Morocco with Joy Malonza: A Case Study on Ethical Tourism

Let's raise a glass together to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place at a local restaurant, just a brief 15-minute transfer from the hotel. The evening promises a delightful a la carte menu, offering a taste of the most authentic Moroccan flavors. Seize the chance to savor traditional dishes like tagine, couscous, and grilled meats. Please note that beverages are not included and can be purchased at the venue. The specific restaurant will be determined by your on-site guide.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Stars Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including omelette, scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, orange juice, and the traditional Moroccan mint tea. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

After enjoying breakfast, a quick 15-minute transfer will whisk you away to the Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum, housed in an elegant 18th-century palace located in the lively Medina. Take your time exploring the palace, home to a captivating collection of cooking utensils, ancient recipes, and interactive displays that vividly bring Moroccan cuisine to life. Upstairs, a welcoming salon equipped with professional cooking stations awaits, setting the stage for an engaging introduction to Moroccan culinary secrets. Under the guidance of a skilled dada, a traditional cook, you'll uncover the art of blending spices, mastering oven baking, and learning the tricks of savory Moroccan cuisine. Immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking class, where you'll discover the intricacies of crafting tantalizing tagines using exotic spices, fresh herbs, vegetables, and meat/poultry. Following your culinary adventure, savor the fruits of your labor during a delightful lunch with fellow travelers.

It's time to savor your own creations. Lunch will be served at the museum's restaurant, situated on the terrace of the palace. The meal includes a starter and a main dish, typically consisting of salads and tagines. Beverages are not included but can be purchased on-site. Following lunch, you'll be picked up and transferred to the heart of the Medina to begin your exploration.

After lunch, a swift 20-minute transfer will bring you to the heart of the Medina. Led by your expert guide, you will be immersed in the essence of this ancient and lively part of the city. Your journey includes visits to iconic attractions, starting with the Majorelle Garden—an expansive 2.5-acre botanical oasis featuring a striking blue villa. Next, behold the vibrant and intricately adorned Bahia Palace, recognized as the first building in North Africa adorned with stained glass. As you continue, you'll marvel at the grandeur of the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech's largest mosque, crowned by a towering minaret standing at an impressive 230 feet. Navigate the winding alleyways hosting bustling souks (marketplaces), and conclude your excursion at the renowned Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Following this, a brief transfer will take you to the hotel, with free time for dinner on your own. Please note that the order of these stops will be defined by your knowledgeable guide on the ground. During the tour, expect to cover approximately 1 to 1.5 miles on foot. While exploring the souks, you may encounter insistent sellers, but rest assured, your guide will provide guidance on engaging with them.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Stars Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including omelette, scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, orange juice, and the traditional Moroccan mint tea. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and embark on the journey to the enchanting Dades Valley. Rest stops will be provided for bathroom breaks as needed, please be aware that using facilities may incur an additional charge. Around midday, we will make a stop for lunch, with the specific location determined by your on-site guide.

After settling in and refreshing at the hotel, you'll take a brief transfer before commencing a walking tour through the ancient city, where you'll explore historical kasbahs and revel in magnificent views of the rugged mountains. Guided by our expert, you'll visit a local family's house to delve into the Maghrebi tradition—an ancient ritual of mint tea that holds a central place in Moroccan culture. Enhance your tea-making skills as you witness the process of preparing and serving Moroccan tea. Afterwards, savor the warm mint tea while enjoying a breathtaking view over the village. During this delightful tea time, the local family will extend their hospitality with a selection of local pastries and nuts, providing an opportunity to savor the region's culinary delights. In the late afternoon, you'll be transferred back to the hotel for dinner. Throughout the tour, you'll walk approximately 0.5 to 1 mile, through paved and gravel streets.

Dinner is included and will be served in the hotel restaurant, offering a delightful set menu, that showcases delicious Moroccan cuisine, including options such as tagine, grilled meat or chicken, and salads. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not available, but you can purchase soft drinks on-site. Kindly be aware that the menu may be subject to change based on the confirmed hotel.

Overnight in Dades Valley.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Riad Bahammou Hotel provides a traditional Moroccan breakfast featuring eggs, yogurt, crepes, spreads, hot drinks, fruit, and local pastries. Please note that the specific offerings may vary based on your confirmed hotel.

Embark on a hike that's a bit challenging but completely rewarding through the hidden gem of southern Boumaln Dades. A quick 20-minute transfer from your hotel brings you to the trailhead, where your local guide will lead you on an enriching journey. Follow the meandering Dades River, exploring captivating gorges, ridged canyons, and lush green landscapes. Cross small bridges, traverse farming lands, and wind through vibrant forests alongside the river. Ascend to the striking Monkey Fingers, a line of crimson sandstone rocky formations known as the cliffs of Tamlalt. Navigate the rocky red canyons, maneuvering through large rocks and narrow walls, until you reach a cliff with expansive, untouched views—a perfect spot for a well-deserved break. The return journey allows you to admire the landscape from a different perspective. After the hike, a transfer back to the hotel awaits, providing free time for individual lunches and a leisurely afternoon to explore the city at your own pace. Please be mindful that the terrain is rugged, requiring soft climbs and crouching in certain sections. Distance: 3 to 5 miles / Duration: 3 to 4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate to challenging / Elevation change: 820ft.

Dinner is included and will be served in the hotel restaurant, offering a delightful set menu, that showcases delicious Moroccan cuisine, including options such as tagine, grilled meat or chicken, and salads. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not available, but you can purchase soft drinks on-site. Kindly be aware that the menu may be subject to change based on the confirmed hotel.

Overnight in Dades Valley.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Riad Bahammou Hotel provides a traditional Moroccan breakfast featuring eggs, yogurt, crepes, spreads, hot drinks, fruit, and local pastries. Please note that the specific offerings may vary based on your confirmed hotel.

After breakfast, say goodbye to the captivating mountain landscapes of Dades Valley as you embark on a picturesque journey to the Sahara Desert. A comfortable camp awaits amidst the endless dunes. We'll make stops for bathrooms and snacks along the way as needed. Around midday, we'll pause for lunch. The specific lunch location will be determined by your on-site guide. Your arrival at the camp is planned for the afternoon.

As the sun begins to set and the cool desert breeze sweeps through, it's time to meet the most iconic inhabitant of the desert: the camel. Hop on your camel and begin a true nomadic ride through the sahara, bumping up and down on the dunes while enjoying an ocean of sand where no one in sight while a truly magical sun sinking in the horizon The tranquil rhythm of the camel's footsteps allows you to immerse yourself in the boundless beauty of the desert, with the ever-changing colors of the sky as your backdrop. The experience lasts approximately 1.5 hours, during which you'll find yourself captivated by the serenity and grandeur of this unique landscape. Trovatrip works in tandem with the local operator to ensure that all animals are treated humanely and respectfully. Please note there is a 220lb weight limit for this activity.

Dinner is included and will be served in the main tent, showcasing a simple yet incredibly tasty Moroccan cuisine. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not available, but soft drinks can be purchased on-site. Following dinner, enjoy a music show with local performances. Kindly be aware that the menu is not fixed and may be subject to change based on the confirmed camp.

Overnight in Sahara Desert.

Breakfast is included and will be served in the main tent, featuring buffet style. It includes a variety of breads, pastries, a selection of jams, fresh fruit, and natural juices. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized camp.

Lunch is included and will be served in the main tent, showcasing a simple yet incredibly tasty Moroccan cuisine. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not available, but soft drinks can be purchased on-site. Kindly be aware that the menu may be subject to change based on the confirmed camp.

Dinner is included and will be served in the main tent, showcasing a simple yet incredibly tasty Moroccan cuisine. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not available, but soft drinks can be purchased on-site. Kindly be aware that the menu is not fixed and may be subject to change based on the confirmed camp.

Overnight in Sahara Desert.

Breakfast is included and will be served in the main tent, featuring buffet style. It includes a variety of breads, pastries, a selection of jams, fresh fruit, and natural juices. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized camp.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the lovely camp staff, and embark on a picturesque transfer to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. Rest stops will be provided for bathroom breaks as needed, please be aware that using facilities may incur an additional charge. Around midday, we'll take a break for lunch, and the specific location will be determined by your on-site guide.

Upon your arrival at Ait Ben Haddou, take some time to settle in and freshen up. A brief 15-minute transfer awaits to unveil the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage village. As you face the distant Kasbah, a sense of déjà vu may wash over you—it's a famous film set featured in productions like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones Season 3. However, in its historical context, it served as a bustling stop along the caravan route linking Marrakech and the Sahara. Cross the bridge over the stream, tiptoe on rocks across a creek to the grand gate, and traverse olive groves and date palm trees. Ascend a path lined with ancient mud and straw houses that have withstood the test of time. The mud-brick alleys, vibrant displays of local art at shop entrances, and men donning Berber scarves create a scene frozen in time, resembling an old postcard. Continue your journey up the steep stairway to the Kasbah's summit, where a spectacular panoramic view awaits, stretching over the villages and the distant desert. Take a break to absorb the historical ambiance, capture some memorable photos, and then we'll stroll back. A transfer will return you to your hotel. Throughout the tour, expect to cover approximately 1 to 1.5 miles on foot.

Overnight in Ait Ben Haddou.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Riad Tamdakhte Hotel provides a traditional Moroccan breakfast featuring eggs, yogurt, crepes, spreads, hot drinks, fruit, and local pastries. Please note that the specific offerings may vary based on your confirmed hotel.

After breakfast, say goodbye to the enchanting Ait Ben Haddou and commence a scenic transfer to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Rest stops will be provided for bathroom breaks as needed, please be aware that using facilities may incur an additional charge. Around midday, we'll take a break for lunch, and the specific location will be determined by your on-site guide.

In the afternoon, a 15-minute transfer will take you to a traditional Moroccan Hammam. Step into a world of soothing steam and tranquil ambiance, where centuries-old rituals of cleansing and rejuvenation await. Before entering the main Hammam area, you'll be directed to the changing rooms. Here, you'll disrobe and put on your swimsuit. You can leave your personal belongings in a secure locker provided. After changing, you'll spend some time in a warm room to acclimate your body to the heat. Then, you'll move on to the steam room, which is the heart of the Hammam. As you enter, you'll immediately feel the intense heat and humidity. The experienced staff will guide you through the process, which involves several steps: you'll be gently doused with warm water to open your pores, softly cleansed with homemade soaps, followed by a gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, and finally rinsed with warm water to eliminate the soap and exfoliated skin. After the intense heat of the steam room, you'll transition to a cooler area. In this outdoor courtyard, you'll be served refreshing mint tea, and you can enjoy a more relaxed and fun time by the swimming pools. The Hammam experience typically lasts about 45 minutes, followed by another free hour to spend at the pools. Once this relaxed experience ends, you will take a brief transfer to get back to the hotel. It's important to note that the Hammam sessions are conducted separately by gender, while the swimming pool area is gender-mixed. The Hammam provides towels and lockers for your belongings. Please be aware that the Hammam experience usually involves partial nudity.

In the evening, a brief 15-minute transfer will take you to a local restaurant for your final dinner with fellow travelers. The evening promises a delightful a la carte menu, offering a taste of the most authentic Moroccan flavors. Seize the chance to savor traditional dishes like tagine, couscous, tangia and grilled meats. Please note that beverages are not included and can be purchased at the venue. The specific restaurant will be determined by your on-site guide.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast is included and will be served buffet-style. It includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, exquisite pastries, and fresh fruit. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.