Compare Morocco: Sahara & Beyond by G Adventures vs Magical Morocco Women-only Tour by Wanderlust and Lipstick

Day 1 Casablanca

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

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 at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque. In the evening, there will be a brief meeting where you will meet your CEO and fellow group members to go over the details of the tour.

Please note that if you are traveling to Morocco between November and February, your tour will have a level of flexibility based off of winter weather conditions on roads in the mountains. Heavy snow is not uncommon, so plan on packing warmer clothing to suit conditions.

Day 2 Casablanca to Fez

Set out on a guided tour of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. venture to Volubilis and discover the soaring columns and remarkably well-preserved mosaic floors of this ancient Roman outpost. Then, visit the remains of the medieval city of Meknès, which served as Morocco’s imperial capital in the 17th century. Then, enjoy lunch at a G Adventures–supported women’s cooperative. Continue to Fez and check in to our hotel.

Meknès is one of the four Imperial cities and its name and fame are closely linked to that of the Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made Meknès the centre of his empire and built many of the monuments that remain today. Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Once an important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman conquests, Volubilis was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. After lunch, Continue to Fès to spend the night. Stay in the new city of Fès, built by the French during their Protectorate of Morocco.

This is a long and busy day. The times listed are actual driving times and do not include stops. We will stop to explore Meknès and Volubilis, and not arrive in Fès until the evening.

Day 3 Fez

Step back in time on a walking tour of the medina of Fez, a spellbinding World Heritage site dating back to the 9th century. Skirt past donkey carts as you take in the dazzling sights, from colourful mounds of spices to vividly painted ceramics, and observe Fez’s famous tanners treating and dying hides in the traditional manner. Pay a visit to the breathtaking Madrasa al-Attarine, a masterpiece of intricate Islamic architecture, and pass by the famed Al-Karaouine Mosque—home to the longest continually operating university in the world. We’ll meet a local calligraphy expert at a café later this afternoon for a demonstration of Arabic writing.

Day 4 Fez to Marrakech

This morning, travel to Marrakech, a melting pot of Amazigh, West African, Mediterranenan, and Arab influences. Immerse yourself in the colour and chaos of Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s main square, where storytellers and magicians captivate passersby and vendors of all kinds peddle their wares. Enjoy mouthwatering street food for dinner: consider sampling harira, a traditional Moroccan soup, or tangia, a slow-cooked meat stew.

Day 5 Marrakech

Set out in the maze of tiny streets and alleyways and view the Koutoubia Minaret; then head to a spice shop to discover an array of Moroccan spices. After, visit a converted riad or traditional house for a hands-on cooking class, learning how to prepare a delicious tagine and a variety of salads, and enjoy your creations for lunch.This afternoon, take a historical walk of the ancient medina with our local guide, including visits to the enchanting Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, the 16th-century mausoleum where the Saadian dynasty ruler Ahmed al-Mansour and his family are interred.

Day 6 Marrakech/Aït Ben Haddou

Drive to Aït Ben Haddou, an ancient mudbrick settlement and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Explore this fascinating ksar, or fortified village, and compare the vistas of the city with scenes from the Game of Thrones series, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator—parts of which were filmed here.

Day 7 Aït Ben Haddou/Erg Chigaga

Travel through the Draa Valley towards the Sahara. Venture into the desert on 4x4s, making your way to the great dunes of Erg Chigaga. Settle into our comfortable desert camp and set off on a desert walk. Climb to the top of the dunes to catch an unforgettable sunset over the Sahara, the world’s largest desert. Enjoy a traditional dinner back at the camp and gather around a fire beneath the stars for an evening of storytelling and traditional music.

Spend the night in a simple desert camp which provides a peak into traditional desert living. Each tent is outfitted with sheets, pillows, a raised bed, towels, and covers against the desert cold and it has a separated ensuite with simple portable toilette and wash basin. While the accommodation is basic, it is quite comfortable and offers a truly unique experience.

Day 8 Erg Chigaga/Zagora

After breakfast, head out from the desert and pause at the small town of Tamegroute to visit a library of ancient Islamic texts. Then drive to the oasis town of Zagora, where a colourful regional market is held twice a week. Enjoy a talk on the history of the Draa region, centered around the Draa River—the longest river in Morocco—and unwind at our beautiful riad. Take a dip in the swimming pool, or relax with a drink on the patio.

Day 9 Zagora/Taroudant

Head off the beaten path towards the Anti-Atlas or Lesser Atlas mountains. Stop at the town of Taliouine, a thriving centre for harvesting saffron—the world’s most expensive spice—and continue to our stunning riad in Taroudant.

Day 10 Taroudant

Concealed within striking red walls and framed by snow-dusted peaks, the market town of Taroudant is often called “Little Marrakech.” Wander through the old town at leisure and browse its lively shops. Spend the afternoon at our riad, exploring its flower-laden paths or enjoying a book by the pool.

Day 11 Taroudant/Tafraout

Venture deeper into the Anti-Atlas region, known for its spectacular natural rock formations and stark, lunar landscapes. Visit Aït Mansour Gorge, a stunning valley of pink-hued cliffs that harbour lush palm groves. Take a walk through the valley in the shade of towering palms and have lunch at the home of a local family. Later, hike to the rock formation known as Le Châpeau de Napoléon, or Napoleon’s Hat, before continuing to Tafraout for the evening.

Day 12 Tafraout/Essaouira

Travel to the beautiful port town of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Stroll the windy beaches, soak in the leisurely atmosphere of the medina, and watch the hustle and bustle of fishermen at the port. Opt to check out the city’s happening live music scene.

Essaouira is also famous for its music scene and offers a great chance to check out a live performance.

Day 13 Essaouira

Enjoy a day of leisure in this charming coastal city, where Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Frank Zappa all famously travelled for inspiration. Walk along the 18th-century ramparts overlooking the Atlantic, and buy fresh fish from the market, which we’ll take to a local restaurant to cook up for our lunch. Opt to browse the colourful shops and art galleries that line the white-washed streets of the medina.

Day 14 Essaouira/Marrakech

Return to Marrakech and visit the ornate 12th-century Menara Gardens and the Majorelle Gardens, once owned by legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Opt to view the beautiful collection of Amazigh artifacts at the Berber Museum, or visit the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group tonight.

In the afternoon, have free time to further explore the fascinating city of Marrakech and dive into the labyrinthine souks. Visitors and locals alike find everything they desire here, whether it’s spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or famous Moroccan lanterns. The selection is exhaustive. Don’t forget to bargain. It's definitely part of the fun. Once you’ve tired yourself out, relax at one of the tea houses around the square, indulge in the ubiquitous sweet mint tea and watch life go by from a shady spot.

Day 15 Marrakech

Depart at any time.

Day 1: Casablanca

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Barcelo Anfa or similar in Casablanca.

Upon arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, you’ll be met by a driver and head to the hotel. You’ll have a chance to relax on this day prior to our welcome dinner at Rick’s Café!

You might know Rick’s from the iconic movie, Casablanca. Though this is not the original restaurant from the movie, it is filled with details reminiscent of the film-including the architecture and décor. The food is great, too!

Day 2: Casablanca - Chefchaouen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Lina Ryad and Spa or similar in Chefchaouen.

Today will be our first full day of touring. After breakfast, we’ll visit the most spectacular mosque that non-Muslims are allowed to enter, the Hassan II Mosque on Casablanca’s waterfront.

We’ll spend time visiting both the exterior and interior of the mosque on a guided tour, with plenty of time for photos.

Afterward, we’ll make the drive to Rabat, less than two hours away. There, we’ll visit a local female artisan who creates beautiful leather goods including purses, bags and other accessories. We’ll then have lunch at a wonderful restaurant in Rabat and then drive onward to Chefchouen (the Blue City) about a five-hour drive away.

We’ll arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon and have some time to relax before having dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Chefchaouen

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Lina Ryad and Spa or similar in Chefchaouen.

Today after breakfast, we’ll take a guided tour of this beautiful city perched on the side of a hill. We’ll meander through the alleys and (mostly) pedestrian streets to photograph the sea of blue walls, windows, doorways and steps.

Lunch will be on your own to give you time to wander the streets and have time for photographing this inspiring village. This will also be a great chance to browse the shops tucked away down all the alleys.

In the late afternoon, we’ll walk a slight uphill climb to the Spanish Mosque and enjoy the sunset there.

Afterward, we’ll have dinner at a fantastic local restaurant.

Day 4: Chefchaouen - Fes

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Sahrai or similar in Fes.

After a wonderful breakfast at our ryad, we’ll start the drive to Fes. Along the way, we’ll stop at Nzala Women’s Cooperative for a bread-making workshop. It’s here in the tiny town of N’zalat Bni Amar (pop. 2,000) that these women have also started a weaving cooperative to help bring income to their families and to the village. We’ll have an amazing homemade lunch with them and learn all about their projects.

We’ll then drive to Fes and check in to our hotel. (Total drive time is about five hours from Chefchaouen to Fes.)

You may want to rest in the late afternoon / evening and have a relaxing dinner (not included) at one of the hotel’s restaurants or bars. You might also just relax by the pool or take advantage of the hotel’s spa for a massage or hammam visit.

Alternately, for those interested, we can head to Fes’s medina and have dinner at The Ruined Garden–a truly magical and authentic Moroccan restaurant where the architecture and food will delight your senses.

Day 5: Fes

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Sahrai or similar in Fes.

We’ll start this morning with breakfast and then an early morning tour of Fes including the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Qarawiyyin—the oldest existing, continually operating, higher educational institution in the world. And, it was started by a woman (YES!).

Afterward, we’ll split into groups and take a tasting tour of the medina. This will be during lunch and will be all you need (and then some!) for a lunchtime meal. (You might bring a little baggie to store some treats because you likely can’t finish it all!)

After the tasting tour, we’ll continue through the medina for a tour of the tanneries, souqs and artisan quarters, building in some time to shop. We’ll also visit a pottery workshop where you’ll see artisans making pottery of all sizes and styles.

Tonight dinner is on your own. You may not be hungry after the tasting tour but if you are, you can always grab a bite (or more) to eat at one of the hotel’s restaurants or bars.

Highlight! The Fes medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a massive area of alleyways filled with shops, cafes, restaurants and residences. It’s mind-boggling that anyone could know their way around so we’ll be guided to help us through the maze

Day 6: Fes - Sahara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Luxury Camp or similar in the Sahara.

Today will be a long drive to get to the Sahara (approximately 10 hours) so we’ll want to start early.

Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch and other breaks to stretch our legs, take some photos, grab a drink and snacks, and use the restroom