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Moroccan, "Dar's & Riads".

A 14-day Highlights of Morocco adventure, starting in Casablanca and finishing in Marrakesh.
History of Morocco
Morocco, we know it from countless movies, and for many, it remains the very definition of "Exotic". Join us on this journey from Casablanca to Marrakesh, where we really get into the "vibe" of the country with time to explore.
With OTS its always about the experience, the food, the people, and the culture, enjoyed at a non-hurried pace.
This 2026 trip is particularly special as we have secured one of the most beautiful “Riads” in the medieval city of Fes for our 3 nights stay there.
There are 7 exquisite rooms in this Riad which is the reason only 1 single occupancy room is available on this trip.
Truly you will feel like you are living in a palace and anyone interested in Islamic architecture will be blown away by this gem of a building.
You need to have a degree of fitness and mobility to join this trip as there are many, stairs to navigate, and donkey's and carts to dodge in the Medina's.
Tour groups do not stay in the Medina's as you cannot drive there, we do, making this a very unique trip, but it also means we have to navigate our bags and self's, to the front door. A small price to experience life in a Medina.
Morocco is an intoxicating fusion of cultures, ancient cities, medieval bazaars, and mountain villages. We get to see the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis, stroll through the streets of the "Blue '' city of Chefchaouen, wander through the medinas of Marrakesh and Fes. All while enjoying great company, taste sensations, and exotic accommodations.
We travel Morocco at a leisurely pace with time to take a mint tea, savour a restaurant, and immerse yourselves in the smell of spices and local pace of life.
​On this OTS adventure we avoid the huge distances and long drives, required to see the Sahara dunes and desert villages, which make up many itineraries.  We slow it down a little, spending 2-3 nights or more in most places of interest, and on most days, breakfast is something to be enjoyed rather than a rush to get on the road.
If the sand dunes of the Sahara, a camel ride, a night under the stars etc are a must see for you, then think about adding a  2-3 night round trip tour into the Sahara from Marrakech. 
 
Day 1: Casablanca (1 night)
Today is arrival day and a welcome to our fellow travelers. Marrakesh and Casablanca are both well connected with flights from several hubs, and you should find it easy to fly into one and out of the other at no extra cost, if flying via a European hub. 
You can arrive any time on day one. The airport is serviced by an hourly train service, which will take you to where are our first hotel is located, alternatively a official airport taxi will take about 45min. 

We will get to view the grand Mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca. and walk the Medina (if your arrival time is before 2pm)
Evening welcome meal at “Ricks” Café.

Day 2: Casablanca to Tangier (2 nights)
After breakfast  we have a short walk to the train station to board the Bullet train for our 300km and hour trip to Tangier. It’s the fastest rail track in Africa, and yes, we will travel 1st class. In Tangier we have our first taste of a “Dar” with our centrally located accommodation, from where we explore this fascinating historic city.
This afternoon we get to explore on a walking tour and there is the chance at the end of the walk to visit an excellent Museum of Contemporary art, if interested.

Day 3: Tangier
Tangier, has been a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. It is vibrant, edgy, and packed with history.
In the morning we will visit. The American Legation Museum, and the afternoon is free time to explore the Medina and Kasbah at leisure.

Day 4: Tangier to Chefchaouen (3 nights)
Today we meet our local driver and head to 
Chefchaouen,  (the ‘blue city’) via Tetouan (Lunch and a walk).
Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains. 
Chefchaouen has been lovingly cared for, with striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs, and artistic doorways. Much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista. Here we stay in a Riad right in the centre of where we want to be, allowing us all free time to explore and photograph at our leisure.
 
Day 5: Chefchaouen
After a morning guided walk the rest of the day is free time so you can put your camera or sketching skills to the test in this beautiful place, that makes you reach for your camera every few steps.


Day 6: Chefchaouen
 Today everyone will have a choice, either to join us on a hike in the countryside, visiting a beautiful valley, mountain stream and waterfall, or take the day "off" and enjoy time-out wandering the streets of the Blue city, or reading a book on the rooftop of our lovely Riad, overlooking the city.

Day 7: Chefchaouen to Fes (3 nights)
Special day today as we head to from Fes via the Roman ruins of Volubilis, stopping for Lunch (included) somewhere special (a surprise)
We will arrive in Fes early evening and settle in to our exquisite “Riad” you will feel like you are a Prince / Princess.
 
Day 8-9 : Fes
The living museum of Fes has disputable origins, some believe its origins come from ancient Greece, others claim it comes from the Balkans. Nevertheless, the city is the best example of the medieval Arab world. Today, Fes, is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco – vibrant, noisy, fascinating, and overwhelming – a visual and pungent feast for the senses.
On the first morning we will head into the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali, on a walking tour. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great center's of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Walk along the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty sections that divide the souks, filled with historic khans, madrassas and dye pits, stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, and where the squawk of chickens, the smell of spice, and sound of hammering of copper fills the air, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages.
On our second full day we continue exploring the old city and gardens with a morning walk, and the afternoon is free time to visit any specific places of interest you have identified, or just enjoy getting lost in the ally ways exploring the shops and markets. Its endlessly fascinating.

Day 10:  Fes to Rabat (1 night)
This morning after breakfast we pack up our bags and say goodbye to Fes as we head to the capital city of Rabat, and a very different "Vibe" with its stunning modern architecture and grand vistas.
Here we visit  the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbar Oudaya, before exploring the central market and gardens.
In Rabat, we again stay in the heart of the old Medina and I will be asking you all to just pack an overnight bag, and leave suitcases in the van, as we are only here for 1 night.

Day 11:   Rabat – Marrakesh (3 nights)
Today’s journey will take about 5 hours with stops along the way, the lush valleys will give way to barren desert as we head towards the Atlas Mountains.
In Marrakesh we stay in a beautiful Riad in the very heart of the Medina.  Here we will have to walk 10 min, from the van and our luggage will come on a cart behind us.
 
Day 12:   Marrakesh
This morning set off on a morning walking tour of the old medina, together we visit the Bahia Palace, and then through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood flowing through the city. Henna painters, performers, and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies.
The afternoon is free time to take in a city garden, shop, or museum or art gallery of choice.
 
Day 13:   Marrakesh
This is our final full day and its a chance to pick the activity that interests you the most.
Suggestions are
  • Visit the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle (2hr) and you must book in advance if this is your choice.
  • Anima (Andre Heller Garden) 1/2 day
  • Visit the ruins of the Palais Badi.
  • Explore the house of Photography.
  • Spend time in The Secret Garden.
  • Visit Macaal (Museum of contemporary African art)
  • Visit the Madrasa Ben Youssef.
The rest of the day is free time to explore further or do some last min shopping in the bazaar.

Day 14:   Departure day
You can head to the airport any time, there will be a “day room” available for anyone on late flights. Or stay on a few days, take a trip to the coast, or take the train back to our starting point, if you are flying out of Casablanca.

​ 
As with all our trips you must let go of the concept you're signing up for a typical tour, you're not, you're coming on a semi-structured adventure with all the hard work done for you. There will be plenty of opportunities for self-directed exploring using the knowledge and experience of your host Richard. Things will go wrong some days, and changes need to be taken in your stride.​
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26th April - 9th May 2026.
Starts in Casablanca (CMN) and finishes in Marrakesh (RAK)
14-day 13-night adventure.

​
Small group Min 6, Max 12.
This trip will be escorted by Richard, OTS founder
(Boys trip)
FULL  
​
Highlights include :-
  • Visiting 4 "Imperial cities" UNESCO 
  • Medinas, bazars, and palaces.
  • Tanneries and medinas of Fes
  • Stay in an exquisitely restored Dar in Fez 
  • Wonderful local Moroccan food.
  • The "Blue city" of Chefchaouen
  • Tangier and the gateway to Africa.
  • Souks and modern architecture of Rabat
  • Roman ruins of Volubilis
  • ​Grand Mosque of Hassan II 
  • Bahia Palace in Marrakesh

​Includes :-
  • 13-nights excellent accommodation, in both Riad's (Beautifully restored Moroccan houses)  and 3-4* hotels
  • 13 wonderful breakfasts. 
  • OTS welcome dinner "Ricks Cafe"
  • OTS Moroccan family style farewell dinner
  • Surprise lunch, somewhere very special.
  • Fastest train in Africa (1st class ticket) Casablanca to Tangier.
  • Fully OTS escorted trip
  • Air conditioned comfortable minibus and driver for 8 days as we sight-see between cities.
  • Local guides when required.

Entry fees for sites listed​ below​, are included
  • The American Legation Museum (Tangier)
  • Al Attarine Madrasa (Fes)
  • ​Volubilis Roman ruins (Moulay Idriss)
  • ​Bahia Palace (Marrakesh)

Optional extras :-
  • Moroccan cookery class (Fes)
  • Entry fees other than those listed, eg specific museums / sites of particular interest to you.
  • Hamman for a Moroccan massage and scrub.​

Not Included :-
  • Visa if required.
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • International airfares. 
  • Drinks and meals other than above inclusions
  • Entry fees to optional sites and Museums.
  • Personal spending money.
  • ​Local tips (budget Euro 10 pp pd discretionary)
  • Taxi or private transfer to/from our arrival/departure hotel.
Clear details for arrival will be given, you can arrive on any flight / time, and I will be at the hotel to meet you, and help with ideas on how to spend the day if you get in early.

​Cost estimate for 2026
Euro 3995 pp twin share
Single supplement plus Euro 900 (Own room)
Deposit of Euro 500 pp secures you adventure
​

Deposit of Euro 500 pp confirms your place on the trip

​
​

​
The green "Book Now" button will appear above when live bookings and deposits open for this trip.
Payment options
Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure.​

    Moroccan "Amazing Riad's".
    ​26th April 2026 "Boys trip"
    ​Please check your SPAM folder as I will always reply within 48 hr.

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Photos from paologmb, Pedro Nuno Caetano, ginomempin, cattan2011, cattan2011
  • Home
  • 2026 Adventures
    • Sri Lanka "Bawa" Sept 2026
    • India Forts and Palaces Oct 2026
    • Bhutan and Nepal Nov 2026
    • Laos and Northern Thailand Nov 2026
    • Laos 2026 Xmas Mekong Cruise
  • 2027/28 Adventures
    • South Africa Luxury April 2027
    • South Africa Luxury May 2027
    • Botswana Luxury May /June 2027
    • Namibia June 2027
    • Viva Mexico October 2027
    • Argentina and the Andean North Oct 2027
    • Antarctica Feb 2028
    • Vietnam "The Red River" May 2028
    • Sri Lanka "Bawa" Sept 2028
  • Register future interest
    • Peru and the Inca heartland 2028
    • New Zealand, "Out" and about.
    • Portugal "Vibe"
    • Moroccan "Riads" Oct 2028
    • South Africa Cape to Karoo
    • India "The Ganges"
    • Southern India explored
    • North Thailand, Bangkok and the wonders of Angkor
    • Cambodia Saigon to Angkor
    • New Zealand South Island "Walks"
    • Planning Japan explored
  • About us
    • Profiles
    • Philosophy
    • Is OTS right for you?
    • Q&A
    • Booking & Payment Options
    • Arrival and e-sim options
    • Travel Insurance
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Understanding deposits and gifting
    • Testimonials
    • Contact us
    • Opportunity to join us
    • Botswana extension
    • Victoria falls add-on
    • Cape town add-on
    • Amazon Extension
    • Moroccan "Mountains & Desert"
    • Links
  • Newsletters