Explore Morocco

Fly to Marrakech

Begin your Moroccan adventure with a flight to Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local expert guide and transferred to your riad accommodation. A riad is a traditional large house in Morocco, built around a central courtyard or garden and often converted into a hotel. A riad stay will give you an authentic local experience together with simple home comforts. You will have time at leisure on arrival to settle in and get to know your new surroundings.

Explore Marrakech

Evening

Marrakech is home to impressive mosques, imposing palaces and beautiful gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating back to the Berber Empire, with maze-like alleys and thriving marketplaces. In the evening, enjoy a welcome meal at your riad so you can get to know your fellow travellers while enjoying a traditional taste of Morocco.

Accommodation

Overnight

Riad in Marrakech (1 night)

Hassan II Mosque

Morning

Enjoy a morning visit to Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco. Afterwards continue the journey towards Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.

Explore Casablanca

Afternoon

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Casablanca is Morocco's chief port and one of the main financial centres on the continent of Africa. Casablanca is the setting of the well known 1942 film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, which won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. You will arrive in Casablanca in the late evening. Your local guide will be happy to suggest local restaurants where you can eat dinner at your leisure.

Accommodation

Overnight

3 star hotel in Casablanca (1 night)

Explore Rabat, Meknes & Volubilis

Full day

Enjoy an early breakfast at your riad before departing for the capital city, Rabat. Situated on the coast, Rabat is the second largest city in Morocco. Upon arrival in Rabat, embark on a tour of the iconic sights including Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas in the old quarter of town with your local expert guide. There will be some free time for lunch at your leisure in Rabat., before departing for the Imperial City of Meknes. You will have chance to explore the Medina and spend the afternoon enjoying the sights with your local expert guide including the 12th century Grand Mosque, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the ornate mosaics of the city’s gates. Time will be included for lunch at your leisure before a guided tour of the famous ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis before continuing the journey to the city of Fes.

Explore Fes

Evening

You will arrive in to Fes, also known as the ‘Athens of Africa’, in the evening. Located to the northeast of Atlas Mountains, the old city is penetrated by the River of Fez flowing from the west to east. In the Fes medina, donkey carts still wander down the narrow alleyways, as they did in medieval times.

Accommodation

Overnight

Riad in Fes (2 nights)

City tour

Morning

This morning you will have a guided tour of Fes, the world’s oldest and largest medieval city. Visit the world’s oldest and continuously functioning university, University of Karueein, and explore the dye-pits and tanneries of the UNESCO listed medina of Fes.

Cooking class in Fes

Afternoon

This afternoon get to know Morocco through its cuisine as you participate in a cookery class with a local chef. Tajine with couscous is a common local dish, and spices are used extensively as well as ingredients like olives, mint and lemon.

Fes to Sahara Desert

Early morning

Enjoy an early breakfast at your riad before saying goodbye to the city of Fes and starting the journey south towards the Sahara Desert, passing through Ifrane, the Middle Atlas Mountains and the cedar forests of Azrou along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for wild monkeys in Azrou! Regular comfort stops will be made throughout the journey today. (Approximate distance between Fes and the Sahara Desert is 500km / 7 hours)

Camel ride

Afternoon

Continue the journey towards the Sahara Desert this afternoon. At Ziz Valley enjoy a brief stop to take advantage of the fantastic photo opportunities before arriving in to the small village of Merzouga. From Merzouga you will continue by camel, riding in to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert (duration 1 hour), witnessing the sunset as you make your way towards your camp for the night. The Berbers are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, and during your time at the desert camp you will experience a unique glimpse in to the Berber way of life. Indulge in authentic food during the camp dinner and enjoy traditional music before sleeping under the stars. There is truly no better way to experience the Sahara Desert!

Accommodation

Overnight

Overnight camp in the Saharan Desert (1 night)

Rissani & Todgha River

Early morning

We highly recommend waking up early to catch the desert sunrise over the sand dunes before breakfast at the camp. After breakfast embark on a 1 hour camel ride back across the dunes before a visit the holy town of Rissani. Rissani is the birthplace of Moulay Ali Cherif, the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty which is the current Moroccan royal family. Afterwards head to the oasis of Tinghir, set in the foothills of the High Atlas mountain range. Embark on a 1-hour walk along the Todgha River, admiring lush palm trees and olive groves growing by the riverbanks along the way. Your local expert guide will take you to visit Berber villages where you will learn more of the locals’ traditional lifestyle.

Road of 1,000 Kasbahs

Afternoon

In the afternoon, drive through the Dadès Valley, a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the Dades River. You will also travel along the famous ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’, the ancient caravan route to the Sahara Desert that was used by sultans and traders. Upon reaching your riad in the hillside town of Boumalne du Dadès, you will enjoy dinner with your group.

Accommodation

Overnight

Riad style hotel in Dades Valley (1 night)

Explore Aït Benhaddou

Morning

After breakfast, depart Boumalne du Dadès and travel through the Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate (also known as ‘The Gate of The Sahara’), towards the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou. Aït Benhaddou is a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture with some families still living within the ancient village of the kasbah. Explore the kasbah with your local expert guide and hear of the many famous films and photo shoots which have taken place here over the years as you wind your way through the many narrow alleyways. You will also have some free time to grab lunch independently in the Aït Benhaddou kasbah.

Tizi-n-Tichka Mountain Pass

Afternoon

In the afternoon, take the Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass, which is at an elevation of 2,260 metres above sea level, and goes through the Atlas mountain range. The views, the villages and the time spent on the Tizi n’ Tichka Pass are a truly unique experience. Here, Berber villagers still herd their flocks as they did in ancient times. In the early evening, arrive back to Marrakech where you will enjoy a farewell meal with your group.

Accommodation

Overnight

Riad accommodation in Marrakech (1 night)

Morning

This morning it is time to say goodbye to Morocco as you transfer to the airport for your return flight home to Dublin.