Product Description
Highlights
Experience local hospitality at a homestay with a charming local family in Moulay Idriss – if you’re lucky, you might even get an invite to a cooking demonstration.. Relive a glorious medieval past in Fes city. While many tourists get lost in the labyrinthine streets of the medina, you’ll have a local guide to show you the way.. See for yourself the vivid blue hues of Chefchaouen while you explore the houses and laneways of this surreal city.. Need a break from your wanders around the narrow streets of Meknes? Replenish your energy with the camel burger cooked right in front of you at a restaurant in the medina.
Overview
Immerse yourself in the exotic colours and cultures that express the flavours of Morocco. From the imperial cities of Meknes and Rabat to the vibrant town of Chefchaouen, the rich history and traditions of this ancient land await. Discover the medieval city of Fes, experience an exclusive guesthouse stay in Moulay Idriss, explore the spice markets of Marrakech, and travel to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. This nine-day northbound tour lets you soak up the extravagant sights and revel in the hidden delights of Morocco.
Breakfast Included: 7 Lunches Included: 1 Dinner Included: 1
Casablanca
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive with time to spare before the meeting, consider exploring the city on an immersive, local-led Urban Adventure.
Rabat – Moulay Idriss
Today take an early morning 1-hour train to the historical town of Rabat. Store your luggage and spend a few hours strolling through the city's Old Quarter on a self guided walk, then head to Kasbah des Oudaias and enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Meknes by train (approximately 3 hours), then take a 45-minute taxi through scenic countryside to the sacred pilgrimage village of Moulay Idriss. Explore the delightful medina of this ancient town that offers an excellent insight into traditional Moroccan life. See where the faithful gather to pay homage at the tomb of Moulay Idriss I, who was the great-grandson of Mohammed and brought Islam to Morocco. At sunset, enjoy great views over the plains of Volubilis below.
Volubilis – Fes
Today, take a guided tour of the World Heritage-listed site of Volubilis, one of the Roman empire's most remote bases. The remains make an undeniably impressive sight as they come into view on the edge of a long, high plateau. Enjoy a tour of the ancient hilltop ruins with a local guide. Afterward, return to Meknes and take a few hours to explore at your own pace. The adventurous may want to try a camel burger for lunch at a local restaurant in the medina – don’t knock it ‘til you try it! In the afternoon, take a 1-hour train to Fes, where you'll spend the next two nights. Fes is the most complete medieval city in the Arab world, and the most ancient of Morocco's imperial cities.
Fes
Take a guided group walking tour of the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali. Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries, and mosques. Pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania: one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Visit Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine: a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. After the tour, the afternoon is free. In the evening, enjoy a delicious group dinner of Moroccan specialties like harira (chickpea soup) and chicken-stuffed pies with couscous.
Chefchaouen
Take a local 4-hour bus to Chefchaouen today. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista, so you might feel like you're in the hills of Spain. Your afternoon and evening are free. Perhaps take a stroll through the ancient medina and shop for handicrafts, go hiking in the Rif mountains, or simply sit at a cafe and enjoy the pleasure of time passing by. If you're feeling peckish, the local goat’s cheese is a popular treat enjoyed by many visitors.
Chefchaouen
Today is a free day for you to explore Chefchaouen as you wish. Perhaps take a guided tour of the sights, sounds, and smells of the medina, or sample the delicious local specialties at a cafe in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Alternatively, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a hike and picnic in the surrounding hills. In the evening, how about tucking into a tagine at a local restaurant or visit a hammam a traditional Moroccan spa? The night is yours.
Tangier
Take a 3-hour private minibus journey to the coastal town of Tangier – a place of strategic importance to the Mediterranean as a gateway to Africa. Your afternoon here is free. Perhaps visit the American Legation Museum, the former palace of Dar el-Makhzen or the Caves of Hercules. You could also enjoy a fresh seafood dinner by the port, watching the sunset over the Atlantic. Later tonight, board an overnight sleeper train bound for Marrakech.
Marrakech
Arrive early into Marrakech and then the day is free for you to explore. Perhaps visit the well-known Koutoubia Mosque and its 12th-century minaret, which was the famous prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville. Or, you could take a wander through the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle (now owned by Yves Saint Laurent). In the evening, join the thronging crowds for an optional dinner in the Djemaa el Fna: the city's main square. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers, and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies.
Marrakech
There are no activities planned for today and your tour ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring in Marrakech (subject to availability).
