- March 11 – 13, 2024
- April 15 – 17, 2024
- April 29 – May 01, 2024
- June 03 – 05, 2024
- October 21 – 23, 2024
- October 28 – 30, 2024
- November 04 – 06, 2024
- November 18 – 20, 2024
- November 25 – 27, 2024
- December 02 – 04, 2024
About the Experience
Morocco’s landscape is a juxtaposition of vast deserts, buzzing ancient cities and the enormous Atlas mountain range. It’s a true mosaic and the culture is felt in the extremes of colour, patterns and Berber villages.
On this 15 day tour, we’ll cut through prolific palm groves in the oasis and the brown sugar dunes of the Sahara Desert. We’ll journey into the fragrant Ifrane cedar forests in the Middle Atlas mountains, and stand knee-deep in the raw force of the Atlantic Ocean.
We’ll ride camels through the bronzed expanse of the Sahara. Their relaxed footfalls and sway lends to their nickname, “the ships of the desert.” As the sun retires, we’ll experience a spicy feast before stretching out to sleep in a luxury tent.
This trip explores the ancient medinas of the Blue City (Chefchaouen), Fes and Marrakech. The rainbow hues of the famous tanneries are mesmerizing: the pinwheel of red (derived from the poppy flower), orange from henna, and indigo blue, dot the city like a cartoon grid. We’ll meander around the vibrant market where baskets overflow with spices and tapestries of delicate handmade weaving entice.
We’ll hike in the fertile serenity of Ziz valley, through palm and olive trees, Kasbahs and small rural villages. We’ll take part in a sacred henna ceremony and be privy to genuine Moroccan hospitality by sharing a tagine, chicken pastilla and sweet mint tea with a local family.
On this exceptional journey we will visit the cedar forests near Ifrane, home to see the only primate found north of the Sahara–the Barbary macaque. We’ll also feel the rush of the dramatic Todra Gorge – a series of cascading limestone ledges that soar up to 400m (1,312ft). We’ll sleep closer to the stars at a magical eco guesthouse in Toubkal National Park. Kasbah du Toubkal, perched on a plateau at 1,800m (5,906ft), is like sleeping in the beating heart of the Atlas Mountains.
Ultimate Morocco will let you experience northern Africa’s towers, turrets and tagines on foot, by camel, Jeep and bike. This mosaic is not a mirage!
About the Experience
Morocco’s landscape is a juxtaposition of vast deserts, buzzing ancient cities and the enormous Atlas mountain range. It’s a true mosaic and the culture is felt in the extremes of colour, patterns and Berber villages.
On this 15 day tour, we’ll cut through prolific palm groves in the oasis and the brown sugar dunes of the Sahara Desert. We’ll journey into the fragrant Ifrane cedar forests in the Middle Atlas mountains, and stand knee-deep in the raw force of the Atlantic Ocean.
We’ll ride camels through the bronzed expanse of the Sahara. Their relaxed footfalls and sway lends to their nickname, “the ships of the desert.” As the sun retires, we’ll experience a spicy feast before stretching out to sleep in a luxury tent.
This trip explores the ancient medinas of the Blue City (Chefchaouen), Fes and Marrakech. The rainbow hues of the famous tanneries are mesmerizing: the pinwheel of red (derived from the poppy flower), orange from henna, and indigo blue, dot the city like a cartoon grid. We’ll meander around the vibrant market where baskets overflow with spices and tapestries of delicate handmade weaving entice.
We’ll hike in the fertile serenity of Ziz valley, through palm and olive trees, Kasbahs and small rural villages. We’ll take part in a sacred henna ceremony and be privy to genuine Moroccan hospitality by sharing a tagine, chicken pastilla and sweet mint tea with a local family.
On this exceptional journey we will visit the cedar forests near Ifrane, home to see the only primate found north of the Sahara–the Barbary macaque. We’ll also feel the rush of the dramatic Todra Gorge – a series of cascading limestone ledges that soar up to 400m (1,312ft). We’ll sleep closer to the stars at a magical eco guesthouse in Toubkal National Park. Kasbah du Toubkal, perched on a plateau at 1,800m (5,906ft), is like sleeping in the beating heart of the Atlas Mountains.
Ultimate Morocco will let you experience northern Africa’s towers, turrets and tagines on foot, by camel, Jeep and bike. This mosaic is not a mirage!
DAY ONE: WELCOME TO MOROCCO
Upon arrival at the international airport in Casablanca (CMN), you will be greeted (“As-salamu ‘alaikum” or السلام عليكم is “hello” in Arabic) and transported to your hotel. Plan to arrive in the mid or late afternoon–this will give you some time to refresh or grab a catnap before meeting everyone for dinner.
After checking into your hotel room, meet your fellow Wild Women and guide at the rendezvous point (lobby of hotel). There will be a trip debriefing followed by an authentic Moroccan dinner prepared and hosted by a local family.
Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Idou Anfa or similar
How much further? 40 min (30km Drive)
Roadmap: Travel from airport to hotel in Casablanca
DAY TWO: CHEFCHAOUEN
Today we will tour the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco and fifth largest in the world. The most ambitious project of late King Hassan II was completed in 1993. It was partially built into the Atlantic and possesses the world’s tallest minaret (210m/689ft) and can hold up to 25,000 worshippers inside the mosque hall. It’s also the tallest structure in Morocco. Part of the mosque floor is glass, allowing worshippers to kneel and pray directly over the sea.
Minarets are vantage points from which the resonating calls to prayer are made five times a day. When night falls, lasers shine a hopeful beam from the minaret toward Mecca. This beam ensures that everyone knows the direction of Islam’s holiest city and the direct path to God.
If time permits, we’ll stop in the buzzy capital of Rabat on our way to Chefchaouen (the famed ‘Blue City’) located in the humming centre of the Rif Mountain’s agricultural region. Kick back and relax–the drive is approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel in the pounding heart of the medina (old quarter) and will have the rest of the afternoon to immerse ourselves in the otherworldly blue palette.
Fun fact: In the Blue City, the terracotta-tiled houses are annually washed with yet another coat of paint. The stories surrounding the favoured blue paint chip vary depending on who you ask. Jewish refugees from Europe possibly painted everything blue to symbolize heaven. Others claim that it’s a mosquito repellant!
Linger over tea in the central square or grab a fresh fruit shake. Shop for a take-home bronze teapot. Wander around the maze-like streets where artisans will encourage you to admire hand-woven rugs and pottery.
There are several nearby rooftop or terrace restaurants–the area is perfumed with spices. Cardamom, turmeric, clove, cumin–most of these will be found in our dinner tonight!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Riad Dar Echaouen or similar
How much further? 5 hours driving
Roadmap:Casablanca to Chefchaouen
DAY THREE: EXPLORING THE BLUE CITY
In the morning, we’ll meet your local guide for a guided walking tour of the true blue city. On this tour, we will learn about the local casbahs, mosques, weaving workshops and local history. The walk will follow a trail that leads to a magnificent panorama of the town–it’s difficult to determine where the sky begins and ends!
We’ll have the entire afternoon to explore the town on your own and when evening comes, your guide will escort you to a local families’ home where you will enjoy a delicious traditional home-cooked meal while getting to know your hosts.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Riad Dar Echaouen or similar
DAY FOUR: VOLUBILIS, MEKNES AND FES
This morning, we’ll ease into the day with a three-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis for a guided tour of the fertile plain and Roman ruins (one of the best preserved sites in Morocco). We’ll learn about the partially excavated Berber city, believed to have been home to 20,000 residents whose wealth was linked to local olive production.
The 42-hectare walled city represents ten centuries of occupation, from prehistory to the Islamic period and this dramatic story is documented in elaborate mosaics, marble and bronze statues and hundreds of inscriptions.
After exploring Volubilis, we’ll head to Meknes (approximately 40 minutes) and take a walk through the historical medina known for its ancient gate, triumphal arches and mosaic tiling. Lunch will be at a local family-owned restaurant and it will be a savoury affair!
Satiated from lunch and our huge history lesson, we’ll carry on to Fes (1 hour, driving) where we will be staying in a classic riad for the next two nights. Originating from the Arabic term for ‘garden’, a riad is a traditional Moroccan house that is two or more stories high and built around an inner courtyard with a garden and a fountain.
For dinner, we will be treated to a signature Fes dish– the sweet and salty chicken pastilla. The savoury Moroccan skillet pie is filled with shredded chicken and aromatic spices wrapped in crisp layers of pastry.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Palais Amani or similar
How much further? ~5 hours total with several stops
Roadmap: Chefchaouen to Fes
DAY FIVE: MAGICAL MYSTICAL MEDINA
This morning, we will take a tour of the old medina of Fes. The snaking maze of streets will lead us past working artisans, and what was once one of the world’s great centers of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. We will spend the day exploring the old city and Fes’s famous tanneries and ceramic arts studio. The stunning architecture of Medressa el Attarine and Fondouk Nejjarine stops everyone in their tracks. We’ll also see the oldest university in the world (recognized by UNESCO), founded by a Moroccan Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihria. Entrance to the university is only permitted to locals but the property and architecture can easily be appreciated from outside.
Tonight we will have a very sensory dinner complete with live Moroccan musical entertainment at a local restaurant near our riad.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Palais Amani or similar
DAY SIX: IFRANE
This morning we will depart Fes and head south to Ifrane and Azrou. At a local park, we’ll stretch our legs on a short walk under the canopy of the renowned cedar forests. More than 200 species of birds are found in this area but it’s the Barbary macaques that get all the attention. They are the only macaque species found outside of Asia and the only primate species found north of the Sahara. The macaques are abundant here (Ifrane has the world’s largest population) and they like to travel in troops of 10 to 30 individuals.
From the cedar forests of Ifrane, we will continue to make our way to the Ziz Valley–it’s approximately 6 hours but the drive is a spectacularly scenic one! We’ll cut through fertile valleys, stands of cedar and pine and landscapes that move from barren to rocky. On the way, we’ll stop in the high plains of Midelt. The city is the commercial hub for the large agricultural hinterland. Originally, Midelt was built as a base for active mining in the area but it has now transformed into a thriving pastoral area surrounded by orchards. We’ll continue to Errachidia, once called Ksar Essouk, the capital of the Ziz Valley and one of Morocco’s largest date production areas. Yes, it’s date night!
We’ll check into our hotel in Zaouit Amelkis. The elegant traditional guest house has a superb view of the red rock formations, a palmeraie (palm forest) and river. There will be free time to absorb the stellar views and chill out before gathering for dinner. The gardens at the hotel are designed for relaxation and reflection. Order some mint tea and ooze into Ziz and be sure to hang out on the rooftop terrace overlooking the palmeraie!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Maison d’Hotes Sahara or similar
How much further? ~ 6 hours
Road map: Fes to Ziz
DAY SEVEN: EXPLORING THE ZIZ VALLEY
This morning we’ll explore the rich palmeraie that is the Ziz Valley on foot. We will also tour the ancient ksar (fortified village) of Zaouiet Amelkis. We’ll cross several fields and learn the secrets behind growing dates, grains, legumes and olives by using traditional irrigation systems. We may also have the opportunity to help collect herbs, feed the animals, or even milk a cow!
Afterwards, we will visit a local Berber family to have a traditional cup of tea, lunch and experience family life in the valley.
We’ll depart the Ziz Valley after lunch and stop in Erfoud, a small town known for its fossils. We’ll also check out Risaani, an area noted for its leather and goatskin trading and a lively souk. Then, we’ll continue on to the golden dunes of Merzouga, situated about 20 km (12 miles) from the Algerian border. Moroccans come to Erg Chebbi for the healing sands believed to relieve rheumatism and other conditions. During the hottest times of the year, locals will be buried up to their necks in the hot sand for a few minutes at a time in a traditional “sand sauna.”
We will check into our riad, relax, have dinner and dream about tomorrow’s adventure into the dunes of the Sahara!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Riad Madu, Merzouga or similar
How much further? 2 hours driving (~95 km / 59 mi)
Roadmap: Ziz to Merzouga
DAY EIGHT: SAHARA SUNRISE
Today we’ll jump in a 4WD vehicle and spend the entire day exploring the world’s largest hot desert (*Antarctica is technically the largest desert, double the size of the Sahara!). Its vastness is overwhelming–split by the Atlas mountain range, the Sahara is a jaw dropping 9 million square kilometeres (5.6 million square miles) that stretches over several countries.
We will visit the local villages of Hassilabiad and Khemlia in the Merzouga desert and enjoy a performance of local music and dance. Khemlia is populated by nomads that came to Morocco in the 15th century from Sub-Saharian countries like Ghana.
We’ll also try a local specialty for lunch: Madfouna or Berber pizza – a local dish, bread with stuffed veggies, meat and herbs (a vegetarian option is available). It will blow your traditional pizza-lovin’ mind!
Later in the afternoon and the desert heat begins to lift with nightfall, we’ll drive to our secluded desert camp in the dunes and be introduced to our doe-eyed camels. Our sunset camel ride will be approximately one hour–there’s a reason why pizza isn’t delivered by camelback!
At the camps, we’ll enjoy a sweet welcoming tea and settle into our luxury tents (yes, they have private bathrooms!). Later, we’ll enjoy an impressive desert feast, a campfire and live drumming by local musicians. The stars of this show are the constellations above!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Jaimas Madu desert camp or similar
How much further?: Jeep ride to the desert camp and one hour camel ride!
Roadmap: Merzouga to Desert Camp
DAY NINE: TODRAS GORGES
After oohing and ahhhing (and yawning) in the face of another stunning Sahara sunrise, we’ll jump in Jeeps and depart the Sahara. We’ll head towards the Todra Gorges, a series of carved limestone canyons (or “wadi”) on the east side of the High Atlas Mountains. Here, the Todra and Dades Rivers have sculpted 400m-high (1,312ft) cliff-sided canyons on their final 40km (25mi) split through the mountains.
We’ll stop here to snap dozens of pics (it’s necessary) and then continue to Skoura, one of the few palm groves that are still inhabited and cultivated in Morocco. This will be our remote oasis for the next two nights.
Sawadi Ecolodge is a traditional kasbah located on a verdant four hectare palm grove sandwiched between the desert and Atlas Mountains. The hotel’s tempting menu can be traced directly to the on-site organic farm and surrounding orchards–the jams and juices are squeezed just steps away! Meet the goats, donkeys, cows, lambs and rabbits that live on the farm too. The ancient architecture, outdoor swimming pool (heated April to November!) and elegant garden of palm, apple, olive and pomegranate trees make for a gorgeous embrace at day’s end. You’ll see.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Sawadi Ecolodge, Skoura or similar
How much further? 5-hour drive (~325 km / 201.95 mi)
Roadmap: Merzouga to Skoura
DAY TEN: CYCLING THE PALM GROVE
After breakfast, we’ll meet our local guide for a cycling tour of the palm groves of Skoura. This village is home to several privately-owned Kasbahs. Built (or rebuilt) with walls made of mud and straw, the style and quality is diverse. Many have been reinforced with more solid structures and for modern aesthetic. There is an area in the remote south of the country, known as the “route of 1000 Kasbahs.” We expect someone in the group to belt out “Rock the Casbah” by The Clash!
We will also visit the Kasbah Ameridhl–it was once previously featured on the Moroccan 50 dirham note. This Kasbah appeared in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia for Peter O’Toole fans. The museum showcases the traditional architecture of the building, local artifacts, tools, an olive press and bread oven. The courtyards, towers, terrace and gallery of ochre arches truly feel like a film set.
We’ll continue our ride through narrow city alleys, along trails and gravel roads. There will be several breaks under the shade of palm trees of the oasis and later, we’ll enjoy a picnic-style lunch.
In the early afternoon, we’ll return to Sawadi Ecolodge in Skoura and have the rest of the day for pure leisure. We highly recommend enjoying the sun’s warmth poolside with a “Berber whiskey.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Sawadi Ecolodge or similar
Roadmap: Todra Gorges to Skoura
*Don’t forget: Berber whiskey!
DAY ELEVEN: THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
We’ll depart Skoura this morning and make a short stop in Ourzazate, Morocco’s ‘Little Hollywood’. This area has been featured in several films like Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Ewan McGregor! Kristin Scott Thomas! Emily Blunt!), The Mummy (Brendan Fraser! Rachel Weisz) and scenes from Game of Thrones.
We will explore the pulse of the small mountain town of Imlil, where our accommodation for the night is located. Alpinists with titanium quads set off from here for the 5-hour climb to snow-capped Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco and North Africa.
Upon arrival in High Atlas, our luggage will be transported by mule and we’ll have the opportunity to stretch our legs after the long drive (6 hours) on a short, uphill walk through the peaceful village to our accommodations which are only accessible only by foot or mule hooves.
Tonight we will have a pampered stay at Kasbah Toubkal, an eco-guesthouse that has been sustainably designed. The local community was involved throughout the process and 5% of each booking is contributed to Education for All, an organization founded by the owner of the Kasbah that supports rural Moroccan girls and their continuing education.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Kasbah du Toubkal in Imlil
How much further? 6 hours drive (~300 km / 186.41 mi)
Roadmap: Skoura to Imlil
DAY TWELVE: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Today, rise and greet the mighty mountains from your uninterrupted Kasbah view. After breakfast, we’ll strike off on a moderate 6km (3.7 mile) mountain hike (expect some elevation gain!) or you may opt to spend the day exploring the village of Imlil. Here, the roads twist and offer a sylvan site: walnut trees, a snaking river and tiny Berber villages. Imlil is the nerve centre for hikers eager to bag North Africa’s tallest mountain–Jebel Toubkal.
For foodies, Imlil is revered for its barbecued goat and lamb ribs. Depending on the time of year we visit, there will be a bounty of cherries in June and walnuts in the fall (September/October).
When we return to our Kasbah, spent muscles can be soothed by taking advantage of the on-site hammam (steam bath) with your fellow Wild Women.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Kasbah du Toubkal in Imlil
How much further? 6km/3.7 miles (round trip)
Elevation + Heartbeat Gain: 400 m gain (400 m loss return)
Pace bunny: Moderate hiking (3 km/hour)
DAY THIRTEEN: ANCIENT CITY OF MARRACKECH
Today we will drive three hours to Marrakech, an ancient city with a small touch of European modernity. We’ll have a nourishing lunch upon arrival and after checking into our riad, meet our local guide for an orientation walk around the medina quarter of Marrakech.
This main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is a buzzy hub for locals and tourists alike. Impromptu entertainment erupts in performances by storytellers, poets, snake-charmers, enthusiastic Berber musicians (mazighen) and Gnaoua dancers. Throughout the day, and well into the night everything is offered from henna tattoos to dental care and traditional medicine. There’s fortune-telling, preaching and lively fruit and veggie vendors adding to the colour of the mix of the square.
We will also visit the Jewish quarter of the medina of Marrakech and will share an authentic Moroccan dinner with a local family. Your host will serve irresistible Moroccan salads and fresh, home-baked bread while we await the main course. Dishes will vary depending on the season and availability–the menu might include lamb with prunes and almonds or couscous with tender roasted Moroccan chicken. Vegetarian options will be available too!
The Marrakech experience is not over–this pinnacle moment is an intimate exchange of tradition, talent and ceremony. A Hennaya, or Henna tattoo artist (one of the oldest professions of Moroccan women), will design an intricate Henna tattoo on your hands or feet. We’ll learn about the origins of the henna, the henna plant and the symbolism.
Tonight we will stay at a riad in Marrakech and admire the artwork of our Hennaya, wishing that both the henna and our time in Morocco was going to last longer!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Riad La Cle D’or or similar
How much further? 3-hour drive (~190 km / 118.06 mi)
Roadmap: Imlil to Marrakech
DAY FOURTEEN: AMAL WOMEN’S TRAINING CENTER
Today we’ll have a cooking class at Amal Women’s Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant. Established in 2012, the center trains local women, allowing them to gain work experience in the preparation of traditional and international food. Annually, 30-40 women graduate from the four to six-month training program and find employment in the restaurant industry.
At Amal, we’ll be introduced to the subtle secrets of Moroccan cuisine under the expertise of Dadas (chef). It would be unfair to return home without a recipe up our sleeve to transport us back to north Africa! We might be instructed in preparing a tagine, couscous or Moroccan bread–regardless, everyone will want seconds! For quality control, of course!
After class, it’s recess! We’ll have free time to explore or relax as we wish before dinner.
Our last dinner together will be at a rooftop Medina restaurant–it will be a nostalgic night, swapping trip memories, stories, hugs and pictures!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Riad La Cle D’or or similar
DAY FIFTEEN: FAREWELL MOROCCO
A transfer (30 minutes) will be provided to the Marrakech Airport (RAK) for flights scheduled for later in the day.
Say “ma’aasalaama” (“goodbye” in Arabic) to your companions until next time…and what a time it was. You rocked the casbah!
Meals Included: Breakfast
How much further: 30-minute drive to the Marrakech Airport (RAK)
*Please note: We are going to offer an extension to Essouira in 2024! Want time at the beach? We are still confirming the details, but please contact our Adventure Specialists at adventure@wildwomenexpeditions.com or call us at 1-888-993-1222 to let us know that you’re interested!
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!
Essaouira Express: 3 Day Post-trip Extension
WWE’s 3-day Essaouira express allows you to have a quick but satisfying taste of this beloved oceanside city. You’ll have the rare opportunity for a full day of exploration that you can design as you wish! Upon arrival, an expert local guide will introduce the group to the city with an orientation walk and a unique pick-your-own lunch experience at the market.
Options for your free day in the port city will be provided by the guide. Rest assured as your hotel for the two night stay is reserved and breakfast and dinners with the group are pre-planned.
On this quick coastal getaway you’ll learn of the spiritual and magnetic charm of Essaouira and why it attracted the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon. In the early fifties, film director and actor Orson Welles stayed in Essaouira while filming the classic version of Othello.
While walking the labyrinthine streets and serpentine alleys of the medina (old city) look for the memorable movie scenes–or, make your own!
This extension is the ideal way to chill out on the coast and reflect on your Ultimate Morocco or Morocco Explorer experience.
What’s Included:
- 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch (seafood market), 2 dinners
- 2 nights accommodation at an oceanfront hotel
- One awesome English-speaking female guide
- City and market walking tour led by local expert
- Hammam experience (optional)
- Private ground transportation from Marrakech to Essaouira (and return)
- Optional single private upgrades subject to availability
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price
Please contact adventure@wildwomenexpeditions.com to book!
Day 1: DESTINATION ESSAOUIRA
After breakfast in Marrakech, we’ll leave the urban density of the walled medieval city for Essaouira, on the metallic Atlantic Ocean where we’ll spend the next two nights seaside. Its reputation as a boho hippie town remains and our guide will share the legendary stories that include sultans, Portuguese fortresses, foreign merchants and the likes of Jimi Hendrix.
On an engaging orientation walk through the chronically windy city, our guide will lead us through the colourful market stalls and narrow streets while sharing insights on local life in one of North Africa’s most intriguing ports. The colourful bobbing boats in the harbour and lively fish (market) are a photographer’s dream. At the market we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a hyper local lunch. We’ll choose our catch of the day and take it to a restaurant popular with locals. Here, we’ll follow their lead and hand over our market purchase for grilling.
For vegetarians and vegans, we’ll also peruse the fresh veggie stands for salad fixings or sides to accompany the grilled fish.
After our market lunch, we’ll check into our seaside hotel and have the remainder of the day to explore Essaouira before returning to a designated meeting place for dinner together.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Coté Ocean or Miramar Essaouira (for March 10, April 23, April 29 and May 19 departures)
How much further? 3 hours
DAY 2 EXPLORING ESSAOUIRA
After breakfast (you may have breakfast at any time during the hotel’s posted hours), we will have a free day to wander the city’s marvelous sandstone streets. Cart-haulers will call out “balak, balak” (watch out!) as a reminder to wander mindfully! Our guide will have several suggestions on how to best take advantage of the day–it will be a history and hippie-dense day! There are several art galleries, ateliers and serious beachcombing to do! You can hang out with your fellow Wild Women or strike off independently if you wish.
Essaouira was formerly named Mogador (meaning “small fortress”) and the mid-eighteenth century fortified town has attracted artists, poets, musicians and filmmakers for obvious reasons. The population once swelled with British expats and in the 16th-century, a sizable Jewish Quarter.The Jewish community (40% of the population during that period) played a vital role in Essaouira’s economic development as an expanding trading post between Africa and Europe.
Legends and myths collide here and the connections to Hollywood include Orson Welles and filmmaker Ridley Scott. The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane and Cat Stevens have also been connected to Essaouira.
After a leisurely wander, and lunch (independent), the only obligation is to lie down and experience an optional steamy, rejuvenating hammam. This ritual is cleansing and purifying–all you have to do is inhale and exhale!
We’ll gather for our farewell dinner later tonight before giving into our hammam-infused relaxation.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Coté Ocean or Miramar Essaouira (for March 10, April 23, April 29 and May 19 departures)
How much further? As far as you wander! How long is the beach?
DAY 3: MARRAKECH BOUND
After breakfast we’ll have a private shuttle back to the busy bustle of Marrakech. This will round up your North African experience! You’ve seen the Berber villages, Moroccan topography, startling Sahara dunes, the iconic High Atlas mountain range, diverse national parks, oases of date palms and argan tree biospheres.
We’ll be back in Marrakech around lunchtime. There will be a drop-off point in the city if you are staying longer in Marrakech and an airport drop-off for those who are flying home. We recommend booking flights after 4pm today.
Hug your fellow Wild Women tight and decide, where next?
Meals included: Breakfast
How much further? 3 hours
Additional Details
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Starting At$4,995Deposit$495Duration15 DAYS
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What's Included
- 14 nights accommodation (in riads, guesthouses, kasbahs), 1 night at a Sahara dune camp (14 nights total)
- 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
- Private vehicle and driver for duration of trip
- Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 15
- One AWESOME female English-speaking Moroccan tour leader throughout trip
- Local guides in Chefchaouen, Fez, Ziz Valley, Imlil and Marrakech
- Hassan II Mosque tour in Casablanca
- Cooking demonstrations
- Guided Medina tours of Meknes, Fes and Marrakech
- Nature walk through cedar forests to see the Barbary Macaque
- Walking tour and lunch with a local Berber family in Ziz Valley
- Camel ride and guided walks in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Stops at Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and Erfoud
- Cycling tour in the palm groves of Skoura
- Henna ceremony and home-cooked dinner in Marrakech
- Optional private single upgrade, subject to availability
- Optional 3-day post-trip extension to Essaouira subject to availability.
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price