PROGRAM
Day 1: Home City/Casablanca
Afternoon depart for Morocco via Lufthansa with a connection stop in Frankfurt.
Day 2 : Casablanca/Rabat
Early afternoon, you arrive at 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 . The 12th century Kasbah of Oudayas 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 3 : Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Fes
In the Morning, a visit to the palace museum and Chellah Necropolis.
Located at the south of the city, near the palace and 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.
In the Afternoon, a visit to Meknes, old 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.
B/L/D Fes Merinides Hotel
Day 4 : 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 5 : 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 6 : 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 7 : 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 travelling 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 8 : 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 9: Ouarzazate/Taroudant
Drive to Taroudant, a fascinating city , which contains one of the most unique accommodations in Morocco: Palais Salam is an old 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 souk(market): an Arab souk, which is especially known for its jewellery 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 10: Taroudant/Essaouira
Drive along the Atlantic Coast to discover the magic town of Essaouira. Built on a rocky peninsula, the old city of Mogador located 175 km from Marrakech will please you.. 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 11 : Essaouira/Marrakech
Morning continue on to Marrakech.
Morocco's second oldest majestic Imperial City, Marrakech retains all the splendour 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 Essaadi
Day 12 : 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. 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 13 : 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 jewellery 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 a 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 14 : 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. Transfer to airport after midnight.
B/L/D
Day 15 : Casablanca/Home City
Transfer to the airport for your flight home right after midnight. Arrive home on the same calendar day.
Inflight meals.
