Highlights of Morocco
Highlights of Morocco
Highlights of Morocco
15 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Morocco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AMH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
For sheer diversity, Morocco is the perfect destination. We explore the imperial cities of Marrakech, Meknes and Fez and continue our journey to the mountain ranges to the south, where sand dunes and kasbahs are scattered among palm oases inhabited by friendly Berbers. A highlight of our trip is a camel trek in the Sahara. We fit in a visit to Todra Gorge, the beautiful 16th-century kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and enjoy a village walk in the picturesque Tighza valley of the High Atlas. We complete the trip with a walk along the sandy beach of Essaouira and a city tour in bustling Marrakech.
Highlights
Itinerary
Arrival at our hotel in the evening.
*Hotel Gomassine or similar*
Day 2
A modern and commercial seaport, Casablanca is a complete contrast to the
Morocco we are soon to explore. This morning we drive 4hours  to Casablanca
to visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world. Afterwards,
we drive 2 hours to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to
Casablanca in importance. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old
quarter that we take time to explore.
*Rabat Hotel Bouregreg or similar*
Day 3
Strike out from Rabat 2,5 hours’ drive over the Northern plain towards
Meknes. The scenery changes as the land becomes more cultivated, this being
one of the most fertile areas of Morocco. Sultan Moulay Ismail's old capital
of Meknes is our first example of one of the imperial cities of Morocco.We
meet our guide and wander the narrow streets of the old city, and explore the
souk, perhaps having your first chance at bartering for souvenirs. In the
afternoon we take a short drive 45min to the largest and best kept Roman
ruins in Morocco – Volubilis, once a large Roman town and now a UNESCO
World Heritage site. After exploring this site we continue our journey
approximately 2 hours drive to the ancient city of Fez, where we spend two
nights.
*Hotel Mounia or similar*
Day 4
This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco.
Founded over a thousand years ago, Fez has many mosques and medersas
(theological colleges) including the 9th century al-Karaouine University,
whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. The medina
in Fez is one of the largest in the world, an immense warren of souks, home
to thousands of craftsmen with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow
alleyways. Noisy and pungent, the medina of Fez is a totally absorbing and
unique experience. Our city guide walks us through different sections of the
souk - including those selling leather brass and copper. Of course, no visit
to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina we
shall visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace
and take a drive up to a panoramic viewpoint over the city.Â
*Hotel Mounia or similar*
Day 5
Today we have a long journey of approximately 10 hours, however there will be
frequent stops and beautiful scenery along the way. We travel over the
stunning Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada,
a flat stony desert, gradually approaching the spectacular site of the golden
sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge (inn) on
the edge of the dunes from where it is easy to climb to watch the sunrise.Â
*Auberge La Source or similar*
Day 6
There is time today with a free morning to explore the largest sand sea in
Morocco, or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea
is famed for its pink tones that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset.
In the late afternoon, we partake in a genuine Saharan experience - a 45min
camel trek through the dunes, where we watch the sunset. We then come back to
the camp at the edge of the desert to spend the night.
*Full-service camping at Erg Chebbi or similar*
Day 7
After sunrise, we leave our desert camp head towards the little city of
Skoura, nestled on a beautiful palm grove and located near Ouarzazate. From
here onwards to explore Todra Gorge, and the picturesque oases they hide in
(journey time approximately 4 hours). Following the 1000 Kasbahs Road for
approximately 2.5 hours, you will marvel at the breath-taking vistas of
impressive ancient Kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves.Â
*Skoura Lodge or similar*
Day 8
There is the opportunity to take a 1 hour drive to Toundout Valley and enjoy
a 3 hours guided hike crossing through a Berber village, where you will learn
a little of their culture. Alternatively, relax in and around the lodge
walking through the magnificent lush palm groves. Considered as the palm
grove capital of Morocco, Skoura will certainly offer peace and relaxation
through its various walks discovering multiple palm groves, and Kasbahs.
*Skoura Lodge or similar*
Day 9
Leaving Skoura, we re-join the main road and drive west along the 'Route of
the Thousand Kasbahs' via the desert city of Ouarzazate and on to the
well-preserved Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one
of the most spectacular sights of the Atlas, made famous as the location of
several Hollywood films including 'Gladiator'. After admiring the view, we
may see something of the simple village houses. Continuing into the mountains
we branch east through a wide flat mountain valley, finally arriving at
Anmiter, where we leave our bus and take a 1.5-hour picturesque walk on a
gentle uphill gradient to the village of Tigzha, where we spend the next two
nights. Our luggage will be transported to the gite for us. For those who do
not want to walk, mules are available (100 MAD, payable locally).Â
*Kasbah Oliver or similar*
Day 10
We start our day with an optional walk through the villages of the Tigzha
Valley, heading up into the hills on mule tracks with the peaks of the High
Atlas acting as a fitting backdrop to our walk. The length of our walk
will depend on the ability of the group, but it is likely to be
approximately 4 hours. The afternoon is free to relax with a book, enjoy the
mountain views, take a stroll through the beautiful landscape or challenge
the village children to a game of football!
Tigzha is just one of four villages in this remote valley that has been
supported by Exodus for over ten years on various responsible tourism
projects. We will visit the village hammam, built with money raised by Exodus
clients. This is a truly authentic experience and terrific fun. It is very
much a traditional hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix
with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. A standard
treatment is included, but you will need to purchase a scrubber and soap for
20MAD (£1.50) plus customary tip of 20MAD. Refreshed, we return to the riad
for our final dinner in the mountains.Â
*Kasbah Oliver or similar*
Day 11
Leaving the gite, we walk back to our bus for a short drive to the palace of
Telouet. This once grand building stands abandoned and crumbling but we can
visit a small part of this labyrinthine, fairy-tale like structure. We
continue our scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, via the
Tizi'n'Tichka pass, which at 2,260m is the highest road in Morocco. The
scenery is spectacular and there are some wonderful views of the mountains.
We stop at a women's cooperative Argan Oil farm, where you can see the trees
growing, get a demonstration of the production process as well as have the
opportunity to purchase products. Our journey finally brings us to the flat
arid plains of Marrakech, and then onwards to the pretty seaside town of
Essaouira. Journey time is between approximately 10 hours, with plenty of
comfort breaks and photo stops along the way.Â
*Riad Al Madina or similar*
Day 12
A free day in Essaouira, a charming old Portuguese fishing port overlooking
the Atlantic Ocean. The settlement dates back to the 15th century but the
present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who
needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, the town is
extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan
workshops, boat yards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to the desert,
kasbahs and cities we have so far visited. Our hotel is situated in the heart
of the old walled city, where we have plenty of time for some shopping in the
souks or strolling along the beach. With many pleasant cafes and some
outstanding seafood restaurants, there is plenty of choice for our evening
meal.
*Riad Al Madina or similar*
Day 13
After breakfast, we drive back to Marrakech, journey time approximately 2.5
hours. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour to help us find our bearings
and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to
the Bahia Palace, ending in the Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze
of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is worth seeing this renowned
landmark in the evening, as Marrakech revolves around this open-air central
square, with food stalls, juice-sellers, snake charmers and acrobats. It is
a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists.Â
*Hotel Gomassine or similar*
Day 14
Today is free in Marrakech and there is no shortage of things to do. You
might wish to visit the largest mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia, or venture
through the souks and old streets of the medina. After bartering for
souvenirs, there will be time for a short visit to the Koranic School and
Museum of Marrakech. After this, you can unwind by taking a ½ hour calèche
ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These
tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned
by Yves St. Laurent, the perfect place to escape the hectic rush of the
city.Â
For your lunch we would highly recommend the Amal Women's Training Centre and
Moroccan Restaurant, which we at Exodus support in their cause to empower
women from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are a non-profit organization
dedicated to training their students to become self-sufficient and improving
their quality of life through acquiring new skills in a professional
restaurant setting. For a superb traditional Moroccan meal and the
opportunity to support this worthy cause, do pay them a visit.
This evening it's common for the group to enjoy a final meal together on
Djemma el Fna.Â
*Hotel Gomassine or similar*
Day 15
Trip ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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Transfers for group flights
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts and 4 dinners
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
14 breakfasts and 4 dinners included.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent though not particularly
varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Meals
eaten out are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost is approximately GBP4
(USD7). In main towns, it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan
restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from GBP20
(USD30) upwards. Generally, dinner is likely to cost between GBP5-10 (approx.
USD8-15) not including drinks. Local beer, wine and soft drinks are
reasonably priced, but you can pay UK prices or more for imported alcohol.
Your leader will recommend restaurants for each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of
vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case
during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any
special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the
trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you
may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
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Accommodation
We use a variety of character filled accommodation throughout this tour spending time in hotels, an auberge (inn), a riad, two nights in a lodge and one night in a Saharan camp. Here is a selection of the accommodation used.
Marrakech: Hotel Akabar (nights 1 and 13-14)
We begin and end the adventure at Hotel Akabar (above), which has a sun terrace with a pool, a restaurant and bar. It is within walking distance of the Djemaa el Fna square and 10 minutes from the Guéliz district, where there are many cafes, restaurants and shops. For some departures we use the Ayoub Hotel and Spa, which is also located in the new city.
Rabat: Hotel Bouregreg (night 2)
Popular points of interest near Hotel Bouregreg include Plage de Rabat, Hassan Tower and Kasbah of the Udayas.
Skoura: Skoura Lodge (nights 7-8)
Skoura Lodge is a traditional guesthouse with cabins made of sun-dried adobe bricks with typical African architecture. It is close to the palm grove of Skoura.
Essaouira: Mechouar Plaza (Nights 11 & 12)
Mechouar Plaza is in the centre of Essaouira and is decorated with exposed brick throughout. It has a bar and restaurant serving Moroccan and International cuisine.
For some departures we will be staying at the Riad Dar El Qdima or similar.
Worth knowingÂ
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance, however we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
You can request a single room on this trip subject to availability. The single supplement applies to hotel nights only and therefore does not cover any nights in the mountains, desert or Bedouin camps.
About Riads
Riads are traditional Moroccan homes, generally in the old part of the city or medina, where the wealthiest people would historically live. They’re typically built around a central corridor with windows facing an internal courtyard (external windows are rare). Most have a rooftop terrace where breakfast is served. A night in a riad is an authentic Moroccan experience; however, riads do not have hotel-style facilities. Additionally, the rooms are not standardised and come in different sizes and shapes. Riads are built to keep sunlight to a minimum in order to keep the interiors cool in the extreme summer heat. In winter they become a cosy haven.Â
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16+ age people can go on this tour.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Transfers for group flights
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3-star hotels
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.