HIGHLIGHTS: Welcome dinner and exploration of Jmaa el Fna Arrive in Marrakech in the morning and get settled into the Riad hotel, close to the Jmaa el Fna. Our first official meeting point will be at dinner that evening. After dinner, we’ll stroll through the Jmaa el Fna square for a quick glimpse into how the marketplace transforms itself and comes alive at night with food stands, musicians, henna artists, storytellers, and spicy ginger tea and dessert stands. Marrakech offers insight into the history of rural to urban migration in Morocco, as well as the Western retelling of the Moroccan aesthetic. Most Moroccans who live here can trace their family history to the rural Atlas mountains and speak some of the Amazigh languages. For guests who plan to arrive early, we suggest they visit the Majorelle Gardens, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Macaal Museum, or Dar Si Said Museum as we will not have time to visit all of these wonderful places on our tour. What to Expect: City Walking Meals: Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Marrakech riad in the old medina, walking distance from the Jmaa el Fna. This Riad will have a spa where you can book a traditional Moroccan style hammam.

HIGHLIGHTS: Tajine cooking class and guided tour of Marrakech medina Learn to cook traditional Moroccan meals like Tajines and couscous with a local organization that helps disadvantaged women gain work experience by training them in job readiness skills and the preparation of authentic Moroccan food. This is followed up with a guided walking tour around Marrakech’s medina and a visit to Dar el Basha museum. In the evening guests are free to explore Marrakech’s medina on their own; folks can either eat at the pop up restaurants that fill the square every night, or choose to eat in some of the restaurants surrounding the square. What to Expect: City Walking Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ACCOMMODATIONS: Marrakech riad in the old medina.

HIGHLIGHTS: Guided tour of Kasbah in Telouet, sunset in Ait Ben Haddou, traditional lunch along Morocco's famous Tizi n' Techka road. After breakfast, we’ll pass through the gateway to the Atlas Mountains and head to the heartland of the Amazigh people. Along the road, we will stop for a traditional Moroccan lunch, and tour the ancient Kasbah of Telouet where we’ll learn about the Glaoui tribe’s role in shaping Moroccan history. Telouet is an old Glaoui town, about 25km off the winding Tizi N’ Techka road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, that features one of the most beautiful ancient, tribal Kasbahs. The Glaoui tribe was a well-known nomadic and warring tribe from this region and their Kasbah is replete with fortressed walls, intricate tile-work, and incredible views. That evening we will stay in neighboring town, Ait Ben Haddou, known for its fortresses and, most recently, for many film and TV shows, including Game of Thrones. What to Expect: Up to 5 hours drive, split up between stops; winding roads Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Traditional hotel in Ait Ben Haddou equipped with pool. This hotel is on the main road of Ait Ben Haddou and is a short walk to the UNESCO world heritage site.

HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to local weaving cooperative, lunch with artisans, free time to explore Ait Ben Haddou. In the morning, we will drive to a nearby women’s weaving cooperative that uses natural dyes in their traditional Glaoui/Ait Ouaouzguite weavings. We will eat with local artisans and experience the weaving process from start to finish. This will be followed by a free afternoon to relax by the pool or explore the ancient medina of Ait Ben Haddou and hike through the streets to the top of the old city, which provides the best view of the valley below. What to expect: Short, 30 minute drive to artisan cooperative, moderate hike through cobblestone streets Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Traditional hotel in Ait Ben Haddou.

HIGHLIGHTS: Hike in Boumalne gorge, travel through Morocco's route of one thousand Kasbahs. We'll drive through Ouarzazate, the heart of Morocco’s film industry, and continue onwards through the Valley of Roses until we arrive at the Boumalne Gorge. We will stop along the way for lunch, to visit an artisan that makes traditional daggers, to experience the Kasbahs along the Route des Milles Kasbahs, and to stretch our legs for a sunset hike upon arrival in Boumalne Gorge. What to Expect: Up to 4 hours drive, split up between stops, some winding roads, sunset hike Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Family hotel at the top of the Boumalne gorge.

HIGHLIGHTS: Camel trek, dinner in the dunes, stargazing Early morning optional hike in the Boumalne Gorge for folks who want to take in the scale of the gorge from the river bed. We’ll eat an early lunch before heading to the desert, arriving just in time to catch a sunset camel ride. We’ll spend the evening glamping in the desert under the full night sky; there will be drumming and music around a campfire at night. What to Expect: Optional hike through the Gorge’s riverbed, up to 4 hours drive, one hour camel ride. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Luxury desert camp with running water, private, en suite showers and bathrooms.

HIGHLIGHTS: 4x4 ride out of the desert, traditional Moroccan desert lunch Optional early morning wake up to catch sunrise in the dunes, followed by our return to Merzouga, where we will ride out of the dunes by 4x4 and back to civilization. This is a drive day as we make our way back up through the Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll be staying at a hotel with a pool in the evening to relax a bit, and enjoy a good meal before continuing on to Fes the following morning. What to Expect: Up to 5 hours drive Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Moroccan-owned country-side hotel with pool and paths that lead to nearby pond.

HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to women's weaving cooperative, lunch with the artisans. We’ll visit another women’s weaving cooperative in the Middle Atlas region and eat lunch with the artisans before continuing on towards Fes, where we’ll check into our hotel. There will be free time in the evening for you to wander through the medina streets, and find a dinner location. Consider booking your dinner at Najat Kanaache’s Nur Restaurant. What to expect: Up to 4 hours drive, split between stops, moderate walking Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ACCOMMODATIONS: Traditional Moroccan riad in Fes' old medina.

HIGHLIGHTS: Guided tour of Fes medina, including the Jewish quarter, ramparts, and pottery cooperatives. We'll take a tour of Fes’s old medina and wander through the narrow streets that are a UNESCO world heritage site, en route to the leather tanneries, the Karaouine mosque, and Bouanania Madrassa. Our final meal in Fes will be at Cafe Clock, a restaurant and cultural meeting place near the Bouanania Madrassa. There will be free time in the afternoon for souvenir shopping, and independent exploration of Fes’s ancient medina. What to expect: Heavy walking up and downhill through the Fes medina Meals: Breakfast, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Traditional Moroccan riad in Fes' old medina.

HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to Volubilis and food market in Meknes. Depart Fes for Rabat and stop at Meknes and Volubilis along the way. Volubilis is an ancient town of well-preserved Roman ruins. The Romans were some of the original colonizers to arrive in Morocco. Once in Rabat, we’ll relax into our final hotel, and have the evening free to explore the city. What to expect: Moderate walking, up to 3 hours drive Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ACCOMMODATIONS: Modern hotel in Rabat's new city within walking distance of the old medina and a short walk to the beach.

HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to Rabat's sights and final dinner. Rabat is both the capital of Morocco and its fourth largest city. We’ll visit the Tour Hassan burial site, Morocco’s recently opened Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as the old Roman and Arab ruins of Chellah, just outside the city walls. The afternoon and evening will be free for walking down on the beach, exploring the Kasbah des Oudayas, or last minute shopping along the Rue des Consuls before gathering together for a final meal. What to expect: Moderate walking Meals: Breakfast, Dinner ACCOMMODATIONS: Modern hotel in Rabat's new city.

Depart from Rabat or Casablanca airport, or guests may opt to extend their stay. Rabat is a perfect launch point for those who would like to stay in Morocco and continue to explore. As of very recently, thanks to the high speed train, guests can make day trips from Rabat to Tangiers. Folks may venture down to Casablanca and visit the Hassan II mosque, Rick's Cafe, and Africa's first Jewish museum.