destination
Spain, Morocco & Gibraltar
Spain, Morocco & Gibraltar Photo Gallery
Our itinerary will include:
MOROCCO:
A destination for those who seek an experience that is full of variety, a wonderful assault on the senses. Morocco has been described as “a mind bending fusion of the 1970’s and the Middle Ages”, full of contrasts, exotic sights, strange smells and wild experiences, an intriguing blend of Africa and Arabia.
- Casablanca and the exciting Imperial Cities of Marrakesh, Meknes and Fes.
- Essaouira – An historic trading port on the Atlantic Coast, Essaouira is still “protected” by its 18th Century sea front ramparts, complete with its aged cannons.
- The Roman Ruins of Volubilis. – A Roman outpost from the 2nd Century AD. Its mosaics are most impressive.
- The Kasbah du Toubkal – on a day trip to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech we will visit this beautifully restored Kasbah for a terrace-lunch with “views to die for”, ride mules or hike to explore the surrounding area.
- The Rif Mountains – Stay in charming Chefchaouen, a mountain town painted in the traditional Berber colours of blue and white. Walk in the countryside above the town.
- Todra Gorge – Walk along a palm-shaded river canyon and take traditional mint tea with a local family.
- At Merzouga Dunes – Ride camels through the northern reaches of the Sahara Desert, dine under the stars and sleep in Berber tents.
ANDALUCIAN SPAIN:
- Granada – Back-dropped by the snow clad Sierra Madre mountains, Granada is home to the magnificent Alhambra Palace.
- Ronda – Spectacularly located along the edge of a high escarpment, Ronda is a just delightful, with a historic stone bull ring and many other fascinating things to both see and do within the town and the surrounding countryside.
- Seville Spain’s Festival City has style and tradition.
- Malaga – End our journey on the Costa Del Sol with two nights in Malaga, explore this cultural town, home to Picasso, relax on the beach and swim in the warm waters of the Med!
GIBRALTAR:
- A very British world, complete with pubs and pounds and Marks & Sparks. A visit to the renowned Historic and WWII-era Rock Tunnels will make your school history lessons of yesteryear come alive.
2025 Itinerary outline
| Destination | Time |
|---|---|
| CASABLANCA: Arrive at midday, with a free afternoon to relax after you're long flight. | 2 Nights |
| CASABLANCA - Visit Casablanca's gigantic but very beautiful Hassan 2 Mosque, the Medina and Rick's cafe of the "Casablanca" movie fame. | |
| ESSAOUIRA- Take the morning fast train to Marrakech and bus onto Essaouria. A charming historic trading port town on the Atlantic coast. Explore the fishing harbour, the ramparts, the Medina and the long curving beach. | 1 Night |
| MARRAKECH - Free morning in Essaouira to explore the towns charm, before returning to Marrakech in the afternoon. | 3 Nights |
| MARRAKECH - A full day trip to the Kasbah du Toubkal. Enjoy a hike or a donkey ride in the surrounding mountains. Visit a local family for traditional tea and enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Kasbah with fantastic views of the surrounding Atlas Mountains. | |
| MARRAKESH - Enjoy exploring this most intriguing Imperial city. In the evening visit the huge square of Djemaa el Fna. No words can describe the goings on. | |
| TODRA - Cross the dry Atlas mountains at the Tizin Tichka Pass to enter the vast desert region to the east. Visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou of movie fame, and pass through Ouarzazate to reach Todra Gorge in the Valley of Roses. | 1 Night |
| IMILCHIL - A morning walk in Todra's shaded palm groves, observe farming and irrigation techniques and visit a carpet co-operative before driving to Imilchil to attend the "festival of the brides." Note - this festival's dates will be confirmed 60 days prior to the event, so we may or may not be able to attend. | 2 Night |
| IMILCHIL - Attend the Imilchil Marriage Festival where couples go to find a spouse. An ancient festival full of colour, music and culture. | |
| MERZOUGA - The Merzouga Dunes, located at the northern reaches of the Sahara desert. Ride Camels over the dunes. Sleep in a Berber camp & dine under a desert sky. | 1 Night |
| FES- Leaving the desert, drive to reach Morocco's most ancient Imperial City - Fes. Founded by Moulay Idriss the second in the 8th century. | 2 Nights |
| FES - Just being there is an exciting experience as the size and complexity of the Old Medina will astound you. It's 9,600 lanes and alleyways seemingly designed to confuse. Enjoy a city morning tour then a free afternoon to soak it all in. | |
| CHEFCHAOUEN - Visit Meknes, another imperial city and the extensive Roman Ruins at Volubilis, before reaching the picturesque blue town of Chefchaouen. | 2 Nights |
| CHEFCHAOUAN - Enjoy a guided walk in the foothills of the Rif mountains that backdrop the town. | |
| GIBRALTAR - Catch the ferry across to Spain and walk through the old wall tunnel to enter a very British world. | 2 Nights |
| GIBRALTAR - Explore the famous Rock and its historic tunnels. | |
| RONDA - Travel by train to Ronda, a quaint village in the beautiful Serrania de Ronda mountains. Dramatically straddling the 100m deep El Tajo Gorge this historic little town is a real charmer. It has more than its fair share of interesting sites, including one of the oldest bull rings in Spain - the Plaza de Toros, a colourful history and some interesting countryside walking. | 1 Night |
| SEVILLE - A morning to explore Ronda's remarkable location by enjoying an easy hike down into the canyon and countryside below. In the late afternoon move on to Seville. | 2 Nights |
| SEVILLE - Visit the city highlights in the morning, with a free afternoon to use your hop-on-hop-off tickets for self exploration. | |
| GRANADA - Depart in the morning for Cordoba where you will have 4-5 hour stop to visit the city's famous Mezquita and other dramatic highlights. In the late afternoon move on to Granada, home to Spain's most famous monument, 'The Alhambra', truly a magnificent castle and garden complex, which dominates the city. | 2 Nights |
| GRANADA - Visit the Alhambra and explore the city. | |
| MALAGA - travel by road to Malaga, on the Costa del Sol. Enjoy this relaxed, dynamic city or head to the beach for some R & R before heading home. | 2 Nights |
| MALAGA- Hop-on-hop off bus tour is the best way to explore this city and its beaches. This evening attend an evening Flamenco show. | |
| MADRID - Depart on the Bullet train to Madrid (2:45 to 3hrs), from where you will take your Emirates flights to Dubai and on to Auckland. |
Trip Data
Trip Style: In Morocco, we have a private minibus with a guide and driver. However in Spain we will use the highly efficient trains and public buses wherever feasible, and at times we will use private vehicles. This style of travel makes for some fascinating encounters with the local people, however we do recommend travelling light with a small to mid size wheelie bag, and a small backpack.
Meals: In Morocco 14 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 6 dinners are included. In all our Spanish locations meals are not included however there are cafe’s and restaurants very close.
Accommodation: In Spain 3-4 star accommodation, normally twin-share or double. In Morocco, all but one night in the desert will be twin share / double. The Berber desert tent camp sleeping arrangements may include triples for single travellers, other nights mainly traditional accommodation 3+.
Important Notes
All bookings are subject to the Grassroots Booking conditions which can be found on the Grassroots Booking Form.
All Prices will remain subject to change until final payment by the client, to reflect any alterations in currency exchange rates, airfares and land service prices that may occur prior to their purchase by Grassroots. All prices listed in Grassroots’ publications must therefore be considered as indicative prices until final price confirmation, not later than 12 weeks prior to departure.
Criteria for Taking Part: Participants need to be moderately fit and active, be prepared for some traditional moroccan living standards and accommodations. A degree of walking fitness and agility is required as most sightseeing excursions will be on foot. However there are some day walking on unpaved trails, mainly in the Toubkal region, although Mules will be available for hire if you do not wish to walk.
Price Includes: Accommodation, Auckland to Auckland airfares (in economy class), transport, a full programme of sightseeing excursions, entries and services as detailed in the itinerary. Meals as specified in the final itinerary.
This trip can be taken as Land Only or with included Auckland return flights.
Please note: Itinerary is subject to change .
Ready for an adventure?
Get in touch with us and start planning your next life changing experience!
