Treasures Of Morocco

Day 1 Casablanca, Morocco – Rabat

Arrive Casablanca; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Chellah Rabat or Similar

Day 2 Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes (140 Miles)

After breakfast, departure to Meknes one of the four Imperial Cities. Meknes was prosperous during the reign of Moulay Ismail. Visit to Bab Mansour, Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum and on to the holy city of Moulay Idriss and the Roman town of Volubilis which was the Western capital of the heavily romanised but semi autonomous Berber kingdom. Continue to Fes, the spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Menzeh Zalagh Hotel or Similar

Day 3 Fes

Fes, founded on 807 AD is considered the most complete medieval city in the Arab world. Modersas (coranic schools) like the Karaouine which is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 857 Ad. Afternoon visit to Dar Batha, museum of Moroccan art and nejjarine fountain. The Merinides tombs, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and the souks to stimulate the senses with varying sounds and unfiltered odors.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Menzeh Zalagh Hotel or Similar

Day 4 Fes – Erfoud (280 Miles)

After breakfast, drive across the fertile farmland of Saiss up to Imouzzer de kandar with its gorgeous lake ‘Dait Aoua’ and on to Ifrane, a charming ski resort, and Azrou, a typical Berber town with its flat roofed earthen houses.

The road goes through magnificient cedar forest. This itinerary from north to south offers a diversity of impressions through the Middle Atlas with its high pastures dotted with shepherds, sheep and black tents. Stop at Midelt for lunch. The road climbs the first slopes of the High Atlas. After Tizi Ntarghemt (6040 ft), the road passes many impressive palm groves in the Ziz valley. Continue south to Erfoud for dinner and overnight

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel El Ati Erfoud or Similar

Day 5 Erfoud

Early morning drive to Merzouga, where you can watch the sun rising behind lush sand dunes. Afternoon excursion to Rissani which has a very old and interesting history.

Continue to the visible ruins of Sijilmassa which was a flourishing town during the 8th century as the capital of a Kingdom on the Caravan route. Visit the Palmeraie before returning to Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel El Ati Erfoud or Similar

Day 6 Erfoud – Tineghire – Ouarzazate (235 Miles)

After breakfast, drive to Tineghire through a desert of stones and lunar landscapes. At Tineghire, enter Todra gorges for lunch in a local restaurant. Continue, to Ouarzazate by way of the south slopes of the High Atlas. Stop at Kelaa Mgouna in the heart of Dades Valley. Dades Valley is famous for its roses and perfume essence manufacturing. Continue on to Skoura with its beautiful villages and palmgrooves. Arrive in Ouarzazate.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Belere or Similar

Day 7 Ouarzazate – Marrakech (125 Miles)

Morning visit to Tifoultoute and Taourirt Kasbahs. On to Ait Benhaddou, one of the most impressive kasbahs in Morocco which is regularly used as a film location (Jesus of Nazareth, Lawrence of Arabia, Diamond of the Nile) Afternoon drive to Marrakech. The road goes up through stretches of desert and farms, following the river Imini, picturesque Berber villages and many ruined Kasbahs. The road zigzags higher to Tizi Ntichka pass (7500 ft). Shortly before the pass, visit Telouat kasbah which was the seat of Glaoua (a powerful Berber family) that controlled trade from the Sahara to the Atlantic. After the pass, the road descends offering beautiful sights of terraced Berber villages below the road. Continue through farmland to Marrakech.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at El Andalous Hotel Marrakech or Similar

Day 8 Marrakech

Morning at leisure. Tour of Marrakech, centuries old, wrapped in mystery and considered by many the most fascinating city in North Africa. Marrakech was founded on the crossroad of ancient caravan routes. We step back in time to visit the Koutoubia mosque (12th century), Dar Si Said museum and Bahia palace, a beautiful example of domestic architecture. Walk through the labyrinth streets of souks with its quarters of dyers, herbalists, jewelers and others. Ending the tour at Jemaa El Fna square, a big popular fairground unfolding day after day, with its story tellers, fire eaters, snake charmers, acrobats, jugglers and numerous performers of every sort. Enjoy mint tea and refreshments on a terrace overlooking the square. In the evening attend a dinner and Fantasia show.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at El Andalous Hotel Marrakech or Similar

Day 9 Marrakech/Casablanca

After breakfast, take a horse drawn carriage to visit the still basin of the Menara park mostly planted with olive groves. Continue to Majorelle garden, a subtropical botanical garden with verdant groves of bamboo, dwarf palms, multicolored bougainvilea, pink geraniums and various lily- covered pools. Continue to Casablanca where we will have dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Oum Palace Hotel or Similar

Day 10 Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca airport and bid farewell to this fascinating country that combines the modern with the traditional.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast