morocco private journey; morocco guided tour; tea

Hospitality in the Fez bazaar

In the medieval walled city of Fez, roam a bazaar that brims with the scent of spices, orange blossoms, sizzling lamb kabobs, in a scene unchanged in centuries. On our Morocco Private Journey, lodging includes charming riads, historic residences converted into boutique hotels.

Photo by David Simchock

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Morocco Private Journey

Imperial Cities, the Great Sahara, and Marrakesh

Morocco’s sensuous beauty is legendary, from imperial cities with labyrinthine souks to the awesome grandeur of the Sahara. Discover this graceful land from enchanting Fez—a walled city suspended in a medieval dream—to the storied bazaars of Marrakesh and a stunning desert oasis where golden dunes stretch to the horizon.

Highlights

  • Experience the mystery and wonder of medieval Fez, a World Heritage Site
  • Visit the hilltown of Moulay Idriss and the romantic Roman ruin of Volubilis
  • Ride a camel (optional) in the golden dunes of the Sahara
  • Visit Marrakesh’s labyrinthine bazaars

Details

  • 10-day trip begins in Casablanca and ends in Marrakesh
  • 9 nights in hotels (or optional upgrades to traditional riad-style hotels)
  • All meals included except 6 dinners
  • Easy to moderate cultural exploration, city and village walks, optional camel ride

When to Go

March to May September to November

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Tour Costs

$4695 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $435

Essaouira Extension from: $995

Optional hotel upgrades are available at supplementary pricing as indicated in the itinerary.

Discounts for groups of 4 or more. Call for details.

Prices valid through 2010
Includes all land transportation and private guides throughout

Itinerary at a Glance
Morocco Private Journey route-map

Days 1-2
Casablanca and Rabat

The glory of medieval dynasties shines through in Morocco’s ancient imperial cities. In seaside Rabat, Morocco’s capital, stroll through the winding streets of the picturesque Oudaia Kasbah and visit the spectacular walled royal necropolis of Chellah.

Days 3-4
Moulay Idriss and the Treasures of Fez

Travel inland through wheat fields, vineyards, and olive groves to Moulay Idriss, a hilltown and revered pilgrimage site. Stroll in the evocative ruins of Volubilis, Rome’s ancient provincial capital, then continue to Fez, nestled in a high valley and resplendent with minarets and domes. Fez’s renowned walled medina is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval cities in the world, full of visual delights. Enter through one of its four arched gates and discover a mile-long network of souks, open-air cafés, courtyards, hammams (traditional steam baths), and gardens. On a privately guided walking tour, explore winding alleys of Arabic-Moorish architecture, savor the scent of spices, orange blossoms, and sizzling lamb kabobs, and watch scenes unchanged for centuries, from donkeys laden with goods to children carrying boards of bread dough to communal ovens.

Days 5-6
Sahara Dunes

Cross the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains descending into the Ziz Valley to Erfoud, and come face-to-face with the epic expanse of the Moroccan Sahara. At the frontier town of Merzouga, below the celebrated dunes of Erg Chebbi, meet your Berber guides and set out for a camel ride, the ultimate way to explore this spectacular environment of wind-sculpted dunes.

Days 7-8
Canyons and Casbahs

Head through the “Valley of a Thousand Casbahs,” an ancient caravan route dotted with lush palm tree groves, and into the narrow red-rock canyon of the Todra Gorge. Visit the dramatic Dades Gorge, a deep fault in the High Atlas, and the famed mud-brick turreted fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, a 16th century ksar (fortified village) now protected as a World Heritage Site.

Days 9-10
Marrakesh, the Red City

A palm-fringed city more Berber than Arabic, fabled Marrakesh has been a metropolis for the tribes of the Atlas since the 11th century. Venture forth on foot and by horse-drawn carriage to experience Marrakesh’s delights, from bustling souks to Djemma el Fna, the lively central square filled with acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, and a parade of other entertainers. Depart on Day 10.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to extend your adventure, we offer the following option:

Sheraton Casablanca Hotel

Day 1 (1 night), Casablanca, Morocco

A comfortable place to unwind after the long flight from the US, the Sheraton is an international-style hotel with well-kept rooms, a friendly ...
Click here for full description and more photos

Le Diwan Rabat

Day 2 (1 night), Rabat, Morocco

Located in Rabat’s embassy district, this hotel is within walking distance of the atmospheric kasbah, medina, and Royal Palace. Here the ...
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Villa Mandarine (Optional Upgrade)

Day 2 (1 night), Rabat, Morocco

Set in three acres of beautifully landscaped gardens laced by walking paths, this 36-room riad, a former private home, is an oasis in ...
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Les Merinides

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Fez, Morocco

The delight of this hotel is its view over the city of Fez, which you can enjoy from the terrace bar, listening to the call to prayer echo ...
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Upgrade to a Riad in Fez

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Fez, Morocco

Enjoy the flavor of Fez by upgrading to a riad, a traditional Moroccan mansion built around a classic interior courtyard. The riads we recommend vary in size and personality, but all are welcoming havens in the heart of Fez’s atmospheric medina. See below for full descriptions and more photos of each accommodation:

Kasbah Xaluca

Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Erfoud, Morocco

Surrounded by desert sands on the edge of the Moroccan Sahara, this newly built kasbah-style hotel is very atmospheric, with its numerous ...
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Hotel Xaluca Dades

Day 7 (1 night), Dades Gorge, Morocco

This 110-room hotel is situated between the Todra and Dades Gorges at an altitude of 5,290 feet. Spacious guest rooms feature a unique African ...
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Hotel Es Saadi

Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Marrakesh, Morocco

With a convenient location in the new section of the city, the Es Saadi is a 15-minute walk from the bustling medina. A five-story hotel built in ...
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Upgrade in Marrakesh

Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Marrakesh, Morocco

From Marrakesh’s fine array of accommodations, we offer four upgrade choices, ranging from gracious small riads—beautiful Moroccan mansions transformed into boutique hotels—to the grand and historic La Mamounia, newly renovated. See below for full descriptions and more photos of each accommodation:

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.