Essential Morocco

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you have time, why not check out bustling Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco, at your own pace. Modelled after Marseille in France, this port city has an eclectic architectural style, a fusion of Art Deco French buildings and Mauresque (Moorish) government institutions. A great way to spend the day is to wander around the Old Medina and city walls, then jump in a taxi and visit the Quartier Habous – the new medina full of shaded squares, narrow streets and arcades that lead from one souk to another. This is a great place to enjoy a Moroccan coffee and maybe start working on your bargaining skills.

After breakfast, you may opt to take a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque. More than 6000 craftsmen joined forces to build this beauty in 1993, and it’s one of the few mosques in Morocco that foreigners can enter. Later, head to the station and take a local train to Meknes before heading to the whitewashed village of Moulay Idriss – one of Morocco’s most important pilgrimage sites. Here, you’ll witness a demonstration of the art of mint tea making – this sweet treat is a Moroccan speciality! Tonight, you’ll get to hang out with a local family – an experience only allowed foreigners since 2005. Your guesthouse, an old traditional riad, has a family atmosphere and all the optional meals are homemade, so you can get an authentic taste of Morocco in your free time.

Explore the rolling hills of Volubilis this morning on a guided tour of these epic Roman ruins. Then take a private transfer to Chefchaouen – which translates to ‘look at the horns’, after the two mountain peaks that overlook the city. Known for the striking, blue-washed buildings (made to represent the Mediterranean Sea) and steep, cobbled lanes, Chefchaouen is a gorgeous place to spend the day wandering. This afternoon is free for you to explore, so why not head to the red-walled Kasbah, the 15th-century fortress and dungeon, or the ethnographic museum. Or, just spend the day on foot, traversing the winding roads and watching the many cats that call this city their home.

If you like, wake up early today and enjoy the streets to yourself for the best photo ops – it’s a great time to explore the iconic sites as the city wakes up. Then, join your group for a guided walk around the medina – soak up the sights, sounds and smells and buy some food for your picnic lunch. Then, leave the shades of blue for a journey across the Rif Mountains to Akchour Falls – a natural wonder abundant with lush mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Take a short walk, enjoy the falls and maybe go for a swim. Head back to Chefchaouen, where you can tuck into a tagine at a local restaurant or visit a hammam – a traditional Moroccan spa. The night is yours!

Today you’ll journey to Fes – the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco Vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming, Fes is a visual and heady feast for the senses, with a huge, well-preserved medieval city that’s the mother of all medinas. Later this afternoon, enjoy some free time and perhaps check out the exquisite carvings and tile work at the Medersa el Attarine near the spice and perfume market. Alternatively, Fes is a shopping heaven for those wanting to pick up a souvenir (or three).

Getting lost in Fes is half the fun, but you’ll have your local leader with you to help you get the lay of the land. Join your group for a wander through this vibrant labyrinth of a city, alive with the many craftspeople, markets, ceramics and beautiful mosques. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city’s coolest buildings, recently restored and now open to visitors. You’ll also visit the famous tannery and its dye pits and a ceramic factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. Today will be a big day, so remember to keep hydrated and pack some snacks.

This morning after breakfast, buckle in for a long travel day. As you make your way towards the rolling dunes of the Sahara Desert, watch the ever-changing scenery pass you by, get stuck into your book, play some of your favourite music, get to know your fellow travellers and enjoy some scenic stops along the way to stretch your legs. Arrive in Merzouga, drop your bags off at your overnight camp, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The mode of transport? Camel, of course! Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset, as you ride through the vast expanse of sand and loop back to your private camp for an overnight stay. In the camp, you’ll have a thin mattress, blankets and sheets. If it’s winter, you’ll want to bring an extra sleeping sheet and a jumper (you’d be surprised how cold it can get, even in the desert). Sleep under the stars and have one of those ‘I’m so far from home’ moments.