14-Nights Morocco: Sahara & Beyond - National Geographic Journeys

G Adventures

Morocco: Sahara & Beyond
Discover the rich cultural heritage of Morocco, where many distinct peoples have left their indelible mark-from ancient Romans to the Arabs to the French–and encounter the living legacy of North Africa’s indigenous Amazigh, or Berbers. Explore the atmospheric souks of Marrakech and Fez, witnessing age-old crafts like damascening and hand-painted ceramics; venture to the ancient adobe village of Aït Ben Haddou, used as a filming location for many Hollywood productions; and enjoy lunch with an Amazigh family in a small oasis village. Then head to Essaouria, the windy Atlantic city that was a onetime haven for pirates-and now musicians.

Highlights
Visit a women's co-op and enjoy a local lunch, watch storytellers and acrobats at Djemaa el Fna square, learn about Moroccan cuisine with a cooking class in a traditional Amazigh house, traverse the Sahara Desert by 4x4, try to mimic a local expert's elegant sweeps in an Islamic calligraphy class.

Accommodation
Hotels (13 nts), comfortable desert camp (1 nt).

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Group Size Notes
Max 12, Avg 10.

Meals Included
14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Islamic Calligraphy Class, Fès Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Moroccan Foodie Experience, Marrakech Your G for Good Moment: Mhaya Village Community Lunch, Meknès Your Foodie Moment: Djemaa el Fna Market Square Visit, Marrakech. Arrival transfer. Guided city tour of Meknès. Guided tour of Volubilis. Guided walking tour of the Fès medina including artisans' quarters and Fès tannery. Guided night walk of Djemaa el Fna square. Marrakech medina walk and spice shop visit. Marrakech tour including souks, Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs. Visit the ancient kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Sahara excursion by 4x4 including a visit to the town of Tamegroute. Overnight in a comfortable, traditional desert camp with dinner under the stars and sunset desert walk. Explore the Draa region and orientation tour of Zagora. Taroudant market visit. Aït Mansour Gorge excursion. Visit to Tafraoute. Explore Essaouira. Visit Menara Gardens and the Jardin Majorelle. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Featured Destinations

Tafraout Tafraout Tafraout is a secluded oasis in the Anti Atlas Mountains where visitors will experience ancient traditions, friendly locals and a taste of Morocco's Berber heartland.	Destination Guide
Erg Chegaga Erg Chegaga Erg Chegaga (Chigaga) is a deluxe desert camp on one of the two major dunes of the Sahara in Morocco.
Ait Benhaddou Ait Benhaddou Located in Ouarzazate, this recognized UNESCO site is considered the most outstanding Kasbahs in Morocco. Ait Benhaddou is made up of 60 individual Kasbahs, and shows a perfect example of pise clay architecture. This picturesque Kasbah is best shot at sunrise or sunset, when you get the perfect golden rays that set across the village.
Essaouira Essaouira Essaouria has been a trading post for almost 3000 years and has retained much of its classic charm. One of the most impressive sights of Essaouria is its gates. Being one of Morocco's main fortified coastal towns, Essaoria has many well preserved medieval gates and walls. Along the walls vendors and farmers set out mats and carts to sell their products. Essaoiura also offers visitors opportunities for water sports, including surfing and windsurfing.	Destination Guide
Taroudant Taroudant Taroudant is a walled Berber market town, located south of the High Atlas Mountains and north of the Anti Atlas Mountains in the Souss Valley. Taroudant is known for its leather tanneries, souks, wonderfully varied geography and friendly locals.	Destination Guide
Zagora Zagora Visit historical sites and learn about the fascinating history of Zagora, located in southeastern Morocco in the Draa River valley. Enjoy views of the mountain Zagora, from which the town got its name.	Destination Guide
Marrakech Marrakech Marrakech, known as the "Pearl of the South," is an oasis in southwestern Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, with rose-colored ramparts and a thousand year old palm grove. Sumptuous and exuberant, it radiates splendor and mysticism and casts a magic spell on all who visit. Marrakesh has the largest berber market (souk) in Morocco and also hosts the busiest square in Africa. Founded in 1062 as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty, it continued in the 12th century as capital of the Almohads. Marrakech remained a political, economic and cultural center for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. Marrakech also became known as a magnet for some of the greatest saints of Islam, many of whom are buried within the city. Marrakech, like Fez, is a genuinely Islamic city in both its genesis and traditions. Marrakech has impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors and gardens. Other architectural jewels include the Bandia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs and Place Jamaa El Fna, an open-air theater. The modern city was constructed in 1913 during the French occupation of the country and reflects the European influence. But the essence of the city remains the same.	Destination Guide
Fes (Fez) Fes (Fez) Fes (Fez) has been the capital of Morocco for more than 400 years and is home to the oldest university in the country and the leading cultural and religious center. Fes is also the home of the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, a city that has remained almost unchanged through the modern ages and still very alive. Today Fes has its own culture, pride, art and cuisine. Bustling with artisans and merchants, its captivating sounds, fragrances and colors mesmerize the visitor with a constant swirl of activity.	Destination Guide
Casablanca Casablanca Casablanca today boasts one of Africa's largest ports. The Place Mohammed V is the heart of the city; the main boulevards branch out from here. Casablanca is the kingdom's commercial capital; most of the cultural activities are concentrated here, from art galleries to excellent international restaurants. The Hassan II Mosque completed in 1993 is among the largest in the world, boasting the tallest minaret. Casablanca is no doubt Morocco's window on the world and is a fast-paced cosmopolitan city where trends are created and modernism parts company with traditionalism or tries to blend them. Casablanca is one of the world's most interesting and open Muslim cities. Some of the best restaurants are found along Boulevard Mohammed el Hansali and on the way to beach resorts. Casablanca's beaches and exclusive suburb are located to the east of the city along the Boulevard de la Corniche. This is a very trendy area, lined with four-star hotels, restaurants and bars.	Destination Guide

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