Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque Rabat - Kasbah des Oudaias Rabat - Hassan Tower Rabat - Mausoleum Mohammed V Rabat - Mausoleum Hassan II Meknes - Medina walking tour Chefchaouen - Leader-led orientation walk Volubilis - Entrance and Guided Tour Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin Fes - Medersa El Attarine Midelt - Hike Sahara Desert - Camel ride Todra Gorge - Leader-led walk M’goun Valley - Guided Half Day Hike M’goun Valley - Henna activity Skoura - Kasbah and Oasis visit Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk Ait Benhaddou - Tawesna Tea Break Marrakech - Medina walking tour Marrakech - Palais Bahia Marrakech - Fresh Orange Juice

Meals

12 breakfasts, 5 dinners

Accommodation

We’ve sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different from standards you are used to at home. OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. RIADS: On each departure of this trip, we aim to spend at least one night in a traditional Moroccan riad. In the height of the season, however unlikely, there may be an occasion when contracting a full group in a riad will be impossible due to high demand and availability. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite (even if you paid for single room supplement) and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own. HEATING: Some of our guesthouses/hotels are unable to supply heating as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It’s also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold showers, which are a pleasure for most of the year. Air-conditioning systems (if available) don’t always function. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Desert camp (1 night), Gite (2 nights), Riad (3 nights), Hotel (6 nights)

Transport

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from the main tourist routes. High passes, windy roads, and rough surfaces make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days, we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. The best part about all of these long drives is the spectacular views and fun stops en route such as mountain passes, kasbahs, palmeries, sand dunes, goats up trees, etc. We also use public transport on some of our trips around Morocco. Be it a train or a public bus, remember that the best part of it is the possibility to interact with local people traveling along with you. Private vehicle , Taxi , Camel

Not included:

Optional

Casablanca - Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) - Free Casablanca - Jewish Museum (entrance fee) - MAD50 Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD150 Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70 Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70 Marrakech - Medersa Ben Youssef - MAD40 Marrakech - Museum of Marrakech - MAD40 Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050 Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Casablanca
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Casablanca

Salaam alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins in the great city of Casablanca, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe visit the art deco Villa des Arts. This gorgeous gallery dates back to the 1930s and holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you’re looking for a different type of cultural experience, you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism.
Day 2 Day 2: Meknes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Meknes

After breakfast, you’ll take a tour the Hassan II Mosque – one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers. Next, drive to the capital of Rabat where you’ll meet an expert local guide. Rabat’s history is long and colourful, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates and the Moroccan parliament. Discover the city’s medina and souks, then explore the walled quarter known as the Kasbah des Oudaias for a glass of mint tea and some local sweets. After, visit Mohamed the 5th Mausoleum and the vast minaret of the Hassan Mosque. You’ll have some free time to explore Rabat before driving to Meknes – the former capital of Morocco.
Day 3 Day 3: Chefchaouen
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Chefchaouen

Explore the winding streets of Meknes’ Old Medina and their elaborately decorated buildings this morning. Next, drive to the nearby archaeological site of Volubilis, the remains of which make an undeniably impressive sight as they come into view on the edge of a long, high plateau. Tour the hilltop ruins with an expert local guide and discover the town’s elaborate mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, many of which remain intact. After, you’ll travel to Chefchaouen, or the ‘blue city’ – arguably one of the prettiest places in Morocco. Set against a wide valley between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen has been lovingly cared for with striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways. Take an orientation walk with your leader through the ancient medina and shop for handicrafts or sit at a cafe and enjoy the pleasure of time passing by. If you’re feeling peckish, the local goats’ cheese is a popular treat.
Day 4 Day 4: Fes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Fes

Enjoy a free morning to further discover Chefchaouen and maybe have lunch before boarding your private minibus for the journey to Fes. The living museum of Fes has disputable origins, some believe its origins come from ancient Greece, others claim it comes from the Balkans. Nevertheless, the city is the best example of the medieval Arab world, and you’ll soon to find out more about its past. After checking into your hotel in the late afternoon, join your group for one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – the salty and sweet pastilla.
Day 5 Day 5: Fes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Fes

Today, discover the city of Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Join an expert local guide and head into the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali. Walk along the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Filled with historic khans, madrassas and dye pits and stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Spend the day exploring the Old City, visiting Medersa el Attarine, the tanneries and the Fondouk Nejjarine – a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening.
Day 6 Day 6: Midelt
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Midelt

Today, leave the intensity of the city behind for the simplicity of the High Atlas Mountains. Drive south through fertile valleys, cedar and pine forests and barren, rocky landscapes to the small town of Midelt. Originally built as a base for mining, this market town sits between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains at an elevation of just over 1500 m. It’s a perfect spot to break up the journey to the desert and you’ll head out on an easy walk through the valley to one of the local villages. Your leader will choose a route based on the group and the weather that makes the most of the views of the Atlas Mountains. Wander through plantations of apple trees on the way back to your accommodation for a relaxing evening and rest up for the Sahara tomorrow.
Day 7 Day 7: Sahara Camp
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Sahara Camp

Drive through changing scenery, from barren mountainsides to fertile valleys, on the journey to Merzouga this morning. Take in the Erg Chebbi scenery along the way, with its towering dunes up to 150 m in height. When you arrive, you’ll leave your gear at your overnight camp next to a simple hotel, then ride camels into the edge of the Sahara, enjoying a spectacular sunset along the way. The dunes are stunning, especially as the evening light plays across them and sets off the colours. Tonight, you’ll camp out in traditional style, with the chance to try some local cuisine while you sit around an open fire with lively music and dancing under the stars.
Day 8 Day 8: M’Goun Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: M’Goun Valley

It’s worth getting up early to catch the sunrise this morning, before the drive to Todra Gorge – a massive trench that rises over 250 m to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. Explore the towering limestone stacks on a short walk through the sheer cliffs. Continue your journey inland for tonight’s destination – M’goun. Get closer to the customs and lifestyle of the Amazigh people with a homestay in a traditional gite (a home made from mud bricks).
Day 9 Day 9: M’Goun Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: M’Goun Valley

Take today to explore the beauty of this largely untouched Moroccan backcountry. On foot is the best way to discover the natural and man-made landscape and the rural way of life. There are a couple of circuits to choose from – the most popular is a 4-hour hike, accompanied by a local guide. On the walk, you’ll pass Amazigh villages, surrounded by the Rose Valley and its mountains. This afternoon, participate in the traditional Amazigh activity of henna tattooing. A local woman who is an expert in henna, known as a naquasha, will come to your guesthouse and teach the group about henna – where it comes from, how it’s made and its historical use in Morocco. Henna tattooing is a tradition practised for centuries to commemorate battle victories, marriages, births and the Eid al-Fitr festival. You’ll then have the opportunity to have your hands and feet adorned with beautifully intricate patterns – this practice directly supports not only the naquasha, but her family and other local women.
Day 10 Day 10: Ait Benhaddou
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Ait Benhaddou

Leaving the M’goun Valley today, set off on the fabled ‘Road of 1000 Kasbahs’. The first stop is at Skoura Oasis – home to several privately owned kasbahs. Here, you’ll visit the Kasbah Ameridhl, with its extravagant decorations and mud-brick fortifications before continuing to Ait Benhaddou. Sitting on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, this is one of Morocco’s most iconic sites. If you think you recognise the place, you probably do, as the town has a long list of film and TV credits including Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Walk through the winding streets of the Old Town to the top of the hill for views across the surrounding plains. Visit to the Tawesna Teahouse – a community-run establishment that provides local women with an income to support themselves and their children. Using ingredients sourced from local cooperatives, the women prepare delicious tea and pastries while sharing their stories with those who pop in to visit. After heading to your nearby hotel for the night, maybe sit back on the rooftop terrace and watch the sun setting over the kasbah.
Day 11 Day 11: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Marrakech

Drive along the winding roads of the Atlas, bound for Marrakech – an ancient city wrapped in European modernity. There’s no rush as the scenery through the High Atlas Mountain passes is magnificent, and there will be several photo stops along the way. After checking into your hotel, you might like to head to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna – one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. Maybe finish your day with a cup of mint tea on one of the roof-top restaurants overlooking the square.
Day 12 Day 12: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Marrakech

After breakfast, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the Old Medina, through the bustling souks. Explore courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom, and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque – its famous minaret is the prototype for others of its kind around the world, including La Giralda in Seville. Then, walk back to Djemaa el-Fna for a glass of fresh orange juice. The rest of the day is free to maybe shop in the bazaar. You could visit the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle or check out the ruins of the Palais Badi – once one of the most beautiful palaces in the world.
Day 13 Day 13: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Marrakech

There are no activities planned after breakfast so you are free to leave your accommodation at any time. It’s worth adding a night or two in Marrakech so you can do some extra activities like cooking classes and cycling tours, exploring nearby towns or visiting a hammam. If you wish to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

+10

13 days tour

Morocco Uncovered

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Morocco Uncovered

Day 1: Casablanca

Day 2: Meknes

Day 3: Chefchaouen

Day 4: Fes

Day 5: Fes

Day 6: Midelt

Day 7: Sahara Camp

Day 8: M’Goun Valley

Day 9: M’Goun Valley

Day 10: Ait Benhaddou

Day 11: Marrakech

Day 12: Marrakech

Day 13: Marrakech

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