Discover what Morocco offers in a deep tour inside and through the main imperial cities and traditional villages and towns, drive through the jaw-dropping landscapes in the mountains and the plains, enjoy the Nomad life in the desert tent and adore the sunset and sunrise in the sandy dunes. Meet the locals and wander through the old alleys and souks. Join the 9 days that will introduce you to Morocco.
• Casablanca airport arrival – Transfer to Rabat Hotel
• Meeting with the team who will offer more details about your trip
Time to explore Rabat! Take a journey back in history in a city that still preserves the memories of Phoenicians, the Carthage, the Romans, and the first Arab Muslims who arrived in Morocco. In Chellah, or Sala, all of those civilizations lived and ruled once there. See the minaret and the ancient Merinid Tombs and enjoy the fascinating view of Bou Regreg. Hassan Tower is another monument that makes you delve in history of Moroccan architecture and art. We walk the Kasbah of the Udayas narrow alleys and old buildings; feel the ancient life inside those paths and revive those who once occupied those spots. From there to the Old Medina, enjoy the traditional life of the city of Rabat; the old touch in design and decoration of houses, the locals, old and beautiful shops that sell traditional antiques, spices, cloths, and souvenirs.
Not far from Hassan Tower lies the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, where the first post-independence king of Morocco, along with his two songs, Hassan II and Prince Abdullah, were buried. The mausoleum can be visited by non-Muslims.
The royal Palace is another place that is worth your time. Though it is not possible to get inside, you still have the opportunity to see it from the square around and grasp an image of the royal edifice and imagine the life within. If you are a green-space lover, the Andalusian Gardens is a great place to pass by. The garden is a home for many types of plants and trees and offer a peaceful and relaxing moment.
In the evening we take the road to Meknes where we spend the night
Meknes is one of the imperial cities of Morocco and one considered as a UNESCO world heritage. Once played the role of the capital of Morocco, Meknes is full of history and monuments.
Visit Jamai Museum, where Moroccan colorful artifacts and decorated hand-made tools and leather products are displayed.
We head to Mausoleum Molay Ismail, a historical burial complex where Molay Ismail was buried. From there we get to Bab Mansour Gate, one of the most magnificent decorated and carefully designed gates in ancient Morocco. We then take a walk through the old city and its narrow paths, traditional shops, and get to know the traditional Meknes.
Another historical site in Meknes that we will visit is Habs Qara, or Qara Prison in English. Founded during the era of the Sultan Molay Ismail, Habs Qara was transformed into a store house after his demise. The building and its cells still stand to the present day.
We drive to the archeological site of Volubilis. Served once as the capital of the Kingdom of Mauritania and later as an outpost for the Roman empire, Volubilis was founded in 3rd century B.C. have your time exploring the remnants and ruins.
We end our day in the city of Fes.
Fes is the spiritual city of Morocco and served as the capital several times in history. Fes is the best, alongside with Marrakech, when it comes to historical richness, old medina and preserved traditions. We begin our exploration by walking through the ancient Fes, or Fes El Bali as it is called by the locals. Fes El Bali encompasses the oldest pars of the city and is home for the Jewish Quarter, known as Mellah, the Quarawiyyin University, the first university in the world. Walk past the colorful houses and shops, visit the Al-Attarine quarter and school and acquaint yourself with the traditional perfume industry, spices, leather production and refining, traditional markets where artifacts, souvenirs, and all traditional products are sold.
Test the traditional food and drinks when we stop for lunch in local restaurants.
Enjoy a unique panorama from the hill that holds Bour Al-Shamal, the military fort built in the 16th century by Saadi dynasty. The tower offers a great view of the whole of Fes El Bali. We will pay a visit to the Arms Museum if you like. Not far atop lies the remnants of the Merinid tombs.
We spend the night in Fes
Say goodbye to Fes and get ready to dive into the realm of the Moroccan desert, and before that, live a driving trip through the mountains, valleys, and forests. The road in itself is magic!
We pack up early in the morning and take the road southward towards Merzouga desert. Pass by Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco as locals prefer to call it. From there to Merzouga, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and diversity of the Middle Atlas. After Ifrane, we head to Azrou, and between them lies the Cèdre Gouraud Forest, named after the French general Henri Gouruad, where the Barbary apes live. With a little luck you may get the chance to see them along the way.
Further south, we pass by many Berber villages on the way to Midelt, famous for Apple trees and minerals, where we have lunch. Then we follow through the Ziz Valley and have a stop to see the Ziz Gorges and take pictures. We continue our way towards Merzouga, where we spend the night.
On arrival to Merzouga, camel riding trip is waiting for you to explore the Erg Chebbi dunes and the sunset on a camel back.
We spend the night in a tent with local music, set fire and have dinner. You will get the chance to live a moment like a local nomad and watch the clear starry sky which is often an impossible view in modern cities.
Wake up early in the morning before sunrise in order not to miss the chance to see the sunrise on the dunes, it is a lovely experience!
After breakfast, we take an exploration drive of Merzouga desert, and visit some villages like Khamliya.
Early in the afternoon, we head to Dades. We have a stop in Tinghir, a Berber town where Berber culture of the south is crystal clear. We visit the local shops for traditional Berber carpets, homemade tools and cloths. Visit the Todgha Gorges and enjoy the view of the two adjacent mountains that create a path beneath with a river flowing between them.
Another magnificent mountain view is the Dades Gorges which we visit and cruise up the hills to pick the best panorama view of the Gorges from the top.
We spend the night in a Riad in Dades.
In the morning, we drive toward Marrakech through the middle Atlas and the High Atlas.
Our first stop will be Kalaa Mgouna, a few kms from Dades. The town is known for growing and producing roses and rose’s cosmetic products. It hosts the Festival of Roses.
On the road to Ouarzazate, we pass by several Kasbahs (traditional castles), drive along the Valley of Dades, and the small fields.
In Ouarzazate, we visit Kasbah Taourirt, a historical residential complex built in the 17th century by Imzwarn, a powerful family, and expanded by Glaoui in the 19th century. Then we render a visit to the Cinema Museum.
We begin our climbing of the High Atlas by a stop in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO heritage site in the foothills of the Grand Atlas. We have lunch there. Then we follow on our climbing trip through Tizi nTichka, with its panoramic views, diverse geographical and cultural aspects. We make stops to take close look at its panorama and visit Argan cooperatives to see how Argan products are traditionally extracted.
We arrive at Marrakech in the afternoon. Time to rest in your hotel. You will have a free time until the following day. You can go out on a free walk in the old Medina and enjoy your night or perhaps have dinner outside.
Marrakech is the top tourist destination in Morocco, both for foreigners and Moroccans alike. Stretch back in history with the early Almoravid founders in the 11th century who made it the capital and built the ancient wall surrounding the nowadays old medina, Marrakech is a city that still preserves a huge part of Moroccan medieval history.
You will have a guided tour through what Marrakech offers; the historical sites of Koutoubia, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, Dar Si Said Museum, and Saadi Tombs. Walk through the narrow pathways and alleys of the old medina, typical architecture for many old cities in Morocco. Enjoy the traditional souks and products, and meet the indigenous locals. The locals are much known for their hospitality and the sense of humor.
You have lunch in your Riad, a traditional Marrakchi meal, or you can have your meal outside in a traditional restaurant of your choice.
The afternoon is free. Take the opportunity to walk through the old Medina by your own. It is completely safe and difficult to lose your track because you have a plenty of direction marks everywhere. In case you get lost, which is rare, ask anyone and they would happily show you the way.
The Jamaa El Fana Square is a spot that you don’t want to miss especially during the night. The square becomes beautifully crowded with visitors from all nationalities. There you find groups forming circles for tales telling, traditional songs, comedy, acrobatic shows, and many more. You would spend a lovely night in spot full of beans.
Night in the Riad
A delicious farewell breakfast to thank you for the time you spend with us. We say goodbye while on the transfer to the airport, either in Marrakech of Casablanca.
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