Moroccan Circuit - 2025

Moroccan Circuit - 2025

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tourhub | Encounters Travel | Moroccan Circuit - 2025 | 640
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$1090

Moroccan Circuit - 2025

9 Days Starting and ending in Marrakesh, Morocco

Visiting: Marrakech, Boumalne Dades, Merzouga, Fes , Fes, Chefchaouen, Casablanca

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

640

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

5-85

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Camel Trekking-Riding

From: $1090

NB: Prices correct on 04-Jul-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

This 9-day Morocco small-group tour uncovers both ancient cities, impressive ruins and busy medinas in the north of the country, and then crosses the Atlas mountains to discover the sand dunes of the Sahara desert. As such we get a real taste for everything that North Africa's most beutiful country has to offer. The tour starts and finishes in Marrakech, perhaps Morocco's most famous and beguiling city. You'll have plenty of time here to explore the medina and see more of this enchanting city. Next you take in three more of Morocco's great Imperial Cities, visiting the capital Rabat, the walled city of Meknes, and the ancient city of Fes with its huge medina, tanneries and dye pits. Other stops in the north of the country include Casablanca on the Atlantic coast, and the extensive UNESCO listed Roman ruins at Volubilis. After a full day in Fes you then head up into and across the Atlas mountains for a scenic drive to the small town of Merzouga, which sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Here youi board camels and take a trek into the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes before spending the night in an authentic Berber desert camp on the edge of the desert. Time in the deep Todra Gorge follows, with the opportunity for a short hike through the canyon and Palmerie area, or to try some rock climbing. Then you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, which you may find familiar as it has appeared in several movies, some of which were also partially filmed in the nearby Atlas studios which you'll also have the opportunity to visit. The tour then ends by crossing North Africa's highest mountain pass, the Tizi n'Tichka, before descending back into Marrakech to finish the tour. Accommodation is in comfortable mid-range hotels and the desert camp, and the tour can also be extended by adding extra nights in Marrakech at either end if you wish. The tour can also be arranged privately if you would rather not join a small group, or if our group dates do not work for you. Please contact us for details.

Highlights

  • Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

  • Rabat Royal Palace

  • Imperial walled city of Meknes

  • UNESCO listed Roman ruins at Volubilis

  • Medina, dye-pits & tanneries in Fes

  • Atlas Mountains and Erg Chebbi Saharan sand dunes

  • Todra Gorge and Camel trek & Berber desert camp

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive In Marrakech: Transfer To Hotel

Location: Marrakech

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Morocco! We will meet you on your arrival in Marrakech airport and transfer you to the hotel. Your time is then free to relax by the hotel pool, or explore Marrakech a little independently if you arrive early. We will then have a welcome meeting with the tour guide at 6.00pm where you will meet your fellow travellers. If you arrive late and miss this meeting then we will make the introductions again tomorrow morning. Dinner is included in the hotel tonight.

Day 2 : To Boumalne Dades Via Ait Benhaddou

Location: Boumalne Dades

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, our adventure begins with a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, culminating in the ancient village of Ait Benhaddou. This historic village was once a vital stopping point for caravans, and its unique architecture has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular filming location for international movies such as "Gladiator," "Prince of Persia," and "Game of Thrones."

Nearby, we'll explore Ouarzazate, a city in southern Morocco known as the "Hollywood of North Africa" due to its numerous film studios. We'll have the opportunity to visit these studios and see where many movies have been made.

Continuing our journey, we'll pass through the picturesque Roses Valley, a lush region known for its fragrant damaskina roses. Each year, locals celebrate the rose harvest with a vibrant festival. Our day concludes in Boumalne Dades, a charming town nestled amidst stunning scenery, where we'll spend the night.

Day 3 : Visit The Todra Gorge Before A Camel Trek Into The Sahara

Location: Merzouga

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we bid farewell to the Dades Valley and journey eastward to the Todra Gorge. Amidst the palm groves of this oasis, we'll enjoy a leisurely stroll and marvel at the impressive gorges. Next, we set our sights on the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga, where we'll embark on a camel trek into the vast Sahara Desert. As the sun dips below the horizon, we'll witness the desert's breathtaking transformation.

Our evening unfolds in an authentic Berber Camp on the desert's edge. Here, we'll savor local cuisine, be enchanted by traditional music, and relish a magical night beneath the twinkling Saharan stars.

Day 4 : Drive To Fes Via Ziz Valley: High Atlas And Ifrane. Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Macaques

Location: Fes

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Following breakfast, our journey takes us through Errachidia and the Ziz Valley, renowned for its abundant date palms. We then traverse the High and Middle Atlas Mountains, a natural barrier between the Sahara Desert and the country's interior. En route, we'll pause at the Cedar Forest to observe the playful Barbary macaque apes. Our next stop is the charming alpine town of Ifrane, a former French colonial retreat. Finally, we reach Fes, Morocco's ancient capital, where we'll settle in for the night.

Day 5 : Full Day Exploring Fes

Location: Fes

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Considered the largest and oldest medieval city in the world by many, Fes is over 1,200 years old and is famous for its busy Medina. Home to 400,000 inhabitants this is packed with narrow winding streets, mosques, souks and is a heady mix of sights, smells and sounds. We'll spend plenty of time exploring the Medina, seeing various palaces and mosques (which non-Muslims will not be able to enter), and many different crafts on sale. ounds. Our guided otur will also include the Fes's famous dye-pits and tanneries, as well as a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and pottery. Finally we'll return to our hotel to relax after a long day of walking and exploring. This evening there is the option for a traditional meal inside the city with live Moroccan entertainment including music, belly dancing and magicians.

Day 6 : Head To The Blue City Of Chefchaouen

Location: Chefchaouen

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we travel on to explore Chefchaouen, a haven of peace and tranquility. High up in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the Kasbah (built back in the 18th century), central mosque and cafes with great local food. You can explore the busy market in a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 7 : Explore Rabat En-Route To Casablanca

Location: Casablanca

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Setting out early today, we journey south to Rabat, Morocco's official capital. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a guided tour of the city, exploring prominent landmarks such as the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of King Mohamed V and his son, Hassan II. Next, we'll venture into the Oudaya Kasbah, a historic fortress that once served as a bulwark against European incursions. After enjoying a delicious lunch in Rabat, we continue to Casablanca, where an optional yet highly recommended visit to the Hassan II Mosque awaits before we check into our hotel.

Day 8 : Return To Marrakech. Optional City Tour

Location: Marrakech

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Following breakfast, we'll return to the vibrant city of Marrakech. After settling into your hotel, the afternoon is yours to unwind by the pool or continue exploring independently. You might consider booking our guided city tour, indulging in a relaxing hammam spa and massage, or visiting the enchanting Majorelle Gardens.

During your time here, you won't want to miss Marrakech's iconic landmark, the rose-hued Koutoubia Mosque, standing tall at 77 meters. Its tower, reminiscent of the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda Tower in Seville, graces the edge of the medina.

To truly experience Marrakech, a visit to the UNESCO-listed medina and Djemaa el-Fna square is essential. This bustling hub of activity is a captivating spectacle, teeming with snake charmers, musicians, henna artists, spice vendors, and souvenir stalls. Here, we'll spend our final evening, where you can immerse oyurselves in the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Day 9 : Tour Ends In Marrakech

Location: Marrakech

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your Moroccan tour with us ends after breakfast today and your time is free until you depart. Our guide or the hotel will help you arrange a taxi for the short drive to the airport, or you can add extra days to explore Marrakech further if you wish.

What's Included

  • 24hr arrival airport transfer service

  • Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels and 1 night in an authentic Berber Desert Camp

  • Transport by air conditioned 4x4 or minibus

  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 dinners including a Berber camp dinner

  • Guided tour of Ait Benhaddou, Fes & Rabat & Chefchaouen

  • English speaking tour guide, plus driver

  • Sahara camel trek

What's Not Included

  • Additional Services

    Visas; Tipping kitty - USD 60; Tour guide tips; Meals not indicated in the itinerary; Drinks, snacks & personal expenses; Optional activities

  • Insurance

    Mandatory

  • International Travel

  • Transport

    Departure Airport Transfer

Mode of Transport

Transport by air conditioned 4x4 or minibus

Accommodation

Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels and 1 night in an authentic Berber Desert Camp

Check out our Q&As

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews of this operator

Jasmine Montaque (Google Reviewer)  

We had a Great 9...

30-Aug-2023

We had a Great 9 day trip to Egypt ! Everyone we “encountered” were excellent! We absolutely loved our guide. We are Looking 👀 to book another trip with Encounters Travel!

Miriam Huguet (Google Reviewer)  

I did the Discover Egypt...

06-Jan-2022

I did the Discover Egypt and I definetely recommend it. They take care of every detail (they manage to do our PCR with the stamp that we needed). They book quite comfortable hotels and the guide and the local guides are extremely good and passionate about their work. I would repeat it!! :)

Aries FFPro (Google Reviewer)  

Wish I could rate Encounters...

04-Dec-2021

Wish I could rate Encounters higher! From the onset, Anthony (Ant) was professional and extremely knowledgeable, and far more helpful than I had hoped. He always had time to respond to my inquiries and never showed any sign of frustration...no matter how many times I asked the same question. Meeting Saul at the Cairo airport shows just how valuable the RIGHT travel rep is: he had us go from the gate to getting our visas to picking up our luggage and out to the waiting van in 15 minutes! UNBELIEVABLE! Saul also checked in with us almost daily to make sure everything was to our satisfaction. Our guides Big Mu and Mahmoud were fantastic in their knowledge of the sites, the history of the area and where to get the best bargains. Encounters Travel made this trip of a lifetime 100x better than anything I had hoped for. I cannot recommend Encounters strongly enough...if you have Egypt on your bucket list, like we did, book safely and securely with Encounters!

Renee Hage (Google Reviewer)  

I so appreciated the care...

18-May-2024

I so appreciated the care taken by all the staff ensuring that we were well taken care of and had no problems. They were very responsive to all of our questions. The tour itself was incredible!

Erin Scott (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished a dreamy 9...

05-Dec-2019

Just finished a dreamy 9 day Discover Egypt Tour with our guide, Mohamed El-Maghrabi. I can’t say enough about this tour and Mohamed. Everything exceeded my expectations. Somehow each new day was better than the last. The tour was perfectly laid out and organized, and everything went super smoothly. Mohamed was attentive and thoughtful to each of our individual needs. From early check-ins, delicious pre-arranged restaurant excursions, and assisting with trip add-ons, Mohamed was a superstar. Not to mention his knowledge and passion for egyptology. The additional encounters support staff at each location was an added bonus that enhanced an already smooth operation. The trip went way too fast! I didn’t want it to end. I recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see as much of egypt as possible in a short amount of time! I’ll never forget this whirlwind adventure!

Claire Carter (Google Reviewer)  

I was unsure what to...

25-Oct-2023

I was unsure what to expect but it was far better than I thought. Collected from the airport and thoroughly looked after until I was returned to the airport 10 days later. The times, travelling and food was as advertised. The guide and sights were beyond my expectations. Fantastic tour.

Mary Radoccia (Google Reviewer)  

Northern India solo trip. ...

09-May-2024

Northern India solo trip. Some of the hotels were past their prime as 4 star establishments. Paid a substantial amount for side trip to varanasi which was supposed to be 3 days, 2 nights. It turned out to be really 1 day, 2 nights. Plane left after 8pm and we didn't arrive at hotel until after 11pm. Had to leave at 5.30am the following day and we didn't get back to hotel until after 10pm. The following day we had to leave hotel at 8am for flight back to dehli. We could have left for varanasi in the afternoon as originally implied and left on a later flight back to dehli. Everyone not staying extra days then had to spend 6 to 10 hours waiting for their flight home.The one day in varanasi was great but I wouldn't have gone if I knew the time frame. Not worth money either. Also bus used on trip was old, bad suspension and rattled Window style was old so not very good for taking photos. My view was shared by most of the other travellers. I think the standard of travel via Encounter has dropped over the past years based on comments from some of the others.

Melissa Goodwin (Google Reviewer)  

BUYER BEWARE Before you book anything...

17-Jun-2024

BUYER BEWARE Before you book anything with Encounters Travel, be SURE to read all of the fine print. This is especially important regarding their cancellation policy and the deposit you will forfeit. I didn't find that we'd completely lost our deposit until I contact the company to process a cancellation. I thought I could cancel for a full refund up until a certain point, but apparently I was mistaken. I booked a 3-night late-September boat trip at the end of May, and mid-June we realized we couldn't take it. It's been less than 3 weeks since I booked the trip and it's over 3 MONTHS until the trip will take place, so you know they will have no issue filling our two spots. Even so, we are out $250 each for our trip. They are within their rights to not refund the deposit - I should have waded through the fine print to find this buried detail. But they also have the choice to refund the deposit given the circumstances. Don't make the same mistake I did. READ EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU BOOK. Better yet, consider not booking with Encounters Travel.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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