Magical Morocco

We fly into the fabled “Red City,” where our guide warmly welcomes us and takes us to our hotel (early check-in depends on availability). In the evening, we step straight into the beating heart of Morocco: Jemaa el-Fna square. Here, storytellers weave their tales, snake charmers play haunting melodies, and the air fills with the scent of spices and grilled delicacies. Under the glow of lanterns, we feel the pulse of Marrakech - an enchanting first taste of our adventure.

Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

After breakfast, we drive north to Casablanca, Morocco’s bustling cosmopolitan capital.

Rising majestically above the ocean, we visit the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque, its intricate tilework and marble halls crowned by the tallest minaret in the world. The sea breeze carries us to Mohamed V Square, framed by elegant architecture, and we admire the graceful exterior of the Sacré Coeur Cathedral. Here we see Morocco’s modern face, vibrant and dynamic, yet deeply tied to its heritage.

Dinner and overnight in Casablanca.

This morning we travel to Rabat, the regal capital on the Atlantic shore. We wander through the blue-and-white alleys of the Kasbah of the Oudayas, visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V where kings rest in timeless serenity, and stand before the unfinished Hassan Tower, an echo of medieval ambition.

Then our route winds through olive groves and cork forests to Meknès, the city of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Behind its monumental walls we discover the ornate Bab El Mansour gate and the Sultan’s richly decorated mausoleum - mosaics and stucco work dazzling us with their artistry.

Later, we walk among the ruins of Volubilis, once Rome’s capital in Morocco. Here, delicate mosaics, ancient columns and a triumphal arch rise against the vast horizon. In the evening we arrive in Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural jewel.

Dinner and overnight in Fes.

We dedicate the day to discovering the wonders of Fes, the country’s oldest imperial city. Wandering through its labyrinth of alleys, we pass golden palace gates and enter the Jewish quarter, home to Morocco’s very first Mellah. We explore the world’s oldest functioning university, Al-Qarawiyyin, and stand in awe at the Attarine Madrasa with its delicate zellij tiles.
In the tanneries, the sight of vats filled with brilliant dyes creates a living rainbow. We pause at the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, founder of Fes, and take in sweeping views over the medina, a sea of minarets and rooftops. For those who wish, the afternoon offers the chance to try Arabic calligraphy in a private workshop - a beautiful keepsake of Moroccan culture. Overnight in Fes.

We leave Fes and drive into the Middle Atlas Mountains. In Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” we are surprised by its alpine charm. Soon after, we reach Azrou where majestic cedar forests are home to lively Barbary apes.

After lunch in Midelt our journey follows the Ziz River, winding through dramatic gorges and into palm-dotted valleys. As the light softens we reach Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara where desert landscapes begin to unfold before us.

Dinner and overnight in Erfoud.

Today the desert calls. We set off in 4x4s across the rolling golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, meeting nomadic families who share with us their way of life shaped by centuries of tradition.

In Khamlia, we are welcomed with the hypnotic rhythms of Gnawa music - a trance-like heritage of former desert traders. For lunch, we taste a Berber speciality: desert pizza baked in clay ovens.

In the afternoon, those who wish may ride camels into the dunes as the sun sinks low, painting the sands in fiery reds and golds.

At our camp, we dine on fragrant tagine, sip sweet mint tea, and gather around a fire to the beat of Berber drums. Beneath a blanket of stars, the Sahara feels timeless and infinite. Overnight in a desert camp.

We rise early to watch the sun crown the desert, a spectacle of shifting colours. After returning to the camp for breakfast, we leave Merzouga behind and drive towards Tinghir, where the mighty Todra Gorge towers above us - sheer cliffs glowing in the morning light. Here, we may stroll along the river that cuts through the gorge.

After lunch, we continue to the Dades Valley, where whimsical rock formations known as “monkey’s toes” rise from the earth. Sand-coloured kasbahs and green oases line our route before we reach Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood of the Desert.”

Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate.

We explore Ouarzazate’s treasures, including the imposing Kasbah Taourirt and the famous Atlas Film Studios where countless epics have been shot.

Then we journey to the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of earthen architecture. Its fortress-like walls and kasbah towers once welcomed camel caravans crossing the desert.

In the afternoon, we cross the High Atlas Mountains through the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass, where breathtaking panoramas accompany us all the way back to Marrakech.

Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

Today we immerse ourselves in the wonders of Marrakech.

We begin with the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, its minaret a landmark of the city, before visiting the serene Secret Garden and the ornate Madrassa Ben Youssef, a marvel of Islamic architecture. We lose ourselves in the vibrant souks, where every alley bursts with colour - spices piled high in pyramids, hand-woven carpets, brass lanterns, and leatherwork.

After the tour, we enjoy free time to explore at leisure, perhaps to sip mint tea on a rooftop café overlooking the medina.

Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

Depending on our flight schedule, we may enjoy a relaxed morning discovering hidden corners of Marrakech or simply soaking up its last impressions. At the appointed time, we transfer to the airport, carrying with us memories of Morocco’s colours, sounds, and timeless magic.