Morocco North and South: Mountain Villages and Ancient Kasbahs

Sit back and scan the scenery during your included arrival transfer.

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Begin your time in Chefchaouen with a CEO-led walk around the town and stroll through the mesmerizing streets where beauty seems to appear around every corner in a place adorned in shades of blue.

Spend a free afternoon on your own in Chefchaouen. Discover the Medina, wander the blue alleys, and try more specialties of the region at the local market, like goat cheese. Visit the Kasbah of Chefchaouen, a treasure trove of cultural heritage in Morocco. As the day begins to close opt to go with your CEO and watch the sun set from the Spanish Mosque.

Option 1: Lace up your hiking boots and trek through the Rif Mountains, passing small waterfalls on the way to the Spanish Mosque where there will be panoramic views of Chefchaouen. As you continue through the mountains you will pass plantations and will stop in at a local gîte for a delicious lunch. You will eat in the guest house owned by a family and will be served tea and a traditional meal. Option 2: Begin this hike from Akchour and head towards the grand waterfall. Trek through scenic landscapes of cedar forests, rugged gorges, cascading waterfalls, and see the inspiring "God's Bridge". This natural stone arch spans gracefully over the nearby river. The hike to the top of the falls will take about two hours. There will be a 30-minute break at the top and time to jump in for a swim if you'd like, then the final stretch to "God's Bridge." This is the spot where the group will have a picnic lunch. *Note that in the hot summer months this waterfall may be dry*

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Listen to a certified local guide explain life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the impressive, well-preserved Roman ruins. Peer into old bathhouses, marvel at the still-present mosaic floors, and gaze up at towering marble pillars. Hear stories about life in this Roman city that will leave you in awe of just how far their empire stretched.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Volubilis and Meknès.

Enjoy a guided visit of the Imperial City of Meknes. The least visited of the Imperial cities; Meknes has a unique feel to it. Visit the Bab Mansour historic landmark, and 18th-century Bab El Khmiss, the ornamental gate to the city. Wander the bustling souk to browse the vast array of clothes, spices, handicrafts, and of course food. The visit also includes stops at Dar Jamai: The National Museum of Music and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

While in Meknés, enjoy a food tasting featuring traditional Moroccan dishes. Possible meal staples like tagine, couscous, harira, and zaalouk may be on the menu.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Spend a free evening on your own in Fès.

Indulge in a delicious meal for lunch within the embrace of a charming Riad set within the ancient walls of the bustling Medina you just walked through.

Follow a local guide through the Fès medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets lying within 365 hectares. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century; there are 350 mosques in the medina that are still in use today. Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Explore the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. Visit the mausoleum and the Al Qarawiyin University. A highlight of the tour is the view of the famous Fès tannery from the balcony of a leather shop, where you can observe the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides. Take some time to shop for leather goods before returning to your hotel.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle en route to Bin El Ouidane with stops along the way.

During the drive to Bin El Ouidane stop with your CEO to gather some fresh produce, bread, and other treats for a picnic lunch with the group. Enjoy your meal, take in the stunning views, share a moment of togetherness. The group will also make a stop at hidden gem, Ain Asserdoun, a natural spring boasting crystal-clear, azure waters.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Hike to Cathédrale Imsfrane and marvel at a natural environment resembling a cathedral carved by nature. There are towering rock formations sculpted through time by wind and water. It's the perfect hike to ponder the history of Earth and think of tales of ancient seas and shifting continents. Cathedral Imsefrane provides not only a physical challenge but also a chance to connect with nature's tranquility as you breathe in the desert air. The hike is considered moderate and the path to the top is rocky terrain.

Sit down for tea and lunch in the home of a hospitable Amazigh family. After eating, you will learn traditional bread-making techniques from members of the local family and build a stronger understanding of the culture through their culinary heritage.

Travel to North Africa's highest multi-tiered waterfalls. At a height of 360ft (110m), the Ouzoud Falls are named after "the act of grinding grain" in Amazigh culture.

Enjoy a city tour visiting the souk to seek out colourful spices, the Saadian Tombs – a complex of sepulchers and mausoleums that house the remains of Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahb, and the grounds of Bahia Palace where you can marvel at the intricate decoration as you wander through the grand courtyard.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy a free day to soak in Marrakech on your own. Begin in the modern quarter, Gueliz and wander the Jardin Majorelle with its vibrant colours and lush greenery.

Let a local guide show you the best of Marrekech. Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. See the Koutoubia Minaret and head to a spice shop to discover an array of Moroccan spices.

Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle from Marrakech to Dades with a stop along the way in Ouarzazate.

Traverse the winding Dades Gorge, taking in the dramatic landscape and rich colours of the mountains all around you. Listen to weird and wonderful facts about the fascinating geology of the area.

Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle from Dades Gorge to Merzouga with a stop along the way to the town of Arfoud.

Pause along the journey to Merzouga in the picturesque town of Arfoud. Often celebrated as the, "Fossil Capital of Morocco" there are plenty of cultural and natural wonders of the Sahara region to discover during your time here. Arfoud is nestled within the heart of Morocco's southeastern expanse and also boasts some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

Take a 4x4 vehicle to reach our desert camp in Merzouga. Upon arrival, check in, then hold on and enjoy a ride on camel up to the highest dune for sunset. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips as the group climbs the dunes in the Sahara to observe the sunset. Tea and blankets will be available.

After arriving to your accommodation for the night, slip into the traditional attire laying on your bed and indulge in a desert-infused dinner at the camp's restaurant by the warm glow of a fire. Local Amazigh musicians will play enchanting melodies for you beneath the sprawling desert sky.

Option 1: Board a 4x4 and cruise into the breathtaking panorama of Erg Chebbi's sand dunes and stop at a Kohl mine and learn about this ancient mineral. Deeper in the region you will encounter the welcoming Amazigh nomads and be able to immerse yourself in their ways of life. Sip some mint tea in the heart of their traditional dwellings. Continue on to the village of Khamlia and learn about Gnaoua music. Then, delight in a Medfouna cooking demonstration in Taous village and savor the delicious traditional dish after your lesson. Option 2: Start by exploring the camp's traditional organic garden where you will witness how sustainable ancient methods came to be and learn more about this agricultural haven's commitment to sustainability. Travel by 4x4 and traverse Erg Chebbi's dunes before arriving to the palmeraie (oasis). Accompanied by a local farmer, wander through this lush landscape, an emblem of life in the Moroccan Sahara, and delve into the intricacies of how the lands are shared among the local communities. Enjoy a Medfouna cooking demonstration by locals and savor this delicious traditional dish with nature's beautiful landscape as your backdrop.

Spend the afternoon free and try some of the optional activities in the area. Opt for a thrilling buggy safari or a sand boarding session on the dunes.

After arriving to your accommodation for the night, slip into the traditional attire laying on your bed and indulge in a desert-infused dinner at the camp's restaurant by the warm glow of a fire. Local Amazigh musicians will play enchanting melodies for you beneath the sprawling desert sky.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Of all the remaining kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. The kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Along the route today the group will visit the Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative where they will learn more about the work this G Adventures-supported initiative is doing to support the local community and preserve cultural heritage. Start with a brief explanation of the project and talk with the women who are gaining financial independence here as part of the community. Then experience a brief carpet weaving demonstration using wool and yarn dyed with local and organic plant-based ingredients. Afterwards, sit down and enjoy a traditional lunch of delicious Moroccan cuisine cooked with care by the local women of this cooperative. By participating in this experience, travelers help sustain local traditions and support the women of Achbarou in creating a brighter future for their community.

Embark on an enchanting hike through Ouirgane's quaint villages, winding your way amidst Olive and Juniper trees. As you ascend, the landscape transforms, revealing the striking presence of unique reddish mountains. Connect with a local Amazigh family, enjoy a tea demonstration, and hear stories about their lifestyle and traditions. The experience includes sharing a delicious lunch prepared by the family. Afterward, hike back down.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.