YOUR PROGRAM
Day 1 Casablanca
Upon arrival to Casablanca; the biggest city of the country, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you would be able to go for a visit to the GREAT MOSQUE HASSAN II where you will meet a fascinating example of the Moroccan architecture. It is the largest mosque in the kingdom and the fifth largest mosque in the world. Its minaret is the tallest one in the world at 210 m. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes
Continue the journey to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco for a sightseeing tour. See the OUDAYA KASBAH and it’s beautiful gardens are located at Abou Regreg river. It was built during the reign of the Almohad dynasty in 12th century. The MAUSOLEUM OF MOHAMED V and Hassan II and HASSAN TOWER which is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat. The tower was intended to be the largest minaret in the world. Next stop, Meknes, the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail late 17th century. He built in the ingeniously designed granaries, really fascinating architecture of tiny windows, massive walls where he used to store grain and hay to feed his 15.000 horses. Take a great shot at the Bab al Mansour built in the 11th century.
Day 3 Meknes – Volubilis – Meknes
After breakfast we will go back on time to 3th century by a guided tour VOLUBILIS, the most important archaeological site in Morocco which features the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After this visit we head back to Meknes, afternoon on your own.
Day 4 Meknes – Fes
Continue the journey to Fes. Your guide will show you Royal Palace gate and the Jewish headquarter. It was the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, dated on the 16th century. Towards your local tour guide visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous AL QARAOUINE UNIVERSITY, the oldest in the region, the tanneries, the ATTARINE MUSSEUM and MULAY IDRISS MAUSOLEUM. Visit as well the tiles cooperative and then experience a panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes the oldest city and spiritual capital of Morocco. You can stroll through the many narrow streets and alleys.
Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt
Next stop at Ifrane, a small town located in the so-called Moroccan Switzerland further to Midelt, a village situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From this vast plateau, we start crossing up those tough mountains which are still settled by a big Berber community. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi at 3747 m.
Day 6: Midelt – Errachidia – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert
Scenic drive to join the pre-Saharan zone passing first by ERRACHIDIA and ERFOUD, which is famous for its pottery and the interesting fossil quarries, some dated over 350 million years ago when the region was a part of the huge ocean. Heading up to the red colored sand sea dunes of Merzouga via RISSANI. From a vast plateau, you will get impressed by the huge sand dune of MERZOUGA appearing from the horizon. Then we will ride the CAMELS into the dunes of Erg Chebbi. This is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset. When we reach the camp we will leave the camels and we walk to the highest sand dunes for sandboarding (optional) or relax and watch the sunset. We will spend the night in a camp (Berber nomad tents) with drums music in the middle of the Sahara.
Day 7: Merzouga – Tinghir – Todra Gorges
After a memorable night in the middle of the dunes, the camels take you back to the hotel where you can have breakfast and a shower. Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains. After passing Erfoud, arrive at the TINGHIR OASIS with its green valley of palms and local villages. On to the impressive TODRA GORGES, in its narrowest point just 10 m wide. You can walk in the refreshing cold river and enjoy the view on the rocks, up to 150 m. high.
Day 8: Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate
From the great canyons of Todra, we go along the road of a thousand kasbahs, some of these fortified houses are restored. A visit to one KASBAHS is scheduled. We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of DADES VALLEY which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. Continue to the ROSE VALLEY appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. Continue to OUARZAZATE a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in the 17th century. Ouarzazate is a popular film location, with Moroccos biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies there.
Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Travel to AÏT BENHADDOU, a kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. It is located 35 km from Ouarzazate and it is a fortified city, built in the 11th century. Once it was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village on the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and several films have been shot there.
Day 10: Ouarzazate – Tiz n Tichka Pass – Marrakech
Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains towards TIZI ‘N’TICHKA PASS in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. You will enjoy stunning views on this road where each new twist leads to a different and spectacular landscape. Arrive at the red-colored imperial city of MARRAKECH, justly reputed the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities for an overnight. Visit famous DJEMAA EL FNA SQUARE. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and succulent barbecue pits, the square is well worth a visit. A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of a nearby bar offers a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.
Day 11 : Marrakech
Guided tour of Marrakech where to discover the BAHIA PALACE, the SAADIAN TOMBS, the magnificent KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE, among many other hidden treasures. Explore the OLD SOUK (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, woven Berber carpets and other handicrafts.
Day 12 : Marrakech – Essaouira
Continue the trip to Essaouira. Enjoy this beautiful day at the beach. The interesting architecture of the city shows characteristics of both Portuguese/French and Berber in a beautiful town protected by UNESCO. Its white houses, its relaxed atmosphere, its classic outdoor cafes, craft shops, and tasty fresh fish make a visit so special.
Day 13 : Essaouira – Al Jadida – Casablanca
Depart for returning to Casablanca, via Al-Jadida, another beautiful coastal town on the way to Casablanca, where we arrive in the afternoon.
Day 14 : Casablanca – Transfer to the airport
