Explore the magical land ‘where the sun sets’ with an award-winning professional photographer and expert local guide on this G Adventures run tour of Morocco. Hone your photography skills while taking in beautiful landscapes and learning about a rich culture with a fascinating history. To see images from our last photo tour, start here.
Cost: $1699 CAD per person, based on double occupancy.
Land only. Does not include international flights, meals not indicated in the itinerary below, travel and medical insurance, gratuities.
Maximum number of guests: 14
Spots Remaining: 3
Deposit: $350 CAD
Final Payment Due: July 7, 2022
Cancellation Policy:
* Cancellation 60 days or more prior to departure = Deposit becomes Lifetime Deposit and can be used to book a future tour.
* Cancellation between 30 and 59 days prior to departure = 50% loss
* Cancellation within 30 days of departure = 100% loss
Itinerary
Day 1 – Casablanca
Arrive at any time.
Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca.
You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture.
Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday (closed Fridays) at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 14:00. These times are subject to change, please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.
A general note about this tour: it has a very fast-paced itinerary, which covers a lot of ground. This is great as it allows us to see a huge amount in the time available, but it also means some early starts, some long drives in the minivan, and less free time than many other G Adventures tours.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your G Adventures CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don’t forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation: Hotel Campanile Casablanca (or similar)
Day 2 – Casablanca/Chefchaouen
Stop in Tangier for a guided tour of the medina before continuing on to Chefchaouen for the evening.
Depart in the morning for Tangier. Take a guided tour of city sites, including the medina, kasbah, Grand Socco (a bustling square at the entrance to the medina) and Petit Socco, a little square in the medina perfect for people-watching and mint tea-drinking. In the afternoon, continue on to Chefchaouen.Transportation: Private Vehicle Casablanca – Tangier = 5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. Tangier Guided Tour 2h-3h
Explore the city and learn more about this melting pot. With culture, cuisine and language coming from North Africa, Spain, Portugal, and France, this bustling port city is unique and fascinating. Visit the Kasbah, grand souk, petit souk, and the old medina. Marvel at the panoramic views of Gibraltar, Tarifa, and the meeting point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Tangier – Chefchaouen = 2h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Hotel Madrid (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 – Chefchaouen
Opt to hike in the Rif Mountains, explore the town, try a traditional hammam or visit a local weavers’ cooperative.
Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen to explore. The city, whitewashed in different shades of blue, is spectacular on its own but with the surrounding mountains, it’s a sight to behold. At sunset, opt to visit the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic view of the city.
Free Time
Chefchaouen Full Day
Nature or culture — why choose? Explore everything on your must-experience list during free time.
Optional Activities – Day 3
Rif Valley Mountains Hike
Er Rif = 3h-4h
Lace-up your hiking boots, and trek through the scenic Rif Mountains – the perfect natural playground for adventure seekers. Hike along lush mountains, passing small waterfalls and streams en route to the Spanish Mosque for spectacular panoramic views of Chefchaouen. Continue on through the mountains, passing plantations and stopping for a traditional lunch at a local gîte. Once you reach the piste, jump in a jeep and head back to the main road to meet your driver.
Accommodation: Hotel Madrid (or similar)Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 – Chefchaouen/Fès
Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch before taking a guided tour of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continue on to Fès.
Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After, continue to the imperial city of Fès, one of Morocco’s most interesting cities.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Chefchaouen – Meknès = 4h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Mhaya Village Community Lunch
Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch that benefits rural Moroccan women and children. This G Adventures lunch program provides access to education opportunities and healthcare services. The proceeds from this lunch program help support vocational training for rural women, allowing them to support their families and children. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked Moroccan meal and meet some of the women that are part of this program.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Meknès – Volubilis = 45m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Volubilis Guided Tour
1h-2h
Listen to a certified local guide explain life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the impressive, well-preserved Roman ruins. Peer into old bathhouses, marvel at the still-present mosaic floors, and gaze up at towering marble pillars. Hear stories about life in this Roman city that will leave you in awe of just how far their empire stretched.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Volubilis – Fès = 2h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities – Day 4
Ville Nouvelle Exploration
Cost: Free
Hit the newer part of Fès to see life in action. Find a sidewalk café to sip mint tea and watch everyday life go by.
Shop Fès Medina
Cost: Free
Spend some time in the medina checking out carpet shops, sampling local delicacies at the food stalls or shopping for leather goods. Prepare to bargain, just don’t get lost wandering the passageways!
Accommodation: Hotel Mounia (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 5 – Fès
Explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fès medina with a local guide. Take in a view of one of the ancient tanneries from above and marvel at the myriad of colour and processes.
Enjoy a half-day medina walking tour, with free time in the afternoon to explore more of the city.
The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Explore the artisan quarters, sample treats from the carts, and view Fès’ famous leather tannery from above.
Note: Only certified local guides are allowed to act as guides in the medina, so your CEO cannot go with you to the medina during free time.
Fès Medina Guided Tour
Follow a local guide through the Fès medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets lying within 365 hectares. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century; there are 350 mosques in the medina that are still in use today.
Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Explore the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. Visit the mausoleum and the Al-Qarawiyin University.
A highlight of the tour is the view of the famous Fès tannery from the balcony of a leather shop, where you can observe the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides. Take some time to shop for leather goods before returning to your hotel.
Free Time
Fès Afternoon
Get lost in the medina or explore the new city. The choice is yours.
Optional Activities – Day 5
Ville Nouvelle Exploration
30m-1h
Cost: Free
Hit the newer part of Fès to see life in action. Find a sidewalk café to sip mint tea and watch everyday life go by.
Shop Fès Medina
1h-2h
Cost: Free
Spend some time in the medina checking out carpet shops, sampling local delicacies at the food stalls or shopping for leather goods. Prepare to bargain, just don’t get lost wandering the passage ways!
Belghazi Museum
Cost: 15MAD per person
Housed in an exquisite 17th-century building, the gallery showcases different art styles passed through generations in Morocco, such as ceramics, embroidery, instruments, and costumes. Climb up to the rooftop for a panoramic view of the city.
Meknès City Tour
Cost: Book ahead with us or using your app once you are booked
Enjoy a guided tour of this imperial city. Gain local insight into city sites – each guide may put their spin on tour. Visit the Bab Mansour historic landmark, and 18th-century Bab EL Khmiss, the ornamental gate to the city. Wander the bustling souk to browse the vast array of food, clothes, and souvenirs. Take the opportunity to see the former royal stables and granary; built under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail, the stables could hold up to 12,000 horses.
Accommodation: Hotel Mounia (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 – Fès/Merzouga
Enjoy a long, but beautiful, travel day across the unique landscapes of Morocco to get to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.
Travel through the diverse landscapes that make Morocco so unique. Pass through cedar and pine forests, keeping an eye out for Barbary apes. Pass over the Middle Atlas Mountains through the pre-desert countryside with its deep gorges filled with a splendid oasis of green palm groves. Arrive at the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.
Spend the night in a desert auberge (simple hotel), located right on the edge of the dunes. Have a local-style dinner and spend the night.
Some rooms may have shared bathroom facilities.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Fès – Merzouga = 10h-11h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Auberge Les Dunes D´Or (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 7 – Merzouga
Explore the sand dunes by foot or opt to take a 4×4 excursion around the dunes. In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride to watch the sunset before returning to your hotel for an evening of entertainment.
Spend the cool morning exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, discovering the surrounding communities on a 4×4 excursion. You can pre-book this optional excursion when booking your tour.
In the afternoon, take a camel ride deep into the dunes to watch the sunset. Learn to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flare to photos.
This evening, indulge in a traditional dinner, then gather around a campfire under the stars near to your hotel. Listen to stories about life in this region and, perhaps, some traditional music on the drums.
Camel Ride
Hold on and enjoy a ride on this even-toed ungulate, also known as the desert horse. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips.
Optional Activities – Day 7
Merzouga 4×4 Desert Excursion
3h-4h
View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a 4×4 excursion. You’ll be driven around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, taking in the views of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Pass a kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa — played by members of the community — as you enjoy a cup of mint tea with the locals.Accommodation: Auberge Les Dunes D´Or (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 8 – Merzouga/Todra Gorge
Rise early to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, continue through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river or sampling some local Amazigh delicacies.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Merzouga – Todra Gorge = 3h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Hotel Amazir (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 – Todra Gorge/Aït Ben Haddou
Visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to participate in a tagine cooking class for an intro to Moroccan cuisine.
Travel along the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” to the thriving town of Ouarzazate for a lunch stop. This town is home to Atlas Film Studios, where many films have been shot over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.
Continue on to the fascinating and beautiful Aït Ben Haddou, a wonderful example of a kasbah.
In the evening there may be the chance for an optional cooking class. Learn the secrets of how to make the perfect tagine and then sample your skills for dinner.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Todra Gorge – Aït Ben Haddou = 4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour – 2h-3h
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Of all the remaining kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. The kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.
Optional Activities – Day 9
Tagine Cooking Demonstration
120MAD per person
Learn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Learn about the tagine itself (a clay pot) and different ingredients and spices. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.Accommodation: Hotel La Rose du Sable (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 – Ait Benhaddou / High Atlas Mountains
Enjoy a walk to the village of Aroumd, at the base of the High Atlas Mountains. Let a mule carry the bags up to this mountain hideaway and hike alongside. Enjoy views of Mt Toubkal from the mountain gîte before a home-cooked dinner.
Leave the pre-desert country for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m. Head into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads, arriving at the village of Imlil.
With our main luggage transported by mule, embark on the walk from Imlil to the little village of Aroumd (1 hr), arriving at our simple mountain gîte for the night.
Enjoy a homemade dinner of local produce in the cozy salon. Settle in and enjoy the tranquility, fantastic views, and clean mountain air of this magical region.
Accommodation is multi-share, up to six beds in each room. Bedding is provided. You will need to bring your own towel. Bathroom facilities are shared.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Aït Ben Haddou – Imlil = 5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walking
Imlil – Aroumd (Aremd)1h
While the walk to the gîte is uphill, it is achievable by anyone of average fitness. Take it at a slow pace!
Your Local Living Moment: Mountain Gîte Stay with Traditional Moroccan Meal
After a short hike uphill, arrive at a cozy mountain gîte where we will spend the night. Breath in fresh mountain air while taking in amazing views of the surrounding Atlas Mountains before sitting down to a traditional, homemade dinner made with local produce.Accommodation: Auberge Tafraout
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 11 – High Atlas Mountains / Essaouira
Walk back to Imlil and transfer to the coastal town of Essaouira. The day is free for exploration.
After breakfast, take a scenic hike back down the mountain to meet the van in Imlil and head to the coastal town of Essaouira, arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish.
Browse the many shops for leather, jewellery, lamps or trinkets. Watch the brightly painted ships bring their catch into the busy harbour or take a stroll along the long, sandy beach. This is the perfect place to enjoy some local seafood and unwind.
Walking
Aroumd (Aremd) – Imlil = 1h
Lace up your shoes and get to the next stop under your own power.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Imlil – Essaouira
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Afternoon – Free Time
Essaouira is a funky, Portguese-flavoured, hippie, coastal village.
Accommodation: Riad Nakhla (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 – Essaouira
Enjoy a free day exploring this coastal port town any way you like.
Don’t waste a minute — get going and explore this seaside city.
Optional Activities – Day 12
Windsurfing
60EUR per person
Ride the waves at this windsurfer’s paradise. Try taking a lesson if you’re new to the sport. The reliable strong winds can be challenging.
Shopping
1h-2h
Pop into brightly coloured shops selling leather shoes and purses, slippers, scarves, Moroccan lanterns, and mosaics…you name it. Visit an artists’ co-op and shop for handmade silver jewellery. Try not to get overwhelmed by choice – with dozens of shops lining the narrow winding streets, there’s a lot to choose from.
Kite Surfing (Group Lesson)
1100-1650MAD per person
1650-3300MAD per group
Join a 2-hour group lesson to get a grip on this sport, then take hold of the winds on your own.
Surfing
695-990MAD per person
900-2700MAD per group
Head out to catch some waves and enjoy the surf and fresh sea air.
Traditional Hammam Experience
Cost: Varies depending on treatment
Visit a hammam, a great way to get squeaky clean and soothe sore muscles. Enjoy a body scrub and massage in a traditional Moroccan bathhouse with multiple rooms (dry and steamed). Begin with a dry or hot room to prepare your skin and body, followed by a hot steam room. Enjoy a body scrub and massage followed by a traditional mint tea.
Accommodation: Riad Nakhla (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13 – Essaouira/Marrakech
Drive to Marrakech for a medina tour with a certified city guide. Opt to visit Djemaa el Fna Square in the evening to see the gathering of musicians and street performers.
Journey to Marrakech. After arriving in the “Red City,” join a certified city guide for a tour of the Marrakech medina. Visit the historical Koutoubia Minaret and gardens, Bahia Palace, the Mellah, and the Saadian Tombs.
Later, opt to discover the secrets of this amazing, ancient city. Relax at one of the tea houses around the square, watching the hustle and bustle from a shady spot.
End the day like a local with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Essaouira – Marrakech = 3h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Marrakech Medina Guided Tour
Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. Shop to your heart’s content in the souk and search out spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or the famous Moroccan lanterns. Visit the Saadian Tombs – a complex of sepulchers and mausoleums that house the remains of Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahb. The tombs were sealed off until their re-discovery in 1917. Tour the grounds of the Bahia Palace, marvelling at the intricate decoration, and experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Accommodation:Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14 – Marrakech
Explore for one final day in magical Morocco. Free time is yours to spend as you want!
A great place to start your adventure is Djemaa el Fna square, in the heart of the medina. The square changes its offerings throughout the day. Finish up your souvenir shopping or wander the new part of the city for a taste of the modern.
Optional Activities – Day 14
Djemaa el Fna Market Square Visit
1h-3h
Cost: Free
Wander past fresh orange juice stalls and water sellers in colourful costumes reminiscent of an era past. See storytellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines as the day progresses. When the sun sets, the square fills with dozens of food stalls, and is packed with locals, entertaining chefs, and waiters. Grab a spot on a bench with other diners and try the “tanjia” (slow cooked lamb), harira soup, grilled seafood, famous Moroccan couscous, tajine, snails, or even sheep’s head (for the truly adventurous). Wash it all down with some spiced tea.
Jardins Majorelle
1h-2h
Cost: 70-100MAD per person
Visit this stunning garden in the heart of the city designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). Follow the pathways through trees, exotic plants, streams, and pools while watching the numerous birds who call this peaceful paradise home.
Please note that the entrance fee to Musée Yves Saint Laurent is an additional 30 MAD.
Traditional Moroccan Dinner with Folklore Entertainment
Cost: 400-500MAD per person
Experience a traditional 3-course dinner in the heart of the medina of Marrakech – Djemma El Fana square – and enjoy a folklore performance.
Ali Ben Youssef Medersa
Cost: 40MAD per person
Visit this Islamic college founded in the early 14th century, which is now a museum displaying the buildings ornate mosaics, marble tiling, stucco work, and woodcarving.
Musée de Marrakech
Cost: 50MAD per person
Wander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
Koubba Ba’adiyn
40MAD per person
Visit one of the lasting relics preserved after the destructive Almohad rule – a 12th-century shrine displaying the sophistication of earlier Almoravid architecture and design.
El Badi Palace
Cost: 70MAD per person
Visit the ruins of what was once the most ornate palace of the 16th-century. Its sunken gardens and pools give a glimpse into its former glory.
Dar Si Said
Cost: 30MAD per person
Standing as a monument to master Moroccan artisans, this complex houses the Museum of Moroccan arts. Here, you will find displays of ancient weaponry, carpets, Berber jewellery, granary doors and more. Make sure to see the highlight of a visit to this museum, the painted, domed wedding-reception chamber.
Accommodation: Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15 – Marrakech
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Your Host
This tour will be hosted by Vanessa Dewson, Master of Photographic Arts (MPA) with the Professional Photographers of Canada and founder of Focus on Photography Tours (a division of Romance & Foodie Travel). Join her on this cultural and photographic journey as she shares her passion for both Photography & Travel.
Questions?
For additional information please contact us.
Ready to Book?
Click here to fill out our booking form.