About THE MOROCCAN ODYSSEY
At a glance...
Countries: Morocco
Group size: Minimum of two (2)
Duration: 15 days/ 14 nights
Activity: Trekking, camel riding, camping, and sightseeing
Travel style: Guided
Difficulty grade: Moderate to strenuous
Comfort: Various (hotels, camps, refuges)
Quick itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival to Marrakesh. Welcome to Morocco!
DAY 2: City tour of Marrakesh
DAY 3: Transfer to Atlas mountains, trek to Tahliouine
DAY 4: Tahliouine to Dkent
DAY 5: Dkent to Tizi Oussem
DAY 6: Tizi Oussem to Toubkal Basecamp
DAY 7: Basecamp to Toubkal summit to back to Marrakesh
DAY 8: Casablanca and Rabat
DAY 9: Rabat and Fez, ruins of Volubilis
DAY 10: Fez palaces, museums, madrasas
DAY 11: Fez to Merzouga, wild monkeys of Azrou
DAY 12: Camel ride in Sahara, overnight in tent camp
DAY 13: Dades Valley to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
DAY 14: Back to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate
DAY 15: Final departure
Moroccan Odyssey
- Dates are subject to slight changes. These dates will proceed with groups of two or more.
May 11-25, 2024
- October 12-26, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to trek start date.
Moroccan Odyssey Details
Marketplaces and souks of Marrakesh
Enjoy your free time in Marrakesh by perusing the amazing Jemaa el-Fnaa square (see more below) and the Souk Semmarine. Characterized by multiple small stalls and shops, these souks specialize in sandals, slippers, jewelry, leather goods, and much more.
Mt. Toubkal trek
At 13,671 feet, Mt. Toubkal is North Africa’s highest peak and one of the most popular treks in the country. See details in the full itinerary below.
Casablanca
Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco, was first settled by the Berbers in the 7th century BC. Located on the Atlantic coast of the Chaouia Plain in the central-western part of Morocco, the city has a population of about 3.71 million in the urban area, and over 4.27 million in the Greater Casablanca area, making it the most populous city in the Maghreb region, and the eighth-largest in the Arab world.
Camel ride into the Sahara
Bucket-list time. Really, how often do you get to ride a camel into the Sahara Desert to a beautiful desert camp, complete with comfy beds and amazing food?
- Hobnail Trekking Co. long-sleeve trekking shirt and ball cap
- Custom Hobnail mobile app
- Lots of freebies
- Opportunities to get to know your fellow trekkers include an invitation to a WhatsApp group for your trek, group training hikes if trekkers live in proximity to each other, and other local social gatherings
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights in a hotel riad (B&B), including breakfast and dinner
- One night at a hotel, including breakfast and dinner
- One night at a nice camp in Merzouga, including breakfast and dinner
- 5 nights in lodge and mountain refuges while on trek
- City tour in Marrakesh by local, English-speaking guide
- Sightseeing tour in Fez by local, English-speaking guide
- All ground transportation in private vehicle for entirety of trip
- Local, English-speaking guides
- Cooks and cooking equipment for the trek
- All food while on trek
- Mules for luggage transport
- Camel ride
- The company of new friends and the experience of a lifetime
- Travel insurance (see the Travel Insurance section on this page for details)
- International flights
- Entrance Visa
- Lunches
- Soft drinks and mineral water
- Tips for leaders, guides, and porters (we’ll give you guidance on this)
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Spending money, including for souvenirs
- Personal trekking equipment (hiking boots, clothing, etc.)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, extra hotel nights, extra meals, etc.)
- All expenses associated with nonscheduled departure
OK, here’s where we get serious. Hobnail requires that all trekkers purchase travel/medical insurance that covers them properly for all trekking activities.
There are a lot more details you need to know about travel insurance than we want to put in this limited space — including stuff about trip cancellations and what company we recommend — so when you’re ready, pop over to our Travel Insurance page.
We consider our treks to be adventures, not vacations. We’re not Hobnail Vacation Company, after all! Don’t get us wrong; we like vacations as much as the next person, but with our treks, you need to be physically and mentally ready. Here’s what we ask of you:
- You thoroughly read all the information we send you prior to departure.
- You get yourself an accountability partner and train properly. This doesn’t mean doing a few squats two weeks before departure.
- You familiarize yourself with your gear prior to leaving. Practice adjusting your backpack, filtering water if necessary, etc.
- If you purchase new boots, they are broken in well in advance of departure.
- When on trek, you FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR GUIDE. His or her only concern is helping you achieve your goal safely and in good health, but this won’t happen unless you follow their advice. This includes – but is not limited to – food recommendations, speed of pace, when to sleep and when not to, when to walk and when to rest, when to turn around due to illness, etc.
- When on trek, you treat your guide and the locals you encounter with the utmost respect. We are guests in their country and very grateful to be there.
All of these things may seem like common sense — and they are — but we feel that we must mention them. Hobnail’s goal is to provide you with the best experience possible, and you have an important role in achieving that goal.
A few days after registering for a trek (with a deposit of at least $500), we’ll give you a quick call to say hello and answer any initial questions you may have. If you use WhatsApp, we’ll add you to a group with your fellow trekkers so that you may interact with them, and possibly your guide, before departure. You’ll be able to post questions in the group anytime you’d like, talk about the cool gear you’re planning to take with you, organize group hikes if you live near each other, and generally just get to know those who will be sharing this incredible experience with you.
Within the first weeks after your trek is confirmed, you will receive a Welcome Kit from us. It contains stuff that you can use during training as well as on the trek itself, and some other just fun things to get you (even more) excited about your trip.
You’ll also receive a login to our Hobnail app, which is full of great information including a day-by-day schedule, nearby points of interest, beautiful photography, and yet another way to contact us – through its messaging service. As your trip gets closer, we will load your flights and other more specific information into the app so you’ll feel even more secure in knowing where you’ll be staying and even how to get around the airports you’ll travel through.
The closer you get to your trek, the more you’ll hear from us — but of course, you can reach out any time you have a question.
What happens if my trek is not confirmed?
If the minimum number for the trek you booked is not reached before the 60-day booking deadline, you will be eligible for either a refund or to transfer your deposit to another trek. See details HERE.
Our Mobile App
When you book, we send you the login credentials to your own, customized app. By departure, your app will contain your flight info, passport, travel insurance docs, and COVID info, as well as your full itinerary, points of interest, and other amazing stuff.
TREK ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh (1,530 ft)
Today you arrive in the “red city” of Marrakesh, named for the clay from which buildings were constructed in the early 12th century and since. Plan to arrive early so you’ll have time to get lost in the city. (Literally — it’s easy to do!)
Upon arrival, a Hobnail representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your “riad,” a guesthouse-style hotel usually with a courtyard and often within a restored traditional mansion. Once you’re checked in, you’ve got the rest of the day to yourself. Meals are on your own today but we are happy to provide some suggestions.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Marrakesh
After breakfast, you will go on a guided walk around the old town. This sightseeing tour will last about three hours and will give you plenty of time to explore some historical monuments in Marrakesh, including the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, the Jewish quarter, and the famous local traditional markets (souks) where you can get lost in the maze of vendors carrying handmade goods.
Lunch and dinner are on your own today and you’ll be overwhelmed with the options available. Let us know if you need some suggestions to help you narrow it down.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Marrakesh to Tahliouine (5,905 ft) via Imi Oughlad (5,415 ft) and the Tizi n'Tacht pass (6,890 ft)
After breakfast at the riad, you will be driven about 90 minutes by private vehicle toward the High Atlas Mountains, where you’ll be met by the local team that will guide you for the next few days.
After introductions and an orientation, you’ll set off hiking to Taliouine Village via the Tizi n’Tacht pass (“Tizi” actually means “pass”). You’ll overnight at a lodge in the village.
Total activity: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Tahliouine to Dkent (6,070 ft) via the Tizi n'Touti pass (7,215 ft)
You’ll leave the village of Taliouine in the Azzaden Valley after an early breakfast, hiking uphill past the Tizi n’Touti pass. You will continue on for about two hours before stopping for lunch near a peaceful stream.
After lunch, your hike follows the trail to the village of Dkent, where you’ll spend the night at a local lodge.
Total activity: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Dkent to Tizi Oussem (6,235 ft) via the Tizi n'Tegdalt pass (8,860 ft)
Today begins with another early breakfast as you have a long day of hiking ahead of you. You’ll leave Dkent and head towards the village of Tizi Oussem, crossing the Tizi n’Tegdalt on your way.
The riverside lunch stop will be a restful break from the walk, which will continue after lunch until you reach the village.
Total activity: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Tizi Oussem to Toubkal Base Camp (10,520 ft) via Azib Tamsoult (7,400 ft) and Tizi n'Aguelzim (11,810 ft)
Today’s trek will be quite challenging, so fuel up at breakfast.
After leaving the village of Tizi Oussem this morning, you’ll hike uphill to Tizi n’Aguelzim before passing the Azib Tamsoult Refuge. You’ll stop for lunch along the way before continuing on downhill from the pass to Toubkal Refuge. You’ll overnight there, at base camp.
Total activity: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Toubkal base camp to the summit of Mt. Toubkal (13,670 ft), and return to Marrakesh
Get ready, because today is summit day!
After a very early morning wake-up and delicious breakfast, you’ll start off by trekking uphill toward the summit. It will take about three hours to reach the top, and once you do, you’ll be surrounded by incredible views across the peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Breathe it in because somehow the air just feels better up here.
After your summit selfie(s), you’ll hike back down Toubkal via the same route to the refuge, where you’ll stop for lunch before continuing your hike back to Imlil Valley via a different route. It’ll be a long day, but oh, so worth it.
Once you’re back in Imlil, you’ll catch a ride (via private transportation) back to Marrakesh where you can have a hot shower and a great night’s sleep.
Total activity: 10 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Marrakech to Casablanca to Rabat
This morning after breakfast at your riad, you’ll be picked up by private transportation and driven to Casablanca. This iconic city – the largest in Morocco – is the modern commercial capital of the country and is significantly less touristy than the imperial cities of Fez and Marrakesh. While there, you’ll visit the famous Hassan II Mosque, located in a picturesque spot right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Completed in 1993, the Hassan II Mosque had previously held the title of the tallest minaret (steeple) in the world and the tallest structure in Morocco. Both titles have since been taken but this minaret, at 698 feet, is nothing to sneeze at. It is still the second-largest mosque in all of Africa, holding 80,000 worshippers in its outdoor courtyard and another 25,000 inside. While the exterior and surrounding area are undoubtedly impressive, the lavish interior is covered in wood, marble, carved stone, and gilded ceilings. What makes this mosque even more unique is that it is one of few in Morocco that is open to non-Muslim visitors. One-hour guided tours are available between 9 am and 2 pm, and include a tour of the Hamman in the basement.
Before heading on to Rabat where you’ll spend the night at a 4-star hotel, you’ll stop for lunch (on your own) at one of the great restaurants in this great city.
Transport: around 6 hours by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 9: Rabat to Fez
Your day starts – after breakfast, of course – with visits to some of the interesting monuments in Rabat.
Specifically, you’ll see the Hassan Tower, intended to be the largest minaret in the world but construction stopped when the leader who commissioned it died in 1199. You’ll also visit the Kasbah Oudaya, built in the 12th century and known for its blue and white painted walls.
This charming medieval walled fortress, the first settlement in Rabat, sits on the edge of the river and is a haven of tranquility. Its flower-filled streets, Andalusian-style garden, and Moorish cafe make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you won’t want to miss.
After soaking in the magic of the Kasbah, you’ll hop back in the vehicle and continue to your next stop, Volubilis. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins.
This town, once one of the most remote parts of the Roman Empire, was established in the 3rd century BC and grew to prosperity primarily through agriculture – olive growing, to be exact. Volubilis remained intact under Roman rule for more than 200 years before the Romans left to focus on other parts of the empire. While in service, however, the residents of Volubilis also grew and exported wheat for the rest of the empire, as well as wild animals (lions, bears, and elephants) that were sent to the capital for feasts, celebrations, and sacrifices.
Once you’ve completed your visit to Volubilis, you’ll continue on by vehicle to Meknes, a beautiful city with a smaller, less busy Medina (the walled, old district in a larger city) than what you’ll find in Fez. (The shopkeepers are less pushy here, too.) Remember your negotiating skills because you’ll use them!
While in Meknes (also a UNESCO World Heritage Centre), you’ll visit the Heri es-Souani where grain is stored, as well as Agdal Basin, the enormous stone-lined lake built in the 18th century. In the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) area, you can explore gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables, an early 18th-century complex that once housed 12,000(!) royal horses. You’ll definitely want to stop at the indoor market at El Hedim Square, too.
Completing your visit to Meknes, you’ll continue until you finally arrive late afternoon in Fez, where you’ll check in at your riad and enjoy a nice dinner.
Fes was founded shortly after the Arabs expanded across North Africa and is often referred to as the “spiritual capital of Morocco.” This city, once one of the most important academic epicenters in the world, can be neatly divided into three different parts: Fez el-Bali (founded in the late 7th/early 8th century, and widely regarded as the best-preserved Medina in the Arab world); Fes el-Jdid (home to the Jewish quarter and Royal Palace, known as the “new old Medina”); and the Ville Nouvelle (modern and progressive, serves as the administrative center for Fez). Both Fez el-Bali and Fes el-Jdid are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 10: Sightseeing in Fez
You’ll spend another day in Fez, sightseeing with an English-speaking guide who will accompany you in exploring the secrets of this enchanting city – the medieval capital of Morocco.
Fez is a large maze of winding alleys, often too narrow for cars. It’s famous for its impressive riad architecture, palaces, museums, and madrasas (schools), but also for its busy souks and handicraft areas. Bring some spending money because you’ll want to spend it here.
When you’re done shopping, head back to the riad for a delightful dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 11: Fez to Merzouga
This morning after breakfast, you’ll leave Fez in a private vehicle heading south, stopping along the way to visit the wild monkeys right outside of Azrou.
Azrou, which means “rock” in the Berber language, is one of the few places where you can see the Barbary macaques (the only species of macaques that lives outside of Asia) in their natural habitat. And no, they don’t want to be petted.
After enjoying a fresh barbecue lunch in Zaida, take in the stunning scenery as you cross the Atlas Mountains. You’ll head through the oasis town of Erfoud before arriving in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Merzouga is a small town in the Sahara Desert that is known for being the gateway to the desert itself.
Once you arrive, you’ll board camels that will take you to a nice desert camp where you’ll spend the night. Who spends the night in the Sahara Desert?! Well, tonight, you do!
Transport: 7-8 hours by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 12: Merzouga to Dades valley
This morning after breakfast, you will head back to Merzouga where you’ll be picked up and transported to the next stop on your journey, the incredible Dades Valley.
But first, you’ll make a quick stop at the Todra Gorges, a series of deep-sided limestone river canyons cutting through the High Atlas Mountains. The drive through the gorge is narrow but is a real experience, not to be easily forgotten.
Continuing on, you will come to Merzouga, where you will find camels waiting for you. You’ll ride your new camel friend to the camp where you’ll spend a memorable night under the stars.
But first, a beautiful sunset and a fantastic dinner.
Sleep well, sweet dreams.
Transport: 7-8 hours by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 13: Dades valley to Kasbah Ait Benhadou
After viewing the most beautiful sunrise and enjoying a delicious breakfast at the camp, you will ride your camel back to meet your private vehicle for the long drive to Ait Benhaddou.
Ait Benhaddou is a small town that is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. It’s yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site (we should rename this tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site Moroccan Tour!) and has one of the best-preserved and most sought-after kasbahs to visit in all of Morocco.
You’ll enjoy lunch on the way to Ait Benhaddou and will stay in a hotel tonight.
Transport: 7-8 hours by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 14: Ait Benhaddou back to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate
Today you head back to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate and the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Arriving in Marrakesh in the early afternoon, you’ll check in to your riad and take a hot shower before figuring out where to have lunch. It’s on your own today, but there are plenty of options available.
The rest of your afternoon is free to get your final shopping done before tomorrow’s flight home. Make the most of your last few hours in this historic city.
Transport: 7-8 hours by private vehicle
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 15: Final departure
The only thing you have to worry about today is saying goodbye to this historical and amazing place where you’ve spent the past two weeks doing really amazing things. You’ll be sad to leave but looking forward to getting back to your own bed.
When it’s time for your flight out of Morocco, you’ll be transferred to the airport and sent on your way with “ma’a al-ssalamah,” which means “Goodbye, and may peace be with you.”
Meals included: Breakfast
GENERAL INFORMATION
The market at Jemaa el-Fnaa square
Located in the medina quarter of Marrakesh, Jemaa el-Fnaa is Africa’s busiest square, a bustling hub of activity and a popular destination for both tourists visiting the city as well as locals who come here to shop.
The market at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is a lively and colorful place, filled with vendors selling a wide variety of goods such as traditional Moroccan textiles, jewelry, pottery, spices, and other handicrafts. In the evening, you can also find food vendors serving up delicious Moroccan cuisines, such as tagines, couscous, and grilled meats.
One of the unique features of the market at Jemaa el-Fnaa is the glimpse into the cultural life of Moroccans through a variety of performances, including the presence of traditional Moroccan storytellers, known as “chouafa,” who captivate their audiences with tales of adventure and magic. Other entertainment at the square includes snake charmers, Chleuh dancing boys, magicians, traditional medicine vendors, and performers showcasing traditional music and dance.
When visiting the market, expect to bargain for a fair price. Also, because it can be busy, you’ll want to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings. Finally, be sure to try some of the delicious food available for purchase there while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this unique marketplace.
ABOUT Volubilis
Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber-Roman city in Morocco situated near the city of Meknes. Founded in the 3rd century BC, it served as an important center of trade and agriculture for the Roman Empire in North Africa.
The city was known for its impressive architecture and urban planning, which included a network of paved streets, public buildings, and private homes decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The most impressive structures in Volubilis include the Triumphal Arch, the Basilica, and the Capitoline Temple, which were all constructed during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
ABOUT THE food
For people who travel for food, few destinations stir the imagination quite like Morocco. It’s home to the colorful tagine, couscous (pictured above), and a dizzying number of exotic spices and seasonings. When you think of Moroccan food, you think of flavor. It’s an assault on the senses in the best ways possible. There are many reasons to visit Morocco, and you’ve got to count the cuisine as one of them.
Moroccan Odyssey
- Dates are subject to slight changes. These dates will proceed with groups of two or more.
May 11-25, 2024
- October 12-26, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to trek start date.
