Compare Morocco Desert Safari by Encounters Travel vs Best of Morocco (Winter) by Trafalgar

DAY 1: Arrive in Marrakech, transfer to hotel On your arrival in Marrakech airport (RAK) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a first look around. Extra nights before the tour starts are available on request. If you arrive early enough, you can head into Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna Square for a first taste of Moroccan food at one of the main street stalls, while watching the many street performers and salesmen offering their wares. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel MEALS: Dinner EXTRAS: Extra day in Marrakech - pre-tour Single room supplement - Standard Hotels (MOSHDS) Single room supplement - Comfort Hotels (MOSHDS) Single room supplement - Superior Hotels (MOSHDS) DAY 2: Marrakech, city tour Today's tour of Marrakech, Mararkech's second oldest Imperial City, starts in the morning with visits to the Menara Garden, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city, the Dar Si Said Museum, and the Bahia Palace which hosts intricate and beautiful Arabic craftsmanship. After a break for lunch in the hotel, we spend the afternoon exploring the old centre of the city. Home to many different types of traders these bustling and aromatic souqs and handicraft quarters provide a real taste of Morocco. The tour finishes at the Djemaa el-Fna Square, which is well worth revisiting later in the evening when it is packed with street food stalls, musicians and entertainers - one of Morocco's highlights. Full-board option: dinner with show. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 3: Across the Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou and onwards to Boumalne After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Marrakech and take a scenic drive across the mountains of the high Atlas, passing through the Tich'n'Tichka pass at an altitude of 2260m. After descending out of the mountains we'll stop at what is probably the most well-known kasbah in Morocco - Ait Benhaddou. The kasbah is a UNESCO protected monument and has appeared in countless movies. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the desert, travelling through Ouarzazate and Kalaa Mgoune before arriving at the town of Boumalne where we spend the night. Full board option: Lunch OVERNIGHT: Boumalne Hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 4: Todra Gorge, Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes We leave Boumalne today and continue on towards Erfoud, we'll pass by the Todra Gorge where rock faces reach up to 250m. Erfoud is on the edge of the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes where you'll have a 4x4 drive into the dunes before returning to your Erfoud accommodation for the night. You then have two options for tonight. The standard tour spends the night in a hotel in Erfoud, with a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunrise or sunset. Alternatively you can take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunset, and then have dinner and spend the night at a comfortable Berber Camp at the edge of the dunes. OVERNIGHT: Erfoud Hotel (or Berber Desert Camp) MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) Overnight Desert Camp, 4x4 Safari and Dinner DAY 5: Tinjdad Oasis, Dades Canyon, Road of a Thousand Kasbahs You can rise early this morning and if staying in the desert camp take a walk or camel ride to witness an amazing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes before returning to the camp. If staying in the hotel at Erfoud, an option is available to take 4x4 vehicles into the desert to enjoy sunrise on the dunes. After breakfast we then head away from the desert and to the impressive Tinjdad Oasis before we continue on to the Dades Canyon, close to Tinghir, whos rocks tower around 250 metres above you. Our journey then continues along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' crossing Kalaat M’Gouna and the Skoura Valley before arriving at Ouarzazate or 'place of no noise'. An incredibly dramatic landscape, this area has played host to countless well known films and is home to the famous Atlas movie studios. We'll take a short tour of the city this afternoon before taking dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT: Ouarzazate Hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 6: Cross the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Free afternoon After breakfast today we'll make another crossing of the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka col on our way back to Marrakech. You'll arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech's souqs and bazaars further for some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping, and to enjoy a final night back in the Djemaa el-Fna Square after dinner in the hotel. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech Hote MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 7: Marrakech departure
, transfer to the airport Our exciting week in Morocco comes to an end today. You'll have free time until you are transferred to the airport for your departure
flight. Subject to your flight departure
time, additional options such as spectacular hot air balloon flight (which runs first thing in the morning for around 4 hours with a flight of around 1 hour) or a full day trip to the Ourika Valley including lunch are available today. Extra nights in Marrakech are available if you would like to extend your stay to accommodate these options or just to spend a bit more time exploring Marrakech. OVERNIGHT: N/A MEALS: Breakfast EXTRAS: Marrakech hot air balloon flight Ourika Valley half day tour Extra day in Marrakech - post-tour

Day 1: Welcome to Casablanca

The intoxicating sights and sounds of Morocco are revealed on this epic adventure through an ancient land. Delve into the intrigue and romance of Casablanca, immortalized by Hollywood, before meeting your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.

Hotel Mogador Marina Casablanca

Welcome Reception

Day 2: Journey to Rabat, Meknès and on to Fes

We continue along the coast to the capital, Rabat. Here we’ll embark on an orientation tour of the city which includes views of the grand 17-century Palace and Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Traveling to the imperial city of Meknès, we'll see the grand gate of Bab elMansour, one of the most impressive monumental gateways in North Africa, adorned by green and white zeillij tiles. We arrive in Fes later today where you can choose to spend the evening at leisure in the country's oldest imperial city or Enjoy a local meal of fine food, and traditional entertainment on our evening optional experience.

Marriott Jnan Palace

Breakfast

Day 3: Discover Vibrant Fes Dive Into Culture Connect with Locals

Join a Local Specialist today to explore the Medina, one of the largest thriving medieval centers in the world. See the Royal Palace and Dive Into Culture during a visit to the round dye-pits and tanneries, revealing Morocco's ancient leathercraft. Later, you can admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Join your companions this evening for a special opportunity to Connect With Locals over dinner for a Be My Guest experience, featuring Moroccan specialties served with wine in a traditional riad.

Marriott Jnan Palace

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Onwards to Erfoud

We follow the old caravan trail south, stopping for a lunch in Midelt, a market town set within the high plains between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges. Continuing along the palm-fringed Ziz Valley and past the Tafilalt oasis, we arrive in the oasis town of Erfoud, regarded as the 'Gateway to the Sahara'. Its golden façades and towering dunes have made it a popular location for filmmakers for decades. This evening we dine at our hotel.

Kasbah Xaluca

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Off to Tinghir Oasis and the Stunning Dades Valley Stays With Stories

Journeying west, we arrive in Tinghir, one of the most beautiful oases in southern Morocco and home to the ruins of the ancient Glaoui palace. We continue through part of the Todra Gorge and cut through the mountains for one of the most dramatic views in the country. Here we will overnight at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories, Xaluca Dades, surrounded by panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains.

Dades Xaluca

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Venture through the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh

Blending effortlessly into the arid landscape, Ouarzazate has provided a backdrop for such famous movies as 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'Cleopatra' and 'Gladiator'. See the UNESCO-listed fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou in the High Atlas Mountains and continue through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakesh - the 'Red City'. Like many other former imperial cities in Morocco, Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city - the Medina - and an adjacent modern city. Marrakesh is home to Morocco's largest traditional souk (market) where you may wish to spend some time learning the art of haggling.

Ryad Mogador

Breakfast

Day 7: Explore Marrakesh

Visit the ornate Bahia Palace during a city orientation with your Local Specialist and spend some time soaking up the energy of Djemaa el Fna Square in the Old Quarter with its palm readers, storytellers and snake charmers. Spend the rest of the afternoon lingering in one of the city's beautiful gardens, discover the vibrant arts and culture scene or consider indulging in a traditional Hammam.

Ryad Mogador

Breakfast

Day 8: Continue to Coastal Essaouira Dive Into Culture

We travel to the laid-back shores of Essaouira this morning. Stopping en route, we Dive Into Culture to visit a cooperative involved in creating cosmetics from traditional ingredients. Consider a delicious seafood lunch and enjoy some free time before joining a city tour of the UNESCO-listed Medina, the walled Jewish Quarter and Skala fortress. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Atlas Essaouira & Spa

Breakfast

Day 9: Return to Casablanca

This morning we journey north to Casablanca where we will enjoy views of the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, built for the late King's 60th birthday celebrations. Later, we join our Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate an unforgettable voyage of discovery.

Hotel Mogador Marina Casablanca

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Farewell Morocco

Say goodbye to your newfound friends at the end of your Moroccan holiday.

Breakfast