Trip Overview

Experience astounding architecture, music, cuisine, and textiles on AdventureWomen’s 13-day exploration of authentic Morocco in March or November 2019.

Start in Rabat, Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage City. You’ll marvel at the intricately carved exteriors of the Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower, and the narrow alleyways of the Kasbah of the Udayas, a spectacularly-preserved medieval fortress. From there, head to Chefchaouen, aptly named the “Blue City.” You and your travel companions will marvel at this charming hillside town, where the buildings and streets are washed in blue, giving it a luminous, fairy-tale aspect. A walking tour will teach you more about the multitude of Moroccan cultures that have come together here, and an afternoon hillside hike offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

Get to know each other during a scenic drive across the Rif Mountains, past isolated villages and olive groves. Explore Volubilis, a former Roman capital. Marvel at the mosaics, still vivid over 2,000 years after they were made. Visit one of the region’s finest wineries before heading to Fes. In Fes you’ll wind your way through labyrinthine narrow streets, stopping to take in beautifully preserved traditional buildings. A visit to a local tannery will show you how Moroccans craft the beautiful leatherwork you’ll spot in Fes’s souks.

From Fes, head to Errachidia and Erg Chebbi, where you’ll continue your journey across the Sahara by camel! Then travel through the Tizi n Talghemt (the pass of the camel) on your way to the Tafilalet Valley, one of the country’s largest palm groves. The lush vegetation soon gives way to the vast dunes of the Sahara. You and your new friends will watch the sun rise from atop a high desert dune, an unforgettable experience, before you head to the Todgha Gorge, a spectacular canyon where traditional goat and camel herders can still be spotted. The next day, you’re off to Ouarzazate, where you’ll explore the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site you might recognize from its countless appearances on film.

Finish your adventure with three days in Morocco’s lively Marrakech, where Arab, African, and European cultures have blended together over centuries. You and the interesting women you’ve met on the journey can visit the city’s famous museums, explore its vibrant souks, relax in beautiful gardens, and enjoy nighttime performances by acrobats, storytellers, and musicians in Djemaa al Fna Square together.

A feast for the senses from start to finish, this journey to Morocco in March 2019, one of Africa’s most fascinating countries, is not to be missed!

Join AdventureWomen in 2019 on this new and vibrant journey featuring the many facets of Morocco’s colorful culture!

Main Attractions

  • Spend time with artists at a women’s textile cooperative in Sefrou
  • Ride a camel in the Sahara Desert and stay at a luxurious tented camp
  • Learn the village social structure and local agriculture of the Berbers while making traditional tea
  • Explore the labyrinth of the Fes Medina, meeting local craftspeople and enjoying local cuisine
  • Visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

What You'll See and Do

  • Anthropology
  • Camel Ride
  • Cooking Class
  • Crafting
  • Cultural Exploration
  • Hiking
  • Historical Sites
  • Local Delicacies
  • Spa Element
  • Walking
  • Wine Tasting
  • Women-To-Women Exchanges
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If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Casablanca
You will be picked up at the Casablanca Airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Rabat.

Enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation with your group this evening.
Dinner

Overnight: Hotel La Tour Hassan

Day 2

Rabat to Chefchaouen
Explore Rabat this morning, visiting the Mohamed V. Mausoleum and Hassan Tower. Walk the narrow alleyways of Kasbah Oudaya, an old fortress.

Drive into the Rif Mountains. Enjoy lunch on your way to Chefchaouen. When you arrive, have a brief orientation of the small, blue-washed town before settling into your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Riad Lina

Day 3

Chefchaouen
Enjoy a walking tour of the Medina in Chefchaouen, visiting the main sites of the city. Soak up the atmosphere of this town with so many mixed cultures, and witness the influence of the native Berbers, Muslims, and Jewish refugees from Spain. Visit a traditional workshop to learn about the Djellaba, the traditional long, loose-fitting outer robe worn in the area. Most djellabas have a hood that comes to a point in the back.

Join a local family for a traditional lunch.

Take a short hike up one of the hills surrounding Chefchaouen to get a panoramic view of this unique place.

After a day in the city, you might want to treat yourself with a Hammam or a massage at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Riad Lina

Day 4

Chefchaouen to Fes
Depart Chefchaouen and drive through the Moroccan countryside toward Fes.

Volubilis, an unexpected Roman site, lies on a rich river valley with the dark Zerhoun mountain ridge as a backdrop. It was once a capital of a Roman province and the southern border of the Imperial road. You will see some of the most preserved mosaics of the Roman era in Morocco at Volubilis.

Stop at a vineyard in Meknes. This vineyard is one of the finest in the area. Enjoy a tour of the vineyard and taste the local wine.

Arrive in Fes late this afternoon and settle into your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Riad Fes

Day 5

Fes
From a small hill, enjoy a nice view of the city of Fes, one of the most preserved medieval Islamic cities in the world. Your expert native guide of Fes will accompany you to the old Medina, through the very narrow streets, to the souks and the tanneries. Explore the Karaouine Mosque, the Medersas, and the Nejjarine.

Visit a local tannery and learn how leatherwork is still done using ancient skills. You’ll also have an opportunity to see the special blue ceramics made in Fes.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Medina.

This afternoon, either take a cooking class, learning to make excellently spiced (but not spicy!) local dishes, or enjoy a pottery workshop. The cooking class is $45 per person, and the pottery workshop is $20 per person. You can pay for these directly with your guide.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Riad Fes

Day 6

Fes to Sefrou to Errachidia
Leave Fes for Sefrou and spend the morning with a women’s cooperative that makes djellaba, fabric, scarves, and rugs. Learn how the women make cherry buttons, and perhaps try it yourself!

Continue your journey to Southern Morocco with a few short stops along the way. Watch for changing colors, landscape, architecture, and the vegetation along this journey. Settle into your hotel when you arrive this evening. It’s a long drive today, but you’ll be rewarded with a much more private, off-the-beaten path experience.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel le Riad

Day 7

Errachidia to Merzouga
Enjoy a relaxing, free morning at your hotel in this beautiful area before departing for Erfoud. Enjoy lunch along the way before transferring to your private desert camp.

Arrive at your luxury tented camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

The camel handlers and camels will be waiting to take you on a camel ride to watch the sunset over the dunes. A hearty dinner will be served outside under the starry sky.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Luxury Tented Camp

Day 8

Merzouga to Skoura
Walk up to one of the highest sand dunes to watch the sun rise over the desert.

Rejoin your driver and head to the Todgha Gorge.

Explore the Todgha Gorge on foot, a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. The gorge is spectacular and you will encounter local people herding camels and goats.

Join a local family for a Moroccan couscous lunch.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Ksar el Kabbaba

Day 9

Skoura to Atlas Mountains
Explore the Kasbah on foot. Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage Site, is probably the most preserved Kasbah in the south of Morocco, and is a famous film location.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kasbah Angour

Day 10

Atlas Mountains to Marrakech
Go out on a hike to discover the traditional architecture of the Berber villages and learn about local terraced agriculture.

Visit a local women’s group, which offers education and teaches traditional skills to local people.

Drive about an hour to Marrakech and relax at your hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.
Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hotel La Sultana

Day 11

Marrakech
Your local expert guide will take you through the amazing alleyways of Marrakech. Explore the monuments which will help you understand the rich history of the city. In addition to the gardens and monuments, visit museums such as Dar Tiskwine and ‘Maison de La Photographie’ which explain life in Marrakech during the French protectorate. Finally you will discover vibrant souks displaying a great selection of traditional Moroccan handicrafts. You will be amazed with the skills of the artisans as well as the amount of items piled in a tiny space. The Djemaa el Fna Square gets busier in the evening with musicians, story tellers, acrobats, and many other performers.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel La Sultana

Day 12

Marrakech
Enjoy today on your own. Optional activities include visiting the Majorelle Gardens, full of unique native plants and exotic flowers.

You could also enjoy the hotel spa, which has amazing Hammam and massage options. Or just choose to explore Marrakech to do some last- minute shopping.

Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends. Reminisce over all of the memories you have made and celebrate the end of an incredible trip!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel La Sultana

Day 13

Marrakech and Depart
Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Breakfast

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
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Traveling to Morocco



March 17 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco (CMN) on March 17, 2019 before 4:00pm.

Depart: Depart Marrakech, Morocco (RAK) on March 29, 2019.

September 16 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco (CMN) on September 16, 2019 before 4:00pm.

Depart: Depart Marrakech, Morocco (RAK) on September 28, 2019.

November 2 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco (CMN) on November 2, 2019 before 4:00pm.

Depart: Depart Marrakech, Morocco (RAK) on November 14, 2019.

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. Please contact us at:

(800) 804-8686 or (617) 544-9393
email: info@adventurewomen.com

If you’d like to do anything prior to or following the AdventureWomen trip, we’d be delighted to help you arrange any trip extensions you’re interested in.

Note: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last-minute registrants, we must release hotel rooms two to three months prior to departure! Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the United States must have a passport valid for six months beyond your travel dates with at least two blank facing pages. If you do not have a passport, please apply now!

Activity Level

We rate this trip as Moderate. You should be able to walk comfortably for two to three hours at a time, and you should be able to kayak and paddle in a raft. We have a partnership with FitForTrips, a company that will design an individualized fitness plan for you to ensure that you are prepared for the trip. Learn more here.

Health Considerations

Make an appointment with a travel clinic. There are no immunization requirements for travel to Morocco, however your local travel clinic may have recommendations for you based on your age, health, and past vaccination history.

For more health information, go to www.cdc.gov/travel and navigate to the page about Morocco.

Money

US Dollars are accepted in Morocco, but we recommend exchanging money for Moroccan currency.

Suggested Gratuities:

  • Head guide: $5/day
  • Driver: $2-3/day
  • Driver’s assistant: $1-2/day
  • Local guides: $4/tour (plan on 6-7 tours with local guides)

How To Register

Call the AdventureWomen office at (800) 804-8686 to determine space availability and register for this trip. We can complete your registration, including taking your credit card deposit over the phone.

If you prefer, you can register online by clicking “Sign Up for this Trip” on the trip page.

Please be sure to read the AdventureWomen policies before registering!

Forms and Final Payment

Once you book, you will need to fill out and return to AdventureWomen:

  • Information Form
  • Booking Conditions Form
  • Copy of Flight Information
  • Copy of Issuing Page of Passport (photo page)

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen in a cash form (check, money order, or wire transfer).

March 17 Final Payment
Date: December 17, 2018

September 16 Final Payment
Date: June 16, 2019

November 2 Final Payment
Date: August 4, 2019

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
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What's Included

Included

  • All hotel accommodations throughout the trip
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • Fully-guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary
  • English-speaking guides throughout the trip
  • Bottled water during all drives
  • Gratuities for hotel staff and porters, restaurant staff, staff of the private luxury camp, and camelhandlers
  • One AdventureWomen Ambassador

Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Morocco
  • Optional activities as listed in the itinerary
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Fees for passports, visas, or immunizations
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

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Accommodations

Hotel La Tour Hassan
This extraordinary place defies time. Everything is designed for your comfort and well-being. Luxury, calm, and serenity are all part of your stay.

Riad Lina
Surrounded by magnificent cerulean mountains and nestled in the heart of the medina, this luxurious riad enjoys a privileged position in one of Morocco’s most unique destinations. The spa with its heated indoor pool, oriental baths and Hammam willoffer traditional delicious moments of relaxation. The personalized service promises a unique and unforgettable stay in an area where authentic Medina living is still preserved.

Riad Fes
Riad Fes is located in the heart of the ancient city of Fes. It has succeeded in combining refinement with inspiration and invites you to relax and enjoy your stay in a serene atmosphere with decor reminiscent of Arabian Nights. Riad Fes provides guests with the opportunity to travel back in time and enjoy the splendour and authenticity of the lifestyle of Fassi nobility. The prestigious history and refined civilization of this imperial city are reflected in the Spanish Moorish architecture and attention to detail seen in the decor.

Hotel Le Riad
Located in southern Morocco, Hotel Le Riad is a perfect blend of luxury and hospitality--a true oasis in the desert.

Luxury Tented Camp
Your tented camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes is complete with stunning detail. Your tents include comfortable beds with fine linens, attached bathrooms, and soft furnishings. Your stay in the desert will be unforgettable.

Ksar el Kabbaba
Located in the heart of Skoura palm grove, and made with centenary old stones, Ksar El Kebbaba comes to life in the middle of lush greenness and precisely under the branches of an aged olive tree.

Kasbah Angour
Kasbah Angour is a gorgeous Berber castle, perched on a hill-top in the Atlas Mountains near Marrakech, with superb panoramic views. The boutique hotel and restaurant has 25 rooms & suites, spacious public areas, a wonderful swimming pool, and beautiful gardens.

Hotel La Sultana
La Sultana captures the charm and elegance of residences from a bygone era, offering the intimacy of a smaller hotel with unparalleled one-on-one service and experiences. Made-up of five separate riads, it feels maze-like and disguises its sprawling corridors and hidden chambers for the delight of its own guests.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

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What to Bring

Morocco generally has a tropical climate, with temperatures as high as 95°F, but it can get down to the 40's in the Sahara and in the mountains. The temperature should be moderate during the day and cool in the evenings. There is a possibility of rain, but not constant rainfall.

Morocco is a conservative country. Please be sure to cover your knees and shoulders.

Clothing and Gear

  • Duffel bag or  small suitcase
  • Daypack
  • 2-3 short sleeve shirts (quick dry recommended) -
  • 2-3 long sleeve shirts (quick dry recommended)
  • 1 medium weight fleece sweater/jacket for cool eve- nings
  • 1-2 pairs of pants
  • 1-2 pairs of shorts (must cov- er knees)
  • 1-2 sets of nicer clothes for dinner (skirts should be knee-length or longer)
  • 1 bathing suit
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Hat for sun protection
  • 5-7 pairs underwear
  • 5-7 pairs of socks
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sandals

AdventureWomen Essentials

  • Travel documents (passport, airline tickets, money)
  • 2 spare passport photos in case your passport is lost or stolen
  • Write down/print out travel insurance number
  • Locks for your suitcase/duffel bag
  • Travel alarm clock with spare batteries
  • Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries
  • Binoculars (8x40/42 models are excellent choices; center focus models are easiest)
  • Digital camera, memory cards, battery charger
  • Power adapters
  • Sunglasses, case, and strap
  • Spare glasses, contact lenses, cleaner, saline, etc.
  • Money belt or neck pouch
  • Your AdventureWomen insulated bottle (good for hot or cold drinks!)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Hand wipes/hand sanitizer
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Soap, shampoo, and conditioner
  • Small packet of tissues
  • Tampons and panty liners (avoid plastic applicators)
  • Earplugs: We recommend Mack’s Pillow Soft White Moldable Silicone Snore Proof Earplugs. Available at most drugstores or at www.earplugstore.com
  • Assortment of stuff sacks and Ziploc bags
  • 1-2 bandanas/Buff
  • Reading material/journal and pens

Personal First Aid Kit

  • Prescription medicine you usually take (in original containers)
  • Personal epi pen (if you need one, don’t forget to pack it!)
  • Bandages, Gauze, Ace bandage, blister prevention
  • Antiseptic wipes/spray
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Cotton-tipped applicators
  • Oral rehydration tablets/packets
  • Antidiarrheal medication
  • Mild laxative
  • Antacid
  • Cold remedies
  • Ibuprofen/acetaminophen
  • Eye drops
  • Tweezers, scissors (travel size), safety pins

If you prefer to buy a complete kit, we recommend the Smart Travel first aid kit.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary