Others

Todra Gorge – Home-cooked Lunch Sahara Desert - Overnight Desert Camp Sahara Desert - Camel ride Ait Benhaddou – Tawesna Lunch Imlil – Scenic Walk Imlil – Day Hike with Picnic Lunch Marrakech – Street Food Experience Taghazout – Surfing Class Taghazout – One Hour Yoga Class Essaouira – Walking Tour with a Local Guide Essaouira - Argan Oil Cooperative Visit

Meals

11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from the main tourist routes. High passes, windy roads, and rough surfaces make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days, we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. The best part about all of these long drives is the spectacular views and fun stops en route such as mountain passes, kasbahs, palmeries, sand dunes, goats up trees, etc. We also use public transport on some of our trips around Morocco. Be it a train or a public bus, remember that the best part of it is the possibility to interact with local people traveling along with you. Private vehicle , public bus

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. We’ve sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels or hostels in line with the Intrepid style of travel. Yes, we do cool, mostly central and often very original accommodation in Morocco, but remember, occasionally we are not in the right centre of action, which means you may need to hop on a public transport to get to the city centre (or grab a lovely old Merc taxi – plenty of them around). Please note that service and accommodation in Morocco is not quite the same standard you are used to. Your accommodation will not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. In fact, on Intrepid trips you may sometimes share your room with more than one person. But that certainly isn’t the rule. OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite. HEATING: Some of our guesthouses/hotels are unable to supply heating as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It’s also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold showers, which are a pleasure for most of the year. Air-conditioning systems (if available) don’t always function. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Desert Camp (1 night), Mountain Gite (Multi-share) (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Surf Camp (2 nights)

Not included:

Optional

Marrakech - AMAL Women’s Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant - MAD110 Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605 Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438 Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090 Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540 Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750 Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640 Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715 Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000 Marrakech - Le Jardin Secret - MAD60 Todra Gorge - Hike - MAD350 Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70 Marrakech - Cascades d’Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Marrakech

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. This adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. After meeting your fellow travellers and the group leader, why not get to know each other while exploring the city’s main square – Djemaa el-Fna – or get lost exploring the city’s spice souks or bazaars. For dinner, maybe load up on some delicious street food, but be warned – the eggplant fritters are addictive and the barbeque smells around the city will be sure to make you hungry (even if you’ve just eaten!). Marrakech is also known as a great spot for trendy rooftop bars, so why not head to one of the local favourites with a view and grab a cocktail.
Day 2 Day 2: Todra Gorge
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Todra Gorge

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Todra Gorge. This is a long travel day, so make sure you have a book handy. After a while, you’ll come across a bright tablecloth of green that might seem so out of place, you’ll think you’re dreaming. This valley is pretty impressive, with all its palm trees and mud-brick villages. Arrive at your hotel at the top of the valley, and take some time to relax, recharge and chill out under the palms. Maybe head out for a brief stroll before enjoying an included dinner with your group. Settle in for the night and get a good night’s rest, ready for a beautiful hike tomorrow.
Day 3 Day 3: Sahara Camp
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Sahara Camp

After breakfast, take a hike through the shaded palms of the Todra Valley for a couple of hours, taking in the picturesque scenery of the gorge ahead. Be rewarded at the end of your adventure with a home-cooked lunch served in the backyard of a local family. You’ll be treated to dates, nuts, tea and a delicious meal to refuel after your walk. Then, make your way to the Sahara. After a few hours of transit, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a sun-kissed desert. The mode of transport? Camel, of course! Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset while you wind through the vast expanse of sand and loop back to your private camp for an overnight stay in the middle of the sandy dunes. In the camp, you’ll have a thin mattress, blankets and sheets (and an auberge not so far away, just in case). Ensure you bring a sleeping sheet and warm jumper if it’s winter (you’d be surprised how cold it can get). Sleep under the stars and have a mind-blowing ’I am so far from home’ kind of moment.
Day 4 Day 4: Ait Benhaddou
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Ait Benhaddou

Remember to set your alarm this morning because you’ll be getting up well before the crack of dawn. Climb a nearby sand dune to catch the sunrise – this sight is worth the early rise – the head back to camp for breakfast, collect the rest of your gear and travel to Ait Benhaddou. Stop for lunch and the best mint tea in the world at the Tawesna Association. All profits here are devoted to the women’s projects in the village of Ait Benhaddou. This experience in the inclusive female teahouse is more than just a meal and a cuppa – it’s about discovering a culture and contributing to women’s economic inclusion and responsible tourism. Lunch includes some traditional Moroccan dishes like Amazigh bread and soup and ends with their signature mint tea and pastries made with natural ingredients sourced from local cooperatives. Then, explore the medieval mud-brick town of Ait Benhaddou. If you’re wondering why it looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it before on the silver screen.. Walk the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a view over the Old Town. You can also enter one of the most interesting old houses in the kasbah for a small fee. You’ll spend the night just outside the walls.
Day 5 Day 5: Aroumd
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Aroumd

This morning, take a private transfer towards Imlil, high in the Atlas Mountains. Calling dibs on a window seat would be a smart move – the drive features some great scenery. Imlil is a little village that sits at the foot of North Africa’s highest peak, and when you arrive, you’ll head out for a scenic walk. On your way to the mountain village of Aroumd, take your time to explore the landscape, the rolling mountains and the bursts of green flora. Tonight’s stay is in a family-run gite (or mountain home) in the village. The Amazigh people here are famous for their hospitality, so make the most of this opportunity to sit down, break bread with the family and learn about their culture.
Day 6 Day 6: Aroumd
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Aroumd

After breakfast, enjoy a slow-paced morning in the mountains. Today, you’ll head through Imlil on a day hike, exploring the scenery of the surrounding peaks and villages. Traverse through bursts of green and stop to admire the Imlil waterfall, where you can get up close and personal with the cascades. Walk at your own pace, enjoying the seclusion of being far away from the tourist crowds of the main cities. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and return to your homestay accommodation for a relaxed and free afternoon and group dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Marrakech

Say goodbye to the mountains and return to Marrakech. When you arrive, you have a free day to stroll through the bustling souks. If you like, explore the courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Why not head out on a cycling trip, go quad-biking or indulge in a luxury hammam and spa. You might like to visit Le Jardin Secret too – a traditional medina garden revived for the 21st century. Once owned by a powerful local chief U-Bihi – who was poisoned by Mohammed IV – this historic riad has one of the most beautiful courtyards in Marrakech, combining exotic and traditional Islamic gardens that are fed by original khettara (an underground irrigation system). In the evening, you’ll no doubt be drawn back to Djemaa el-Fna for a final night out.
Day 8 Day 8: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Marrakech

This morning is free for you to explore everything that Marrakech has to offer. There will be a meeting at 4 pm this afternoon to meet the new members of your group. Tonight, tuck into an awesome street food experience at a local restaurant in Djemaa el-Fna – you might even like to try the snail soup! Dance among henna painters, performers and storytellers that share the space with the street food stands. As evening falls, maybe grab another cup of mint tea and relax at your accommodation or explore the bustling nightlife of the city with your new travel buddies.
Day 9 Day 9: Taghazout
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Taghazout

After breakfast this morning, travel to Taghazout. This cool, laidback fishing village has quickly gained a solid reputation as one of the country’s best surfing spots. The waters stay warm all year round, and the surf is top-notch for both rookies and adept wave riders (so there’s no excuse not to catch some rolling waves). After getting your fill of the beautiful local beaches, maybe ask your leader for the best spots for a seafood dinner, before spending the night at a local surf camp.
Day 10 Day 10: Taghazout
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Taghazout

Kick off your adventures in the sleepy town of Taghazout with an early morning yoga session to help you relieve any tension before diving into the water once again. Oddly enough, the skills required for surfing and yoga tend to complement each other, through concentration, flexibility and balance. Good news, if you were planning on hitting the waves again today! Don’t know how to ride a board or didn’t get the chance yesterday? No stress – today includes a half-day surfing course to teach you the basics, and if you already know the ropes, there’s always time to refine your skills in unfamiliar territory.
Day 11 Day 11: Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Essaouira

Get up early today if you want to catch the sunrise, then travel to the old fishing town of Essaouira. Along the way, stop by a female-led cooperative specialising in Argan production. Learn about how these women extract the Argan from the trees, watch the beans being roasted and pressed and then have the chance to taste the Argan oil and the paste, all made right here! Arrive at your destination – a place where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the town translates to ‘little picture’ – so get your camera ready. This artists’ town has attracted visitors like Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent a lot of time here in the 1960s. Join your local leader for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and by the skala (sea wall). Tonight’s accommodation is a real treat and certainly one of the more stylish stays of your Moroccan adventure.
Day 12 Day 12: Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Marrakech

Chat with locals on a shared bus ride back to Marrakech. With no activities planned after arriving, you’re free to leave at any time. Depart from the bus station or walk back to the hotel with your leader and depart from there. If you wish to extend your adventure, there are a range of optional activities to get to know the city better. Why not become a Moroccan MasterChef in an Urban Adventure’s cooking masterclass with a local guide? Journey through the souks of Marrakech and shop for the best ingredients before learning the insider tricks on how to whip up a deliciously authentic tagine in a classic riad setting while getting to know the family that lives there. To find out more about the Tajine Cookery Class, visit urbanadventures.com. If you need to organise additional accommodation tonight, just speak to your booking agent.

12 days tour

Real Morocco

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Real Morocco

Day 1: Marrakech

Day 2: Todra Gorge

Day 3: Sahara Camp

Day 4: Ait Benhaddou

Day 5: Aroumd

Day 6: Aroumd

Day 7: Marrakech

Day 8: Marrakech

Day 9: Taghazout

Day 10: Taghazout

Day 11: Essaouira

Day 12: Marrakech

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