YOUR ITINERARY :
Day 01: Casablanca – Rabat:
We will Meet uoi in Tanger Port . Then you will leave for Chefchaouen via Tanger. After a short drive you will get to Tanger – “Pearl of Northern Morocco”. You’ll have a short visit to the Medina, the cave of Herculis and cap Spartle, where the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic ocean. After lunch in Tanger, you will continue your journey over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Arriving at Chefchaouen in the afternoon to check in to your riad. Overnight at Riad Lina and Spa. (BB)
Day 02: Exploring Chefchaouen:
After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring the Medina and its alleys. Chefchaouen is a beautiful, unique city with its white washed walls and its blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain; therefore there is much influence from Spanish civilization and architecture. You’ll have the opportunity to meet locals and walk in this beautiful Medina. Overnight in Riad Lina and Spa. (BB)
Day 3: Chefchaouen – Ouazan – Volubilis – Fes:
After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Fes via the town of Ouazzan. After a couple of hours drive arriving in Ouazzan – a beautiful town in the Rif Mountains – you will experience amazing views over the fertile plain of Lukus Valley. Continuing to Volubilis – the well preserved Roman empire dating to 225BC – where you will see the most beautiful mosaics in Morocco, dating back to 3rd century BC. After the visit to this unique site, you will continue to Fes via the countryside. Overnight accommodation at riad in Fes.
Day 5: Fes – Azrou – Midlet – Ziz Valley -Erfoud
After breakfast in your riad, you will leave towards the southeast following the Caravan roads to Merzouga. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at the Cedar forest, the largest one in Morocco, over the Middle Atlas Mountains– where you may well sight Barbarian apes. After lunch in Midelt, you will continue through the large open high desert, and notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. Your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, famous for date cultivation. This area is the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling royal family in Morocco. You’ll arrive at Erfoud at the end of the afternoon – to be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your riad Tizimi. Half-Board (HB).
Day 05: Exploring Fes:
After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring Fes the “the Sprititual City of Morocco”. You will spend the whole morning exploring the Medina and its alleys; visiting most of the sites with cultural and historical interest – including the famous Al Karaouine Mosque and University (the oldest in the world), the Medrasa Bouanania, the Tanneries and the Najjarine fountain. After lunch, we will drive you outside the Median to see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, and then visit the pottery cooperative. In the afternoon, we will drive you to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight accommodation at riad El Yacout, riad Salam or similar. (BB).
Day 6: Merzouga area and the Camel trek
After breakfast in the riad you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people – originally slaves brought from Sudan -to experience their music and lifestyle. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations. You may also visit the souk in Rissani , a traditional town which was the origin of the ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Timbuctou in Mali. Here you will see a lot of men hooded and women veiled. Back to the village of Merzouga for some rest, in the afternoon you will mount your camel, guided by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand-sea of Merzouga. Overnight will be at our desert camp, where you will have your dinner. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with western bathrooms. (HB).
Day 7: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges (260km):
Early in the morning, your camel guide will wake you up to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. After breakfast at the camp you will trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in your riad, you’ll leave for Rissani , Tinghir, and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be in a fancy hotel overlooking the Dades valley. Hotel Xaluca or Jnane Tiouira. (HB).
Day 8: Dades Valley – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n’Ttichka Pass – Marrakech:
After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat Mgouna, “the rose city”, to purchase rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech. Ksar Anika/riad Princess du desert. (BB).
Day 9: Exploring Marrakech:
After breakfast in the riad, you will enjoy a morning guided tour of Marrakech “the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see all the sites with historical and cultural interest, including the Koutoubia Menaret; the Saadian tombs; the beautiful Palace of Bahia and the Ben Youssef Coranic School. Finally, end the morning by walking through the medina alleys -getting a chance to admire all of the different artisans performing their crafts before arriving at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square. Lunch at a restaurant near the square, and then in the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, and have a short tour at Gueliz -the new city of Marrakech. After dinner you will have the option to walk through the square entertained by magicians, story-tellers, tooth-pullers and food sellers. Overnight accommodation will be in your riad as above. (BB).
Day 10: Day trip to Essaouira:
After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to the coastal city of Essaouira. Getting there after about a 2 and a half hour drive to start exploring the city. You’ll visit the Skala Fortress; see Thuya wood carved by artisans; walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of handicrafts. This “City of the Wind” attracts surfers from all over the world. Essaouira knew many civilisations – including the Portuguese occupation, which affects much of its architecture – however, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantic”. You will also visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil. Here they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Lunch will be done the Moroccan way – fresh fish “cooked in order” at the fish market. In the afternoon you will travel back to Marrakech. Overnight at riad Ksar Anika. (BB).
Day 11 : Marrakech – Casablanca Airport:
After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure flight. Your tour ends at the airport. After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure.
