We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will have a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the greatest monuments in the Islamic world, which features the world’s tallest minaret and is the only functioning mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. After our tour we will leave for Rabat, the diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco. We’ll briefly introduce you to some of the city’s most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, before taking you to your riad or hotel to get settled in. We will spend the night in Rabat.
After breakfast we will begin our journey into the mountains, stopping along the way in Rabat and admiring the beautiful Atlantic coastline during lunch. We will then continue to Chefchaouen, as we ascend towards the towering Rif Mountains, a dramatic entrance to the vibrant blue colored city of Chefchaouen, set like a sapphire stone among the jagged mountain peaks. Once you’ve settled into the Riad for the night, you’ll have some time to wander the medina’s blue-and-white walls and explore the unique local craft markets. With a unique aesthetic framed by an unforgettable view in the mountains, Chefchaouen is a unique destination for photographers. In the evening you can enjoy a traditional meal on one of the hotel’s 3 panoramic terraces before relaxing under the crystal clear Moroccan night sky.
After breakfast we will continue our journey to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman city features detailed and beautiful mosaics that will give you a unique perspective on Morocco’s ancient history. We will also visit the nearby town of Moulay Idriss, where Moulay Idriss I, who brought Islam to Morocco, is buried. Moulay Idriss is considered the holiest city in Morocco. From Moulay Idriss we will continue to Meknes, often called the “Versailles of Morocco” due to the grandeur and complexity of its buildings and monuments. We will take time to explore its highlights including the impressive Bab Mansour Gate, the old Medina and the shrine of Moulay Ismail. From Meknes we will continue to Fes where we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.
After breakfast at the hotel, our accredited local guide will take you on a walking tour of the medina of Fes. Step back in time as you wander the labyrinth of winding alleyways: donkeys and mules pass through the narrow streets, savor the aromas of the market stalls where countless spices and perfumes are traded, and explore the tanneries where men treat leather using centuries-old techniques. We will conclude the day with a dinner in one of the many local restaurants in the medina, then settle down for the evening at the hotel.
We continue our journey from Fes to Ifrane, through hills covered with forests of cork oaks and giant cedars, where some Berber monkeys still live. Crossing the Middle and High Atlas ranges, we will get our first glimpse of the unique architectural style of Southern Morocco and stop for lunch with breathtaking views of the spectacular High Atlas peaks rising behind the city of Midelt. As we descend into the desert plains, the view changes from dramatic mountain peaks to a vast oasis dotted with countless Ksours (fortified villages), which then give way to a vast stony plain that marks the borders of the Sahara. As the midday sun goes down, we’ll mount our camels and trek across the pink sands of the Moroccan Sahara; here we will have plenty of free time to explore and admire the beauty and vastness of the desert dunes. Once the sun has set, a Moroccan dinner will be served accompanied by live music around the fire, after which you are free to explore again, this time in the company of a million stars exploding against the pitch-black sky and all-encompassing silence of the Sahara at night.
At your request, our staff will wake you up at the crack of dawn to witness the desert sunrise show, the color of the sand contrasting beautifully with the palette of shadows on the dunes. After a light breakfast and tea, we’ll retrace the camels through the desert to the Kasbah for refreshments before the return journey west to the Todra Gorge, known as ‘Morocco’s Grand Canyon’. We will have lunch here and walk along the valley to admire the view. From there, we continue to Ouarzazate, a bustling southern city often referred to as ‘The Hollywood of Morocco’ due to the many famous films shot on site such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as several seasons of the hit show, Game of Thrones. Here we will explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the backdrop for many films and shows filmed on site.
After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing by fields cultivated by Berber women and admiring beautiful views of the Atlas Mountains. Our journey will continue to Ouarzazate, going off-road along the track to visit the Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. From here, we will continue through the Rose Valley, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and pass the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” at the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate. In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the Kasbah of Taouirirt and the film museum before continuing to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as “Gladiator”, “Indiana Jones” and “Lawrence of Arabia”. You will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers spectacular views over the village and surrounding countryside. You may even want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to better understand their way of life. In the afternoon you will drive north through the High Atlas Mountains. The road, completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936, winds over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and offers stunning mountain views before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech evokes a scenario from the Arabian Nights: alleys, souks and stalls. This extraordinary city, with the graceful architecture of the famous 11th-century Koutoubia minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of its visitors. We will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which an expert local guide will lead you through Marrakech’s maze of winding alleyways, hidden gardens and secret souks. You will continue to Djemaa el Fna, the main cultural space of Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen soaring into the sky. In the evening this square is overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. After your tour you’ll have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether it’s pampering yourself at a local spa with a massage or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night in our hotel in Marrakech.
Marrakech is a city full of flavors with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern comforts. In the morning, you might want to try a Moroccan hammam or spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart through the city. Whatever it is, our guide is at your service to help you with tips, information and arrangements. In the afternoon we will return to Casablanca where we will have plenty of time to relax and settle in for the night.
As we say goodbye, we will help you with all departure formalities and arrange your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your trip with us and we hope to see you again soon.
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