Experience a whole new world of travel! Switch up your European travel itinerary and take a detour to North Africa’s most vibrant country, Morocco. Beat your own path hiking the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and ride a camel! Journey to the Ourika valley to have tea with a local Berber family and relax with traditional Hamman baths at one of the local spas. Morocco will be an exciting worldly experience unlike anything you’ve ever encountered.

Included: 

• Luxury coach transport
• accommodation at Riads(guest houses) and hotels
• Bus2alps trip leader and local guides
• Breakfasts and some dinners
• Welcome tea and cookies
• Souk Survival streetmarket tour
• Group dinner in Jamma Ef Fna Square
• Day trip to the Ourika valley and Atlas mountains
• Overnight excursion in a Bedouin campsite
• Mountain camel ride
• 4x4 drive into Sahara desert with sand boarding
• Lunch with a Berber family
• Historical walking tour of Marrakech  including museum entrie and enty to the Majorelle Gardens

*Flights are not included in this package

Please note: The trip meets at Marrakech Airport anytime on Friday and departs on the following Sunday. Transportation to this destination is not included. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

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Route (Fly From Anywhere - Morocco)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

The trip departs Marrakech Airport between 9:00* and 13:00*. The meeting point is in the Arrivals Hall of the airport. Please meet your trip leader once you have claimed your luggage. We will then transfer to our accommodation in Marrakech by private bus. Upon arrival to Marrakech, we will immediately check into our accommodation.

Marrakech is the quintissential Moroccan city. A desert Oasis, Marrakech boats a unique culture, special charm, and delicious cuisine. After some time for lunch and to freshen up, we will head off on the guided ‘Souk Survival’ intro tour of Marrakech, where you will learn the intricacies of bartering with Moroccans.. The tour begins at 15:00*. After the tour completes, we will head to a traditional Moroccan restaurant for our welcome dinner.

Day 2

Saturday morning, after breakfast, we depart on a guided historical city tour of Morocco. The tour begins at 10:00*. The tour covers much of this 11th Century City featuring the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian Tombs, the Badia and Bahia Palaces in the Melah Jewish quarter, and the spice markets. The afternoon is free to explore the amazing city of Marrakech. Head to the thriving bazaar or ‘souks’ and barter for some souvenirs. Meeting time for the group dinner is 19:30*. After dinner we will wander through Jemma Elfna Square and head out for some drinks at the Kozy Corner.

Day 3

Sunday morning we depart Marakech for the High Atlas Mountains at 8:00*. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:00. Estimated drive time is 4 hours**. We will arrive in Ait Ben Haddou at approximately 12:00*. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ait Ben Haddou is an ancient Kasbah (fortified city) resting on a hillside. We will take a guided tour, exploring the intricate terrassed city. Ait Ben Haddou is a perfect place to grab lunch and appreciate one of the world’s most known Kasbahs.

We will depart Ait Benhadou at 14:00* for Todra Gorge by way of the “Rode of a Thousand Kasbahs”. Estimated drive time is 4 hours**. Approximate arrival time at Todra Gorge is 18:00*. After arrival, we will check into our accommodation and have our group dinner. Carved out by the Dades River, Todra Gorge is a stunning feature of the High Atlas Mountains. With cliff faces rising to 1000 feet in some spots, Todra Gorge attracts professional rock climbers from around the world.

Day 4

Monday morning you will have free to explore Todra Gorge. There will be a optional 4 hour hike. We will depart at Todra Gorge at 13:00* for Ouarzazate. Estimated drive time to Ouarzazate is 4 hours**. We will arrive in Ouarzazate at approximately 17:00*. After arrival, we will check into our accommodation. You will have some free time to explore Ouarzazate or relax. Meeting time for our group dinner is 20:00. Ouarzazate is a popular holiday destination in Morocco, as well as the filming location for such movies as ‘Gladiator’ and ‘The Mummy’.

Day 5

Tuesday morning is free to explore Ouarzazate. You will have time to stock up on snacks and drinks before we embark on our Sahara Adventure. We will depart Ouarzazate in our private 4x4 vehicle at 12:00* for M’hamid. Estimated travel time is 4 hours**. We will make a stop in Tamegroute en route where you can view the world famous Zagora Pottery. We then continue to M’hamid, a small village located on the edge of the Sahara. After M’hamid we turn off the paved road, and head for the desert camp of Erg Chegaga. We will arrive at Erg Chegaga Desert Camp at approximately 18:00*. Once we have arrived, you will be introduced to your camp and the surrounding dunes. Dinner, music, and fun will follow.

Day 6

Wednesday morning we will awake early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara Sand Dunes. After breakfast, we will begin a day packed with action and adventure in the desert. Before lunch we will shred some sand, sandboarding down 1000 foot high sand dunes. After some exhilirating thrills on the dune, we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our Saharan guides. After lunch we will embark on a camel trek across the desert. Upon return from the camel trek, you will have the afternoon to relax and get some sun, or hone your sandboarding skills.

Tonight we will have a Sahara-style party complete with dinner, drinks, and local nomadic music.

Day 7

Thursday morning we will depart after breakfast at 9:00* for Tazenakht. Estimated travel time is 3 hours**. En route we will pass the dried up lake Iriki, home to many famous fossil finds. We will arrive in Tazenakht at 12:00* where will meet our bus. After some lunch, we will say good-bye to our Saharan Guides, and depart for Essaouira. Estimate travel time to Essaouira is twelve hours**. We will make our way to the Atlantic Coastal fishing village of Essaouira by way of the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Tichka. At nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, this is the highest point on our trip. We will stop for dinner en route. Approximate arrival time in Essaouira is midnight*. Upon arrival to Essaouira we will immediately check into our accommodation.

Day 8

Friday is free to explore the fishing village of Essaouira. Check out the Medina (an ancient Islamic quarter, typically containing mosques and palaces), head out to the fishing port and hang out at the Ramparts, or head to the beaches and go kite and wind surfing. Essaouira is known for its unique culture, charming narrow streets, and shopping.

We will meet at approximately 19:00 to head off for dinner and drinks at the rooftop bar and restaurant, Casa Vera. Casa Vera overlooks the beach and the Medina.

Day 9

Saturday morning we will depart from Essaouira at 10:00* for Marrakech. Estimated travel time is 3 hours**. We will arrive in Marrakech at approximately 13:00*. You will have the afternoon in Marrakech free to see all of the sites you have not yet visited. We will meet at approximately 19:00* for our farewell dinner and the night out.

Day 10

Sunday morning, we will depart for Marrakech Airport (RAK) after breakfast. Airport transfer will be via private transport.

* All departure/arrival times are subject to change due to weather and seasonal availiabiity. You will be informed 24 hours prior about any changes. ** Drive times are all estimated and are subject to change due to road conditions and traffic.

Included Activities

Marrakech City Tour: Learn and live the massive history of one of North Africa’s most important cities, while visiting its most notable sites.

Souk Survival Tour: Moroccans love to haggle. The Souk Survival Tour will teach you the ways of negotiating the best deals in the ‘Souks’ or markets.

Saharan Adventure: Explore the Moroccan section of the world’s largest, and most known desert. The Saharan Adventure includes 4x4 transportation through the desert, sandboarding, a camel trek, desert camping, traditional meals & parties,

Sandboarding: Just because there is no snow doesnt mean you can’t strap into a board and rip down 1,000 foot sand dunes.

Camel Trek: Explore the expanses of the Sahara by the most logical form of transportation.