Main Info
Morocco’s vibrant tapestry of bustling souks, ancient ruins, and serene desert landscapes awaits! ✨ Immerse yourself in the rich aromas of tagines, haggle for unique treasures in Marrakech’s medina, and lose yourself in the star-studded silence of the Sahara.
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| RATES AND DATES |
| HOTELS (or similar) Casablanca – New Hotel Fes – Hôtel L’Escale Erfoud – Kasbah Hotel Chergui Merzouga – Riad Madu Dades – Hotel Riad Bahammou Ouarzazate – Dar Chamaa Marrakech – Bab Hotel |
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Casablanca, proceed through customs and immigration formalities. Collect
your luggage and proceed outside where you’ll be met by our representative who will handle
a sign for transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~3h10min)
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Casablanca. The tour begins with an outside visit of Hassan II mosque. It is the largest mosque in the country and the seventh largest in the
world. You continue to the Ain Diab Corniche for a pleasant stroll along the coast. The next stop is Mohammed V Square in the city center. The city tour also includes the Habous Quarter. The district was built by the French in the 1930s as an attempted solution to the ongoing housing shortage. It marries the best of traditional Moroccan architecture with modern facilities and French ideals. (There is a strip of grassy lawn in front of the mosque, as in front of the churches of French villages). Depart overland towards Rabat, driving along the main highway which links these two major cities. Embark on a city tour which highlights Rabat's cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. Rabat's most famous site is the 12th century Hassan Tower (an excellent example of the gorgeous Moroccan style artwork), and the incomplete Minaret of the great mosque built at the same period. Located alongside is the Mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the grandfather of the current king. You’ll also enjoy a visit to the Kasbah of the Udayas, which was built on a cliff overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of the most beautiful illustrations of Moorish architecture. Within its walls, you'll discover a wonderful Moroccan garden, with melodious fountains and sweet-smelling orange trees. Continue then overland to Fez (approximately a 3-hour drive) for dinner and overnight to your hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you take a step back in time into the Middle Age with the visit of one of the most imperial, timeless, and untouched cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El air markets) that make-up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century. The Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart still remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. The tour also includes Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tilework, and the Fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. In the 13th Century the Merinide Dynasty built Fes El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic schools), souks and the city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your hotel for dinner.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx 1h40min)
Journey overland to explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. With its triumphal arches, basilica, forum, and capitol, the Volubilis skyline brims with iconic examples of Roman architecture. Among its greatest treasures, however, are the amazing mosaic floors of former family dwellings, which include depictions of Orpheus charming animals with his lyre, nine dolphins signifying good luck and a portrait of Amphitrite in a seahorse-drawn chariot. Continue to Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well, and one of the imperial cities of Morocco. Meknes is replete with fantastic historical sites, from minarets to museums, to enormous mosaic doors and royal golf courses. Among the most popular attractions are the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Nejjardine Mosque and Grand Mosque (outside visit) as well as the Bab Mansour, Bab Lakmis, and Bab Berdaine gates. Return to Fez for an evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~6h05min)
On this morning, we’ll depart Fez for a long drive that was worth it. You’ll pass through many amazing cities and villages, the first of which is Ifrane, nicknamed The Switzerland of Morocco. It is a charming ski town filled with European-style chalets. Continue to Midelt, which serves as the commercial center of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco's principal cities for the mining of several minerals. You will have some free time in Midelt, before you continue your journey through the dramatic Ziz Gorges, then arriving in Erfoud. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~1h)
After breakfast, embark on a 4x4 vehicle to continue your adventure by heading towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara desert. En route, visit the Berber villages to get a close interaction with this amazing culture. We will visit a camel milk cooperative and continue to Rissani where we will visit one of the best traditional market in Sahara, a place where they sell just donkeys and other commodities for sheep, goats and cows. Stop in the village El Khamlia for lunch (included). Continue to the African village or Gnawa Village. Then, continue to Merzouga Village for dinner and your overnight stay.
NB: you can stay in a desert camp with round trip 4x4 transfers from Merzouga village and camel ride with an extra cost.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~3h30min)
On our way to Tinghir, we’ll stop at the Todra Gorges, the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco situated on the East side of the High Atlas mountains and recognized around the world as one of the most spectacular canyons. Here, both the Todra and Dades Rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons on their final 25-mile stretch through the mountains, leaving behind a series of reliefs and etches in the rock. Todra is the name of the last 600 meters of the canyon. In places, this gorge measures just 10 meters wide, but the cliffs are more than 160 meters tall on either side! The river has since dried up, leaving only the imagination to picture the powerful natural forces that once carved this region. The gorges, although remote, are popular among rock climbers. There are hiking paths with a well-maintained dirt road for visitors to share with mules and other pack animals. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~1h40min)
After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley with its majestic sand castles, and incredible rock formations known as monkey toes. The route through Dades Valley is also known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs. You’ll catch a spectacular
view of a vast valley dotted with small oases and hundreds of ancient fortifications. The sand-colored walls of the Kasbahs may all start to look the same, but each holds a special historical treasure and offers innumerable opportunities for remarkable photos. Continue to Skoura, a quiet little village speckled with palm tree groves. Indeed, Skoura is surrounded by acres of palm groves, Les Palmeraies, which are a paradise of palm and olive trees peppered with kasbahs and small villages. You’ll notice the Kasbah Amridil that stands out from the rest. Originally built in the 17th century, it is one of Morocco’s most iconic living museums that has survived the test of time. Then, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate for dinner.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx~3h50min)
After breakfast, we’ll visit Taourirt Kasbahs, one of the most beautiful kasbahs in Morocco. After the French left in 1953, the movie business flourished in Ouarzazate. Optional visit of the Film Studios where some of the most famous desert landscapes are filmed. You might recognize the sand-colored houses of this impressive Ksar (Arabic for “fortified city”) when you see the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape immortalized in such films as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Alexander, Games of Thrones among others. Ait Ben Haddou is a massive fortification made up of six Kasbahs all protected by UNESCO. You can spend time in its maze of winding streets until reaching a fortified granary at the top which provides an amazing view of the valley. We leave Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the High Atlas mountains via the magnificent TizIn Tichka pass to Marrakech, our home for the next three nights. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Unearth the secrets of Marrakech, beginning in the Medina, the old walled section of town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This thousand-year-old city was long a political, economic, and cultural center. Marvel at its architectural jewels, including the soaring Koutoubia minaret. Continue to the Bahia Palace, an exemplary of privileged life in the 19th century. Your next stop is Dar el Bacha Museum of Confluences. This palace was built by Pasha Thami el Glaoui in 1910. Walk in it's lovely gardens, admire the zellige mosaic tilework of this opulent palace, and enjoy exhibitions focused on Moroccan culture. Later, you'll visit Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's main square, you will find orange juice stalls and vendors, along with fire-eaters, mime artists, snake-charmers, magicians, and street musicians performing at every turn. You may also take the opportunity to explore the city's fabled, labyrinthine souks, their bustling alleyways brimming with all manner of wares. Return to your hotel to get ready for farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day at leisure. Wander around on your own or sign up for any of the following optional tours at an additional cost - a full-day farm retreat with a cooking class, a traditional hammam, and massage, or an excursion with lunch with BerberFamily at Imlil Valley. Dinner at the hotel.
OPTIONAL, NOT INCLUDED:
Traditional Hammam and Massage - Please inquire for price.
The hammam is a must-do activity in Morocco. Historically, the hammam was a public bathhouse for the locals to clean off the
dirt and grime invariably accumulated after traveling through the desert. Today, the hammam still serves this purpose for the
locals but is brought to a higher level for the tourists. In the hammam, you’ll be submerged by a complete relaxation experience within an authentic oriental décor where you’ll be listening to your own body in an atmosphere filled with water, oils, essences, and perfumes. Enjoy a 30-minute. scrub with black soap or mild spices eliminating toxins from your body. After Hammam, sway to the massage room where you will experience a 30-min. traditional Moroccan massage to eliminate tensions and gain energy and vitality.
OPTIONAL, NOT INCLUDED:
Excursion in the Atlas Mountains (Imlil Valley) - Please inquire for price. After breakfast, enjoy a rich program in Amazigh (Berber) landscapes. The full-day excursion covers the High Atlas Mountains and two valleys. Start with the Ourika valley, which is one of the most beautiful valleys in Morocco. Ourika is about a 1-hour drive from Marrakech and is famous for its waterfalls (it takes 90-min. hard trekking to get to the waterfalls). On the way, you’ll visit a run-by-women cooperative that extracts the Argan oil, unique to Morocco. Taking a secluded mountain road standing at 1,800 meters above sea level, you will pass through traditional Amazigh villages built from adobe and stones. Continue your day trip to the valley of Imlil, famous for its fruit trees (apples, walnuts, almonds, peaches, etc.). In Imlil, enjoy a typical lunch with a local family encircled by the snowy summits of the High Atlas Mountains. After lunch, cross the Kik plateau and get to the Takerkouste Lake used as Atlas Mountains water reservoir and a hydraulic power generator. Complete your exciting day trip with a drive back to your hotel.
Overnight in the hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
(Driving time - Approx. 3h30min)
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight.
Meals: Breakfast
