Rugged mountains, expansive deserts, and gorgeous lengthy coastlines provide a diverse landscape that serves as a metaphor for the many cultures that converge on Africa’s northwestern coast to create the Kingdom of Morocco. Along with the indigenous Berber people, European influences from Spain and France to the north blend together with West African and Arab cultures setting the stage for a rich locale that has been irresistible to storytellers for decades. This is a place that embraces the vibrancy of its many cultures as well as its reputation as a coveted travel location.

If your ambition is to visit the world’s great places no agenda would be complete without spending some time in Morocco, and we are excited to offer a photographic tour that will encompass as much of this Kingdom’s intricate history, culture, and geography as possible. From jagged mountain ranges to endless coastlines and hundreds of bird species, the nature found here is just as diverse as the people who live and visit here.

Morocco has much to offer, and does so with open arms to travelers from every corner of the globe. In much of my travels I am in locations where I feel welcome, but as a visitor. In Morocco, one can feel at home while abroad, and this can diffuse the stresses of international travel and truly allow one to focus on their photography and entrenching themselves in all of the varied experiences such an exotic place has in store.

We are in the process of finalizing the itinerary now. If you are interested in receiving additional details about this tour and for a first opportunity to sign up once it has been announced please fill out the form below. (By filling out the form you are in no way obligated to sign up.)

Led by Art Wolfe

Assisted by Gavriel Jecan

Limited to 10 participants

Transportation and Accommodation

All meals, lodging, and transportation specified on the itinerary are included. You will be responsible for your flight to and from Morocco.

Itinerary

Shooting schedules have the ability to be altered to effectively cater to the photographic desires of the group, as well as to adapt to changeable weather conditions.

Day 1 Marrakech March 7 (D)

Independent landings at Marrakech airport (RAK) and transfers to the hotel. The remainder of time is free to relax from the flights, albeit an introduction to the city may be held today, depending on participants’ landing times. Welcome dinner of Marrakech specialties.

Day 2 Marrakech (B)

A morning orientation tour of the medina, with its monuments, the largest bazaars of the country, and the tumultuous Jemaa el Fna square, the vibrant heart of the city. Entry to one monument will be included (we suggest the al Badi palace).

The remainder of the day is open for photography in the city. Meals are on your own, to sample from the city’s vast array of world-class restaurants.

Day 3 Across the Atlas to Aït ben Haddou (B,L,D)

A morning transfer across the High Atlas on the spectacular road of the 7,500-ft Tixi-n’Tichka pass until Asfalou hamlet. The afternoon is open for photography around the village and at the World Heritage Site Aït ben Haddou Kasbah, a former caravan trade center dating from the 16th C., with multi-storied fortified granaries of adobe.

Day 4 Valleys of Castles (B,L,D)

Today we will pass by the international film shooting mecca Ouarzazate and turn East on the “Route of 1,000 Castles,” through the M’goun rose cultivation area until Boumalne. There, an excursion for afternoon shooting in the Dades, considered the Kingdom’s most picturesque valley, with its old adobe forts and odd rock formations above varied orchards.

Day 5 The Tafilalet (B,L,D)

Early morning shooting around in the surroundings of the picturesque hotel and nearby orchards (trees should be in bloom). Then East through typical desert scenery until administrative center Arfoud, arriving in time for a late lunch. In mid-afternoon, explore the Tafilalet Oasis, Morocco’s largest, with a stop at the former Alaouite Dynasty fortress of Ksar Oulad abd el Halim, with its geometric décor carved out of adobe.

Day 6 The Sahara (B,L,D)

The morning is at leisure to relax half-way through the journey. In mid-afternoon transfer by 4WD vehicles to the Erg Chebbi sea of sand dunes. Remainder of day for photography at the dunes. Dinner at camp.

Day 7 Northbound (B,L,D)

The morning is open for additional photography at the dunes. Transfer back to Arfoud and, after lunch, turn North, first up the palm-filled Ziz Valley, then across the multi-hued expanses of the Eastern High Atlas, until Midelt.

Day 8 The Middle Atlas and to Fes (B,L,D)

Continue North into the Middle Atlas mountains, with their last forests of giant Mediterranean cedars (and bands of Barbary macaques). Midday arrival in spiritual capital Fes, considered the last true example of a typical medieval Arab city. This afternoon, an orientation tour of the city, with its prime highlights.

Day 9 Fes (B)

A full day for photography in Fes, amid its narrow alleyways, colorful bazaars, wonders of Islamic architecture and the famed leather tannery.

Day 10 To Chefchaouen (B,L)

A 4-hr road transfer to Chefchaouen, considered northern Morocco’s most picturesque town. Optional routing via the vast Roman ruins site of Volubilis. Lunch to be determined upon route taken. Remainder of time open in Chefchaouen

Day 11 Chefchaouen (B,L)

A full day for photography in the old town, known as the “Blue City,” tracing its cobblestone alleyways until an overlook above town. Lunch at the Café Clock, with its panoramic view over the city, while dinner is on your own to sample from Chefchaouen’s varied restaurants.

Day 12 Rabat (B,L,D)

An early morning transfer to stately capital Rabat, with lunch upon arrival. In the afternoon photography in its hillside Oudaya Kasbah, a former lair of Barbary Coast corsairs, and, time allowing, the Chellah fortress, with its elaborate necropolis of the 14th-C. Merinid Dynasty. Farewell dinner of Moroccan delicacies at the Dinarjat.

Day 13 Departure Day March 19 (B)

A transfer to Casablanca airport (CMN) for direct flights to the U.S. (Transfers may also be arranged to Rabat airport for flights connecting through Europe.)

Services Included

• Accommodations (twin sharing basis) as indicated above in the itinerary.
• A total of 8 dinners and 8 lunches. Dinners will be pre-set menus* selected by operator based on local specialties, or buffet, per hotels’ offering; lunches will be à la carte. Cost includes restaurant gratuities.
  *(Special dietary needs may be accommodated.)
• Wine and beer with Welcome and Farewell Dinners.
• Transport throughout the tour in an Air Conditioned Van
• Airport transfers on the date of arrival and departure
• Luggage port at hotels.
• Entry fees to Rabat’s Chellah, Chefchaouen’s Kasbah, a Koranic school in Fes and a monument in Marrakech, TBD.
• Services of English speaking guide escort accompanying the trip.
• Services of local English guides during city sightseeing (as required)
• Mineral water during all meals, transfers, drives and sightseeing (available in vehicle)

Services Not Included

• Any international Airfare, travel insurance or medical insurance. (health insurance is mandatory and travel insurance is highly recommended)
• Any meals beyond all hotel breakfasts and the 8 lunches and 8 dinners outlined above.
• Any beverages beyond standard breakfast, wine with 2 dinners, and mineral water with all included meals and for on-coach travel.
• Any entry fees beyond the 4 listed above.
• Any personal insurance or medical expenses.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
• Any gratuities (guide, drivers, etc.) beyond restaurant service and luggage port, any other purely personal expenses or any services beyond the extent of listed program.
• Any compensation which may be required for special photography arrangements such as site set-up or décor, modeling, equipment, or animal rental.
• Any expenditure of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, or internet.
• Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
• Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.