Magical Morocco from Tangier & Eclipse

Welcome to your Moroccan Solar Eclipse adventure! Upon arrival at Tangier Airport or Tangier city Port (Tangier-Ville) you'll be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Please note: This tour has two departure dates: Wednesday 28 July 2027 and Thursday 29 July 2027. Please note that minor variations to the itinerary may occur depending on the departure date and the date of the solar eclipse.

This morning, enjoy breakfast before boarding the high-speed Al Boraq train to Casablanca. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, with speeds reaching up to 300 km/h.

Arrive in Casablanca for an overnight stay, with your guide accompanying you throughout the transfer and train journey to ensure a smooth start to your trip. The afternoon will be at leisure, allowing you to explore or relax as you wish.

Departing Rabat this morning we visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Dating back to 40AD we take time to explore the triple arched Tingis gate, the columns of the Capitoline temple, the Basilica, the courthouse and much more. We'll then continue to Chefchaouen, nestled in the heart of the Rif Mountains, the city boasts incredible blue-washed buildings and majestic views of the surrounding landscape.

The rest of the afternoon is ours to independently wander round the Plaza Uta el-Hammam in the heart of the Medina, or perhaps try some of the local street food and watch the sun set.

If you're in the group that departed on Wednesday 28th July 2027, we make our way to Talassemtane National Park.

Located on the eastern side of the Rif Mountains, Talassemtane boasts a wide range of landscapes, as well as housing a number of plant species and mammals including the Barbary macaques and the otter. We make our way to the Akchour Falls and God's Bridge where we can relax and soak up the breath-taking views. Return to Chefchaouen for a late lunch and afternoon at leisure to further explore the Blue City.

If you're in the group that departed on Thursday 29th July 2027, get excited as today you will be viewing the once-in-a-life time solar eclipse!

At around 08:30am, we will gather in Chefchaouen at an optimal vantage point (35°10′28.0″N, 5°16′16.9″W) to witness the total solar eclipse. With minimal light pollution and the Rif Mountains surrounding the city, the view will be clear and breathtaking.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into perfect alignment between the Earth and the Sun. Remarkably, the Sun is roughly 400 times farther away than the Moon, yet also 400 times larger, allowing them to appear the same size in the sky. This alignment fully blocks the Sun - known as totality - leaving only the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, visible as a shimmering halo in the sudden darkness.

Solar eclipse glasses will be provided to safely view the event - you may remove them during totality to experience the full spectacle.

Eclipse timings in Chefchaouen (WEST, local time):
Partial eclipse begins: 08:40:38
Totality begins: 09:45:27
Maximum eclipse: 09:47:34
Totality ends: 09:49:41 (4 minutes, 14 seconds)
Partial eclipse ends: 11:01:22

During totality, the city and mountains will fall into an extraordinary moment of darkness—temperatures drop, birds fall silent, and an eerie stillness envelopes the landscape. After the eclipse, partial phases continue until 11:01, allowing time to witness the gradual return of sunlight.

Only select locations along the path of totality, including Chefchaouen, will experience this historic event.

Afterwards, we make our way to Talassemtane National Park. Located on the eastern side of the Rif Mountains, Talassemtane boasts a wide range of landscapes, as well as housing a number of plant species and mammals including the Barbary macaques and the otter. We make our way to the Akchour Falls and God's Bridge where we can relax and soak up the breath-taking views. Return to Chefchaouen for a late lunch and afternoon at leisure to further explore the Blue City.

If you're in the group that departed on Thursday 29th July 2027, you will depart for Fes this morning.

Bordered on the foothills of the Atlas Mountains lies the imperial city of Fes, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. On arrival we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city, absorbing the chaos of the souks and getting lost in the medina's labyrinth layout. During the tour visit one of the pungent leather tanneries that Fes is famous for and see the giant dye pits. The remainder of the day is at leisure - why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).

If you're in the group that departed on Wednesday 28th July 2027, get excited as today you will be viewing the once-in-a-life time solar eclipse!

At around 08:30am, we will gather in Chefchaouen at an optimal vantage point (35°10′28.0″N, 5°16′16.9″W) to witness the total solar eclipse. With minimal light pollution and the Rif Mountains surrounding the city, the view will be clear and breathtaking.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into perfect alignment between the Earth and the Sun. Remarkably, the Sun is roughly 400 times farther away than the Moon, yet also 400 times larger, allowing them to appear the same size in the sky. This alignment fully blocks the Sun - known as totality - leaving only the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, visible as a shimmering halo in the sudden darkness.

Solar eclipse glasses will be provided to safely view the event - you may remove them during totality to experience the full spectacle.

Eclipse timings in Chefchaouen (WEST, local time):
Partial eclipse begins: 08:40:38
Totality begins: 09:45:27
Maximum eclipse: 09:47:34
Totality ends: 09:49:41 (4 minutes, 14 seconds)
Partial eclipse ends: 11:01:22

During totality, the city and mountains will fall into an extraordinary moment of darkness—temperatures drop, birds fall silent, and an eerie stillness envelopes the landscape. After the eclipse, partial phases continue until 11:01, allowing time to witness the gradual return of sunlight.

Only select locations along the path of totality, including Chefchaouen, will experience this historic event.

Afterwards, we will depart for Fes. Bordered on the foothills of the Atlas Mountains lies the imperial city of Fes, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. On arrival we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city, absorbing the chaos of the souks and getting lost in the medina's labyrinth layout. During the tour visit one of the pungent leather tanneries that Fes is famous for and see the giant dye pits. The remainder of the day is at leisure - why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).

Today is at leisure to explore this Imperial city. Why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).

After breakfast, we make our way through the cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Atlas Mountains to the French built "swiss" village of Ifrane. We have free time here to enjoy the tranquility of the lakes and waterfalls that flow into the valleys that surround the world's biggest cedar forest in the Mediterranean, before continuing to Azrou, our home for the night.

Departing early, we leave the cool air of the mountains and make our way to the Sahara Desert. It's a long drive, however there's a lot to see on the way. We'll travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains to the plateau that lies between the Sahara and Tell Atlas range. We'll soak up the spectacular and dramatic scenery of the Gorges du Ziz as we make our way onwards through the High Atlas, stopping to have tea with a berber family en route.

We'll continue to Merzouga - our base before we head into the Sahara. Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi. We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara. If you would prefer to take a Jeep to the Berber camp, this can be arranged locally through your guide at no additional cost.

If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara hotel alternative at no additional cost. Please do let us know your preferred option at the time of booking.

Travelling over the High Atlas Mountains, we stop along the old caravan route and explore Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defense purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well-preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco.

Carrying on we continue to Kasbah Telouet. Built in 1860 this kasbah was once home to the very wealthy Thami El Glaoui until he conspired with French Colonialists to delay Morocco's fight for independence.

Descending into the city of Marrakech, Morocco's pink city. We have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the Medina and the delights of Djemaa el Fna, the exuberant market place, which is a hive of activity, sights and smells at both day and night.

After breakfast, we set out to explore this fascinating city on a guided tour. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city's exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city. We have the afternoon at leisure to purchase any last minute souvenirs or get lost in the medina and see where it takes you.

Our amazing tour of Morocco ends today after hotel check out. An included onward departure transfer to airport will be provided. Passengers who have opted to end their tour in Casablanca will depart early this morning.