What better way to discover the Hidden Gems of Morocco than with a fully hosted Spirit House tour.
Join us for 14 days and your 6 new best friends (we only take 8 people on our tours) as we take you deep in to the heartland of Morocco, over the Atlas Mountains (this is where Atlas held up the earth) and to a luxury desert camp in the dunes of the Sahara.
Hidden in the Atlas Mountains are Berber tribes, ancient Kasbahs and palm-filled Oases. If you've seen the movie Gladiator then you've seen just a few of the gems that Morocco has to offer as Morocco is a country of "film-sets".
You will be staying in luxury "Riads" - mansions converted to boutique hotels - and the odd Kasbah or two . . . and a cave hotel.
Then there are the souks, medinas and markets of Fez and Marrakech to discover with our guide and then lose yourself in when you want to explore and shop on your own.
In short, we have a great trip, filled with hidden treats as well as the big sites/sights, to share with you.
We will include:
All you need to do is . . .
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You arrive today - woo hoo.
You will be met at the hotel and whisked through the traffic to our boutique hotel.
Let's talk flights and arrivals.
The easiest flights are Emirates and Qatar Airlines. The all arrive around lunch time in Casablanca.
Let's be honest, it's a long way from Australia to Morocco so our advice is to do a stop over in Dubai or Qatar for a night or two and then fly in to Morocco today - it's about an 8 hour flight.
Either way, arrive in Casablanca and we meet up at the hotel. If you're feeling up to it we can head to "Ricks Cafe" which is a recreation of the "Ricks" as featured in the film Casablanca.
Early to bed ready for our road trip tomorrow.
So here's the plan:
After breakfast we jump in our van and we're off for a guided tour of Hassan II Mosque.
This is a good opportunity to learn about the religion and culture which will be invaluable on our travels through the country.
The goal for today is to drive to Fes which will take about 4 hours but we know what you're thinking . . .
It's like we're psychic . . .
So luckily for you we have a cunning plan.
After leaving the mosque we will arrive a Domaine De La Zouina which sounds exotic and more importantly it sounds like a "winery" . . . and as we say in Morocco, "voila" . . . we arrive in a fantastic winery just outside of Meknes for lunch.
Sadly our boring lawyers tell us we can't buy you alcohol but there's nothing stopping you from a wine tasting and even stocking up on reserves for our desert camp (more on that later).
Now here's the good news.
It is just a 1 hour drive from the winery to our awesome boutique Riad in Fes.
This puts us in Fes around 3 or 4pm where we are met with some donkeys and a guide from the hotel to help us navigate the alleys and laneways through the Medina to our hotel.
Dinner will be at the hotel tonight as we have plenty of time in Fes over the next few days to explore some great dining experiences.
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Fes will be our base for the next few days. This is because we want to make our tour relaxed and fun rather than checking in and out of hotels every day.
So with that in mind, sleep in this morning and around 10am we will set off on a guided walking tour to visit the highlights of Fes.
We are going to visit;
Lunch will be in a great restaurant in the Medina - the good thing with a group size of just 8 people, getting a table in small places is much easier. We're thinking "camel burgers' - when in Rome right?
Today is your introduction to iconic Morocco and packed with colour, sights, sounds, smells and shopping experiences.
The tips and tricks our guide gives you for navigating laneways and haggling etc. will come in handy when you have a free day to explore at your own paste in two day's time.
Dinner;
Let's glam it up a bit and head to one of our favourites.
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Along the way we are passing stunning countryside, olive groves and will arrive at the Ancient Ruins of Volubilis - one of the Roman Empire's most remotest outposts. We pick up a local guide who will bring the history of the Volubilis to life. Marvel at the temples, mosaic floors and the sheer might of the Roman Empire at its peak.
Established around the 3rd century BC, Volubilis became a prominent center of Roman administration and agriculture, particularly known for its olive oil production. The city features well-preserved ruins, including a basilica, triumphal arch, and intricate mosaics that once adorned the floors of the city's mansions. These structures provide insight into Roman urban planning and architecture. Volubilis was abandoned in the 11th century and later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It offers a captivating glimpse into the ancient Roman world and its influence in North Africa.
Then it's a quick trip to Moulay Idriss township and a walk through ancient streets to the quirky private home of a British Expat who has set up a small restaurant with amazing views over the town and beyond.
There is also an ancient aqueduct and crumbling palace gates to photograph plus a visit to an olive grove if you are in the mood.
We return to Fes around 4pm and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore, relax in the Riad, do some shopping etc.
Dinner is also at your leisure - you will be spoilt for choice as there are plenty of places close by the Riad.
So rather than tie you down with a strict itinerary and a spreadsheet, we thought you might like a break from the structure of the group and do your own thing.
Here's a list of some cool things we suggest:
In short, you could spend a week in Fes and still just touch the surface so one day is great to explore at your own pace.
We have a great map that you can use to find your way to our favourite places, spaces and eats. This map is constantly evolving as we do more research plus feedback from our Moroccan DMC.
Handy Hint:
When you are in Casablanca, connect to wifi and download Offline Maps for your device. That way you if you don't have any phone reception you can still use your google maps.
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So let's begin . . .
After breakfast we head south and about an hour later we drop in to a traditional Cave House to meet some Berbers for a spot of Tea.
Back in the van and we arrive in Midelt where we stop for lunch and have what is arguably the best Lamb Tagine in Morocco.
From there we cross the majestic Atlas Mountains and arrive in Erfoud around 3pm.
Tonight we have a great hotel to enjoy and dinner will be in the hotel.
The best part is we are now just 75 kms from our Desert Camp tomorrow which means we can have a late start tomorrow and a drive of an hour or so.
But there is some fun to be had tomorrow as Erfoud is home to huge fossil deposits and the town has a great museum and countless shops selling fossils.
Sleep tight and we will explain it all tomorrow.
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Erfoud is famous for the fossils found in the area close by and the fossils museum and shops surrounding it are a great place to buy some souvenirs and learn about the fossils.
From there we take a short drive to Rissani which hosts a very authentic spice market every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - and today is Tuesday!!!!
The spice market is not a tourist thing - this is the real deal and you will find traders, vendors and locals in the market going about their business. There is also an animal market as well.
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So now you're starting to feel a bit hungry . . . luckily there is a town close by that is the traditional home to a tribe of musicians descended from African slaves from hundreds of years ago. So, if they're in town we can hear their traditional songs and then visit a restaurant close by that is famous for "Berber Pizza" - a local dish that is, well, a pizza on local bread with moroccan flavours and goats cheese.
After lunch we arrive at the edge of the desert and ready to venture to our luxury desert tent camp in the dunes.
You have a few choices as to how you want to arrive at our tent camp:
Let's talk about our Desert Camp.
All the tents have en suite bathrooms and are air-conditioned, you know, just like how the traditional bedouins would do it - if they were soft, middle aged Australians.
At night we can head up to the dunes to watch the sun set or if time permits take a 4wd exploration into the dunes. Dinner will be under the stars in this incredible location.
Ok, you're thinking desert and you're thinking sand, dust and heat and now you're thinking you need a drink. Unless you're a huge fan of mint tea you might be disappointed to know that there is no alcohol available at the camp . . . but you may recall that we were at a winery a few days ago - AND - we visited a local supermarket yesterday and stocked up on some essentials which includes beer and wine. If you have that duty-free bottle of gin with you then you are going to be patting yourself on the back about now.
In short, we are in the Sahara Desert and this will be one of those experiences you will never forget.
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I guess we're here, so if holding hands watching the sun rise is your thing then throw the Sahara in to the mix and this will be the best hand-hold of your life.
If you have no-one to hold hands with then you'll be glad to have a Spirit House host with you who has two hands.
After breakfast we have some time to head into the dunes and visit a local tribe for a cup of tea.
Back on the bus and we are heading to the "Grand Canyon" of Morocco, the Todra Gorge.
Visually stunning and a place for hiking and walking the Todra Gorge is a natural wonder. Before we arrive there is a traditional walled village to visit for a walk and explore of the oasis close by plus Lunch.
Now let the fun begin . . . which thankfully doesn't involve hiking or long walks.
We are going to stay overnight at Todra Gorge in a fantastic traditional hotel that has 5 cave rooms. So while most tourists simply stop, admire the gorge and move on - we are here for the night in a stunning hotel/location where you can add the title "Troglodyte" to your resumé.
Dinner in the hotel.
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Doesn't that sound exotic - from the quiet of the desert to an Oasis through hills and roads of crumbling old Kasbahs - old mansions and walled villages that give you and idea of the rich history of this trading route.
Our afternoon and the next morning will be spent exploring the Oasis and the local irrigation waterways, villagers and village life. We also have the opportunity to do a cooking class here too.
The hotel is a Riad on a farm in the Oasis and offers a very unique stay.
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We set aside two hours for you to explore Ait Ben Haddou through small lanes and alleyways on your own. Stop in at a cafe and marvel at what a lack of town planning and building regulations can achieve when all you have are some logs and mud. It makes our towns at home look positively boring and un-inspired.
Exploring on your own is easy as there is one way in and one way out and the best part is you can do it all at your own pace.
Meet up at the designated gate and it's a short drive to our desert oasis hotel.
Our boutique hotel is situated on a small farm in an oasis within the gorge and is perfect to explore nearby villages and irrigated canals lined with palm trees.
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We stop for lunch along the way and then arrive at Marrakesh early afternoon. After a few hours in the van we will enjoy a short walk through the Medina to our boutique Riad and just enough time to unpack bags and then we are off on a cool food walk through hidden alleyways and street vendors, snacking along the way.
The food walk takes care of dinner - but not cocktails - so a trip to a roof top bar overlooking the main square could be just the trick to end the day.
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Le Jardin Majorelle is one of the most enchanting and mysterious gardens in Morocco. Started in the 1920s it was bought by Yves Saint Laurent and now features a cool Berber Museum and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum is close by.
From there we make our way back to the Medina for a tour of the highlights plus a great way to get our bearings for future explorations on your own.
Aside from visiting some bustling souks (luckily your haggling skills are much improved over the past 10 days) we visit a stunning islamic school or Madrasa, Saadian tombs and much more.
Fancy a coffee? Let's visit Dar El Bacha which is an iconic coffee house in a beautiful building and home to hundreds of blends of coffee. There is also a great museum close by which is also worth visiting.
Lunch will be in one of the many restaurants in the Medina.
Eventually we arrive back to our hotel and if you are in the mood you can do some of your own exploration - but the hotel does have a beautiful courtyard and pool to relax in.
Dinner tonight - you've had a lot of Moroccan food and quite frankly we are in the mood for a change. So we have a great Italian place that has nice wine and cocktails and is in a beautiful Moroccan setting to boot.
Stumble back to our Riad for the night and soak up the ambience.
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After the cooking class, which takes care of lunch, we return to our Riad and give you the afternoon free to do some shopping or exploring before the finish of our tour tomorrow.
Marrakesh, as you will know by now, has many different souks that are defined by the products they make or sell. We will give you a great online map to guide you. For example:
I think you get the idea. If you don't we have this great map which you can use to seek our some of our favourite places.
Even if you are not in the mood for shopping, these souks and alleyways are perfect for exploring and photos.
There are some awesome traditional and exclusive Hammans for a spa or steam room experience that we can recommend too.
Basically there is plenty to do and see in Marrakesh and today is a great day to break away from the group and do your own thing.
Let's meet back at our Riad and head out for a fairwell dinner.
We have covered a lot of Morocco and there will be plenty of memories and stories to tell tonight.
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Just a few notes about today.
We have not organised any transport to airports because everyone may be doing different things - or you may want to stay on and explore more of Morocco.
So here's what you need to know . . .
If you are flying back to Australia then your flight will likely depart Casablanca. This is a 3 hour drive and the flight usually leaves in the afternoon so our advice is to book a car and driver at the hotel and depart for Casablanca airport around 9am. If there are a few of us going that way we can share the cost of a van and driver.
If you want to head to Europe then there are plenty of flights from Marrakesh.
What about the rest of Morocco I hear you say?
Our idea for this tour was to take in the quintessential Morocco but with 14 days it did mean a sacrifice between spending endless hours in a van travelling the length and breadth of the country or taking in that which makes Morocco unique.
So let's see what you may have missed but can easily do yourself:
Chefchouen:
We left out Chefchouen, the blue city, because it was painted blue a few years ago in order to attract the instagram crowd and that's exactly what you will find there no - a blue city crawling with people shooting those instagram-worthy pics to earn valuable social network credibility. Nonetheless, you can make your way back to Casablanca, stay the night then take the 5 hour drive to Chefchouen if this is on your bucket list. Then return to Casablanca for your flight home.
Essaouira:
Essaouira is a popular seaside town with historic markets and buildings (like most of Morocco) that is very popular with Europeans looking for beaches, sun, sand and sea plus a taste of Morocco. We figured that we have plenty of good beaches, seafood (though not many historic medinas) so we left this out. The good news is Essaouira is about 2.5 hours drive from Marrakesh and the hotel can organise a car and driver to take you there.
But don't forget Morocco is just below Spain, Portugal and just a few hour's flight to Paris etc. With all that in mind, Marrakesh is a great place to end our journey and a nice place to start your next adventure if you have the time.
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This package is for twin share and priced per person. So grab a friend, partner or spouse and let's get the adventure started.
The price includes all accomodation, transport, entrances, guides and food plus the odd drink or two.
HOW TO BOOK:
Click the button the footer below, complete the registration form and pay the deposit to guarantee your spot.
Once you have registered for the tour you will be able to PAY for the trip. Your place is not guaranteed on this tour until deposits have been paid.
Please Note - we only have one twin share room available on this tour as we use very small and boutique hotels in some locations where there may only be 5 rooms in total.
INCLUDED:
Accommodation:
Meals:
Transport:
Included Highlights:
NOT INCLUDED:
REFUNDS - INSURANCE
To secure your place on this tour a deposit is required at the time of booking - please read our Terms & Conditions for details on cancellations etc.
Because many travel Insurance policies will only cover cancellation costs if the cover is taken within 14 days of paying your first deposit, we strongly recommend you organise travel insurance at the time of booking in case you need to cancel for unforeseen events.
As you can imagine, with a trip like this we need all 4 rooms to be filled. Leading up to that stage, your booking is fully refundable if we can't fill the trip. However, once the trip is full you will be notified and your travel insurance takes over as we can only refund your booking (if you change your mind for instance) if we can fill your cabin with someone else. This is why travel insurance is so important - even under insurable events, we will try to fill your cabin but if we can't then a claim would need to be made.
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