Grand Tour of Morocco

Welcome to Morocco! Arrival to Med V airport in Casablanca where you will meet your English speaking driver who will also provide a brief review of your tour.
Overnight: Casablanca| Meals: Dinner included.

Casablanca is a modern, commercial capital of Morocco, and is home to the stunning Hassan II Mosque. What makes this mosque unique is that it is one of the few mosques in the country non-Muslims can enter. Join a morning tour and admire the exquisitely ornate artisanship: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble floor detailing, and gilded cedar ceilings. Leave the coast behind and continue eastward to Meknes, for an introduction to your first historic imperial city—a smaller, less busy version of Fes where shopkeepers are not as pushy to make a sale. Discover the impressive Bab al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in the Ville Impériale (Imperial City). Explore the medina (old quarter) and wander its souks (markets) before visiting the Madrasa Bou Inania (14th century).
Overnight: Meknes | Meals : Buffet breakfast & dinner included.

After breakfast, head north a short distance to the impressive Roman settlement of Volubilis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Volubilis is a sprawling complex that has remained incredibly well preserved for centuries. Carry on north and watch the landscape change from flat plains and rolling hills to the rocky terrain of the Rif Mountains. Known as the “Blue City,” Chefchaouen is made up of narrow, winding streets and blue-washed buildings, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals. Spend your time in the compact medina along the northern hillside and enjoy a meal in Plaza Outa el Hammam, before touring the kasbah (old fortification). As the day draws to an end, make your way to the abandoned Spanish Mosque to enjoy one last view over Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains.
Overnight: Chefchaouen | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Rise early to snap unobstructed photos of the blue-hued streets before you make your way south to your second imperial city, Fes. With its impressively large and complicated medinas, Fes is a city worth getting lost in. Before venturing into the medina, take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Continue exploring Fes at your leisure before returning to your traditional riad for a warm meal and settle in for the evening.
Overnight: Fes | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Meet your guide and spend a half day learning about the history and culture as you navigate the narrow streets of the medinas. Start in Fes el Bali at the Bab Boujeloud gate and enter the main thoroughfare of Talâa Kebira. Notice the Spanish and Tunisian influenced architecture as you make your way past shops and souks. Next, climb to the rooftop of a nearby leather shop for a better view of the 11th-century stone pots filled with dye and men at work still using centuries-old techniques. Next, make your way to the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa, a beautiful example of Moroccan architecture and artisanship showcasing intricate zellij tilework. From there, find your way to one of the oldest still-operating universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE) next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Though the mosque is only open to Muslims, there are a few places where you can glimpse inside to its decorated interior.
Overnight: Fes | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Today, visit the Batha Museum. Housed in a 19th-century palace, the Museum is home to a collection of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts, including carved wood, zellij, and local pottery (its highlight). Spend time in the Andalusian-style gardens before walking to the Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery). Take advantage of its location for a stunning panoramic photo of the city. Continue south to Ville Nouvelle and discover the dramatic change in architecture. Tour a Ceramics and Tile Collective to learn how local artisans make wares, from shaping the clay to painting the designs. Return toward Fes el Bali, stopping along the way in Jnan Sbil (Bou Jeloud Gardens)—a halfway point between the mellah and Bab Boujeloud. Spend some time relaxing in the gardens’ grandeur and cool off in the central fountains or beside the lake.
Overnight: Fes| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Start your day early and travel south toward Merzouga to arrive at the Sahara dunes by for a sunset camel ride. Along the way, you will climb up an elevation of 7,146 feet (2,178 m) over the Col du Zad pass and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. Continue over the Tizi n’Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley, known for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Along the road, you will see many fortified houses known as ksars—built to protect precious wares, including gold, salt, and spices. Continue on to Erfoud, known for its date festival and fossil mining. Here you can visit a local collective to learn more about the process and meet some local artisans. End your day at Erg Chebbi, an extensive sea of sand dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 square km). Upon reaching Merzouga, switch gears and ride your camel through the dunes to your already-prepared-for-you camp. Climb a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner, relaxing by the campfire.
Overnight: Erg Chebbi| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Wake early to catch a desert sunrise, then visit nearby desert villages or enjoy desert adventure sports such as sandboarding or an ATV tour. From there, visit nearby Khemliya, a typical Saharan village, and experience traditional drumming music and dancing before taking a short walk around the village. Leave the dunes behind and stop in the market town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate. Known for its livestock auction it’s worth your time finding the ‘donkey parking lot’ to delight your senses. Continue on to Tinerhir. This desert town offers awesome views of neighboring towns hugging the length of the extensive river oasis (30 miles or 48 km of palm trees). Stop at today’s final destination, the Todra Gorge. Almost 1000 feet (305 m) high and carved by the Todra River through red limestone, here you can enjoy a leisurely walk in and around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below.
Overnight: Tinerhir | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Travel along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Morocco’s most famous kasbah, Aït Benhaddou. Pass through the Dades Valley and stop in Kela’a M’gouna to admire the cultivated rose bushes. Visit a rose collective to see the process of converting rose petals into rose water and oil. As you continue west, you may want to stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa to discover how its nearby regions have been featured in movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Spend the afternoon exploring Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Climb up to the old Granary—an excellent vantage point to see the kasbah and surrounding area. Game of Thrones fans may want to trek down to the river to see the gates featured in the popular HBO series. Long after the day crowds have left, enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the valley.
Overnight: AIt Benhaddou | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Leave Aït Benhaddou behind to begin the ascent over the High Atlas mountains. Spot Mount Toubkal, the mountain range’s highest peak, at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Stop in Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn how the argan nut and fruit are processed for various uses (and try some samples). After a long day on the road, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you like.
Overnight: Marrakech | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Meet your guide and discover the hidden gems of the medina: souks and shops selling their wares. Find your way to the Koutoubia Mosque—Marrakech’s tallest minaret at 253 feet (77 m)! Next, visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school and marvel at the exquisite Moroccan artisanship: arabesques, Islamic calligraphy, and colorful geometric tile work. Visit the Majorelle Gardens in Ville Nouvelle for a place to escape the afternoon heat. Next, check out the Saadian Tombs, only discovered in the 1930s. From there, visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace, the most luxurious palace of its time, and admire the intricate woodwork and painted ceilings. If there’s time, visit the El Badi Palace and its sunken gardens, before heading to Marrakech’s Mellah. As you return to Jemaa el-Fna, note the large open spaces along the alleyways, these fondouks or caravanserai were once inns along the ancient trade routes providing travelers and traders a place to stay.
Overnight: Marrakech| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Depending on your flight details you may wish to explore the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna. Next, you will be transferred to airport for your onward travel arrangements with plenty of tales of Arabian days and nights.
Meals : Buffet Breakfast included.