A magical tour exploring history and culture
A fantastic tour to experience what Morocco offers in 15 days
Casablanca is the largest and most cosmopolitan and contemporary of all the cities in Morocco. It is also the business and economic centre. After you have been transferred from Mohammed V airport to your hotel, you have the option to visit Hassan 11 mosque the third largest mosque in the world and the tallest minaret. If time permits you can also walk the corniche along the foreshore . Overnight in hotel
Today we leave for Chefchaouan via the capital, Rabat. In Rabat we will visit the mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V. The building is considered a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture. Near by is the unfinished Hassan Tower begun in 1195. We then continue on to Chefchaouan and check into our guesthouse
Chefchaouan is known as the blue pearl of Morocco, because of the many blue painted buildings. Nestle in the foot of the Rif mountains, the city is easy to explore and offers many views to the surrounding mountains
Travelling to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber and Roman city that dates back to the 3rd century BC ,and commonly considered as the ancient capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. You will be given a guided tour of these fascinating ruins . After we will take a short visit to the smallest of the Imperial cities, Meknes, famous for it’s magnificent blue gate in the city wall before continuing on to Fes Overnight at a Riad
Today you will have a guided city tour, visiting the ceramics works, leather works, and many historical buildings. Fes has some fine examples of Moorish architecture.
An early start to leave for the Sahara. We will travel over the Atlas , through cedar forests, before descending on to the Sahara plains. In Merzouga you will meet your camels that will take you to the luxury desert camp where you can enjoy fine dining and berber music under the desert stars
After an early rise to watch the sun appear over the horizon you will return to the hotel in Merzouga. Today you can can take a 4X4 tour of the desert to visit a nomad camp and attend a little concert of Gnaoua music .
We leave Merzouga for the spectacular Dades Gorges, a series of rugged gorges carved out by the Dades River. Some of the walls rise as high as 500m. Overnight in hotel.
In Ait Ben Haddou we will take a tour around the ancient fortified city which is situated on the old Caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and has been the backdrop for many movies that include, Gladiator, Jewel of the Nile and Lawrence of Arabia.
Todays drive back to Marrakech involves travelling over the High Atlas on the Tizi N’ Tichka pass. Its highest point is 2260m giving spectacular views of the High Atlas vista . There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos . Overnight in Riad
Enjoy a guided city tour then the rest of your day is free
Today we travel to the city of Essaouira, a fishing port on the Atlantic coast. Essaouria a stunning city with a fortified medina that is perfectly suited for rambling. The still operational port is perfect for wandering, watching and having a seafood lunch at one of the many fish grilles set up near the wharf. Most of the old fort and ramparts date back to the 18th century and the cannons are still there in situ . The medina, souqs, ramparts, port and beach are all within easy accessible distance from each other. Essaouira’s other claim to fame is it’s one of the locations for the series Game of Thrones. Overnight in Riad
Another leisurely day in Essaouira before returning to Marrakech in the evening
A free day for you. But we are more than happy to give you some ideas of activities if you wish
Tonight we will share a final dinner together.