Morocco Journey: Morocco like you never Know

Wind past red slopes and green terraces as we make our way south through the stunning valleys of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch beside a sparkling river. Arrive in Ouarzazate, known as the “gateway to the Sahara,” and step behind the scenes at a film studio to see how the surrounding dunes have starred on the silver screen.

Private Vehicle

Marrakech – Ouarzazate 3h30m-4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Atlas Film Studios Tour

Discover the sets of blockbusters from years past at Atlas Film Studios, the largest film studio in the world. Get behind-the-scenes access to the sets and props used in the making of films like Star Wars (1977) and Gladiator (2000) which were filmed here. Wander past jetplanes, through a colosseum, and into a tomb as your guide reveals the scenes that they were used in and how they were built.

Meals included:  Breakfast | dinner

Today, travel between jagged peaks and palm oases toward the desert town of Merzouga. Settle into our hotel near the incredible Erg Chebbi, a sweeping sea of dunes formed by wind-blown sand. As the sun sets, savor a traditional Berber dinner of fluffy couscous and spiced tagine, then spread a blanket on the sand for an evening of desert stargazing.

Private Vehicle

Ouarzazate – Merzouga 5h-5h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meals included:  Breakfast | Dinner

This morning, hop aboard a 4x4 and ride across the dunes to discover fossils left behind by an ancient sea, and be entranced by Gnaoua musicians in a local village. Return to the hotel for free time to cool off in the pool, or opt to explore the desert in style, riding a camel across the sands as ancient travelers once did. Enjoy a tasty Berber dinner, then gather around a glowing bonfire for a storytelling session.

4x4

Merzouga

Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sahara Dunes & Culture Excursion

View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a 4x4 excursion. Drive around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and take in the view of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Watch the dunes as the colours creep across the landscape and look out for the kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Here you will meet Gnaoua musicians and learn about the history of Gnaoua music in the Sahara. Enjoy a performance by these talented artists. Depart back through the desert region and visit local Berbers living in the area, learning about their way of life and sharing in some mint tea in one of the homes.

Free Time

Merzouga

Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the area or relax at your hotel. Opt for a camel ride through the dunes.

Camel Ride

Merzouga

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.

Meals included:  Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Venture into the rugged landscape of the Dades Gorge, a dramatic and colorful valley carved by the waters of the Dades River. Visit a local village for lunch and enjoy a special dish—traditional Berber pizza! Wind through the valley on a guided walk as you learn about the amazing geology behind the weird and wonderful rock formations of the Gorge. This evening, enjoy free time to relax at the hotel.

Private Vehicle

Merzouga – Arfoud1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Medfouna Lunch

Arfoud

Make a stop for lunch and indulge in traditional Medfouna, also known as Berber pizza. This local delicacy is a tasty combination of flatbread dough filled with meat, onions & spices.

Private Vehicle

Arfoud – Gorges du Dadès3h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Dades Gorge Guided Walk

Gorges du Dadès

Traverse the winding Dades Gorge, taking in the dramatic landscape and rich colours of the mountains all around you. Listen to weird and wonderful facts about the fascinating geology of the area.

Meals included:  Breakfast | dinner

Drive through the Ounila Valley to the ancient fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where clay houses crowd together in a traditional ksar behind defensive walls. Explore alleyways twisting between historic structures, and stand guard atop the clay brick ramparts, taking in views of the green oasis around this imposing fort. Entertain your taste buds at a hands-on tagine cooking class, followed by a delicious dinner.

Private Vehicle

Gorges du Dadès – Aït Ben Haddou2h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour

Aït Ben Haddou2h-3h

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Of all the remaining Kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. 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.

Your Foodie Moment: Tagine Cooking Class

Learn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Start with an introduction to the tagine itself (a clay pot) and the different ingredients and spices used. Get hands on with the ingredients and then tantalize your taste buds by indulging in your delicious creations for dinner.

Meals included:  Breakfast | Dinner

Journey through the mountains to Marrakech, known as the “red city” for its walls, houses, and many mosques built from red clay. Explore the lively Djemaa el Fna, an ancient marketplace still used as the main square in Marrakech. Then set out on a guided walk through the narrow, maze-like streets of the medina, lined with colorful shops brimming with rugs, spices, and much more.

Private Vehicle

Aït Ben Haddou – Marrakech4h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Djemaa el Fna Market Square Walk

Marrakech

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.

Marrakech Medina Walk

Marrakech

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 Saadian Tombs - a complex of sepulchers and mausoleums that house the remains of Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahb. The tombs were sealed off until their re-discovery in 1917. Tour the grounds of the Bahia Palace, marvelling at the intricate decoration, and experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

Meals included:  Breakfast

Wake up as the call to prayer echoes across the city. After breakfast, head to a local henna workshop to have your hands painted in this ancient temporary tattooing art. Spend the rest of the day exploring Marrakech on your own, or opt to explore the Marjorelle Garden. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner in a traditional riad, a grand house with an elegant interior courtyard.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Marrakech Henna Art Café Experience

The Henna Art Café is located in the heart of the Marrakech Medina. Pick your design from a gallery or ask for something unique, then watch as a skilled artist adorns your skin with intricate patterns of all-natural henna. Admire your new body art as you enjoy a cup of tea.

Free Time

Marrakech

Spend free time relaxing at one of the tea houses around the square, indulging in the ubiquitous sweet mint tea, or opt to take a city tour to see more of the city.

Farewell Dinner in a Traditional Riad

Marrakech

A traditional Moroccan house with a beautiful interior courtyard is the setting for tonight's farewell dinner with the group. Enjoy a meal with your new found friends and reminisce about the fantastic adventure you've all had.

Meals included:  Breakfast | Dinner

Depart at any time.

Departure Day

Meals included:  Breakfast