Essential Morocco

Day 1 Casablanca or Tangier

Welcome to Casablanca, the most colourful and cosmopolitan metropolis in the Northern Africa. This evening i will brief you about the next days of our journey. Optional dinner is available to get to know your travel mates better. Overnight stay in Casablanca.

Day 2 Casablanca, Rabat, Fes

After breakfast we’ll start to discover this unique city. We’ll visit the United Nations Square, the Anfa Residential Quarter and the impressive Mosque of Hassan II. Then we will head our way to Rabat, set in a rich, amber-coloured landscape combining the ancient history with the modern Moroccon culture. After visiting the Royal Palace, Chellah Ruins, Hassan Tower, Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Oudayas Gardens, we’ll depart for Fes, where we’ll stay overnight.

Day 3 Fes

Today we’ll explore the oldest imperial city of Morrocco with more than 10.000 tiny streets offering the largest “medina” (old city) and souks in the world. The Bab Boujloud Gate, Bou Inania Medersa, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, Andalusian and Quaraouiyine Mosque, Najjarine Square and the Spices Market, Atarine Medersa, the surroundings of Karaouine Medina and Mellah will be the sites visited today. If our schedule allows, we'll also visit the local leather and ceramic manufacturers in Fes and learn about these traditional arts. Overnight stay in Fes.

Day 4 Fes, Midelt, Erfoud

After breakfast we’ll depart for Midelt passing through the Atlas mountains. Midelt is an impressive mountain city at 1488 meters of altitude, remarkably situated down the jbel Ayachi (3737 m). In the afternoon we’ll continue to Erfoud via the canyon of Ziz and the lake of the retaining reservoir Hassan Addakhil. Later we’ll arrive in Erfoud, the city situated at the gates of Tafilalet. Overnight stay in Erfoud.

Day 5 Erfoud, Tineghir, Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate

Early in the morning excursion to Merzouga dunes before departing for Ouarzazate. After breakfast we’ll depart for Tineghir by passing through the breathtaking desert landscape and Oasis with its fantastic palmgroves. In Tineghir we'll find the opportunity to visit a barber carpet manufacturer before proceeding to Todra Gorges, the narrow canyon where 300 meters high cliffs drop to the riverbed below. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Ouarzazate, the city famous for its handicrafts, nature, narrow streets and the marvellous surrounding kasbahs.

Day 6 Ouarzazate, Marrakech

Today we’ll first discover Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most authentic and well maintained villages in the region of Atlas. Then we’ll proceed to Marrakech via the High Atlas mountain and 2700 meters high Tizi n Tichka pass offering magnificent views and a unique landscape. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Marrakech and start to explore this fascinating city. Marrakech is the point where the Arab culture of the cities meets the Berber culture of the mountain villages; where the weary sub-Saharan traders (carrying gold, salt and slaves) would ply their wares to the merchants who would then bring them to Europe. Today we will visit Djemaa el Fna Square full with story tellers, snake charmers, acrobats, musicians, folklore dancers. Overnight stay in Marrakech.

Day 7 Marrakech

Framed by the snowy heights of the Atlas, with rose-coloured ramparts and a thousand year old palm grove, Marrakech casts a magic spell. After breakfast we’ll start to discover the spell of Marrakech : Menara Gardens, Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tumbs, Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Museum will be the sights visited. Afternoon free to explore additional sites of this unique city.

Day 8 Marrakech, Casablanca

Early in the morning we’ll depart for Casablanca where our journey will end at around 12:00 noon.