UNESCO Cities & Sahara Horizons
A Cultural Journey Into Morocco’s
Diverse Traditions, Craft and Cuisine
At a Glance
11 Days
Starts: Casablanca
Ends: Marrakech
$3,280 per person
$820 deposit
to reserve your place
Small group
5–14
travelers
Overview
This small-group cultural journey brings Morocco’s UNESCO-listed sites to life, not as monuments to observe but as places still lived in. From Roman ruins and imperial medinas to desert fortresses and Atlantic ports, history unfolds through everyday moments: shared meals, practiced crafts, and traditions woven into daily life. It’s a way of traveling that connects Morocco’s past to the rhythms of the present.
◆ Trace Morocco’s story across centuries
From Roman ruins and imperial cities to Marrakech’s living medina
◆ Experience craftsmanship where it thrives
Artisan traditions in Fes and the coastal creative spirit of Essaouira
◆ Taste Morocco’s regional cuisine
Pastilla in Fes, Atlantic seafood, and market flavors shaped by place and season
◆ Feel Moroccan hospitality
Tea with locals, visits to artisan workshops, and medina life beyond the surface
◆ Discover Morocco through its landscapes
Olive-lined hills, mountain passes, Atlantic towns, and imperial heartlands
◆ Travel with all senses awake
Spices in the air, the call to prayer, and traditions lived, not staged
Departure Dates & Availability
April 26 – May 6 2026
Small group · Minimum 5 travelers
Already familiar with the trip? Secure your spot
Each departure is confirmed once the minimum number of travelers is reached. If a tour is not confirmed 43 days before the tour date, all deposits are fully refunded.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
11 days / 10 nights | Small group: Max 14 guests | Activity level: Easy to Moderate | Minimum Age: 16 Years
Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca
Welcome to Morocco. Your journey begins in Casablanca, a coastal city where Atlantic air, Art Deco architecture, and contemporary Moroccan life come together.
After arriving, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in and a brief orientation. In the afternoon, join a guided tour of the iconic Hassan II Mosque, an architectural landmark that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside, and 80,000 more on its surrounding grounds, making it one of the largest mosques in the world.
The day concludes with a welcome dinner at a refined restaurant, offering elevated Moroccan cuisine in a warm, contemporary setting—an inviting first taste of Morocco’s rich culinary traditions.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Rabat
Travel north this morning from Casablanca to Rabat, Morocco’s coastal capital, where royal history, civic life, and long-standing traditions come together.
After settling into Riad Almazhar, explore the city with a local guide, focusing on Rabat’s most meaningful historic landmarks. Discover remnants of an ambitious 12th-century mosque, a national monument honoring modern Morocco’s founding era, and a centuries-old walled site where Roman and Islamic history quietly coexist.
Continue through Rabat’s ocean-facing kasbah and old medina, where everyday life unfolds among artisan workshops, narrow lanes, and coastal viewpoints. Along the way, encounter a long-standing local tradition that offers insight into how neighborhoods have gathered and shared daily life for generations. Lunch is enjoyed at a thoughtfully chosen local restaurant highlighting contemporary Moroccan cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Volubilis & Meknes → Fez
Depart this morning toward Fez, traveling through landscapes layered with history and stopping at two of northern Morocco’s most significant sites along the way.
Begin with a guided visit to Volubilis, the country’s most impressive Roman archaeological site, where remarkably preserved mosaics and stone streets offer insight into daily life nearly two thousand years ago. Continue to Meknes, once an imperial capital, to explore its monumental gates and royal complexes that reflect the ambition and scale of Morocco’s imperial past. Lunch in Meknes highlights regional flavors and local specialties.
By late afternoon, arrive in Fez and check in at your Riad. The evening is at leisure to settle in, wander the surrounding neighborhood, or relax at the Riad ahead of deeper exploration in the days to come.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Fez
Spend the day immersed in Fez el-Bali, the world’s largest car-free urban zone and a UNESCO World Heritage site, where daily life continues much as it has for centuries.
Explore the medina on foot with a knowledgeable local guide, moving through its layered neighborhoods and historic quarters. Visit the famed Chouara Tannery, where leather is still dyed using traditional methods, and pass by Al-Qarawiyyin University, recognized as the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the world. Along the way, step into artisan workshops to see master craftspeople at work, using techniques passed down through generations. Visit the Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, housed in a beautifully restored historic building.
The day concludes with a hands-on pastilla demonstration in a local home, followed by dinner—an intimate introduction to Fez’s culinary traditions and the care behind one of its most celebrated dishes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Merzouga
Depart Fez early this morning and journey south across the Middle Atlas Mountains, where landscapes gradually shift from forested highlands to open desert plains. Pass through Ifrane and the cedar forests near Azrou, before continuing toward the edge of the Sahara.
Pause in the Ziz Valley for sweeping views of palm-filled oases carved into the landscape, then enjoy lunch en route. By late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga, where the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from the horizon.
As the day softens into evening, continue by camel into the dunes as the desert glows with shifting shades of gold and amber. The silence, scale, and vast openness of the Sahara at sunset create a striking sense of calm and wonder. Arrive at your desert camp for a traditional Berber dinner under the stars, followed by music and storytelling around the fire, with the desert night unfolding quietly all around you.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Dades Valley
Wake to a magical Sahara sunrise, watching the dunes glow as the desert transitions from cool blues to warm golds. After breakfast back in Merzouga, depart toward the Dades Valley, traveling through landscapes shaped by time, water, and trade.
En route, stop at Todra Gorge, where sheer canyon walls tower dramatically above the riverbed, offering time for a short walk and a sense of the region’s geological scale. Continue through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, a route once lined with fortified villages that tell the story of caravan routes and oasis life. Lunch is enjoyed in Tinghir or along the way.
By late afternoon, arrive at your accommodations at Dades Valley, set amid striking rock formations and sweeping valley views. The evening unfolds at a relaxed pace, with time to take in the surroundings and share tea and conversation with a local Amazigh family, an opportunity to learn about life in the valleys, seasonal rhythms, and enduring traditions rooted in this landscape.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Dades Valley
Spend the day exploring the Dades Valley at a relaxed pace, where dramatic landscapes and village life unfold side by side. Begin with a gentle morning walk through the valley, passing traditional Amazigh villages and cultivated fields that reveal how daily life is shaped by the land.
Along the way, encounter historic kasbahs and old communal granaries that once protected families, harvests, and trade routes through the region. Continue on to the Dades Gorge, known for its winding roads and sculpted rock formations, offering striking views and a deeper sense of the valley’s geological character.
The afternoon is unhurried, with time to relax and enjoy the quiet beauty of the surroundings. Later, take part in a hands-on introduction to Amazigh rug-making, learning basic knotting techniques while gaining insight into the symbols, stories, and meaning woven into traditional carpets. The day concludes with dinner featuring valley-grown produce and regional specialties, reflecting the rhythms and flavors of life in the Dades.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Ait Ben Haddou
Depart Dades Valley this morning and travel through the Valley of Roses, a fertile region known for its fragrant rose harvest in spring. Stop at a local shop for a hands-on look at traditional rose water distillation and essential oil production, offering insight into how seasonal crops shape local livelihoods.
Continue through the palm groves and historic kasbahs of Skoura, then arrive in Ouarzazate for lunch, long known as Morocco’s film capital and gateway to the desert.
By late afternoon, reach the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou. Learn about traditional pisé (rammed earth) construction techniques that have preserved these earthen structures for centuries, meeting craftspeople who continue to maintain and restore UNESCO-listed sites using time-honored methods. As the light softens, enjoy a guided walk through the ancient ksar, a fortified village built of earth and stone and once an important stop along historic caravan routes. Dinner is served with panoramic views of the illuminated ksar, closing the day in one of Morocco’s most iconic settings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Marrakech
Enjoy a relaxed morning at Aït Ben Haddou, with time to explore the ksar at your own pace or unwind at the kasbah before departing. Then begin the scenic drive across the Tizi n'Tichka, the highest paved mountain pass in Morocco, where dramatic elevations, shifting light, and sweeping views reveal the scale of the High Atlas Mountains. Pause at panoramic viewpoints along the way, with lunch in the mountains or upon arrival.
By afternoon, arrive in Marrakech—the storied “Red City”—and check in at your Riad. In the evening, head into the medina with a local guide for a guided street food experience, sampling classic dishes while learning to ask simple questions in Darija, Morocco’s everyday spoken Arabic, and gaining confidence navigating the souks, engaging respectfully with vendors, and understanding local customs such as haggling etiquette.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Marrakech
Spend the day immersed in Marrakech, a city where layered history, daily ritual, and vibrant street life converge. Begin with a guided cultural tour, including the elegant Bahia Palace, known for its refined courtyards and detailed craftsmanship, and the madrasa Ben Youssef, once the largest Islamic college in Morocco and a masterpiece of design and proportion.
Continue to Jemaa el-Fnaa, where storytellers, musicians, and performers bring the city’s oral traditions to life. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the souks, shop at your own pace, or relax back at the riad.
Later, take part in a calligraphy experience, learning to write your name in Arabic script while gaining insight into the artistic and spiritual role of calligraphy in Moroccan culture. The journey concludes with a farewell dinner in a warm, traditional setting—an evening to reflect on the experiences and connections made along the way.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Depart
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye for now. Airport transfers are arranged to match your schedule. As you depart, may Morocco stay with you in the laughter shared, the flavors savored, and the spirit of bahja that welcomed you throughout the journey. The door remains open whenever you’re ready to return.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
✦ Carefully selected boutique Riads and hotels
✦ Meals throughout the journey: Daily breakfast, five lunches, and five dinners, intentionally balanced between curated culinary experiences and time to explore local favorites on your own.
✦ Private transportation: Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for all scheduled transfers and excursions
✦ Dedicated tour leadership: One English-speaking tour leader accompanying the group throughout the journey
✦ Regional expert guides: Supplemental local guides in select locations
✦ Cultural experiences and meaningful connections with local artisans and community partners throughout the journey
✦ Entrance fees: All admission fees for included sites and experiences
✦ Baggage handling and porterage
What’s Not Included
✦ International airfare and related travel costs
✦ Passport and visa fees, if required
✦ Gratuities for hotel staff, guides, and drivers
✦ Personal expenses such as alcohol, laundry, and phone calls
✦ Travel insurance and medical coverage
✦ Expenses resulting from delays or circumstances beyond the control of Morocco Bahja Tours
Thoughtfully Selected Boutique Stays
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![Spacious modern hotel room with two beds, neutral tones, desk and TV, seating area by a large window, and soft warm lighting creating a comfortable, contemporary feel.]()
Location: Casablanca
Hotel name: Hotel Barceló Or Similar
Hotel description: Set in the heart of Casablanca, Barceló Casablanca offers a comfortable and contemporary retreat amid the city’s vibrant rhythm. Modern rooms, thoughtful amenities, and easy access to lively boulevards make it an ideal place to settle in, unwind, and ease into your journey through Morocco.
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![Indoor courtyard with a swimming pool, ornate fountain with petals, lush plants, and elegant seating areas.]()
Location: Fez
Hotel name: Riad Salam Fez Or Similar
Hotel description: Set just steps from the heart of the Fez medina, Riad Salam Fes is an intimate retreat known for its handcrafted cedarwork, mosaics, and romantic atmosphere. A rooftop terrace overlooks the medina and Atlas Mountains, while a traditional hammam offers a peaceful place to unwind after exploring the city.
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![Warm courtyard at Riad Almazhar in Rabat, with patterned tile floors, small café tables, plants, and soft lantern lighting creating a calm, intimate setting.]()
Location: Rabat
Hotel name: Riad Almazhar Or Similar
Hotel description: Riad Almazhar is a small, beautifully restored guesthouse in Rabat’s old city, close to the ocean and major historic sites. It’s quiet and intimate, with simple, elegant design, comfortable rooms, and a calm courtyard where breakfast is served. It’s a peaceful place to stay while exploring the city on foot.
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![Terrace pool overlooking the Dades Valley, with palm trees, lush greenery, and dramatic red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky.]()
Location: Dades Valley
Hotel name: Chez iChou Or Similar
Hotel description: Set in the heart of the Dades Valley, Chez Ichou Dades Valley is a family-run guesthouse surrounded by dramatic rock formations and fertile valley landscapes. Warm hospitality, comfortable rooms, and home-cooked meals made with local ingredients offer a simple, authentic stay rooted in the rhythms of valley life.
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![Traditional kasbah-style hotel with red earth buildings, a central pool, palm trees, and garden courtyards set against a clear blue sky.]()
Location: Ait Ben Haddou
Hotel name: Ksar Ighanda Or Similar
Hotel description: Just outside the UNESCO-listed village of Aït Ben Haddou, Ksar Ighnda is an ancient kasbah carefully restored over decades into an intimate riad-style retreat. Built in the purest local tradition, its layered terraces, staircases, and quiet courtyards invite a gentle sense of wandering, opening onto views of the valley, palm groves, and surrounding mountains as the day begins.
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![Candle-lit desert camp at night with white tented rooms, a red carpet walkway, lanterns on the sand, and a star-filled sky overhead.t, mountains in the background.]()
Location: Merzouga
Hotel name: Tiziri Luxury ECO Desert Camp Or Similar
Hotel description: Located among the dunes near Merzouga, Tiziri Camp Merzouga is the area’s only luxury eco desert camp. The camp features elegant tented rooms furnished with natural fabrics and handcrafted details. Expect home-cooked meals with a thoughtful twist, made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, followed by quiet evenings around the fire under the moon and stars in a secluded desert setting.
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![Overhead view of a riad courtyard with a small tiled pool, climbing vines along the walls, shaded seating areas, and natural light filling the space.]()
Location: Marrakesh
Hotel name: Riad Dar Justo Or Similar
Hotel description: Situated in the heart of Marrakech medina near Jamaâ El Fna Square, Riad Dar Justo Hotel Boutique & Spa is a traditional 14th-century Moroccan guesthouse. Dar Justo is the home and studio of the Spanish artist Justo Almendros, who dedicated a decade to its reconstruction and design. He achieved a superb balance between originality, authenticity, and a modernity that is both ecological and functional.
Our Difference
We design each journey with care and intention, balancing comfort, curiosity, and depth to
create experiences that feel seamless and memorable.
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Cultural Integrity
Encounters are genuine and participatory, never staged. We honor traditions by connecting you directly with local hosts, artisans, and community partners who carry them forward through daily life.
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Small Groups, Meaningful Access
With intentionally small group sizes, we can enter settings larger tours cannot, from family-run workshops to private gatherings, allowing for quieter moments and deeper context.
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Thoughtful Pace and Design
Itineraries are crafted to balance immersion and rest, so days unfold naturally and guests feel enriched rather than rushed.
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Boutique Standards
From hand-selected riads to premium hotels, every stay is chosen for comfort, character, and thoughtful design.
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Guided with Care
Your journey is led by an experienced tour leader who travels with the group throughout, serving as a cultural liaison and steady point of coordination. Local guides join in select destinations to add depth and perspective.
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Bahja at the Core
Inspired by the Moroccan spirit of bahja—joy, generosity, and presence—our journeys emphasize warmth, hospitality, and moments of true connection.
Your deposit holds your seat. Limited spots available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Essentials
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All accommodations, daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 5 dinners, guided tours, cultural experiences, entrance fees, a dedicated guide throughout the tour with local specialists in select destinations, private ground transportation, baggage transfers, and airport transfers.
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For culturally curious travelers who enjoy cultural explorations, value depth, and appreciate shared experiences with like‑minded people. It blends authentic sightseeing with cultural discovery, showing how Morocco’s architecture, food, music and daily life was influenced by the many cultures it came in contact with.
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We keep our groups small, typically 8 to 12 guests, to ensure a relaxed pace and genuine connections with local hosts. Traveling in an intimate group also gives us access to experiences larger tours cannot, such as private visits with artisans, family‑style meals, and boutique riads that capture Morocco’s charm.
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You will stay in premium and boutique accommodations chosen for their comfort, character, and location. In the cities, these are typically riads — traditional Moroccan homes built around a courtyard and beautifully restored. In rural areas, we use welcoming guesthouses, selected with the same care and attention to quality. Each property offers modern amenities while reflecting authentic Moroccan design and warm hospitality.
Food & Dining
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All breakfasts, and some lunches and dinners as noted on the day to day itinerary are included.
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Meals in Morocco are a celebration of flavor and tradition. Lamb, chicken, and beef are the most common meats, often paired with fresh herbs, vegetables, and fragrant spices. You will taste slow‑cooked tagines, couscous layered with sweet onions, and warm bread served with local olive oil. Food is never just fuel here; it is a highlight of the journey, woven into daily life and shared with joy.
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Please let us know in advance, and we will do our best to tailor meals to your needs. Most meals on this tour feature traditional Moroccan cuisine, which often comes with a relatively limited menu. Vegetarian options are available and typically include couscous, legume‑based stews, soups, fresh and cooked salads, and vegetable tagines. While we work closely with our local partners to accommodate dietary restrictions, options may be more limited in rural areas.
For meals not included in the itinerary, your group leader or local representative can suggest restaurants that suit your preferences. This flexibility allows you to choose where and what to eat. Moroccan food is excellent, though not always highly varied, so advance notice of any dietary requirements helps us prepare and ensure you feel comfortable throughout the journey.
Travel Logistics
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You will travel in a private, air‑conditioned minibus between cities and excursions, with your main guide accompanying the group throughout the journey. In certain destinations, local specialists join us to share their expertise and enrich the experience, offering deeper insights into Morocco’s history, culture, and traditions.
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Yes. We provide arrival and departure transfers from Casablanca airport at the start and Marrakech at the end of the tour.
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This journey balances comfort with exploration. Some days involve longer drives. These routes are part of Morocco’s geography and allow us to experience the country’s incredible variety of landscapes. Rest stops are built in and the scenery is spectacular, with mountain passes, kasbahs, and palm groves. On these days we may depart early to make the most of our time at the next destination. Daily activities are moderate, with plenty of walking through medinas, markets, and historic sites, plus optional easy hikes around towns and villages. Guests who are comfortable walking and navigating stairs will be able to fully enjoy the experience.
Payments & Booking
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A deposit secures your place, with the balance due 40 days before departure. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
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A deposit stated on the tour page secures your place on the tour.
The remaining balance is due 40 days prior to departure.
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Tours are typically confirmed approximately 45 days before departure, once the minimum group size is reached.
If the minimum group size is not met and the tour does not confirm, the tour will not run and all payments are fully refunded.
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Prices are based on double occupancy.
A single supplement of $810 applies for travelers requesting a private room.
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If you cancel your reservation, the following cancellation charges apply, based on the number of days before the tour’s start date:
• 60 days or more: Full refund minus a $250 administrative fee
• 40–59 days: 50% cancellation fee
• 39 days or fewer: No refund (100% cancellation fee)These charges reflect non-refundable deposits and contractual obligations to accommodations, transportation providers, and local suppliers.
No refunds are available for no-shows or once the tour has commenced.
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Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and should be purchased shortly after reserving your spot.