16 Day Magical Morocco Premium Small Group Tour
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Click HERE for 2024 departures
✓ Limited Time Offer - Add return international airfares for only $999
✓ Incredible sightseeing including entry fees – See the imposing Hassan II Mosque, the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, explore the charming streets of ancient medinas in Fes and Marrakech and visit Ait Benhaddou’s beautiful, grand ksar
✓ Intimate group experience, with no more than 12 travellers
✓ 14 nights in comfortable 4-star hotel and boutique riad accommodation
✓ Spend one night under the stars in a luxury desert camp in the Sahara
✓ Enjoy two free hand-picked Inspiring Sights, like a Moroccan Hammam experience
✓ Breakfast daily, three lunches and seven dinners
✓ Enjoy an authentic lunch with a welcoming local family at their farm in Midelt
✓ Fully escorted tour, with English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Comfortable, dedicated coach transportation throughout
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival, please make your way to the starting point hotel. Today you can arrive at any time as there are no organised activities until your first meeting tomorrow morning.
Hotel check-in is at 2pm. If you arrive earlier, hotel staff will try to give access to your room as soon as possible; however, should your room not be ready, you are welcome to leave your luggage at reception and explore the surrounding area.
Airport arrival transfers and extra accommodation are available on request. Please let us know at least 65 days prior to departure if you need assistance making these arrangements.
This morning we'll visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the imposing Hassan II Mosque. Opened in 1993, and second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building is part on land and part on sea; in one area water can even be seen through a glass floor. The mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and the main roof is retractable to create an open courtyard. It's one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims.
Later this morning, you will leave Casablanca and drive to the northern coastal town of Tangier, a place of strategic importance to the Mediterranean and the gateway to Africa from Europe.
This evening is at leisure to explore the labyrinth of alleyways in the medina of Tangier.
After breakfast we’ll travel to Chefchaouen, or the blue city, the centre of a mountainous agricultural region. On arrival, enjoy an orientation walking tour with your leader. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen may take you by surprise. It’s picture perfect, with striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways. Its small but authentic medina has been lovingly cared for and the walled fortress of the kasbah provides a haven in the heart of the city. Wander the tranquil gardens and enjoy the views over the valley from the tower.
Early afternoon, we’ll continue to Meknes, the sixth largest city in the kingdom and former capital of Morocco.
This morning we'll discover the charming streets of Meknes’ medina – the ancient walled section of the city. Enter via the northern gate, the magnificent Bab Berdaine, and walk to the shrine of Moulay Ismail who, in the 17th century, turned Meknes from a provincial town to a spectacular Imperial city. We'll explore the elaborately decorated public buildings hidden in these winding streets, including the royal granary of Moulay Ismail, known as Hri Souani.
Take some time to soak up the bustling atmosphere of Meknes' old souk (market) before driving out of the city to the ancient ruins of Volubilis. Once a provincial Roman capital, Volubilis was a distant outpost of the empire, and the well-preserved archaeological remains make for an impressive sight. Volubilis is the foremost Roman site in Morocco and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Upon arrival we'll take a tour around the ruins with a local guide. Don’t forget to take your camera as the town is filled with fantastic mosaics, many of which remain intact.
After time spent exploring Volubulis and imagining the bustling city it once was, continue on to the living museum of Fes. After checking in to your hotel in the late afternoon, the remainder of the day is free for you to spend as you please.
You may choose to include two optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Tonight, visit a local family who will serve you some authentic Moroccan dishes. While you eat you’ll learn more about Moroccan hospitality and culture in between bites of delicious food and sips of Moroccan tea.
Starts: approx: 7pm
Duration: approx: 2-3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco; vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming – a true feast for the senses. It is made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters, and we will stay on the edge of the huge, well-preserved medieval old city in elegant, riad-style accommodation (a riad is a large traditional Moroccan house built around a central courtyard).
Today we'll head into the old city, known locally as Fes el-Bali, arguably the world's most fascinating and confounding old city. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres for education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the speciality sections that divide the souk. Stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups line the passageways; the fragrant smell of spices floods the air; and the sound of metalsmiths hammering at copper can be heard echoing throughout the labyrinthine streets.
Spend the day exploring the old city, visiting Al-Attarine Madrasa (one of the many Islamic schools of higher learning); admiring the leather tanneries with their vast dye-pits in a rainbow of colours; and gazing up at the splendid Funduq al-Najjariyyin, a beautifully restored 18th-century inn.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a memorable dinner of a salty yet sweet pastilla (Moroccan pie).
Leave the intensity of the city behind today, for the simplicity of the High Atlas Mountains. Drive south, inland, through a variety of spectacular scenery – fertile valleys, cedar and pine forests and barren, rocky landscapes – to the small town of Midelt. Midelt is a market town, originally built as a base for mining in the area. It's nestled in the high plains surrounding the Moulouya River, between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges, at an elevation of just over 1,500 metres. It's a perfect spot to break up our journey to the Sahara. Many of the locals are of the Berber ethnic group, and the town can offer a rich insight into their way of life. Here we stop and enjoy an Inspiring Taste lunch with a local family at their farm for an authentic meal of traditional Moroccan dishes, such as tagine (a slow-cooked, savoury stew).
After lunch we'll drive through changing scenery, from barren mountainsides to fertile valleys, on our journey to Merzouga. With a backdrop of the tangerine Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the charming Saharan village of Merzouga feels wonderfully isolated, like the modern world has left it behind. You’ll arrive in Merzouga at the end of the day and be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check-in to your traditional Moroccan riad.
The Erg Chebbi is one of the world's most iconic landscapes, with towering dunes up to 150 metres high. Located at the end of a sealed road, and just 20 kilometers from the Algerian border, this wild stretch of land truly feels like frontier country. Leave your large bags at the riad, ready to ride camels into the edge of the Sahara Desert, and enjoy a spectacular sunset along the way. The dunes are stunning, especially as the evening light plays across them and sets the landscape ablaze with colour.
Tonight we'll enjoy an Inspiring Stay, taking cues from the Berbers and bedding down in a desert camp, with the chance to try some fantastic local cuisine while we sit around an open-air fire. After dinner, lively music, drumming, Berber stories and dancing under the stars await.
Itinerary note - if you do not wish to ride a camel, there is the option to travel to and from the camp by 4WD.
Enjoy a real Lawrence of Arabia moment this morning, with a sunrise camel ride across the desert on the return journey to the riad. From here we'll continue on to the Todra Gorge, a canyon, or wadi, that rises for more than 250 metres to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. We'll enjoy a short, yet exhilarating, walk through the narrow orange limestone walls.
Later we'll drive on to the beautiful Dadès Valley, where we'll spend the night. The valley is a popular spot for tourists and spans several kilometres, offering a wide variety of activities for adventurerous types. Tonight's accommodation is a traditional, locally owned, Moroccan kasbah with spectacular views over the Dadès Valley.
Enjoy a full day exploring the beautiful, largely untouched, Moroccan backcountry. Travelling on foot is the best way to get a closer look at the natural landscape and the rural way of life. We'll begin by taking a short transfer to the start of the trek. On the walk you'll pass Berber villages, meeting the incredibly friendly local people along the way. You'll also learn the tea-making secrets of Berbers at an exclusive demonstration with a local family; listen to their stories and discover what family life is truly like in the Dadès Valley.
Today we'll leave the Dadès Valley to set off on the fabled Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. A kasbah is a type of keep, or citadel, usually a part of the defensive structure of a city and often where the local leader would reside.
The first stop for us today is the majestic oasis of Skoura, home to several privately owned kasbahs. Here we'll visit Kasbah Amridil, with its extravagant decorations and mud-brick fortifications, before continuing on to Aït Benhaddou, perched on a hilltop and left almost untouched since the 11th century. Aït Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites, its grand kasbah one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village a fine example of clay architecture. If you think you recognise the place, you probably do, as the town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the winding streets of the old town, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy the views across the surrounding plains.
After heading to your nearby hotel for the night, you’ll have the opportunity to sit back on the rooftop terrace and watch the sun set over the magical Kasbah.
After breakfast we'll leave Aït Benhaddou to begin our long drive through the winding roads of the Atlas Mountains, bound for Marrakech, an ancient and exotic city laced with European touches. There’s no rush as the scenery through the High Atlas Mountain passes is magnificent, and there will surely be calls for several photo stops along the way.
On arrival in Marrakech you'll check in to your beautifully decorated and cosy riad. This evening you’ll have the opportunity to head to the great square of Jamaa el-Fna, within the medina quarter. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity: henna artists, snake charmers and storytellers all share the square with street food stalls peddling Moroccan delicacies. Enjoy a Moroccan pastry with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and then finish your day with a cup of tea on one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the square.
You may choose to include two optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Please bear in mind that, due activities' timetables, you can only take part in one activity per day
The art of hammam, a traditional steam bath/bathhouse, is an ancient and integral part of Moroccan life. At the heart of Marrakech medina, enjoy a rejuvenating moment at a traditional Moroccan Riad dedicated to relaxation. Enjoy a private Beldi Hammam including a Moroccan black soap exfoliation.
Starts: approx: 1pm
Duration: approx: 1 hour
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
At the heart of Marrakech medina, enjoy a relaxing massage with Argan oil, which is highly-prized for its culinary and cosmetic uses and is only produced in Morocco.
Starts: approx: between 3pm-6pm
Duration: approx: 45 minutes (plus 15 minute welcoming)
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
Today will begin with a morning tour of the old medina with your local guide, who will take you through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom, and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This splendid property was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. From here we continue to the Maison de la Photographie, housed within a former palace and featuring a fine collection of Moroccan art and sculpture. Next we'll stop by the Koutoubia Mosque; its famous minaret (a tower with a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer), is the prototype for others of its kind around the world, including La Giralda in Seville. From here we then walk back through the streets of the old medina to the Jamaa el-Fna, the main square of Marrakech.
The rest of the day is yours: explore further, relax back at the riad or go shopping in the souk. Perhaps you’ll visit the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle, or check out the ruins of the Palais Badi, long known as one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. Otherwise, head back into the medina, where every step brings a new scent or sight. Watch skilled artisans perfect their craft, practice your haggling skills or take a break from the hustle to sip on tea or share a tajine. For your final evening, feast with new friends in one of the many great restaurants lining the square.
You may choose to include two optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Please bear in mind that, due activities' timetables, you can only take part in one activity per day
Today enjoy a cooking class at the the legendary restaurant at La Maison Arabe where you will use modern equipment found in everyday kitchens. At the end of each workshop, you will dine on the meal you have prepared. At a typical half-day workshop, one learns to prepare an appetizer and a main dish, or a main dish and dessert. The workshops are conducted by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef.
Starts: approx: 2.45pm
Duration: approx: 3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
Join your local guide to show you how Moroccan shopping is done! On this tour, you’ll visit hidden stalls, shop for real-deal souvenirs like leather, lamps, shoes, carpets, spices, and argan oil, and learn to haggle like a true Marrakech insider.
Starts: approx: 2pm
Duration: approx: 3 ½ hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
After breakfast this morning we'll head for Essaouira, a city where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean, where we'll spend the next two nights. The narrow streets of Essaouira discourages cars, meaning it's an ideal city to explore on foot. Sandstone walkways contrast with whitewashed houses, the bright blue sky and the sand of the surrounding beaches and dunes. Surely one of North Africa's most attractive destinations, you'll soon find yourself slipping into the easy-going pace of this Moroccan town with a European seaside twist. The fishing port is a serious commercial operation and there’s much fun to be had observing the daily catch and its subsequent auction. Elsewhere there are numerous shops and several fine art galleries to distract you, along with a wide variety of restaurants. Your tour leader will help guide you through the maze of options. This evening you might like to indulge in a luxuriating massage and hammam in a local spa.
This artists' town was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations, and its charm has seduced the likes of Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent much of his time here in the 1960s.
On this free day perhaps grab a traditional Moroccan breakfast and wander the streets, giving way to the cart-haulers calling "balak, balak" (meaning, 'excuse me'). Pass the harbour, filled with colourful boats, and witness camels and surfers sharing the beach.
For lunch your guide will take you to the fish souk for our second Inspiring Taste. Here you'll choose your own freshly caught fish before taking it to a restaurant packed with locals – following your guides lead, hand over your market purchase for it to be grilled. Your guide will also take you to the fruit and vegetable market, where you'll choose the salads and veggies to accompany your seafood lunch. Enjoy this delicious meal together with the rest of your group.
Take the rest of the day to explore the medina; discover the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum and its collection of artifacts, woodwork, carpets and stringed instruments; enjoy café life on the main square; or sit back and watch the kitesurfers ride the crashing waves. You can also discover the taste of Morocco in a cooking class, or head outside of the city to the beautiful surroundings on a day trip.
Today we'll travel to Casablanca for your last night in Morocco. Tonight enjoy our last Inspiring Taste experience at the Humphrey Bogart-inspired Rick’s Café, with some drinks included to help celebrate your last night in Morocco. While it is not the actual bar used for the movie (that was in a studio in Hollywood) it has been recreated to allow you to imagine that you could be an extra on set in the famous movie.
Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Morocco. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to board your flight home. Your tour guide can assist you arrange airport transfers as needed.
Say farewell to your wonderful tour guide and new-found friends and bring home with you memories of this extraordinary journey.
Inspiring Stays
Inspiring Sights
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 5 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
The remaining three inspiring sights may be purchased prior to departure if you would like to participate in all optional inspiring sights. Pricing listed under 'Optional Tours'.
Inspiring Tastes
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.
If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section
Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Baggage
Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:
Country of Origin |
Carry-on Baggage |
Checked Baggage |
Australia |
7kgs |
20kgs |
New Zealand |
7kgs |
20kgs |
United States of America |
15lbs |
45lbs |
Canada |
15lbs |
45lbs |
India |
7kgs |
20kgs |
United Kingdom |
7kgs |
20kgs |
Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.
Flight requests, amendments or preferences
We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.
To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service? By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.
FAQs
For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs section.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
You have the choice of 2 of 5 Inspiring Experiences to enhance your journey. If you wish to purchase any of the remaining 3 you may purchase the additional optional tours as below. Please bear in mind that, due activities' timetables, you can only take part in one activity per day:
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. At the commencement of your tour, your Tour Leader will suggest contributing towards a ‘tipping kitty’ which can then be used to tip local guides, hotel staff, driver, etc. You will have complete visibility over amounts tipped and any funds left will be distributed back to travellers. This tipping kitty is not mandatory, however, over time we’ve found it frees travellers from the stress of keeping the right change at hand and not knowing appropriate tipping amounts. We suggest AUD4 for hotel staff, AUD5-7 for local guides and AUD4-5 for the driver (suggestions are per person per day).
Please note that this tipping is not for your Tour Leader. If you are happy with the service provided by your Tour Leader, we recommend tipping AUD4-7 per person per day.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $715.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return to Australia.
Australian passport holders do not require an e-visa to enter Morocco if travelling less than 90 days.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Group Size
Other departures: 4-12 people
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).