Morocco Encompassed 15 Days

We will depart Marrakech around 10am and take the drive to Casablanca with a coffee stop half- way. On arrival, we will walk through the coastal side of the town La Corniche where we will have some free time for an optional lunch, followed by a drive to our hotel. The rest of the day will be free time to explore. Casablanca was made famous by Humphrey Bogart in the film “Casablanca” and many visitors to the area request to see the famous ‘Rick’s Cafe’.

Overnight Casablanca (Breakfast & dinner included).

After breakfast, we will visit the stunning Hassan II Mosque (optional), which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world - it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time, then we head towards the beautiful, blue city of Chefchaouen. En route we will make a stop to explore the official capital of Morocco Rabat and visit the mausoleum of Mohamed V, Hassan tower and the Oudaya Kasbah. Once we have arrived in Chefchaouen and checked into our hotel, we will go for an orientation tour of the old Medina. Chefchaouen medina has a Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky art and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants, and cafes for to enjoy. Overnight Chefchaouen (Breakfast included).

Today you can explore more of the blue city with its narrow alleyways and cool blue streets. High up in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen boasts a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber 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. Located at the top of the city is the main source of water called Ras-Elma. This spring is the source of life for the whole city; if you are fit enough, you can go up the Mountain to see the breathtaking panoramic view. Overnight Chefchaouen (Breakfast included).

After breakfast, we will make our way through the Rif Mountains towards Volubilis, crossing Ouazzane and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will visit the Roman ruins and learn about the archeological site and its Moroccan history. We will then continue to Meknes, a city with a 17th century heritage. We will stop here for lunch and hang out at the historical walls of the medina and Bab El Mansour. After the visit to Meknes, we will drive directly to Fes city, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, where we will spend the night. Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).

Today we embark on a fully guided tour of the city of Fes with a mix of different aromas, winding passages, bustling sounds, and sights. To navigate, follow one of the five, themed tourist circuits. There are plenty of mosques and palaces to visit but be aware that only Muslims can enter Mosques in Morocco. Explore the tanneries, souks, potteries, and the mystifying Medina whilst learning the fascinating history of the city. We will later return to the hotel to get ready for an optional night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town. Overnight Fes (Breakfast included).

This morning, we journey over the Moyen Atlas to stop at Midelt, a beautiful alpine area. Surrounded by huge pine trees and a tranquil mountain setting, this is a great spot to cool down and relax after the hustle and bustle of Fes. We visit a local Berber family to experience a few hours in their way of life. Through our financial support of the family, they have built a new toilet block for the extended family. Our visits will continue to further support local families. We will enjoy a small hike in the afternoon and spend the night in this mountain location. Overnight Midelt (Breakfast & Dinner included).

Excitement is in the air as we head towards the mighty Saharan Dunes. En-route we stop off for lunch and in the summer, we may even have time for a relaxing swim. It is then time to head towards the great desert dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga where we transfer to our camels and trek in to 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 Saharan stars. Overnight Berber camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).

Leaving the desert, we move on to Todra Gorge. This 1000ft gorge is hemmed in on all sides by vertical limestone cliffs and is called Morocco’s Grand Canyon. We will have a stop at the Berber co-operative where you can see and buy authentic Berber handmade rugs, kilims and carpets. The afternoon can be spent exploring the Gorge, walking through the Palmerie or trying our optional activity of rock climbing. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Overnight Todra Gorge (Breakfast & Dinner included).

We bid a fond farewell to Todra this morning and head to Ait Benhaddou via Ouarzazate. We will stop to buy lunch along the way and have a chance for an optional tour of the film studios in Ouarzazate, famous for films such as Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights. On a hill along the Ouarzazate River we find Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts great examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. This afternoon, we have a guided tour of the famous Kasbah and village.  This is where Lawrence of Arabia was once filmed. Overnight Ait Benhaddou (Breakfast & Dinner included).

Day 11 - Today’s drive is truly stunning as we traverse the High Atlas Mountains on our way to Essaouira. A colourful fishing town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications where great beaches and surf beckon. Relax on the beach or alternatively explore the UNESCO-listed medina with its various souks and woodcarving workshops. Any city gate leads to the Medina, so you’re unlikely to get lost. The beach is in front of the Medina and there are plenty of cafés with terraces, both ideal for relaxing for a few hours. Blue doors and window frames abound as do artists shops – buy a carpet or Thuya wood carving or sit on the beach sipping a mint tea as the sun sets, an antidote to the hustle & bustle of the Imperial cities. Day 12 - Today we have the whole day to explore and enjoy the sights and activities of Essaouira. There is an opportunity to do some optional activities. 2 x Overnight Essaouira (2 x Breakfasts included).

We take either our minivan or a Supratours public bus from Essaouira this morning and return to Marrakech to explore the final one of Morocco's four Imperial cities we visit on this tour. Marrakech is set against the snow-capped Atlas Mountains; Its great pride and landmark is the Koutoubia Tower, sister to the Tower of Hassan in Rabat and the Giralda Tower in Seville. It is said that after the third of these was completed, the sultan had the eyes of his architect put out, lest he should build another more beautiful tower elsewhere. No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the city’s UNESCO-listed medina & Djemâa-el-Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Overnight Marrakech (Breakfast included).

This morning, you could take an optional hot air balloon ride over the High Atlas Mountains and see views of valleys and Berber villages, explore the city further on foot to buy last minute souvenirs, relax by the pool, or enjoy some of the other optional activities. Overnight Marrakech (Breakfast included).

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