Female only tours with Venus Adventures, destination Morocco

Culture, adventure and fun

Culture

Adventure

Fun

Venus Adventures in Morocco

Women only holidays, Morocco

Choose between two tours:

Read below for 18 day trip: The Best of Morocco

Click here for 15 day trip: Morocco Odyssey


The Best of Morocco

This trip to Morocco has it all - it includes some great little adventures, like riding camels out into the Sahara desert and sleeping under the stars, hiking up into the Atlas mountains and staying with a Berber family, and doing a beautiful, easy and scenic raft trip through some stunning gorges.

We really get off the beaten track and have some special experiences. But you also get to explore the souqs (markets) for exotic treasures in the old and fascinating cities of Fès, Marrakech and Essaouira.

We take in some of Morocco's finest sights, like the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge. A trip you won't forget quickly!

Highlights

  • riding a camel out into the Sahara Desert and sleeping under a million stars
  • rafting down the stunning Ahansal river, a beautiful journey on a gentle river
  • hiking up into the Atlas Mountains and staying in a mud village with a berber family
  • exploring the souqs (markets) of Fès and Marrakech, haggling for beautiful handmade treasures!
  • watching everyday Moroccan life, drinking mint tea with the locals and learning about Moroccan culture
  • having a hammam (traditional bath), getting your hands hennaed in a traditional design by local woman
  • Todra Gorge, the palmeries, the Kasbahs, the ever-changing landscapes . . .
  • Marrakech - the Big Square: fascinating street performers, exotic smells of spices and incense, sounds of snake charmers and belly-dancers, and an exhilarating and vibrant atmosphere
  • Fès: a medieval city with a labyrinth of intriguing alleyways full of artisans crafting beautiful wares

Trip Itinerary

Casablanca, Morocco

Day 1, Casablanca

This is arrival day - you will be picked up from the airport and taken to the hotel to recover from your long flight. You have a free afternoon to go for a stroll along the Casablanca waterfront, drink coffee on the esplanade or relax by the pool at the hotel. Dinner together and trip briefing.

Meals - D

Day 2, Casablanca

This morning we visit the Hassan II mosque, the third largest mosque in the world, built to commemorate the former Kings 60th birthday. It is an impressive sight, with beautiful turquoise tile work and a retractable roof - it can hold 25,000 worshippers. We take a guided tour to learn more about Islam, which is a good introduction to the start of your trip. Lunch at a lovely local seaside restaurant. In the afternoon we go on a 4 hour city tour of Casablanca. Our local guide will give you a fascinating insight into Moroccan/Muslim life - everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask! Dinner tonight in a beautiful, traditional Moroccan restaurant.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 3, Casablanca to Fès

Today we head for the fascinating imperial city of Fès. Casablanca might be your first impression of Morocco, but don't be fooled, it is a stark contrast to what you are about to experience in the medieval city of Fès, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We try to get to Fès in time for a short walk in the maze-like alleyways of the souq, and to watch the sun set from a fantastic vantage point over this amazing old city.

Meals - B, L, D

Fez Tanneries, Morocco

Day 4, Fès

Today we take a fascinating guided tour of the Fès medina, visiting the tanneries, Fès potters, and other artisans. We then take a walk through the souq (market), a maze of narrow alleyways crammed with shops selling all sorts of treasures.

Fès is a fascinating and exciting place, and the souq bulges with beautiful handmade crafts (copper and brass stained glass lamps, carpets, colourful spices, leather bags . . .). Make sure you have room in your bag for some of the great stuff you can buy here!

Haggling is all part of the fun and games to get the price down too. There is time to shop along the way, because let's face it, you won't be able to resist it!

Meals - B, L, D

Dining, Morocco

Day 5, Fès to Merzouga

After breakfast we set off for the Sahara desert, stopping along the way in Ifrane, a "Swiss-style" town built by the French in the 30s.

We pass through the dramatic Ziz Valley, and the landscape changes several times till we finally reach the edge of the Sahara. Here we stay the night in a beautiful Kasbah-style hotel made of mud, with a backdrop of huge golden dunes.

All around us is desert, and tonight you will experience a Saharan sunset and a starry African sky.

Meals - B, L, D

Musicians, Morocco

Day 6, Merzouga, Sahara Desert

This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the edge of the Sahara desert. The pace of life is slower out here under the hot sun, and somehow the nothingness is mesmerizing. Out in the desert you feel a million miles from anywhere.

We head off on a little desert adventure by four-wheel drive out into the the Sahara, visiting local nomads to see how they live in this harsh environment. You will get a real feel for desert life and just how intense it is. We hear a local group playing traditional "gnawa" music in a local village - the ancestors of these black musicians were left here after the slave-trade ended and have developed their own style of music and dance. After a special lunch and a bit of shopping for Tuareg and Berber artifacts we head back to our hotel to prepare for another adventure.

As the sun sets in the distance we mount our camels for a serene ride out into the Sahara for a night out under the stars. We are the only ones at our desert camp, it is a very authentic experience! Our guide will prepare us a tasty tajine and then we sleep under a million stars - sweet dreams are sure to be had!

Meals - B, L, D

Berber encampment, Morocco

Day 7, Sahara Desert to Dades Gorge

The sunrise will gently wake you - those that are keen can climb the high dune next to our camp to watch the sun rise over the endless sands. Local Berber children of the desert will come by with handmade trinkets for sale. We then get on the camels for the ride back to our mud hotel, where a hearty breakfast and showers wait for us. Next stop is Boumalne, around 4 hours drive away and gateway to the Dades Gorge. Unwind by the pool in the late afternoon as you will need energy for the excitement of the coming days.

Meals - B, L, D


Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Day 8, Dades Gorge to Ait Benhaddou

We leave our lovely hotel and take a drive through the spectacular Dades gorge, full of incredible rock formations in beautiful coloured sandstone. Our journey then takes us through the Vallee des Roses, where exotic products are made from the Damascus Rose. Maybe you still have some room in your bag for some rose water, rose oil, or some beautiful handcreams etc. We stop at Ouarzazate, (Morocco's answer to Hollywood) , where Gladiator and the Mummy, amongst others, were filmed, for lunch, perhaps in a local friends home if she is available!

We then drive on to Ait Benhaddou, one of the oldest and best preserved Kasbahs in Morocco. A Kasbah is an old mud-walled castle, with beautifully decorated mud turrets. This particular one is a UNESCO World Heritage site - our hotel tonight has a fine view of the old Kasbah, but there is also time to stroll around it and discover it's secrets.

Meals - B, L, D

Spices, Morocco

Day 9, Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech

It is a longish but very scenic mountainous drive to Marrakech, with photo and sightseeing stops along the way. Once in Marrakech we visit the souq to buy scrubbing gloves and Moroccan soap "savon noir" for our hammam after the hike.

This evening we eat together at Jamaa El Fna, otherwise known as the Big Square, amongst all the buskers and overwhelming atmosphere. Marrakech is a vibrant city where east meets west - from the traditional old souq in the medina (old town) to the modern shops and French patisseries, you will find this place fascinating.

Jamaa El Fna is a hive of live street entertainment every evening - there are belly dancers, acrobats, story tellers, musicians and more to keep you amused for hours.

Meals - B, L, D


Atlas mountains, Morocco

Day 10, Atlas Mountains

We leave Marrakech bright and early and head up to Ourika gorge, stopping for breakfast along the way. It is a stunning drive, leaving the flat, red desert behind and entering the lush, green Atlas Mountains. Our guides load donkeys with our overnight bags and off we go on our hike. We take our time on the hike, stopping along the way for photos and a lunch break. Tonight is a real cultural experience as we stay with a Berber family in their home up in the mountains. This is guaranteed to be one of the many highlights of this trip as you get to see how a Berber family survives up in the mountains using age-old traditions. Conditions are rustic as we live like the locals for a night.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 11, Marrakech

The next day we hike back down the valley to Setti Fatma, have lunch and head back to Marrakech. In the afternoon we head into town for a "hammam" - this is a traditional communal bath house, where using natural locally made products (olive oil soap etc) we are scrubbed till we are squeaky clean by one of the bathhouse attendants - guaranteed to come out feeling like a new born baby!

Meals - B, L, D

Day 12, Marrakech

Today is your free day to do as you please...and get some rest! - trawl the souq for exotic goodies, spend a few hours watching the buskers, take a horse and carriage ride, get a henna tattoo ...whatever you feel like!

Meals - B

rafting, Morocco

Day 13, Cascades d'Ouzoud - camping

We get picked up at 9am and then drive to the beautiful Cascades d'Ouzoud for a delicious lunch and a stroll around these spectacular water falls.

We then continue on to the river, getting our rafting gear along the way and storing our bags and valuables. Tonight we camp in a large Berber tent next to the river in a beautiful setting.

Our raft guides show us that they can not only safely steer a raft down a river, but they can also cook a great camp meal!

Meals - B, L, D

Day 14, Scenic Raft Trip, day 1 - camping

After a hearty breakfast we go through the important safety and paddle instructions, before heading downstream for fantastic scenery and fun rapids.

There is nothing to fear as you are in the hands of world-class raft guides. This is not a demanding raft trip, but more an opportunity to try something new and get in amongst some stunning nature. Most people want to try rafting again after this trip.

We take in a riverside lunch, then continue on our river journey, before arriving at Mill Camp. You can relax around camp, or go for a walk or swim while dinner is prepared.

Nothing beats a delicious riverside meal at the end of a great day, whilst recounting stories around the camp fire over a few wines. How very civilized.

Meals - B, L, D

rafting, Morocco

Day 15, Raft Trip, day 2 - overnight Marrakech

Today is an absolute stunner. After breakfast we take on a few fun rapids, before heading through two incredibly beautiful gorges. You will be amazed at how easy the rafting is, and just how much fun you have had.

We are then collected by motor boat, and enjoy a floating lunch whilst we get towed across the lake of Bin El Ouidane. Transfer back to Marrakech by minibus.

Tonight you have a free evening to enjoy dinner wherever you like - at the market at the Big Square, a rooftop restaurant with views over all the action on the Square, or perhaps you feel like a pizza in a quiet café.

Meals - B, L


Essaouira, Morocco

Day 16, Essaouira Day Trip - overnight Marrakech

Today we drive out to the coast, to spend some time in the white-washed town of Essaouira. Essaouira has a special, laid-back feeling. You will enjoy some time out here to rest on the beach and stroll around the markets.

Meals - B, D

Day 17, Marrakech

Today is your last chance to take in any of the sights of Marrakech or do some last-minute shopping. Alternatively you might like to do a Moroccan cooking class and learn to cook some of those delicious dishes you have been devouring! The class starts in the morning and finishes early afternoon and is an optional extra. You need to book this when booking your Morocco trip as getting a place depends on availability.

We meet in the evening for farewell dinner together.

Meals - B, D

Day 18, Marrakech - Transfer to the airport and flight home!

Our wonderful Morocco trip finishes after breakfast. Catch a flight home from Marrakech or get a connecting flight to Casablanca and then onwards home.

Another option is also to take the 4 hour train ride from Marrakech to Casablanca, stay the night and fly out the following day from Casa - we can help you with these arrangements.

Meals - B

Next trip to be advised . . . . .

Pamala, Australia

"I have returned with renewed energy and motivation, really appreciating the life I have. I'm sitting on my verandah with a bickie and coffee enjoying the fact that I don't have to be working - unlike many of the Morrocans. I have to say that this trip was the best trip I have been on, and I have been on a lot in my time". (Morocco)

Pamala, Australia



"The rafting was the highlight for me. I never knew it would be that much fun"

Marg, NZ


Life is uncertain - eat cake!

"Life is uncertain
- eat cake!"


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