ITINERARY
Day 1: Departure Day
- Fly from departure city to Casablanca.
Day 2: Arrive - Casablanca
- Welcome to Morocco! Considered the "Jewel of North Africa," it is so rich with heritage that it has attracted seekers of the exotic over the centuries. You will be met upon arrival at Casablanca airport, transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel accommodation in Casablanca - 1 night
Day 3: Casablanca / Fez
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- After a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, depart for the capital, Rabat, to see the mausoleum of king Mohammed V and the Royal Palace. Now on to one of the kingdom's imperial cities, Meknes; dating back to the 11th century, its surroundings remain unchanged for centuries. Make a rare highlight visit inside the mosque and see Bab el-Mansour gateway before driving to Fez.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel accommodation in Fez - 2 nights
Day 4: Fez
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- A day packed with fantastic sights and smells as you tour this carefully preserved mediaeval university city, which had its golden age in the 14th century during the reign of the Merinides dynasty. Visit the medina of Fez and walk through its old streets. See one of the oldest universities in the world, taking time to haggle in the bazaar and see Moroccan pottery being handmade.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Fez / Erfroud
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- Leave the bustle of Fez behind and head for the spectacular snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane before reaching the cedar forests of Azrou. Travel through the magnificent Ziz gorges, past palm fringed towns to Errachidia, built by the French at this important crossroad. Your final destination is Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Efroud / Ouarzazate
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- This morning we have the possible option of riding camels to the dunes outside town to see the glorious daybreak in the Sahara. Later, drive to the oasis of Tinehir, noted for its silver and jewellery workshops. Take a detour to explore the Todra Gorge Â? the Grand Canyon of the Sahara. At Boumalne Dades, we will see the dry rugged Dades Valley dotted with oases of figs, olives, date palms and with castellated mud houses hugging the slopes. The day concludes at Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars being filmed here.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel accommodation in Ouarzazate - 1 night
Day 7: Ouarzazate / Marrakesh
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- On route to Marrakesh we will stop at the village of Aït Benhaddou, which boasts one of Morocco's finest kasbahs. Continue via the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass across the Atlas Mountains, before descending past Berber mountain villages, dense woods and green fields to the ochre-coloured city of Marrakesh.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel accommodation in Marrakesh - 2 nights
Day 8: Marrakesh
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- Sightseeing includes an exploration of the fascinating medina (Old Town), the koutoubia mosque whose minaret dominates the Marrakesh skyline, and a visit to the secluded tombs of the Saadi dynasty, hidden behind high walls. After some time to watch the dancers, storytellers and acrobats at the bustling Djemaa El-Fna square, take a scenic drive south of Marrakesh to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Visit a Moroccan family home to witness a traditional mint tea preparation ceremony before returning to your hotel. The evening is free to experience magical Djemaa El-Fna square with its multitude of sights, smells and sounds.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Marrakesh / Casablanca
- Breakfast at your accommodation.
- Heading towards the Atlantic coast, we say goodbye to the snake charmers of Marrakesh and drive to Casablanca. Casablanca offers a unique insight into modern Morocco. In many ways, it represents the hopes and dreams of the country. Spend your last afternoon at leisure, enjoying this vibrant city at your own pace.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Moderate hotel accommodation in Casablanca - 1 night
Day 10: Departure Day
- Fly from Casablanca to home city.
