Intrepid Travel: Premium Morocco in Depth

Your Moroccan adventure begins in the bustling city of Casablanca. Arriving the day before your tour starts will give you the opportunity to explore Casablanca, and take in some of the key sights. Have your own 'Casablanca' moment at Rick's Cafe - a bar inspired by the iconic movie - or take in the contemporary art of the Villa des Arts. On day 2, your tour begins with your welcome meeting at 6pm where you will meet your group for the next two weeks.

This morning you’ll visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the massive Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building sits partly on land and partly over sea and is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Later, leave Casablanca and drive north along the coast to Rabat – the elegant capital of Morocco and its first imperial city. Start your visit with a walk through the medina and souks, then explore the lovely walled quarter known as the Kasbah des Oudaias, where you’ll enjoy an included mint tea in a café overlooking the ocean and Bou Regreg River. After, continue the walk to visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the vast minaret of the Mosque of Hassan II. In the late afternoon, continue to Meknes, the former capital of Morocco.

The next stop on your tour will take you to the beautiful blue streets of Chefchaouen. Tour its winding alleyways, cobbled plazas and unique doorways and find out what makes the city so alluring. Stop off for a tasting of goat’s cheese – you’ll see there’s no shortage of goats in Chefchaouen and this soft, creamy goat’s cheese is some of Morocco’s best.

Say goodbye to Chefchaouen and make the journey to Fes – the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. When you arrive, take some time to unwind in a local hammam (spa) – speak to your leader for some great recommendations. You’ll have the unique opportunity to see a different side of Moroccan life as you are warmly welcomed into the home-turned-restaurant of a local family for a pastilla dinner in a private after-hours experience. One of the country’s most celebrated dishes, this sweet and savoury delight is made with layered pastry and meat, cooked with eggs, caramelised onions, lemon and sugared almonds. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.

Today, leave the intensity of the city behind for the desert oasis town of Erfoud. Prepare for a long driving day and have your camera ready as there will be plenty of stops to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape along the way. Wind past olive groves, shepherds tending to their flocks, forests of cedar, pine and oak, and valleys filled with date palms – all with views of the High Atlas Mountains in the distance. Arrive in Erfoud, your gateway to the Sahara Desert. Built by the French in the early 1900s, the town features tightly packed red sand buildings that blend seamlessly into the desert surroundings. While here, be sure to try some dates fresh from the local market – the dates in Erfoud are so delicious they celebrate them with a festival every year.

Spend the morning exploring Khemliya – a village on the fringe of the orange-coloured Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This traditional Saharan village is known for its distinctive style of music and dance. For lunch today you’ll get to see how the local speciality dish of medfouna is made, and then sample some yourself. Then, it’s time to do as the locals do and ride a camel through the desert towards your Feature Stay accommodation – a spectacular camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here in this magical escape from the modern world, you’ll experience the true essence of desert life. The remote location doesn’t mean skimping on amenities – permanent tents feature large beds, en suite bathrooms and delightful, authentic decor. Tonight, enjoy a traditional feast beneath the North African sky, jewelled with thousands of stars, followed by live Gnaoua music around an open fire.

Start the day with a truly unforgettable desert sunrise, watching the landscape turn remarkable shades of orange. After breakfast drive to Todra Gorge – a massive trench that rises over 250 m to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. The limestone stacks make a perfect area for hiking, and so to make the most of the stunning surroundings, you’ll take a short and gentle walk through the gorge. Then, continue to the beautiful Dades Valley – your base for the next two nights. This area offers up scenery like no other – sprawling green valleys give way to rock formations carved out by the wind. Your accommodation offers a pool and terrace, so take some time to sit back and soak in the views.

Continue to Ait Benhaddou – a hilltop site almost unchanged since the 11th century. Its grand kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. You may recognise the site from Game of Thrones or its long list of film credits. Walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill for some scenic views. Visit Taman’Art Space, an art studio and cultural centre created by a local artist. Meet with the artist and founder and talk about his methods, inspiration and process, all while sipping a cup of tea on the terrasse, surrounded by gorgeous views.

Leave Ait Benhaddou after breakfast and drive through the winding roads of the Atlas Mountains. You can take your time as the scenery is magnificent and keen photographers may call for a few photo stops. Your destination today is Ouirgane – sitting in the tranquil foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, this village provides visitors with an alternative and less-visited base for walking. With its gentle winter climate and moderate summer, it’s a great place to stroll around the nearby red-earth hills and pine forests, watch a wide variety of bird life or just sit back and relax at an altitude of 1000 m with a view of Mount Toubkal in the background. Speak to your leader about some hiking options this afternoon with a local guide.

Travel to the nearby town of Tahanaout, where you’ll take a hands-on cooking class with a celebrated local chef. You’ll explore his organic kitchen garden surrounded by beautiful olive groves and orchards set in a traditional Amazigh douar. Harvest ingredients fresh from the garden and let the chef teach you the art of seasoning with aromatic Moroccan herbs. Learn to cook tagines and salads, then savour your creations over lunch. After the feast, continue to Marrakech. Meet with a local guide who will bring the magic of Marrakech to life as you set off on a morning tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque – the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Walk back through the streets of the old medina to Djemaa el-Fna, stopping off to taste some of the marvellous freshly squeezed orange juice from a local stall – this is sure to be one of the most delicious glasses of orange juice you’ve ever tasted! The rest of the day is free to explore. Maybe visit Le Jardin Secret – a traditional medina garden with a magnificent courtyard – or head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills. For your final evening, maybe join your group for a farewell dinner. Your leader will be able to recommend some fantastic local restaurants.