Embark on a cross-continental adventure through southern Spain and northern Morocco, blending Andalucian tradition with Maghrebi charm. From the rock-hewn streets of Setenil de las Bodegas to the vibrant Medina of Tangier, this journey offers a rich tapestry of flavours, including Jerez sherry, Moroccan street food, and mountain wines. The highlight is witnessing the 2027 total solar eclipse from the shores of North Africa, guided by an expert astronomer before returning across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Breakfast: 7
Dinner: 1
Explore Tour Leader
Local Guide(s)
Bus
7 nights premium hotel
Moderate
Trip maximum 16 Explore average 11
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Malaga, one of the main port cities in Andalucia.There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Malaga at any time. The Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. For those arriving early, you might like to take time to wander the historic streets, discover the Picasso Museum, or relax by the harbour.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Malaga airport, which is around a 15-minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your arrival day.
Hotel Soho Boutique Colon (or similar)
Grade: Premium Hotel
Today begins with a 50-minute transfer to Ardales for the legendary Caminito del Rey. El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Path) is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro offering a journey through some of Andalusia's most dramatic scenery. The cliff-side path hangs 100 metres above the waters of the river Guadalhorce reservoir, winding through dramatic cliffs, canyons, and expansive valleys. The route crosses the spectacular landscapes of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a magnificent gorge carved by the river Guadalhorce with towering walls that rise 700 metres/2,297 feet high. The walk is not challenging and takes place on good quality walkways and paths. For those who would prefer a more relaxed morning, the nearby lake is a good place to spend some time before rejoining the group.
Later, we'll continue to Ronda for a guided tour and an included dinner in the heart of town. Later, we'll continue to Ronda for a guided tour and an included dinner in the heart of town, where you can sample authentic rabo de toro (oxtail stew) or local tapas, perfectly paired with a glass of the region's award-winning high-altitude red wine.
Hotel Soho Boutique San Gabriel (or similar)
Today, we'll explore the unique village of Setenil de las Bodegas, where houses are built into the rocks, followed by an olive oil tasting in Zahara de la Sierra. Andalucia is the world's leading producer of olive oil, and here we'll see how the traditions come to life in its production. We'll end the day delving into another of Andalucia's gastronomic traditions, wine. The region has been producing vintages through Roman and Moorish times and small-scale wineries still thrive today. We'll enjoy a tasting at a prestigious local winery in the Ronda outskirts.
Leaving Ronda this morning, we first drive to Jerez, home to sherry, flamenco, and Andalusian horse-riding traditions. The historic centre is a beautiful mixture of Baroque, Moorish and Gothic styles, and we'll explore on foot.
We follow this with a tour of a sherry bodega, a must when visiting Jerez. Bodegas are unlike other wine cellars and are often referred to as 'wine cathedrals' as they have high-ceilings, thick walls and high windows, ageing wine via the 18th-century 'Solera' system. After a tasting, we drive to Arcos de la Frontera for a night in its historic Parador. Perched atop a 150-metre cliff in a former Moorish fortress, it offers spectacular views over the Guadalete River.
Parador Arcos de la Frontera (or similar)
This morning we'll drive south via the hilltop village of Vejer de la Frontera to Tarifa. Vejer de la Frontera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved 'Pueblos Blancos' (White Villages) in Spain. Perched on a high rocky ridge overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar, it offers a blend of Moorish heritage and medieval Christian architecture.
After exploring the old Moorish port of Tarifa, we'll take a ferry across the strait to Tangier and settle into our Mediterranean beachfront hotel.
Movenpick Tangier (or similar)
Today we'll set out to discover Tangier, a city that has long served as a gateway between Africa and Europe. We begin with a guided food tour through the ancient medina, navigating labyrinthine alleys to sample local delicacies. From freshly baked khobz bread and aromatic olives to honey-drenched pastries and traditional mint tea, you'll experience the authentic flavours of the 'White City' while learning about its rich, multicultural history.
Our exploration continues to the north-western tip of Africa to visit Cape Spartel, the dramatic promontory where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, we delve into the Hercules Caves, a site steeped in mythology where the legendary hero is said to have rested. In the afternoon, we return to the hotel to join our expert astronomer for a short presentation. This session provides a fascinating introduction to the constellations and the science behind tomorrow's total solar eclipse.
Today is the main event. After breakfast, we'll make our way to a specially selected viewing location -either the hotel's Mediterranean-facing rooftop or a nearby coastal vantage point - to witness the solar eclipse from the shores of North Africa. The spectacle begins with the partial phase at 8:40 am local time, as the moon first touches the sun's edge. Over the next hour, the intense Moroccan sun will transition into a thinning crescent, visible through your eclipse glasses (provided).
The experience reaches its peak at 9:44 am with the arrival of totality. As the moon completely obscures the sun for 4 minutes and 51 seconds, the Tangier skyline will be plunged into a deep, midday twilight. During this window, you can safely remove your glasses to witness the sun's white corona and look for planets emerging in the darkened sky. We will be professionally accompanied by an expert astronomer with a telescope at hand to help you navigate each phase, from the final 'Diamond Ring' flash to the return of the sun's first rays at 9:49 am.
Later, we ferry back to Spain and drive to Malaga for a free afternoon to visit the Picasso Museum or the Alcazar.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Malaga airport, which is around a 20 minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made post-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your departure day.
Our tour features boutique stays and coastal retreats that capture the essence of two continents. Your journey begins and ends in Malaga at the Hotel Soho Boutique Colon, a stylish 4-star residence set in a beautifully restored building that blends traditional architecture with contemporary design. In the historic town of Ronda, you will spend two nights at the Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel, an 18th-century palace located in the heart of the historic quarter.
The experience continues with a night at the Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, a former Magistrate’s house perched on the Guadalete River cliffs, where you can relax in a traditional Andalusian courtyard. Crossing the strait to Tangier, you will enjoy two nights at the Movenpick Hotel Casablanca Tangier. Set amidst lush gardens with views of the Mediterranean, this elegant retreat offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and Moroccan hospitality before your return to Malaga.
The climate is both Mediterranean and Atlantic. The dry, hot season is from May to October when summer temperatures can reach 38°C and above (if sight seeing is included we will do our best to avoid the heat of the day during this period). Temperatures may drop significantly at times during the night as the day's heat rapidly diminishes. From December to January snow can be expected on mountain passes and it can be wet. In winter, day temperatures will probably be around 18-25°C, dropping to perhaps 0-5°C.
0
2 Pin Round
Islam
Arabic, Berber, French.
Overall, spring, early summer and autumn are ideal times for a Spanish trip - though the weather varies enormously from region to region. The high central plains suffer from fierce extremes, stiflingly hot in summer, bitterly cold and swept by freezing winds in winter. The Atlantic coast, in contrast, has a tendency to damp and mist, and a relatively brief, humid summer. The Mediterranean south is warm virtually all year round. Spain's Islands the Canaries and Balaerics experience very mild winters and warm summers making them ideal year round destinations.
+1
Roman Catholic
Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Clothing should be lightweight as the temperature will be very hot in the summer.
We recommend comfortable shoes or trainers with good ankle support as we spend time visiting several sites with uneven terrain, the walking tour in the medina will also be on uneven pavements so footwear with good grip is advisable, sandales or flip flops would not be advisable for the city tours.
20Kg
One main piece of baggage and daypack is recommended.
A sunhat and high factor sunscreen are all essential, whilst we recommend swimming costumes and towels.
Andalucia and Tangier offer differing culinary experiences but with a shared Moorish history. The local fare is defined by high-quality staples such as golden olive oils, world-class Ibérico ham, and the aromatic spices of Morocco, like cumin and saffron. Specialties range from refreshing gazpacho and crispy tapas in Spain to fra tagines and sweet pastries across the strait. This region is equally distinguished by its diverse drinks, from the crisp sherries of Jerez to the refreshing mint tea of North Africa.
Can you drink the water? The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Our price guarantee does not apply to Polar Voyages. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Spain: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. Morocco: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. UK passport holders are requested to have at least 3 months validity from the date of entry into Morocco. All other nationalities please check with your nearest embassy for requirements of passport validity.
For customers visiting the EU, or transiting via EU countries, please be aware that the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out, with full operation from 10 April 2026. This means that when you travel into, or depart from, the Schengen area for short stays, you will need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. On your first entry or exit into a Schengen country, you will be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. At some ports and international stations allow for extra time as there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK and transit through a EU country. Once initial registration has been completed future entering or exiting of an EU Schengen country should be simplified as only a single fingerprint scan or facial recognition scan will be required. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
No
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Nothing compulsory but Tetanus is usually recommended as a precaution. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.