Mountains & Imperial Cities
10 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Marrakesh, Aït Benhaddou, Todra River, Midelt, Fes, Volubilis, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Meknes, Bin El Ouidane
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AMB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The High Atlas Mountains of central Morocco are the perfect back drop to the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fez and Meknes. This fast paced journey through Africa's northern kingdom gives us time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains, as well as allowing time to immerse ourselves in the a chaotic blend of spices, perfume and Arabic chatter of the cities.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Marrakech
Location: Marrakesh
Start Marrakech. Evening group meeting
Les Trois Palmiers or similar
Day 2 : Through The High Atlas Mountains To Ait Benhaddou
Location: Aït Benhaddou
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
With time to explore Marrakech at the end of our journey, we leave the Red City behind and head east into the Atlas Mountains. Our destination for the day is the well-preserved Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most spectacular sights of the Atlas Mountains, made famous as the filming location for several Hollywood films including 'Gladiator'. The route takes us over Tizi N Tichka pass, the highest in Morocco, arriving mid-afternoon. We will then have time for a walk around the town before dinner.
Marrakech –Ait Ben Hadou: 190 km with 4h30min Drive
Ksar el janoub or similar
Day 3 : Walk In The Todgha Gorges
Location: Todra River
Meals Included: breakfast
Leaving after breakfast we drive approximately 4 hours on from Ait Benhaddou to reach the Todgha Gorge. A canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains, 15 miles long and over 1,000m high. On arrival we take lunch and then have a two hour walk, starting in the Todgha Valley before heading into the gorge itself. The walk is not challenging and the natural rock walls of the canyon provide shade from the Moroccan sun. Overnight at our hotel in the valley.
Ait Ben Hadou –Tinghir: 210 km 4h Drive
Hotel Royal Palms or Similar
Day 4 : Through The Ziz Valley To Midelt
Location: Midelt
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Our journey today takes us on one of the smaller passes across the Atlas Mountains to the town of Midelt, a remote settlement still quite new to Morocco's tourist map. The pass takes us through the beautiful Ziz Valley, with its lush palmeries and dramatic mountain views. The town itself is populated largely by Berber people, but was settled by the French at the beginning of the 20th century. It was the second town, after Casablanca to get electricity in the country.On arrival we'll have some free time to explore the town with a stop for tea and cakes with a local family.
Tinghir –Midelt: 270km, 5h30 drive
Hotel Taddart or Similar
Day 5 : Across The Middle Atlas Range To Fez
Location: Fes
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Today we cross the Middle Atlas Mountains. Although not as high as the High Atlas, the range is surprisingly lush containing forests of oak and cedar as well as large swaths of fertile land used for growing all manner of fruits, nuts and cereals. En route we will stop in the small town of Ifran known for its distinctive European architecture, looking more like it belongs in the Alps than the Atlas.On arrival in Fez we should have a some free time before we enjoy a traditional Pastilla dinner, a famous dish from this region of Morocco, at a nearby restaurant.
Midelt – Fes: 210 km, 4h30 drive
Riad Tafilalet or Similar
Day 6 : Full Day In Fez
Location: Fes
Meals Included: breakfast
This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded over a thousand years ago, Fez has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges) including the 9th century al-Karaouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. The medina in Fez is one of the largest in the world, an immense and confusing warren of souks home to thousands of craftsmen with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy and pungent, the medina of Fez is a totally absorbing and unique experience. Our city guide walks us through different sections of the souk - from those selling leather to brass, copper and ceramics. And of course, no visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina we shall visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive to a panoramic viewpoint over the medina.
Riad Tafilalet or Similar
Day 7 : Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes
Location: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Meknes
Meals Included: breakfastlunch
After breakfast we travel to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by the 1755 earthquake, this important Roman town managed to retain some detailed and very beautiful mosaics. Our next destination is the sacred hilltop town of Moulay Idriss. Once off limits to non-Muslims, the picturesque medina offers an excellent insight into traditional Moroccan life. We will visit a family with whom we will share a lunch of home-cooked couscous. In the afternoon we travel to Meknes, our next imperial city, where we enjoy a walking tour of this former capital, including the impressive gate with its arches of mosaic tiles. Overnight in imperial Meknes.
Fes –Volubilis – Meknes: 110 km, 2h30 min drive (1h15 visit volubilis)
Hotel Swami or similar
Day 8 : Transfer To Bin Louidane
Location: Bin El Ouidane
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
We break our journey to Marrakech in the small town of Bin Louidane. The ride from Meknes takes us on a different road across the Middle Atlas mountain range. On arrival there will be time to enjoy a gentle walk around the lake, a contrasting experience in a country so famous for its dry desert landscape. In the evening we will enjoy a barbecue dinner in the garden of our gite; Dar L'eau Vive on the banks of the river.
Meknes—Mrirt—Bin EL ouidan: 310 km, 6h drive
Gite L’eau Vivre or similar
Day 9 : Bin Louidane To Marrakech; Guided City Tour
Location: Marrakesh
Meals Included: breakfast
From Bin Louidane we continue south to Marrakech, our final imperial city and one of Morocco's most popular and historical destinations. Here we enjoy a guided tour to help us find our feet and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, ending in Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is also worth seeing at night when this renowned landmark really comes to life, with the food stalls, snake charmers, juice-sellers and acrobats. It is a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists, not to be missed.
Bin EL Ouidan – Marrakech: 190 km, 3h30 min.
Les Trois Palmiers or similar
Day 10 : End Marrakech
Location: Marrakesh
Meals Included: breakfast
Our tour ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners included
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Transfers for group flights
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All accommodation
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 4 dinners.
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7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners includedAll accommodationTransfers for group flights
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7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners includedAll accommodationAirport Transfers
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— 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners included — All accommodation — Airport Transfers
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Travel insuranceVisas or vaccinationsSingle supplement
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— Travel insurance — Visas or vaccinations — Single supplement
Food
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners included. Moroccan food is generally very good. Breakfast usually consists of a variety of breads with jam/butter/honey and coffee or tea. Meals eaten out are reasonably priced - kebab costs about £8 (approx. US$13.0). In main towns, it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and wine will cost anything from £20 (approx. US$30) upwards. Generally, dinner is likely to cost between £5-10 (approx. US$8-15) depending on what you drink. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are reasonably priced, but you can pay UK prices or more for imported alcohol. Your leader will recommend restaurants for each evening, and additionally, you will enjoy lunches/dinner and afternoon teas with local families in their homes.Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tagine or omelettes. This is particularly the case in more rural areas.Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some specialist food items from home.
Accommodation
We spend six nights in hotels, one night in a riverside gite and two nights in a traditional riad. Here are the accommodations we typically use:
Marrakech: Hotel Moroccan House (nights 1 & 9)
We begin and end our adventure in Guéliz, the modern district of Marrakech, which is also known as the European quarter. Our 50-room hotel is decorated in the style of a Moroccan riad with facilities including a swimming pool and a terrace with city views. It is also close to cafes, restaurants, a supermarket and currency exchange office and an easy bus or carriage ride to the Djemaa El Fna square.
Ait Benhaddou: Ksar Ljanoub (night 2)
Enjoy the Atlas sunshine with a dip in the pool or relax under the shade of a parasol when we stay at Ksar Ljanoub. You can also enjoy views of the mountains and desert from the rooms or the terraces, with a chance for a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Todra: Hotel Kasbah Taborihte (night 3)
Relax after your Todra Gorge walk with a stay at Hotel Kasbah Taborihte. It's backed by mountains and has views of an oasis, plus there's a swimming pool with vistas over the rugged peaks.
Midelt: Hotel Taddart (night 4)
Our time in remote Midelt is spent at Hotel Taddart. Tourism is yet to truly take off in this part of Morocco, but this hotel has a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and hot tub. Start your day with a full English breakfast served at the restaurant.
Fez: Riad Tafilalet (nights 5-6)
Experience a traditional 19th-century home at this restored riad in Fez medina. The restoration respected the character of the house while ensuring maximum comfort for guests. There’s a hammam spa (additional cost) plus a roof terrace with views over the medina. Riads are traditional Moroccan homes, where the wealthiest people would historically live and they are typically built around a central courtyard. Due to their age, the rooms are not standardised and come in different sizes and shapes.
Meknes: Hotel Swani (night 7)
Our time in Meknes is spent at Hotel Swani, which is near to restaurants and local attractions and is only a short drive to the old town. It has an à la carte restaurant and breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace.
Bin Louidane: Dar l'Eau Vive (night 8)
Within the Middle Atlas mountains and next to the Oused l'Abid river, this tranquil gite is a great place to soak up the natural beauty of Morocco. The restaurant serves dishes created with produce from local farms, plus there's a swimming pool and terrace with views of the Atlas peaks.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.