Magical Morocco Tour ~ Feb 24 – March 7, 2024

* This is a private tour. If you’re part of this private group but haven’t yet paid your deposit, please send a note to Beth to receive information about registering.

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Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.

Magical Morocco – Tour Itinerary – February 24 – March 7, 2024

The adventure starts in Casablanca on February 24, 2024. If you’d like to arrive early, we can arrange additional hotel nights prior to the tour.

The tour ends in Essaouira. You can return home or to your next destination via Casablanca or Marrakech (see Day 13 for more info).

Day 1 – Casablanca
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, you’ll be met by a driver and head to the hotel. You’ll have a chance to relax on this day prior to your welcome dinner at Rick’s Café!

You might know Rick’s from the iconic movie, Casablanca. Though this is not the original restaurant from the movie, it is filled with details reminiscent of the film–including the architecture and décor. The food is great, too!

Overnight at Barcelo Anfa or similar in Casablanca.

Day 2 – Casablanca – Chefchaouen
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today will be your first full day of touring. After breakfast, you’ll visit the most spectacular mosque that non-Muslims are allowed to enter, the Hassan II Mosque on Casablanca’s waterfront.

You’ll spend time visiting both the exterior and interior of the mosque on a guided tour, with plenty of time for photos.

Afterward, you’ll make the drive to Rabat, less than two hours away. There, you’ll visit a local female artisan who creates beautiful leather goods including purses, bags and other accessories. You’ll have lunch at a wonderful restaurant in Rabat and then drive onward to Chefchaouen (the Blue City), about a five-hour drive away.

You’ll arrive at your hotel in time for dinner.

Overnight at Dar Chefchaouen or similar in Chefchaouen.

Day 3 – Chefchaouen
Monday, February 26, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today after breakfast, you’ll take a guided tour of this beautiful city perched on the side of a hill. You’ll meander through the alleys and (mostly) pedestrian streets to photograph the sea of blue walls, windows, doorways and steps.

Lunch will be on your own to give you time to wander the streets and to have time to photograph this charming village. This will also be a great chance to browse the shops tucked away down all the alleys.

In the late afternoon, you’ll walk the slight uphill climb to the Spanish Mosque and enjoy the sunset there.

Afterward, you’ll have dinner at a fantastic local restaurant.

Overnight at Dar Chefchaouen or similar in Chefchaouen.

Day 4 – Chefchaouen – Fes
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a wonderful breakfast at our ryad, you’ll start the drive to Fes. Along the way, you’ll stop at Nzala Women’s Cooperative for a bread-making workshop. It’s here in the tiny town of N’zalat Bni Amar (pop. 2,000) that these women have also started an embroidery cooperative to help bring income to their families and to the village. You’ll have an amazing homemade lunch with them and learn all about their projects.

You’ll then drive to Fes and check in to your hotel. (Total drive time is about five hours from Chefchaouen to Fes.)

You may have some time to rest in the late afternoon before sitting outside at the rooftop restaurant/bar to enjoy a light meal and drinks for dinner.

You might also take advantage of the hotel’s spa for a massage or hammam visit or soak in the hot tub.

Overnight at Hotel Sahrai or similar in Fes.

Day 5 – Fes
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You’ll start this morning with breakfast and then a tour of Fes including the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Qarawiyyin—the oldest existing, continually operating, higher educational institution in the world. And, it was started by a woman (YES!). You’ll also visit a pottery workshop where you’ll see artisans making pottery of all sizes and styles. (Bring your credit card because you won’t be able to resist the work these folks do!)

Afterward, you’ll take a tasting tour in the medina. This will be during lunch and may be all you need (and then some!) for a lunchtime meal.

After the tasting tour, you’ll continue through the medina for a tour of the tanneries, souqs and artisan quarters, building in some time to shop.

Tonight dinner is on your own. You may not be hungry after the tasting tour but, if you are, you can always grab a bite (or more) to eat at one of the hotel’s restaurants or bars. And if you didn’t get a chance the previous night, consider a massage, hammam or a soak in the hot tub.

Overnight at Hotel Sahrai or similar in Fes.

Day 6 – Fes – Sahara
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today there will be a long drive to get to the Sahara (approximately 10 hours), so you’ll want to start early.

Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch and other breaks to stretch your legs, take some photos, grab a drink and snacks, and use the restroom 🙂

You’ll arrive at the edge of the Sahara in the late afternoon and then take a (optional) camel ride to your Luxury Camp. Your overnight bag, along with anyone interested, will be taken by vehicle. The camel ride will take about an hour and you’ll have the chance to stop for photos along the way!

You’ll settle into your tents and then have a fabulous meal in the dining tent. You’ll then have a chance to sit by the campfire, stargaze and listen to the drumming and singing by the employees who are all quite talented!

Overnight at a luxury camp in the Sahara.

Day 7 – Sahara – Ouarzazate
Friday, March 1, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you’ll have a leisurely breakfast before taking the short drive (no camels this time!) back to the main road and town where you’ll meet up with your vehicle for the drive to Ouarzazate.

Along the way, you’ll stop at Todra Gorge, where you’ll be able to walk along the road and through the gorge and also have lunch.

This will be another longish day of driving (7.5 hours), so you’ll continue on to your hotel to relax this afternoon and evening. This town is really just a stopping-off point for you so that you can break up the long drive from the Sahara to Marrakech.

Dinner and overnight at Ksar Ighnda or similar in Ouarzazate.

Day 8 – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This area consists of a group of earthen dwellings once used as a stopping point for caravans between the Sahara and Marrakech. If you like, you can make the easy walk to the top–via windy alleys and shops–to a viewpoint looking over the entire valley. From here, you can look down and perhaps recognize some of the scenery from the movie, Gladiator, as part of it was filmed here!

You’ll continue on your drive and stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

At night, you’ll tour the Djemaa el-fna, Marrakech’s main square, and enjoy a bit of a tasting tour as you go. It’s unlikely you’ll be hungry for dinner but, if you are, you can eat at one of the city’s many restaurants.

Overnight at Riad Nashira and Spa or similar in Marrakech.

Day 9 – Marrakech
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll take a guided tour of Marrakech’s highlights including the Koutoubia, Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs–all centrally located. You’ll stop for lunch in the medina and then continue with a guided tour through the medina and souqs.

For dinner, you’ll be taking part in a lively tagine cooking class at a nearby cooking school.

Overnight at Riad Nashira and Spa or similar in Marrakech.

Day 10 – Marrakech
Monday, March 4, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you’ll drive to the Atlas Mountains (about 1.5 hours away) to see the countryside, take in some fresh air and see how communities outside of the cities live.

Once you arrive in the village of Imlil, you’ll take a (optional) guided hike to a Berber village. The hike will be about an hour. While it won’t be too difficult, consider wearing hiking or walking shoes with some tread and ankle support.

You’ll then have a traditional lunch in a Berber home with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Afterward, you’ll return to Marrakech where dinner is on your own to give you some flexibility and to discover food and restaurants of your choosing. You might also schedule a massage or hammam at the hotel, or just take a break from all the delicious food!

Overnight at Riad Nashira and Spa or similar in Marrakech.

Day 11 – Marrakech – Essaouira
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today after breakfast, you’ll go back to the medina to visit a cooperative that helps women with disabilities. These very talented women create and sell their own products, from clothes to purses to table linen.

After your visit to the cooperative, you’ll drive west toward Essaouira, the last stop on this magical trip! Along the way, you’ll stop at a local winery for a quick tour as well as lunch and a wine tasting!

Dinner is on your own tonight. There are numerous restaurants nearby where you can grab a light bit or a full meal.

Overnight at Suite Azur or similar in Essaouira.

Day 12 – Essaouira
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is, sadly, your last day of touring in Morocco. We’ll make it easy on you and include just a morning of touring the medina, harbor and sqala (the city’s fort from the 18th century).

You’ll then have lunch on your own and an afternoon free to eat, shop, relax, walk or pack.

This evening you’ll have an unforgettable farewell dinner at a wonderful local restaurant.

Overnight at Suite Azur or similar in Essaouira.

Day 13 – Essaouira – departure
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Meals: Breakfast

Today is departure day! It is recommended that you schedule your flight for later in the day or early the following day so that you don’t have to leave too early on this morning (because of the late-night dinner the previous night).

There are a number of options for leaving Morocco. We can book a car/shuttle to Marrakech for you (preferred option and included if you depart the hotel for the Marrakech airport after 10 a.m.), we can book a car/shuttle to Casablanca for you, or you can fly from Essaouira to Casablanca (note that flights are limited).

In our experience, most people return to Marrakech and either fly out late that day or early evening, or they overnight in Marrakech for their early morning flights out the following day. But this will all depend on flight availability and your preferred airline.

Read more about departing Morocco in the FAQs.

** Itinerary subject to change without notice.

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* This is a private tour. If you’re part of this private group but haven’t yet paid your deposit, please send a note to Beth to receive information about registering.

Costs

Land costs: $6,250
Single supplement: $1,600
Flights and / or airport transfers at end of tour (Cost depends on departure time and airport. See Morocco FAQs for options and pricing.)

Booking and Payment Details

Price includes: Accommodation, 29 meals, land transportation, local guides, entry into all activities listed in itinerary, and tips for guide and driver.

Price does not include: Flights to and from Morocco, in-country flights (if required), visa, travel insurance (highly recommended), Covid-19 testing (if required) and purchases of personal nature such as souvenirs and beverages.

This trip requires an $800 deposit to secure your spot.

Final payment is due no later than December 26, 2023.

As a boutique tour company, we really appreciate checks as it helps cut down tremendously on pesky bank fees. We ask that if you’re able, please pay the deposit or full amount by check, Venmo or wire transfer.

Here’s our mailing address:

WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.

The fine print

Morocco Fall 2024 Registration Form (sent to tour participants once deposit is received)

Morocco Tour February 2024  (PDF)

We have now partnered with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any future issues.

For questions, please contact Beth at:
beth (at) wandertours (dot) com
206-317-1860