
- 27 Sept - 7 October 2023
- 10 Nights / 11 days
- Weather 15 - 30 C
- Fitness - Med 5 km per day
- Price Range - $$
Casablanca ~ Chefchaouen ~ Meknes ~ Fez ~ Marrakech ~ Ait Ben Haddou ~ Sahara ~ Casablanca
The Magic
As the sun set on another magical day in this red country, you watch the merchants in their Djellaba close up shop for the day and you wander past small coffee houses and colourful lantern displays back to your welcoming Riad.
Entering this hidden exotic space, you make your way to your room which can only be described as romantic, complete with lush soft furnishings and a Moroccan tiled bathroom.
Resting onto the day bed in your room, you can’t help smiling about the delightful day you just had walking through the gardens, shopping for perfumes and handmade gifts, visiting a museum, eating in charming restaurants, and exploring with your amazing new friends!
Ah…the delights of Morocco! During our trip we will be staying in a selection of modern hotels and charming Riads, as well as a rustic fortified city and camping in the Sahara Desert!
- You want to explore an ancient and magical place.
- You want to travel to an exotic location, but perhaps wouldn’t do it on your own.
- You really enjoy eating Moroccan food and trying new things.
- You adore learning about different cultures and peoples.
- You are excited to explore the souks and medinas with all their colour and vibrancy.
- You are excited to explore the souks and medinas with all their colour and vibrancy.
- Two nights in an historic Kasbah has you imagining Arabian Nights.
- A nights in the desert glamping under the stars sounds like heaven to you.
Discover Historical Casablanca, Colourful Chefchaouen, Ancient Fez, Saharan Nights and the Magic of Marrakech!
A $500 Deposit is required to secure your spot on this tour. The remainder is due 75 days prior to departure.
You can add Egypt to the Moroccan tour on the reservation form
Itinerary
19 October 2022 Casablanca
Casablanca’s handsome Mauresque buildings, which meld French-colonial design and traditional Moroccan style, are best admired in the Downtown area. Visitors who spend time here are sure to get into the local swing of things and realise that this old pirate lair is looking towards the future, embracing the European-flavoured urban sophistication that has underpinned life here for the past century.
Our first day has been set aside just to arrive and rest after the long flight. People who arrive in time for dinner can join for dinner at the hotel. Time TBA.
*PLease note we do NOT suggest you arrive early as there is not a lot to do in Casablanca. If you are arriving early in the day you can catch a taxi to the largest shopping centre in Africa, Morocco Mall! This will certainly take a few hours. Or you can take a walk around the local area. If you require extra nights accommodation we can arrange this and your airport transfer for $250AUD plus $25 per person for airport transfers.
Drive Time from airport to accommodation – 1 hour
OVERNIGHT – Kenzi Tower Hotel
Twin Center
Boulevard Zerktouni
20100 Casablanca
20 October 2022 – Casablanca to Chefchaouen
This morning we visit the the imposing Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world; and the old Church of the Sacred Heart, in neo-Gothic style as well as the place Mohammed V, inspired by art deco and with beautiful portals and immaculate facades.
After this we will head to Rabat, capital of Morocco for a harbour side lunch and then continue on to Chefchaouen, the famous blue city.
Beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. While tourism has definitely taken hold, the balance between ease and authenticity is just right. The old medina is a delight of Moroccan and Andalusian influence with red-tiled roofs, bright-blue buildings and narrow lanes converging on busy Plaza Uta El Hammam and its restored kasbah. Long known to backpackers for the easy availability of kif (cannabis), the town has rapidly gentrified and offers the prefect photo opportunity.
Drive Time – 5 hours
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Chefchaouen
21 October 2022 – Chefchaouen – Fez
After breakfast and a tour of Chefchaouen we will then drive to Meknes, a city known for its Imperial past.
We will visit Volubilis. Sitting in the middle of a fertile plain, the ruined Roman city of Volubilis is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco. Its most amazing features are the many beautiful mosaics preserved in situ, and it was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997. Volubilis is about 33km north of Meknes and a four hour drive from Fez.
Drive Time – 3 hours
Then onto Fes and arriving in time for a delicious dinner in our romantic riad in the old quarter.
An ancient breeding ground for scholars and artisans, imams and gourmands – Fez is a supremely self-confident city with a historical and cultural lineage that beguiles visitors. And there is something intangibly raw about a place where 70,000 people still choose to live in the maelstrom of a medina so dark, dense and dilapidated that it remains the world’s largest car-free urban area. Donkeys cart goods down the warren of alleyways as they have done since medieval times, and ruinous pockets loom around every corner – though a government drive to restore Fès el-Bali to its former glory is spurring changes.
Fez’ medina can seem like it’s in a state of perpetual pandemonium; some visitors fall instantly in love and others recoil in horror. But its charms are many. Seemingly blind alleys lead to squares with exquisite fountains and streets bursting with aromatic food stands, rooftops unveil a sea of minarets, and stooped doorways reveal the workshops of tireless artisans.
Drive Time – 3 hours
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Fez (This accommodation is a 10 minute cobblestone walk in the old medina)
22 October 2022 – Fez
Join in for an optional morning meditation session on the roof of the Riad overlooking the old town, connect with the Call to Prayer.
After a leisurely breakfast todays tour starts at Bab Boujloud, the ornate blue gate leading into the medina, and Moulay Idriss Mausoleum.
We will visit the university of Al-Qarawiyyin, which is both a university and a mosque situated in the heart of the medina. UNESCO has named it the oldest continuously functioning educational institution in the world. We will also pass other schools such as the Madrasa Bouanania built by Sultan Abu Inan Faris and the Madrasa Al-Attarine created by Sultan Uthman II Abu Said. Onto the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and see the traditional tools used by craftsmen, also the Berber carpets and musical instruments.
We will visit the tannery, the largest tannery in Africa. Visit the Mellah or Jewish Quarter and the old Ibn Danan Synagogue, dating from the 17th century. After the Medina we will go outside the Medina walls to the main gate of the Royal Palace where you’ll see craftsmen at work and you’ll enjoy the view of the large plaza and its palm trees.
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Fez Old Town
23 October 2022 – Fez to Ait Ben Haddou
This morning we visit a small village outside Fes, Bhalil and meet people who are still living in ancient caves, some families for more than 12 generations.
We then catch our flight to Marrakech, and at around 12.30pm then get excited because this afternoon we get picked up by our Berber guides to drive over the Atlas Mountains to famous Ait Ben Haddou!
Meals – Breakfast
Fly from Fez to Marrakech (15 kilos checked baggage internal flights and 7 kilos hand luggage)
OVERNIGHT – Ait Ben Haddou
24 October 2022 – Ait Ben Haddou
Wake up in magical Ait Ben Haddou – Partake in an early morning stretch/yoga class on the terrace as the sun rises overlooking the valley. This impressive and well-preserved kasbahs and UNESCO world heritage site, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. We will take a morning tour with our local guide “Ali Berber” to visit this picturesque fortified village, which has been used as a film location in numerous famous films such as ‘Gladiator’, ‘Alexander’ and ‘The Mummy’.
In the afternoon there is free time to wander lane-ways, shop for carpets and jewelry head to a quaint little coffee shop or read your book by the pool.
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Ait Ben Haddou
25 October 2022 Ait Ben Haddou – Sahara
This morning we make our way via four wheel drive to our Sahara Camp. We will arrive in the afternoon in time to relax before setting out on our sunset camel ride. Then watch the stars come out before dining in the salon and then being joined by our local guides “The Berbers” for some drumming around the camp fire. Enjoy a peaceful nights sleep in total silence, ah bliss. *Please note there are no showers during this part of the journey. Each tent has an ensuite attached with a comfortable eco toilet, (bucket with seat and sand, it does not smell). You also have fresh water to watch with and brush your teeth and drink, its really very comfortable for camping and if only for one nights most people find it fine.
*Optional extra cost for the camel ride approx $40AUD.
Meals – Breakfast & Dinner
OVERNIGHT – Camp Adounia – Sahara
26 October 2022 Sahara to Marrakech
Today we have a big drive back to Marrakech, 10 hours with stops along the way for loo breaks, Nos Nos (excellent very small coffees with milk so we have less loo breaks) and lunch. This drive is like driving through the wild west, mud brick houses, donkeys, spinifex and saloons 😉 (not really but I did see a bottle shop once). Then over the spectacular Atlas Mountains, part moonscape, part magical landscape, wild and harsh. Sometimes along the road you can find people selling “Thunder Eggs” agate and geodes, another one of natures wonders. I remember once stopping for a break along the road and coming out and asking our drivers where is everyone?” and them responding, “oh just buying rocks” like this is an normal thing to do! And then I saw them and thought hmmmm how much room do I have left in my baggage allowance.
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Marrakech
27 October 2022 – Marrakech
9am Breakfast
10am Explore Marrakech – A day of sites, walk through the medina, stop at the herbologist for all your lotions and potions, head to a french patisserie for a coffee and cake, sustenance before we make our way to the Badi and Bahia places, both located in the Jewish quarter. We will explore the world famous medina of Marrakech and the Katoubia Mosque, which has the largest minaret in the Muslim world, before hitting Jma El Fna, the most famous square in Morocco with its snake charmers, food stalls and general mayhem. Free time to wander.
Dinner – Comptioar Darna – Part theatre part Moroccan Feast
Meals – Breakfast
OVERNIGHT – Marrakesh
28 October 2022 – Marrakech – Casablanca
After a relaxing breakfast of croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice coffee, fruit salad, homemade yoghurt, tea and coffee we visit the Marjorelle Gardens and Yves St Laurent Museum. Along the way we can see the modern part of Marrakech Guilez, outside the medina walls and soak in the vibe for a modern and cosmopolitan Marrakech.
Then before heading Back to Casablanca we hit my favourite shopping spot (no haggling required) the “Ensemble Artisinal Marrakech”. I have saved this for the last day so you can get any last minute pressies you have missed. The easy to navigate coop has a little bit of everything we have seen on our travels, lamps, handbags, shoes, Argan oil, jewellery its all here and at the most reasonable prices.
Then onto Casablanca for our last night, returning to where we started, full circle.
Dinner – Ricks Cafe! *self pay
29 October 2022 – Casablanca Tour Concludes
Wake up in Casablanca. Get ready to head to the airport for your next flight.
It’s always sad when a good thing comes to an end, but this creates space for our next great adventure. ~ Tammie
NB* Trip Starts in Casablanca and ends in Casablanca so please arrange your flights accordingly. Please arrive on start day at anytime, there are no activities planned for this day, please do not arrive a day early. Please arrange your departure flight on the last day.
Inclusions
- 2 nights Casablanca
- 1 night Chefchaouen
- 2 nights Fez
- 2 nights Marrakech
- 2 Night staying at a Kasbah – Enroute to Sahara
- 1 Nights Camp in the Sahara Dessert (all meals included)
- Airport transfers – arrival to Casablanca and departure from Casablanca
- All Breakfasts included
- Flights from Fez to Marrakech
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca
- Private vehicle throughout with travel guide
- Guided walking tours throughout with a licenced professional guide
- Shopping and sight seeing with Tammie
- Horse and carriage ride to Marjorelle Gardens
- Optional yoga and meditation class - time, location and weather permitting
What is not included
- Airfares to and from Casablanca
- Some Lunches and Dinners (prices for these can vary from very cheap to western prices depending on where you are eating)
- Personal purchases (The shopping is fabulous in Marrakesh, leave space in your bags girls!)
- Drinks and alcohol purchases (we can bring beer and wine to the desert also!)
- Tipping, we suggest $25 per person per day = $250AUD and we collect this at the beginning of the trip to be distributed amongst out drivers, hotel staff and guides
- Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
Optional extra’s (additional cost)
- Spa treatments and visit to the hammam
- Camel Ride



If you want to make the most of your adventure you can join us after this trip for our Ancient and Enchanting Egypt trip.
If you choose to join us in Egypt you will require two extra nights accommodation which we can arrange for you, single is $240AUD and twin share $280AUD per night, as well as flights from Casablanca to Cairo, approx. $400AUD.
Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days, 50% of the final payment, this is in addition to the non refundable, non-transferable deposit will be forfeited. For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us. Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you. This is why travel insurance is compulsory.
Entry Requirements – Passports must be valid for six months beyond the length of stay. You will also have to show your air ticket as proof of onward travel.
Visa Requirements – Australian citizens will receive a 90-day Visa on Arrival upon entering the country and do not need to apply for the Visa beforehand.
Arriving in Morocco:
Arrivals – Casablanca airport – Mohammed V International Airport (IATA: CMN, ICAO: GMMN) is an airport located in Nouasseur, a suburb 30 km south-east of Casablanca. Traffic can be bad, and it can take an hour by car to reach Casablanca city from the airport.
Please depart the airport through the only exit and find this sign in the picture below. It does not matter which gate you arrive to there is only one exit from the airport. Your driver will be waiting here with a sign with your name on it. If you cannot find your driver please contact our local guide Aziz on +212663440592.
HOTEL where you are staying – Kenzi Tower Hotel
Twin Center
Boulevard Zerktouni
20100 Casablanca
Tel: +212 (0) 522 97 80 00
Email: info-tower@kenzi-hotels.com
We do not recommend arriving early to Casablanca as we have provided one nights accommodation complimentary just for arrivals on the 19th of October. If you choose to arrive earlier that the 19th of October please note that no guides will be available to assist you and check in at hotels is 2pm. Extra nights’ accommodation are charged at $250AUD per room and airport transfers before the 19th are charged at $25 per person. Please note we cannot arrange additional accommodation for after this tour.
Departures – Casablanca anytime 29th of October 2022.
We do not recommend arriving early to Casablanca as we have provided one nights accommodation complimentary just for arrivals on the 19th of October. If you choose to arrive earlier that the 19th of October please note that no guides will be available to assist you and check in at hotels is 2pm. Extra nights accommodation are charged at $250AUD per room and airport transfers before the 19th are charged at $25 per person. Please note we cannot arrange additional accommodation for after this tour.
As information regarding Covid 19 is being changed and updated regularly we will notify you closer to the start of your tour if there are any specific entry requirements for your tour such as being vaccinated or needing to have a negative PCR test on arrival. At that time of creating this tour there were no quarantine requirements for this country.
To add Egypt to your Morocco Tour you will require 2 extra nights accommodation in Egypt after the Morocco tour has concluded on the 29th and 30th of October 2022 and a flight from Casablanca to Cairo.
A flight from Casablanca to Cairo is around $400AUD. We will suggest a flight for you to closer to the time.
Extra nights accommodation in Cairo will cost $250 for a single per night and $300 for a twinshare including airport transfers. We can book your extra nights accommodation and airport transfers for you.
The Dirham is officially designated as a closed currency meaning it can only be traded within Morocco,however, Dirhams are being sold and bought in travel agencies and at major airports in several countries. The import and export of the currency is tolerated up to a limit of 1000DH. You can also use Euros in most hotels and shops, it is widely accepted. It is recommended to bring some Euros with you, perhaps €200 to get you started and other currencies we can change close to the hotel in day one in Casablanca. If you require cash straight away arriving in Morocco please use the ATM at the airport not the money changer as they can be dishonest. If they do have Moroccan Dirhams at your airport before you leave it is not recommended to get more than 1000 Dirhams as being a closed currency they do not like you to bring money in and out of the country. Usually up to 1000 is accepted but we cannot guarantee this.
- Do not change money at the Casablanca airport (they are terrible!)
- Do bring Euros
- Do not bring Australian Dollars
- Do bring credit cards and use ATM’s
The average daily temperature in the months of September/October linger around 21 degrees Celsius. This average includes a potential low of 15 degrees Celsius, which often occurs during the night, and a high of 27 degrees Celsius. Getting prepared for the anticipated high will be the important factor to consider when packing and planning your holiday.
Despite entering the autumn season, Marrakesh sees around nine hours of sunshine on any given day. This gives you plenty of time to spend your day outdoors exploring the souks and various sites of interest.
Please complete and return your important guest information form to us 60 days before departure. Click HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.
There are no direct long-distance flights to Casablanca from Australia or the USA, you will have to stop on the way. Morocco is easy to access from the UK and Europe. Check www.skyscanner.com for your options.
You need to arrive on the 19th of October 2022. We have included a complimentary nights accommodation for you on the first night just to settle in, there is no sightseeing planned for this day it is just a rest day. *Please note that Casablanca in primarily an industrial port city and we do not recommend arriving early as there is not much to see here and things that are noteworthy we see the following day.
Please arrange your departure for the 29th of October for after 13.30pm as this will give you time to get to the airport and also allows for a contingency for our flight from the Sahara.
We have both single and twinshare rooms available. The single room has the supplement included. If you choose twinshare and are not travelling with a friend we will do our best to find you a roommate however in the event noone else is seeking a twinshare roommate then the single room rate will apply. We hope you understand.
*Please note that snorers, smokers or people who wear CPAP machines when sleeping must disclose this when booking as this could impact other peoples sleep and they need to be aware of this.
**We cannot guarantee compatibility of roommates, for example you may be of different ages or nationalities, however mostly when we do match people up they get on well and its only for a short period of time. Some people have even made lifelong friendships.
*** Twin share room s in Morocco often the beds are narrow and close together. This is because a lot of furniture is built into the room. For example on a concrete base. Or, the rooms are narrow so beds cannot separated by much distance, maybe just a small side table between.
Our groups are usually between 12 and 18 participants. These are ideal numbers as they are small enough to be manageable and intimate but large enough for diversity and fun!
I’m sure most people are aware that Moroccans use Tagines to cook, (as they don’t have electic or gas ovens). They cook each meal from scratch so note it can take time. The other common food in Morocco is couscous. For a country that was previously colonised by the French its a shame there isn’t more French influence in the cooking. You can see the French flavours however at breakfast when we carb load croissants, brioche, cake, crepes and anything else made from gluten. Fruits salad, yogurt and fresh juice also available.
*Please note this is not a trip for the coeliacs and in fact on these tours we are unable to accommodate complex dietary requirements or allergies. We have tried to in the past however local people do not understand the requirements and we don’t want to be responsible for people being unwell and we just can’t guarantee that the kitchens will get it right. I have to say meat eaters find it easier and have more variety than vegetarians in Morocco as they are predominantly a meat eating country. On most menus you can also find pasta and soups, unfortunately fresh salads are rare as these vegetables cannot be grown locally.
*Only drink bottled water
The people of Morocco are kind, warm, and well known around the world for their hospitality. A Moroccan, after having just met you, will invite you to his home for a feast of all they have to give, even if they are of meager means. They value building personal relationships, and want to help others for the sake of it, not always for their own personal gain. Family is important to Moroccans and you will often find extended family gathering for meals, tea, and visits. Moroccans will often ask you about the health and well-being of your own family, even if they have never met them. They have a genuine interest in concern for other people. Personal honor and respect is most important to Moroccans so crossing these lines can quickly turn a valuable relationship sour almost immediately.
You will find many men and woman wearing the traditional djellaba, a long hooded robe worn over their clothes. Women add the hijab, or head covering in a sign of submission to God. For special occasions, a caftan replaces the djellaba. The main difference between the two is that a caftan is made of more expensive fabrics and does not include the traditional hood. It is also adorned with lace, embroidery beading of bright colors. You will find just as many men and women among the younger generation wearing Western style clothing such as T-shirts and jeans and modern suits.
Most countries do not require a visa to enter Morocco, (This includes Australia, New Zealand, Britain, United States, Canada, Other EU countries). You do however require a passport valid for more than 6 months and a return or exiting plane ticket.
Yes but in the very best way. Morocco is extremely old, beautiful and romantic. The people are predominately Arabs and very friendly. There are however lots of hawkers or touts which can become tiresome. Always remain polite and respectful and your trip should be a pleasant one. Like most Muslim countries you will see a lot more men than women, as women are predominantly at home. Morocco is a modern, cosmopolitan country in many ways and people really want to encourage tourists and do their best to accommodate us. *Please wear appropriate clothing for a Muslim country ie cover shoulders and knees.
Well, that depends on your shopping habits! You will need to allocate around $15 – $30 per meal lunches and dinners and then add on extra for personal spending. Alcohol is always more expensive in countries where people don’t drink and is taxed highly. I tell people to bring around $500AUD to change on arrival to Casablanca, (not at the airport as they have terrible rates but we will find you a money changer in Casablanca city or the concierge at our hotel can help). Then bring a credit card for the other larger spending.
Yep, you sure can. We can arrange extra nights and airport transfers for $200AUD per night. If you wish to stay longer to see more sights please send us your desired itinerary and we can get our ground staff to price it for you with a guide. Please note this will be independent travel, ie a Vibrant Women representative will not be with you.
Our dedicated Travel Manager Kerstin can also help you, please see below “Arranging Flights”.
Yes, I think that is a great idea.
You don’t know me and I want you to! Please view previous testimonial here to get an idea of what our past guest have to say about us and also if you just flick me an email to tammie@vibrantwomen.com.au I will arrange a time to call you or just give me a call – (+61) 0459247122 this works for Whatsapp too.
Great! You can just complete the registration form on the link above. The deposit is $750AUD, this is becasue we need to book flights, accommodation and pay deposits for transport, guides etc, well in advance. The remainder is to be paid 75 days prior to the start of the tour. Our payment system is automated and once you book you will have a manage booking log in where you can make additional payments at any time.
We use Kerstin Rheinlander for our flights. Contact details : Mobile: 0448 958 366 Phone: 1-300-024-856 Email: kerstin.rheinlander@travelmanagers.com.au
Website: https://www.travelmanagers.com.au/ptm/KerstinRheinlander
Facebook: @TravelManagersKerstinRheinlander Instagram: @travelmanagers_kerstinr
Kerstin knows our itineraries and can also provide you with travel insurance and additional support if you want to extend your tours.
Please note that organising tours so far in advance and in the current climate means that sometimes the program has to change due to changes in flight schedules or for other reasons, please allow for this when managing expectations and understand we are doing our best to navigate a new travel environment.