14 days/13 nights
The Magic and Mysticism of Morocco tour
April 20 – May 3, 2027
A maximum of 10-12 people.
©Aussies In Morocco Tours™
Reasonable mobility and fitness is required
to get the most out of this tour.
The tour starts in Fez, going via the desert and finishing in Marrakech.
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Bookings close:
January 15, 2027, but
first in first served.
(Scroll down for prices, payment terms and other deadlines, at the conclusion of this itinerary)
On the last day in Essaouira we will drive 3 hours back to Marrakech to drop off at Marrakech airport, as explained further on in this itinerary.
Fez
April 20-22
Day 1 – April 20, 2027 : Fez (Tuesday)
Meals – Dinner (D)
We will do up to one morning pickup and one afternoon pickup from Fez airport today and take you to Dar Seffarine (or equivalent, depending on availability) which is a circa 600-year-old riad protected by a UNESCO world heritage listing.
On this first night in Fez, we’ll invite you to a welcome dinner at, or near, the riad.
Heating up water for a Hammam or Arab Bath in the old City in the historical Town of Fez. Do you see the phoenix?
Day 2 – April 21, 2027: Fez (Wednesday)
Meals: B
Today’s mystic highlight: the ancient medina and its religious places
After breakfast, you’ll have a tour of the ancient medina that will also include a visit to religious locales such as the Al-Attarine Medersa. Afternoon and evening free. We will have some suggestions for things to see and do, and where you could dine that evening.
Optional extra: Lunch and afternoon visit to the cave home town of Bhalil. Activity sheet with prices, available. We will provide this to you at the time of booking with us.
The gorgeous Attarine Mosque. “Attarine” means spices. The spices souk was once located in the vicinity.
Day 3 – April 22, 2027: Fez – Meknes – Moulay Idriss Zerhoun – Volubilis – Fez (Thursday)
Meals: B & Lunch (L)
Today’s mystic highlight: Mosaics of the ancient Gods of Rome at Volubilis
Note that the order of today’s activities may change depending on local circumstances.
Today you will take a day trip to Volubilis, a former Roman settlement with rather well-preserved mosaics depicting mythical scenes and characters. Should also see fields of wildflowers at this time of year at Volubilis and on the way to it.
We will first drive through Meknes and time permitting, you could also visit Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, approximately 5 km away from Volubilis. It is the site of the tomb of Idris 1, the first Moslem ruler of Morocco. It is only in recent times that non-Moslems have been permitted entry to this holiest of locales. Today it is a simple, picturesque country town, where you can also make time for a coffee or Moroccan tea and a restroom pitstop. Then, in the afternoon we will visit Volubilis itself and enjoy a hearty lunch on a nearby farm. For those who want to purchase some wine for lunch, Meknes, in Morocco’s wine-growing region, on the way to Volubilis, is the ideal location for this.
Glorious spring wildflowers in Northern Morocco.
Return to your riad in Fez. The evening is free for you. You might want to go to a traditional Moroccan restaurant with music as entertainment, or you might want to go to a famous French-influenced restaurant, simply eat at the riad, or even arrange for just a quiet snack in your room. Remember, you will have had a day out exploring and a hearty lunch. Up to you. Best to decide where you want to dine in the morning before you leave for your day trip, and let the appropriate people know.
Fez – Casablanca – flight to Errachidia – Erfoud
April 23
Day 4 – April 23, 2027: Fez – Rabat – Casablanca – Errachidia – Erfoud (Friday)
Meals: B & D
Today, after breakfast we drive you from Fez to Rabat where if there is general consensus you can stop at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, for an hour or so with you to pay a modest admission fee. There is also a small pre-history museum close by too which may be open. Then on to Casablanca where (if we get there before 3pm) you may be interested in a tour of King Hassan Mosque, with you to pay the entry fee of circa 130 dirhams or around 13 euros.
Dinner at a private home has been arranged, although sometimes we host our guests at a charming Tapas Bar instead. Then you’ll take a late-night flight to Errachidia (flights are not part of the tour fee and you will need to book your ticket on the Royal Air Maroc website). You’ll be picked up at Errachidia airport in the desert and taken to your auberge in Erfoud, La Rose du Desert (or equivalent).
The pool in the date palm garden at our probable accommodation at Erfoud.
Erfoud –The Dunes – Erfoud
April 24-25
Day 5 – April 24, 2027: Erfoud – The Dunes (Saturday)
Meals: B & D
Today’s mystic highlight: the African drums by the firelight
After a late breakfast you’ll discuss your itinerary in the desert. This will include visiting the famous traditional markets (tomorrow morning), a ksar and mausoleum, all at Rissani and, if you want, enjoying a camel ride at sunset this evening, at the dunes. You’ll stay overnight at a luxury desert camp where dinner and breakfast are included. Relax around a campfire (subject to weather conditions) and listen to music that is the heartbeat of Africa.
Given it is closed on Sundays, if we can slot in a visit to the artist atelier today, Chez les Artistes, for an afternoon coffee at Khamlia, the home of descendants of slaves and not far from the dunes, we will do so. It has interesting, surrealistic metal sculptures in its garden area made from machine parts and many interesting items inside. A local and his French wife are the artists.
Day 6 – April 25, 2027: The Dunes – Erfoud (Sunday)
Meals: B & D
Today’s mystic highlight: the apothecary’s wares at the markets. The belief in magic remains strong in this part of the world.
After breakfast at the desert camp, journey back towards Erfoud, 60km away and visit the Rissani markets on the way. Return to the auberge La Rose du Desert very early in the afternoon. Afternoon and evening free. You might want to take a dip in the pool, walk to the small fossil museum close by and prepare for your depature on the next stage of your adventure, tomorrow. Dinner included tonight.
Optional extras: souk visit and cooking class; local, village hammam experience; caftan and djellaba shopping experience. Activity sheets with prices, available. We will provide these to you at the time of booking with us.
Water seller at Rissani markets with goatskin bag.
Valley of the Roses – Marrakech
April 26-30
Day 7 – April 26, 2027: Erfoud – Roses Valley (Monday)
Meals: B & D
After breakfast drive to the Roses Valley where the famous Damask roses may be in bloom. Settle in at a local auberge restored according to traditional techniques by a French-Swiss couple, (subject to availability). Dinner tonight is included.
Damask roses are said to have originated from Damascus in modern day Syria.
Day 8 – 27 April, 2027: Roses Valley – Ouarzarzate – Ait Ben Haddou (Tuesday)
Meals: B & D
Before breakfast: We offer an optional extra of an early morning hike through some amazing landscape, with the possibility of visiting the cave nomads to have a tea with them. They move, so it is not always possible to locate them in the vicinity. Ask us for details at the time of booking with us.
After breakfast, drive to and explore the world heritage site Ait Ben Haddou (via Ouarzazate). It’s about 2.5 hours away. The ancient hillside village is on the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Lunch will likely be somewhere close to Ait Ben Haddou.
It’s a short drive to the Irocha guesthouse, where you will stay overnight, subject to availability. Dinner included tonight.
Day 9 – April 28, 2027: to Marrakech (Wednesday)
Meals: B, D.
Today’s mystic highlight: Cuisine in Morocco is said to have many mystic and magic qualities. See our blog post on this.
After breakfast, enjoy the drive to Marrakech and stay at a lovely, mosaic-embellished riad. A lovely place to relax and unwind. Our guests love our preferred riad and the young staff here.
This evening, early, because it closes, we will take you to a famous restaurant in the medina for lamb cooked in coals and bread, washed down with water. Not fancy, but fabulous! All the food tours come here.
Day 10 – April 29, 2027: Marrakech medina (Thursday)
Meals: B, L
Mystic highlight today: Fables from the Marrakech storytelling tradition
After breakfast we’ve organised a morning mystic story tour of the medina with its labyrinthine souks. This involves a Marrakechi storyteller recounting a tale at 3 locations in the medina and includes finishing with lunch at a nice restaurant. You’ll then be free for the rest of the afternoon and evening, when you can just relax at the riad or explore a little on your own.
Lamps for sale in the Marrakech medina. Sometimes their patterns are symbolically rich.
Day 11 – April 30, 2027: Marrakech – Ourika – Marrakech (Friday)
Meals: B & L
Today’s mystic highlight: Visiting the Garden of the Soul (Anima Garden)
Today you take a day trip to the Ourika valley with its stunning view of the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll visit the Anima Garden created by the Austrian artist, André Heller. It is a unique blend of botany and original artworks with a surprise around each bend in the path. Lunch today will be at a Saffron farm. Return to the riad in Marrakech and enjoy a free evening.
Giant sculpture at Anima Garden
Essaouira
May 1 – May 3
Day 12 – May 1, 2027: Marrakech – Essaouira (Saturday)
Meals: B
Today’s mystic highlight: The pre-Islamic feeling of Essaouira’s art. The evidence of a formerly strong Jewish presence here.
After breakfast, drive from Marrakech to the old Portuguese port town of Essaouira.
You’ll have time to settle in at Riad Baladin (or equivalent) and then wander about exploring. Afternoon and evening are free. Essaouira is safe and easy to navigate (with a beachy, arty vibe – a bit like Byron Bay).
UNESCO World Heritage site – Medina in Essaouira (formerly Mogador). In Essaouira, you will see the Star of David in many places and learn about its Jewish history. There is also a synagogue open to visitors in the Jewish Mellah.
Day 13 – May 2, 2027: Essaouira (Sunday)
Meals: B & D
After breakfast, you will have a half-day guided tour. Afternoon is free.
Tonight we will host an “A bientôt” dinner.
Stay overnight.
Day 14 – May 3, 2027: Departure (Monday)
Meals: B
Airport transfer We will drive you back to Marrakech (a 3-hour drive). In that case, it will be necessary for you to have a late afternoon or evening departure flight from there today, because you will need to be at the airport up to 3 hours before departure.
Et voila, the end of an adventure of a lifetime!
Or maybe just the first instalment?
Please note that quoted prices do not include drinks (including bottled water), meals not specified to be covered, airfares to, from and within Morocco, some tips and personal expenses, or anything else not specifically included. If something is not specified to be included, please assume it is excluded even if it is suggested, although feel free to seek clarification too.
We now cover some venue entry fees on some group tours such as this one, to maximise group cohesiveness on tour.
Your diary checklist
| Now: |
Make a 50% deposit to confirm your inclusion in the tour. First in, first served.
AIMT Trust Account / BSB:032-097 / Account number: 441414 / Westpac Bank / Payment code: YOUR SURNAME / 20271350
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| January 15, 2027: |
Deadline for bookings to close and tour confirmation, unless we have reached maximum number (12 people) before then. |
| January 22, 2027: |
Deadline to refund all deposits via EFT if tour is not confirmed, subject to provision of your bank account details at least 3 business days prior. |
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BY NO LATER THAN
February 19, 2027:
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Balance of the tour fee (50%) and payment of any optional extras for confirmed tour to be received by AIMT™ and access to Client-only resources given. Whatsapp Group created.
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Magic and Mysticism Group Tour Spring 2027 April 20 – May 3 |
Group Tour (Maximum 12) |
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Per person, twin or double share | single occupancy |
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AUS $11,950.00 | Price on Application (plus any optional extras) |
Contact AIMTours™ at
holidays@aussiesinmoroccotours.com.au