February 2: Depart the US.
February 3: Arrive in Marrakech. Meet the group and make the short drive to the old Medina where we will check-in at our Riad for the next three nights. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner celebrating our arrival, then head to bed for a night of rest.
February 4: After breakfast, we'll meet our local guide and go a walking tour. We'll visit the souks, Bahia Palace, the Ben Yousef Madrasa and more. We'll learn the history of Morocco and meet artisans selling their wares. We'll enjoy a delicious lunch on a rooftop and then have free time in the afternoon to explore more. We'll visit a garden restaurant for dinner and enjoy live traditional music.
February 5: Our day will begin at Amal Cooking School where we will learn to make savory tagine the traditional way. We'll also enjoy a tea ceremony, learning the perfect blend required for Moroccan mint tea. Amal's mission is to provide a safe and loving space where strong, resilient women can rewrite their narratives and step into their power. We will meet women who's lives have been transformed and hear stories of empowerment. After lunch we'll explore the Majorelle Gardens. This oasis is a stunning botanical garden designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle, featuring vibrant blue structures, exotic plant collections, and tranquil pools. It was purchased by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in 1980.
February 6: Following breakfast, we'll depart Marrakech for our adventure across the High Atlas Mountains. We'll visit the women's argon cooperative learning how the oil is extracted from the kernels of the argon tree, a native species to the region. Esteemed for its rich, nourishing properties, this liquid gold is not only a staple in Moroccan cuisine but also a sought-after ingredient in skincare, known for its hydrating and revitalizing effects. We'll visit Ait Benhadou which is the most important Kasbah in southern Morocco, a UNESCO world heritage site and the location for many movies. Then we'll check-in at our Kasbah for the night, enjoying dinner under the stars.
February 7: We'll depart after breakfast and continue on to the valley of a thousand Kasbahs, visiting a rug weavers' village along the way. Before arriving in the Valley of Dades, we'll stop by the ancient Kasbah Amridel. We'll get settled in our hotel in time for sunset and dinner.
February 8: We'll journey on toward the Sahara stopping in a traditional Berber village for lunch and a short walk. On the edge of the Sahara, we'll visit a fossil workshop learning about the geological history of this ancient area. We'll arrive at the esteemed Merzouga area of the Sahara and stay in a hotel near the dunes. The Merzouga, is nestled in the heart of the Sahara Desert and is a vast sea of golden dunes, where sunsets paint the sky in hues of orange and pink.
February 9: We'll venture into the desert in 4x4 vehicles, making our way to our luxury tented camp. We'll meet nomads and stop to have tea with them. We'll enjoy live local music and join a caravan of camels that will take us the final way to our camp. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner under a vast sea of stars, far from the light pollution of city-life.
February 10: We'll depart the Merzouga area of the Sahara and make the journey torward Fes, stopping along the way to see interesting points of interest. The Ziz Valley has breathtaking views and a perfect spot for photos. The cedar forests with resident monkeys add an unusual spot to see these creatures in their natural habitat. We'll arrive in Fes by sunset, get settled into our Riad and enjoy a relaxing evening.
February 11: Our last full day in Morocco will be spent exploring the historic city of Fes, one of Morocco's oldest and most culturally rich cities. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, bustling souks, and vibrant historical atmosphere. We'll explore the important sites with a local guide including the Royal Palace and the Old Madrasa. We'll also visit a ceramics workshop and the famous leather tanneries. For our final evening, we'll enjoy an intimate dinner in our Riad, followed by a traditional Hammam experience. An option to book a massage or other treatments will be available.
February 12: Depart for home.