< Designed Trips

The Trip

Soak up the incredible history, culture, and traditions of Morocco on this 8-night experiential Designed Trip. Beginning in the red city of Marrakech, you’ll discover the city’s impressive medina on a private evening tour with a local, enjoy a session of henna at a local cafe, taste authentic Moroccan street food on an off-the-beaten-path food tour, and uncover the incredible techniques and traditions of local artisans on a private exploration of the city’s souks. After your introduction to Morocco in Marrakech, hop in a 4x4 vehicle with your private local guide for the next four days as you make your way through the High Atlas mountains to the stunning sand dunes of Erg Chebbi on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Stop along the way at historic Aït Ben Haddou, the beautiful Dades Gorge, and Todra Valley, before camel trekking through the dunes at sunset and ‘glamping’ in the desert. With two days in the Sahara, you’ll have plenty of time to learn about the fascinating Berber culture and their nomadic traditions, before heading north to one of the world’s best preserved medinas in the city of Fez. Here you’ll join a private local guide to explore the maze-like medina and learn the techniques of authentic Moroccan cuisine at a cooking class with a home chef. Along the way, you’ll stay in highly rated historic palaces, authentic riads and luxury tents in the golden dunes of the Sahara, returning home with memories that will last a lifetime.

The Details

​​Price:
  • From $1,885 per person
Duration​:
  • 8 nights, 9 days
Inclusions:
  • Highly-rated boutique hotels
  • Private transportation within Morocco
  • Select meals (details below)
  • Private & small-group experiences
  • Curated country mini-guide

The ​​Itinerary

Marrakech
  • Day 1: After arriving in Marrakech, you’ll be picked up by a private driver who will take you to your boutique hotel within the city’s historic Medina. As the sun sets over the red city, meet a private local guide who will take you through the city’s skinny streets and tiny passageways, exploring the highlights while helping you get better acquainted with the Medina and local culture. After your first tagine, settle in for a restful night of sleep to prepare for the many adventures ahead.
  • Day 2: Wake up and enjoy a delicious Moroccan breakfast and glass of fresh squeezed orange juice as the morning call to prayer echoes across the rooftops of the city center.* In the late morning, head to a charming Henna cafe run by our friend Laurie, an American expat who made her home in Marrakech, for a private henna experience with local henna artists. The afternoon is free to visit the local markets, wander the narrow streets, or relax at your riad. For dinner, join a small-group Moroccan street food tour, tasting your way through the city and learning about Moroccan cuisine at local, off the beaten path spots.
    *If you’ve decided to add an overnight trip to Essaouira, a private driver will pick you up from your riad for the ~3 hour drive to the coast.
  • Day 3: After a relaxed morning and breakfast at your beautiful boutique riad, meet up with a local guide to discover the culture and traditions of Marrakech’s souks and artisans. Learn all about local life in the Medina and how these artisans have helped shape the city, while visiting unique places such as Rahba Kedima, Souk des teinturiers, and Al Nour cooperative. See how everything in the souks is made by hand, from the colorful natural dyes, to the yarn woven from sheep and camel wool, to skillful and intricate woodworking, and much more.

Marrakech to Dades Gorge
  • Day 4: Today marks the start of your adventure to the breathtaking Sahara Desert! Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up by your private guide in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for the journey through the high Atlas mountains and the spectacular Tizi Ntichka pass on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Aït Ben Haddou. Located on a historic caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech, this fortified city is set on a hill beside the Ouarzazate River and is one of the best remaining examples of an inhabited kasbah. This impressive city also happens to be a filming location for movies such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. Continue on to the gorgeous Rose Valley and your boutique hotel near the Dades Gorge where you’ll have a peaceful night’s rest after a delicious dinner. 

The Sahara
  • Day 5: Wake up to mint tea and a local breakfast before exploring the landscape of Dades Gorge, as well as Monkey fingers Valley and Todra Valley, before visiting the open market in Rissani on your way to Merzouga. Check in to your beautiful boutique Riad at the edge of the Erg Chebbi Dunes, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner before settling in for a good night’s sleep. A full day of exploration in the Sahara Desert awaits!
  • Day 6: ​Sit down to breakfast at your lovely Riad in the Sahara before a visit to Khamlia village, where you’ll enjoy some traditional Gnawa music. Continue off-road to Nomadic berber tents, where you’ll be hosted for tea before visiting the Merzouga gardens to better understand the irrigation systems of the old berber villages. In the early evening, climb on the back of a camel for a once-in-a-lifetime sunset camel trek to the middle of the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Take in the desolate landscape as the sun sets over the golden dunes and (if you’d like), try your hand at sand boarding down the dunes. Arrive at the camp to warm mint tea and a hot shower before sitting down to dinner. Gather around the fire as your guides play local songs under the stars before falling asleep in the comfort of your private tent. 

The Sahara to Fez
  • Day 7: Begin your final day in the Sahara with breakfast in the middle of the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Afterwards, hop back on your friendly camel for the trek out of the dunes and the trip north to Fez. Stop for lunch in Midelt before passing the cedar forests of Azrou to see the wild monkeys, and the interesting ski resort of Ifrane, before arriving at the authentic city of Fez in the late afternoon. Check in to your boutique riad in the city’s maze-like Medina, enjoy some mint tea and take the rest of the evening to have dinner out or relax at your hotel.

Fez
  • ​Day 8: After breakfast, meet a local guide at your hotel for a half-day private tour of the city. See the city’s most important cultural and historical sights, from the old medina to the Jewish quarter, the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, Bou Inania Medersa, the famous Chouara Tannery, and more. After some downtime in the afternoon, join a local home chef at her family house in the early evening for a Moroccan cooking class, where you’ll learn how to prepare traditional dishes like zaalouk, tagine, couscous, and harira. Experience this truly authentic Moroccan meal together while sipping on mint tea before heading back to your hotel for your final night in Fez.
  • Day 9: Enjoy your last morning Fez and the warm rays of the bright Moroccan sun as it streams into your Riad. A private transfer will pick you up and take you directly to the airport for your flight home. 

Optional add-on: Essaouira
  • Overnight in Essaouira (3 hours from Marrakesh): Depart from Marrakech on the second day of your trip for an overnight stay in the charming fishing village of Essaouira. A private driver will take you to this coastal town, where you’ll check in to your boutique hotel before joining a local guide for a private tour of the city. Stroll by an old watchtower for a special view of town, have tea in the main square, see the scala of the medina, the kasbah, mellah, and fish market before heading back to your hotel. Have a relaxed evening by the sea before calling it a night.

Pricing & Inclusions

Inclusions
  • ​​3 hotel nights in Marrakech
  • 3 hotel nights in Dades Gorge and the Sahara Desert
  • 2 hotel nights in Fes
  • Private airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Private sunset Marrakech medina tour with a local
  • Henna session with a local artist in Marrakech 
  • Small group, off-the-beaten-path evening food tour in Marrakech 
  • Private souks and artisans tour in Marrakech 
  • 3-night, 4-day excursion to the Sahara Desert in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle with private local guide: 
    • Visit to Aït Ben Haddou kasbah 
    • Visit to Dades Gorge, Monkey fingers Valley and Todra Valley
    • Visit to Rissani open market
    • Visit to Khamlia village with Gnawa music
    • Tea with Berber nomads and introduction to Berber culture
    • Visit to Merzouga gardens and introduction to local farming practices 
    • Camel trek to and from luxury camp in Erg Chebbi Dunes
    • Optional sand boarding
    • Dinners (3 nights)
  • Private medina tour with a local in Fez
  • Small-group Moroccan home cooking class in Fez
  • Breakfast daily
  • Curated Morocco mini-guide

Exclusions
  • International flights to Morocco​
  • Meals & activities not listed above
  • ​Travel insurance
​
​Pricing
  • With boutique hotels
    • From $1,885 per person
  • With luxury boutique hotels
    • From $2,370 per person
  • ​Pricing for Cohica Designed Trips is based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.
  • This Designed Trip offers the flexibility to omit activities or destinations (ask us for details).

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This Designed Trip was developed based on our personal travels, with local contacts, favorite hotels and authentic activities we've experienced first-hand.
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