Highlights of Morocco

Arrive at any time. Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca. You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture. Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.

A general note about this tour: it has a very fast-paced itinerary, which covers a lot of ground. This is great as it allows us to see a huge amount in the time available, but it also means some early starts, some long drives in the minivan, and less free time than many other G Adventures tours.

Included Experiences

• 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.

Stop in Tangier for a guided tour of the medina before continuing on to Chefchaouen for the evening. Depart in the morning for Tangier. Take a guided tour of city sites, including the medina, kasbah, Grand Socco (a bustling square at the entrance to the medina) and Petit Socco, a little square in the medina perfect for people-watching and mint tea-drinking. In the afternoon, continue on to Chefchaouen.

Included Experiences

• Tangier Guided Tour: Explore the city and learn more about this melting pot. With culture, cuisine and language coming from North Africa, Spain, Portugal, and France, this bustling port city is unique and fascinating. Visit the Kasbah, grand souk, petit souk, and the old medina. Marvel at the panoramic views of Gibraltar, Tarifa, and the meeting point between Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen to explore. The city, whitewashed in different shades of blue, is spectacular on its own but with the surrounding mountains, it's a sight to behold. At sunset, opt to visit the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Take in the view from the mountains by pre-booking the Rif Valley Mountains Hike when booking your tour.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Nature or culture — why choose? Explore everything on your must-experience list during free time.

Optional Experiences

• Rif Valley Mountains Hike: Lace-up your hiking boots, and trek through the scenic Rif Mountains – the perfect natural playground for adventure seekers. Hike along lush mountains, passing small waterfalls and streams en route to the Spanish Mosque for spectacular panoramic views of Chefchaouen. Continue on through the mountains, passing plantations and stopping for a traditional lunch at a local gîte. Once you reach the piste, jump in a jeep and head back to the main road to meet your driver.

Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch before taking a guided tour of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continue on to Fès. Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, continue to the imperial city of Fès, one of Morocco's most interesting cities. Enjoy free time this evening.

Included Experiences

• AFER Association Community Lunch: Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch that benefits rural Moroccan women and children with disabilities. The association provides vital services including literacy and vocational training, health services, disability assistance, and the operation of a local ambulance. AFER’s training center hosts culinary programs recognized by the state, and each year it graduates 30 students, many of whom go on to work in the project. Through this work, AFER creates sustainable employment, fosters community cohesion, and showcases Moroccan culture to travellers. During your visit, enjoy a traditional home-cooked Moroccan meal, featuring classic dishes such as vegetable tagine or roasted chicken with onion sauce, and meet some of the women that are part of this important community program. This experience not only supports livelihoods but also celebrates Moroccan heritage and rural resilience.
• 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.

Optional Experiences

• Ville Nouvelle Exploration: Hit the newer part of Fez to see life in action. Find a sidewalk café to sip mint tea and watch everyday life go by.
• Shop Fès Medina: Spend some time in the medina checking out carpet shops, sampling local delicacies at the food stalls or shopping for leather goods. Prepare to bargain, just don't get lost wandering the passage ways!

Explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fès medina with a local guide. Take in a view of one of the ancient tanneries from above and marvel at the myriad of colour and processes. The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Explore the artisan quarters, sample treats from the carts, and view Fès' famous leather tannery from above.

Only certified local guides are allowed to act as guides in the medina, so your CEO cannot go with you to the medina during free time.

Included Experiences

• Fez Medina Guided Tour: Follow a local guide through the Fez 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 Fez 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: Get lost in the medina or explore the new city. The choice is yours.

Optional Experiences

• Ville Nouvelle Exploration: Hit the newer part of Fez to see life in action. Find a sidewalk café to sip mint tea and watch everyday life go by.
• Shop Fès Medina: Spend some time in the medina checking out carpet shops, sampling local delicacies at the food stalls or shopping for leather goods. Prepare to bargain, just don't get lost wandering the passage ways!
• Belghazi Museum: Housed in an exquisite 17th-century building, the gallery showcases different art styles passed through generations in Morocco, such as ceramics, embroidery, instruments, and costumes. Climb up to the rooftop for a panoramic view of the city.

Enjoy a long, but beautiful, travel day across the unique landscapes of Morocco to get to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Travel through the diverse landscapes that make Morocco so unique. Pass through cedar and pine forests, keeping an eye out for Barbary apes. Pass over the Middle Atlas Mountains through the pre-desert countryside with its deep gorges filled with a splendid oasis of green palm groves. Arrive at the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Spend the night in a desert auberge (simple hotel), located right on the edge of the dunes. Have a local-style dinner and spend the night.

Some rooms may have shared bathroom facilities.

Explore the sand dunes by foot or opt to take a 4x4 excursion around the dunes. In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride to watch the sunset before returning to your hotel for an evening of entertainment. Spend the cool morning exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursions. You can pre-book this optional excursion when booking your tour. In the afternoon, take a camel ride deep into the dunes to watch the sunset. Learn to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flare to photos. This evening, indulge in a traditional dinner, then gather around a campfire under the stars near to your hotel. Listen to stories about life in this region and, perhaps, some traditional music on the drums.

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.

Optional Experiences

• Merzouga Land Cruiser Desert Excursion: View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a land cruiser excursion. You'll be driven around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in land cruiser cars, taking in the views of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Pass a kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa — played by members of the community — as you enjoy a cup of mint tea with the locals.

Rise early to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, continue through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river or sampling some local Amazigh delicacies.

Visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to participate in a tagine cooking class for an intro to Moroccan cuisine. Travel along the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” to the thriving town of Ouarzazate for a lunch stop. This town is home to Atlas Film Studios, where many films have been shot over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Continue on to the fascinating and beautiful Aït Ben Haddou, a wonderful example of a kasbah. In the evening there may be the chance for an optional cooking class. Learn the secrets of how to make the perfect tagine and then sample your skills for dinner.

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.

Optional Experiences

• Tagine Cooking Demonstration: Learn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Learn about the tagine itself (a clay pot) and different ingredients and spices. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.

Enjoy a hike to the village of Aroumd (Aremd), at the base of the High Atlas Mountains. Soak in views of Mt Toubkal from the mountain gîte hideaway before a home-cooked dinner. Leave the pre-desert country for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m. Head into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads, arriving at the village of Imlil. Embark on the 1 hour hike from Imlil to the little village of Aroumd (Aremd), arriving at our simple mountain gîte for the night. Enjoy a homemade dinner of local produce in the cozy salon. Settle in and enjoy the tranquility, fantastic views, and clean mountain air of this magical region.

Accommodation is multi-share, up to six beds in each room. Bedding is provided, but you may choose to bring a sleeping bag for additional warmth if travelling between November and April. Bathroom facilities are shared. **We recommend bringing only important personal items for the overnight stay in a light and easy-to-carry bag.**

Included Experiences

• Mountain Gîte Stay with Traditional Moroccan Meal: After a short hike uphill, arrive at a cozy mountain gîte where we will spend the night. Breath in fresh mountain air while taking in amazing views of the surrounding Atlas Mountains before sitting down to a traditional, homemade dinner made with local produce.
• Hiking: While the hike to the gîte is uphill, it is achievable by anyone of average fitness. Take it at a slow pace!

Hike back to Imlil and transfer to the coastal town of Essaouira. Along the way stop by the G Adventure—supported Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative Project for a carpet weaving demonstration and some tea before continuing on. The remainder of the day in Essaouira is free for exploration. After breakfast, take a scenic hike back down the mountain to meet the van in Imlil and head to the coastal town of Essaouira, arriving mid-afternoon. There will be a stop along the way to Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. Browse the many shops for leather, jewellery, lamps or trinkets. Watch the brightly painted ships bring their catch into the busy harbour or take a stroll along the long, sandy beach. This is the perfect place to enjoy some local seafood and unwind.

Included Experiences

• Walking: Lace up your shoes and get to the next stop under your own power.
• Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative Visit with Tea: Today the group will visit the Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative, where they will learn more about the work this G Adventures-supported initiative is doing to support the local community and preserve cultural heritage. Start with a brief explanation of the project and talk with the women who are gaining financial independence here as part of the community. Then, enjoy a detailed, hands-on workshop where travellers will immerse themselves in the intricate art of traditional carpet weaving. Combine this with a cozy tea break featuring traditional cookies and learn about the history, techniques, and cultural significance of carpet weaving while enjoying a taste of local hospitality.
• Free Time: Essaouira is a funky, Portguese-flavoured, hippie, coastal village. Get crazy.

Enjoy a free day exploring this coastal port town any way you like. Want to soothe aching muscles? Pre-book the Traditional Hammam Experience when booking your tour.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Don't waste a minute — get going and explore this seaside city.

Optional Experiences

• Shopping: Pop into brightly coloured shops selling leather shoes and purses, slippers, scarves, Moroccan lanterns, and mosaics...you name it. Visit an artists' co-op and shop for handmade silver jewellery. Try not to get overwhelmed by choice – with dozens of shops lining the narrow winding streets, there's a lot to choose from.
• Traditional Hammam Experience in Essaouira: Visit a hammam, a great way to get squeaky clean and soothe sore muscles. Enjoy a body scrub and massage in a traditional Moroccan bathhouse. Begin with a dry or hot room to prepare your skin and body, followed by a hot steam room. Enjoy a body scrub and massage followed by a traditional mint tea.

Drive to Marrakech for a medina tour with a local guide. Opt to visit Djemaa el Fna Square in the evening to see the gathering of musicians and street performers. Journey to Marrakech. After arriving in the "Red City," join a certified city guide for a tour of the Marrakech medina. Later, opt to discover the secrets of this amazing, ancient city. Relax at one of the tea houses around the square, watching the hustle and bustle from a shady spot. End the day like a local with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.

Included Experiences

• 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 as you experience the sights and sounds of bustling Marrakech.

Enjoy a final free day to explore. Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion. Another great place to start your day of exploring is Djemaa el Fna square, in the heart of the medina. The square changes its offerings throughout the day. Finish up your souvenir shopping or wander the new part of the city for a taste of the modern.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Explore for one final day in magical Morocco. Free time is yours to spend as you want!

Optional Experiences

• Musée de Marrakech: Wander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
• 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.
• Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum: One of Marrakech's most iconic sites, Jardin Majorelle was a masterpiece from French artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Take in the beautifully designed botanical gardens, exotic plants, fountains, and the famous cobalt-blue architecture known as "Majorelle Blue". Next, visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum located next to the striking gardens, dedicated to the life and work of Yves Saint Laurent. The museum showcases a rotating collection of the designer’s iconic creations, sketches, photographs, and personal archives, highlighting his connection to Morocco and his influence on fashion and art. **Please note - This activity cannot be purchased locally due to limited availability and must be confirmed in advance
• Dar Si Said: Standing as a monument to master Moroccan artisans, this complex houses the Museum of Moroccan arts. Here, you will find displays of ancient weaponry, carpets, Amazigh (also known as Berber) jewellery, granary doors and more. Make sure to see the highlight of a visit to this museum, the painted, domed wedding-reception chamber.
• 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.
• 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.

Depart at any time.