Addi Ouadderrou

Addi is a native Moroccan from the desert region, and an expert on Moroccan culture, with over 25-years of experience in directing deep-dive and personalized cultural tours into Moroccan history, life, arts, languages, food, dance, music, and more. Addi is the owner of Moroccan Caravan, LLC, and is the tour leader and manager. addi@moroccancaravan.com

Sandra Youssef Clinton, FASLA

Sandra, Founder, CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects, is a renowned landscape architect and mixed-media artist in the Washington, DC region, and has traveled extensively in Morocco and throughout the world. Sandy will enhance participants’ experiences of each garden and landscape as she shares her design and horticultural expertise throughout the tour.  syc@clinton-la.com

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Travel the full length of Morocco on a route that reveals its many souls. Begin along the Atlantic in Casablanca and Rabat, where modern life meets imperial elegance. Drift north to the blue-washed calm of Chefchaouen, then dive deep into the living history of Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual heart. Cross ancient caravan lands in Tafilalt, following oasis routes that once linked Africa to the Mediterranean. Experience the Sahara twice—first among the golden dunes of Merzouga, then the stark, soulful desert around Zagora, where silence and starlight redefine scale and time. 

Continue through Morocco’s lesser-seen south: palm oases, kasbahs, and raw landscapes in Tata, and the remarkable granaries—fortified hilltop storehouses that speak to centuries of communal life and survival before arriving in walled Taroudant, a city rich in tradition and unhurried charm. Ascend into the High Atlas Mountains to Imlil, where Amazigh villages and cool mountain air offer a final moment of stillness. End in Marrakech, vibrant and unforgettable—its colors, sounds, and stories now richer and more meaningful after the journey that brought you there. 

This tour is intended for all, but is a particularly wonderful trip for those who have traveled with us before, as much of this journey follows a very different path filled with different opportunities that you have yet to experience!

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart USA to Casablanca/Morocco

Begin your travels today with a flight across the Atlantic to arrive at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco no later than 10:30am on day 2 of this itinerary. Participants book their own flights. Suggest nonstop flights from the US to Casablanca, Morocco via Royal Air Maroc:

            - From New York (JFK)

            - From Washington DC, Dulles international airport (IAD)

            - From Miami (MIA)

Day 2

Casablanca / rabat

Arrive at Airport in Casablanca, meet your tour guides, and transfer to our luxury van for a drive to the capital city of Rabat. Check in at our Riad and have time for a rest. In the afternoon explore areas of Rabat such as the Kasbah and Jardin Oudaya and the Mohammed royal mausoleum by the Bouregreg river. Dinner and overnight in Rabat. (L,D)

DAY 3

rabat to chefchaouen

Today we embark on a beautiful drive through vast and diverse landscapes to the blue city of Chefchaouen, tucked into the mountains of northern Morocco. After checking into our riad, we will explore Chefchaouen and catch the sunset overlooking the valley. Chefchaouen is a spaghetti works of winding paths lined with small buildings, shops, and homes, all sporting differing shades of blue. It captivates the imagination and inspires the artist in us all! Overnight in Chefchaouen. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

chefchaouen / fes via meknes

This morning, we will further explore Chefchaouen and then depart for Meknes to visit a vineyard for wine tasting and a special late lunch/early dinner. Our drive through the Rif mountains to Fes is one of vast landscapes, sloping agricultural fields, and dramatic views. Overnight in Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

explore fes

After breakfast we will depart for a guided tour to explore one of Morocco’s most historic and important cities - Fes. We will dive into the medina (“old city”) to see some of its many sections. Each section specializes in certain types of foods, wares, and handmade arts and crafts, such as embroidery, weaving, and ceramics.

While in the markets, we learn about various traditional ingredients used in Moroccan cuisine, followed by lunch where we will taste a variety of traditional dishes at an authentic restaurant. After lunch we will have an opportunity to see artisans making exquisite items using centuries-old traditional techniques. Of special interest are the ancient leather dyeing vats in the heart of the city. Overnight in Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

fes / tafilalet

Today, we drive south crossing over the Middle Atlas mountains and the lush Cedar Forest then cut through the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. We will make various break stops such as in Ifrane, Midlet other points along our route. We will descend into the Ziz Valley and the Tafilalt Oasis/Palm grove to make a stop in Erfoud to see and learn about fossils for which this area is known. Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse in the Tafilalt Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAY 7

rissani market / Erg Chebbi / 4X4 excursion on nomadic route

Today we will visit Rissani market, formally an important  trading stop on the caravan route, and have lunch in Rissani. We will then drive out into the desert to explore using 4x4 vehicles for an off road exploration deep in the desert to see nomads and the region. By the end of the day, we will arrive to our guesthouse by the dunes. Participants could take a walk or a camel ride on the dunes for a sunset view. Dinner & overnight at our guest house. (B,L,D)

DAY 8

erg chebbi / zagora

The journey from Merzouga to Zagora is a classic southern Morocco desert drive with dramatic, scenes, and full of history.  It’s about soaking in landscapes that shift from dunes to palm valleys with Kasbahs & ksour, to rocky and or sandy desert. We will make stops enroute to Zagora which is located in the Draa Valley. Many locals around Zagora are predominantly Amazigh (Berber), especially from desert tribes, and others of Arab and sub-Saharan origins. Dinner and overnight in Zagora. (B,L,D)

DAY 9

zagora / tata

Depart Zagora and take a desert route via Foum Zguid to Tata. Tata is surrounded by palm groves and sits at the edge of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. This route goes through a vast desert landscape with quiet village life where caravans once were active and roaming.

We will see beautiful oasis towns, mud brick architecture, dramatic rock formations and desert plateaus. Dinner and overnight in Tata. (B,L,D)

DAY 10

tata / Taroudant

Traveling between Tata and Taroudant in southern Morocco takes you through a beautifully varied region of desert fringed with Amazigh villages, rugged mountains, and oasis landscapes — very different from the usual coastal or High Atlas Mountains routes. Enroute in the Anti-Atlas mountain foothills, we make a stop to explore an ancient Agadir, a fortified community storage that is unique to this region of Morocco. We will learn about the function and the role that an Agadir played in these southern Amazigh communities. Dinner and overnight in Taroudant. (B,L,D)

DAY 11

taroudant / imlil

We will explore Taroudant and also visit the unique house museum of artist and collector, Claudio Bravo. Here we will wander the designed gardens and his exquisitely curated art collection. Departing Taroudant, we drive into the High Atlas mountains to get to the mountain town of Imlil. Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse in Imlil. (B,L,D)

DAY 12

further explore imlil

The landscape and views from in and around the town of Imlil are outstanding! Today, we explore the area with its villages and valleys and can do some modest hiking in the hills. We will allow time to be able to sit and enjoy the breathtaking scenery! Dinner and overnight in Imlil. (B,L,D)

DAY 13

imlil / marrakech

We will descend the amazing High Atlas Mountains towards Marrakech. The scenery in the mountains is striking and unique, as dozens of Amazigh (Berber) villages, accented with terraced gardens, can be seen. Prior to approaching Marrakech, we visit a women’s cooperative that specializes in making famous Argan Oil. Dinner and overnight at our Riad in Marrakech. (B,L,D)

DAY 14

full day marrakech exploration

After breakfast at our riad, we will visit a number of sites in the medina of Marrakech. The history you will discover here is unmatched by many other cultures. We’ll spend time deep in the medina and wander through the newly restored Ben Youssef Madrassa. We will walk through the souks to Jmaa el Fna and visit the historic Koutoubia Mosque and gardens, one of the largest mosques in Marrakech, dating back to the 11th century. Overnight at our riad in Marrakech. (B,L,D)

DAY 15

Transfer to Casablanca airport 

This morning we depart for a few hours’ drive north to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport to fly home.

Bon Voyage!!

DATES, FEES AND TRIP INFORMATION

PRICE PER PERSON FOR SHARED ACCOMMODATION: $4,500 OPTIONAL SOLO SUPPLEMENT: +$800

Plus $300/person out-of-pocket expenses paid directly by tour director throughout the trip, to be paid by each participant in US cash at the outset of the tour

Included in this trip:

• 1st class private air-conditioned van/bus transportation throughout the tour

• Multiple garden visits

• Delicious hands-on food preparation in the local styles

• Charming accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar

• Admission to historical sites, gardens, and parks during scheduled guided group tours

• Visit to a mud (adobe) brick village

• All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

• Water is provided with meals included in itinerary. Other beverages and water for daily consumption are not included

• First-rate tour leaders, professional drivers, and licensed tour guides for specialty locations

• Many unique surprises!

NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:

• Airfare 

• Travel Insurance and Personal Health Insurance

• Passport fees and related paperwork

• Private vehicle/transfers for any participants who, for any reason, must leave earlier than the rest of the group or break off from either the main tour and or the extension and transferring to any airport or anywhere in Morocco or beyond. Transfer cost TBD but is estimated to be $300

• Shopping, massages, hammam visits, liquor, or anything not included in this package

• Excess baggage, telephone, laundry, room service, personal and medical expenses

• Out-of-pocket expenses paid along the way by the tour director for entry fees, porters, housekeeping, servers, special cultural guides, etc.

• Tips for the tour leaders and driver

DAY 1

TBD

TBD

DAY 2

TBD

TBD

DAYs 3

TBD

TBD

DAY 6

Transfer to airport

Transfer to fly out. BON VOYAGE!!