Morocco, the exoticism next door
with Liliana Ascensão
Morocco is the most western country in the Muslim world that has, for westerners, an immediate and lasting fascination, where travels between the present and past are a constant!
Of simple breathtaking pleasures, we breathe, at the same time, a mixture of exotic and familiar, where we mingle with the crowd that follows nomadic and trading traditions with centuries of history.
Landscapes diversity, the contrasts between the old medina and the Ville Nouvelle, its great architectural variety, the intense smells, the colours, the traditional costumes and the people, all adds up to make Morocco an intense and rewarding experience that assaults our senses every second!
The trick is to see the world going by with the locals, while enjoying various activities, sleeping in the famous riads and relaxing on the panoramic terraces and large squares.
Day 1 – Arrival in Fez
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco!
Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities and the intellectual and cultural capital of Morocco, is where your adventure begins. Once checked in, you can rest from your flight or choose to take a stroll along the busy streets of the medina until the famous and majestic Bab Boujeloud.
Accommodation: dar
Meals: –
Day 2 – Fez
Fez el-Bali remains intact and is the most populated area of the world free of cars, having been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The city is vibrant and fascinating with numerous passages, staircases and courtyards that lead us to exotic and busy streets, full of jewellery sellers, trays, painted pots, colourful djellabas, honey cakes, lamb kebabs, grilled almonds and mint tea.
Accompanied by a guide, we roam by the maze of Fez el-Badi, visiting the various souks and cultural icons of the city.
In the afternoon you will have time to explore the medina on your own or to go to Fez el-Jedid.
Accommodation: dar
Meals: breakfast
Day 3 – Chefchaouen
In the morning, after a bus ride of about four hours, we arrive in Chefchaouen, surely the most charming mountain town of Morocco.
The best way to discover this city is to get lost in the streets of the medina, letting yourselves be seduced by its charm, enjoying and soaking up its atmosphere. Therefore, in a casual stroll, we vibrate with its souks and marvel with the beautiful whitewashed houses of blue and white, with carved and decorated doors. Starting in the Place Uta el-Hammam, that’s what we are going to do, ending our day in one of the most beautiful districts of Chefchaouen with waterfalls, houses and coffees.
Accommodation: dar
Meals: breakfast
Day 4 – Chefchaouen and return to Fez
Still, during the morning, we keep exploring this enchanted city, taking a look in one or another corner that we may have missed the day before.
After lunch, we catch the bus that will take us to Fez, arriving on time to enjoy this city that brings us to a medieval Morocco and to buy some food for our next day picnic.
Accommodation: dar
Meals: breakfast
Day 5 – Agoudal
Early in the morning, we travel south by 4×4 (Jeep) through the beautiful Middle and High Atlas Mountains. It is time to dazzle with the stunning panoramic views that this journey, of about 7 hours, offers until Agoudal, a typical Berber village located in the High Atlas Mountains.
The evening will be spent here visiting the small village and enjoying the unique lifestyle of the mountain people who live mainly from agriculture and livestock.
Accommodation: hostel
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 6 – Todra Gorges, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi (Sahara Desert)
Today, during the morning, still travelling by 4×4 vehicle, we head to Todra, with its impressive gorges capable of taking your breath away. A must see for those seeking unique landscapes!
We continue to Merzouga, a small Saharan oasis, from where, by late afternoon, we follow a caravan of camels to the famous dunes of Erg Chebbi. After about one hour and a half, we arrive at our camp in time to see the sunset, surrounded by the dunes.
We will have dinner with our guide under a starry sky, walk through the dunes and hear his stories. We will sleep in a small oasis in a Berber camp, under a bright black velvet blanket. Sweet dreams!
Accommodation: Berber campsite in the Sahara Desert
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 7 – Erg Chebbi (Sahara Desert), Merzouga, Aït Ben Haddou
We will see the sunrise from the top of the dunes. Later, we return with our camels to Merzouga, in time to wander around the village or enjoy the swimming pool. As the hot weather demands!
After lunch, we go to Aït Ben Haddou, located in the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.
Accommodation: riad
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner (drinks not included)
Day 8 – Aït Ben Haddou, Marrakech
Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is a fantastic walled city built on clay, located on the left bank of the Wadi Mellaha beautiful valley.
Today you will have the opportunity to wander the streets of this quaint town, enjoying its buildings, where you can meet a few families that live there and envision the landscape that extends beyond the Kasbah.
After this visit, we continue our way to Marrakech, where we arrive in mid-afternoon.
The real start of the journey through time, impossible to witness elsewhere, starts with a ride to the Place Jemaa El Fna. Here, the exotic and medieval past appears as storytellers, street performers, snake charmers, musicians and small outdoor restaurants.
Accommodation: riad (mixed dorm)
Meals: breakfast
Day 9 – Marrakech
Today the day will be entirely devoted to enjoying everything at your own pace. In the medina, you can lose your head in the various souks, where the art of bargaining is always present. The Ben Youssef Medersa, Museum of Marrakech and Palais Bahia are also worth a visit.
Outside the medina, you can discover the Majorelle Gardens, the Menara Park or Anima Gardens.
We’ll meet again in the late afternoon, sit down on a terrace overlooking the Place Jemaa El Fna, drinking tea and watching the world going by as the sun sets.
In the evening we return to the epicentre of the city for dinner in a typical restaurant and vibrate with the nightlife.
Accommodation: riad (mixed dorm)
Meals: breakfast
Day 10 – Return from Marrakech or Trekking in Mount Toubkal – Extension
For those who leave us today, it’s time to say goodbye. However, I bet you’re already feeling sorry for not trekking the Mount Toubkal, but for sure you still have lots of good memories of this trip. Have a safe flight and see you soon!
For those seeking adventure, early in the morning, we set off for what will be the real adventure of this trip – climb Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa!
In a 4×4 vehicle, we will head to the village of Imlil. Here, we will leave the cars behind and in the company of an expert guide, we begin our trek of about 5 hours up to our mountain refuge, about 3206 meters of altitude.
By the way, enjoy the fresh air and the landscape of valleys and mountains dotted by Berber villages and the uniqueness of life of those who here inhabit.
Once at the shelter, it is time to relax and recover for the big day ahead.
Accommodation: mountain refuge
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11 – Trekking in Mount Toubkal and return to Marrakech
Today you will reach the summit of Toubkal. The walking is rigorous with the altitude making the trek quite tricky in some parts. However, the views along the way, on a rocky carpet, make the journey worthwhile.
In the summit, the scenery is simply breathtaking! The view of 360° will leave you with goosebumps of such fascination. We bet you shall sleep in the clouds after this experience.
After fully appreciating this achievement, it is time to return to Imlil and finally Marrakech.
Accommodation: riad (dorm)
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 12 – Return from Marrakech
Last day in Morocco!
So ends our adventure in this country so close and, at the same time so far, which undoubtedly left your heart full.
Have a nice flight and shukran!
Accomodation: –
Meals: breakfast
-
Included9 Nights in dar, riad and in a Berber camp site in the Sahara DesertTransports: 4x4 jeep, bus, camel and arrival transfer on the date of the program12 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinnersAll the activities mentioned on the programTravel insurance on the dates of the programMonitoring and guidance throughout the whole tour by Liliana Ascensão
-
Not IncludedInternational airfareVisaSingle supplement: 150€Mount Toubkal Extension (2 Days and 1 Night all-inclusive): 190€Transfer to the airport: 3€Unspecified meals: 15€/dayExtra activitiesUnspecified visitsPersonal expensesTips
What our Wanderlusters say?
Cristina Gonçalves
Paula Coelho
Richard Silva
Paula Cabral
Maria Luís
Joel Silva
Ana Ferraria
Margarida Lopes
Elisabete Novais
Mélina Lopes