Tour of Morocco
| country: | Morocco |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Between 1 and 4 departures a week throughout the year |
| price: | From £445 (15 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 8 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Come and see Morocco's kaleidoscope of colours. From the snow-capped Atlas Mountains to the endless sands of the Sahara and from the medieval old town of Fes to the spice markets of Marrakech, the rich history and natural beauty of this ancient land await. Observe the vibrant collision between old and new expressed in architecture and artwork. Learn about fallen cities and cross paths with nomadic tribes. Jump in and discover the many mysteries and legends concealed within this moody ever-changing landscape.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Casablanca. Explore the city's art-deco influenced architecture. Make sure to visit the astounding Hassan II Mosque with its striking minaret - the highest in the world. |
| Day 2: | Rabat/Meknes. Stroll through Rabat's serene Kasbah des Oudaias en route to Meknes, capital of Morocco?s last golden age and site of Sultan Moulay Ismail's version of Versailles. |
| Days 3-4: | Fes. Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a guided tour of the ruins of Volubilis. In medieval Fes, wander the narrow alleyways of the medina as the call to prayer floats over Fes el-Bali at dusk. |
| Day 5: | Midelt. Journey through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to the town of Midelt, a peaceful rural village. Along the way, visit a handicraft workshop run by Franciscan nuns - a great place to pick up a souvenir. |
| Day 6: | Sahara Camp. After a camel ride into the desert, attempt a climb of the towering dunes. Later, fall asleep in a desert camp under a blanket of stars and to the soft beat of traditional Berber drumming. |
| Days 7-8: | Todra Gorge. Wake early and watch the sunrise over the desert before heading to the impressive Todra Gorge. For the energetic, take the option of trekking into nomad country for spectacular views and scenery. Explore the surrounding palmeraies. |
| Day 9: | Ait Benhaddou. Pass through Morocco's film capital, Ouarzazate, on the way to the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou. Explore the streets of this clay kasbah at a relaxed pace, and finish off the day with a meal of the best couscous in the country. |
| Day 10: | Aroumd. Farewell the Sahara and head to the hills. Perched on a rocky outcrop, remote Aroumd near the village of Imlil offers panoramic views. This is the perfect base for exploring the High Atlas Mountains and a chance to experience traditional Berber culture up close. |
| Days 11-12: | Essaouira. With its Norfolk Island pines and colourful fishing boats, Essaouira is a gem. Get acquainted with the town's fascinating history on a guided walking tour, then enjoy free time to wander along the beach, visit art galleries or feast on freshly caught seafood. |
| Days 13-15: | Marrakech. Explore the tantalising spice market and dine al fresco at a foodstall in Djemaa el-Fna or escape the buzz of the city in the shaded rooms of the Palais de la Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture. |
travellers' tales
The highlights were: the tour of the Fez medina, night in the Sahara sleeping under the stars and waking up to sand dunes all around us, walking in the Toubal National park area, catching a local train, the buzz on the main square in Marrakech - nothing like I've ever seen. (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
Throughout this fantastic trip we have so many opportunities to really experience how Moroccan people live, eat, and travel. We stay in locally run hotels, dine in local restaurants and use public transport whenever possible. Life is always locally flavoured, whether it be by drinking an avocado juice at a local bar, or trying Kefta (minced lamb mixed with spices and then grilled) at a roadside stall or exchanging some words of Arabic with locals on the bus.
We have our breaks at local cafes selling mint tea or café au lait and if we are feeling hungry we can snack at street stalls selling chickpeas, nuts and even snails. Souqs (markets) sell olives, preserved lemons, dates and spices and our desert safari sees us sharing a meal with the Berber people. Even when we go shopping we like to get our travellers to shop at cooperatives where the artisans receive a fair price for their wares therefore cutting out the middle man. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |