Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- 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- Oct 7-18, 2023
- Oct 21-Nov 1, 2023
- 2024 Early Booking Offer – Select Signature Land & River Cruise Departures
For a limited time, save $400 per person on North America itineraries or save $500 per person on international itineraries when you book select 2024 National Geographic Signature Land departures by April 7, 2023. Or, save $750 per person when you book a 2024 River Cruise by April 7, 2023.*
Take advantage of these special offers by calling 1-888-966-8687 or contacting your Travel Agent, or booking online and mentioning codes EBRSL24 for Signature Land departures and EBRRC24 for River Cruise departures.
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Available Departures- Mar 2-13, 2024
- Mar 30-Apr 10, 2024
- Apr 27-May 8, 2024
- Alongside a National Geographic Expert, explore five UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the ancient adobe village of Aït Ben Haddou.
- Delve into Amazigh (Berber) culture during a stay at a hotel built upon the ruins of an ancient Kasbah
- Set out from our tented camp at sunset to ride a camel across the magnificent sculpted dunes of the Sahara.
- Visit a traditional Moroccan home for a special dining experience and Sufi musical performance.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Morocco’s mystique can be found in medinas that brim with color, soaring mountains that give way to endless desert, and stunning Moorish architecture. Discover the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Fez, venture into rose-colored kasbahs, and visit little-known mountain villages. Delve into the alleyways of spice-scented souks, and gaze at a star-studded sky while enjoying an astronomy talk in the Sahara.
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.
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.” Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the city of Marrakech. See the splendid Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs, and visit Bahia Palace. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; and soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where magicians and musicians captivate the passersby. Tonight, gather for a rooftop reception and dinner accompanied by traditional Gnaoua music in the heart of the old medina.
Continue exploring the sites of Marrakech today. Meander through the stunning Majorelle Garden, once owned by fashion designer 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, go behind the scenes in the lively medina and explore its labyrinth of merchant stalls and artisan workshops. See shops dedicated to everything imaginable, from carpets to leather goods to colorful spices. Learn about the traditional apprenticeship that each artisan must undergo before being judged by a board of masters, and observe artisans at work
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the High Atlas Mountains. 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. On a half-day excursion in the mountains, set out 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. Alternatively, venture to the quaint mountain village of Imlil and explore its narrow streets, soaking up the timeless atmosphere of rural Morocco.
Cross the Tichka Pass. Then drive through the Ounila Valley to the ancient fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, and delve into its warren of twisting lanes. Continue to the former colonial trading post of Ouarzazate.
Learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Then set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs. Arrive in Boumalne Dades, a small town nestled amid the crags and plateaus of the semidesert landscape. After lunch, head out on a walk in the dramatic Dades Gorge, admiring the spectacular scenery and enjoying an up close look at rural life.
Follow 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 dunes on a camel to watch the sun set on the Sahara. Settle into our comfortable Amazigh tented camp to dine under the star-studded sky, followed by an evening of celestial exploration that includes an astronomy talk and stargazing.
If you wish, wake early for a walk in the nearby dunes 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. Arrive in Fez early this evening, and check in to our hotel.
Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. Visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish quarter. Delve into the lively medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Discover the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa, characterized by its intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque. Enjoy a special dinner at a traditional Moroccan home, where you will enjoy a three-course private dining experience and Sufi musical entertainment.
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. Tonight, toast our Moroccan adventure at a special farewell dinner.
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.