Tangier & the Rif Mountains to Marrakech
Tangier & the Rif Mountains to Marrakech
Tangier & the Rif Mountains to Marrakech
10 Days Starting in Casablanca and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Casablanca, casablanca, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Rif, Fes, Conservation du site Archéologique de volubilis, Meknes, Rabat, Marrakech
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AMN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2173
$2013 (USD)
Operator discount: -$103
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$57
Tour Overview
Journey deep into northern Morocco to visit unique towns and cities, each thick in a one-off blend of history and intrigue. Taking two time-saving train rides, we visit dramatically diverse destinations; there’s the bright-blue town of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, the remarkable Roman ruins at Volubilis, the intellectual and religious hub of Fez and the surprisingly calm capital - Rabat. We end in vibrant Marrakech, touring mazey souks and standing in Djemaa el Fna square, a pulsating mix of snake charmers, juice vendors and trinket sellers.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Casablanca
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Oum Palace (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
The adventure begins in Casablanca, a modern port city and business hub on the edge of the Atlantic. We have a welcome briefing in the evening, in which we gather for the first time as a group and you can ask any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Hotel Imperial (or similar)
Day 2 : Hassan Ii Mosque; Train From Casablanca To Tangier
Location: casablanca, Tangier
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Challa (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We couldn’t leave Casablanca without first visiting the Hassan II Mosque, an intricately decorated temple with room for 105,000 people. A picturesque position on a promontory in the Atlantic is complemented by exquisite Moroccan stylings, including wood and stone carvings, marble floors and fine local tiles known as zellige. It’s also one of just two Moroccan mosques that non-Muslims can visit. Please note, knees and upper arms must be covered to enter.
After, we travel two hours’ north by high-speed train (TGV) to Tangier, a coastal city perhaps best known for being a one-time favourite for artists, counter-culturalists, Beat writers and rock stars, before investment brought economic development and a more modern sheen to the city. We visit the medina this afternoon, where an ancient kasbah and stalls selling food, spices, rugs, textiles are wrapped by the walls of an ancient Portuguese fortress.
Accommodation: Hotel Challa (or similar)
Day 3 : Explore The Atlantic Coast Of Tangier
Location: Tangier
Accommodation Name: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Today we head across the coast; if it’s a clear day, we may even be able to see Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. We head to the rocky promontory of Cape Spartel, which marks the extreme northwest of Africa, to visit the atmospheric Cave of Hercules where the ancient hero is said to have rested after dividing the European and African continents. We also visit Parc Perdicaris, a tree-filled green space with Mediterranean views, for a gentle stroll.
Next, we transfer to Chefchaouen (2hr 30min), a painted-blue city layering a slope in the Rif Mountains. On arrival, we have a short orientation tour around the narrow vibrant streets, stopping outside the 15th-century Grand Mosque, and (dependent on time) walking to the hilltop Spanish Mosque for sunset and beautiful views.
Accommodation: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar)
Day 4 : Optional Walk In The Rif Mountains Or Free Time In Chefchaouen
Location: Chefchaouen, Rif
Accommodation Name: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We have the choice today of exploring Chefchaouen on our own or taking an optional guided walk to Akchour Waterfalls, about an hour's drive away (extra cost).
For the latter, we explore the area around the falls, where mountains, rivers and waterfalls create an idyllic landscape. We also take a detour to the God’s Bridge rock formation before walking through the cool, verdant forest to visit the Akchour Waterfalls.
Accommodation: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar)
Day 5 : Drive To Fez
Location: Fes
Accommodation Name: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Following free time in Chefchaouen this morning, we leave the Rif Mountains and drive to Fez, a scenic journey of about 4hr 30min, passing through rural landscapes that become increasingly agricultural. In Fez, we enjoy a pastilla for dinner, a pastry-wrapped savoury dish and a Moroccan delicacy.
Accommodation: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar)
Day 6 : Full Day In Fez
Location: Fes
Accommodation Name: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Today we discover Fez, the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, the city has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges), including the ninth-century al-Karaouine University, said to be the oldest still-running university in the world.
We join our city guide on an intriguing exploration, cutting through the souks where vendors sell leather, brass, copper and ceramics, and visiting the tanneries. We also journey outside the medina to visit the Jewish District and admire the elaborately decorated doors of the Royal Palace, before driving to a viewpoint for vistas over the medina.
Accommodation: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar)
Day 7 : Volubilis And Meknes; To Rabat
Location: Conservation du site Archéologique de volubilis, Meknes, Rabat
Accommodation Name: Imperial Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
After breakfast we travel to Volubilis, a Unesco World Heritage site housing the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite damage caused by an earthquake in 1755, this important Roman town retains detailed (and very beautiful) mosaics.
We travel to Meknes for lunch (not included) and explore the medina, where we see Lahdim Square (a scaled-down version of Djemma el Fna in Marrakech) and the monumental Bab El Mansour gates. We continue by road (two hours) to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
Accommodation: Imperial Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 : Rabat, Train To Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Hotel Meriem (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We have the morning in Rabat, a city that feels calmer than many in Morocco and is less visited by tourists. We start with a visit to the Kasbah of the Udayas, originally a small Arab fortification, later settled by Andalucians. Next is the unfinished (yet still impressive) Hassan Tower, a 140ft (43m) tall red-stone minaret dominating the Rabat skyline. Adjacent is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the resting place of the eponymous king and his two sons, Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.
From Rabat, we take a late afternoon train, travelling in first-class compartments to Marrakech, a journey of just under four hours.
Accommodation: Hotel Meriem (or similar)
Day 9 : Marrakech; Guided City Tour
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Hotel Meriem (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
In Marrakech, we have a half-day guided tour to soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, and end in Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is also worth visiting at night when this renowned landmark comes to life with food stalls, snake charmers, juice sellers and acrobats.
Accommodation: Hotel Meriem (or similar)
Day 10 : End Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: breakfast
Our tour ends after breakfast in Marrakech. If you’d like to spend more time in this electric city, speak to your sales representative to extend your stay.
What's Included
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Nine breakfasts and one dinner included
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Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
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All accommodation
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single supplement
Food
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices:
Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
Dinners:
In cities: 80-200 dirhams (US$8-US$19)
Small towns and villages: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
Soft drinks in restaurants: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$1.90)
Alcohol:
Beer: 30-50 dirhams (US$2.85-US$5)
Wine: 150 dirhams (US$14) and more
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip.
Please note, if you have any special dietary requirements, you should inform us prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (eg coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.
Accommodation
We spend seven nights in hotels and two nights in a riad (a small boutique guesthouse offering an insight into traditional Moroccan living).
Casablanca: Hotel Imperial (night 1)
Our first accommodation is centrally located in Casablanca, within 10 minutes’ drive of Hassan II Mosque and the Central Market. Post-exploration, enjoy a cocktail in the lounge-bar or dine in Restaurant Le Marius, a modern bistro serving a Mediterranean-international menu.
Tangier: Hotel Chellah (night 2)
Hotel Chellah is in the heart of Tangier, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the beach. There is a dining terrace, where you can enjoy both local and international dishes, plus a bar and lounge. Relaxation also comes in the form of a palm-shaded outdoor pool.
Chefchaouen: Hotel Ziryab (nights 3-4)
Wrapped by the Rif mountains, Hotel Ziryab is our home for two nights. If you need to cool down, there’s an outdoor pool and loungers, plus a few parasols for shade. If you decide to walk into town, the Grand Mosque is just over a 10-minute walk away, while the medina is even closer.
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. A riad is a traditional Moroccan home where the wealthiest people would historically live. The riad is built around a central courtyard. The rooms are not standardised and come in different sizes and shapes.
Rabat: Imperial Boutique Hotel (night 7)
In the capital of Morocco, we stay at the Imperial Boutique. The location is ideal, just a five-minute walk to the Hassan Tower and about 15 minutes’ walk to Rabat Medina.
Marrakech: Hotel Meriem (nights 8-9)
We end our Moroccan adventure at Hotel Meriem, where you can beat the heat in one of two outdoor pools. There’s also a trio of restaurants (serving Moroccan and international cuisines) plus a bar.
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.
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Dates & Availability
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Saturday - Monday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 23, 2024Saturday - Monday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jan 24, 2025 - Feb 02, 2025Book 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.
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