Morocco Magic and Mystery Gay Travel Cultural Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Our tour starts in a fantastic port city hugging the Atlantic Ocean, Casablanca. Morocco’s largest city is the country’s modern economic and cultural capital. Upon arrival at the airport, we will be welcomed by our private driver and transferred to our beautiful city center hotel. Next, we will check in, freshen up and prepare for an amazing welcome dinner.

Travelers arriving in the morning or early afternoon may like to tour the historic port of Casablanca. Or perhaps visit the world’s tallest minaret at Morocco’s largest mosque, King Hassan II Mosque.

Days 2-3: Casablanca to Fes 

After breakfast at our Casablanca hotel, we will enjoy a visit to the Hassan II Mosque before departing to Fes. Our journey passes through an agricultural and forested part of this country. It is quite a contrast to the arid mountain passes and deserts that we will see later in our journey.

Later today we will see three of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco. En route to Fes, we will pass Rabat, home of today’s king, and the ancient city of Meknes. The latter is often used by film producers from all over the world for movie backdrops. The city’s most glorious days were under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672-1727), a contemporary of Louis XIV of France, whom he tried to emulate. During his reign, the Sultan attempted to construct the “Versailles of Africa!”

Next, we will make a stop in Meknes to relax and enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will have a tour of Meknes, known for it’s imperial palaces and charming medina.

Lastly, we will arrive in Fez in the early evening and check into our atmospheric lodging near the ancient medina.

Fes (also spelled Fez) is the oldest of the imperial cities and arguably the symbolic heart of Morocco. We have a lot to see, so we’ll get an early start!

While here we will visit:

• The Medina of Fez el-Bali (Old Fes). The largest living medieval city in the world comes to life as we make our way through winding alleys crammed with hundreds of craft booths, restaurants, and markets. All of our senses will be awakened in this jostling city.
• Qarawiyin Mosque / Medersa, the oldest university in the world, was founded in 859 by Fatima Fihriya, a noble lady from an intellectual family of Fes.
• Borj Nord Fortress Museum. The second of the Saadian fortresses constructed in 1588 contains a fascinating display of historic weapons.
• The Mellah is a traditional Jewish quarter.
• Dar Betha Museum and the tomb of Moulay Idriss II.

After exploring this marvelous city, we will return to the hotel for relaxation and prepare for our next day’s adventure.

Day 4: Merzouga Dunes

Departing from Fes we’ll journey to Erfoud. (If a flight is offered from Fes to Errachidia Airport, near Erfoud, we will fly. If not, we will enjoy the scenic drive.) Our destination today is the picturesque oasis of Erfoud, situated among the impressive sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

Day 5: Merzouga to Erfoud:

We will start our day with a spectacular sunrise at dawn and a traditional dune ride, via camel. Afterwards, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and some leisure time before departing camp.

We’ll depart Merzouga and head to the historic town of Rissani, once home to the African/Berber trading market. Around lunch, we will stop in Medfouna for a famous regional dish, with a nomadic family in an authentic setting.

Next, we will venture to the fossil plateaus, an extraordinary natural landscape offering a hands-on fossil hunting experience. Discover ancient trilobites and marine fossils, exploring millions of years of geological history.

Tonight we will enjoy a magical sunset together.

Day 6: Erfoud – Tinghir – Boulmane Dades – Ouarzazate

Today we will begin our journey through the spectacular Todra and Dades Gorges. View towering cliffs and winding roads that create one of Morocco’s most scenic drives. We will pause for photo opportunities and short walks along the way, allowing you to fully appreciate the dramatic scenery. Discover the palm-filled valleys and ancient kasbahs of Tinghir and Boulmane Dades, perfect for memorable snapshots and cultural immersion.

Along the way, we will stop for lunch in Tinghir.

After lunch, we will continue the journey toward Ouarzazate, passing through the Vallée des Roses, famous for its fragrant rose fields and artisan cooperatives. Along the route, our guide will provide insightful information on the local culture, history, and geography.

We will then arrive in Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert.” It stands in the middle of an arid plateau that contrasts sharply with the rich vegetation of the nearby slopes of the High Atlas Mountains.

The city’s two most famous man-made locations are the outdoor movie studio where movies such as Cleopatra were filmed, and one of Morocco’s most famous Kasbahs, the 11^th Century Ait Ben Haddou – location for some of the scenes of Lawrence of Arabia!

Tonight’s accommodation will be in a charming spot offering an authentic Moroccan experience.

Day 7: Ouarzazate and Marrakech

From Ouarzazate, we will continue our journey over the Tizi n-Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped peaks, terraced valleys, and traditional Berber villages. We will stop along the way for photos and short walks to fully experience the natural beauty of the region.

Upon arrival in Marrakech, we will check into our hotel and spend the rest of the day at our leisure.

Day 8: Marrakech

Rising up from the plain is Marrakech – Morocco’s fourth imperial city. Marrakech is known as The Pearl of the South, and it is a truly magical place, magnificently situated in an oasis, with the High Atlas Mountains as a backdrop.

Today we will enjoy a comprehensive guided exploration of Marrakech, founded 800 years ago by the Almoravid Dynasty. We will enjoy the tranquility of Le Jardin Majorelle – a botanical oasis created by a painter and later owned by Yves Saint-Laurent. Next, we will visit the lavishly decorated Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Bahia Palace.

Day 9: Atlas Mountains

After breakfast, we will enjoy an excursion to the Atlas Mountains. We will head south past the Moulay Barhim Gorges and the high valleys. Soon we will arrive at the central village of Asni, where we will plunge into the atmosphere of the colorful open-air Berber villages. We continue up into the Ait Mizane Valley towards the Jbel Toubkal, at 4167m, the highest peak in North Africa. We will stop at the fabulous Kasbah Tamadot of Sir Richard Branson and take in the stunning views.

After lunch, we will make our way to Morocco’s “Little Chamonix”, set in the upper foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains.

Once back in Marrakech, the rest of the day is at your leisure. One of the greatest delights of being in Marrakech is strolling through its souks. Check out leather workers, shoemakers, dyers, brass smiths, spice merchants, and antique dealers in their working quarters and shops.

Day 10: The Secret Ride Adventure (3 hours):

Today we are in for a real treat as we hop into our private sidecar and go on an unique adventure. We will enjoy stunning Art Deco buildings in Gueliz to lively flea markets and the ancient khettaras in the palm grove. Every turn will be full of surprises as we explore the city off the beaten path.

The afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. Marrakech features a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from sidewalk cafés ideal for people-watching to restaurants housed in traditional Marrakech mansions. Tonight, we will have our farewell dinner together.

Day 11: Farewell to our Gay Morocco Tour Group

Some of us will take a morning 45-minute flight from Marrakech to Casablanca. Then connect to the Royal Air Maroc non-stop flight to New York or to a European hub to connect with flights home. Others may fly directly from Marrakech to Madrid, Paris, or London and then fly home from there.

Whatever route we take home, we will be already thinking back on the magic and mystery of our nights in Morocco!