Outdoor Adventure in Portugal & Morocco - 10 Days

Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra & Hike

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sintra and its mystical hills, dotted with fairy-tale palaces and extravagant villas, have enchanted visitors for centuries. This place inspired poets and writers, such as Lord Byron, and now it's your turn to fall in love.

More than a day trip, today you'll hike through amazing scenery up to the incredible Moorish Castle, which dates back to the eighth century, and admire the marvelous Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace) at the top of the mountain, a favorite of the region. This 6-mile (10 km) hike will venture through the dense forest and the exotic natural environment, discovering the best trails and places in this fascinating region. After, your guide to drop you back in Lisbon.

Day 4: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Cooking Class

This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City." Take a transfer to the Lisbon airport for your flight to Morocco. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags and rest up before venturing out to explore the sights, sounds, and scents of this exciting city.

This afternoon you'll relax in the kitchen of a Marrakesh riad (a traditional townhouse with a central courtyard) as you learn to cook some of this country's most famous foods. Traditional Moroccan dishes have fused the flavors of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East into something unique, dynamic, and delicious. Start by baking bread and preparing a tasty starter. Then you'll move on to the main course and dessert. Once the food is ready, savor your creations at a meal served on the patio or on the terrace by the riad's pool. 

Day 6: Transfer to Boumalne Dades via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Rise early for today's six-hour transfer to Boumalne Dades, with a few stops planned. First, you'll cross the Tizi n' Tichka mountain pass, the highest in Morocco at 7,414 feet (2,260 m). Enjoy sweeping vistas over the peaks, noting the highest summit of Mount Toubkal, which sits at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Continue east to Aït Benhaddou, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of ancient earthen buildings. Home to Morocco's most famous kasbah, it once held an important spot on the trans-Saharan trade route.

You'll pause for lunch here at a women's cooperative created to generate income for women in the village. Explore the old town's alleys and passageways before hitting the road again. Next, take a break at Morocco's Hollywood—the town of Ouarzazate—where you can tour a movie studio or visit the Musée du Cinema. As you approach to Boumalne Dades, you'll cross the Dades River toward El Kelâat M'Gouna, the "Valley of the Roses." Admire cultivated rose bushes and discover how the petals become rose water and oil for the cosmetic industry. 

Day 7: Hike Through Berber Villages

On today's adventure, you're unlikely to see any other tourists as you hike between real Berber villages that hug the mountainside. As you hike, take notice of the local farmers, shepherds, mules, goats, and dogs sharing the landscape. Look for terraced farming plots, which local farmers have built to make the steep mountainsides suitable for farming. Look closely, and you'll see small irrigation canals. With your mountain guide, you can hike as far, long, or difficult as you like. The views get better the higher you go, so arrive feeling ambitious and ready to hike!

Day 8: Transfer to Merzouga, Sunset Camel Ride

Return to the road today for a comfortable 4.5-hour private transfer to your Bedouin-style tent accommodation in Merzouga. You'll start early again to make a few cultural stops to meet desert communities in the Sahara. The first is Tinghir, a desert town with fantastic views of neighboring villages set along an extensive river oasis with 30 miles (48 km) of palm trees. Visit Ali Ait el Haj, the old Jewish quarter, and admire its interesting architecture. Continue to the 984-foot-high (300 m) Todra Gorge to walk through the red-stained limestones or relax in the cool shallow water.

Just before reaching Erfoud, you'll start to see the ever-shifting Saharan dunes. Erfoud is a busy market town known for its Date Festival, fossil mining, and artisan factories. Visit a local collective to see how fossil-rich rock is turned into beautiful objects like tables, plates, and bowls. Near Merzouga, take a short break to enjoy a camel ride through the dunes before you reach your luxury desert camp just before sunset. Settle in, then climb up the nearest dune to watch the sunset display its color show across the sands. Back at camp, enjoy dinner, a campfire, and traditional Berber music.

Day 9: Transfer to Marrakesh

Today it's time to leave the dunes behind and return to Marrakesh for your departing flight. You'll spend much of today in the car on an 8.5-hour private journey from the dunes to the city, pausing to discover new spots as you cross the High Atlas. You could ask the driver to visit the incredible Kasbah of Amerhidil, located in Skoura, the largest oasis in the Dadès Valley. This gigantic desert grove has more than 70,000 palm, olive, fig, almond, and pomegranate trees. Continue to Marrakesh, ready to make the most of your final night in Morocco.

Venture into the central square of Jemaa el-Fna, which comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls, and more after dark. If the excitement is too intense on the ground, look for a rooftop café on the square and relax while watching the fun.

Day 10: Depart Marrakesh

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal and Morocco. If you have time before your flight today, venture into the souks and shop for last-minute spices, slippers, and souvenirs. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for a quick transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!