DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1, Monday - Casablanca/Rabat
Early afternoon arrive in Casablanca. You are greeted by our local
guide and will enjoy your first sights of Morocco by driving along the
Atlantic coastline to Rabat, capital of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Rabat is a pleasant capital city with a strong European feel. The 12th
century Kasbah Oudaias is a reminder of the city's long history. It is a
world of narrow streets with whitewashed buildings and blue painted
woodwork. Its main gate, the Bab Oudaia, is a beautiful example of true
Moorish design.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel to rest.
L/D Hotel Farah
Day 2, Tuesday - Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Fes
Morning visit the palace museum and Chellah Necropolis.
Located south of the city, near the palace is one of Rabat's more
interesting attractions, the Chellah Necropolis. The Chellah itself is a
massive building known as the Sanctuary. It is a tomb that contains the
remains of several members of Moroccan Royalty. Behind the main gates
with their gothic turrets are two sets of ruins long abandoned, and
dating from the beginning of the Millennium, the last Millennium. The
first partially excavated one is of the Arab town site, beyond which
heading toward the river are the older Roman ruins. A series of
elaborate gardens wind their way down along terraces to the river.
Afternoon visit to Meknes, former Imperial city built at the end of the 17th
century by King Moulay Ismael. Your sightseeing includes the Old
ramparts, the Moulay Ismael stables, Granaries and House of Water, Bab
El Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, and the Moulay
Ismael Mausoleum.
Also visit the ancient town of Volubilis with its magnificent Roman ruins, the most important archaeological site in Morocco.
Drive on to Fes in early evening. Dinner and overnight.
B/L/D Fes Merinides Hotel
Day 3, Wednesday - Fes
The whole day will be devoted to an in-depth visit of Fes, which dates
back to the 9th century. You will walk through the city’s Medina with
its small winding and paved alleys. Visit the old coranic Bou Inania
Merdersa, the Quaraouyine Mosque, the Shrine of Moulay Idriss II,
founder of the city, Nejjarine and Seffarine squares and the huge doors
of the Royal Palace.
B/L/D Fes Merinides Hotel
Day 4, Thursday - Fes/Ifrane/Merzouga Desert
In the morning, cross the Middle Atlas mountains en route to Merzouga
for a two-night camping experience by the sand dunes of Sahara. Cross
the Middle Atlas mountains, pass the lake of Azrou, and the Ifrane ski
resort in the heart of a cedar forest, continue onto the town of Erfoud.
Drive by 4x4 safari jeep towards the sand dunes of Merzouga in time to
attend one of the most magnificent sunsets in the world. Spend two
nights under nomadic tents.
B/L/D Nomad Palace / Camping
Day 5, Friday - Merzouga Desert
Visit some local villages in the desert, enjoy the singing and dancing
around the campfire in the evening or take a picture of the moon rising
over the sand dunes. Today could be the highlight of your journey!
B/L/D Nomad Palace / Camping
Day 6, Saturday - Merzouga/Boumalne du Dades
Travel through fertile valleys, rolling hills, long stretches of
verdant pasture land and typical Moroccan villages, where you will
arrive at the Todra Gorge, a spectacular chasm of curious rock
formations dramatically lit by shafts of afternoon sunlight. A
crystal-clear river runs through the magnificent mountainside dotted
with Berber settlements, surrounding a Palmerie. The nomadic blue-robed
Tuaregs, who are known as the "Blue People" for the indigo dye of their
robes that sometimes tinges their skin blue, are sometimes seen
traveling this route with their camels. We will have lunch in the gorge.
Afterwards travel to Boumalne du Dades where you can relax to wonderful
views of the sun setting over the Dades Valley.
B/L/D Kasbah Tizzarouine
Day 7, Sunday - Boumalne du Dades/Ouarzazate
Morning visit to the magnificent Dades Gorge and its soaring columns of
rock walls. Later travel to Ouarzazate. You’ll stop for photo time at
the Ait Ben Haddou village, famous for its spectacular kasbahs. Also
visit Ouarzazate’s famous film studio.
B/L/D Hotel Berber Palace
Day 8, Monday - Ouarzazate/Taroudant
Drive to
Taroudant, a fascinating city immediately south of the High Atlas, which
contains one of the most unique accommodations in Morocco: Palais Salam
is a former palace that was converted into a hotel. Built around a
series of gardens, courtyards and fountains, this is a truly charming
place to unwind and relax.
Taroudant has two souks: an Arab souk,
which is especially known for its jewelry and African limestone
sculptures, and a Berber market with fresh vegetables and exotic spices.
Taroudant is quite a good place for shopping. The prices are generally
lower than those in Marrakech, the storeowners more relaxed and it is
easy to bargain.
B/L/D Hotel Palais Salam
Day 9, Tuesday - Taroudant/Essaouira
Drive along the Atlantic Coast to discover the magic town of Essaouira.
Built on a rocky peninsula, the former city of Mogador located 175 km
from Marrakech will take your breath away… elegant architecture, a
quality local crafts industry and peaceful atmosphere…
The town
itself focuses around the old fortified harbour where you can taste
grilled sardines fresh from the boats. Woodcarving is famous in this
area and the town also has a lovely old souk to explore. The beach is a
huge crescent of sand enclosing the more modern part of the town. The
beach can get quite windy at times and so is popular for windsurfing but
is also lovely for long walks in and around the town.
B/L/D Sofitel Essaouira Mogador
Day 10, Wednesday - Essaouira/Marrakech
Morning continue on to Marrakech.
Morocco’s second oldest majestic Imperial City, Marrakech retains all
the splendur of its ancient past. Buildings are blushed in hues of rosy
earth, and horse-drawn carriages clip along broad avenues lined with
palm, lime and orange trees in this oasis city. Donkeys carrying carts
trawl past fragrant gardens of roses, honeysuckle and jasmine.
Explore
the ancient Bahia Palace from the days of the harem, now populated by a
sentry of nesting storks, and enter the ancient royal Saadian Tombs.
You will spend three nights in this fascinating city.
B/L/D Hotel Es Saadi
Day 11, Thursday - Marrakech
You
will enjoy a full day sightseeing of Marrakech: in the morning the
historical monuments; the Koutoubia Mosque; the Bahia Palace; and the
beautiful Saadian Tombs.
In the afternoon discover the exciting
labyrinths of the famous souks with their numerous tiny little shops
bustling with activity and Djemaa El Fna square with its medieval open
air entertainment, story tellers, snake charmers, musicians and so much
more. Lunch in the hotel.
At night delight in a special dinner event,
Fantasia, and bear witness to a magical display of Arabian Nights
filled with belly dancing, folkloric troupes, and stately Arabian steeds
charging in dynastic battles as of yore.
B/L/D Hotel Es Saadi
Day 12, Friday - Marrakech
You will have some leisure time to shop, or, just simply wander around
in the heart of the old city’s famed square, Djemaa El Fna, where
delectable fare is grilled over coals in bustling torch-lit open-air
markets.
Explore the vibrant and historic Jewish mellah where some
of the best jewellry is found in Morocco, and view the majestic
Koutoubia Mosque before you enter the 9th century walled medina.
Optional: visit the amazing Kasbah Agafay in the suburb of Marrakech. For those that dream of escaping to an 18th
century castle fort for an unique retreat, you may like to choose a
cooking class to learn the authentic way to cook using spices and
combining Mediterranean flavours, or experience the spa with a
traditional Turkish bath…
B/D Hotel Es Saadi
Day 13, Saturday - Marrakech/Casablanca
Drive onto Casablanca.
The completely modern city of Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial centre,
bears little resemblance to its famous movie namesake. (In fact, no
scenes for the famous film were even filmed here!) Like any other major
city in the world, Casablanca is filled with bustle and energy, and most
flights in and out of Morocco travel through its busy airport. Visit
the famous Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, and one of
the few mosques open to non-Muslims in the country. It is one of
Morocco’s most extraordinarily beautiful statements to faith. The United
Nations Square and the Court House are also included in your
sightseeing.
Farewell dinner.
B/L/D Hotel Kenzi Basma
Day 14, Sunday - Casablanca/home city
At leisure before being tranferred to airport for your flight home.
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