Excellent
Rock the Kasbah
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TOUR: A Christmas of changing colours at Todra Gorge, impressive Kasbahs at Aït Benhaddou, camping under Saharan stars and ringing in the New Year in enchanting Marrakech, Guaranteed to be a festive season to remember!
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysStarts
MarrakechEnds
MarrakechRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
15 yrs, accompanied by an adultDeparts
23 DecemberHotel Rating
3 - 4 star hotelsCountries
MoroccoArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoMeals included
Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 5Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Marrakech
Day 1 - Marrakech
23 December. Seasons Greetings and welcome to Morocco! Arrival transfer from the airport to our hotel. This evening (at 19:00) our welcome meeting takes place where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Day 2 - Ait Benhaddou
Day 2 - Ait Benhaddou
Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Skoura. This morning we drive onwards to the legendary Ait Benhaddou - a ‘fortified city’ situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, boasts some beautiful examples of ancient kasbahs. Only a handful of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, this incredible site had been the setting for many films including Gladiator. After exploring Ait Benhaddou we travel onwards to Skoura where we have an evening at leisure.
Day 3 - Xmas in Dades Gorge
Day 3 - Xmas in Dades Gorge
Skoura – Dades Gorge. Merry Christmas! We spend the morning visiting the kasbah Amridil before continuing to Gorge du Dades in the Dades valley. On arrival we take some time to explore the gorges, palmeries and kasbah ruins. We then have the evening to relax before enjoying a great Xmas dinner in the beautiful surroundings.
Day 4 - Camel trek & Sahara
Day 4 - Camel trek & Sahara
Todra Gorge - Erg Chebbi. Crossing Jebel Sarhro, we enjoy lunch and a swim before travelling down to Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the start point of the mighty Sahara Desert. The Erg Chebbi dunes located near the remote frontier town of Merzouga are renowned for their incredible height and size. In parts the vast sand pile reaches skyward to heightsof 150 metres!
The desert winds ensure this astonishing landscape is forever changing and no two days offer the same panorama. Mounting our camels, we trek across the vast rolling dunes of the Sahara and take in the breath-taking scenery. Arriving at our simple Berber camp, we enjoy dinner, music and a night under the Saharan stars, before retiring to our tents for the evening. Wrap up warm! If you would prefer to take a Jeep to the Berber camp, this can be arranged locally through your guide at no additional cost.
If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara hotel alternative at no additional cost. Please do let us know your preferred option at the time of booking.
Day 5 - Erg Chebbi
Day 5 - Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi – Agdz – Ouarzazate. Today we travel through Mercissi and Nkob in the Saghro Moutain region, passing the incredible rock formations and wells that have been dug over centuries by the nomads to get access to water, along the way. Onwards to the small town of Agdz, with its Palmeries, ancient Kasbahs and incredible views of Jebel Kissane Mountain. Our final stop of the day is Ouarzazate – Morocco’s film capital. This evening we enjoy a group meal together.
Day 6 - Ouarzazate
Day 6 - Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate – Marrakech. Famous for being a prime filming location for many Hollywood TV shows and Blockbusters, we have the opportunity to explore the World's largest film studio this morning. Be sure to explore the iconic Colosseum used in 'Gladiator' and the prop jet used in 'Jewel of the Nile'. Carrying on we continue to Kasbah Telouet. Built in 1860 this kasbah was once home to the very wealthy Thami El Glaoui until he conspired with French Colonialists to delay Morocco's fight for independence.
Descending into the city of Marrakech, Morocco's pink city. We have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the Medina and the delights of Djemaa el Fna, the exuberant market place, which is a hive of activity, sights and smells at both day and night.
Day 7 - Djemaa el Fna
Day 7 - Djemaa el Fna
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech and the afternoon is free to independently explore. The focal point of Marrakech is the central square - Djemaa el Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders, Djemaa el Fna is best seen in the evening, illuminated against a backdrop of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains, when it's overflowing with food stalls, snake charmers, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. Towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city.
Days 8-9 - Free time in Marrakech
Days 8-9 - Free time in Marrakech
Two days of free time to explore Marrakech independently. Perhaps try a hammam and practice your bargaining skills in the souks. On New Years Eve there is the option to get together for dinner (and a few drinks) in a local restaurant to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
Day 10 - Marrakech
Day 10 - Marrakech
01 January. Our tour concludes after breakfast and hotel check out. Happy New Year!
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation Marrakech (From price)
Double
Twin
Single
Post Tour Accommodation Marrakech (From price)
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
On any of our Signature Morocco tours starting in Marrakech, you can opt to start your tour in Casablanca instead!
£75
per passengerPrefer to end your tour in Casablanca?
£75
per passengerTour Extensions
Extend your trip with our multi-day tour extensions, including accommodation, sightseeing and free time.
This add-on is a 5-day tour of Agadir Beach that can be booked in conjunction with any of our Signature Morocco tours ending in Marrakech.
Double
Twin
Single
Hotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. We also offer a triple share option on this tour, please contact us for details. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews