Tour 1: Morocco Imperial Cities & Sahara (14 days/13 nights)
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
- 13 nights’ accommodation at riads, Kasbahs or hotels
- 1 night camping in Berber nomad tents at desert camp
- 13 breakfasts
- Full-day city tour of Fes with English speaking local Fes guide
- Half-day city tour of Marrakech with English speaking local Marrakech guide
- Entrance fees for included sightseeing
- Air-conditioned private vehicle with English speaking driver/guide
- Overnight desert camel safari
Day 1: Casablanca
Begin your Morocco travel adventure when you arrive at Casablanca Airport and are welcomed to fascinating Morocco by your Berber Treasures driver and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon your city tour of Casablanca introduces you this famous city’s principal sights including the impressive Hassan II Mosque. Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fes
Today you holidays in Morocco really get underway as you travel north along the Atlantic coast to your first imperial city, Rabat, the current capital of the Kingdom. During your city tour of Rabat you will visit the Oudaia Kasbah, the Hassan Tower,and the medieval
Necropolis of Chellah, situated in the ruins of the Roman town of Sala Collonia. Continue your journey to the old imperial city of Meknes for a city tour including the old city’s famous massive gate of Bab el Mansour,the main entrance to the second Alaouite sultan, Moulay Ismail’s 17th century city. Travel to the ancient Roman town of Volubilis where you will explore the ancient ruins which include some marvellous mosaics before continuing on to Fes via Moulay Idriss, Morocco’s holiest town. Overnight Fes.
Day 3: Fes
Full-day city tour of Fes, one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities. Visit the old walled medina, historical monuments (including Madrasa (Medersa) Bou Inania, the Kairaouine Mosque and Mihrab), bazaars and souks (such as the Souk Ain Allou (leather), the Souk Attarine (spices), Souk au Henne (henna and kohl), Fes el Jdid, the exterior of Dar el Makhzen (Royal Palace) including the enormous Merenid gate of Bab Dekakene, formerly the main entrance of the royal palace, and enjoy the panoramic view of Fes from the late 16th century Borj Nord fortress. Overnight in Fes.
Day 4: Fes – Ifrane (Middle Atlas Mountains) – Erfoud – Merzouga
Today your tour of Morocco travels via Ifrane, Azrou and Midelt south to Merzouga. Passing cedar and pine forests, the route from Ifrane to Azrou crosses through the Middle Atlas Mountains and is one of the nicest routes across this mountain range. Continuing on to Midelt you begin the climb into the High Atlas Mountains before descending along the road following the valley carved by the Ziz River. Here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Ziz Gorge with its vast date palm groves. You will pass through the town of Erfoud before resting for the night at Merzouga, a desert Berber village situated on the fringes of Morocco’s spectacular Sahara Desert sand dunes, the Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight Merzouga.
Day 5: Merzouga
In the morning you visit the different ksars (Berber forts) in the Merzouga/Rissani area and the fossil quarries near Erfoud before returning to Merzouga. After relaxing at your auberge, in the late afternoon you take a camel safari into the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert to watch the sun setting over the desert. Tonight is spent camping under the stars in a Berber nomad’s tent at a desert oasis. Overnight in desert. (Option to overnight at Merzouga auberge.)
Day 6: Merzouga – Zagora
You rise early to watch the sunrise over the sand dunes of the desert. After breakfast you return to your Merzouga auberge before leaving for the old desert caravan town of Zagora. Overnight Zagora.
Day 7: Zagora – Ouarzazate
This morning you are free to relax or explore the sights of Zagora, famously an old camel caravan departure point for Timbuktu, before leaving for the old garrison town of Ouarzazate – now the movie making capital of Morocco. Overnight Ouarzazate.
Day 8: Ouarzazate
Optional excursions to Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge, the oasis village of Fint or relax at your Hotel. Overnight Ouarzazate.
Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Taroudant
Departing Ouarzazate your Morocco desert tour adventure continues visiting the UNESCO world heritage designated village of Ait Benhaddou,
which has some of the Atlas region’s most exotic and best preserved Kasbahs before continuing on to the southern oasis caravan towns of Taliouine and Taroudant. Overnight Taroudant.
Day 10: Taroudant – Essaouira
Today your tour of Morocco travels via Agadir along the scenic Altantic coast as you make your way to the relaxed coastal town of Essaouira with its fascinating blend of traditional Moroccan and Portuguese colonial architecture and history. Overnight Essaouira.
Day 11: Essaouira – Marrakech
This morning you have free time to explore the town’s delightful 18th century medina, designated a world treasure by UNESCO, and its souks or relax on the beach before departing for Morocco’s sparkling “Jewel of the South” – the wondrous old imperial city Marrakech. Overnight Marrakech.
Day 12: Marrakech
Morning half-day city tour of Marrakech with your expert local Marrakech travel guide. Your heritage tour of Marrakech’s stunning past allows you to immerse yourself in sights, sounds and smells of this captivating city as you explore the UNESCO designated world heritage old walled medina, La Bahia Palace, el-Badi Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs, Place Djemaa El-Fna with it magicians, story tellers and snake charmers and Marrakech’s famous souks. Afternoon free time. Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 13: Marrakech – Casablanca
Morning free time to explore more of Marrakech, uncover some exotic handcrafts and foods in the souks or relax a traditional Moroccan hammam. Afternoon departure for Casablanca. Overnight Casablanca.
Day 14: Casablanca Airport
Morning transfer to Casablanca Airport and sadly now your holiday in Morocco comes to end… until next time.
NOT INCLUDED
- Drinks, meals other than as specified, gratuities and other items of a personal nature
- Optional activities (including those referred to as optional in the tour itinerary)
- Variations to the itinerary, accommodation upgrades and any special handling
- Airfares
- Other extras