Your Morocco Travel Specialist

Morocco is the perfect country to travel for families who are considering a place to visit for spring break. A Morocco family vacation  during spring break guarantees a great adventure and an insightful cultural experience for families with children of all ages. Morocco is a kid friendly destination. Morocco's expansive landscapes provide a wide array of adventure travel opportunities for families such as hiking, biking, trekking, camel trekking, zip lining, eating, surfing and swimming. Morocco's temperate climate year-round makes it easy for families with a limited time frame who are traveling from the USA and Europe to reach. Morocco is just 7 1/2 hours from New York's John F Kennedy Airport,  a 3 1/2 hour Easy jet stretch from Paris and an 1 hour from Madrid via Iberia Airlines. Families in search of a child-friendly destination need to look no further then Morocco.

On a Morocco family vacation, parents can anticipate a jam-packed travel itinerary that includes a mix of site seeing in ancient cities, exploration of the souks and marketplaces, visiting magical gardens and UNESCO Heritage sites, seeing wild monkeys and barbary apes in Ifrane's cedar forest, hiking across High Atlas Mountains and through Berber Villages, Sipping Tea with a Berber Family, participating in private family henna party and watching the snake charmers at sunset in Marrakech's Djemaa el Fna Square. A Morocco family adventure vacation is not complete without traveling in a four-wheel drive across the Moroccan Sahara Desert and a 1001 Arabian Nights Morocco experience in the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes at a traditional desert camp. Perhaps one of the best surprises of all during a Morocco family vacation is the opportunity to enjoy stays at charming boutique riads that are well appointed in the old city bustling medinas with maze-like streets, colorful alley ways filled with craftsman, street food vendors, gardens, Islamic architecture,  and terraces with dream-like city scapes. The best time to travel to Morocco for a family vacation is March and April along with October, November, and December. Spring break, Easter holiday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are when Morocco's weather is extremely temperate and local festivities and adventure tie in with school schedules.

The 5 Best Adventure Activites on a Morocco Family Vacation are: 

Family Vacation in Morocco - Adventure Tour Highlights

Zip line across the Atlas Mountains

Camel Trek in the Sahara Desert

Hot Air Balloon over Marrakech

Bread bake with a Berber family

Attend a traditional Fantasia Horse show in the Marrakech Palmeraie

For more information about the Family Vacations in Morocco and Family Adventure Tours

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Some of Morocco’s Best Kept Secret Valleys and Seacoast Regions for Hiking are location in the provinces of Essaouira, Azilal, Al Haouz, Ifrane, Ourika and Chefchaouen. With its diversity of geography and landscapes, Morocco offers plenty of opportunities to hike and trek. And even less experienced walkers need not miss out on the stunning coastal views, mountain panoramas and picturesque river valleys - there are many shorter or less challenging walks as well as the opportunity to trek on mule, camel or horseback. Here are five of Morocco's best-kept scenic hiking destinations.

Essaouira Province A longer stay in Essaouira offers the chance to get out of the medina and explore the surrounding countryside. The Cap Sim promontory, south of Essaouira and between the medina and the small seaside town of Sidi Kaouki, is reachable along the broad sandy beach when the tide is out. Given the prevailing trade winds from north to south, it is advisable to start in Essaouira and either organize a ride back from Cap Sim or the nearby village of Sidi Ouassane (beyond the lighthouse and home to a large wind farm) or continue to Sidi Kaouki (around 20km/12 miles along the beach from Essaouira) and pick up transport there, rather than turn back into the wind. Cap Sim can also be reached overland from the village of Ghazoua (8km/5 miles south of Essaouira). Walkers will be rewarded with views of deserted beaches, rock pools and caves and the occasional herd of goats grazing on the vegetation which clings to the windswept dunes and cliffs. The panorama is particularly attractive at sunset.

Azilal Province Beyond the city of Azilal, the Provincial capital, a road - only paved since 2001 - climbs up to Morocco's so-called "Happy Valley" at Ait Bougemez. Remote and apparently untouched by many aspects of modern life, it is like a Moroccan Shangri-La. The Ait Bougemez Valley itself is a plateau in the High Atlas Mountains offering plenty of walks alongside babbling brooks where women wash their clothes, beside verdant green fields and under ancient walnut trees on the outskirts of small villages. Two cone-shaped peaks rise from the valley floor, one of which is home to the communal granary (agadir) of Sidi Moussa. It is a short, steep hike up to the granary, where a caretaker will happily show visitors around a small museum inside and up to the roof for the stunning views. For the more energetic, Ait Bougemez benefits from its proximity to M’Goun (Morocco’s 2nd highest peak after Mount Toubkal at 4,071m/13,350 ft) and its surrounding massif. Al Haouz Province Accessible on a day trip from Marrakech, the Ourika Valley is a very popular destination among Moroccans and tourists alike. Typically, day trippers visit the town of Setti Fatma in the valley to eat in a riverside restaurant and hike up to the seven waterfalls, which are easily reached with sturdy shoes via a combination of steps and scrambling over rocks. However, in the peak season this small town becomes overwhelmed with visitors. For those wishing to get off the beaten track and experience a more peaceful hike, Ait Ashok is a recommended destination. Hikers in the Ait Ashok area walk among fruit tree orchards fed by bountiful water flowing off the High Atlas Mountains and between small farming villages. In Spring, when the wind scatters the fruit blossom like snow, a trek is particularly pleasant. Later in the year, hikers can see the harvests of walnuts, almonds, apples and other fruits. Ifrane Province The area around Ifrane, in the Middle Atlas Mountain range, is known as the Switzerland of Morocco, due to its altitude which results in snow and skiing in winter. The protected area of the Ifrane National Park covers an area of 500 km² (193 sq. mi) and although the last Atlas Lions are long gone, it is one of the last remaining habitats of the Barbary Macaque monkey. Hikers in this region walk among huge forests of Atlas Cedar, where the birdlife is unparalleled. Ornithologists can expect to see birds of prey such as the red kits and common kestrel and the lakes in the park also support several duck species

Chefchaouen Province In the North of Morocco, in the foothills of the Rif Mountains and near the Mediterranean Coast, the area around the famous blue city of Chefchaouen is protected under the auspices of the Talassemtane National Park. The park covers some 145,000 hectares (358,000 acres). Hikers can either organize day hikes from Chefchaouen or undertake longer trekking excursions, staying within the park itself in a number of guest houses or in tents. The local environment is home to Rif Monkeys as well as countless native bird varieties and plant species, many of which are endangered. A popular destination for a day hike is the Akchour Falls and/or the Bridge of God. As long as the river is not in flood, various paths take walkers along the river banks and over a couple of hills. Routes can be selected according to fitness level and desired length of hike and in the peak season there are cafes on route where the weary can rest and enjoy a riverside tajine. The easiest hike is to God's Bridge, a steep gorge at the base of which the river flows and which is spanned by a wooden bridge. No matter your fitness level, Morocco's diverse countryside of coasts, mountains and valleys is easily accessible and enjoyable. Hikes and walks of varying durations and challenge level can be arranged in many regions. It really is worth getting out of the cities to enjoy Morocco's beautiful nature, stunning vistas and perhaps the hospitality of a rural Berber family along your route. Written by Lynn Sheppard  Lynn Sheppard has lived in Essaouira, on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast for more than 2 years, supporting local non-profits, writing and becoming an expert on all things Swiri (ie. Essaouiran). She blogs at Maroc-phile.com and for other travel industry clients.

For more information about Hiking in Morocco within the Essaouira Region For more information about Hiking in Morocco within the Chefchaouen Region Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.  We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Morocco is a trekker’s paradise with its diverse scenery and various levels of difficulty. With hundreds of miles to cover and many trekking paths in every region Morocco is a top choice for those looking to experience a trekking adventure. The best regions to trek in Morocco are the High Atlas, Anti Atlas, and the Great North.  In the High Atlas you can climb a mountain or walk in the Ourika Valley or in the beautiful village of Ouirgane gateway to scenic walks in the fields and forests of the Toubkal National Park and meet the local Berber people in their villages.

To have these trekking opportunities so close to Europe means that a world of adventure awaits you with snow capped mountain peaks like Jebel Toubkal at 4167 meter canyons, rivers and waterfalls and the forests in the National Parks with their wildlife. If you want a day’s walk from the village of Azimiz or a ten day trek with an English speaking guide, these can be easily arranged and pre booked during a tailor made private trekking tour to Morocco. Marrakech is within an hour or two’s reach of most trekking destinations. For serious trekkers a summit to Mount Toubkal can be arranged with a professional Berber guide who specialists in summiting Kasbah Toubkal. A Berber guide arranges a planned route and along with all equipment necessary for a 3 day summit. For a 3 day summit a combination of things to bring would be trekking boots, a good sized backpack, layers or clothing appropriate for three seasons, windbreaker and water bottles. On a 3 Day summit to Kasbah Toubkal you will stay in a Gitape at night and trek during the day with all local meals being served in Berber villages by locals and at the Gitape. Mule is included for equipment during your trek and led by your Berber guide. Trekking is an all year round activity in Morocco however in the winter months you will encounter snow on the High Atlas and freezing temperature. The best time for trekking in Morocco is April to June when the weather is temperate and spring flowers carpet the valley floors.

Another region famous for trekking Jbel Saghro. Jbel Saghro at 2,712 meters is less than 100 km south of the central High Atlas and overlooks the the Draa Valley and Dades valley in the Anti-Atlas. Jbel Saghro's barren volcanic rock and deep ravines is home to the famous Ait Atta tribe. During a trek in the Jbel Saghro region you time is made to have lunch with a Berber family in Ait Ouzzine, a small village located in the Nkob region.

Located between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas, Jbel Siroua at 3,305 is another prehistoric volcanic region perfect for trekking. The area extends over 350 km with valleys and canyons and fields on the mountain slopes. You can have fine views of the Jebel Mgoun at 4,068 meters in the Sous Massa Draa region and the picturesque Ait Bougmez valley some four hours from Marrakech. From Jbel Siroua trekking to Merzouga and the surrounding area is possible for those interest in desert scenery and a camel trek in the Sahara with a Nomadic guide. An alternative to trekking in Southern Morocco is the option to trek in the Rif Mountain region which is not part of the Atlas Mountain chain. In North of Morocco the nature offers a different environment for trekking. In the South it is arid and dry with valley views whereas in the North the trekking offer lush, green views as this region receives far more rain then the South of Morocco trekking.

              In Morocco's North, there are fabulous vistas, streams and lakes with great forests of cedar, oak and fir in the Talassemtane National Park, at Jebel Taloussisse and Jebel Lakraa. During a Northern Morocco trekking experience you will see Barbary Apes, eopards, wild boars, eagles, lizards and many species butterflies. You can also meet the local Berber population who till the fields in small villages and hamlets amidst the forests. The Northern part of Morocco is a less frequented trekking area by tourists than in the south of Morocco and offers an enchanting and peaceful trekking experience. The Berbers travel by donkey or on foot and vehicles area rare sight. A Rif Mountain to the Jbel Lakraa Summit which is at 2154Meters is the ideal trek in this region. Trekkers can hike to the highest Summit in Talassemtane National Park through a magnificent Cedar Forrest. Regardless of your level of experience and fitness, Morocco offers many options for trekkers alike.

For more information on Morocco Trekking in the Atlas.

For more information about the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.  We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

The Sagro Mountain region and Ait Ouzzine is the ancestral village of the Ait Atta a Berber tribe which resisted the French up until a treaty was concluded 1933 and never submitted to Thami El Glaoui Pacha of Marrakech during the French protectorate 1912-1956. The Ait Atta belong to the Ait Atta Confederation which covers Ouarzazate, Errachidia, and Azil Provinces. The tribe existed prior to the Arab Islamic conquest in the 7th century and was the leading Berber tribe between the 15 and 19th century. Fiercely independent, their stronghold was the Saghrou Mountains which surround Nkob and its villages. A trek in the Sagro Mountain region includes a five day treks tarting from the Dades valley via the Saghrou Mountains to Nkob.

You can also visit the Valley of the Roses on the high plateau of El Kelaa MGouna when visiting this region as well or arrange a home stay with a Berber family through a reputable Moroccan travel agency that specializes in travel in Morocco's Berber villages, the Draa Valley and the great South. Nkob has 45 kasbahs, a tribute to its ancestral importance and its key role in the caravan trade route with Timbuktu. It reveals much about Berber life and culture in southern Morocco as well as being a tranquil haven and a staging post for trekking in the region and the Saghrou Moutains. The Saghro Mountain region was also once known for having a significant Jewish population. The Jews co mingled with the Berbers and lived side by side and intermarried, prior to the 7th Century Arab invasion.

Nkob is located on the road between Ouarzazate and Tazzarine. This is on the southern road which connects Marrakech (340 kms from Knob) with the Erg Chebbi Dunes in Merzouga. Ouarzazate is 136 km from Nkob. As well as investigating the village of Nkobs' Kasbah’s there are two surrounding oases. There is a Friday animal market and a Saturday and Sunday Market for local produce. The Nkob souk is the 2nd biggest in Zagora Province. Items include handmade leather shoes and sandals at the Ait Atta Shoes shop. Nkob also specializes in high quality henna as Nkob located in the Zagora region of Morocco where henna grows. Nkob is also known for its organically grown almonds. Other items include berber cosmetics and clothing such as caftans and colorful berber dresses. Restaurants include the Kasbah Ennakhile with home cooked Berber food serving lunch time from 12pm to 3pm and dinner from 8pm to 10pm. At the Restaurant Merzouga you can eat traditional Moroccan fare cooked on a real wooden fire. It is a great chance to taste authentic Berber cuisine .

There are a number of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodations in Nkob including: Hotel Kasbah Ait Omar, a charming five star well-restored Kasbah located in Nkob with views of the palmeraie and luxuries equivalent to those provided in Imperial City Riads. This quaint restored Kasbah is owned by a German couple who bought the Kasbah from a family and restored it to its original glory. Fitted with a Roman style swimming pool, a glorious hammam, floor heating and charming Berber decor, this Kasbah Hotel is the place to stay in Nkob. A Travel Exploration favorite and the best in the region. Excellent amenities, service, food and location. Ksar Jenna is 2km before Nkob on the road to Ouarzazate and just across from the village Ait Ouzzine. This lovely Riad has a garden setting and rooms built around a center courtyard. Boutique and charming with a small view, the Riad has an Italian tiled and Moroccan decor. It serves as a wonderful place to stay. No swimming pool yet the food and atmosphere make up for it. Midrange traveler option for the region. Excellent food, service and location. The Kasbah Imdoukal is in the centre of Nkob. It is family owned, has traditional decor and a swimming pool. This Kasbah is for those traveling on a mid-range budget and want comforts not provided by for example Kasbah Baha Baha. Good food and location. Kasbah Baha Baha is a restored 10 room Kasbah with a restaurant and swimming pool on the road to Saghrou. It is family owned and reasonably priced for those traveling on budget. There is an option to sleep in a standard room within the Kasbah or a Berber tent. Good Budget traveler option in the region. Good food and location.

For More Information on the Nkob Region of Ait Atta and Berber Village Travel

Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Many visitors to Marrakech also enjoy excursions into the nearby countryside to experience the life of the surrounding Berber villages and towns and the communities in the Atlas Mountains. After the excitement of the souks in Marrakech and the hub bub of the city the silence and the beauty of the countryside is a pleasant contrast. One popular destination is Amizmiz where the local souk takes place every Tuesday.

A Visit to Amizmiz is an opportunity to browse a real Berber market which is usually cheaper than Marrakech. Many artifacts and carpets and kelims are available and if younegotiate well you may geta better price than in Marrakech. It’s a good idea to check out prices in the souk in Marrakech first. Amizmiz is 55 kilometers south of Marrakech at the foot of the High Atlas mountain range. It is a small town of some 11,000 population and the local souk plays an important role in the economic life of the surrounding villages. Berber farmers bring their local produce and animals and buy goods from Marrakech, so its good to see how the countryside interacts with the city. Marrakech still has its vegetable and fruit markets and farmers come from the surrounding area. The souk is an important social gathering where business is done and friends and family meet. It’s good to be able to examine the wares in a less pressurised environment like Amizmiz, and get to know the locals. Its also a good place from which to visit other villages and explore the surrounding countryside. There are tour operators in Marrakech who provide transport and guides for the area.  

If tourists want to travel independently they have to take a grand taxi-an old mercedes from the Bab Er-Rob in Marrakech and negotiate the price. You can either hire the driver for the day or take a taxi back to Marrakech from Amizmiz. Another well known get away is the Ourika valley 30 kms from Marrakech and the place where Marrakechi’s go to escape the heat of summer in Marrakech. In winter you can see the fabulous snowy mountains. The road to Ourika takes you through the entry to the valley which is one of the loveliest sights in Morocco as your car climbs up along the hill side looking down on orchards and cultivated terraces and the riverbed below.

Ourika itself is a holiday village with craft and pottery shops and sturdy stone houses. It’s great to meet the Berber people and visit a Berber household. The people have a hard life and in winter it can be very cold. Sometimes there are avalanches and flash floods but mercifully not to often. You have the option of carrying on up to Sebti Fetma which is a colourful small village with the tomb of the Saint . There is a waterfall and the opportunity to trek out into the fabulous mountain scenary . A favourite stop for lunch is the Auberge Ramuntchko (Tel: 0524 484521, mobile: 065965631), just outside Ourika with a wonderful view from the terrace where you can eat. Inside there is also a restaurant with a blazing fire place during winter. Get there before the tourist buses arrive!

You can also take the high road up to the sky resort of Oukaimeden with its stunning views looking out to Marrakech and beyond. No matter how often one visits the Ourika Valley it is always a revelation, always beautiful. The road however has to be constantly maintained and can get crowded on market days.

Another magical valley location is Ouirgane , 60 kms and an hour or so drive from Marrakech close to the Tiz N’Test pass, Mount Toubkal, Toubkal National Park and the Tassa Ouirgane National Park.This is trekking country at its best. Its possible totravel around by 4x4 but if your up to it by foot, donkey or horse is best . The air is clean the mountain scenary and the Takherkhoute forests are stunning, it is the ultimate place to crash out. Trekking out to little berber villages reminds one of Nepal in the early 1970’s when it was unspoilt.

One of the best places to stay in Ouirgane is the idyllic Domaine de la Rosaraie , set in sixty acres of parkland with a large garden filled with roses . The Domaine de La Rosaraie was created nearly forty years ago by Abdelkader Fenjiro. Staying there is not cheap but is a wonderful experience.

New on the scene in Ourigane for the upscale and chic mountain experience is the elegant and Domaine Malika. Domaine Malika is modern and stylish. This luxury boutique hotel run by Paul Goetz and his staff has seven modern rooms and suites tastefully decorated laid out on delightful grounds from which you can view the surrounding Atlas mountains. The restaurant at Domain Malika has an excellent 3 course set menu with vegetables from the garden and fruit from the orchard.

Another highly recommended hotel is Momo’s in Ouirgane. Chez Momo is a charming auberge, Moroccan country style home overlooking the High Atlas. They are also known for the excellent cuisine and elegant dinner setting. If staying in Ourigane dining at Chez Mommo is a must.

A less costly option is Au Sanglier Qui Fume which has been in existence since 1945. It started by catering to Foreign Legion soldiers working on the bridge and acquired its distinctive name because it was used by wild boar hunters. The rooms are simple but adequate and there is a good swimming pool and garden. Its restaurant has great character including the heads of wild boar hanging from the walls. The food is a blend of French and Moroccan cuisine. It remains a traditional French establishment. One should also mention the village of Imilil 70 kms from Marrakech, descending the road on the mountain pass downwards is an experience in itself, the staring point of the trek to Mount Toubkal . It has a busy mountaineering feel to it which reminds me again of Nepal years ago. Walking up or taking a donkey you pass Kasbah Toubkal.If you have the chance to climb up to its terrace you will find an epic view of surrounding mountains which would satisfy the gods. After that you can carry on up the mountain slopes for a walk. Climbing all the way to Mount Toubkal at 4,167 metres is only for the fittest.

For More Information About Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Celebrate New Years in Morocco's Sahara Desert with the trip of a lifetime. Sahara Desert New Years Tours in Morocco are the perfect way to discover the Deep South's Berber Villages, the Skoura palmeraie and its Valley of one-thousand kasbahs, UNESCO World Heritage Site Ait Benhaddou, the Dades Valley and Morocco's Erg Chebbi Dunes. New Years Desert Tours can be tailor made for couples, families and groups to include a 3 Day Desert Trip, 4 Day Desert Trip or a 5 Day Desert Trip or 6 Day Desert Trip. All Sahara Desert New Years Tours include transport in 4x4 land cruiser, an English speaking multilingual driver/ guide, option of charming 4 or 4/5 Star Riads in the palmerie of Skoura, Riad in Ouarzazate, a Riad Spa in the Dades Gorge and a luxury Sahara Desert bivouac in the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Sunset and sunrise camel treks are accompanied by a three-course New Years Eve feast and festivities in the Moroccan Sahara desert's Erg Chebbi Dunes with traditional Gnaoua music to compliment. New Years Desert Tours also include the option to go off the beaten track to dine with a Berber family for lunch in the middle of the Atlas mountains or visit ancient rock carvings in Tazarine.

Spending New Years Eve in Morocco's Sahara Desert is a treat for any Moroccan traveler. The highlights of Merzouga's Erg Chebbi Dunes, their unique flora and fauna and the charm of a desert adventure should not be missed.

4 Days New Years Desert Tour From Marrakech  

▪   December 30th– 8:00am Departure from Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountain traveling through the Tizzin’ Tichka Pass. Stop to visit Kasbah Telouet, a local Argan Cooperative run by women. Arrive in Ouarzazate at sunset. Dinner and Overnight at a 4 Star Charming Riad with views of the Atlas Mountains.

▪  December 31st – 9:00am – Departure from your Riad to visit Skoura, the Amerdihl Kasbah. Take the valley of one thousand Kasbahs and the Skoura palmary through the Valley of Roses also known as El Kelaa Des Mgouna. Optino to have lunch in the Valley and then continue the road to Erfoud. Discover Erfoud, famous for fossils, the Sahara Desert town of Rissani. Continue the road to the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Sunset camel trek into the Sahara Desert. New Years Celebration Feast at your bivouac camp deep in the Sahara Dunes under the midnight stars.

▪  January 1st – 9:00am – Sunrise camel trek and breakfast in the Sahara. Discover its windy roads by 4×4. Take the road back to Ouarzazate. En route to Ouarzazate, go by Alnif and have lunch of couscous in a traditional Moroccan village with a Berber family or take the road through Tinerhir past the Todra Gorge and onto Ouarzaz.ate. Dinner and Overnight at a 4 Star Charming Riad in Ouarzazate with views of the Atlas Mountains.

- January 2nd – 9:00am – Breakfast at your Riad. Visit the Oasis of Fint. Tea ceremony and fresh baked bread with Azziz. Continue the road to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Go for a short hike and have Lunch with views of this ancient Kasbah. Continue the road through the Ounila Valley back to Marrakech.

5 Days New Years Desert Tour From Marrakech  ▪   December 30th– 8:00am Departure from Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountain traveling through the Tizzin’ Tichka Pass. Stop to visit Kasbah Telouet, a local Argan Cooperative run by women. Arrive in Ouarzazate at sunset. Dinner and Overnight at a 4 Star Charming Riad with views of the Atlas Mountains.

▪  December 31st – 9:00am – Departure from your Riad to visit Skoura, the Amerdihl Kasbah. Take the valley of one thousand Kasbahs and the Skoura palmary through the Valley of Roses also known as El Kelaa Des Mgouna. Optino to have lunch in the Valley and then continue the road to Erfoud. Discover Erfoud, famous for fossils, the Sahara Desert town of Rissani. Continue the road to the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Sunset camel trek into the Sahara Desert. New Years Celebration Feast at your bivouac camp deep in the Sahara Dunes under the midnight stars.

▪  January 1st – 9:00am – Sunrise camel trek and breakfast in the Sahara. Discover its windy roads by 4×4. Take the road back to Ouarzazate. En route to Ouarzazate, go by Alnif and have lunch of couscous in a traditional Moroccan village with a Berber family or take the road through Tinerhir past the Todra Gorge and onto Ouarzazate. Dinner and Overnight at a 4 Star Charming Riad in Ouarzazate with views of the Atlas Mountains.

- January 2nd – 9:00am – Breakfast at your Riad. Visit the Valley of Nomads and have Tea with a Nomad family. Continue the road via the Dades Valley. Explore this region's Dades Gorge and narrow road. Hike or walk the Dades Valley. Nightcap in Ouarzazte at a charming Riad Kasbah restaurant. ODinner and Overnight at a 4 Star Charming Riad in Ouarzazate with views of the Atlas Mountains.

- January 3rd – 9:00am – Breakfast at your Riad. Visit the Oasis of Fint. Tea ceremony and fresh baked bread with Azziz. Continue the road to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Go for a short hike and have Lunch with views of this ancient Kasbah. Continue the road through the Ounila Valley back to Marrakech.

Sahara Desert New Years Eve Dinner Feast & Festivities

• Welcome with Moroccan mint tea, dates and almonds
• Bon fire - Gnaoua Musicians of Khemlia, Drumming and Dancing
• Dinner in an Arabian nights style Berber tent
• Moroccan Harira soup
• Mechoui (roasted lamb)
• Royal Couscous
• Fruit or Pastry Dessert

• 4x4 Land Cruiser, English, Multilingual Speaking Driver/ Guide
• Accommodations in Ouarzazate with breakfast and dinner
• Overnight in Luxury Bivouac encampment - Berber tent in the Erg Chebbi Dunes, Merzouga with breakfast and New Year's Eve Dinner & Music Celebration
• Overnight option in the in Dades Valley or Todra Gorge
• Sunset Camel Trek & Camel Trekking Guide
• Extended Desert Trip: Lunch with a Berber Family

For more information about New Years Tours or Desert Trips 

For More Information About Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Morocco’s Ourika Valley is one of the most charming places to visit if you’re looking for a one-day excursion from Marrakech to escape the heat or are in need to go for a long hike. The Ourika Valley is located just an hour outside the heart of Marrakech and boasts lush green gardens, several lakes and the famous Setti Fatma Waterfalls. Ourika is cultivated by palm and fruit trees. The hidden secrets of Morocco’s Ourika Valley are it’s Setti Fatma seven Waterfalls and the local musicians who appear form no where and perform for those visiting while they dine in small auberges or enjoy a picnic lunch by a stream. 

The local musicians in the Ourika Valley are Berber and perform collectively together playing ahidus (drumming) and often use a lute as well. The Berber musicians sing and sound of taourirt (a roll of the tong often heard at Moroccan festivities and weddings) as they serenade their guests quietly.  

The Setti Fatma Waterfalls are also a favorite weekend resort retreat for many Marrakshis and it is therefore all a livelier place to visit. The Ourika Valley boasts views of high green terraces that surround the Atlas peaks alongside rock village foothills. In the spring the Ourika Valley has wet meadows and daffodils that grow among other unique flora and fauna. 

On a journey to the Ourika Valley one must not miss the opportunity to have tea and fresh baked bread with a Berber family. If a full exploration is needed, visitors can even take a local cooking class and visit the traditional Berber families local wheat machines that are used to grind semolina from scratch for bread and couscous. When visiting the Ourika Valley it is best done by 4x4 as the rocky and hilly roads enable you to explore. There are several ways to get to Ourika from Marrakech however considering a private or group tour is best since taxis tend to not offer Moroccan English speaking driver or guide.

For more information about a Morocco Ourika Valley One-day Tour For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert, Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Isolated in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s hidden treasures. Chefchaouen is situated in the Rif Mountains, just inland from Tangier and Tetouan making it the perfect Rif Mountain holiday adventure. The city was founded in 1471, as a small fortress which still exists to this day, by Moorish exiles from Spain ed by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Radhed El Alami to fight the Portuguese invasions of northern Morocco. Chefchaouen was known as one of the main concentrations of Moriscos and Jews who sought refuge in this mountainous city after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times.

This small mountain village sweeps you away into a state of calm with its color scheme that embraces every imaginable shade of blue and is the perfect place to spend a holiday in the Rif Mountains. Bold splashes of cobalt, turquoise, teal, white and starlit blue surround each corner and cobbled alley. Dreamlike and peaceful during the day this blue and white washed city has breathtaking sunsets and offers up a variety of charming Riads, outdoor restaurants with views of the Rif Mountains and is the perfect two or three day excursion from Tangier or Fes.

Chefchaouen offers plenty of time to explore its laid-back Medina (old city), drink mint tea or freshly squeezed orange juice, and watch the world go by from one of the cafes in the main square.  Chefchaouen is also a great place for long walks, treks and hikes. Trekking in the Rif Mountains is different then trekking in the High Atlas Mountains of Toukbal for example because the altitudes are lower in the Rif and the mountain ranges tend to be longer and wider with less steep, making it accessible for Moroccan travelers of all ages.

Must-see destinations include the Central Mosque and the wonderful Kasbah in Chefchaouen, built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail near Place Outa el Hammam in the early 18th century. The Kasbah encloses a quiet garden and houses a small museum of ancient pottery and photographs of the traditional dress of Berber tribes. 

Although this lovely haven of Chefchaouen is located just a couple hundred kilometers from the European border, until 1920 Chefchaouen received only three European guests. It was founded in the 15th century and populated by Jewish and Muslim refugees from the Inquisition in Spain and remained an isolated city until the early 20th century.

Chefchaouen has preserved a way of life that flourished in Moorish Spain more than 500 years ago. While the locals are far more reserved then those in larger cities, they are quite friendly and warm. Chefchaouen is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco, and the weed is sold all over town. It is essentially legal and smoked by many of the locals, which helps account for this village’s slow pace. It is an intrinsic part of the city life and sold together with herbs, spices and vegetables in the local markets.  

During a four-day trip from Fes Moroccan travelers explore the Medina in great detail. The entire Medina comes alive in the evening when everybody is shopping or selling goods in the narrow winding streets. On a leisurely stroll throughout the Medina the first thing that can catch anyone’s eyes are the man selling pigment in shades of blue, yellow, pink and orange. The pigment is the same that is used on the walls of the city. There are shoe cobblers hand making the white and yellow fine leather pointed slippers  (baboosh) worn by the locals along with many beautiful jalabbas sewn with finely embroidered seams and carpenters carving tables and chairs made of fragrant cedar wood. Also available are beautifully hand painted crafts in Chefchaouen such as mirrors with inlaid flowers and a wide variety of furniture displaying delicate Islamic designs. 

One of the most intimate things to do in Chefchaouen is to drop in on a local Berber weaver at his loom and watch while he produces a local style of red and white blankets. R

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If Moroccan travelers continue their exploration to the bottom of the hill in Chefchaouen, they will find women washing laundry in an area that resembles a Japanese garden filled with a variety of stones as well as miniature white open structures surrounded by a number of wide stairs that leads to a dam. 

For a panoramic view, you can hike to the top of Chefchaouen and, as you glide along the small streets, peer downward in search of the stone-carved Hand of Fatima that seems to reappear again and again throughout this blue city.

For more information about traveling to Chefchaouen

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts,Sahara Desert, Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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