Morocco’s Mountains and Dunes: An Active Journey

Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel upon arrival. If you arrive by late morning, take a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, a soaring tribute to Moroccan craftsmanship and modern techonology—and one of the rare mosques that admits non-Muslims inside. Later, get acquainted with this busy port city on an overview tour that includes the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Arab League Park, as well as the grounds of the mosque. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner tonight. (D)

Walking: 1-2 miles on paved, mostly flat city streets.

Travel northwest toward the Rif Mountains, stopping in the spiritual center of Ouazzane, once a refuge of Andalusian Jews. Stroll through the medina, see the Grand Mosque and the Jewish quarter, and learn why the color green is associated with the town. After lunch, continue into the mountains to the "blue city" of Chefchaouen, named after the imposing horns of the Rif Massif that loom above it. Walk through picturesque alleyways past houses painted radiant shades of blue, and learn about the city's rich Andalusian heritage. Check in to your hotel before dinner with the group. (B,L,D)

Walking: 2-4 miles (3 hours) on paved streets and uneven terrain, with moderately steep inclines and stairs.

Begin the day with an optional hike, climbing trails past streams, fig orchards, and mountain villages and taking in panoramic views of Chefchaouen and the surrounding peaks. Alternatively, enjoy your morning at leisure before heading up the mountains by jeep to meet the hikers for lunch with a local family in their gîte. Try your hand at producing fresh goat cheese, a local specialty, with your hosts. Back in Chefchaouen, learn about the town’s unique architecture on a guided tour. Explore a 15th-century kasbah and see the Ras Elma waterfall where locals sometimes come to do their washing. Then head up to the Spanish Mosque to watch the sunset over the Rif mountains. (B,L)

Hiking: 4-5 miles (4 hours) optional morning hike over mountain trails with some incline.

Walking: 2 miles (1.5 hours) on paved or cobbled streets with moderately steep inclines and stairs.

Descend into the plains to the ancient Roman outpost of Volubilis, and admire exquisite mosaics and stunningly preserved colonnades and arches of this World Heritage site. Continue to the imperial city of Meknes, another World Heritage site, and see landmarks including the Bab Mansour and Bab El Khemis city gates. In the bustling souk, meander past merchants selling traditional clothing, spices, handicrafts, and food, then visit the Dar Jamai Museum and Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Arrive in Fez and enjoy dinner on the rooftop of a riyadh. (B,L,D)

Walking: 2-4 miles (3-4 hours) on paved or cobbled streets and dirt paths with mild ascents and descents.

Discover the magic of Fez, meandering through its lively medieval medina with a local guide. Venture into the artisan quarter where woodcarvers, metalworkers, and spice sellers have plied their trades for generations. Examine the city’s stunning architecture, which includes ninth-century structures and approximately 350 mosques still in active use today. Stop for a traditional Moroccan lunch, and see the ornate mosaics and hand-carved stucco of the Al-Karaouine Mosque, home to one of world’s oldest universities. Climb up to the balcony of a local shop for an expansive view of a timeless sight: leatherworkers using traditional techniques to dye hides in tanneries that appear sculpted into the medina floor. (B,L)

Walking: 2-3 miles, with multple stops on paved or cobbled streets with mild ascents and descents.

Journey into the lush cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, where these endemic conifers have long figured in local life and lore. Set out on a guided hike past majestic Atlas cedar trees to a panoramic viewpoint at Echo Harouq, on the lookout for the Barbary macaques that inhabit the area. Alternatively, tour the museum and take a short walk to a nearby viewpoint for a chance to spot the monkeys. Arrive in the rural commune of Sidi Ali in time for an optional hike along the shores of Lake Aguelmame or a relaxing afternoon at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Morning option 1: Hiking 4-5 miles (2 hours) over dirt trails with some rocky patches, with elevation gain of 900 ft

Morning option 2: Walking 2-3 miles (1-2 hours) on paved sidewalks and trails, with 330 ft elevation gain to reach viewpoint

Afternoon option: Walking 2-3 miles (3-4 hours) over dirt trails with some rocky areas

Continue your journey across Morocco, witnessing the changing topography as you drive out of the Middle Atlas to the arid steppe and the edges of the Sahara desert. In the village of Merzouga, transfer to 4x4 jeeps to reach your luxurious desert camp set amid the dunes. Ride a camel or take a short hike up to the top of a dune to catch the sunset over the rippling sands. Tonight, enjoy a meal of local specialties and gather around the campfire while Berber musicians play traditional instruments beneath the starry desert sky. (B,L,D)

Optional hiking: Steep climb in loose sand to the top of a dune.

Venture further into the desert on a full-day 4x4 excursion, exploring the Sahara and Amazigh (Berber) culture. Begin the day with a walk through Erg Chebbi's mesmerizing sand dunes. Learn about kohl, a historically important cosmetic mined from the desert, and visit an abandoned kohl mine. Meet welcoming Amazigh nomads in their traditional dwellings and gain insight into their way of life over a glass of mint tea. In the village of Khamlia, witness a performance of traditional Gnaoua music and discover its history and cultural significance. Continue to Taous and take part in a cooking class, learning to make a Berber delicacy. Back at the camp, visit the lodge’s on-site farm and enjoy another dinner under the stars tonight. (B,L,D)

Walking: 2-3 miles on paved and dirt paths or sand.

Leave the desert behind and travel west into the dramatic red-rock landscapes that edge the High Atlas Mountains. Stop for a walk through Todra Gorge, a narrow wadi carved between limestone walls that tower some 1,300 feet above the ground. After lunch, continue to your hotel in Dadès and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,D)

Walking: 1 mile on flat, paved and dirt paths.

This morning, opt to stay in and enjoy the hotel's amenities or join an early guided hike through the Dadès Gorge. Trek into the canyon, following a trail past unusual rock formations sculpted by an ancient river that once flowed down from the High Atlas Mountains. Next, journey to the World Heritage site of of Aït ben-Haddou, a fortified earthen village that dates back to the 1600s. On a guided tour, meander along its picturesque alleyways that wind their way up to the hilltop, and discover the fine details of its adobe architecture. Later, settle into the Amazigh village of Ouirgane. (B,D)

Optional Hiking: 2-3 miles (2 hours) on rocky, uneven terrain with a moderate incline.

Walking: 1-2 miles (1 hour) on dirt paths and alleyways with a gradual incline.

Visit the home of an Amazigh family for an enriching cultural exchange, gaining insight into their way of life and traditions. You’ll be greeted with a glass of mint tea—a cornerstone of Moroccan hospitality—and invited to learn the art of the tea-making ritual. Gather for a lunch of local specialties prepared by your hosts. In the afternoon, return to your hotel by 4x4 for time at leisure, or opt to hike back, descending through a valley past olive and juniper trees and small villages backed by striking reddish mountains. (B,L,D)

Optional Hiking: 2-3 miles (2 hours) on dirt trails over rocky, sometimes steep terrain with a 2,400-foot descent.

A scenic drive brings you to the "red city" of Marrakech, founded as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty in 1070. Begin your visit at the Menara Gardens, an oasis established in the 12th century that showcases traditional Moroccan garden design. Then stroll through the Jardin Majorelle, a colorful botanical garden once owned by fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent. After lunch, check in to your riyadh. Enjoy the remainder of the day to pursue your own interests, or experience the vibrant culture of Djemaa el-Fnaa square, where locals come to mingle and acrobats, magicians, and storytellers perform. (B,L)

Walking: 2-4 miles (1-2 hours) on flat garden paths.

Immerse yourself in a confluence of cultures on a morning tour of the enchanting medina of Marrakech. Walk through lush gardens and courtyards adorned with mosaics and exquisite stuccowork at the Bahia Palace, gaining insight into the lives of Moroccan royalty in the 19th century. Visit the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrassa, once the largest Islamic school in North Africa showcasing the grandeur of Moroccan craftsmanship. Admire the madrassa's ancient calligraphy sculpted into plaster, intricately carved cedar arches, and zellige tilework. With your trip leader, stroll through the bustling medina, browsing beautiful handmade wares such as leather slippers called babouches, ceramics, and lanterns made of intricately cut metal. During a free afternoon, opt to enjoy a local hammam experience. Toast your Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner tonight. (B,D)

Walking: 2-3 miles (3 hours) on mostly flat, paved or cobbled streets and alleyways.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)