Morocco: Legendary Cities and the Sahara

12 DAYS FROM $8,245

• Ride a camel across Saharan dunes at sunset, and overnight in a comfortable tented camp. • Explore five UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a National Geographic Expert. • Enjoy dinner and a Sufi musical performance at a traditional Moroccan home.

Signature Land Light/Moderate

DAYS 1–3 I CASABLANCA, MOROCCO/ MARRAKECH Visit the extraordinary Hassan II mosque, and stroll the Habous district and the mechouar, a ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace. Then head to Marrakech, Morocco’s “pearl of the south.” Explore the city’s splendid mosques, palaces, and gardens; and delve into the labyrinthine medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople. Le Casablanca Hotel; Sofitel Marrakech Lounge and Spa | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D DAYS 4–6 I HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS/ AÏT BEN HADDOU Experience Amazigh (Berber) hospitality at a lodge perched in the High Atlas Mountains. Go hiking amid the surrounding peaks, sip mint tea in a family home, and soak in the lodge’s traditional hammam. Later, tour the ancient fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou. Kasbah du Toubkal; Ksar Ighnda | Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D

DAYS 7–8 I DADES GORGE/SAHARA DESERT Set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations, and stopping at small villages. See the dramatic Dades Gorge, and ride camelback into the Sahara to watch the sun set. Spend the night in a comfortable tented camp. Xaluca Dades; Desert Luxury Camp Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 9–12 I FEZ/VOLUBILIS AND MEKNÈS Discover the magnificent imperial city of Fez; and take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and to Morocco’s 17th-century capital, Meknès. Enjoy a special dinner at a traditional Moroccan home, where we're joined by traditional Sufi musicians. Riad Maison Bleue and Spa | Meals: 4B, 2L, 2D

A National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides will join us along the way.

Chloé Capel Archaeologist Chloé Capel specializes in the medieval history of northern and western Africa. She has been a lecturer in Islamic arts at Paris's Ecole du Louvre for 10 years and has taken part in archaeological expeditions in Egypt, Mauritania, Ethiopia, and Niger. Chloé currently works in Morocco, where she is excavating the caravan city of Sijilmassa and co-directing the dig at Aghmat.

INFORMATION

Dates: This expedition is offered in March, April, May, September, and October. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.

Photography Expeditions: Several of our departures are designated photography expeditions, designed for all skill levels and led by a National Geographic photographer.