Kasbahs & Coast

14 days - from $1295

Often described as a 'feast for the senses' there are times when you feel the Moroccan landscape has come straight out of 'Arabian Nights'. There are fabulous mud-brick kasbahs to explore, wonderful old towns and cities, rolling sand dunes, snow-capped mountains and an extensive and largely undeveloped coastline. Every day brings new surprises as we discover this vast country. We experience the land and its people in their many different guises as we travel from the desert to the mountains and finally to the picturesque Portuguese fishing town of Essaouira.

From Casablanca we take the train to Meknes to visit the splendid old medina. This is a fitting prelude to Fes, Morocco's cultural capital, a living museum where thousands of artisans and shopkeepers work in the myriad streets, alleyways and covered bazaars. Here we spend two days, immersing ourselves in this splendid medieval city, before travelling south to the great sand dunes on the western edge of the Sahara.

A dramatic change of landscape finds us in Todra Gorge and nearby we explore the picturesque Dades Valley. We then travel along the fabled 'road of 1000 kasbahs', visiting an amazing family home at Skoura and the outstanding mud-brick town of Ait Benhaddou. Climbing over the Atlas Mountains we arrive in the 'pink' city of Marrakech, where we explore the old medina and the great main square 'Jemaa el Fna' the heart and soul of this fine old city.

A couple of hours to the west lies Essaouira, a delightful old fishing town where we spend our last two days relaxing and reflecting on our Moroccan adventure.

Highlights

• Fes - the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco
• Marrakech
• Camel ride and camping in the Sahara
• Casablanca
• Meknes' UNESCO World Heritage-listed old medina
• The mud-brick kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Essaouira medina
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jamaâ El Fna
• The Road of 1000 Kasbahs
• Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley

Itinerary:

Day 1: Casablanca2: Casablanca-Meknes3: Meknes-Fes4: Fes5-6: Fes–Midelt-Erg Chebbi7: Erg Chebbi-Todra Gorge8: Dades Valley-Ait Benhaddou9: Ait Benhaddou-Telouet-Marrakech10: Marrakech11: Marrakech-Essaouira12: Essaouira13: Essaouira-Marrakech14: Marrakech

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included:

• Gecko's expert English-speaking local tour guide throughout the tour, and local site guides at some sites.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Casablanca's Mosque of Hassan II; Meknes' old medina; Fes-El-Bali's souk; Ifrane; Midelt; Gorges du Ziz; Ksar of Meski; Todra Gorge; ‘road of 1000 kasbahs’; Dades Gorge; mud-brick home at Skoura; Ait Benhaddou; Telouet; and Marrakech.

• Camel ride and overnight desert camping.

• Local train to Meknes and local bus to Essaouira.

International flights, arrival & departure transfers, entrance fees, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.