nearby towering dunes. Finish the journey to Sidi Kaouki for lunch and take part in a cooking class with a local family. After lunch, have tea on the terrace and end the day with free time to simply go for a walk along the beautiful waterfront of this small fishing town or stroll down the beach and search for the perfect place to watch sunset.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tamri Beach Sandboarding
Tamri Beach is a coastal haven that captivates with its unique blend of beauty and adventure. Stroll along the pristine shoreline, where time has sculpted mesmerizing rock formations. Venture further to discover towering sand dunes that invite the thrill of sandboarding. The golden slopes offer an exhilarating experience, a perfect fusion of adrenaline and joy.
Your Foodie Moment: Local Lunch and Traditional Cooking Demonstration
Visit a local family for lunch, a regional cuisine cooking class, and a bread making experience with the hosts. After lunch, enjoy a tea on the terrace then end the day with the opportunity to walk along the beautiful beach of this small fishing town that is quickly becoming a favorite with surfers.
Accommodation
Dar Afoulky Sidi Kouaki (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 16Sidi Kaouki/Oualidia
Travel to Oualidia today with a few stops en route. First up is Essaouira for a visit to this historic walled city. Spend time in the old city and oldest international port city in Morocco. Choose to grab some lunch or visit the beach and sample some of the fresh fish dishes prepared by the local food stalls along the water. Then continue further north to Safi, famous for having the largest pottery market in Morocco. See the old town and the Ceramic Market. You’ll arrive in Oualidia in the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Essaouira City Visit
Essaouira has a very spirited vibe. This walled city is the oldest international port city in Morocco. It's also home to a colourful harbour with a lively, bustling medina.
Safi Visit
Safi is a must stop to see the largest pottery market in Morocco, which features some of the best examples of Moroccan pottery. Browse through some the beautiful inventory here and enjoy the hum of constant activity around you. Afterwards pay a visit to the old town and the ceramics market.
Accommodation
Hotel L'Hippocampe Oualidia (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 17Oualidia
Enjoy a full free day in Oualidia. Here the beach is beautiful and there’s a lagoon that allows for a more quiet area for swimming away from the surf. Later in the day choose to go to the OSTREA oyster farm for a farewell dinner overlooking the beach. In the evening if the weather is permits, the group will enjoy the sunset.
Free Time
Spend the day in this sleepy little village. Overlooking a truly beautiful coastal lagoon, Oualidia serves as a wonderful place to enjoy the happy and tranquil living here in Morocco. There's a large variety of outdoor activities like swimming, birdwatching, and surfing. Kayak rentals and standup paddle board rentals are available.
Optional Activities - Day 17 HideShow
OSTREA Oyster Farm Visit
Oualidia is known as Morocco's oyster capital along with their lagoon and shellfish farming. Visit the OSTREA Oyster Farm and try some of these uniquely flavoured oysters and learn all about the cultivation process.
Accommodation
Hotel L'Hippocampe Oualidia (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 18Oualidia/Marrakech
After breakfast transfer back to Marrakech, about three hours from Ouilidia, arriving around 12pm. The tour ends on arrival to the airport or at the Marrakech hotel for those have booked post-tour nights.
Please do not book departing flights any earlier than 4PM.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.