Best of Morocco, a Women-Only Tour

Desert Delights: 11-Day Women-Only Tour of Morocco's Markets, Mosques & Cuisine

Lands so diverse they will leave you spellbound; Morocco is a sight to see. On this 11-day women-only tour, travel with a small group to view Morocco's largest mosque in Casablanca and indulge in a wine-paired lunch with the owner who shares her insights into Moroccan wine. Then take time to watch the enticing art of belly dancing. Be awed by the rugged red mountains of Dades Valley, then sip wild-herb tea alongside local nomads. Before you reach Marrakesh, walk around one of Morocco's most impressive kasbahs at the gate of the Sahara, an earthen clay fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opt to visit a traditional Moroccan spa or meet the inspiring women of a local cooperative over tea and snacks on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

WHY CHOOSE WOMEN-ONLY TOURS WITH INSIGHT VACATIONS?

1. Created with You in Mind

See the icons with our Insightful Encounters and meet inspiring women through MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.

2. Travel in Small Groups

Express yourself with confidence, with up to 24 other female travellers and plenty of solo rooms available**.

3. 'Business Class' Tours

Stylish, hand-picked hotels, top-rated dining and stress-free travel with your female Travel Director taking care of the details.

Day 1 | Welcome to Casablanca

Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for your welcome dinner, with the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of good food.

Meals: Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Gray Suites, Casablanca

Day 2 | Rabat, Imperial Meknes and Fes

Explore the sights of Casablanca viewing the huge Hassan II Mosque, the third largest in the world. Venture to the chic seaside strip known as the Corniche, which stretches to the west and is lined with trendy restaurants and cafes. Depart for the capital of Rabat to see the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and visit one of the few holy places open to non-Muslims, the lavish Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. This site is both an architectural marvel and a monument to a great ruler. At a local winery, savor a wine tasting of locally grown Moroccan wines with a delicious three-course lunch. Travel to Meknes, one of the kingdom's great imperial cities where little has changed since its founding in the 11th century. Stand before the Bab el-Mansour, the monumental entrance to the imperial city and focal point of Square El-Hedim, before continuing to Fes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Hotel: Marriott Jnan Palace, Fes

Day 3 | Fes Sightseeing

Led by your Local Expert, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to the non-prot American Fondouk, speak with the volunteer veterinarians who care so passionately for the welfare of the animals. Wander the maze of streets that make up one of the largest thriving ancient Medina's in the world, here you can admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Pass one of the world's oldest universities and visit Medersa El Attarine, founded in 1325 located at the heart of the medina. Continue through the souks where an array of vendors sell food, clothes, leather goods and beautiful lights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Marriott Jnan Palace, Fes

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:  Excursion to Bhalil - This afternoon we make our way to Bhalil, a remote troglodyte village at the foot of the middle Atlas where we'll visit the caves hewn out of the mountain where families have lived for many generations. This is your chance to meet and talk to local people. Then we make our way to the oldest and best known ceramic work shop to see how Fes style ceramics are made, starting from the soft clay to the nished product. Adult: 290.00 MAD

Day 4 | The Ziz Gorges to Erfoud

Leave the bustle of the city behind and head for the spectacular snowcapped High Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifran before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou. After stopping for lunch at Midelt, continue through the magnicent Ziz Gorges, past palm-fringed towns to Er Rachidia, built by the French and formerly the historic crossroads between the imperial cities. Your destination is Erfoud, where the red sand buildings stand in stark contrast against the patches of greenery and surrounding desert. In the evening, there is an Optional Experience to meet the nomadic Berbers and marvel at the glorious Sahara sunset on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca Arfoud, Erfoud

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Sunset In The Sahara - The changing palette of a desert sunset can be an almost mystical experience. Journey by 4x4 to the edge of the awe inspiring sand dunes and witness a glorious sunset like no other. Adult: 495.00 MAD

Day 5 | Desert Town of Rissani

Today, discover the authentic desert town of Rissani. See the Tomb of Moulay Ali Cherif one of the founders of the Alaouite family who reigned during the second half of the 17th century. Next, a visit to the quarries of marine fossils with an antiquity of 360 million years. Stop at the famous kasbah aulad abdelm. This afternoon experience a traditional lunch of Madfouna also known as ‘Berber Pizza’, this dish is a delight for the senses with seasonal llings and spices. This afternoon will be free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. In the evening, there is an Optional Experience to marvel at the glorious Sahara sunset on a fourwheel drive vehicle. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca Arfoud, Erfoud 

Day 6 | Spectacular Ouarzazate

Venture towards the oasis of Tinehir and explore the Todra Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of the Sahara. At Boumalne du Dadès you will encounter the dry and rugged Dades Valley, dotted with oases of gs, olives, date palms and castellated mud houses —hugging the slopes. Meet the locals of the region when you visit a traditional Nomad house to try authentic Berber tea. The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs concludes at Ouarzazate, also known as the lm capital of Morocco. Many blockbusters have been lmed here, including Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Le Berbère Palace, Ouarzazate

Day 7 | To Marrakesh

Marvel at and photograph the architectural wonder of Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts one of Morocco's nest kasbahs. Your journey continues via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, before descending past charming mountain villages, dense woods and green elds to the ochrecolored city of Marrakesh. With the rest of the day at your leisure, why not relax and enjoy the immaculate facilities of your hotel?

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakesh

Day 8 | Marrakesh, Pearl of the South

In the morning, visit Dar El Bacha - an iconic landmark in the city of Marrakech. Meet your Local Expert and wander the maze of the Medina and see the Koutoubia Mosque, with its minaret dominating the Marrakesh skyline. Next, to the bustling Jemaa elFnaa Square, where you can take a moment to watch the dancers, snake charmers and storytellers. With time at leisure, you are free to continue exploring: try your hand at haggling in the souks or maybe visit a museum? In the evening, perhaps choose to join fellow guests at a vibrant restaurant on Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Here you will enjoy a slew of classic Moroccan dishes as you absorb the ambience and watch twirling belly dancers balance plates of lit candles on their heads.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakesh

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: The Square at Night and Traditional Dinner - You will visit the magical Jemaa el Fna Square and enjoy the exotic sights and sounds of Marrakesh by night. Then we’ll have dinner in a typical Moroccan restaurant, with music and entertainment. Adult: 695.00 MAD INSIGHT VACATIONS 6 Majorelle Gardens And The Berber Museum - No visit to Marrakesh is complete without some time in the lovely Majorelle Gardens, bought and restored by the late Yves St Laurent. You’ll also visit the Berber Museum where you will have the opportunity to view artefacts created by the ancient Berber people. Adult: 340.00 MAD

Day 9 | Elegant Essaouira

Venture to the west coast of Africa to reach the laid-back shing town of Essaouira. After an orientation with your Travel Director exploring the busy shing port where you could sample the local seafood and wine at a waterside restaurant. Continue to the port city of El Jadida with its unique architectural mixture of MoorishPortuguese-French inuence.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf and Spa, El Jadida

Day 10 | Return to Casablanca

Once you’ve experienced the traditional charms of the country, Casablanca is a fascinating place to return to and oers a unique insight into modern Morocco. Perhaps visit the magnicent Hassan II Mosque famous for its intricate Islamic architecture and one of the largest in the world. In the evening 'of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world' there really is only one place to be. Join your Travel Director at Rick's Café, recreated from the famous movie. Enjoy a hearty dinner with drinks and no doubt a rendition of ‘As Time Goes By'. Here's looking at you kid!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Hotel: Gray Suites, Casablanca

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: Hassan II Mosque - The Hassan II Mosque famous for its exquisite and intricate Islamic architecture and one of the largest in the world. Located on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean with a 210m-tall minaret that's a city landmark. Adult: 395.00 MAD

Day 11 | Au revoir Casablanca

Today, bid farewell to your journey along Morocco as you transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

This is the ultimate girls' trip!  Reach out to our team of professional travel experts to discover the Best of Morocco today!