16-day tour from Casablanca

After breakfast in the hotel, we begin our journey to Rabat to see the Hassan Tower. This 44m tower is Rabat’s most prominent landmark. On the same grounds we will see the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Oudaias Kasbah. After Rabat we will continue to Asilah. Asilah is known for its annual festival of the arts – most of the walls of the Medina are painted by famous artists from all over the world. Our day ends with a drive to Chefchaouen where you will spend the night. Chefchaouen, Morocco’s majestic blue city is a must-see for tourists. Known for its charming medina and local handicrafts, you will have the evening to experience all the city has to offer.

Day 3 : Free day in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, Morocco’s majestic blue city is a must-see for tourists.Known for its charming medina and local handicrafts, you will have the rest of the day to experience all the city has to offer. Chefchauoen is famous for its smooth and creamy goat cheese and excellent local fare so make sure you leave room for a tasty lunch and dinner. You will spend the night in Chefchaouen.

Day 4 : Chefchaouen – Vlubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast at your hotel, we begin our journey with a drive to Volubilis. The ancient capital of the Roman-Berber kingdom of Mauritania, Volubilis is an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire. Our tour begins with a visit to this UNESCO world heritage site. After visiting Volubilis, the tour continues to Meknes, the former capital city of Morocco and an imperial city known for its Spanish-Moorish style architecture. Next we drive to Fes where you will spend the night.

Day 5 : Explore Fes

On this day you will explore Fes. Fes is one of the largest cities in Morocco with a rich and storied history. You will certainly want to explore the medina (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and wander the streets of what is believed to be the world’s largest urban pedestrian zone. We will show you the best parts of this city.

Day 6 : Fes – Ifrane – Azrou cedar forest – Midelt

After breakfast in your riad we will start our day. The first stop on our journey will be in Ifrane, known as “Morocco’s Switzerland” because of its chalet type summer homes. Built by the French in 1929 as a cool respite during the hot summer months, this town is known for its gardens and tree lined streets. After Ifrane, we drive to the Azrou cedar forest where you can see monkeys in their natural habitat. Our tour continues through the Middle Atlas mountains to Midelt where we will spend the night.

Day 7 : Midelt – Ziz valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

After breakfast in the hotel, we begin our drive through the High Atlas Mountains, into the Ziz valley with stops for picture taking of the panoramas. We will stop to visit the village of Erfoud, an oasis town known for its fossils. Here, you will have the opportunity to do some unique fossil shopping. Finally we arrive at the Erg-Chebbi dunes with an astounding height of 150 meters and where our camels are waiting. After a picturesque hour long camel ride through the sand dunes, you will arrive at your camp for dinner and enjoy some music by the fireside, under the star and moonlit desert sky. This camp has everything you will need for a cozy night in your tent.

Day 8 : tour around Erg-Chebbi

The next morning you will want to wake up early to enjoy the magical sunrise among the sand dunes. After breakfast we will start our tour around the Erg-Chebbi area with a visit to a nomad family and then on to Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet and the home of one of the oldest markets in Morocco. We will visit this ancient souk, where visitors can still experience the true mystique of Morocco. Our tour continues with a visit to the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, third great-grandfather of Moulay Cherif, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco. After Rissani we will drive back to Merzouga to have lunch in a small village called Khamlia. In this village you can enjoy Gnaoua music, a traditional North African Music. At the end of the day we will drive you to your hotel or back to your camp to spend a second night in the desert.

Day 9 : Merzouga – Erfoud – Todra valley -Dades valley

On your second morning you may choose again to see the sunrise among the sand dunes. After a refreshing shower, you will have breakfast at the camp followed by a camel ride to meet our driver. We begin our drive back to Erfoud and next we are off to a small village called Jorf. In this village you will visit an underground system of irrigation, a marvel of technology from ancient times. After Jorf, we will continue on to Todra valley with its beautiful palm orchards and old Berber-Jewish Kasbahs. We will explore the Todra gorges, a splendid series of 300 m deep, limestone river canyons. After lunch in Todra valley we will continue on our way to Dades valley where you will spend the night in a lovely hotel.

Day 10 : Dades valley (hiking in Dades gorge)

For those adventurous people, today is a 6 hour hike through the dramatic landscape of the Dades gorge. Deep inside the gorge you will see layers of ancient earth revealed in rust red and mauve strata. You will see stunning rock formations that are the remains of eons of springtime water flowing through the valley. This hike will leave you with lasting memories of the rare natural beauty that is Morocco.

Day 11 : Dades valley – Roses valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate

We begin our journey in the morning after breakfast in the hotel. We will have plenty of time to follow the ancient trading route through the Roses valley to the Skoura valley, known as the valley with a thousand kasbahs. Skoura’s historic mud brick kasbahs dot the valley, a testament to the ancient desert traders who made the two month journey across the Sahara. After Skoura we will drive to Ouarzazate to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, the most impressive fortification in Morocco. Then we will take you to your accommodation for the night in Ouarzazate.

Day 12 : Ait Ben-Haddou Kasbah – Telouet Kasbah – Ouzoud

In Ouarzazate, you will explore the ancient streets and earthen buildings. Next we will visit the Atlas Film studio and see where many popular movies have been filmed (Lawrence of Arabia. Patton. The Jewel of the Nile, The Living Daylights, The Mummy, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra etc.). By afternoon we will arrive at the ait Ben-Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most famous and historic places in Morocco. We will drive over the Atlas Mountains via the Tichka pass at the breathtaking altitude of 2260m. Along our trip, there will be plenty of places to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenic vistas. Our day’s journey will end at your accommodation in Ouzoud.

Day 13 : Ouzoud – Marrakech

We start our journey after breakfast with a 3 hour hike to the base of the falls. After working up an appetite, you will dine with a view of the cascades. After a bit of rest and relaxation among the shady olive trees, you complete your circuit back to the top of the falls and we return to your riad. Then we begin our drive to Marrakech.

Day 14 : Explore Marrakech

Marrakesh is possibly the most important of Morocco’s four former imperial cities. Today it is one of the busiest cities in Africa and serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. There is so much to see and do in this city and we will show you the best parts.

Day 15 : Marrakech – Essaouira

After breakfast in the morning, we will begin our 3 hour drive to discover Essaouira, the Portuguese fortress on the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira, known as the city of wind, has retained its traditional culture and character. Here you will have the rest of the day free to explore the old medina and browse the many quaint galleries and boutiques. If you choose there are many restaurants where you can watch the sunset while you enjoy a delicious seafood meal. You will spend the night in Essaouira.

Day 16 : transfer to the airport