Morocco Discovery Marrakech 9 days

This morning, we will start our journey by crossing the High Atlas Mountain of Morocco and arrive at the old village of Ait Benhaddou. This village was a major stop for the caravans in the old days thus it has become a UNESCO World heritage site and is used as a background for many international movies such as Gladiators, Prince of Persia and Game of Thrones. Not too far from this village is Ouarzazate, a city in the south of Morocco known as the Hollywood of North Africa due to the number of movies made at its film studios. On the way to Boumalne Dades, where we will stay for the night, we pass by the Roses Valley, a beautiful evergreen area famous for the damaskina roses. Locals hold a festival every year to celebrate the harvest. Overnight Boumalne Dades (Breakfast & Dinner included).

This morning, we will leave the Dades Valley. Along the drive, we take a short journey East to Todra Gorge where we will go for a nice walk through the palm groves of the oasis and a visit to its famous gorges. It is then time to head towards the great desert dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga where we transfer to our camels and trek into the vast Sahara Desert in time for sunset. We then return to our authentic Berber Camp on the edge of the desert to spend the night enjoying local food, music, and an amazing night out under the sparkling Saharan stars. Overnight Saharan Berber Camp (Breakfast & Dinner included).

After breakfast we will drive through the city of Errachidia and the Ziz Valley that is incredibly famous for date palms. Afterwards, we will cross the High and the Middle Atlas Mountains that separate the Sahara Desert from the interior parts of the country. We will make a stop at the Cedar Forest on our way to see the barbary macaque apes. In addition, we will also stop in picturesque Ifran, an alpine style town that used to be a vacation place for the French during the French occupation of the country. We will then arrive in Fes, the oldest capital of Morocco where we will stay for the night. Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).

Today, is our guided tour of Fes. Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. Its medina, home to 400,000 inhabitants, with only donkeys and bikes as a means of transportation, is a heady mix of aromas, sights, and sounds. There are mosques and palaces to visit but be aware that only Muslims can enter mosques in Morocco. After exploring the dye-pits, tanneries, pharmacy, pottery, and restaurants, we return to our hotel to freshen up for tonight, where we have the chance of an optional traditional meal in the city with live Moroccan entertainment including traditional music, belly dancing and magicians. Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).

After breakfast, we will drive to ‘The Blue Pearl’ Chefchaouen for a guided tour this afternoon. High up in the Rif Mountains, historic Chefchaouen boasts a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber defence post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the Kasbah (built back in the 18th century), central Mosque and cafes with authentic menus. The busy market is a mix of traditional Moroccan and tourist fare. There is a chance to have an optional cooking class today. Overnight Chefchaouen (Breakfast included).

With an early start this morning, we travel south to the official capital of Morocco, Rabat. On arrival, we will go on a guided tour of Rabat and its major landmarks such as the Hassan tower and the Mausoleum of the Alaouite King Mohamed V and his son Hassan II. Afterwards, we visit the Oudaya Kasbah, a fortified building that used to be a place to defend the city from the invasion of the European countries. After a tasty lunch in Rabat, we leave for Casablanca and head to our hotel. Overnight Casablanca (Breakfast included).

After breakfast, before leaving Casablanca, we have the optional but recommended visit of Hassan II Mosque. We will then make our way back to the red city of Marrakech. Once checked in to the hotel, the afternoon will be free for you to relax by the pool or do more exploration at your own pace. Perhaps book our guided city tour, relax with a hammam spa and massage, or go to Majorelle gardens. Whilst here, you are unlikely to miss Marrakech’s main landmark, the rose coloured Koutoubia Mosque standing 77 metres high. The Mosque's tower is sister to the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda Tower in Seville and located on the edge of the medina. No visit to Marrakech is complete without seeing the city’s UNESCO-listed medina & Djemaa-el-Fna square, (which means congregation); it is an extraordinary gathering and marketplace with snake charmers, musicians, henna artists and plenty of spice and souvenir stalls and where we will spend our final evening. Overnight Marrakech (Breakfast included).

Your adventure tour ends after breakfast. (Breakfast included).