Morocco: Historic Cities & Sand Dunes of the Sahara
- Trip code: 454X034
- Dauer: 12
- Stil: Classic
Morocco — where history, vibrant cultures, and tantalizing flavours meet across breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities, and bustling souks. Immerse yourself over 12 unforgettable days, exploring epic sites like the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. Feel the magic of the Sahara as you ride a camel across golden dunes, and connect with local communities steeped in centuries-old traditions. Wander Chefchaouen’s dreamy blue streets, dive into the lively medinas of Fes and Marrakech, and savour Morocco’s rich flavours through hands-on, community-led experiences. Let the warmth and passion of Morocco’s people leave a lasting mark on your journey.
Übersicht
Accommodation
Hotels (9 nts), Desert Camp (1 nt), Lodge (1 nt)
Checklist
Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
Bitte beachte: The weather conditions and temperature in Morocco can vary greatly from region to region, especially during the winter months (Nov-March). During these months, we recommend packing layers for insulation, as well as a waterproof layer
Group Size Notes
Max 14, avg. 10
Highlights
See the impressive ruins of Volubilis on a guided visit, Explore Morocco’s Blue City with a CEO-led tour through Chefchaouen’s vibrant streets and colourful alleys, Immerse yourself in the Fés medina on a guided tour and end with a delicious meal in a traditional riad, Camel ride across the Sahara’s red dunes and camp overnight amid the sand, Join local women for a homemade lunch with the community cooperative near Marrakech
Introduction
Morocco — where history, vibrant cultures, and tantalizing flavours meet across breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities, and bustling souks. Immerse yourself over 12 unforgettable days, exploring epic sites like the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. Feel the magic of the Sahara as you ride a camel across golden dunes, and connect with local communities steeped in centuries-old traditions. Wander Chefchaouen’s dreamy blue streets, dive into the lively medinas of Fes and Marrakech, and savour Morocco’s rich flavours through hands-on, community-led experiences. Let the warmth and passion of Morocco’s people leave a lasting mark on your journey
Meals Included
11 Frühstück, 4 Mittagessen, 5 Abendessen
Meal Budget
Plane USD230-300 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein
Optional Activities
Casablanca
- Discover Casablanca
Fès
- Erkundung der Ville Nouvelle (Gratis)
Marrakech
- Hot Air Balloon Marrakech
Start / Finish
Casablanca nach Marrakech
Transport
Private vehicle, 4x4, walking, camels
What's Included
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Akrich Project Visit
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Foodie-Moment: Traditional Dinner in Fés, Fès
Dein Foodie-Moment: Lunch with a Local Family Midelt, Midelt. Visit to Hassan II Mosque. City visit of Rabat. Meknes medina walking tour. Volubilis guided visit. CEO-led walk of Chefchaouen. Guided tour of Fes medina. Lunch inside a traditional Riad. Stop in Ifrane for tea. Learn about the art of Henna from local women. Hike through Berber Villages in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Visit the town of Arfoud and learn about the production of dates. Ride on camels to the desert camp. Watch sunset atop a sand dune. Enjoy a Berber dance performance and dinner by firelight. 4x4 ride through Erg Chebbi's dunes. Medfouna cooking class in Taous village. Guided city tour to the Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs. Ait Ben Haddou visit. Cross Tishka pass en route to Marrakech. Optional CEO-led walk of Marrakech’s city centre. City tour with Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, Koutoubia Mosque, and Marrakech medina.. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Packing Note
The weather conditions and temperature in Morocco can vary greatly from region to region, especially during the winter months (Nov-March). During these months, we recommend packing layers for insulation, as well as a waterproof layer
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
Internationale Flüge
Check-in-Zeiten und Freigepäck/Einschränkungen können je nach Fluggesellschaft variieren und sich jederzeit ändern. Für die aktuellsten Informationen zu deinem Flug wende dich bitte an deine Fluggesellschaft. Wir empfehlen Online-Check-in, um mögliche Verzögerungen am Flughafen zu vermeiden
Minimum Age
Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre
Itinerary
Day 1 Casablanca
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening to get to know your fellow travellers and CEO. Then, choose to attend an optional group dinner to close out the evening
Day 2 Casablanca/Meknès
Enjoy some breakfast at the hotel and then visit the Hassan II Mosque, which is one of the largest in the world and can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 in the courtyards. Travel northwest towards Rabat and tour the city with a local guide to learn about the history as a Roman settlement and home to pirates. Visit Kasbah des Oudaias, a walled quarter with gardens and pretty views of the Atlantic Ocean. Stroll through the city’s medina and souks with a stop at one of the stalls for mint tea and Moroccan sweets. From there the group will walk to the Mohamed the 5th Mausoleum and the iconic 12th-century minaret known as the Hassan Tower. Lunch will be had on your own at a spot in Rabat before travelling onwards to Meknés, the former capital of the country. Enjoy some time to rest and relax at the hotel, or maybe choose to find a nearby restaurant for dinner
Day 3 Meknès/Chefchaouen
Start the day on the streets of Meknes’ old medina and vibrant market stalls with loads of handicrafts. Then spend time visiting various historical sites before travelling to ancient Volubilis for an inside look at Morocco’s culture at the partly-excavated Berber-Roman city. Walk along the ancient hilltop ruins with a local expert guide and see the town’s mosaics for yourself. Head onwards to Chefchaouen, or the ‘Blue City’ as it is so fondly known. The evening will be spent free at the hotel for downtime
Day 4 Chefchaouen/Fès
In the morning, set off on a CEO-led walking tour of Chefchaouen and witness the beautiful blue alleys and charm of this place for yourself. Stop by the medina and the Kasbah of Chefchaouen. Free time will be given for lunch in the area before the drive to Fes. The group will arrive in the early evening and enjoy a traditional dinner experience together featuring staples of Moroccan cuisine
Day 5 Fès
Discover the fascinating city of Fes in the cultural heart of the country. Join an expert guide and head into the vibrant, noisy, and sensory overwhelming city medina. Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Spend time exploring the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers that you pass along the way. Arrive back at the hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening in Fes
Day 6 Fès/Midelt
Travel towards the simplistic nature of the High Atlas Mountains and drive south and inland through fertile valleys and rocky landscapes to the off-the-beaten path town of Midelt. There will be a stop along the way to Ifrane for tea and to learn more about this tiny Switzerland town of Morocco. In the market town of Midelt, lunch will be had with a local family in the area featuring a traditional home-cooked meal highlighting the authentic flavours of Berber cuisine. Stretch those legs with a walk through the lovely Berber villages in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains near town before an introduction to the ancient art of henna from a group of local women. Check-in to the hotel in the late afternoon and opt to swim in the pool before dinner this evening
Day 7 Midelt/Merzouga
Travel through the changing scenery on the journey to the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi outside of Merzouga and just across the border from Algeria. Stop along the way to visit the town of Arfoud. It’s here that you’ll learn about date production and you can buy a desert scarf. Upon arrival to Merzouga the group will climb atop the camels and ride to the desert camp where a cup of tea will be served. Hike up the nearest dune for sunset before a delicious dinner by firelight at the camp accompanied by the melodies of Berber musicians. Fall asleep peacefully under the stars
Day 8 Merzouga
Wake with the sun and have breakfast at camp surrounded by dunes. Hop on 4x4s for an adventurous journey through Erg Chebbi’s captivating landscape and learn more about the secrets of kohl at a nearby mine. Deeper in the region the group will encounter the welcoming Amazigh nomads and learn about their fascinating ways of life amid the harsh realities of the desert. Share in the warmth of their hospitality as you savour some refreshing mint tea in one of their traditional dwellings. At the nearby charming village of Khamlia the group will learn the rich history of Gnaoua music and be treated to a performance, which holds a special place in the Sahara's cultural tapestry. Travel to Taous village for today’s Medfouna class and discover the steps to making this traditional dish. Sample your creations before travelling back to Merzouga in the 4x4 for some free time and a bonfire with dinner and music to cap off the night
Day 9 Merzouga/Skoura
Travel to Skoura, an oasis city famed for its date palms and imagine discovering this haven after days or months travelling through the desert. Enjoy the views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains in the distance and listen as your guide offers commentary on Skoura's significance, and provides an overview of the landscape and its defining features. The rest of the day will be spent back at the hotel with free time to enjoy the pool and cool town after a day in the heat. Dinner will be had at the hotel this evening as a group
Day 10 Skoura/Marrakech
Drive along the winding roads of the Atlas crossing Tishka pass with unforgettable views of the countryside and surrounding mountains en route to Marrakech, a city steeped in both history and modernity. Along the way pay a visit to the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century. You may recognize it from a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Enjoy a walk through the winding streets of the old town, make your way to the top of the hill, and stare at the views across the surrounding plains. Later, for anyone interested, your CEO will be leading a guided walk to explore the city centre of Marrakech known as Gueliz. Head to the public square and finish out your day at a local spot for dinner on your own
Day 11 Marrakech
Visit the Akrich Project today outside of Marrakech starting with the tree nursery and the ancient Jewish Cemetery with a local caretaker. Then, hear more about the project details at the women’s cooperative where women who have been challenged by social norms can create a hopeful future for themselves and their families. Sit down for a hands-on weaving experience and an early lunch made by the women of Akrich.
Back in Marrakech the group will explore the tranquil courtyards, and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This splendid mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Then, see the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic college known for its beautiful Moorish architecture and intricate tilework. Start the guided visit of Marrakech’s medina and prepare for a fully immersive experience of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this incredible market. The optional farewell dinner tonight will be at a local food stall within the Djemaa el-Fnaa square
Day 12 Marrakech
Depart at any time
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Casablanca
If you’re looking for more time in Casablanca, we recommend booking a pre-night and then also pre-booking the full-day city tour that hits many of the amazing sites like the Art Deco-inspired Mohammed V Square.
Day 2 Casablanca/Meknès
Day 3 Meknès/Chefchaouen
Day 4 Chefchaouen/Fès
Day 5 Fès
Day 6 Fès/Midelt
Day 7 Midelt/Merzouga
Day 8 Merzouga
Day 9 Merzouga/Skoura
Day 10 Skoura/Marrakech
Day 11 Marrakech
Day 12 Marrakech
Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion. Please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.
