Morocco Adventure

If you are arriving on Day 1 of the trip you will be met and transferred to your group hotel. If you arrive on any other day please make your own way to the joining hotel as listed on your final tour voucher. Meet your guide and group members at a briefing at approximately 7:00pm on Day 1 (details will be at the reception of group hotel). Overnight: Idou Anfa Hotel (or similar).

This morning we will visit Casablanca’s beautiful Hassan II Mosque. Then we will drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, to visit the Grand Mosque - another very imposing and highly decorated structure. Overnight Riad Kelaa (or similar). Approx driving time: 2 hrs.

Drive north along the fertile plains to Ouazzane. Continue on the mountain road to Chefchaouen, which is built on the lower slopes of the Rif Mountains. The houses here are painted blue, typical of the Andalusian style. In the late afternoon we will visit the Medina. Overnight Hotel Dar Mounir (or similar). Approx driving time: 4.5 hrs.

Full day to soak up the atmosphere of the prettiest mountain town of the Rif mountain range. After breakfast, we will have a guided tour to the Medina including the Kasbah, the Outa Lhmam square and the souks. There will be free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. The guide can offer various suggestions, such as a walk up to the Spanish mosque via the spring of Ras El Ma for a panoramic view; or visit to a local weaving shop or cooperative. Overnight Hotel Dar Mounir (or similar).

Today we have time to explore the ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis, the largest and best preserved in the country and originally one of the Roman Empire's remotest outposts. We also wander around the beautiful village of Moulay Idriss, a holy site, named after Morocco's most revered saint of the same name. Moulay Idriss was the great grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and founder of the first Moroccan dynasty. The city of Meknes was once the heart of the Moroccan sultanate with many impressive buildings as a result. Continuing to Fes, founded in the late 8th Century shortly after the Arabs swept across North Africa and Spain, we arrive at the symbolic heart of Morocco. It has become the cultural and religious centre of the country and has retained a distinctly Arab identity despite the arrival of some Berbers from the interior over the centuries. Today Fes is made up of three sections, the modern Ville Nouvelle, with its chic cafe-lined avenues, Fes el-Jdid and Fes el-Bali. Fes el-Bali is the original Medina and is one of the largest medieval cities in the world. Overnight Riad Yacout (or similar). Approx driving time: 4.5 hrs.

After a guided tour of the city and old Medina we drive to Borj Sud, a Christian fort built in the 17th Century, for an almost aerial view of the old city and its surrounding olive groves. From here we venture into the Medina of Fes el-Bali which dates back to the 8th Century. In 1976 UNESCO declared this Medina one of the world's cultural treasures; the palaces, mosques and fountains are among the most beautiful in Morocco. The colours and aromas of the olive and spice stores mixed in with communal bakeries and the mysterious perfume shops are just some of the delights that make this journey through the ancient alleyways, full of scurrying people and surprises, a memorable experience. We will also visit the tannery to watch the dying of leathers and a mosaic and tile factory to see how these stunning local handicrafts are made. We will enjoy a lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant. Overnight Riad Yacout (or similar).

Today we will be on the road by 7:00am. We travel in our air-conditioned minibus passing through the agricultural regions of north Morocco and the fertile plains irrigated by the Oued Aggai in the foothills of the Middle Atlas. We then begin a long climb through an old cedar forest and holm oaks. The scenery changes dramatically where beyond Timhadite lies a completely barren plateau, reminiscent of a lunar landscape pitted with small volcanic craters, the largest of which is Sidi Ali, an immense lake bordered by steep cliffs. After stopping for lunch at the breathtaking Ziz Gorges we continue on past palm-fringed towns to Erfoud and Merzouga, and to the sand dunes at Erg Chebbi. Here the deep orange-hued dunes of the vast Sahara stretch for miles. Overnight Auberge Tombouctou (or similar). Approx driving time: 8 hrs.

Today we'll rise before dawn to experience the amazing colours of a Saharan sunrise from the saddle of the traditional Berber transport: a camel. On returning to our hotel we have breakfast and commence our journey to the Dades Gorge. En route we have lunch at the spectacular Todra Gorges and visit some of Morocco's greatest antiquities, the Kasbahs of the eastern slopes of the High Atlas. We drive on to the spectacular Dades Gorge where we stay in a small local hotel. We also take time to explore the countryside and wander for a few hours through the fertile fields and local villages soaking in rural Morocco. Overnight Hotel Xaluca (or similar). Approx driving time: 5 hrs.

En route to Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zar-zate), we explore the Kasbahs, oasis and Berber villages in the fertile valleys along the eastern flanks of the Atlas Mountains. We may visit the ancient Kasbahs of Skoura and depending on the day, explore the markets of El-Klaa Mgouna. The earthen town of Ouarzazate lies among the shadows of date and pomegranate trees on the banks of the Dades River. Overnight Dar Mouna guesthouse near Ait Ben Haddou (or similar in Ouarzazate). Approx driving time: 2.5 hrs.

This morning we will visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, the most exotic and best preserved in the entire Atlas area. We will have lunch before continuing on to Telouet and the former palace of Pasha El Glaoui, the Berber chieftain. Passing sandy coloured Kasbahs and the shy Berber women in their traditional black costumes, we leave the arid desert area and cross the High Atlas Mountains to arrive in Marrakesh late in the afternoon. Framed by the snowy heights of the Atlas Mountains and thousand-year-old palm groves, Marrakesh has a profound impact on all that visit it. Overnight Riad Berta (or similar). Approx driving time: 4.5 hrs.

Today we are led by our expert guide to discover the soul of Marrakesh. We visit gardens, mosques, palaces, and the souqs of the old Medina before reaching the humming centre of Marrakesh: the Djemaa el-Fna. The atmosphere of this square is overwhelming with its jumble of food stalls, snake charmers, fortune and storytellers and the wide variety of people that flock to its attractions. We return in the evening, when the square really comes alive. It is a must to taste the many wonderful dishes on offer at the stalls. You will be given your kit bag and sleeping bag to pack your gear for the trek. Overnight Riad Berta (or similar).

Meeting up with our porters and their mules at Imi Oughlad (1500m), we begin our trek with a gradual ascent on a mule path to the pass of Tizi n Tacht (2000m). As we walk up the Azzadene Valley we pass small villages shaded by walnut and apple trees, plots of maize and stone walls with beautiful yellow pumpkin flowers creeping over, before descending to the village of Tiziane (1600m). Overnight in a Berber house.

Leaving Tiziane via Tizi N'Touati (2100m) we ascend for 3 hours to reach the Tassaka Plateau passing holm oaks and junipers. Tonight we will camp near Tizgui at Azib Assoul. Overnight: camping

We ascend steeply from Tizgui towards the Tizi N'Tagoudalte pass at 2700m where we will be rewarded with fine views. Our gradual descent to Tizi Oussem, passes through alpine areas overgrown with beautiful wildflowers: campanulas, red poppies, iris, walls of violets, various herbs and small succulents. Overnight in the village staying in a Berber house where you may have the option to enjoy a private hammam, a local bath to wash away three days trekking.

Leaving Tizi Oussem, the last village in this valley, we continue to climb up the Azzadene Valley catching glimpses of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. We will enjoy the Cascade d'Irhoulidene and continue to wind our way up the mountain until we reach our accommodation for the night in a mountain refuge. Overnight: camping

Today we cross the impressive and remote Tizi n'Ougalzim (3700m), a steep and rocky pass that zigzags its way steadily up, rewarding us at the top with magnificent views. Upon reaching the top we see the next challenge awaiting us: Mount Toubkal. We descend to our campsite below and enjoy the alpine scenery with the surrounding dramatic peaks that the base camp offers us. Please note this camp is the only place to stay in this area and a National Park rule to stay here; for this reason it is utilised by many groups and unfortunately there might be evidence of rubbish or not as clean as we would like. Overnight: camping

We have an early start for our attempt on Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. The summit of Toubkal is neither technical nor very demanding, and once at the summit, the views are spectacular. We may start off in the dark to avoid the midday sun. If you prefer, you have the option of a rest day relaxing in camp located at the foot of the peaks, and surrounded by mountains. Overnight: camping

Today we walk down the valley passing through the deeply religious village of Sidi Chamarouch. This area is also rich in wildflowers and in spring we'll find the magnificent Peony Rose. We will also pass herds of goats traversing precarious mountain trails. We take lunch outside the village where we farewell our trekking crew and their mules before driving to Marrakesh. Overnight Riad Berta (or similar).

Our trip concludes after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport if you depart Marrakesh today. For departure on any other day, transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.