Please Note: Itinerary is ONLY for 18-30 year old guests

Day 1 Casablanca
Arrive in Casablanca at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the evening there will be a brief meeting where you will meet your Tour Leader and fellow group members to go over the details of your trip and hand in your Local Payment. On arrival, check the notice board (or ask reception) to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. Afterwards, there will be the possibility to go out for a meal as a group in a nearby local restaurant. If you arrive late, no worries, your leader will leave you a message at the front desk.Please note, this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca. You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca's small medina, beachfront and classic examples of Art Deco architecture. Be sure to visit the spectacular Hassan II mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours which operate from Saturday to Thursday (closed Fridays) at 09h00, 10h00, 11h00, and 14h00. Please refer to optional activity section of these notes for prices. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan)please double check these times with your hotel.Overnight in Casablanca.

Day 2 Rabat (B)
We travel by train to the charming capital city of Rabat. There's time here for optional sightseeing including the Royal Palace and the Mohamed V Mausoleum. Take time to wind your way through the maze of whitewashed streets with the keyhole doorways for which Morocco is famous. A unique and aesthetically pleasing city, enjoy wandering around Rabat with its well preserved art deco architecture . Both cosmopolitan and possessing a relaxed charm, you'll have no trouble passing a day soaking in the culture of this city.Please note that this itinerary uses a mix of public and private transport. When we use public transport, we will be walking and/or taking city public transport to get to the train and bus stations to catch intercity transport. Please refer to the transport section of our trip dossier for more information.Overnight in Rabat.Approx travel time: Casablanca to Rabat, 1 hrs (public train)

Days 3-4 Tangier (2B)
An early start today as we travel to the bustling port city of Tangier.Tangier is a unique melting pot of different religions and ethnicities, enticing inspiring artists, writers and musicians throughout history to linger in its cafés and wander along its boulevards.After an orientation tour, you're free to explore this city on your own. Maybe do a little sightseeing at the Kasbah with the Grand and Petite Soccos and its myriad of small shops and artisans, the Hercules Caves and Cape Spartel or Cape Malabata where you can check out the views over the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar. There are many cool cliff top cafes nearby which are a great place to kick back for a couple of hours over a game of backgammon.On Day 4 you may like to make a day trip to the nearby old Portuguese village of Asilah, with its attractive white washed villas and many art galleries.Overnight in Tangier (2 nights).Approx travel time: Rabat to Tangier, 5 hrs (public bus/train)

Days 5-6 Chefchaouen (2B)
Today we'll take a local bus to the village Chefchaouen. The following day, after a morning orientation tour of the city, you'll have free time to explore Chefchaouen where you can discover its hidden charms and soak up some if its Andalucian heritage.Cut into the sides of two mountains, Chefchaouen is a vista of blue and white lime-washed houses huddled into narrow alleyways. On of the most rewarding things to do is to simply relax on the terrace of a cafe in the central medina, where you can enjoy the ambience of this charming town.The djellaba, the traditional hooded garment worn by the men and women of North Africa, was created here. Chefchaouen is a great place to check out many of Morocco's ancient crafts. Visit one of the many traditional oil mills, a weaving workshop, basket-making and its pottery. You may like take part in a pottery workshop and create your own masterpeice. Don't miss a visit to one of the village's unusual communal attics or the chance to sample the local goats' milk cottage cheese. Yum!Overnight in Chefchaouen (2 nights).Approx travel time: Tangier to Chefchaouen, 3 hrs (public bus)

Days 7-9 Fez (3B)
Transfer by public coach to famous Fez where there are hundreds of ways to spend your free time. You can start in the ancient labyrinth of the medina and if you find your way out you can head to the leather tanneries and dye pits. The whole medina itself will whisk you back in time as you wander the alleyways which have barely changed in appearance since medieval times. If you wish, we are able to organise the services a professional guide whose knowledge of the history and layout of the medina will really add to your experience. (Please note, your CEO is legally unable to guide you through the medina, and this law is strictly enforced).Of course, when in Morocco, it is also all about the food. Fez is known for its extravaganzas of mezas (small plates of food) common among Fassis tradition. Mezas may include such delights as : choukchouka salad, zaalouk salad, carrots with cumin Seed, raisin and orange salad, cold radish, orange, and fennel salad- don't miss trying a few.There's plenty of time to take a side trip to some of the other worthwhile sights in the area, too. The charming town of Meknes, another of Morocco's Imperial Cities, is a short day trip from Fez where you can explore the old palace and granaries or try out your tastebuds on a camel burger! The spectacular Roman ruins of Volubilis can also be found just a short ride away, either en route to or from Meknes. This sprawling and well preserved site evokes images of Romans lounging in bath houses or feasting under the Cyprus trees. Your CEO will be pleased to assist in the organisation of any or all of these optional excursions - please refer to the Optional Activities section of these notes for more information on prices.We will be staying in the the new city of Fez, built by the French during their Protectorate of Morocco. This area has the feel of a French provincial town, with its cafés, restaurants and wide boulevards.Head off for a Moroccan feast at one of the many restaurants and finish off the night with some famous Moroccan mint tea and a shisha!Overnight in Fez (3 nights).Approx travel time: Chefchaouen to Fez, 4 hrs (public bus)

Days 10-11 Merzouga (2B)
After a full day's drive in a private van through the cedar and pine forests over the Middle Atlas Mountains and on through the pre-desert landscape full of palm groves, we arrive to the first sand dunes of the Sahara! We spend our night here at the edge of the desert.On Day 11 we have a full day to explore the undulating golden sands of the highest dunes in North Africa, reaching up to 150 metresWhy not take the option of a camel ride followed by sunset in the desert, a Bedouin dinner and a night under the Sahara stars!We set off by camel for a ride of around an hour to our camp deep within the dunes. Your local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips. Be sure to get them to teach you the trick of tying your turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flare to your photos. From your first cup of mint tea you'll enjoy a warm welcome at our desert camp. A traditional dinner under the stars, cooked by our hosts awaits. In the evening there will be time to hear stories about life in this region and perhaps, if we are lucky, we might be treated to some local music on the drums.Facilities are very basic - we all sleep in one large communal tent. Mattresses and bedding are provided. For those travelling in the winter months (Nov- April), we recommend a sleeping bag for additional warmth. It is back to nature as far as bathroom facilities go. There will be the chance to take a shower after breakfast on our return to our Merzouga auberge the following morning. Relax and enjoy the sounds of silence during a night under the starry desert skies.Overnight in Merzouga (guesthouse/auberge); Approx travel time: Fez to Merzouga,including stops, 10hrs (private bus)Optional :Overnight in desert camp (shared sleeping/bathroom facilities); Travel: Merzouga to Camp, 2hrs (camel)

Day 12 Todra Gorge (B)
We depart early from the camp to our first stop for the day at Tineghir where we visit the town and go for a walk through the palm groves. From here we make our way on to the breathtaking Todra Gorge where we spend the night nestled between the sheer cliff walls among the palm trees and gurgling river.The Todra River has carved out cliff-sided canyons through the mountains with the final 600m of the gorge being the most spectacular as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 10m wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 300 m high on each side.Today the Todra river looks more like a stream as it runs its way through the gorge, with hotels and restaurants huddled against the steep walls.It is easy to hike in the gorge - there is a well-maintained dirt road to walk along. And the scenery is spectacular.Nestled in between the sheer cliffs of the gorge, you will have the chance to enjoy a relaxing evening indulging in local Berber cuisine and maybe even listening to the beats of the African drum.Overnight in Todra Gorge.Approx travel time: Merzouga to Todra, 4hrs

Day 13 Au00EFt Benhaddou (B)
We travel along the "Route of a 1000 Kasbahs", passing through Kelaa M’Gouna where rose oils and rose water are produced before stopping in Ouarzazate for a short visit of this former Foreign Legion stronghold and site of the Atlas Film Studios before heading on to the village of Aït Benhaddou.Aït Ben Haddou is a wonderful example of a kasbah, a type of fortress. Carefully restored over the years and now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is now considered to be one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco. A few families still call the kasbah their home, but the majority of locals have gradually moved to the nearby settlement. During our visit to the Kasbah, lose yourself in the narrow, winding passageways and feel the magical atmosphere of this incredible structure.Overnight in Aït Benhaddou.Approx travel time: Todra to Aït Benhaddou, 4.5hrs

Days 14-15 Aremd (2B, 2D)
Today we leave the pre-desert countryside for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape by way of the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m and on into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads. From Imlil, we continue on foot (1 hour) to the village of Aremd where we visit the traditional village and its beautiful surroundings.With our main luggage is transported by mule, we make the hour trek from Imlil to little village of Aremd, and our simple mountain gite.Accommodation is multi - share, with 3 beds in each dormitory. Bedding is provided but you will need to bring a sleeping bag for additional warmth if travelling in the months Nov-April. You will need to bring your own bath towel. Bathroom facilities are also uni-sex and communal. Each night on return from a day of hiking, you will enjoy homemade dinners of local produce in the cozy dining room.Settle in and enjoy the tranquility, fantastic views and clean mountain air of this magical region.On Day 15 we get out and enjoy nature with a full day walking in the magnificent Toubkal Massif of the High Atlas Mountains where we enjoy a picnic lunch in this stunning location.Overnight in Aremd (2 nights, mountain gite with communal facilities).Approx travel time: Aït Benhaddou to Imlil,approximately 5.5 hours Imlil to Aremd, approximately 1 hour.

Days 16-17 Essaouira (2B)
This morning we hike back out to our vehicle in Imlil to make our way to the Atlantic coast and the walled port town of Essaouira. The afternoon and following day are free to explore Essaouira's funky coastal ambience.In the morning, don't miss the colourful and lively spectacle of the return of the boats to the port, with their baskets full of fish. Afterwards, head up to the ramparts on the old city wall for a great view over the city and out to sea. Browse the shops and art galleries or take a stroll along the long, sandy beach. This is the perfect place to unwind and relax with a cold beer or shisha pipe (waterpipe). The active might choose to take a surfing or windsurfing lesson, hire a fishing rod or just take a long walk on the beach.In the evening, head to one of the local barbeque fish cafes where you can pick out the catch of the day and have it cooked to perfection for the perfect sea food dinner. Essaouira is also famous for it's music scene and a great chance to check out a live performance.Overnight in Essaouira (2 nights).Approx travel time: Imlil to Essaouira, 5hrs (private vehicle)

Days 18-19 Marrakech (2B)
Today we travel by public bus to Marrakech, where you can enjoy your first evening in this unique city. You can head straight the famous Djemaa el Fna square to join in the party atmosphere all day and night. The old world street performers are something out of a storybook, with snake charmers, fortune tellers and acrobats, for a few Dirhams tip you can be entertained for hours. When you've had enough, enjoy a fresh orange juice at one of the stalls or let a local woman paint your hands and feet with henna. Still want more? Head into the souks at the edge of the square and join the locals in bartering for just about anything you can imagine. Day 19 is a free day to wander Marrakech and unlock its mystery. A great place to start is Djemaa el Fna square, the heart of Marrakech, that changes its offerings throughout the day. In the morning you’ll wander past the fresh orange juice stalls, water sellers in colourful costumes with traditional leather water bags and brass cups, and snake charmers reminiscent of an era past.As the day progresses the snake charmers are replaced by Chleuh dancing-boys, story-tellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines. As the sun sets, the square fills with dozens of food-stalls, packed with locals and the entertaining chefs and waiters. Grab a spot on a bench with the other diners and try the Tanjia (slow cooked lamb), Harira soup, grilled seafood, famous Moroccan couscous, tajine, snails or even sheep’s head for the truly adventurous, and wash it all down with some spiced tea.To really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech, head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina. Tourists and locals alike will find everything they desire in the souks, whether it’s spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or famous Moroccan lanterns, the selection here is exhaustive, and don’t forget to bargain, it's definitely part of the fun!!!For history and architecture buffs Marrakech is sure to dazzle. The Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youseff Medersa and Almovid Koubba are all easy to get to and well worth a visit. Once you’ve tired yourself out, relax at one of the tea houses around the square, indulging in the ubiquitous sweet mint tea, watching the hustle and bustle from your shady spot.What better way to bid farewell to a great adventure than enjoying a dinner at one of bustling food stall restaurants in the square. Choose your favorite and be prepared for a cheap and delicious feast local style. Overnight in Marrakech (2 nights).Approx travel time: Essaouira to Marrakech, 3 hrs (public bus)

Day 20 Depart Marrakech (B)
You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.