Signature: Morocco's Fez, Marrakech & the Sahara Desert

Stand at the edge of the Atlantic beneath the soaring minaret of the Hassan II Mosque, where the sound of crashing waves combines with the call to prayer. Step inside to feel the cool marble underfoot and admire the sheer scale of this modern masterpiece. Travel north for the day to Rabat, the capital, where the 12th-century Hassan Tower stands sentinel over the city like a sandstone giant.

Pay respects in the hushed silence of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V before winding through the medina souks, inhaling the scent of spices and cured leather. Emerge at the walled Kasbah of the Udayas, walking its blue-and-white alleys before sipping mint tea where the Bouregreg River meets the sea.

Leave the coast for the sanctuary of the Rif Mountains, winding upward until you arrive in Chefchaouen — a city draped in mesmerizing washes of indigo, powder blue, and azure. Follow your National Geographic Expedition Leader through this enchanting labyrinth, the cobblestones echoing underfoot as you climb steep streets past the historic kasbah and intricate Hispano-Moorish architecture.

As the late afternoon light softens into the "golden hour," hike up to the Spanish Mosque. From this vantage point, watch the city glow against the mountain peaks as the sun dips below the horizon, casting the valley in deep violet shadow before you travel to your accommodation in Akchour.

Breathe in the crisp mountain air with a short morning hike or yoga session in Akchour, surrounded by the sound of rushing water and rustling leaves. After lunch in the small mountainside town of Moulay Driss Zarhoun, travel south to Volubilis, the evocative ruins at the western edge of the Roman Empire.

Walk across intricate mosaics baked by the sun and stand beneath the triumphal arch, tracing the layers of history in this ancient outpost. Continue to Fez. Step into the cool, tiled tranquility of your traditional riad , where the chaos of the city fades away and refined hospitality awaits. End the day with dinner on the rooftop, watching the lights of the ancient city flicker below like a sea of stars.

Leave the desert behind and ascend toward the High Atlas Mountains. Stop at the Todra Gorges, where massive rock walls soar 400 meters (1,300 ft) above the valley floor, creating a cathedral of stone. Walk the path that winds through this natural canyon, feeling the scale of the geology and the cool air trapped between the cliffs.

After lunch near the gorges, continue the drive through the dramatic Dades Valley, where the road carves through red rock landscapes dotted with green oases. Arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon to refresh before dinner.

Leave Marrakech behind and participate in a G Adventures-supported community initiative dedicated to sustainability in the Atlas foothills. Start with a visit to the Ancient Jewish Cemetery and tree nursery to learn about reforestation. Plant a sapling and leave a living mark on the landscape that will be given to land owners to replenish their soil. Meet a local farmer to understand the project’s impact before a short walk to the Ashbarou Women's Cooperative.

This women-led initiative is focused on preserving Amazigh heritage and fostering economic empowerment through traditional carpet weaving. Share a homemade lunch prepared by the women and feel the texture of raw wool as you try your hand at traditional weaving, connecting directly with the artisans who sustain their community through this craft. Travel back to Marrakech for a free evening at your leisure.