Intrepid North Morocco Adventure

• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.
• Embrace the Atlantic breeze in the coastal town of Tangier and see the vivid blue hues of Chefchaouen over sunset, while you explore the houses and laneways of this surreal city.
• Experience the local hospitality during your homestay with a charming local family in Moulay Idriss – where you can enjoy a hearty homecooked feast by your host and learn about their culture.
• Relive a medieval past in bustling Fes. While many tourists get lost in the labyrinthine streets of the medina, you'll have a local guide to show you the way.
• See the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis, which rise from the Jebel Zerhoun Plain, and get lost in the charm of the zigzagging lanes in the once imperial capital of Meknes.
• Where else would you find drummers, dancers, fortune tellers, jugglers, street food vendors and old medicine men all in one place? In Marrakech of course, exploring the acclaimed Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Meals

7 Breakfasts

Transport

Public Bus , Private vehicle , Taxi , Train , High Speed Train

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (6 nights)

Included Activities

• Chefchaouen - Sunset viewpoint
• Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes - Medina walking tour
• Fes - Medresse el Attarine
• Fes - Tannery visit
• Marrakech - Medina walking tour
• Marrakech - Spiced Sand Coffee
• Meknes - Leader-led orientation walk
• Moulay Idriss - Leader-led village walk
• Tangier - Leader-led orientation walk
• Volubilis - Entrance and guided tour

Day - 1

Location: Casablanca - Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco and the bustling city of Casablanca. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe you’d like to visit the art deco Villa des Arts – this gorgeous gallery dates back to the 1930s and holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you're looking for a different cultural experience, you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism. There’s a lot to see and do in Casablanca, so if you’d like to spend more time here before your trip begins, just speak to your booking agent.  

Day - 2

Location: Tangier/Chefchaouen - This morning, take the TGV fast train to the coastal town of Tangier – a place of strategic importance to the Mediterranean as a gateway to Africa. Head out on a short orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy some free time exploring the town. Maybe duck into Café Hafa, which has hosted celebrities in the past like Sean Connery, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Why not enjoy the epic view overlooking the Gibraltar while you partake in the national brew of Morocco – a steaming cup of mint tea? In the afternoon, take a private transfer to the beautiful Chefchaouen. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista – so you might just feel like you're in the hills of Spain. Follow your leader on an orientation walk and head to a great sunset viewpoint overlooking the town. In the evening, if you're feeling peckish, the local goat’s cheese is a popular treat.

Day - 3

Location: Chefchaouen - Today is a free day in Chefchaouen. Maybe take a guided tour of the sights, sounds and smells of the medina, or sample the delicious local specialties (the orange juice is delicious!) at a cafe in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Alternatively, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a hike and picnic in the surrounding hills. The hiking tour outside of the city is a popular option, as you can leave the shades of blue for a journey across the Rif Mountains and join your guide to Akchour Falls – a gorgeous natural wonder, abundant with lush mountains, rivers and waterfalls. In the evening, how about tucking into a tagine at a local restaurant or visiting a hammam – a traditional Moroccan spa? The night is yours to enjoy. 

Day - 4

Location: Moulay Idriss - This morning, enjoy a spot of breakfast and then take a scenic drive through the countryside to the sacred village of Moulay Idriss. Explore the medina of this ancient town and gain an insight into traditional Moroccan life. See where the faithful gather to pay homage at the tomb of Moulay Idriss – the great-grandson of Mohammed, who brought Islam to Morocco. At sunset, enjoy the views over the plains of Volubilis below. Tonight, you’ll stay in a welcoming, local guesthouse and enjoy a hearty feast cooked by your host. Swap stories and learn about their culture – this is a truly unique experience.

Day - 5

Location: Volubilis/Meknes/Fes - Today, take a guided tour of the World Heritage-listed site of Volubilis – once one of the Roman empire's most remote bases. The remains make an undeniably impressive sight as they come into view on the edge of the long, high plateau. Explore the ancient hilltop ruins while your local guide gives you a deeper insight into the history of the place. After, continue to Meknes and take a couple of hours to explore at your own pace. The adventurous may want to try a camel burger for lunch at a local restaurant in the medina – don’t knock it ‘til you try it! Continue to Fes in the afternoon, where you'll spend the next two nights. Fes is the most complete medieval city in the Arab world, and the most ancient of Morocco's imperial cities. Known as the spiritual and cultural heart of the country, this is a great spot to find a local restaurant for an optional dinner with your group.

Day - 6

Location: Fes - This morning, enjoy breakfast and then take a guided walking tour of the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali. Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the medina, which is alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques. Pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania – one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Visit Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduq al-Najjarin – a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. The afternoon is free for you to explore. You might like to feast on a dinner of Moroccan specialties tonight, like harira (chickpea soup) and chicken-stuffed pies with couscous.

Day - 7

Location: Marrakech - Say goodbye to Fes and hop on a train to Marrakech. Ride along with the locals through the scenic landscape and arrive late afternoon. Join your knowledgeable local guide for a walking tour in the medina and meet a local character on the way who’s passionate about coffee and has devised a special way of brewing in the hot sand. Tonight, join the crowds for an optional dinner in the Jemaa el Fnaa – the city's main square and one of the largest public meeting places in the world. When night falls, it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls that are loaded with Moroccan favourites.

Day - 8

Location: Marrakech - There are no activities planned for today and your trip ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring in Marrakech (subject to availability), just speak to your booking agent.