• 6 to 16 Nov, 2025

Mariam, our local host

Where we will go

Our trip will visit several UNESCO-listed small cities and towns throughout Morocco, and cross the Atlas Mountains to spend overnight on the edge of the Sahara Desert. We start in Casablanca, and end in Marrakech.

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca and welcome dinner

Day 2: Rabat and Chefchaouen

Day 3: Chefchaouen

Day 4: Volubilis and winery tour

Day 5: Fes and optional time for shopping

Day 6: Ifrane, Cedar Forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley & Sahara Desert

Day 7: Sahara desert tribes, dunes and camels

Day 8: Erfoud, Todgha Gorge & Dades Valley

Day 9: Roses Valley, Women’s Cooperative, Ait Ben Haddou, Tichka Pass

Day 10: Marrakech medina, Jardin Marjorelle and henna party

Day 11: Departure day

Day 1 : Arrive in Casablanca

On arrival, you’ll make your way to the hotel on your own time.

We will meet around 6pm with the rest of the guests for a welcome drink and briefing at the hotel’s terrace and then transfer to dinner at fashionable Lily’s, right by the sea, at Casablanca’s Corniche.

Inclusions: Welcome pre-dinner drink and dinner with wine. Transports to and from dinner.

Overnight at Barcelo Anfa Hotel 5*

We like the hotel Barceló Anfa because of its stylish and modern design which goes very much with the lifestyle and forward looking city of Casablanca and its Art Deco influences.

Rooms are bright and colorful with open spaces and clean lines where gold metal blends with velvet. Common areas are sunny and spacious and the outdoor swimming pool is a great place to relax after a long flight.

Tip: If you land early in the morning, you can enjoy the hotel’s spa.

Day 2 : Rabat and Chefchaouen

Driving time: 6 hours.

Today we will explore Morocco’s most modern cities of Casablanca and Rabat, which contrast with the rest of the more traditional destinations we will visit on this trip.

We will wake up early for breakfast and depart the hotel around 830am towards Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque for a guided visit inside with an expert female guide.

Hassan II Mosque is the third largest in the world and when full, it can host 25,000 worshipers inside and 75,000 outside.

While the mosque is new, it was built to showcase all of Morocco’s architecture styles. Marvel at the intricate mosaics, the massive chandelier, the marble floors and the underground hammams.

After the mosque, we will leave the commercial capital of Morocco and drive to Rabat, the political capital where the royal family lives.

Rabat is the colonial garden city and you will see lots of parks and greenery as we traverse its beautiful and ample avenues that were designed after France’s grand cities.

Our time in Rabat will start at the UNESCO-listed 12th century fortified castle Oudaya Kasbah where Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible 5 – Rogue Nation was filmed.

We will walk the narrow alleyways and head down towards the sea for a panoramic view of the coast with a side of sweet Moroccan tea and a sweet almond pastry.

If open, we will visit the Andalusian Garden and then continue to lunch before leaving the capital of Morocco behind and heading into the mountains.

On our way, you will be surprised by the green pastures, forests and plains that cover this part of the country.

We will arrive in Chefchaouen before sunset and will be dropped off just outside the medina’s gates for a short walk to our beautiful riad hotel, Dar Cherifa.

After a long day of driving, we will be welcomed with a sweet glass of Moroccan tea at the rooftop of Dar Cherifa, high above Chefchaouen rooftops.

Settle into your unique, cozy and colorful rooms, each individually designed, and get ready for dinner with views of Chefchaouen’s main buzzing square at Riad Hicham restaurant nearby.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch in Rabat, transportation, guided visit of Casablanca Mosque with a female guide, walking tour of Rabat and tour of unfinished mosque, dinner in Chefchaouen.

Overnight at Riad Cherifa 4*

Riad Cherifa is located right at the heart of the Chefchaouen medina yet mere meters away from the nearest gate so we will just have a few steps to get there from our transport.

This home away from home will be our base in the blue city. Female owned and led, the 12-room riad is a traditional Moroccan home which we will have almost all to ourselves.

We will enjoy breakfast by the pool in the inner courtyard, sleep in the plush beds of our rooms, each of which is unique designed, and sip sweet tea in the shaded rooftop terrace.

Note: November 2025 trip will stay at Dar Chaouen, a beautiful boutique hotel on the hill below the Spanish Mosque with stunning sunset views over the blue city and rooms spread around an infinity pool.

Day 3 : Chefchaouen

Driving time: 0 hours.

We will start the day off with a nice breakfast at the Riad’s indoor courtyard, by the pool and then gather for a walking tour of Chefchaouen with Rashida, our guide.

Chefchaouen is Morocco’s Blue City and is located at the heart of the Rif Mountains about 500m above sea level.

Better known for its blue facades and streets, which symbolise the sky and the Heaven, the city has recently become Insta-famous and you will find many quaint colorful alleys ready for you to pose in front of.

Fun fact: Alcohol is not for sale in Chefchaouen but we can buy and bring our own to enjoy with dinner.

Among the local sellers and souvenir shops you will still find the homes of locals who go about their daily lives like they used to, stores selling textiles and handicrafts, paintings and goat’s cheese, a delicacy of the region.

Echoing between the blue alleyways, you will hear the melodic chanting of Koran’s verses and watch local men and women dressed in traditional jalabiyas doing their groceries or going to work.

During our tour, we will wander the quaint maze-like city and finish before lunch time at the Place Outa el Hammam square where you can find the 15th century fortress which is today is a museum.

The afternoon will be yours to explore, do some shopping or people watch at the main square.

At about 4pm, we will meet with Fatima Habte, businesswoman and activist who runs the eco-tourism business Gite Talassemtane nearby and is passionate about women’s rights in Morocco.

Fatima will share her experience setting up women’s coops in northern Morocco through an NGO and now running an ecotourism enterprise.

In the late afternoon, we will meet up again to hike up to the Spanish Mosque and see the sun set behind the hills and on Chefchaouen’s blue facades.

We will descend from the mosque and enjoy dinner at the cozy Dar Chaouen before returning to our beautiful riad.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, walking tour of the medina, sunset hike up to the Spanish Mosque, talk with female rights activist, dinner.

Overnight at Riad Cherifa.

Day 4 : Volubilis and winery tour

Driving time: 5 hours.

Enjoy an early breakfast, as we have a long day driving towards Fez ahead of us.

In the morning, we will cross the Rif Mountains. Unlike the rest of our trip after Fez, which will head towards the arid south, this part of Morocco is green, lush and covered with agricultural land including wheat fields, olive groves and even vineyards.

Before lunch, we will arrive at the UNESCO-listed Volubilis, the ruins of an ancient Roman city that developed between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD.

At its peak, the city was home to 25,000 people and while most of the ruins have not yet been excavated, you can see beautifully preserved mosaics.

Volubilis thrived thanks to olive groves and olive oil which was exported to the rest of the Roman Empire.

During our guided visit with a local expert, we will walk through the ancient streets and learn more about the stunning homes of wealthy Roman families. The colorful mosaics of Volubilis are some of the best preserved, with its bright colors bringing animals and Gods represented to live.

As Christianity expanded throughout the Roman Empire, it also reached Volubilis, and its inhabitants built a basilica right in front of the Roman temple so both sets of belief systems coexisted peacefully.

With the fall of the Roman Empire, Volubilis continued to thrive under different rule.

After our guided visit, we will get back in the minivan and drive towards Chateau Roslane, the largest winery in the North of Africa and probably the only one led by a woman.

Chateau Roslane was founded in the 1940s after Morocco’s independence when Islam prompted the rest of the vineyard owners to replace vines with other crops. The owner decided instead to keep them and some of those original vines are still producing grapes today.

We will start our visit with a leisurely and casual shared lunch of tapas and other light bites at the winery’s outdoor terrace restaurant which is part of the 5* Relais & Chateaux hotel of the same name.

Shaded by olive trees and umbrellas and with a view over the vineyards and the hotel’s lawns and pool, we will relax and learn more about the wines by the hand of one of their female experts or maybe the General Manage herself.

We will continue our visit with a guided tour of the cellar to learn more about the wine making process and the grape varieties that grow in the area and which are heavily influenced by France.

The cellar tour will end with a wine tasting so you can try the product of the land. If you enjoy the wines, you can buy a bottle to take home with you (we can never resist!).

Following our wine tasting, we will leave the wine country behind and drive through olive groves and vineyards towards Fez, where we will be welcomed for the night.

After a long day on the road, our luxury hotel will feel like heaven. We will shower and get ready for a pre-dinner drink at Jungle bar, the hotel’s rooftop terrace and bar and the most fashionable spot in the city, from where we will admire the world’s largest medina as the sun sets over Fez.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation, guided tour of Volubilis, winery visit and wine tasting with lunch, dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Sahrai 5*

Classy and stylish Hotel Sahrai is located outside the Fez medina and on a hill with sweeping views of the area.

The 50-room luxury hotel is a blend of modern Arabia and traditional riad. Clean white and beige lines, intricate carved plaster designs, large arches and flowing curtains will send us immediately into a vacation mood.

Breakfast will be served in the Moroccan-Lebanese inspired restaurant and dinner can be enjoyed there or at the Parisian brasserie.

Hotel Sahrai has a fabulous L-shaped outdoor infinity pool and an indoor heated steam pool with large windows. For extra relaxation, book an appointment at the luxury Givenchy Spa or at the hammam which uses Maroc Maroc products.

Day 5 : Fes

Driving time: 1 hour.

Located between the Rif Mountains and the Middle Atlas Mountains, Fez is the former capital of Morocco and third largest city in the country.

Famous for its artisans, its food and its labyrinthine medina which counts over 9,000 streets, the gastronomic capital of the country is also the place to do all your shopping for handmade products such as leather, fabric, pottery and brass.

Everything you find for sale in the rest of the country is made here so you can find the best prices and quality right in Fez.

Our day in Fez will start early when we meet our local female guide. She will show us the best of this chaotic and heritage-rich city and help us navigate the maze-like streets like the back of her hand.

Note: The order of the stops during the day may vary.

The first stop of the day will be in front of the main entrance to the 13th century Royal Palace, the residence of the king when in Fez, though not open to the public.

After admiring the palace’s entrance, we will walk along the main street of the Jewish Quarter of Fez also called The Mellah, where Muslims and Jews have been living in harmony until the middle of the 20th century when the neighbourhood’s and city’s Jewish population started to migrate to other countries.

After a quick walk along the Mellah, we will drive to the highest point in Fez located at the south Military Tower, for a panoramic view over the city including old Fez, new Fez and the Mellah.

Our third stop of the day will be at one of the most fascinating artisan workshops in the city, the pottery village, where we will learn how the colorful mosaics, tables, plates, bowls and even tagine pots are made from raw clay.

While all other guilds are still housed inside the medina, the pottery village was moved outside after a fire started in the kilns destroyed part of the city.

Watch the artisans at work as they mould the clay into beautiful bowls with their bare hands, cut the tiles into tiny mosaic pieces to design fountains and tables from memory or paint tiles and items with bright colors.

Tip: You will have a bit of free time to choose some items to take home with you if you wish so.

Our visit will continue inside the oldest and largest medina in the world for a walking tour.

We will first cross the Andalusian Quarter, and walk along the narrow alleys of the vegetable market, under the carved wooden ceilings of the ancient medina.

Look out for mountains of spices, nuts and dried fruits, snacks and sweets, and women stretching incredibly thin filo pastry used as the basis to make the city’s most famous dish, pastilla.

We will take photos, chat to the vendors and learn about the ingredients on sale, the seasonal vegetables and fruits and the comings and goings of the traders among the traffic of busy donkeys.

We will see how the weavers dye thin silk threads using natural ingredients and the flowing water from the rive. Our walking tour will continue to the bras area where the cacophony of the hammers will blend into a musical orchestra.

Before lunch, we will walk to the Chouara tanneries, one of the three tanneries in the city, the largest and the oldest, where you can see how leather items are made and have a panoramic view of the process.

Armed with a twig of mint, we will walk up to the top and see how the leather pieces are processed, dyed, and hanged out to dry. We will then move inside to see the finished products; leather bags, jackets, shoes and clothing items. We will have a bit of free time if any of the items for sale tickles your fancy.

Tip: The time for shopping in the morning will be brief, but you will have free time in the afternoon to return with the guide for longer time or even to get an item tailor-made.

From the tanneries we will return to the medina and marvel at the Shrine of the founder of the city Moulay Idriss II.

We will share a local lunch at a traditional and beautiful riad in the middle of the city where we will sample Fez’s delicious seasonal salads, typical of the city, followed by a tagine of your choice.

With our bellies full, we will continue the tour with a visit to the 14th century Madrassa Al Attarin which takes its name from the perfume souk it is located next to.

The madrassa is located next to the al-Qarawiyyin University and provided lodging and food to students from out of town who had no financial means.

Inside the main courtyard, we will marvel at the stunning designs, carvings and tilework and will be able to walk upstairs to see the rooms students lived in.

Al-Qarawiyyin University is the most important building in the entire medina and also its most prominent sight.

Dating back to the 8th century, and built by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a Tunisian Imam, the building worked as a school and mosque. Despite being founded by a woman, it only accepted female students from the 1940s.

Al-Qarawiyyin University is considered the oldest university in the world but as a working religious institution, entrance is not allowed. We’ll try to take a peek through the main entrance when it opens at prayer times.

Our final visit of the day is to last famous guilds in Fez, the weavers. We will learn not just how scarves, cloths and bed spreads are made but also about the raw material used to make them, agave silk.

This ultra soft silk is colored using natural dyes and we will watch the expert artisans create the bed spreads and fabrics with which beautiful kaftans are made.

You will have some free time to browse the store and see if you find any accessory or garment that is to your liking, we particularly like the beautiful pouches and flowing kaftans.

Our tour of the Fez medina will finish with the weavers and you will have the option to return to our stops earlier in the day at the pottery village or the tanneries for shopping or return to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening to enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Dinner is included at the hotel.

A note on shopping: We compensate the staff at every showroom and workshop you will visit during the day and select artisans that are passionate about their craft so you will not be pressured into a purchase. Kickbacks and commissions are a part of life in Morocco and we avoid this by appreciating their time via tips. While there will be a bit of time to shop after each demonstration, we have chosen to dedicate optional time in the afternoon to return and spend more time browsing so that we don’t hold up those who are not interested in shopping while allocating adequate time to get custom-made leather items, try on garments, etc. for those who want.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, walking tour of Fes with all stops, entrance tickets and a local female guide, lunch at a local riad. Optional shopping time in the afternoon. Free dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Sahrai.

Day 6 : Ifrane, Cedar Forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley & Sahara Desert

Driving time: 8 hours.

Another early morning as we leave Fez behind for a long day of driving towards the Sahara Desert.

We will cross the mid Atlas Mountains and then reach Ifrane which is 1,665m above sea level and is nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco because it looks and feels like the central European country.

In the winter, temperatures drop and the city receives a lot of snow attracting avid skiers from across the country to its ski resorts.

If you were wondering how Ifrane came to be, it was thanks to the French who flocked to the high alpine area to escape the summer heat.

We will take a tea break in Ifrane and marvel at its gardens and then continue to the biggest cedar forest in the country in the Berber town of Azrou, where you can mingle with the native Barbary macaque monkeys who inhabit the area.

That’s right, there are macaque living here, in fact, they are the only macaque species that lives outside of Asia. If you have been to Gibraltar, they are the same monkey species. As they are quite used to humans so we can get close up and observe their shenanigans.

We will then cross the green pastures of mid Atlas Mountains which are inhabited by nomads, and stop for lunch at Midelt, the apple capital of Morocco, at Hotel Taddart or with a local family.

After lunch, we will drive up to 1,990m above sea level and continue along Tafilalt, the largest oasis in Morocco, located in Ziz Valley, also known as Medjool after the famous premium dates.

We will stop a few times to enjoy panoramic views of the area covered in palm trees for as long as the eye can see.

We will then leave the oasis behind and head into the Sahara Desert which we will reach in time for dinner.

Be ready for a starry night to remember. If we are lucky, we may even see the Milky Way!

Note: The order of the stops during the day may vary.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation, lunch at a local restaurant or with a family, all visits, sunset ride on the dunes, dinner at the camp.

Overnight at Desert Luxury Camp

We will stay at one of only two desert camps that are in the middle of the sand dunes not at the edge of the desert, so you will be surrounded by sand dunes.

This is a luxury camp, and this means that our tents are filled with plush cushions, Amazigh throws and premium service. Most of the tents have a glass wall so you can see the desert from your bed as the sun comes up or sets.

We will fall asleep with the starry night above and enjoy a traditional desert dinner by the sand dunes with live Amazigh music.

Day 7 : Sahara Desert

Driving time: 2 hours.

We will wake up to see the sunrise from the nearby sand dunes (optional) and then enjoy breakfast at the camp before leaving for our desert exploration.

Today we will spend the morning in our 4WD cars dune bashing and learning more about the desert nomad people of Morocco.

We will visit a local nomad family for tea and go on adrenaline pumping adventures in the sand dunes.

Lunch will consist of a Berber pizza cooked in the traditional ovens at a local female owned restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will have time to enjoy the camp’s pool, take photos of the desert dunes that lay all around the camp, or read a book.

We will meet again before sunset for a camel ride into the sand dunes of the desert.

If you feel like it, try your hand at sand boarding or just enjoy the sunset with a glass of bubbly in hand. Nothing can beat a Sahara sunset!

Inclusions: Breakfast at the camp, 4WD dune bashing, tea with a nomad family, sand boarding, traditional Berber “pizza” lunch, camel ride to the sand dunes for sunset, dinner at the camp.

Overnight at Desert Luxury Camp

Day 8 : Erfoud, Todgha Gorge & Dades Valley

Driving time: 7 hours.

We will wake up to see the sunrise from the nearby sand dunes (optional) and then enjoy breakfast at the camp before leaving the desert behind on our 4WD.

Back at our minivan, we will drive towards Erfoud, the capital of fossils and dates, which is still part of the oasis.

Our first stop of the day will be at the date market where we will learn more about this sweet fruit and taste some of the different varieties. If you wish, you can buy a packet of Medjool dates, the highest quality kind, which the region is known for.

Fun fact: Medjool dates are darker, sweeter and more caramel like than other kinds of dates and they are considered fresh fruits.

With out sweet tooth satisfied, we will continue to the fossil museum and factory in Erfoud. 380 million years ago, this part of the Sahara was under the ocean and for many reasons, animals and plants were trapped here and turned into fossils.

We will observe the artisans at work extracting the fossils of ammonites, trilobites and other prehistoric animals and converting them into decorative pieces, sculptures, tables, etc. The fossilised marbles have immortalised life from centuries ago into tables and other pieces.

We will continue our journey and stop at El Jorf town to see the oldest irrigation system in Morocco called Khettara. This 300km network of subterranean irrigation canals were brought here from Persia in the 14th century and continued to be used until the 1970s.

Our morning will end at El Khorbat Berber Oasis Museum where we can learn more about life and culture in the south of Morocco.

We will have lunch at the nearby local restaurant owned by Aicha where most of the staff are also female, and where we will enjoy the local specialty, camel tagine, or free range chicken cooked with saffron and olives.

After lunch, we will finally enter Todgha Gorge, a limestone river valley also known as wadi carved by the rivers and where walls can be as high as 400m and as narrow as 10 meters.

The area used to be inhabited by Jewish families but today, most villages lay empty. Todgha Gorge is famous for rock climbing and there are several well maintained paths. We will get out of the minivan and stretch our legs on a short hike to enjoy the stunning canyon.

We will get back on the minivan and drive towards our hotel for the night high atop a 1,600m hill spot over the Dades Valley. Check in and relax at the spa or hammam, by the pool, or have a drink from their rooftop bar at sunset. We will meet up again at dinner for a buffet spread.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at a local restaurant, dinner at the hotel. All visits as listed above, hike at the gorge.

Xaluca Dades Hotel 4*

Xaluca Daded Hotel is the best hotel in the area. This 4* mid-sized hotel with expansive 360 degree views over the Berber villages and valley below will be our break for the night.

Red colored and stacked like the desert villages famous in the area, the African inspired colorful rooms are cozy and comfortable.

We will enjoy sunset views from the rooftop lounge and restaurants and share a buffet dinner. If you feel like it, you can take a dip in the pool or outdoor jacuzzi, or book a treatment at the spa.

Day 9 : Roses Valley, Women’s Cooperative, Ait Ben Haddou, Tichka Pass

Driving time: 7 hours.

We will leave the hotel and head towards Rose Valley to visit a female cooperative that grows and processes roses petals to distil them into rose water, oil and other cosmetic products.

This beautiful local product provides income to the small local communities and you can buy some of it here or in other parts of Morocco.

Fun fact: It takes 4,000 kg of rose petals to make a litre of rose oil, just imagine that!

We will continue our road trip and cross the Skoura Oasis towards Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco where famous movies such as Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and The Red Tent were filmed.

Skoura Oasis is another expanse of palm trees and greenery among the rugged nature of the desert.

We will stop for photos at Kasbah Taourite where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the area, and then continue our drive towards Ait Ben Haddou for a walking tour of the clay village.

Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed site since 1997 and the most famous attraction in the south of the country.

This Ksar, or group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls the oldest of which dates back to he 17th century, is like taken out of a movie, hence its Hollywood fame.

In the past, the town was a stopping point on the trading route linking all the way to Sudan.

At Ait Ben Haddou we will visit a female owned and staffed cooperative that sells beautiful Berber carpets and learn how they are made.

We will go on a walking tour of the village and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

We will then get back into the car for our 3-4h drive towards Marrakech where we will arrive in time for dinner.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at a local restaurant, guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou. All transportation.

After a few days in the desert and a long day of driving, we will enjoy the clean white lines of our modern hotel.

Dinner tonight will be your own choice. Head over to the Jema El Fna Square if you are keen to experience Marrakech’s atmosphere, or stay at the hotel for a quieter meal.

Overnight at 5* Hotel 2Ciels

2Ciels is a modern, fun and bright hotel with a rooftop pool and bar, a colorful restaurant and clean rooms most of which come with their own balconies.

Its location outside the Medina and near a shopping malls means you can pop in for last minute shopping or a casual dinner and the buzz and chaos of the busy streets are a short ride away.

Day 10 – 11 : Marrakech

Driving time: 1 hour.

On day 9, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then gather to meet our local guides for a walking culture tour of the city and the medina.

The group will be split into two to ensure that we have a personal experience as we explore the city’s historical sights.

Marrakech is the most famous city in Morocco and the one which receives the highest number of tourists. While the medina is not as old as the one in Fez, it is equally labyrinthine and fascinating.

During our tour, we will explore the artisans souks and bazaars around the main square Jemma El-Fnaa.

Practically everything is on sale here and while the Marrakech medina is not as large as the one in Fez and its alleyways are not as narrow, you will be glad you had a local guide to find your way around.

Our visit will continue to Le Majorelle Garden, a garden and villa built in 1923 and purchased by Yves-Saint Lauren and Pierre Berge in the 80s.

The pair worked to restore the complex and opened it to the public. After the famous French designer’s death, The Majorelle Gardens were transferred to a non-profit foundation.

Fun fact: The blue of The Majorelle Garden was patented by the artist.

You will have free time for lunch and to continue shopping or return to the hotel for a lazy afternoon by the pool.

Note: The order of the stops may vary.

We will reconvene around 6pm for a henna party at the hotel and a chat with young Moroccan tourism activists as we sip on a glass of bubbly.

We will learn more about Berber culture and challenges and get to reflect some of the customs we have come face to face with during our time in Morocco.

With our hands beautifully decorated with henna designs, we continue to dinner at the hotel.

On day 11, we will share one last breakfast before departing Morocco.

You can leave at any time after breakfast depending on your flight, and make your way to the airport on your own time.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, walking culture tour of the medina with 2 local female guides, visit to The Majorelle Garden, henna party with glass of bubbly and chat with activists, farewell dinner with wine.

About Your Host, Mariam

Mariam is a Berber guide hailing from the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.  

She has been guiding guests since 2018 and is proud to be one of only 10 female mountain leaders in Morocco. 

Mariam enjoys cooking, meeting new people and learning about new cultures as she introduces her beautiful country and culture to travellers from abroad.

She studied Business Management at the Institute of Training in Administration and Commerce (IFAC) and got her Tour Guide degree from the Ministry of Tourism.

Mariam is currently studying English at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech where she plans to receive her masters and doctorate in English literature.

Jane – “Awesome is one of the words I would use to describe our tour of Morroco!

From my first contact with Mar and Meg, to the added bonus day this tour surpassed all my expectations. Our daily itinerary was jampacked, our guide Mariam was amazing and our accomodations were a great mix of traditional riads and hotels, both extremely comfortable. Female empowerment was the theme for this tour and we experienced that with every guide, cooperative and restaurant we had a chance to visit.

The added bonus of talking with activists lead to an increased understanding of how women live in this part of the world. I would highly recommend this trip.”

Julie – “I traveled with Solo Female Travelers Club and Jane on the October 2022 Morocco trip. I echo everything Jane said. The trip was fabulous!

The planning and organization were outstanding, and Mar and our Moroccan tour guide Mariam responded to unexpected issues with creative solutions and great humor. The hotels, especially the riads in Chefchaouen and Marrakech, were excellent, as was the food. The pre-planned bathroom breaks at restrooms known to have Western toilets were especially appreciated!

I highly recommend this trip as well!”

Erin – “I have just returned from the SFT Morocco trip and am still floating on the amazing experience. It was more than I ever imagined. I could tell the care and attention that was put into organizing the entire tour from hotels, food, vendors, etc. I had the privilege to have 1/2 of the founders of SFT, Meg, on our tour. Our local guide Mariam was a dream to have with us and we got to know her and her country.

I couldn’t have imagined visiting the country any other way than this tour. I 100000% recommend this tour to anyone considering visiting Morocco or even if you have never thought of it. Looking forward to my next SFT tour in Greece!”

Holly – “Trip of a lifetime! Our awesome host and guide Mariam made it flow beautifully, from seeing extra sites or coordinating scrumptious meals. We traversed a huge loop of Morocco, from the coast, crossing three mountain ranges and two magical nights in the Sahara. Multiple casbahs, medinas , marketplaces and oasis! Having a dedicated driver and a group of adventurous women, the fantastic housing choices and sites bonded us as friends. The extra effort of meeting and chatting with local pioneering women gave unique perspective and meaning, not just an ordinary tourist experience but so much more. The owner, Mar was with us and patiently answered questions and now I can’t wait to go on another exploration with them!”

Sonia – “AMAZING! I travel a lot worldwide and I can honestly say this was one of the best adventures I’ve been! The two nights in Sahara desert was spectacular but in addition, Mar curated a fantastic itinerary that showed the immense diversity of Morocco. It includes unexpected locations that average tours do not include and the local guide Mariam is superb! I also love that it includes opportunities to engage with local women who are inspiring. This was my second trip with Solo Female Travelers and I will definitely travel with them again. I love the Quality! Highly recommend.”

Beth – “I had an amazing adventure in Morocco with Solo Female Travelers! Our guide Mariam was phenomenal! She was extremely knowledgeable and curated a well-organized, thoughtful expedition to more than 10 different locations across the country. Each city we visited had a unique and talented female tour guide who navigated our group through the winding medinas, kasbahs, museums and we even had a wonderful tour of the Hassan II Mosque with our passionate guide Amina. We also spent 2 incredible nights glamping in the Sahara desert – the highlight of the trip! We were treated to amazing sunrises, sunsets and even a full moon! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food! Cookies, mint tea, tagines, pastille and couscous! So many wonderful meals all expertly managed by Mariam! I would also like to commend Roaming Camels – the company providing our transportation across the country and to / from the airport. They provided excellent and safe passage! Lastly, special thanks to Mar of Solo Female Travelers for accompanying us on the trip and for offering these amazing experiences complete with a photographer Anastasia – who was also very talented! I cannot wait to book my next trip!”

Denise – “Morocco was my second trip with Solo Female Travelers, and I am so happy I found Mar & Meg’s company.

This trip was so amazing and curated beautifully. You can instantly tell that each hotel, guide, meal, and activity were thoughtfully chosen to highlight what Morocco has to offer. Mariam was the ultimate guide. She brought great energy everyday and her passion for her country made everything better. She simply knew everyone, had secret adventures for us at every stop, and definitely made sure we all were taken care of.

Moroccans are friendly and every city guide and woman we met were proud to share their story. The colors of Morocco are incredible, from the orange of the Sahara to the bright blues of Chefchaouen. While it is hard to choose what was the best part but riding a camel in the desert and watching the sunset was a highlight for me. I cannot forget to mention how great it was traveling with 10 women who are no longer strangers. Once again Mar, thank you.

Hmmmmm now where will I go with SFT next? Egypt? Tanzania? Antarctica? Or all three!!! See you soon!”

Bre – “This was my first experience participating in an organized travel group, and it exceeded my expectations. Meg, Mar and the team on the ground in Morocco (shout out Mariam) made me feel extremely comfortable throughout the entire process – with a pre-trip zoom call to answer all of our questions, both airport transfers, and all the moments in between. There is something very refreshing about having someone else coordinate the day’s activities and address any obstacles that may pop up.

In addition – what makes this group so special – is the impact we have on the women in the country. As a traveler, I could feel the energy and emotion from the guides and advocates we had the honor of meeting. Those were moments I will never forget.

I look forward to joining other trips with Solo Female Travelers Club!”

Carol – “I recenty returned from an adventure in Morocco curated by Solo Female Travellers and our incredible guide, Mariam. This trip has redefined the gold standard of travel for me! Every detail was considered and managed brilliantly, with poise and professionalism and good humour! We explored endlessly, ate and drank to our hearts’ content (thanks to Mar and Mariam for the GF options!), luxuriated in quality accommodations and, most importantly, made lasting friendships.
I travel frequently, but this was a trip I will never forget! Special thanks to the ever-patient and creative Anastasia, our photographer. Also huge thanks to all the amazing women in Morocco working in the tourism sector who shared their strength, beauty and culture with us, including the gifted and amazing Mariam!
Solo Female Travellers has reinvented how I travel – thank you for all you do!!❤️”

Kathy – “This May I took my 2nd vacation with Solo Female Travelers, this time to Morocco. I looked at several tour companies but decided to go with SFT because of their custom curated experiences, attention to quality and empowering women-owned businesses. I really appreciate the small group format (there were 10 travelers on this trip plus 2 guides and a driver) where there was a good mix of women (ages spanned 30’s to 70’s). We did some of the must see things – like riding camels in the desert and experiencing the markets in the medinas – but also enjoyed a beautiful riad in Chefchaouen that felt like we were treated to stay in an artist’s home with all the special touches you would expect. This truly was a vacation to remember, all the more special because of the attention the organizers paid to every detail!”

Rachel – “If you want a luxury experience that places an emphasis on empowering and supporting local female businesses and guides, I recommend you book with Solo Female Travelers. I traveled to Morocco and enjoyed every part of the itinerary – Saharan desert camp, medinas, a winery, and so much more. SFT does a great job with the details every step of the way, and you never feel like a number because of the small tour size. We had 9 accomplished and amazing women and one of the co-owners was there every step of the way. I’ve already booked another tour with them in Greece and hope to book many more!”

Delia – “I recently traveled to Morocco with Solo Female Travelers. Wow! It was the trip of a lifetime. I still can’t believe all the things I got to do and see in those 10 days. I knew I would be in good hands because I had been on another trip with this company. Our tour guide, a wonderful Moroccan woman, was outstanding. She took care of all the details and kept us on schedule and laughing the whole trip. We had such unique experiences — from staying 2 nights in the dunes of the Sahara and riding camels to lunch at Chateau Roslane, a Relais and Chateaux property and vineyard outside Meknes to shopping at a women owned and run rug co-op. One of the many things I appreciate about Solo Female Travelers is the company’s commitment to supporting women working in the travel industry, which is quite novel in many of the countries where they provide tours.

Our accommodations and dining were excellent throughout the tour–very thoughtfully chosen. And the tours are small, so you really get to know the other group members. We had a fabulous time together. The pace of the tour and time spent at each location was spot on. I knew this was going to be a trip, not a vacation, given the detailed itinerary on the website. And that’s what I wanted–to see many different parts of the country, hear from women in these regions, and have a memorable experience. But there was also some relaxation time built in, which was great.

Highly recommend Solo Female Travelers. I’ve already booked another tour with them!”

Lori – “Morocco was a fantastic trip! The accommodations, the food, the dessert, the shopping the kindest people, and a wonderful group of women! If you’re thinking of going, just do it! You will never regret it. “

Anastasia – “I honestly can’t thank my lucky stars enough for finding Solo Female Travelers. Mar and Meg are an amazing team—they genuinely care about their customers. From the moment you inquire about joining a trip, you will feel the personal attention they take with each guest. Their values of using local female guides and empowering local women-led businesses is what attracted me to them. I stayed for the exquisitely researched and curated itineraries. It’s clear that their goal is to create unforgettable experiences for every traveler, making each trip better than the last. I went on four trips as the trip photographer: Barcelona, Tuscany, Morocco and Scotland. I can’t wait for many more!”

Beatriz – “Fabulous trip with fabulous ladies! The SFT to Morocco was much more than I expected. Mariam, our guide, is very professional, knowledgeable, warm and funny. She excelled in every way meeting all our needs,
The places we went to were always interesting and the women we met were inspiring. We learned a lot about Moroccan culture.
I am planning to travel with SFT again without any doubt!”

Linda – “Morocco was the trip of a lifetime. Mariam, our guide, was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, had great depth and insight into the journey of women in Morocco. She was joyous, spontaneous and still super organized with attention to every detail. Accommodations and food were first rate. Many engagements with local women made this trip unparalleled. My first trip with Mar Solo and I will definitely go again!”