Days 1 - 3: Welcome to Morocco!
Be sure to arrive in time for your pre-departure meeting at 6:00pm. Your first night will be spent at our pre-expedition beachfront hotel. Departing the hustle and bustle of Tangier, we head to the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, a haven of peace and tranquillity. High above the town are the twin peaks of Chaouen – the goat horns – Chefchaouen means ‘look to the horns’ - which has been a landmark for the Berbers for thousands of years. Whitewashed walls and blue doors; the colours of its houses make the very old town of Chefchaouen a unique medina. The town was originally formed by Moulay Ali ben Rachid in 1471 as a staging post for the Rifian Berber tribes to launch attacks on the Portuguese occupiers. It’s a perfect starting point for our trek into the Rif Mountains, part of the Middle Atlas chain.

Days 4 - 5
En route to the oldest imperial city in Morocco, Fes, we will take a tour of the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins at Volubilis, the largest ancient site of Morocco. Dating back to AD40, this ancient city once ruled the whole Roman province of Mauritania. Enough remains to remind us of just how thoroughly the Romans equipped their great provincial capitals. A visit is an invitation to travel in time! The magnificent mosaics depicting the tasks of Hercules, the Orpheus myth or the procession of Venus, decorate the houses. Discover the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica and Capital, all built in 217AD. Arriving in Fes, we head to the UNESCO-listed old Medina. A guide (greatly needed) will lead us through the maze of alleyways through the various “Souks” or markets dedicated to the different trades. A centre of production and craftsmanship, Fes was founded more than 11 centuries ago by Moulay Idris II. Looking down on the old quarters from the surrounding hills is a quite an experience - muffled sounds of the lively chaotic city add to the appeal of Fes.

Days 6-8: Meknes – Tangier via Asilah & Cap Spartel
Leaving behind the splendour of Fes, we head to Meknes. Much of the masonry of Volubilis was plundered by Moulay Ismail for the building of the UNESCO-listed Old City of Meknes. One of the four Imperial cities, its extensive souks, palaces, mosques, fountains, terraces and gardens have led to Meknes being called the Moroccan Versailles.

From here, we head to the coastal town of Asilah - a town of narrow streets lined with art galleries and buildings of Portuguese, Spanish and Moorish influence. Unspoilt beaches are easily accessible. According to legend, Hercules rested in caves, just five kilometres south of the lighthouse on Cap Spartel, after having dug out the straits between Europe and Africa with his club. Dug into the cliff, the Hercules caves were shelter to Neolithic man.

Later, they were used for a long time as quarries, their stone being employed to make millstones. During Tangier’s wild period in the 20th century, they were the setting for sumptuous parties, especially those organised by photographer, Sir Cecil Beaton. The caves offer a splendid view of the ocean through their openings in the cliff face. After camping out at Cap Spartel for the last night BBQ, we head back to Tangier on the morning on day 8, where our expedition ends.