Trip Details

Morocco is a land of stunning contrasts, where majestic minarets tower over spice-scented souks and soaring mountains give way to endless desert. Set out to explore the epic landscapes and imperial cities of this magical country. On a three-day trek, ride camels across the Sahara alongside Berber cameleers and sleep in starlit tents nestled among golden sand dunes. Discover the Moorish splendors of Fès, the medieval medina of Marrakech, and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Hike to rose-colored casbahs, visit Berbers in their mountain villages, and explore dramatic gorges and less-traveled corners in 4x4 vehicles.

Trip Highlights

Itinerary - 13 Days

Day 1 — Casablanca, Morocco/Rabat

Arrive in Casablanca and gather for a welcome breakfast, followed by a visit to the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the world’s tallest minaret. Travel to Rabat and enjoy a late lunch before checking into our hotel. The evening is free to relax or explore on your own.
Golden Tulip Farah Rabat (B,L,D)

Day 2 — Rabat/Meknès/Volubilis/Fès

Discover Rabat’s architectural treasures, from the soaring minaret of the Hassan Mosque, left incomplete in the 12th century, to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Continue to Meknès, Morocco’s 17th-century capital, and visit its grand gateways and mausoleums decorated with zellij, or mosaic tiles. After lunch, delve into the Roman ruins of Volubilis before transferring to Fès.
Hôtel Les Mérinides (B,L,D)

Day 3 — Fès

Spend the day exploring Fès, the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities. In the narrow streets of the souks, merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices, and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque. After lunch, visit the historic Jewish quarter in Fès Jedid and the Dar Batha Museum of Moroccan arts.
Hôtel Les Mérinides (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Ziz Valley/Erfoud

Stop for a hike in the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains, home to Barbary macaque monkeys. France’s colonial influence on Morocco can be seen in the alpine town of Ifrane. On our way to Erfoud, descend into the spectacular Ziz Valley and its lush oases of date palms. (3-4 miles hiking, 1-2 hours)
Kasbah Hotel Chergui (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Erg Chebbi/Begin Camel Trek

Drive in 4x4s to the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and explore an otherworldly “sandscape” of shifting colors. After learning about camel riding from Berber cameleers, embark on our Saharan trek, camel riding (and walking, if you wish) across dunes interspersed with volcanic rock and populated by nomadic herders. Arrive at our tented camp and dine under a star-studded sky. (4-5 miles camel riding and walking, 2-3 hours)
Camping (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Remlia Well

Awaken for an early walk as the rising sun paints the sand orange and gold. Then set out on our camels across a varied desert terrain. Traverse fan-shaped landforms and dry river basins, keeping an eye out for fossils as we approach our camp in the dunes near the well at Remlia. (8 miles camel riding and walking, 4-5 hours)
Camping (B,L,D)

Day 7 — End Trek/Alnif/Boumalne Dadès

Set out on our camels for a final morning trek. Then drive off-road in 4x4s to search for trilobites and other ancient fossils around the town of Alnif, a renowned fossil hunting region. After lunch, continue to Todra Gorge, where sheer rock walls reach nearly to 1,000 feet, and arrive at Boumalne Dadès, a town nestled amid the crags and plateaus of a semidesert landscape. (1-2 miles camel riding and walking, 1 hour)
Hôtel Xaluca Dadès (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Bou Tharar

Travel through the “valley of 1,000 casbahs” linking the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. Pass oases, rose plantations, and casbahs, or fortified villages. Set out on a hike through the terraced fields of M’Goun Valley. Later, explore the Berber village of Bou Tharar, our home for the next two nights. (4-5 miles hiking, 3 hours)
Mount M’Goun Inn (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Valley of the Roses

Spend the day hiking in the Valley of the Roses, a fertile region known for its pink Persian roses. Our hike takes us into a gorge and over hills dotted with casbahs. Enjoy a traditional lunch with a local Berber family and learn about their rich cultural heritage. (7 miles hiking, 4-5 hours)
Mount M’Goun Inn (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Ouarzazate/Aït Ben Haddou

Embark on a hike to the fabled casbahs of the Dadès Valley. Then head to Ouarzazate and explore this former colonial trading post and surrounding countryside, now known for being the location where films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were shot. Continue to the fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou and wander its twisting lanes. (3-4 miles hiking, 3 hours)
Riad Ksar Ighnda (B,L,D)

Day 11 — High Atlas/Marrakech

Today’s journey takes us over the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, which rise above a landscape of oasis pastures, willow and poplar groves, and picturesque villages. Take a walk in the stunning Ounila Valley before continuing on to Marrakech. (2-3 miles hiking, 1-2 hours)
Hotel Es Saadi (B,L,D)

Day 12 — Marrakech

Enjoy a full day exploring Morocco’s “pearl of the South.” Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace. Meander through the labyrinthine medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna, the lively central plaza, where snake charmers captivate passersby. Tonight, gather for a festive farewell dinner.
Hotel Es Saadi (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Marrakech/U.S.

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

National Geographic Adventures are unique, active itineraries for intrepid travelers that combine spectacular places, cultural interaction, and physical challenge. You'll explore fascinating, off-the-beaten-path places with top guides, and wherever possible, meet National Geographic experts in the field.

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