Your driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival in Casablanca. After going through immigration and collecting your luggage, head to the airport exit and look for your driver right outside (he'll be holding a Morocco Immersion sign).

Group arrivals consist of most folks who are on the IAD-CMN nonstop flight on Royal Air Maroc; a couple people arriving on the nonstop flight from Miami with ETA 11:40am; others will already be in Morocco - we will meet up at the airport, one person in Fes. When we have everyone, we'll start our journey to Fes. We'll make any desired stops along with the way (e.g., food, bathroom break etc.) Approximately 3 hour drive time.

Upon arrival early evening, you'll check into your riad. Later in the evening after you've had a chance to rest a bit, we'll all get together for a group dinner to celebrate our first day in Morocco!

Overnight @ Riad Al Makan

[B,D]

Today after breakfast, your local guide will meet you at your riad for a guided tour of the city. To start your tour, you'll first go to the Royal Palace and then walk through the old Mellah (Jewish Quartier) of the city. From here, you will head to one of the Borj (towers) and get a panoramic view of the entire car-free medina. Next, you’ll head to a mosaic house where you will have a demonstration of the traditional pottery methods utilized by Fassi artisans – you’ll see every step of the process from the formation of the clay to the piecing together of the mosaics. The tour will take you into the medina of Fes where you will discover the ancient streets and neighborhoods, visit the various artisan sections (including the tanneries), and see the important historic monuments (including the tomb of Idriss II and the Al-Qarawaiyin University - the oldest continually operated university in the world). Your tour will end after lunch. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the medina. Don’t worry if you get lost – that's all part of the experience!

Overnight @ Riad Al Makan

[B]

After breakfast, you'll depart from Fes and head to the Sahara desert. This will be a long driving day to our final destination - approximately 7 hours - but there'll be a number of stops along the way to explore & take breaks.

Your first stop on the way will be the interesting Alpine-like city of Ifraine. Driving through this city, you'll think you've been teleported to Switzerland. The city's biggest claim to fame is a statue of the now extinct Atlas lion that once roamed the lands. The best part of the city is the European-like cafe in the main square that serves great coffee and delicious sweets - perfect break for today's road trip.

After a quick stop here for coffee and a snack, you'll continue into the Middle Atlas Mountains and through the largest cedar forest in Africa which is also home to the barbary apes (aka Atlas Monkeys) which are sure to entertain. Just be prepared to pay a toll in peanuts. These little guys may not let you pass without it!

After you've crossed through the Middle Atlas Mountains, you'll arrive to the city of Midelt located on the high plains between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. You'll likely stop in this area for lunch and then continue through the High Atlas Mountains via the Ziz Gorge.

Take note of the change of landscape as you enter the desert region and make the final leg of the journey to Merzouga and the great sand sea of the Sahara, Erg Chebbi. You’ll have a little time to relax and unwind from the days driving and just before sunset, you'll climb aboard your camel and trek through the dunes to your luxury Berber camp for the night. (Note: Optionally take 4x4 vehicle to the desert camp.) Once there, you can watch the sunset and the stars come out. Dinner will be served and traditional music will be played while you lounge around the campfire gazing at the stars. When you're ready, you can retire to your luxury tent (with A/C) for the night… or, if you wish, you can sleep under the stars.

Overnight @ Riad Madu Premium Camp

 [B,D]

This morning, you'll want to be sure to get up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Grab some coffee and climb up the nearest dune and watch as the sun turns the sand aflame. After this near-transcendental experience, you’ll have breakfast at camp and prepare for your day. When you're ready, you’ll take your camels back to the Kasbah on the edge of the dunes. If you want to add a little adventure, you can do optional quad ATV riding in the dunes this morning before departing. Also, instead of taking the camels from the camp, you can go by ATV. (Quad ATV is an additional cost - $45 pp/hr.)  

When back in the minvan, you’ll have some time to explore the desert region, stopping to visit Khamlia - a village composed of Gnaoua musicians - for tea and a short concert. A stop at a fossil museum provides a chance to search for your own fossils in the wild. You'll also get to visit the ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains.

Afterwards, you’ll head to the oasis town of Tinghir for a guided walk of the palmeraie and Mellah (old Jewish area). You'll also visit the nearby Todgha Gorge where you can walk through the most impressive part of the canyon. Todra Gorges is a deep-sided canyon carved out of the High Atlas range by fast-flowing rivers on their way down to the coastal plains.

Then, it's off to your accommodations located in the Dades Valley where you'll enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Overnight @ Hotel Xaluca Dades

[B,D]

This morning after breakfast, you'll head into the mountains. Today brings some hiking and off-roading, reaching your kasbah in the late afternoon.

You'll start with an off-road transfer to Boutaghrar stopping along the way to meet nomads who spend the summers in the caves found in this region. When you reach Bourtaghra, you'll leave the driver and begin your hike. This scenic hike will take you through the terraced agriculture of the local berber villages as you follow the Talkadit River through the gorge of Agouti. At the end of your hike, meet up with your driver and begin the next phase of today's adventure.

You'll head to Almdoun where you'll enjoy lunch with the locals and then make your way over the second highest elevation in Morocco (4071 meters - 13,356 feet) to Ait Bouguemez where you will stop for the night. Most of this drive will be off-road, which makes the journey part of the adventure. Dinner at the kasbah.

Overnight @ Kasbah du M'Goun

[B,L,D]

After a leisurely morning, the group will embark on a hike to explore the local area. you'll hike through Berber villages to a nearby granary located on a nearby peak. From there, enjoy panoramic views of all of Happy Valley before returning back to the kasbah for lunch. Note: Hike is optional - feel free to just relax at the kasbah & enjoy its grounds.

You'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the area around the kasbah on your own through the terraced gardens and discover why this area is called "Happy Valley". Or just rest and relax by the pool. Dinner at the kasbah.

Overnight @ Kasbah du M'Goun

[B,L,D]

After breakfast, you'll head to Demnate. Once there, you will make your way on foot to the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri. When you reach the bridge, follow the river under the bridge and then continue over it before continuing your hike to nearby Tamount Ecolodge.

You'll have lunch here - their specialty is Rabbit Tagine (but vegetarians are welcome) - and then have some time to explore this unique space dedicated to the preservations of Berber traditions.

After lunch, you'll make the relatively quick drive to Ouzoud. When you arrive in Ouzoud, you can go to an overlook at the top of the waterfall and then make your way down to the bottom of the cascade where you can go for a swim beneath the falls, take a boat ride under the falls, or just enjoy the view from one of the many terraces.

After exploring the falls, there'll be a short drive the rest of the way to Bin el Ouidane, your destination for the next 2 nights. After some free time to enjoy the property, we'll take a brief walk down to the water and enjoy a sunset boat ride on the lake. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight @ Dar l'eau Vive

[B,D]

Enjoy a full day in the mountain lake town of Bin el Ouidane! This is a small village in the tranquil foothills of the Middle Atlas on Bin El Ouidane lake. The lake was formed by an arch dam considered the highest arch-shaped dam in Africa.

You'll be free today to enjoy your lakeside accommodations and partake in any of the available activities including visiting the spa, or just relax by the pool. In the morning, complimentary kayak outing on the lake (optional). Afterwards, enjoy a BBQ lunch in nature loverlooking the lake. Free afternoon on your own.

Overnight @ Dar l'eau Vive

[B,L,D]

This morning you'll be off to Marrakech. Upon arrival, check into your riad and either opt for free time to explore on your own or have a guided tour of the city.

Guided Tour of Marrakech - Meet your local city guide who will show you all around Marrakech. The tour will include visits to some of the important monuments such as Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and/or the Koutoubia Mosque. After you’ve visited these monuments, your guide will escort you to the souks of Marrakech where you'll have a chance to visit the various artisans and to learn about their crafts. Your tour will end by late-afternoon with the rest of the afternoon/evening to explore on your own.

Overnight @ Riad Al Rimal

[B]

Optional: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight - Weather permitting, there is an optional sunrise hot air ballon flight this morning. The "Hot Air Ballooners" will transfer early morning to a site just outside of the city for a sunrise hot air balloon ride. (Price approx $245 USD per person.)

This morning after breakfast, you'll depart from Marrakech and head toward the beach towns along the coast. Your first stop of the day will be the small beach city of Oualidia. Known for its oysters, you'll have time today, should you choose, to sample this local specialty before continuing up the coast to El Jadida.

Once here you can explore this old Portuguese city and then you will head to your nearby resort where you will have the rest of the day free to relax.

Check in @ Mazagan Beach Resort

[B]

Free day to enjoy the beach & your resort! An optional morning bicycle tour is included if you'd like to do so. Note: Other activities this day not included in the trip price, though you'll have transportation available to you today anytime you wish to use it.

[B]

Unfortunately, its departure day. But you'll have time this morning to enjoy your resort (checkout 11am) before making the drive to the airport in Casablanca in plenty of time for your departing flight.

[B]