Discover the heart of Morocco on a tailored tour exclusively for women who seek adventure, cultural immersion, culinary delights, and the bond of sisterhood. Sisterhood Travels’ “Wonders of Morocco 2024” expedition will whisk you away to a captivating realm where you’ll uncover Morocco’s enchanting landscapes and rich history. This exceptional adventure will lead you through the heart of Morocco, where you’ll encounter a blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels.
This adventure is not just a journey but an opportunity to create lasting memories and friendships. Welcome to Morocco!
The Itinerary: A Journey Through Morocco's Gems
Casablanca and Rabat: The Beginning of the Adventure
The journey begins in Casablanca, a city of timeless allure, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms. After you land in Casablanca, your driver will transfer you to our hotel in Rabat. Take time today to relax, rejuvenate and recalibrate. Check-in time at our hotel begins at 3:00 pm. Perhaps you’ll meet with your new Sisters this evening for an informal gathering. Today is yours for rest, relaxation, or independent exploration with your new Sisters.
Today, we’ll come to know Rabat on an in-depth tour with a local guide who will share his knowledge of this city and its architectural gems. 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. We’ll visit the Chellah Necropolis, a walled town with Roman ruins and a medieval necropolis. Next, we’ll explore the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the epitome of modern Moroccan design. The mausoleum’s ornate woodwork, marble, and bronze ornamentations make this a tomb truly fit for a king. See the Kasbah de Oudaias and its whitewashed buildings. Enjoy free time to explore independently with your Sisters in the afternoon. At the end of our day, we’ll gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Fes: Exploring Ancient History and Culture
This morning we’ll depart Rabat for Fes this morning. En route to Fes, we’ll stop at a beautiful winery estate for a tour, tasting, and lunch. You’ll have time to explore the winery’s grounds on a guided tour through the vineyard and cellar, taking in sweeping views of vines and tasting some of the vintages. We’ll end our tour with a fabulous lunch at the estate. Then, we’ll continue on to Fes, where we will spend the next three nights at our riad. 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. Our November 2026 tour will stay at Riad Cherifa, female owned, and located right at the heart of the Chefchaouen medina. 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.
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Today, get ready to discover Fes, one of the holiest cities in the world. Learn about its history as a center of government, philosophy, medicine, and religion. We’ll visit the Royal Palace and the Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest continuously operating university in the world (UNESCO), admiring its high arches and Andalusian influences. 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.
On a walking tour of the 9th-century medina, we’ll explore the alleyways and stalls of this ancient market. 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 see how the weavers dye thin silk threads using natural ingredients and the flowing water from the rive. 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. 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. 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.
Today, we are headed to Meknes and Volubilis. On this full-day tour, we’ll experience Meknes, one of four Imperial cities in Morocco, where we will see the Bab Mansour gate. After an included lunch, we’ll travel to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its impressive and well-preserved Roman ruins.
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Sahara Desert: An Unforgettable Experience
We will cross some of Morocco’s most breathtaking desert landscapes on the way to the Sahara today. En route, we’ll pause in Midelt to bask in majestic views of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Later, we’ll arrive in Erfoud, called “Door to the Desert,” where many famous movies were filmed, including The Prince of Persia and The Mummy.
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This morning, we’ll learn a little more about local life at El Maadid Ksar, a village with narrow lanes surrounded by ancient, fortified walls. Spend some time walking through town with your Sisters and get an authentic look into how local people live, like the farmers who spend their days tending to fields on the outskirts of the village.
This evening, we will go into the Sahara aboard 4×4 Jeeps for a 2-night stay in a luxury tented camp in the desert among the stars. Fully equipped Berber-style luxury tents include beds, linens, pillows, flush toilet, running water, shower, and solar lighting.
Rise early to watch the sun illuminate the Sahara in stunning orange, yellow, and red hues. This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to ride through the dunes on the back of a camel. We’ll continue our day by traveling to the village of Khamlia, where we’ll meet with locals for an eye-opening and meaningful discussion before experiencing traditional sub-Saharan Gnawa music. The next step of our desert expedition brings us to meet a nomadic community where we’ll learn more about this ancient way of living and how their traditions have changed. Later, we’ll return to our camp as the sun sets over the desert. This evening, sit with our Tour Director and learn more about the importance of Islam in Morocco through the centuries and its impact in today’s day-to-day life in sub-Saharan Africa.
Return to the edge of the desert this morning and marvel as the sun illuminates the vast sands. We’ll visit the fortified village of El Khorbat. Dating back to the 17th century, this village showcases Jewish and Muslim architecture and artifacts. Learn more about Berber culture while visiting the museum within the village. Sit down for a simple lunch at a local restaurant. This experience supports a business whose profits are used to conserve the cultural heritage and improve the living conditions of this small community.
Later, we’ll arrive in Boumaine du Dades, where a golden sun lights up the gorge’s river valleys, palmeries, and burnished mud-brick homes.
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Road to Marrakech: Kasbahs and High Atlas Mountains
Today, we’ll follow the rugged “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” where turreted fortresses rise up like sandcastles along this ancient trading route. We’ll arrive at the UNESCO site of the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou and discover the earthen buildings, defensive walls, and corner towers that make the Ksar a striking feat of Moroccan architecture. 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.
Before we reach the exotic city of Marrakech, we’ll experience a homemade meal and then continue along the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, a scenic route through lush oasis valleys, imposing mountains and several Berber villages.
Marrakech: The Culmination of the Journey
Among the mosques and palaces, souks and riads, we’re going to visit the Jardin Majorelle, an iconic site that showcase the beauty and ingenuity of Morocco’s cultural heritage and, then visit the ancient El Bahia Palace, whose architecture is a distinct blend of both Islamic and Moroccan styles. Then it’s your choice! Embark on a walking tour with a local guide, stopping at shops along the way -OR- relax in a traditional Hammam, a community bathhouse where locals still gather to relax, cleanse, and socialize today -OR- return to the hotel to relax by the pool.
Today, we’ve arranged an exclusive visit to a local women’s training center with an interactive cooking class. Head to a garden on the property grounds to source your own herbs and vegetables and learn the secret to making the country’s most celebrated dish: the tagine. Enjoy the rest of your day and evening with your Sisters.
Casablanca: Farewell to Morocco
We’ll depart Marrakech for Casablanca this morning. Upon arrival in Casablanca, we’ll visit the largest functioning African mosque, the Hassan II Mosque. Learn about this mosque’s history and significance on our private tour. Gaze upon the intricate, colorful artistry of ceramic tile and hand-carved stone of this architectural wonder. 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.
This evening, we’ll join together for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Sadly, our adventure comes to a close today, leaving us with memories of a lifetime and meaningful new friendships.
Important Information
- There will be a maximum of 24 Sisters on this tour, including your Sisterhood Travels Group Leader
- International airfare, roundtrip Casablanca (CMN) is not included in your pricing.
- Your flight must arrive on November 7, 2024. You may arrive at any time. Your room will be available for check-in at 3:00 pm.
- You may depart at any time on November 21, 2024.
- All flight arrangements must be submitted to Sisterhood Travels on or before July 8, 2024.
- Departure transfers are only provided on November 21, 2024, from our hotel to the Casablanca airport. If you arrive or depart outside these days and/or you’re needing transfers or hotels elsewhere, you are responsible for making your own arrangements at your own expense.
- Due to luggage size and weight restrictions, you must bring an overnight duffel bag for the 2-night stay in the Sahara. Your main luggage will be securely stored during these days.
- You must hold a passport that is valid for six months beyond November 21, 2024, or the date of your return.
Trip Highlights and Inclusions
The tour includes a welcome pre-dinner drink and dinner with wine. Rooms are bright and colorful with open spaces and clean lines where gold metal blends with velvet. 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. Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at a local restaurant, guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou.
Activity Level: Moderate level of fitness and a high level of stamina is required for this trip. Expect to walk 10,000 steps a day on uneven surfaces and cobblestoned streets and to climb many stairs. Max. 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.
Why Choose a Women-Only Tour?
- Empowerment and Connection: Travel with an all-women group and connect with inspiring local women along the way.
- Unique Experiences: Participate in activities that offer insights into the lives of women in Morocco, such as Berber makeup workshops and cooking demonstrations.
- Support Local Communities: Engage with businesses that support women's empowerment and cultural preservation.
Responsible Travel
This women’s only expedition is designed to bring different worlds together. Allowing females from various backgrounds to participate in many activities, some of which are only accessible to women because of local customs and laws. By taking part in a Berber makeup workshop, helping out with every day activities such as farming and Moroccan breakfast preparations, travelers and hosts will have a great opportunity to learn from one another.
A very important change we’ve started to implement in Morocco is the rise in female leaders. Until now there was literally a handful of qualified female leaders and only one qualified female mountain guide in the whole country. But by putting some pressure on the authorities, we were able to enrol more female leaders in official courses scheduled and run by the Moroccan government. This enables us to assure this profession is becoming open to the women of Morocco. It’s also worth mentioning that this expedition is always run by a female tour leader, which wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago.
With the help of our Moroccan suppliers, we also contract local specialists to run all our activities on this adventure. Before signing them up, we’ll always make sure that these individuals share our philosophy and stance on important environmental issues.
Testimonials
- 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."
- 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!"
- 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. 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."
- 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, m..."
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Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Morocco with a group of like-minded women. Create lasting memories and friendships on this unforgettable journey.
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