Expedition Overview

Expedition Overview

SPECIAL OFFERS

Disney Vacation Club Member Special Offer: Save Up to $500 on Select 2023 Departures

For a limited time, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save on select 2023 Signature Land and River Cruise departures. Book by July 24, 2023 for travel between June 2023 and December 2023 and enjoy savings on trips to amazing destinations throughout the world:

Save $350 per person on select 2023 North America Signature Land itineraries:

Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords

  • August 30, 2023
  • September 6, 2023

Canadian Rockies by Rail and Trail

  • September 18, 2023

Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation

  • October 10, 2023
  • November 7, 2023
  • December 5, 2023

Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks

  • June 3, 2023
  • September 23, 2023
  • October 7, 2023

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

  • June 10 & 23, 2023

Save $500 per person on select 2023 International Signature Land itineraries:

Borneo Wildlife Adventure

  • September 16, 2023

Exploring Patagonia

  • December 4 & 28, 2023

Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy

  • June 19 & 30, 2023
  • July 21, 2023

Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France

  • June 1 & 8, 2023
  • September 14 & 28, 2023

Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Whales

  • June 28, 2023
  • July 20 & 27, 2023
  • August 19, 2023
  • September 3 & 15, 2023

Ireland: Tales and Traditions of the Emerald Isle

  • June 29, 2023
  • August 31, 2023
  • September 21, 2023

Italy: Renaissance Cities and Tuscan Life

  • June 14, 2023
  • October 18, 2023

On Safari: Exploring Wildlife Conservation in Kenya

  • June 2, 2023
  • July 9, 2023
  • August 11, 2023
  • September 30, 2023
  • December 4, 2023

Morocco Photography Expedition

  • September 16, 2023

Morocco: Legendary Cities and the Sahara

  • October 7 & 21, 2023

New Zealand From North to South

  • October 13, 2023
  • December 29, 2023

Norway’s Trains and Fjords

  • June 4 & 18, 2023
  • July 16, 2023
  • August 13, 2023

On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration

  • August 16, 2023
  • September 2 & 20, 2023
  • December 27, 2023

Palau: Snorkeling and Kayaking the Pristine Seas

  • October 16, 2023
  • November 12, 2023

Remembering D-Day: London to the Normandy Beaches

  • June 1, 2023

Scotland Hiking Adventure: From the Highlands to Islands

  • July 15 & 22, 2023
  • August 5 & 19, 2023

Southern Africa Safari by Private Air

  • August 30, 2023
  • December 28, 2023

Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago

  • June 16, 2023
  • September 15, 22 & 29, 2023
  • October 6, 2023

Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District

  • June 4 & 25, 2023
  • July 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2023
  • August 13, 2023

The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future

  • November 11, 2023
  • December 30, 2023

Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: Ancient Temples and Natural Wonders

  • October 14, 2023
  • December 30, 2023

Save $500 per person on select 2023 River Cruise itineraries:

Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise

  • December 9, 2023

Rhine River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam

  • September 18, 2023

Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise

  • December 7, 2023

Take advantage of this National Geographic Expeditions 2023 Offer for Disney Vacation Club Members by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Advisor or booking online with the Offer Code: DVCNGE23

Important Information

  • Book by July 24, 2023
  • Offer is good for select itineraries and dates only
  • This is a cash-only offer; Members cannot use Disney Vacation Club Points or a combination of points and cash
  • Offer is for new booking only
  • Offer availability is limited for each departure
  • May not be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions
  • Not all stateroom categories are available for booking; not valid for Suites
Between May 23 and July 24, 2023, Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) Members who book select National Geographic Expeditions itineraries save: (1) $350 off per person on select North America Land departures; or (2) $500 off per person on select International Land and River Cruise departures. Offer valid only for select departures between June and December 2023, and offer availability is limited for each departure. The per-person savings is taken from the non-discounted prevailing rate for each departure as quoted on the date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates are based on double occupancy, vary depending on departure date and time of booking, and are subject to change. Travel must be booked 30 - 60 days prior to applicable departure date, depending on the itinerary. Not applicable to deposit, baggage fees, extensions, or airfare. Not all stateroom categories are available for booking, and the offer is not valid for Suites. Availability of the offer is subject to confirmation at time of booking and paying the standard trip deposit. Any courtesy hold, without payment of the standard deposit, will not guarantee availability of the offer for the selected departure date. Offer valid for new, cash bookings only; not valid for bookings with points or a combination of cash and points. Subject to availability at the time of booking. May not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. Offer not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Not valid for group bookings. A limited number of staterooms of certain categories are available for the promotion. Offer valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada (except for Quebec where the offer is only available to travel agents). Void where prohibited. Offer is subject to restrictions and conditions and may change without notice. Bookings subject to restrictions and trip standard terms and conditions. Disney Vacation Club Members can book by calling National Geographic Expeditions directly. To receive these discounts, Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit subject to change or termination. Members should refer to the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement for more information or visit disneyvacationclub.com.
Available Departures
  • Sep 16-27, 2023
Limited Time Offer – Returning Guests Save on Select Trips!

For a limited time, past National Geographic Expeditions travelers can save on their next exciting trip! Book by May 31, 2023 and save $500 per person on select departures. Take advantage of this special offer by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Agent or booking online with code BPOSL24.

Available Departures
  • Sep 16-27, 2023
  • Capture the late afternoon light on ancient clay walls during a photo shoot in the hilltop village of Aït Ben Haddou.
  • Ride into the Sahara on a camel to photograph the sun setting on the dunes.
  • Take portraits of the magicians and musicians of Marrakech, tanners knee-deep in dye vats, and traditional Amazigh (Berber) families.
  • Photograph Morocco's diverse landscapes: palm oases at the foot of soaring plateaus, lush cedar forests, the rugged Atlas Mountains, and the soft curves of the Saharan sands.

Itinerary

Itinerary

With your camera in hand, discover the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Fez, venture into rose-colored kasbahs, and snap portraits of traditional Amazigh families in their mountain villages. Photograph the ancient adobe village of Aït Ben Haddou lit up by the late afternoon sun, and ride into the Sahara on a camel to capture the sun setting on the dunes.

Day 1: Casablanca, Morocco
View Photos

Arrive at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome orientation and gather for a festive welcome dinner.

Meals Included:Dinner
Accommodations:Le Casablanca Hotel
Day 2: Casablanca/Marrakech
View Photos

This morning, stroll through the city’s Habous district and the mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace. Drive through the elegant Anfa neighborhood on the way to Marrakech, Morocco’s legendary “pearl of the South.” Get a fresh angle on the splendid Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs, and focus on the mosaics and traditional architecture of Bahia Palace. With your camera in hand, explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople. Capture the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where there are great photographic opportunities around every corner, from magicians and artists to cooks and musicians. Tonight, gather for a rooftop reception and dinner accompanied by traditional Gnaoua music in the heart of the old medina.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Sofitel Marrakech Lounge and Spa
Day 3: Marrakech
View Photos

Spend another full day experiencing Marrakech through your viewfinder. Photograph a range of exotic plants in the stunning Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, and see an exclusive collection of Berber objects originating from diverse regions of Morocco at the Berber Museum. Explore historic Moroccan architecture at the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa. After lunch, head back into the lively medina for a photo shoot.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations:Sofitel Marrakech Lounge and Spa
Days 4-5: High Atlas Mountains
View Photos

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the High Atlas Mountains and capture your experience on camera. Settle into your hotel set on a hilltop beneath the highest peak in the range. Experience Amazigh hospitality on walks in the village and visits to family homes and markets. During a half-day excursion in the mountains, practice landscape photography on a variety of hikes and walks, and return to relax in typical Moroccan style: with a mint tea on the terrace or a steam bath in the traditional hammam. Dine on delicious cuisine and warm bread baked in clay ovens on site, and soak up the timeless atmosphere of rural Morocco.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
Accommodations:Kasbah du Toubkal
Day 6: Aït Benhaddou
View Photos

Cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tichka Pass, stopping to board 4x4’s for the trip to the Kasbah of Telouet. Once home to the powerful Glaoui clan, the kasbah’s crumbling exterior belies its rich tile and woodwork. Then drive through the Ounila Valley to the ancient fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, and delve into its warren of twisting lanes.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Ksar Ighnda
Day 7: Ouarzazate/Boumalne Dades
View Photos

Continue to Ouarzazate, a former colonial trading post and learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Then set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, stopping to take photographs as we pass lush oases and dramatic geology. Arrive in Boumalne Dades, a small town nestled amid the crags and plateaus of the semidesert landscape. After lunch, head out on a photo hike in the dramatic Dades Gorge.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Xaluca Dades
Day 8: Erfoud/Merzouga
View Photos

Continue along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Erfoud, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations. In Erfoud, climb into 4x4s for the drive into the desert. Later, ride into the desert on a camel to photograph the sunset on the Saharan dunes. Arrive at our deluxe Berber tented camp in time to dine under the star-studded sky and enjoy an evening of Amazigh folk music and tales around the campfire.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Tented Berber Camp
Day 9: Merzouga/Fez
View Photos

Awaken early for a photo walk across the sandscape as the rising sun paints the dunes orange and gold. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast. Then head north into the high-mountain plains on your way to Fez and arrive at our hotel.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Riad Maison Bleue and Spa
Day 10: Fez
View Photos

Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. At the 14th-century Bou Inania madrassa, photograph intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. Zoom in on the exquisite mosaics that cover Nejjarine Fountain, and visit the Kairaouine Mosque. Venture into the vibrant medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Later, visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish quarter. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a traditional Moroccan home, where you will enjoy a three-course private dining experience and Sufi musical entertainment.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Riad Maison Bleue and Spa
Day 11: Fez/Volubilis and Meknes
View Photos

Today you may choose to explore Fez at your own pace or take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a World Heritage site, and Meknès, Morocco’s 17th-century capital. Toast our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner tonight.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Riad Maison Bleue and Spa
Day 12: Fez
View Photos

After breakfast, transfer to the Fez Saiss Airport (FEZ) and catch your flight home. Or choose to transfer to the Casablanca airport via motorcoach. Please note that flights out Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) should depart in the afternoon.

Meals Included:Breakfast