Entry Level
Cultural
Transfers
12 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
The briny, salt smell from the ocean on the wind at Essaouira fort, the goats climbing the Argan oil trees along the coast, the bitter smells of tannins at the leather workshops in Fes alongside mint tea and sizzling tagines.
The wail of the Muezzin, the deep russet orange of a rocky desert where sand whips against your tent, snows flashing from The High Atlas with men creeping below them in soft djellabas.
The piercing blue of the Blue City of Chefchaouen, the pipes in the bazaar in Marrakech coaxing cobras from wickerwork baskets, haggling, bartering, praying, laughing, arguing, flirting.
To those familiar with Morocco, the country evokes a distinct and memorable feeling: The sights and sounds strongly vertebrate upon the senses in a warm, comforting blanket of welcome - it just doesn't feel quite like anywhere else.
This superb tour takes you to visit the bustling cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech & Essaouira, to the world-renowned Roman ruins at Volubilis, and through deserts, mountains and along beautiful ocean coastline. It's magical Morocco at its very best.
This 13-day cultural tour featuring some very stylish hotels, shows you the very best of Morocco, truly a feast for the senses.
Flights
Transfer
4 star hotel
Welcome to Morocco! Today you land at Casablanca airport where you will be met at the exit tunnel by a greeter holding a sign of your name, before being taken outside to meet with your driver & guide. You will start this morning, with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Grand Mosque, one of the few mosques that can be visited in Morocco.
Built on reclaimed land, almost half of the surface of the mosque lies over the waters of the Atlantic.This was inspired by the verse of the Qur'an that states "... the throne of God was built on the water". Part of the floor of this facility is glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea; above, lasers shine at night from the top of the minaret toward Mecca. The mosque is amongst the largest in the world and can house as many as 25,000 worshipers. Its minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Stay at: Onomo City Center
Transfer
Breakfast
4 star hotel
Transfer to Chefchaouen. After around 3 hours into the drive you will stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating, beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres with many sections of walls, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica and a triumphal arch still visible. The ruins reveal how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town centre, a triumphal arc and temples devoted to the Roman gods. Please note that some of monuments in Meknes may be closed for renovation. Continue to the famous blue city of Chefchaouen, upon arrival, enjoy some soft sightseeing in one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Morocco, including its well-preserved Arab/Andalusian fusion of art and traditions.
Stay at: Riaad Lyna & Spa - which is not accessible by car, so expect a short walk once you arrive.
Transfer
Breakfast
4 star hotel
Chefchaouen, the blue jewel of Morocco enwrapped by the blue sky, is beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif mountains, located only few kilometres from Tangier and Tetouan. Experience the magic of a town as rich in history as it is in beauty: Founded in 1471 by Mulay Alí Ben Rachid, located in an enclave difficult to access, the city served as a base to restrain the entrance and influences of the Portuguese of Ceuta between Tetouan and Fez. At 660m altitude and with very little traffic of cars, the clean and fresh air adds to it's timeless feeling. We invite you on a walk to visit some of its prettiest places including Bab el-Ansar and the famed Ras el-Maa, the source of the pure and fresh water for which the city is also famous. It is also possible to stroll alongside the brook to watch the women washing clothes, and see how the hydraulic mills still work today, taking you to the Rif Sebbanin, the laundry district, with the Seat of Sebbanin and its 15th Century mosque.
Stay at: Riaad Lyna & Spa
Transfer
Breakfast
4 star hotel
Transfer to Fes (4hrs), considered the intellectual heart of Morocco. The world’s largest university lies at its core; the Karaouyine is still considered one of the greatest Islamic schools in the Arab world. Fassis (as inhabitants are known) have always been at the centre of Morocco’s cultural and political life.
The “nouvelle Ville” of Fez, or the new city, provides a startling contrast with Fès el Bali. Wide and elegant avenues are lined with numerous cafés and restaurants. The modern aspect of the new city highlights the economic differences of the suburbs and the city centre. Artisan workshops in the medina are as active today as 100 years ago, and strongly contribute to the city’s industrial economy. Trades such as metal and leather working, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculpting are still practiced in these workshops, whilst the original ramparts still protect the ancient city and its’ 9000 inhabitants who meander through its passageways and narrow streets.
Stay at: Riad Salam
Breakfast
Lunch
4 star hotel
Your sightseeing tour will include the following:
The Medersa: This theological college, marked by its green tiled roof, is a prime example of Merinid architecture, and it's the most beautiful of Kairaounie University's residential colleges. Inside, elegant calligraphy graces the ceramic tile walls. The marble floors, sculpted cedar, and carved stucco walls—made with a concoction of plaster and egg white—have held up since this masterpiece Medersa was built in 1350. Since it is still in use, non-Muslims must depart during prayer time.
Bab Boujloud: Constructed in 1913, this gate is about 1,000 years younger than the buildings behind it. It's proof that age doesn't matter—the relatively youthful structure is the most strikingly beautiful entry point into the old city. Painted flowers and calligraphy embellish its outer blue ceramic tiles and, depending on one's interpretation, the green mosaic interior either represents peace or the official colour of Islam. Stop by at sunset for some excellent photo opportunities.The square, with its splendid and unusual fountain, takes its name from the Souk Nejjarine (Carpenter’s Souk) which is situated behind a wooden door in a narrow street below the square.
The Mellah: The Jewish Quarter is where Jewish people traditionally lived under protection from the Sultan. The main street is especially interesting with its balconies and Art Deco zellij mosaic. Most Jews in Fez (around 300) now in fact live in the Ville Nouvelle. Visit of the Ibn Danan Synagogue, a recently restored 17th century synagogue.
The souks of Fez are located in the ancient city center, the medina. Merchants selling the same sort of products are generally grouped together in their own “souk”. The tiny alleyways are crowded with the tiny boutiques on both sides. The henna and wood working souks are located in the Nejjarine neighborhood and the scent of cedar is everywhere. The main plaza is planted with trees and provides a shaded haven from the warm sun. Various natural products derived from henna are sold here. Nejjarine is also where the fabric dyers are located. You simply should not miss El Attarine, the spice souk. Without question, this souk is the most colourful in Fez.
Stay at: Riad Salam
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Rabat’s most famous site is the 12th Century Hassan Tower, an excellent example of the gorgeous Moorish style with its incomplete minaret of the great mosque built by Yacoub al-Mansour. Located alongside is the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the founder of modern Morocco and the grandfather of the current king.
You will also pay a visit to the Oudaya Kasbah which is built on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of the most beautiful surviving in the Moorish world. Within its walls, you'll explore a delightful craft museum housed in a former palace, as well as an Andalusian Garden, complete with melodious fountain and sweet-smelling orange trees.
Enjoy your lunch with a view to the ocean, then continue to the rocky desert of Agafay. Explore the surroundings and admire scenic arid vistas, a reminiscence of caravans crossing the desert on the trade route.
Stay at: Inara Camp
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
4 star hotel
Enjoy your day at leisure. As the sun begins to set, you can make several stops during your camel ride to capture some beautiful pictures. The serene desert landscape and the warm glow of the sunset will provide a stunning backdrop for your photographs. Take your time to savor the experience and create lasting memories. Have a wonderful time exploring and capturing the beauty of your surroundings! You will enjoy a stunning Gnaoua show exclusively for you before your private dinner in a Bedouin tent. From there, enjoy a fire eater show and entrainment of Magic Morocco!
Stay at: Inara Camp
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
4 star hotel
Checkout from the camp and drive by 4*4 to meet your driver and guide and your will continue to the relaxing Atlantic coast. Essaouira is a regional centre and the source of the fine Argan oil, famed throughout the world for its use in cosmetics but also amazing in salads.
Essaouira is an attractive town rich in history. Its islands were inhabited as early as the 7th century BC. Essaouira's large working port is noisy, pungent and hugely atmospheric. Along with the flurry of boats arriving and departing, visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum Housed in an old riad, this somewhat fusty museum has a small collection of jewellery, costumes, embroidery, woodcarving and weapons from the region. On the way, enjoy Wine tasting & Lunch at Domaine val d’Argan. Red, white, and rose wines are made here using the grapes grown in the lush vineyards that cover more than 1,500 hectares (around 3706.58). The Val d’Argan and Orian Rouge labels are well known. The winery uses traditional wine-making methods with modern equipment. Around 200,000 bottles of wine are stocked in the cellar at any given time.
Stay at: Dar Loussia
Breakfast
4 star hotel
Today; you will visit the skala this bastion is part of the ramparts that protect the medina from the crashing Atlantic waves.
The tranquility and traditional aspect of Essaouira belie its rich history and the many international influences that have surged through this ancient trading and fishing port at one time or another. Today we discover its creative nature in the workshops of its artisan workers located in recesses under the Skala fortress. This fortress is best known for Orson Wells filming most of Othello, in 1949.
Essaouira’s walled medina dates from the late 18th century and was added to Unesco’s World Heritage list in 2001. It is an outstanding and well-preserved example of European military architecture in North Africa. It’s a great place to walk around and explore. The stone ramparts and turrets, the tranquil and immense windswept beach and the perfectly preserved maze-like Medina have made Essaouira the most popular town in the Atlantic coast.
Stay at: Dar Loussia
Transfer
Breakfast
5 star hotel
Pearl of the South, Jewel of the South, The Red City - just a few of the nicknames Marrakech has acquired over the years. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco where palaces and monuments of unrivalled refinement sit calmly alongside the snake charmers and Gnaoua drums pulsing constantly from Djemâa el Fna Square - the most exuberant marketplace in the world. The city is also home to luxury hotels, sophisticated bars and exotic restaurants.
Upon arrival check in & refresh and get ready for an orientation tour with your guide; you will start with Majorelle Garden.Yves Saint Laurent bought the Jardin Majorelle in 1980 and saved it from falling victim to a real estate project and becoming a hotel complex. The new owners decided to live in the Villa Bou Saf Saf, which they renamed Villa Oasis, and undertook the restoration of the garden in order to “make the Jardin Majorelle become the most beautiful garden – by respecting the vision of Jacques Majorelle.” As YSL himself commented: “We quickly became very familiar with this garden, and went there every day. It was open to the public yet almost empty. We were seduced by this oasis where colours used by Matisse were mixed with those of nature... And when we heard that the garden was to be sold and replaced by a hotel, we did everything we could to stop that project from happening."
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
5 star hotel
Highlights of your visit will include:
The Koutoubia Mosque: Built by the Almohads in the late years of 12th Century, the Koutoubia Mosque, and specially its minaret, is the most important landmark of Marrakech, and a symbol of the city itself. The minaret served as model for the Giralda in Sevilla and the unfinished Tour Hassan in Rabat, all three being designed by the same architect. Koutoubia means ‘booksellers’, as the trade of books was concentrated in the neighbourhood during the Middle Ages. The minaret of the Koutoubia, 77 meters high, is visible from almost any point of the city – an old ordinance, still in force, forbids any building of Marrakech to surpass the Koutoubia minaret in height.
Medersa Ben Youssef, is not only the most important but also the largest in Morocco. Commissioned by Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib, its construction was completed in 1565. It has 130 rooms which have accommodated up to 900 students. The most interesting moments of the visit are undoubtedly the discovery of the interior courtyard as well as the austere atmosphere of the rooms.
After lunch; continue to the Market at the heart of Marrakech, filling the alleys north of the central square, are the souks, mile after constricted mile of tiny, closet-sized emporia. The sheer number of shops is overwhelming—100 of them in 100 yards. Every section of the souk has its own specialty, with alleys devoted to everything from spices and ironwork to the ingredients necessary for casting magic spells.
Transfer
Breakfast
5 star hotel
Today, you will be transferred to the High Atlas Mountains for a Berber experience.
The High Atlas Mountain region boasts a wide variety of trekking possibilities and is suitable for visitors of all ages. For those unable to meet the physical demands of trekking with equipment, mule support for transporting bags or travelers can be provided. An experienced guide will accompany you for a full day flexible trek and will provide historical information about the area`s visited. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the High Atlas combined with a mint tea in Berber’s home. A true cultural experience with an enriching human exchange at the same time. At the end of the day, you be back to Marrakech and enjoy the remaining of the day at leisure.
Transfer
Breakfast
After breakfast it will be time to leave the city and head home. We provide you transportation back to Casablanca Airport, filled with the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, memories and joy of Morocco!
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using local hotels, owned and run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra road travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which are exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced english speaking local guide. They will know the city inside out, and will be on hand to help you navigate your way safely and happily. They will also be on hand to offer insight into local life and customs - feel free to ask them questions!
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4 up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Casablanca on the start day of the trip. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible to help you prepare.
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered, particularly in the light of effects that the pandemic has had on travel.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Your insurance needs to cover you for hiking /trekking with the following fairly standard inclusions:
We would also recommend that you have cover for the following optional items:
For information on Morocco, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Mike
Toukbal - Morocco - in June was a small family group trek, plus Sam from YellowWood. The local experience in the Atlas was excellent, top class local guiding and very comfortable Kasbah accommodation softening the two mountain refuges.
Balance was just right for all of us - ages ranging from 36 to 70. Trekking was topped and tailed between a day's acclimatisation in Marrakech and a chance to revisit the Souks on the way out. A great trip - thank you, YellowWood & Sam.
Date of experience: June 2022
Thomas Winfield
Sam (Yellow Wood MD) organized and led a tour for two others and I to climb Toubkal in Morocco. It was a superb trip and I highly recommend YellowWood. Each step was perfectly arranged. Sam was present throughout and always involved but not overbearing. Felt safe, well organized and a super adventure.
Jerrol
YellowWood is stand-out tour company
I have worked with numerous travel companies and YellowWood Adventures is a stand out. Their planning and execution of our trip to Morocco was outstanding. From the Riads and Kasbah selections to our guides and drivers. The trip was exciting and interesting - they made everything easy and made sure we experienced the real Morocco through numerous cultural exchanges, tasty meals, local hotels, etc. I will definitely book another trip with them to somewhere exotic!
Kim
Fantastic trip! We made quite a few changes to our itinerary, some last minute that involved number of people traveling. Katia and Sam were timely in their responses and extremely accommodating.
We appreciated the detail and thought that went into our itinerary. A perfect combination of cultural immersion and outdoor activities. The guides were fun to hang out with, very knowledgeable and great humans.
Can't wait to plan another trip with YellowWood!
Diane
I was a lucky last minute addition to a private trip to Morocco planned by a friend with YellowWood Adventures. Sam and Katia rallied with grace and good humor to book rooms and activities for me to match the goup's planned itinerary just one week before departure. The trip was a perfect mix of culture with stops in Casablanca, Volubilis, Chefchouaen, Fes and Marrakech followed by a wonderful week hiking in the High Atlas mountains based at the delightful Kasbah du Toubkal and its trekking lodge in the Azzedine Valley. Our guides for the "city" portion and the trekking were knowledgeable, interesting, entertaining and thoughtful in giving us a tailored experience of their fascinating country. Sam and Katia communicated promptly and with good humor to our questions and requests for itinerary tweaks and changes. I had always wanted to visit Morocco. YellowWood helped design a wonderful trip that I will always remember. I will definitely plan another trip with YellowWood Adventures. I highly recommend them.
Bespoke Adventure June 2023
J
I have worked with numerous travel companies and YellowWood Adventures is a stand out. Their planning and execution of our trip to Morocco was outstanding. From the Riads and Kasbah selections to our guides and drivers. The trip was exciting and interesting - they made everything easy and made sure we experienced the real Morocco through numerous cultural exchanges, tasty meals, local hotels, etc. I will definitely book another trip with them to somewhere exotic!
Bespoke Adventure June 2023
Please take into consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions.
Please bring a full first aid kit and any prescription medication with you. Consult your doctor regarding advice around inoculations and the prevention of disease contraction.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
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Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
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