This ten-day expedition takes you to see the highlights of Morocco. Learn about Moroccan culture and art and marvel at the diverse landscapes across this incredible country. Visit the imperial cities of Morocco: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Meknes. See the Atlas Mountains, numerous Kasbahs and the Sahara Desert. Accommodation is in 5* hotels on BB or half-board basis with plenty of opportunities to savour the best in traditional Moroccan cuisine, including the spectacular dinner-show Fantasia.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Casablanca: Enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city and admire the magnificent Hassan II Mosque
Meknes: Behold the ancient city gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis and the granaries of Moulay Ismail
Fes: See the magnificent Moulay Idriss Zaouia, Medina; explore the historic alleys and artisanal quarter.
Erfoud: Ascend high into the Atlas, discovering ski resorts, former French colonial outposts and bustling market towns en route to this oasis in the Sahara
Merzouga: The best place to take a big breath around the highest dunes in Morocco and experience a nomadic life in VIP Bivouac
Tinghir: Discover desert oases and enjoy lunch in the dramatic surroundings of the Todra Gorge
Ouarzazate: Visit the fortified village of Kelaat M'Gouna as well as the Taourirt kasbah in Ouarzazate itself
Ait Benhaddou: Home to one of the most famous kasbahs of all, as it has been used as a location for dozens of Hollywood movies
Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace, Majorelle garden and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market
Day 1: ARRIVAL MARRAKECH
After landing at Marrakech Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our team who will be waiting outside the airport, in front of the Arrivals exit, holding a sign with your name on it. Please do not leave the pick-up area without having met the agent/driver first. Then hop onto the transfer to your hotel, where you’ll check in, have dinner and spend the night.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 2: MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA (250 kms – 3hrs)
Bid farewell to Marrakech for now after breakfast at the hotel and depart for Casablanca, a city whose name evokes Hollywood glamour but is in fact the kingdom’s commercial powerhouse. Discover the charms of this cosmopolitan coastal capital, seeing the central market, the Habous district, the Royal Palace, Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa, the majestic Hassan II Mosque by the sea (exterior visit) and the Corniche of Casablanca. Along the way, admire the city’s architecture and original Art-deco facades, such as those on the Sacré Coeur Church, Notre Dame de Lourdes or the Justice Palace. Then spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the city at your own rhythm.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 3: CASABLANCA – RABAT (90 kms – 1hr)
Take to the road after breakfast at the hotel and follow the Atlantic coastline north towards the capital, Rabat. Once there, enjoy a guided panoramic tour of the city and set eyes upon the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower before wandering through the Kasbah of the Oudayas to the explore its famous gardens. You can make an optional stop for lunch before going on to spend the remainder of the day in Rabat at leisure.
Overnight in Rabat.
Day 4: RABAT – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FES (280 kms – 4.5 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, take the road to Meknes, the former imperial capital during the reign of Moulay Ismail in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Such was the grandeur of the city that he built, that Meknes became known as the ‘City of a Hundred Minarets’ and is today a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. See the imposing city walls and the beautifully decorated gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis, then continue to the vast El Hedhim Square, lose yourself in the winding streets of the Dar El Ma souk, and much more. Continue by passing the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Volubilis as you drive to the holy city of Moulay Idriss, arriving lastly at Fez, where you’ll check in and spend the night.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 5: FES
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by half a day exploring the fascinating city of Fez. Boasting more than 12 centuries of history as well as a medina that has been listed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the oldest university on the planet, Fez is a multifarious city renowned for the splendour of its faded glory. The medina, Fez el Bali, is a vast network of winding alleys hemmed in by ancient walls. Despite being car-free, the bustle, noise, shouting, smell of tanned leather, delicate aroma of oriental perfumes, barbecues, sweet pastry… all create a sense of movement that draws you deep into its soul. Head to the Nejjarrine fountain, where you can detect a hint of cedar coming from the carpenters’ district. The alleys are lined with places of study or prayer such as madrasahs or the magnificent mausoleum of Moulay Idriss Zaouia; the most important saint’s shrine in Morocco.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 6: FEZ – MIDELT – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA (450 kms – 6 hrs)
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, climbing from the 400 metres above sea level of Fez into the Middle Atlas, with altitudes of more than 2,000 metres. Admire the contrasting landscapes of imposing massifs – solid masses with unusual rock formations – and hills covered in dense cedar forests. The route passes along Ifrane, a picturesque ski resort at 1,650 metres, famed for its European-style country cottages with sloped roofs. Pause for lunch (optional) in Midelt, a former French colonial outpost. Then take to the road again in the afternoon, passing through the market town of Er-Rich and the Tizi N'Talghomt pass before arriving in Erfoud. There you’ll climb onto a 4x4 and enjoy a thrilling transfer to the VIP bivouac in Merzouga to experience a nomadic lifestyle, have dinner and spend the night in a VIP tent. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the magical sunset or sunrise sitting on top of the dunes.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Day 7: MERZOUGA – ERFOUD – TINEGHIR – OUARZAZATE (340 km – 5.5 hrs)
Transfer back to Erfoud in the 4x4 after breakfast for a scenic journey to Tineghir and the dramatic Todra Gorge, passing through the oasis of El Jorf – where a large palm grove stands in contrast with the colours of the town’s adobe homes and the sands of the desert – and the market town of Tinejdad. Once in Tineghir, continue to the Todra Gorge, a 15-minute drive north of the town. A small stream still flows through this spectacular canyon, which at times is just 10 metres wide and with steep walls as high as 160 metres. Lunch in Tineghir at a place of your choosing (optional). Depart then for Ouarzazate via the Dade’s Valley, which is also known as the ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’. Make one last stop at the fortified village of Kelaat M'Gouna, a fragrant oasis in the heart of the ‘Valley of Roses’ before arriving to today’s final destination.
Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 8: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH (205 kms – 4hrs)
After breakfast, visit the Taourirt Kasbah, which was one of the bastions of T'hami El Glaoui, the powerful lord of the Atlas during the final decades of French colonial rule. Time permitting, also visit the Tifoultoute Kasbah, located some 10 kilometres away from the town. Head then to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most famous Kasbahs of all, having been used as a location for dozens of Hollywood films. For centuries, this oasis on the banks of the River Oued Ounila was a key hub on the trans-Saharan trade route and that legacy is writ large on the weather-beaten walls of the Kasbah, which is crowned by the ruins of a fortified granary. Wander through this beguiling UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site before enjoying an optional lunch in front of the Kasbah – a magical experience that will linger long in the memory. Continue to Marrakech for check-in and overnight in the hotel.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 9: MARRAKECH
Today you get to enjoy a tour of Marrakech after breakfast at the hotel. Begin by visiting one of the city’s must-sees: the Majorelle garden, the blue paradise of Saint Laurent in Marrakech. Any historical tour of a city is a journey marked by stages reminiscent of its construction: the famous Koutoubia Mosque, everlasting proof of Hispano-Moresque art, with a 70-metre-high minaret; and the Bahia Palace, with its garden lined with orange trees, cypress, jasmine, splendours of cedar tree domes. After lunch (optional), visit the souks and artisanal quarter, an opportunity to admire all the local handicrafts here represented. Extend the pleasure with a magical moment on the legendary Djemaa El-fnaa square, described by UNESCO as a ‘Masterpiece of World Heritage.’ In the evening, we invite you to enjoy the most popular and talked-about night out in Marrakech: the Fantasia dinner show, which combines local cuisine with traditional dancers, music, horsemen and acrobats in a large traditional tent.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 10: DEPARTURE MARRAKECH
After waking up to breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Marrakech Airport at whichever time is most convenient for you to catch your flight to your following destination.
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
