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8-Nights Morocco Journey - National Geographic Journeys from $1,649
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1533016
Journeys: Morocco Highlights
From timeless golden dunes to vibrant, bustling bazaars and the age-old remains of civilizations past, explore some of Morocco’s most fascinating sights. Discover the fresh cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains, meander the winding lanes of old Marrakech, and ride into the desert on a 4x4. Meet musicians, artisans, and nomads as you soak up the mystique of this captivating North African nation.
Highlights
Roam ancient markets, Explore parts of the desert, Peer out over the Atlas Mountains, Take part in a Marrakech cooking class.
Accommodation
Hotels (8 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 12, Avg 10.
Meals Included
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sahara Dunes & Culture Excursion, Merzouga
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Moroccan Foodie Experience, Marrakech
Your G for Good Moment: Mhaya Village Community Lunch, Meknès. Arrival transfer. Guided city tour of Meknès including the ancient granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail and Bab Mansour. Guided tour of Volubilis including visit to Roman ruins. Guided walking tour of the Fès medina including artisans' quarters and Fès tannery. Dades Gorge walk. Visit Taourirt kasbah and take a tour of Aït Ben Haddou kasbah. Enjoy free time to explore Marrakech. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
8 nights from $1,649 per person
G Adventures: Journeys: Morocco Highlights
Day 1: Casablanca
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
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.
Day 2: Casablanca to Fez
Set out on a guided tour of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the remains of the medieval city of Meknès, which served as Morocco’s imperial capital in the 17th century. Then, venture to Volubilis and discover the soaring columns and remarkably well-preserved mosaic floors of this ancient Roman outpost. Continue to Fez and enjoy lunch at a G Adventures–supported women’s cooperative before checking in to our hotel.
Meknès is one of the four Imperial cities and its name and fame are closely linked to that of the Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made Meknès the centre of his empire and built many of the monuments that remain today.Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Once an important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman conquests, Volubilis was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
Day 3: Fez
Step back in time on a walking tour of the medina of Fez, a spellbinding World Heritage site dating back to the 9th century. Skirt past donkey carts as you take in the dazzling sights, from colourful mounds of spices to vividly painted ceramics, and observe Fez’s famous tanners treating and dying hides in the traditional manner. Pay a visit to the breathtaking Madrasa al-Attarine, a masterpiece of intricate Islamic architecture, and pass by the famed Al-Karaouine Mosque—home to the longest continually operating university in the world.
Day 4: Fez to Merzouga
Watch cedar forests give way to palm groves as we travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains to the fabled Sahara. Spend the night in a kasbah-style hotel at the edge of sweeping sand dunes.
Start early and watch the scenery of this diverse country change while travelling over the Middle Atlas mountains. Pass through cedar forests and the ski area of Ifrane into the desert regions. Drive by the vast palm groves of the Ziz Valley and right up to the majestic Saharan sand dunes. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of Barbary apes en route.Spend the night in a comfortable Kasbah-style desert hotel at the edge of the dunes.
Day 5: Merzouga/Tinghir
This morning, explore the Sahara on a thrilling 4x4 excursion. Visit the village of Khamliya, where we’ll meet a group of Gnaoua musicians. Learn about the history of this famed genre of Moroccan music, and enjoy a hypnotic performance. Later, share mint tea with Amazigh (Berber) nomads in the Sahara, and gain insights into their way of life. Transfer to Tinghir this evening.
Day 6: Tinghir/Ouarzazate
Venture into the Dades Gorge, admiring its dramatic rock formations. Continue along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs and pause at the maze-like Taourirt Kasbah. In Ouarzazate—home to one of Morocco’s largest film studios—choose to take a lesson in traditional Amazigh medicine with a local herbalist.
Start the morning with a visit to the Dades Gorge with its unusual natural rock formations and stunning scenery. Continue with a scenic drive along the "Route of a 1000 Kasbahs" with an included visit to Kasbah Taourit. Continue to Ouarzazate, a former Foreign Legion stronghold. In Ouarzazate opt to visit an Amazigh herbalist and find out about the traditional medicines and cooking spices of the Amazigh people.
Day 7: Ouarzazate/Marrakech
Discover the magical, twisting lanes of Aït Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage site, then continue along high mountain roads to Marrakech. Take some free time to wander this legendary city—a melting pot of Amazigh, West African, Mediterranenan, and Arab influences—and venture off the beaten path into hidden neighborhoods and artisan quarters.
Continue on to the village of Aït Benhaddou. During your visit to the Kasbah, lose yourself in the narrow, winding passageways and feel the magical atmosphere of this incredible structure.Travel to Marrakech through the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2200m in the High Atlas Mountains. Travel along winding mountain roads with breathtaking views from the highest peaks of Morocco.
Day 8: Marrakech
Visit a historic riad for a hands-on cooking class with a renowned Moroccan chef, learning how to roll semolina and measure out spices for an exquisite tagine. Enjoy your creations for lunch, and spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech at leisure. Choose to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s main square, where storytellers and magicians captivate passersby; or tour the elegant Majorelle Gardens.
Later this afternoon enjoy free time to explore the fascinating city of Marrakech and dive into the labyrinthine souks. Travellers and locals alike find everything they desire here. Whether it’s spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or famous Moroccan lanterns, the selection here is exhaustive. Don’t forget to bargain; that’s definitely part of the fun. Opt to indulge in the chaos of the famous Djemaa el Fna square to watch acrobats and fortune tellers plying their trade.
Day 9: Marrakech
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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