Classic Morocco
Classic Morocco
$1505
Tour Overview
You don’t have to sacrifice your comfort for a great adventure! On this eight-day discovery of Morocco, you’ll explore sacred sites like the Hassan II Mosque, Moulay Idriss and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Explore the cultural heart of Morocco in Fes, then head into the Sahara for a camel ride through the sand dunes during sunset, before spending the night camping under the stars. Hike through the Todra Valley and see how the locals farm their produce, stopping for some epic views in the Atlas Mountains. Explore the silver-screen favourite of Ait Benhaddou and try the most delicious mint tea in the world at Tawesna teahouse. Top it all off with a vibrant day in Marrakech, where you’ll see the famed Djemaa el-Fna square and feast on Moroccan favourites like seared meats, fresh salads and chickpea soup. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca
Location: Casablanca
Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco and the great city of Casablanca. If you’re arriving today, you’ll take a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe you’d like to 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 cultural experience, you can discover a unique part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Fes
Location: Fes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast this morning, visit the Hassan II Mosque – one of Casablanca's most impressive sites and the Islamic world's third-largest mosque. This colossal building sits partly on land and partly on the sea, allowing visitors to look through a glass floor in one area, straight down to the water. This is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Travel by private vehicle to the village of Moulay Idriss, the holiest Islamic town. Head out on a leader-led walking tour, stopping for an optional home-cooked lunch before setting off again. Your next stop is Volubilis – a partly-excavated Amazigh-Roman city outside of Meknes. Explore the ruins and abandoned stones with a local guide, which are covered in wildflowers in the spring. Arrive in Fes, your final destination, and sit down for an included pastilla dinner. This Moroccan specialty is a delicious sweet and savoury pastry parcel of shredded chicken and almonds.
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Day 3: Fes
Location: Fes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you’ll discover the city of Fes. The spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco – Fes is a feast for the senses. Join an expert local guide and head into Fes el Bali – arguably the world's most fascinating Old City. Walk along the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods. Filled with dye pits and traditional stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Visit the Al-Attarine Madrasa, built by the Marinid sultan Uthman II Abu Said in 1323-5. Functioning as a religious school, this is one of several such schools located within the medina. You’ll then explore the tanneries and the Fondouk Nejjarine – a beautifully restored 18th-century inn with a courtyard. Stop for a refreshing mint tea at a local café and take in the views of the bustling medina. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening.
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Day 4: Sahara Camp
Location: Sahara Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, hit the road again and drive through ever-changing scenery, from barren mountainsides to fertile valleys, on the journey to Merzouga. Stop for coffee in Ifrane in the Atlas Mountains and spot some macaque monkeys in the Cedar Forest along the way. Take in the views over Ziz Valley and stop for lunch in Midelt – a town in the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountain ranges. When you arrive, leave your gear at your overnight camp, then climb aboard your designated camel for a ride into the edge of the Sahara – what better way to enjoy the sunset? Tonight, sit under the expansive night sky and try some fantastic local cuisine around an open fire, enjoying live music and dancing.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Todra Gorge
Location: Todra Gorge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine nice and early this morning and climb one of the sand dunes to watch the sunrise over the Sahara. Then 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. When you arrive, head out on a leisurely walk through the Todra Valley with your leader. You’ll walk through shaded palm groves and local farms – thanks to the abundance of water here, there are orchards of almost every variety! Think apples, pears, plums, apricots, quinces, pomegranates, figs, almonds and peaches as well as tomatoes, mint, squash, carrots, turnips, beans and grapes. All these plantations belong to locals who you’ll meet along the way, learning how they take care of the land using traditional irrigation techniques. Tonight, you might like to enjoy an optional dinner of all the local produce you’ve seen growing around you.
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Ait Benhaddou
Location: Ait Benhaddou
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive 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 Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Enjoy a walk through the winding streets of the Old Town and ksar, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy views of the surrounding plains. Then, join a local artist for a painting workshop. You’ll create your own image of the iconic view of the ksar. Visit the Tawesna teahouse – a community-run establishment that provides local women an income to support themselves and their children. Using ingredients sourced from local cooperatives, the women prepare mint tea and pastries while sharing their stories with those who pop in. After heading to your hotel for the night, maybe sit back on the rooftop terrace and watch the sun setting over the kasbah before a group dinner.
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Day 7: Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you’ll drive to the bustling Marrakech. Upon arrival, you are invited for lunch at the Amal Association – a restaurant and non-profit organisation that supports local women through employment and training on their path to financial independence. After experiencing Amal's delicacies, meet your local guide who will lead you through the medina, sharing the city's history and hidden tales during the walk. Visit Le Jardin Secret – a 19th palace complex with traditional gardens, a shop and a cafe. Then, head to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna – one of the largest public spaces in the world.
Tonight, you might like to head back to Djemaa el-Fna – when night falls, it transforms into a hive of henna painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar of stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. You might also like to head out to an optional final dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow travellers and tour leader.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast
There are no activities planned after breakfast today, so you’re 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, just speak to your booking agent.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Desert camp (1 night), Riad (2 nights) -
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners -
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
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Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque
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Moulay Idriss - Leader-led village walk
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Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour
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Fes - Pastilla dinner
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Fes - Medersa El Attarine
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Fes - Tannery visit
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Fes - Medina walking tour
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Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
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Sahara Desert - Camel ride
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
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.
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.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Sahara Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 3. Optional transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca
- If you are flying into Marrakech we can provide an optional transfer to the starting point city of Casablanca. This transfer is on request and prepaid. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of 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.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations to break up the longer drives. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
As a desert country, Morocco can have extreme weather. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. Refer to the Climate and Seasonal Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Morocco has a tipping culture and travellers are expected to tip small amounts for most services. Your trip leader and the Money Matters section of the Essential Trip Information can assist you with this.
Although you shouldn’t expect any aggressive selling techniques in Morocco, it’s common to be approached by shop owners and street vendors offering their goods.
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 differ from standards at home.
Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information. ...more ...less -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Classic Morocco
8 Days Starting in Casablanca and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Casablanca, Fes, Sahara Camp, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou, Marrakech
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XMKN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99