Duration: 11D/10N
Departure: Casablanca
Arrival: Marrakech
Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes :
Meeting is in Casablanca Mohamed V airport. Transfer to Meknès. In Casablanca we visit the Hassan II mosque, the second biggest religious site after Mecca. The Mosque has a view out to the Atlantic Ocean and part of it is established on the sea. The minaret is 200 meters; this makes the mosque visible from the outskirts of Casablanca. We continue to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. Rabat is modern, spacious with nice gardens. The visit of Rabat includes the Hassan Tower, Chellah, The façades of the royal palace, the Oudaya Kasbah. Lunch is in Rabat. We drive the rest of the journey to Meknès. Check into your hotel.
Day 2: Meknes – Fez :
Meknes is another Moroccan imperial city like Rabat. It holds the ville nouvelle and the Medina. It was the capital of the Sultan Moulay Ismail during the 17 century, and it was besieged by huge walls for protection. Sightseeing includes Moulay Ismail mausoleum, the basin Swani, the Jewish cemetery and the old cereal storage rooms. We drive to Fez via the ruins of Volubilis. Check into your hotel.
Day 3: Fez :
Fez or Fes is the first Moroccan imperial city. It holds a wealth of attractions and described as the spiritual centre of Morocco. The Karaouiyin University of Fez is considered among the oldest in the world. Hiring a local guide in Fez is essential to have a complete visit. You start the journey with a visit of royal palace and the ceramics and poetry looking at hand made artefacts. You move with your guide to explore the ancient University of Karaouiyin, the Tanneries and the vibrant alleys of the old quarter. You will admire the bustling streets of the Medina where merchants open their shops. After an active journey we take you back to your hotel.
Day 4: Fez – Merzouga :
After breakfast, we depart to Merzouga. On the road we cross several Berber towns: Imouzzèr a small town that gives out to Sais plains, then Ifrane a summer resort town in the Middle Atlas Mountains. We drive to Azrou Cedar forest for monkey pictures and then to Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon, we carry on to Merzouga through Errachidia, Erfoud and Rissani. Check into your hotel.
Day 5: Merzouga :
Today itinerary reconciles with Fez Merzouga long driving. Time will be devoted to explore Merzouga and its suburbs. We tour the Sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi that stretches in the Sahara desert on 30 km long and 10 km width. It is a gift from nature, and it inspires locals and guests with it high clean dunes. Sunrise and sunset are among the highlights. In the same day, we meet nomad families who take care of their sheeps and camels. They live in nomad tents and they depend on grazing to win a living. We head to Rissani to visit the local market and to explore examples of ancient villages. Nearby Merzouga we listen to Gnawa music. We drive back to the hotel to start the camel trekking. You ride your camel to the Bivouac where you will have a chicken Tajine and you sleep under nomad wool tents. Meanwhile you enjoy the Berber music with our team and a superb view of the starry sky. Sleep well!
Day 6: Merzouga – Todgha gorges :
In the morning you wake up for spectacular sunrise. The sun draws a range of colours on the sandy dunes. It is a wonderful opportunity for sunrise pictures. You go back to the hotel for showers and breakfast. We set off for Tinghir. We cross Rissani, Erfoud and we stop in Tinjdad for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue to Tinghir, famous for the amazing Todgha Gorges. They are cliffs that rise up to 300 meters among which the clean river flows. The palm groves stretch along the river giving a unique view. To the way to the gorges stand the old Ksar which is partially inhabited. Night will be spent in a hotel nearby.
Day 7: Todgha gorges – Ouarzazate :
After breakfast, we drive to Ouarzazate on the way of thousand Kasbah. We drive back to Tinghir to join the main road. We cross Boumalne Dades from where we move alongside the Dades valley. We reach El Kelaa M’Gouna, the village of roses where people celebrate the festival of roses in late April. We cross the calm village of Skoura where we visit the Amridil Kasbah. We continue the rest of our way to Ouarzazate. Check into your hotel.
Day 8: Ouarzazate-Marrakech :
After breakfast, we visit the Taourirt Kasbah, and we drive to Ait Ben Haddou village that holds the most impressive Kasbah in Morocco. In the UNESCO protected site, many movies have been shot. After lunch, we drive the rest of the Itinerary to Marrakech through the highest Atlas Mountains. Check into the hotel.
Day 9: Marrakech sightseeing :
Today will be dedicated to explore Marrakech. Historical visit of Marrakech will include Menara garden, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowers and other impressive sights such as the koutoubia Mosque (the twin tower of Giralda in Seville, Spain). The Saadian tombs demonstrate the Moorish architecture with its perfection, The Bahia palace and Madrassa Ibn Youssef. The guide take you to the restaurant for lunch.
Evening drums will draw you to the Djemaa El Fna (main city square). It’s a festival atmosphere, with snake charmers, Berber and Gnoua musicians, and storytellers illuminated by lamplight and wreathed in smoke. Food stalls on the square sell fresh salads, soups, fried fish and chips, chicken and beef kebabs and even boiled snails or sheep’s head. Finish it off with a glass of sweet cinnamon tea.
Day 10: Marrakech – Essaouira :
This itinerary combines the mysterious allure of Marrakech and the and the relaxed coastal vible of Essaouira. After breakfast we depart to Essaouira which is less than 3 hours from Marrakech. Essaouira is a windy town that gives out to the Atlantic ocean with a harbour. it has a rich history and was a portugaise establishement during the 16 century. Today, you will change the busiest atmosphere of Marrakech with the vibles of Essaouira. You enjoy your time walking in the Medina and taste a savourous fish dish in the port. Night in the hotel.
Day 11: Essaouira – Marrakech :
After Breakfast and at the appropriate time we transfer you to the airport. Far well!