The Magic and Mysticism of Morocco
a tour in April 2024
The sooner you book, the better accommodation we can
secure for you, especially as April is peak tourist season in Morocco.
A maximum of 10-12 people per tour.
©Aussies In Morocco Tours™
We are pleased to offer the following 14 days/13 nights Mystic tour in April 2024, starting in Fez, going via the desert and finishing in Essaouira – Cara will accompany you.
(with an optional extra private tour in Tangier beforehand).
This tour is at a slightly quieter pace than our Aromatic and Artist Footsteps tours of 2023. This itinerary gives you a bit more time to contemplate, meditate and absorb. However you can always do more in the free time available should you want to.
Bookings close: January 15, 2024
Please read our blog posts here, for example about traditional accommodation, to have some idea of what you are in for, so your expectations equate with reality.
The Pre-tour (optional extra)
April 14-17
April 14, 2024: Tangier (Sunday)
Arrive Hotel La Tangerina (or equivalent). We can organise your pick up if required and will secure the best room available. Only breakfast every morning is included. For more about the hotel access their website here.
An old and well-known hammam forms part of this hotel.
April 15, 2024: Tangier (Monday)
Meals: Breakfast (B)
Half-day guided tour of Tangier. The guide we usually use is a film and ancient history buff (he’s a part-time actor) and quite well known around the Kasbah. It makes for a bit of a different and interesting tour from the usual. If you want a few tastes of Tangier along the way, such as Tangier’s chickpea pancakes, be sure to mention that to him. Ask him about good places to eat, as lunch and dinner are not provided while you are in Tangier. Suggest he point them out to you during the tour.
April 16, 2024: Tangier – Asilah – Tangier (Tuesday)
Meals: B
Full day in the nearby seaside town of Asilah. We will arrange for you to be driven there and back. We can provide you with some suggestions to do there upon request from you, as it is a relaxed, arty seaside town. No appointed guide in Asilah; just your driver for the day there and back, whom you may not see in-between. If you would like a lunch in a local home, we could pre-arrange it.
There is also a famous garden or two near Asilah. Ask your hotel reception for more detail.
April 17, 2024: Tangier – Fez (Wednesday)
Meals: B
We will arrange your drop off at the Tangier train station (your first-class train tickets are available at front desk of your hotel) travelling to Fez to join the first day of the Mysticism Tour.
Unfortunately, catching a train to Fez means you don’t see Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco. So if you prefer to be driven from Tangier to Fez via Chefchaouen, let us know when you book as this will affect dates and price.
For the fee for the 3-day pre-tour please contact us.
Magic & Mysticism tour of Morocco
April 17-30
Fez
April 17-19
Day 1 – April 17, 2024: Fez (Wednesday)
Meals: Dinner (D)
You’ll be picked up from the train station or airport and taken to Dar Seffarine (or equivalent) which is a circa 600-year-old riad protected by a UNESCO world heritage listing. Included are breakfast every morning of the tour and dinner as specified below. For more information about Dar Seffarine access their website here.
On this first night in Fez, we’ll invite you to a special welcome dinner at, or near, the riad.
Dar Seffarine’s imposing courtyard, a 600-year-old riad that was renovated just a few years ago
Day 2 – April 18, 2024: Fez – (Thursday)
Meals: B & D
Today’s mystic highlight: The ancient medina and its religious places.
After breakfast, you’ll have a special artisan tour of the ancient medina that will also include a visit to religious locales such as the Al-Attarine Medersa. We suggest having lunch at Café Clock (not included). Then you have the afternoon and evening free. We will have some suggestions for things to see and do, and where to dine that evening.
The feminine curve and the masculine angle – Cara (our principal) at the Al-Attarine Medersa, formerly a school for Islamic scholars in Fez.
Day 3 – April 12, 2024: Fez – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss Zerhoun – Fez (Friday)
Meals: B & Lunch (L)
Today’s mystic highlight: Mosaics of the ancient Gods of Rome at Volubilis around sunset.
Note that the order of today’s activities may change depending on local circumstances such as the best light for photos – we will discuss with you beforehand.
Today we 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 on the way. Time permitting, we could 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. Today it is a simple, picturesque country town.
We’ll want to also make time for a coffee or Moroccan tea and a restroom pitstop. Then, it is on to a hearty lunch provided in an olive grove, with wine; the only time wine is covered on this tour.
In April the fields should be full of poppies in northern Morocco. A picturesque journey to see these mosaics.
Fez – Casablanca – flight to Errachidia – Erfoud
April 20
Day 4 – April 20, 2024: Fez – Rabat – Casblanca – Errachidia – Erfoud (Saturday)
Meals: B & D
Today, after breakfast we drive from Fez to Rabat where we can stop at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for an hour or so. Then on to Casablanca where (if we get there before 3pm) you may be interested in a tour of King Hassan Mosque, but you are likely to want to simply rest. Dinner at a private home has been arranged, then you’ll take a late-night flight to Errachidia (flights are not part of the tour fee and should be around 40 Euros if you book via the Royal Air Maroc website). You’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to your auberge in Erfoud, La Rose du Desert (or equivalent).
Erfoud – The Dunes – Erfoud
April 21-22
Day 5 – April 14, 2024: Erfoud – The Dunes (Sunday)
Meals: B & D
Today’s Mystic highlight: the African drums by the firelight.
After a late breakfast you’ll discuss options for things to see and do in Erfoud, Rissani (Sunday is market day), and the dunes. You could visit a fossil museum, see giant art installations in the desert, enjoy a camel ride at sunset. Stay overnight at a luxury desert camp where dinner and breakfast are included. Relax and listen to music that is the heartbeat of Africa.
There is a strong musical tradition in the desert, influenced by rhythms from further south in Africa and introduced by slaves from that part of the world.
Day 6 – April 15, 2024: The Dunes – Merzouga or Hassilabied (Monday)
Meals: B & D
Today’s mystic highlight: storytelling of the stars.
After breakfast at the desert camp, journey back towards Erfoud, 60km away. Along the way see some of the sights you didn’t have time for yesterday. Arrive at the auberge La Rose du Desert in the afternoon where dinner will be a delicious home-cooked meal. Depending on the weather and availability of people at the relevant time, the evening highlight will be storytelling (the Amazigh / Berber stories of the stars) and viewing of the night sky through a telescope. If this is not available, we will include a private storytelling session later in the tour at Marrakech, as part of the tour fee.
The Moroccan sky displays a carpet of stars, with no pollution to hinder visibility.
Valley of the Roses – Marrakech
April 23-26
Day 7 – April 23, 2024: Erfoud – Valley of the Roses (Tuesday)
Meals: B & D
After breakfast drive to the Roses Valley where the famous Damask roses will be in bloom. Settle in at the Kasbah Chems (or equivalent) on the outskirts of Kelat M’Gouna. The views are wonderful and meals are made with vegetables from their own gardens. Dinner tonight is included.
Damask roses are said to have originated from Damascus in modern day Syria.
Day 8 – April 24, 2024: Roses Valley – Ouarzarzate – Ait Ben Haddou (Wednesday)
Meals: B & D
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 is not included, but choices include stopping at a riad or getting a roadside lunch of freshly cooked grilled lamb. Then it’s a short drive to the Irocha guesthouse, where we will stay overnight. If you are interested, a local guide will take you to see some ancient engravings about 90 minutes walk from the guesthouse. Dinner included tonight.
Day 9 – April 25, 2024 : To Marrakech (Thursday)
Meals: B & D
After breakfast, enjoy the drive to Marrakech. You’ll be staying at an Italian-owned riad, Dar Ayur (or equivalent). A lovely place to relax and unwind before the special evening food tour we have organised for you. It begins around 6pm with a local guide, lasts about 3.5 hours and groups are a maximum of eight.
Day 10 – April 26, 2024: Marrakech medina (Friday)
Meals – B
After breakfast we’ve organised a morning tour of the medina with its labyrinthine souks where you’ll find everything from antiques and jewellery to perfumes and food stalls. You’ll then be free for the rest of the afternoon and evening, when you can just relax at the riad or explore on your own the assorted museums such as the Orientalist museum, the cuisine museum, the perfume museum or photography museum. We can also make dinner suggestions (not included today), just be sure to discuss this with us sufficiently ahead of time.
Day 11 – April 27, 2024: Marrakech – Ourika – Essaouira (Saturday)
Meals: B & L
Today’s mystic highlight: Visiting the Garden of the Soul (Anima Garden)
Today we take a day trip to the Ourika valley with its stunning view of the High Atlas Mountains, lush landscapes, waterfalls and delicious cuisine. On the way, 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.
Magnificent Anima Garden has some established artists’ works on display
Essaouira
April 28-30
Day 12 – April 28, 2024: Marrakech – Essaouira (Sunday)
Meals – B
After breakfast, drive from Marrakech to the old Portuguese port town of Essaouira.
You’ll have time to settle in at Riad Malaika (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).
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 – April 29, 2024: Essaouria (Monday)
Meals: B & D
After breakfast, you’ll have another day to explore Essaouira. Wander through the souks. Walk along the sandy beach. Discover the work of local artisans. Ask us about our Day Tour of Essaouira facts sheet for more suggested sights and activities. Tonight we will host an “À bientôt” dinner. Stay overnight.
Day 14 – April 30, 2024: Departure (Tuesday)
Meals: B
Airport transfer: It is your choice to try to get flights from Essaouira international airport, or we will drive you back to Marrakech (a 3-hour drive). In that case, try for an afternoon or evening departure flight from there because you will need to be at the airport up to 2.5 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, entrance fees to venues, meals not specified to be covered, airfares to, from and within Morocco, tips and personal expenses or anything else not specifically included. It will also be much easier and cheaper for you to book and pay for the flight from Casablanca to Errachidia on Day 4. We can explain more about this at the time of your enquiry, upon request.
Price is $A7,750.00 per person, twin or double share.
Your diary checklist
January 15, 2024:
January 17, 2024:
February 1, 2024:
Remember: to enquire about doing this anytime as a private tour, please contact AIMTours™ at holidays@aussiesinmoroccotours.com.au