Morocco Immersion Journey

Upon arrival at Marrakech Airport, you will be greeted by our team waiting outside the Arrivals exit, holding a sign with your name. Please remain in the pick-up area until you have met your agent or driver. From there, we transfer you to your hotel in Marrakech for check-in. You will have dinner at the hotel and spend the night there, settling in and preparing for the days ahead.

After breakfast, we leave Marrakech and travel to Casablanca, Morocco’s bustling commercial hub often mistaken for its Hollywood namesake. Upon arrival, we explore the city’s highlights including the central market, the traditional Habous district, the Royal Palace, Mohamed V Square, and the residential area of Anfa. We also visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque from the outside, set dramatically by the sea, before taking a stroll along Casablanca’s Corniche. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast, we travel north along the Atlantic coast towards Rabat, the capital city. There, we take a guided panoramic tour, viewing key landmarks including the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower. We then explore the Kasbah of the Oudayas, wandering through its renowned gardens. You may choose to stop for lunch before we continue along the coast to Tangier. En route, we pass the Caves of Hercules and Cape Spartel, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. We arrive in Tangier for the evening and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we explore Tangier, starting with the birthplace of Ibn Battuta, the renowned 14th-century traveller and writer. We then visit the old town, taking in the Grand and Petit Socco squares, the Grand Mosque, the bustling souk, the exterior of Sultan Moulay Ismail’s former palace, and the Mendoubia Gardens. Afterwards, we continue to Chefchaouen, known for its striking blue and white medina, reminiscent of Andalusian villages in southern Spain. This town lies within the UNESCO-recognised Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, offering a unique natural setting. Here, we visit Ras el-Maa, the local water source, and the traditional wash houses where residents hand-wash their laundry. We then follow a path up to the hilltop Bouzaafer Mosque before transferring to your hotel in Fez for the evening.

After breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the captivating city of Fez. With over twelve centuries of history, Fez is home to the world’s oldest university and a UNESCO-listed medina renowned for its intricate network of narrow, car-free alleys. We visit the Nejjarrine Fountain, located in the carpenters’ district, where the scent of cedarwood lingers. Along the way, we see historic madrasahs and the impressive mausoleum of Moulay Idriss Zaouia, Morocco’s most significant saint’s shrine. Afterwards, we drive to Meknes, an imperial city famed for its grand architecture under Sultan Moulay Ismail in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. You may choose to have lunch here before discovering the city’s heritage, including the imposing city walls, the ornately decorated gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis, El Hedhim Square, and the granaries of Moulay Ismail. We then return to Fez for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we leave Fez and ascend from 400 metres above sea level into the Middle Atlas Mountains, reaching altitudes over 2,000 metres. Along the way, you’ll see striking contrasts between rugged rock formations and hills blanketed with dense cedar forests. We pass through Ifrane, a charming ski resort known for its European-style chalets with sloping roofs. There is an optional lunch stop in Midelt, a former French colonial town. In the afternoon, we continue through the market town of Er-Rich and cross the Tizi N'Talghomt pass before arriving in Erfoud. Here, you’ll transfer to a 4x4 for an exciting drive to the VIP bivouac in Merzouga. Experience a nomadic lifestyle with dinner and an overnight stay in a comfortable VIP tent amid the desert dunes.

After breakfast, watch the sunrise from the top of the golden dunes before returning to Erfoud by 4x4. From there, we travel through the oasis of El Jorf, where lush palm groves contrast with the town’s adobe homes and desert sands, then pass the market town of Tinejdad en route to Tineghir. A short drive from Tineghir brings us to the dramatic Todra Gorge, a narrow canyon with sheer cliffs rising up to 160 metres and a small stream running through it. You have the option to enjoy lunch in Tineghir before we continue to Ouarzazate via the Dades Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’. Along the way, we stop at the fortified village of Kelaat M’Gouna, a fragrant oasis in the heart of the ‘Valley of Roses’, before arriving at our final destination for the day. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

After breakfast, we visit the Taourirt Kasbah, once a stronghold of T’hami El Glaoui, the influential lord of the Atlas during the final years of French colonial rule. Time permitting, we also explore the nearby Tifoultoute Kasbah, located about 10 kilometres from the town. Next, we travel to Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most iconic kasbahs and a frequent backdrop for Hollywood films. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched on the banks of the Oued Ounila River, was historically a vital stop on the trans-Saharan trade route. Wander through its weathered walls and the ruins of a fortified granary before enjoying an optional lunch with views of the kasbah. We then continue to Marrakech for check-in and an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we explore Marrakech, beginning with the Majorelle Garden – a striking blue oasis once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. We then visit the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, renowned for its 70-metre-high minaret and Hispano-Moresque architecture, followed by the Bahia Palace, set amidst gardens of orange trees, cypress, and jasmine, featuring impressive cedar domes. After lunch in a traditional riad, we wander through the bustling souks and artisan quarters, where you can admire a wide range of local crafts. The day concludes with time spent at the vibrant Djemaa El-Fnaa square, recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Overnight in Marrakech.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Marrakech Airport at a time that suits your flight schedule for onward travel.