Compare Morocco Journey by G Adventures vs Morocco Horse Riding Trails by Morocco Discoveries

Day 1 Casablanca

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca. You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture. Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.

Please note that if you are travelling to Morocco between November and February, your tour will have a level of flexibility based off of winter weather conditions on roads in the mountains. Heavy snow is not uncommon, so plan on packing warmer clothing to suit conditions.

Day 2 Casablanca to Fez

Set out on a guided tour of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the remains of the medieval city of Meknès, which served as Morocco’s imperial capital in the 17th century. Then, venture to Volubilis and discover the soaring columns and remarkably well-preserved mosaic floors of this ancient Roman outpost. Continue to Fez and enjoy lunch at a G Adventures–supported women’s cooperative before checking in to our hotel.

Meknès is one of the four Imperial cities and its name and fame are closely linked to that of the Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made Meknès the centre of his empire and built many of the monuments that remain today. Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Once an important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman conquests, Volubilis was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

This is a long and busy day. The times listed are actual driving times and do not include stops at Meknès and Volubilis. We will not arrive in Fès until evening.

Day 3 Fez

Step back in time on a walking tour of the medina of Fez, a spellbinding World Heritage site dating back to the 9th century. Skirt past donkey carts as you take in the dazzling sights, from colourful mounds of spices to vividly painted ceramics, and observe Fez’s famous tanners treating and dying hides in the traditional manner. Pay a visit to the breathtaking Madrasa al-Attarine, a masterpiece of intricate Islamic architecture, and pass by the famed Al-Karaouine Mosque—home to the longest continually operating university in the world.

Day 4 Fez to Merzouga

Watch cedar forests give way to palm groves as we travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains to the fabled Sahara. Spend the night in a kasbah-style hotel at the edge of sweeping sand dunes.

Start early and watch the scenery of this diverse country change while travelling over the Middle Atlas mountains. Pass through cedar forests and the ski area of Ifrane into the desert regions. Drive by the vast palm groves of the Ziz Valley and right up to the majestic Saharan sand dunes. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of Barbary apes en route. Spend the night in a comfortable Kasbah-style desert hotel at the edge of the dunes.

Day 5 Merzouga/Tinghir

This morning, explore the Sahara on a thrilling 4x4 excursion. Visit the village of Khamliya, where we’ll meet a group of Gnaoua musicians. Learn about the history of this famed genre of Moroccan music, and enjoy a hypnotic performance. Later, share mint tea with Amazigh (Berber) nomads in the Sahara, and gain insights into their way of life. Transfer to Tinghir this evening.

Day 6 Tinghir/Ouarzazate

Venture into the Dades Gorge, admiring its dramatic rock formations. Continue along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs and pause at the maze-like Taourirt Kasbah. In Ouarzazate—home to one of Morocco’s largest film studios—choose to take a lesson in traditional Amazigh medicine with a local herbalist.

Start the morning with a visit to the Dades Gorge with its unusual natural rock formations and stunning scenery. Continue with a scenic drive along the "Route of a 1000 Kasbahs" with an included visit to Kasbah Taourit. Continue to Ouarzazate, a former Foreign Legion stronghold. In Ouarzazate opt to visit an Amazigh herbalist and find out about the traditional medicines and cooking spices of the Amazigh people.

Day 7 Ouarzazate/Marrakech

Discover the magical, twisting lanes of Aït Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage site, then continue along high mountain roads to Marrakech. Take some free time to wander this legendary city—a melting pot of Amazigh, West African, Mediterranenan, and Arab influences—and venture off the beaten path into hidden neighborhoods and artisan quarters.

Continue on to the village of Aït Benhaddou. During your visit to the Kasbah, lose yourself in the narrow, winding passageways and feel the magical atmosphere of this incredible structure. Travel to Marrakech through the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2200m in the High Atlas Mountains. Travel along winding mountain roads with breathtaking views from the highest peaks of Morocco.

Day 8 Marrakech

Visit a historic riad for a hands-on cooking class with a renowned Moroccan chef, learning how to roll semolina and measure out spices for an exquisite tagine. Enjoy your creations for lunch, and spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech at leisure. Choose to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s main square, where storytellers and magicians captivate passersby; or tour the elegant Majorelle Gardens.

Later this afternoon enjoy free time to explore the fascinating city of Marrakech and dive into the labyrinthine souks. Travellers and locals alike find everything they desire here. Whether it’s spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or famous Moroccan lanterns, the selection here is exhaustive. Don’t forget to bargain; that’s definitely part of the fun. Opt to indulge in the chaos of the famous Djemaa el Fna square to watch acrobats and fortune tellers plying their trade.

Day 9 Marrakech

Depart at any time.

Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage is available.

Day 1: Casablanca Arrival And Transfer To Rabat

Your host will meet you at the airport of your arrival and will take you to your hotel in Rabat.  Your morning will be at leisure to relax and acclimate. In the afternoon your guide will take on a historical and cultural tour of Rabat.  Evening orientation meeting about your trip will be in your hotel at 6:30 pm.  Dinner and accommodation will be at the hotel. 

Day 2: Rabat – Menzah Ranch

In the morning, we will take off to our ranch for a country breakfast.  At 9:30 you will be introduced to you four legged friend.  We will help you with an initiation of basic horseback riding then start our first day trek riding your horse at the valley of Menzah.  A pick nick lunch in a nomadic fashion will be offered for you at the forest of cork pines.  Return to the ranch in the afternoon to freshen up and get ready for a Moroccan country dinner.  Camp will be set for you near the compound for an overnight in the open fields. 

Day 3: Ride Your Horse From Menzah To Brachoua Valley

Wake up with farm activity of the morning, breakfast will be at the ranch then we will pack for our trek and take off on horseback riding to the valley of Brachoua enjoying the natural vistas of the evergreen woods of the Atlas Mountains.  You will ride your horses along the Brachoua River for almost three hours.  Take a break for lunch that our Berber crew will set for you then proceed riding in the afternoon passing by villages and natural sites. We will reach our camp in nature in the afternoon and get ready for dinner under the stars. Enjoy your campfire and retreat to your tents for a good night sleep. 

Day 4: Ride From Brachoua Valley To Nkhaila Compound

Wake up to the musical sounds of the woods, enjoy your breakfast.  We will ride our horses in the morning to the plateau of Nkhaila.  Break for lunch in our set camp.  In the afternoon we will proceed our horseback riding to the small village of Sidi Abdellah to visit this isolated ward at the top of the hill then ride across the fertile plateau to our compound where we will freshen up upon arrival then get ready for a farm dinner typical to this region cooked before your eyes.  Those who like cooking can participate with the ladies of the compound.  After dinner we will set around camp fire and enjoy a moment of Berber entertainment with local musician.  enjoy a rural Moroccan party. The horses like that. 

Day 5: Travel From Nkaila To Meknes, Volubilis And Fez

After breakfast, you will bid goodbye to your four legged friend, hop in your van and travel to Meknes.  Your guide will take you on a monumental walk to explore the history of this ancient imperial city, then travel to the roman ruins of Volubilis then  stop for a typical roast lamb or simply kabab Bar-B-Q lunch at the open square of the holy town of Moulay Idriss at Mount Zerhoun.  A walking tour  in the afternoon then continue your quest to Fez for a festive dinner in your riad in the Medina.  

Day 6: Guided Historic Tour Of Fes

Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan typical urban life, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path.  Your morning will be spent visiting the Medina.  Our specialized local guide will take you on a historic discovery of the city of Fez starting at the King’s Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates.

Next, you will explore the Jewish quarter, a 15th century citadel with all its Moorish maze architecture and medieval glory. Visits to Sephardic synagogues and mausoleums of holy Rabbis will be the highlights of this part of town.

You will walk to the Pottery workshops, the tannery and on to visit the great Mosque university of Al Quarrawiyyine, passing by Shemma’ine, the market of dried fruits. After that, you will visit the Medersa Attarine and walk to Sbetryyine, a guild of book binders, which will lead you to the Seffarine Square, where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening passerby as it was the case for centuries. You will break for lunch then continue exploring the marvels of Fez Medina. These will highlight the Dyers souk, Foundouk Tetouani Museum and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani.

You will end your walk at Ziyyat Medina Quarter where you will stop in a local medieval home to meet a moroccan family and share a mint tea ceremony with them.  Finally, you will return to your Riad for a festive dinner and other accommodations. 

Day 7: Fez Airport – Home

Transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home.