Solo-ish Morocco

Please ensure your flight lands by 3pm and enjoy an included arrival transfer to the start hotel in Casablanca. After a brief welcome meeting, discover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine during a hands-on, private cooking demonstration in a traditional restaurant. With an experienced chef by your side this sensory immersion into the region’s culture will not only provide you with ancestral techniques to assemble these local ingredients, but each dish also tells a story. From pastillas to tagine, discover Berber origin tales and anecdotes about royal festivals, as you witness first-hand how food has the power to bond strangers from across the globe. Make sure to arrive by 3:00 pm so that you have time to get settled in and join your CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and tonight's Dinner Party.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
• 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.
• Casablanca Narrative Cooking Class: Food is a universal language, and there's no better way to get to know a new friend, or a new community, than by breaking bread together and digging in to a delicious meal. Join your fellow Solo-ish travellers in an immersive cooking class with an expert local chef at a renowned traditional restaurant in the city. Using your senses, step inside the culture of this region through the aromas and flavours of each dish and its combination of ingredients. Listen as your chef regales you with stories and historical lore surrounding the dishes you are making. Learn about the Berber origin of tagine and listen to tales of royal festivals while you try your hand at making pastilla, a North African dish featuring shredded chicken, toasted almonds, and lots of fragrant spices nestled together and baked in a buttery, flaky, dough crust. It’s the perfect way to step out of your comfort zones and mingle with fellow travellers over the delicious food of Morocco.

Today is all about the history and regional flavours of Morocco. Travel first to the archaeological site of Volubilis for a guided tour of the most well-preserved Roman ruins in the entire country, where you'll learn all about how far their empire stretched. In the early afternoon head to a G for Good project that supports a local women’s community initiative where the group will enjoy a traditional lunch bursting with colours and flavours. Then, travel to the imperial city of Meknes featuring architectural remnants from its storied past and feel part of the very fabric of this fascinating land. The day ends with a visit and tour through the facilities of a family-run vineyard outside the city. Specializing in Syrah and Cabernet grapes grown in the largest wine region of Morocco, this vineyard offers a remarkable spot to enjoy an outdoor tasting paired with other locally sourced foods like olive oils, dried fruits, and fresh goat cheeses.

Included Experiences

• Wine & History of Northern Morocco: With your incredible CEO at the helm, get to know the local community and your Solo-ish travel mates on a day packed full of interesting and engaging adventures. Begin alongside a certified local guide in the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into what life might have been like here. Wander into old bathhouses, walk between towering marble pillars, and admire the intricate mosaic floors still visible, while you listen to historical recounts of this impressive site. Continue to Meknes for a wine tasting on the outdoor terrace of a family-run vineyard outside this imperial city. Sip a variety of tasty blends, learn about the different grapes grown here and the cultivation process in this region, and snack on local delicacies while overlooking the rows of trees in the distant landscape.
• AFER Association Community Lunch: Enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a G Adventures-supported community project operated entirely by local females, who work hard to bring the benefits of this social enterprise to rural Moroccan women and their children. Sit down together for this warm, home-cooked meal and hear from women who are part of the program about how it has changed their lives. The proceeds from this lunch program help support vocational training for rural women, allowing them to support their families and children, while gaining their own independence.

Prepare to experience what G Adventures does best and enjoy an immersion into the northeastern city of Fés—often referred to as Morocco’s cultural capital—with a surprise G twist occurring somewhere along the way. See the vibrant colours, hear the cacophony of noise, and smell the richness of spices as you explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fés medina alongside a local guide. Enter in through one of the gates and experience the lively chaos first-hand as you walk past artisans’ quarters, carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. You’ll even watch from above as men of the famous local tannery work hard to treat and dye different hides. End the walk with a special lunch at a traditional riad before taking some time to yourself. Just don’t wander far because who knows where you might end up to cap off this epic G Day.

Included Experiences

• Full Immersion in the Fês Medina: With your Solo-ish travel mates and CEO, explore some of the world's coolest activities alongside new friends. It's not just an epic day of fun, its chock full of incredible experiences and a surprise G element along the way to take your day to an 11. Follow a local guide through the Fès medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century and pass by one of the 350 mosques that are still in use today. You'll gain a true sense of the liveliest trading atmosphere in the country. Afterwards, sit down for a delectable meal within the cozy confines of a charming Riad located in the ancient walls of the medina itself. Be on the lookout for a fun surprise along the way.

Travel southeast into the vast Sahara desert to the small Moroccan town of Merzouga near the Algerian border surrounded by red sand and vast open spaces. The town is also known as the gateway to the large expanse of dunes north called, Erg Chebbi and this is where you’re headed. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a camel ride over the dunes to your remote camp. The group will be welcomed here as is custom with a cup of tea and some nuts. Then, everyone will climb the nearest dune together in time to catch the remaining golden light over the sea of sand. Walk back down into camp and get settled in your traditional attire for this evening’s desert campfire meal accompanied by melodies played by local Berber musicians. Fall asleep under a sky of endless stars.

Included Experiences

• Camel Ride: Hold on and enjoy a ride on this even-toed ungulate, also known as the desert horse. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips.
• Sunset Dune Climb: After getting settled at camp the group will meet back up and climb to the top of the nearest dune to watch an amazing sunset over the rolling hills of sand.
• Merzouga Traditional Dinner Experience: After arriving to your accommodation for the night, slip into the traditional attire laying on your bed and indulge in a desert-infused dinner at the camp's restaurant by the warm glow of a fire. Local Amazigh musicians will play enchanting melodies for you beneath the sprawling desert sky.

Awake as the sun rises over the mesmerizing starkness of this landscape and have some breakfast at camp amid your quiet, tranquil surroundings. Next, speed the adventure up with a 4x4 ride through the undulating sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. As you venture deeper into the region, the group will encounter the welcoming Amazigh nomads that live peacefully here and will allow you a chance to see their fascinating way of life. Savour fresh mint tea in your host’s traditional dwelling and walk with them through the village of Khamlia, where you’ll be treated to a cultural performance showcasing the rich history of Gnaoua music. Cap off this desert wandering with a Medfouna cooking class, and discover the cherished secrets of this traditional dish that is like a stuffed pizza without cheese. Enjoy a free afternoon for some of the optional activities in the area like sandboarding amid the dunes. Dinner this evening will be around another bonfire.

Included Experiences

• Erg Chebbi Dune Excursion & Desert Immersion: Embark on a delightful journey as you step aboard a Land Cruiser, ready to be enchanted by the breathtaking panorama of Erg Chebbi's mesmerizing sand dunes. Marvel at the ever-shifting tapestry of colors that gracefully unfurl across the landscape, and keep an eye out for the enigmatic khol mine, where you'll have the opportunity to uncover the secrets of khol. Then, encounter the welcoming Amazigh nomads and share in the warmth of their hospitality as you savor some refreshing mint tea in the heart of their traditional dwellings. Walk with them to the charming village of Khamlia, where you'll immerse yourself in the rich history of Gnaoua music, which holds a special place in the Sahara's cultural tapestry. Later, indulge in the culinary delights of the Moroccan Sahara during a Medfouna cooking class. Discover the cherished secrets of this traditional dish, best described as a stuffed pizza sans cheese. Stuff the flatbread with various meats and spices before baking it in a fire pit.
• Free Time: Spend a few free hours trying some of the optional activities in the area.

Perhaps you will rise early for some solo time as the sun peaks above the horizon and the shadows transform this stark but beautiful landscape. Have breakfast with the group before transferring to the massive cliff walls of Todra Gorge and its green oasis of palm trees in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. Stop along the way to have lunch on your own in the town of Tinjdad, just outside the gorge. Once there, walk through the fields where locals grow produce like alfalfa, pomegranate, and other regional vegetables. Hike deeper through the tall rising cliffs before continuing to the hotel where dinner will be at your leisure this evening.

Included Experiences

• Todra Gorge Visit and Walk Through Palm Groves: Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Todra Gorge canyon. Wander through a palm grove to see how farmers live from the land and simply soak in the beauty of this unique landscape.

Drive from Todra Gorge to Aït Ben Haddou and enjoy some time on your own to sit down for a delicious lunch before taking a guided tour of this collection of dwellings that are a striking example of southern Moroccan architecture. Wander through the narrow alleyways and walls next to massive clay buildings and visit a traditional home, climb the granaries where they stored food and goods on higher ground, and head to the central park of the kasbah where you can see the mosque and public square. Stop for a tea experience lead by a local family and then climb to the highest point of this walled fortress and stare out at the vast views of the surrounding desert and Ounila River. Make sure you snap a few photos of the golden light before it disappears completely. Spend free time this evening exploring the area and finding a local spot for dinner on your own or with your favorite travel mates.

Included Experiences

• Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley, located in the foothills of the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. Of all the remaining kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. It's a collective grouping of dwellings inside defensive walls and was once one of the many trading posts on the route linking Sudan to Marrakech. The kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.

It’s time for a day that belongs entirely to you! Travel to Marrakech in the morning passing by the breathtaking views throughout the High Atlas Mountains along the mighty Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m). Then, chose to take on the exploration by yourself or join your CEO for a guided walk within the modern district of Gueliz, as well as the city center of Marrakech. As you go, you will learn more about the city, its history, and end your walk at Menara Gardens. The choice really is all yours. You can decide to be as solo or social as you wish offering the best of both worlds. Dinner in the evening will be at your leisure. We think finding a hip foodie spot with your travel mates sounds like a fabulous idea.

Included Experiences

• Marrakech Me Day: Traveling solo alongside your new Solo-ish travel mates means there's always something fun to do and new friends to explore with. But the joy of travel can also be about taking time to yourself to recharge, refresh and reflect on the journey. Today, choose to join your CEO for an incredible activity, or take the time to yourself to enjoy your own company in one of the most incredible places on our planet.

Optional Experiences

• El Badi Palace: Visit 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.
• Musée de Marrakech: Wander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
• Jardins Majorelle: Visit 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.)

After breakfast the group will embark on an immersive guided visit to the medina. Begin from Koutoubiya mosque and visit its gardens followed by the Saadian tombs, Jardin Secret, and Bahia Palace. Along the way the group will stop to try different Moroccan foods like olives, msemmen, sfenj, cookies, briwate, and to smell different mints. After this, spend a free evening in Marrakech before an optional group farewell dinner in the evening at a local food stall, where you can try some local delicacies if you're feeling adventurous enough.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Indulge in a final free evening in Marrakech to soak up the unforgettable atmosphere of this special place. Choose to join your travel buds on an optional dinner visit to a market stall specializing in Moroccan delicacies.
• 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 Bahia Palace and 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 this 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.

Optional Experiences

• Djemaa el Fna Market Square Visit: 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. Grab a spot on a bench with other diners and try the “tanjia” (slow cooked lamb), harira soup, grilled seafood, famous Moroccan couscous, tajine, snails, or even sheep’s head (for the truly adventurous). Wash it all down with some spiced tea.

You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers and depart at any time. 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.

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.