MOROCCO ADVENTURE
IMMERSIVE MOROCCO ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE
EXPLORE MARRAKECH AND THE SAHARA DESERT WITH FES & CHEFCHAOUEN OPTIONS
Trip Highlights
Boutique hotels & riads showcasing Moroccan design
Moroccan hospitality throughout your experience
Sahara desert experience and adventure to get there!
Visit to a local Berber women’s textile co-op
Souk visits & Aît Ben Haddou UNESCO site
This 9-day Morocco itinerary combines the culture and stunning landscapes of Morocco with deep immersion into the local culture. Our route starts in Marrakech, teeming with souks in the ancient medina. We head to the UNESCO-protected village of Aït Ben Haddou as we make our way across the Atlas mountains. Then we continue into the Sahara Desert complete with a camel ride, oasis excursion, and music under the stars. En route back to Marrakech, we stop at Berber women’s textile co-op to learn about how their artisan craftsmanship shapes their community. Throughout the experience you’ll have daily interaction with locals, gaining a deep understanding of traditions within the Moroccan way of life.
Book our 9-day Morocco group trip or select Morocco Custom Dates year round! Starting at $3495 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
For the complete Moroccan experience, you can choose an optional 3-night add-on to Fes and Chefchaouen. Here you'll discover luxury riads in Fes as well as the vibrant colors of "the Blue Pearl" of Chefchaouen.
Want a group experience for your Morocco adventure? You can also check out our Morocco Retreat. Same itinerary but with retreat elements! And consider extending your adventure with our Portugal self-guided itinerary for the fascinating historic, cultural and architectural connections between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa!
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STARTING AT $3495
Fully planned & booked 9 or 12-day Morocco itinerary
Local guides & arranged transit
Minimum 2 people
Pairs with our Portugal self-guided itinerary
Trip Inclusions
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6 nights’ boutique hotel stay
2 nights desert camping in permanent structure tents with real beds
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Transfers to/from airport on arrival & departure days
Private ground transit between Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara
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Visit to the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou
Sahara desert excursion with 2 nights all-inclusive camping complete
Camel ride, stargazing, traditional music & food and an oasis outing
Marrakech souk tour
Entry to Bahia Palace and Madrasa ben Youssef
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Daily breakfast + 6 lunches + 7 dinners (group trip) or 4 dinners (self-guided)
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Visit to a traditional Berber textile women’s co-op + donation to their organization
Dedicated local guide
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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Hammam spa and massage
Cooking class
Fes & Chefchaouen 3-night extension
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International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
Testimonials
DAILY ITINERARY
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Arrive at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) by 4 p.m. and be transported to your Marrakech riad complete with vibrant mosaics and atrium gardens and just minutes from the Red City, Marrakech. Rest up, meet your roommate, and enjoy some time by the pool before your group trip Welcome Dinner. Self-guided will have the option for dinner at the riad or out on the town.
Meals: D (group trip only)
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Today we kick off with a packed day of discovering the Red City, so be sure to get your energy up! We'll depart not-too-early for a full day of guided tours of the ancient old town (medina) of Marrakech - including visits to the opulent Palais Bahia, the Madrasa ben Youssef, Jemaa al Fna (big square of Marrakech), a local spice market, artisan markets (souks) and much, much more. We'll make time to stop for lunch to enjoy some modern Moroccan cuisine. The tour will end around sunset and you’ll have lots of dinner options to choose from!
Meals: B
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Choose your own adventure! After breakfast, choose from our list of optional add-on experiences, or take the day to discover more of Marrakech on your own. We can help organize transportation & logistics ahead of time, and even recommend some epic restaurants to check out for your lunch and dinner meals. Or - if you prefer an early evening, dinner at the villa can also easily be organized.
Meals: B
Add-on options (possible to do both!): Moroccan hammam experience with massage, 2-3 hours; Hands-on cooking class with local women + optional wine pairing
Transfers are $10 each way, which we will set up then you can pay directly to the driver.
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Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a road trip! We depart in our SUV 4x4's for a trip across the High Atlas Mountains, retracing the steps of the ancient trade caravans from Timbuktu. We follow the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” and explore ruins and fortified cities, including the infamous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO site), where we'll stop for lunch and a short walk. The day ends in the palm oasis of the Draa Valley, in the village of Agdz (aptly named "resting place"), where we'll spend the night in the middle of the oasis and enjoy some good food, wine and company.
Meals: B, L, D
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We depart after breakfast to continue the journey south. The scenery begins to change as the mountains fade into the background the desert scenes become more prominent. We'll pass through the last village on the map (afternoon yoga & lunch stop included) before taking the cars off-road for a 2 hour jaunt through the desert to our camp, nestled in the biggest dunes of the Moroccan Sahara - Erg Chegaga. You'll be greeted with Moroccan tea - Sahara style - and take some time to unpack and settle in for the next two nights. Dinner and campfire await!
Meals: B, L, D
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After sunrise & breakfast, tie on your turban because we're heading back out for an afternoon adventure to visit a traditional nomad family. See how locals live in the Sahara and learn about their traditions and customs, including how they make their tea using sap from the Acacia tree and how they make bread using an oven made from sand. We'll return to the camp for lunch, some afternoon down time, and then close out the evening with a sunset camel ride, some dune surfing, dinner and campfire.
Meals: B, L, D
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Wake up to catch an unforgettable Sahara sunrise, or sleep in (a little) and early departure, leaving our desert camp behind and heading back on the road towards the village of Taznakt. We’ll stop to visit our Community Partner, a women's weaving co-op where we’ll learn about crafting traditions that these groups work so hard to preserve while boosting the livelihoods of women throughout the area. You’ll see the artists behind the looms working on amazing textiles while getting a solid understanding of the Moroccan carpet industry, many different styles or rugs - and even shop for one that you can have shipped to your home! There’s nothing better than buying directly from the source. After lunch, we'll continue the drive to the city of Ouarzazate, where we'll spend the evening in a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool and a delicious dinner. Also - a great opportunity for a hot shower to wash off all that Sahara sand!
Meals: B, L, D
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After breakfast, we'll hit the road for the final hours of our "Southern Loop" trip, back to Marrakech to settle in for the next 3 nights. Once arriving back to the villa where we started, you'll have some time to settle back into your room, take a dip in the pool or join before our Farewell Dinner together to reminisce on our adventures! (included in group trip).
Meals: B, L, D (group trip only)
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Depart any time today from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). Your airport transfer is included. Or, choose to add on a few days for a self-guided, fully planned Fes & Chefchaouen excursion. If continuing on…
After breakfast, get an early start and hop the train to Fes, a beautiful, ancient city full of hilly riads, art and architecture. You can pack snacks or get lunch on board before arriving mid-afternoon to our ornate riad located in the medina with panoramic terrace views. You’ll relax with afternoon tea & treats and have time to watch the sunset on the terrace and a chef-prepared 3-course Moroccan dinner.
Meals: B, D
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Today you’ll explore the ancient medinas of Fes with our local guide who will show you the incredible craftsmanship of the town, from tile making and pottery to metal working and textiles. We’ll see the spice souks and tanneries and have time for a stop at a local hammam (spa). You’ll have lots of places to choose from for lunch & dinner, either eat-as-you go street tastings or full-on Moroccan family style meals.
Meals: B
Add-ons: Upgrade to a full day Fes medina tour; cooking class
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You’ll head out after breakfast for the “Blue Pearl of Morocco,” the magical blue city nestled in the Rif Mountains. You’ll have the full afternoon to explore the Old City & Medina, do some shopping and snacking, take photos, or rest up in our local riad.
Meals: B
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After an early breakfast, you’ll head out to the Tangier airport (TNG), about 2½ hours from Chefchaouen. Plan your departure flight for after 1:00 p.m.
Meals: B
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You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room. Minimum 2 people. Note that during the two nights in the desert all bookings will be double occupancy (paired by gender) due to the limited amount of structured tents in our camp.
$3495 per person - double occupancy
+$395 - 'My own room' option or for odd number (3, 5, etc.)
Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of $150 per person.
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Day 8 add-ons: You can do one or both of these options. Transfers are $10 each way, which we will set up then you can pay directly to the driver.
+$85 - Cooking class, 3-4 hour experience with vegetarian options and wine pairing available
+$105 - Traditional hammam and massage, a true Moroccan experience! About 2 hours.
Self-Guided Fes & Chefchaouen add-ons, starting on Day 8:
+$995 Fes & Chefchaouen (3 nights), price based on double occupancy. +$295 single supplement
+$65 upgrade to full day artisan tour, per group
+$75 Fes cooking class, per person
+$135 Fes pottery workshop, per person
Fes add-ons include:
3 nights’ accommodations in boutique, high-end riads
Daily breakfast + 1 dinner + 1 afternoon tea
Artisanal tour in Fes to see tile making, pottery, metalworks and tanneries
Explore the beautiful, blue-doored charm of Chefchaouen
All transfers between cities, including train, private van and taxis
Airport transfer to Tangier
Self-guided with Traverse support
Faqs
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By and large, yes! Taking good travel safety precautions like not going out at night, keeping an eye on your things, and dressing conservatively are key tips. For females, being kind but not too attentive is the best way to avoid unwanted advances. The words "la shukran" (no thank you) are helpful for travelers in busy souks where vendors will have lots to try to sell to you! Be sure to also check out our 8 Female Solo Travel Tips for Morocco
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The times to avoid in Morocco, generally, are the peak of the summer June-August as they are the hottest months. Shoulder season in spring/fall is our favorite time to visit.
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It is ideal to book 3-6 months in advance to ensure enough space at our selected accommodations and desert camping; however, we can often accommodate last minute bookings up to 1 month prior to the trip start date.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $250-500 non-refundable deposit is required for each traveler to secure the booking (varies by trip). 50% remainder due 30 days from booking. Balance due 60 days prior to trip start. Refer to the Flexible Booking Policy for cases in which the deposit may be transferrable.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) full payment on booking 2) Deposit on booking + payment schedule below. Payments will be invoiced via e-mail for credit card or Paypal payment online.
Cancellations Policy
Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 90 days prior to the trip start date unless otherwise specified.
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $200,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.