Northern Morocco: Chefchaouen, Fes & the Rif Mountains

Allow your imagination to run wild, dreaming of kasbahs, medinas, and exotic lands as you make your way from the airport to the hotel. A bustling seaport, Casablanca is a mix of old and new with a blend of architectural styles and yet singularly Moroccan. We welcome you to Morocco, and invite you to bring your imagination to life as you explore the country's diverse landscapes and delicious food. Arrive to Casablanca at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner with new friends.

Included Experiences

• Airport Transfer: Sit back and scan the scenery during your included arrival transfer.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. 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.

See the landscapes change as you head north, past farmland and through small villages and watch for large stork nests on the tops of buildings and mosques. Fall in love at once with the charm of Chefchaouen as you arrive with picturesque alleyways and shades of blue in all directions. Drive to Chefchaouen with a stop in Ouezzane for lunch. Take a CEO-led orientation walk through Chefchaouen and enjoy a free evening to choose from one of the many great restaurants or join the CEO at their local favourite.

Included Experiences

• CEO-led Walk Around Chefchaouen: Begin your time in Chefchaouen with a CEO-led walk around the town and stroll through the mesmerizing streets where beauty seems to appear around every corner in a place adorned in shades of blue.

Let your interests and energy level guide you today as you have the choice of 2 fantastic and different hikes in the Rif Mountains. The range is known for its narrow valleys, rivers and waterfalls with incredible views and lush scenery. There are so many great hiking options and we've picked our two favourites for you to choose from, both of which allow you to experience local culture and dramatic views. Choice of 2 different hikes, both including a delicious lunch. Return in the mid afternoon for some time to explore the "blue city" on your own. Later if you are up for it join your CEO for a walk up to the Spanish Mosque to see the sun set over Chefchaouen.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Spend a free afternoon on your own in Chefchaouen. Discover the Medina, wander the blue alleys, and try more specialties of the region at the local market, like goat cheese. Visit the Kasbah of Chefchaouen, a treasure trove of cultural heritage in Morocco. As the day begins to close opt to go with your CEO and watch the sun set from the Spanish Mosque.
• Rif Mountain Hike or Akchour Hike: Option 1: Lace up your hiking boots and trek through the Rif Mountains, passing small waterfalls on the way to the Spanish Mosque where there will be panoramic views of Chefchaouen. As you continue through the mountains you will pass plantations and will stop in at a local gîte for a delicious lunch. You will eat in the guest house owned by a family and will be served tea and a traditional meal. Option 2: Begin this hike from Akchour and head towards the grand waterfall. Trek through scenic landscapes of cedar forests, rugged gorges, cascading waterfalls, and see the inspiring "God's Bridge". This natural stone arch spans gracefully over the nearby river. The hike to the top of the falls will take about two hours. There will be a 30-minute break at the top and time to jump in for a swim if you'd like, then the final stretch to "God's Bridge." This is the spot where the group will have a picnic lunch. *Note that in the hot summer months this waterfall may be dry*

Morocco is a land of beautiful landscapes and today as you make your way from the Rif mountains to the plains of Fes you'll experience why. Pass through traditional villages and lush farmland, see rural life unfold as you prepare yourself for the next experience, feeling ready to discover Roman ruins and Imperial cities. Travel from Chefchaouen to Volubilis for a guided tour of the best Roman ruins in Morocco. Then, visit the Imperial city of Meknes and afterwards, enjoy an included lunch of traditional dishes. Continue to Fes, arriving in the evening.

Included Experiences

• 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.
• Meknès City Tour: Enjoy a guided visit of the Imperial City of Meknes. The least visited of the Imperial cities; Meknes has a unique feel to it. Visit the Bab Mansour historic landmark, and 18th-century Bab El Khmiss, the ornamental gate to the city. Wander the bustling souk to browse the vast array of clothes, spices, handicrafts, and of course food. The visit also includes stops at Dar Jamai: The National Museum of Music and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
• Meknés Traditional Food Tasting Experience: While in Meknés, enjoy a food tasting featuring traditional Moroccan dishes. Possible meal staples like tagine, couscous, harira, and zaalouk may be on the menu.

Walking through the maze-like medina in Fes is like stepping back in time. Brush shoulders with the locals going about their shopping as people here have done for the past thousand years. Make way for the occasional donkey and embrace the frenetic energy within the market, it is beautiful chaos like nothing you've ever experienced. Experience the medina up close, your CEO will take you through the historic medina famous for its colourful tanneries, stay close by and see if you can remember your way as you are guided through the maze of streets. End the morning with a special lunch at a traditional riad. Later choose to spend more time in the Medina or return to the hotel to freshen up. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy.

Included Experiences

• 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 free evening on your own in Fès.
• Medina Lunch: Indulge in a delicious meal for lunch within the embrace of a charming Riad set within the ancient walls of the bustling Medina you just walked through.

Another day of gorgeous scenery is on the menu. Wind your way from the plains back into the Middle Atlas mountains, an area not often explored by tourists; here you find a very authentic Morocco. Stop at viewpoints, villages and to stretch your legs with photo opportunities around every corner. You'll be amazed at the beauty of water as you approach Bin El Ouidane and settle into the serene lakeside hotel in the evening. Drive from Fes to Bin El Ouidane with a stop for a picnic lunch along the way, as well as a visit to Ain Asserdoun. Enjoy time to relax, get settled in at your lakeside resort, and drink tea in a serene setting before dinner at the hotel.

Included Experiences

• Picnic Lunch & Visit to Ain Asserdoun: During the drive to Bin El Ouidane stop with your CEO to gather some fresh produce, bread, and other treats for a picnic lunch with the group. Enjoy your meal, take in the stunning views, share a moment of togetherness. The group will also make a stop at hidden gem, Ain Asserdoun, a natural spring boasting crystal-clear, azure waters.

Immerse yourself into the natural and beautiful landscapes on a hike to a massive natural rock formation resembling a cathedral. Sculpted over eons by wind and water, this geological wonder showcases the Earth's history, with layers of sedimentary rock narrating tales of ancient seas and shifting continents. Take yourself even deeper into the culture with a delicious lunch in a family home. Hike to Imsefrane Cathedral and have lunch with a local Amazigh family, learning how they make their traditional bread. In the evening, free time to view sunset on the lake near the hotel.

Included Experiences

• Imsefrane Cathedral Hike: Hike to Cathédrale Imsfrane and marvel at a natural environment resembling a cathedral carved by nature. There are towering rock formations sculpted through time by wind and water. It's the perfect hike to ponder the history of Earth and think of tales of ancient seas and shifting continents. Cathedral Imsefrane provides not only a physical challenge but also a chance to connect with nature's tranquility as you breathe in the desert air. The hike is considered moderate and the path to the top is rocky terrain.
• Lunch with an Amazigh Family: Sit down for tea and lunch in the home of a hospitable Amazigh family. After eating, you will learn traditional bread-making techniques from members of the local family and build a stronger understanding of the culture through their culinary heritage.

Another natural wonder awaits you at Ouzoud Waterfall on the way to the bustling city of Marrakech. Throw yourself into the city's ancient historical sector and the lively marketplace full of souvenirs, hopeful shopkeepers, and food stalls for you to practice your bargaining skills. Marrakech brims with energy, history and beautiful architecture and epitomizes Morocco's diversity in cultures, people and delicious food. Drive to Marrakech with a stop at and short walk at the Ouzoud Waterfall. Take a guided walking tour through the city's historic medina and visit the Saadian Tombs. Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.

Included Experiences

• 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.
• Marrakech Medina Guided Tour: Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. Shop to your heart’s content in the souk and search out spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or the famous Moroccan lanterns. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic college in Marrakech built in the 14th-century and reconstructed in the 16th-century. Rebuilt by the Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib in 1564, it housed up to 800 students across 130 small dormitory cells. Explore the fine example of Moroccan craftsmanship, featuring a central marble courtyard with a reflective pool, elaborate Zellij tilework, and intricate carvings in cedar wood and stucco.

Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Morocco will live on. Depart at any time.

Included Experiences

• Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.

Optional Experiences

• Hot Air Balloon Marrakech: Get an early start and watch the sunrise over the red dust, palm groves, and majestic open landscapes of Marrakech from a hot air balloon. After soaking up the sights, refuel with an authentic Amazigh breakfast in a Moroccan tent. *Please note if you purchase the Marrakech Hot Air Balloon ride on the final day of your tour you will not finish until 10am. We recommend booking your departing flight no earlier than 1pm to ensure you have enough time to make it to the airport.