14 Day Tour
Casablanca to marrakech
Price Includes
Private comfortable vehicle with air conditioning
Pick up and drop off at your accommodations
Fully escorted by guide and driver
Accommodations 12 nights in hotel / riad
One night in a Berber private tent
Turban for camel trip to desert
Sand boarding in the dunes
Berber music at camp
Breakfasts and dinner in desert camp
Local English speaking guides
Water provided in vehicle
Wifi whenever possible in vehicle
Optional Activites
- Hiking and Biking in the Desert or Mountains
- Moroccan Cooking Class
- Hammam/Massage
exclusions
Flights
Meals, beverages not previously indicated
Day 1
Casablanca
Day 2
Casablanca • Rabat • Asila • Tangier
Day 3
Tangier • Chefchaouen
Day 4
Chefchaouen • Volubilis • Moulay Idriss • Fes
Day 5
Fes Sightseeing Tour
Day 6
Fes • Azrou • Midelt • Ziz River • Rissani • Merzouga
Day 7
Merzouga • Allure of the Desert Camel Trek
Day 8
Merzouga • Todra Gorges • Dades Valley
Day 9
Dades Valley • Kalaat M’Gouna • Skoura • Ouarzazate
Day 10
Ouarzazate • Ait Benhaddou • High Atlas Mountains • Marrakech
Day 11
Marrakech Sightseeing Tour
Day 12
Marrakech • Ourika Valley • Setti Fatma Waterfalls • Marrakech
Day 13
Marrakech • Essaouira
Day 14
Essaouira • Marrakech
14
days
Discounts available for groups of 3 or more
Day 1
CASABLANCA
You will be greeted at the airport in Casablanca by our friendly driver. After being driven to your hotel, you will spend the night in Casablanca. You will enjoy an amazing breakfast as you prepare for an incredible journey.
Day 2
CASABLANCA • RABAT • ASILA • TANGIER
After breakfast, we begin our amazing journey heading to Tangier. In Casablanca we pay a visit to the Hassan II Mosque which is the largest mosque in Morocco. No trip to Casablanca is complete without a visit to Rick’s Café from the famous 1942 movie Casablanca.
As we continue our adventure, we head to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. In Rabat, which is protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will visit the splendid Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah des Udayas.
As we drive along the Atlantic coast to Asilah, which is a small village of artists and fishermen we explore the Medina which is small with houses of mostly blue and white. We continue to our last destination of the day which is Tangier. You will then enjoy a night at a hotel.
Day 3
TANGIER • CHEFCHAOUEN
Following your breakfast, we depart Tangier for the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen, passing through the valley of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue washed houses and is very popular for both tourists and Moroccans. Explore Chefchaouen, with its winding lanes and narrow alleys which are home to numerous souks. Discover offerings of cuisine and artisan works, such as woolen items, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese; all native to the North and not found anywhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm or hike in nearby parks. Enjoy a night in Chefchaouen.
Day 4
CHEFCHAOUEN • VOLUBILIS • MOULAY IDRISS • FES
After breakfast, we will begin our adventure to Fes. We pay a visit to the Ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is here that we witness the artistic mosaics, marble and bronze statuary that have been unearthed and preserved.
After your private tour we will visit the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, where the founder of Islam in Morocco is buried. You will have time to enjoy lunch before departing to Meknes or “the Moroccan Versailles”, which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail. Highlights will include Bab Mansour, Hari Souani and the old Medina. We will then continue to Fes for your overnight stay.
Day 5
FES SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today will be devoted to the amazing sights of Fes. With your private guide, you will experience the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. An historic highlight will include the medieval Medina which is one of the world’s largest walled cities and protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices and intricately woven Berber carpets, the narrow streets are yours to explore. Other points of interest include the Medersa (an Islamic teaching university), the Al Qaraouiyyin Mosque which was founded in 859 by Fatima el Fihri, and the spectacular Nejjarine Fountain. After some time to enjoy lunch we continue with a visit to the “Arabian House” to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient practices. At the end of the day you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Fes.
Day 6
FES • AZROU • MIDELT • ZIZ RIVER • RISSANI • MERZOUGA
After an early breakfast, we will depart to Merzouga through the Mid-Atlas mountains. Let's make a stop in the cedar forest of Azrou, home of the Barbary Macaques.
Don't miss the opportunity to hand feed the monkeys as they playfully tease you with their antics. Pay attention to the nomadic shepherds on the scenic journey between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges. You will have time to enjoy lunch in Midelt, known for its handicraft co-op and its importance as a mining center. If you notice many apple trees, it is their most abundant crop.
We then continue to the scenic Ziz River through a series of fortified villages, Errachidia and Rissani. Rissani has the largest Berber market of the region. People from the surrounding areas come here to purchase their necessities. We end our journey today in Merzouga, where you will check into your hotel/riad. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
MERZOUGA • ALLURE OF THE DESERT CAMEL TREK
Today we set out for the most spectacular desert sand dunes in Morocco, located in the beautiful Merzouga desert. Share some cherished moments with the nomads as they invite you into their lives. You will marvel at their simplistic yet difficult lives. A true highlight of the day is the Gnaoua spiritual music which is a mix of classical Islamic and African Traditional.
Another site of interest is the natural fossilized animals in rocks and exquisite crystals and minerals. We then trek on to the holy city of Rissani, the site where the ancestors of the Alaouite Dynasty are buried in the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sherif. Enter the authentic Souk (market) and have a Berber pizza for lunch. A relaxing afternoon is in store for you at the Kasbah as you prepare for the unforgettable camel trek into the pink sands of Morocco’s highest dunes. Enjoy your time wandering the dunes before the sun sets in a spectacular show of colors. Traditional Moroccan dinner is served, followed by traditional music show around the campfire and a night in a private nomadic tent. This truly is an oasis in the middle of the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Day 8
MERZOUGA • TODRAS GORGES • DADES VALLEY
Your desert hosts will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the most striking sunrise of your life. Savor the morning breakfast before departing this incredible camp. During your trek back, don’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of these breathtaking dunes of Erg Chebbi as the changing light of day plays upon the sand.
We say good bye to Merzouga and make our way to Todra Gorges, the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Have your camera ready for this spectacular site. After lunch in the heart of the gorges we’ll drive through the Dades Valley where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodations will be in a traditional guesthouse overlooking the Dades valley.
Day 9
DADES VALLEY • KALAAT M’GOUNA • SKOURA • OUARZAZATE.
After breakfast we’ll drive through the Dades Valley with multi-colored walls reaching 200-500 meters high. This route is called The Way of a Thousand Kasbahs, providing numerous photographic moments. Then we will visit a nomad family living in the mountain caves. You will learn how this style of life is different from that witnessed in the Sahara Desert. We’ll stop at Kalaat M’Gouna, “The Rose City”. Don’t pass up this chance to purchase the rosewater for which the city was named. We continue on to Skoura, sprinkled with palm tree groves, it is among Morocco’s most beautiful oasis. You’ll visit the well preserved Kasbah Ameridil, a fortress from the 17th century. Standing the test of time, it provides many insights into the mysterious traditions of the past. Lunch will be in a traditional Moroccan restaurant overlooking the beautiful valley, then it’s on to Ouarzazate, “The Hollywood of Africa”. The unique geography and beautiful landscapes have been the site of many films. Here you may choose to visit the studios containing props used in movies such as The Mummy, Gladiator and the Last Temptation of Christ. Overnight accommodations will be in a beautiful hotel/riad.
Day 10
OUARZAZATE • AIT BENHADDOU • HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS • MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, originally the residence of the Pasha of Marrakech and a symbol of the feudal period of the lords of Atlas. Enjoy lunch at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou. This famous kasbah is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco and was used as a backdrop for more than twenty films.
Let’s continue the journey to Marrakech via the incredible Pass of Tizi n’Tichka over the High Atlas Mountains. Many stops along the way are provided for coffee or tea and to enjoy the breathtaking, picturesque scenery. The splendor of these majestic mountains is indeed a sight to behold. Upon arrival in Marrakech, a beautiful hotel/riad will be waiting.
Day 11
MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING
This day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city known as the “Pearl of the South” and home to the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Garden. With your private guide you will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk about the souks and the world famous Djemaa El Fna which offers various entertainment such as storytellers, acrobats, snake-charmers and magicians. The Jardin Majorelle is a two and a half acre botanical garden created by the artist for whom it is named. We return you to your hotel/riad for an overnight stay.
Day 12
MARRAKECH • OURIKA VALLEY • SETTI FATMA WATERFALLS • MARRAKECH
Ourika Valley day trip is not to be missed as a chance to see and experience the real life of the local Berbers. The unspoiled Ourika Valley is full of surprises such as Berber villages, rivers and waterfalls. You will see the beauty of the red High Atlas Mountains.
The region of Ourika Valley and Sitti Fatma is inhabited by Berber people who practice a traditional way of life. On this journey you will visit a Berber house to see how the real Berber people live as they prepare a nice Berber mint tea for you as a guest. You will spend this day enjoying one of the most beautiful and best preserved valleys in Morocco. With plenty of amazing photo stops of waterfalls and rocky landscapes we will also stop to visit a local association where the Berber women work to produce the many products of argon oil. This highly coveted oil is used for its nutritional value as well as for cosmetic purposes. At the end of this adventurous day we head back to your hotel/riad in Marrakech.
Day 13
MARRAKECH • ESSAOUIRA
On this day trip, we will visit the beach and famous fishing port of Essaouira, formally known by its old Portuguese name, Mogador. This citadel with a prestigious past has been occupied since prehistoric times and was famous for its Tyrian factory which supplied Rome with its legendary purple dye.
Protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Its medina is a hub for local artists and is known for the day and night life. You’ll visit the port, the Scala, the municipal market, and a handicrafts complex. You will also have the opportunity to discover the marvelous Argon oil when you visit a Women’s Co-operative manufacturing this famous product. Don’t forget to ask about the “goat trees”. An overnight stay in Essaouira is provided as you prepare for your departure.
Day 14
ESSAOUIRA • MARRAKECH
After an incredible tour through the alluring country of Morocco, you will be driven from Essaouira to Marrakech to take your flight home.
Day 1
CASABLANCA
You will be greeted at the airport in Casablanca by our friendly driver. After being driven to your hotel, you will spend the night in Casablanca. You will enjoy an amazing breakfast as you prepare for an incredible journey.
Day 2
CASABLANCA • RABAT • ASILA • TANGIER
After breakfast, we begin our amazing journey heading to Tangier. In Casablanca we pay a visit to the Hassan II Mosque which is the largest mosque in Morocco. No trip to Casablanca is complete without a visit to Rick’s Café from the famous 1942 movie Casablanca.
As we continue our adventure, we head to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. In Rabat, which is protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will visit the splendid Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah des Udayas.
As we drive along the Atlantic coast to Asilah, which is a small village of artists and fishermen we explore the Medina which is small with houses of mostly blue and white. We continue to our last destination of the day which is Tangier. You will then enjoy a night at a hotel.
Day 3
TANGIER • CHEFCHAOUEN
Following your breakfast, we depart Tangier for the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen, passing through the valley of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue washed houses and is very popular for both tourists and Moroccans. Explore Chefchaouen, with its winding lanes and narrow alleys which are home to numerous souks. Discover offerings of cuisine and artisan works, such as woolen items, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese; all native to the North and not found anywhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm or hike in nearby parks. Enjoy a night in Chefchaouen.
Day 4
CHEFCHAOUEN • VOLUBILIS • MOULAY IDRISS • FES
After breakfast, we will begin our adventure to Fes. We pay a visit to the Ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is here that we witness the artistic mosaics, marble and bronze statuary that have been unearthed and preserved.
After your private tour we will visit the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, where the founder of Islam in Morocco is buried. You will have time to enjoy lunch before departing to Meknes or “the Moroccan Versailles”, which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail. Highlights will include Bab Mansour, Hari Souani and the old Medina. We will then continue to Fes for your overnight stay.
Day 5
FES SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today will be devoted to the amazing sights of Fes. With your private guide, you will experience the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. An historic highlight will include the medieval Medina which is one of the world’s largest walled cities and protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices and intricately woven Berber carpets, the narrow streets are yours to explore. Other points of interest include the Medersa (an Islamic teaching university), the Al Qaraouiyyin Mosque which was founded in 859 by Fatima el Fihri, and the spectacular Nejjarine Fountain. After some time to enjoy lunch we continue with a visit to the “Arabian House” to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient practices. At the end of the day you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Fes.
Day 6
FES • AZROU • MIDELT • ZIZ RIVER • RISSANI • MERZOUGA
After an early breakfast, we will depart to Merzouga through the Mid-Atlas mountains. Let's make a stop in the cedar forest of Azrou, home of the Barbary Macaques.
Don't miss the opportunity to hand feed the monkeys as they playfully tease you with their antics. Pay attention to the nomadic shepherds on the scenic journey between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges. You will have time to enjoy lunch in Midelt, known for its handicraft co-op and its importance as a mining center. If you notice many apple trees, it is their most abundant crop.
We then continue to the scenic Ziz River through a series of fortified villages, Errachidia and Rissani. Rissani has the largest Berber market of the region. People from the surrounding areas come here to purchase their necessities. We end our journey today in Merzouga, where you will check into your hotel/riad. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
MERZOUGA • ALLURE OF THE DESERT CAMEL TREK
Today we set out for the most spectacular desert sand dunes in Morocco, located in the beautiful Merzouga desert. Share some cherished moments with the nomads as they invite you into their lives. You will marvel at their simplistic yet difficult lives. A true highlight of the day is the Gnaoua spiritual music which is a mix of classical Islamic and African Traditional.
Another site of interest is the natural fossilized animals in rocks and exquisite crystals and minerals. We then trek on to the holy city of Rissani, the site where the ancestors of the Alaouite Dynasty are buried in the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sherif. Enter the authentic Souk (market) and have a Berber pizza for lunch. A relaxing afternoon is in store for you at the Kasbah as you prepare for the unforgettable camel trek into the pink sands of Morocco’s highest dunes. Enjoy your time wandering the dunes before the sun sets in a spectacular show of colors. Traditional Moroccan dinner is served, followed by traditional music show around the campfire and a night in a private nomadic tent. This truly is an oasis in the middle of the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Day 8
MERZOUGA • TODRAS GORGES • DADES VALLEY
Your desert hosts will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the most striking sunrise of your life. Savor the morning breakfast before departing this incredible camp. During your trek back, don’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of these breathtaking dunes of Erg Chebbi as the changing light of day plays upon the sand.
We say good bye to Merzouga and make our way to Todra Gorges, the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Have your camera ready for this spectacular site. After lunch in the heart of the gorges we’ll drive through the Dades Valley where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodations will be in a traditional guesthouse overlooking the Dades valley.
Day 9
DADES VALLEY • KALAAT M’GOUNA • SKOURA • OUARZAZATE.
After breakfast we’ll drive through the Dades Valley with multi-colored walls reaching 200-500 meters high. This route is called The Way of a Thousand Kasbahs, providing numerous photographic moments. Then we will visit a nomad family living in the mountain caves. You will learn how this style of life is different from that witnessed in the Sahara Desert. We’ll stop at Kalaat M’Gouna, “The Rose City”. Don’t pass up this chance to purchase the rosewater for which the city was named. We continue on to Skoura, sprinkled with palm tree groves, it is among Morocco’s most beautiful oasis. You’ll visit the well preserved Kasbah Ameridil, a fortress from the 17th century. Standing the test of time, it provides many insights into the mysterious traditions of the past. Lunch will be in a traditional Moroccan restaurant overlooking the beautiful valley, then it’s on to Ouarzazate, “The Hollywood of Africa”. The unique geography and beautiful landscapes have been the site of many films. Here you may choose to visit the studios containing props used in movies such as The Mummy, Gladiator and the Last Temptation of Christ. Overnight accommodations will be in a beautiful hotel/riad.
Day 10
OUARZAZATE • AIT BENHADDOU • HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS • MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, originally the residence of the Pasha of Marrakech and a symbol of the feudal period of the lords of Atlas. Enjoy lunch at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou. This famous kasbah is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco and was used as a backdrop for more than twenty films.
Let’s continue the journey to Marrakech via the incredible Pass of Tizi n’Tichka over the High Atlas Mountains. Many stops along the way are provided for coffee or tea and to enjoy the breathtaking, picturesque scenery. The splendor of these majestic mountains is indeed a sight to behold. Upon arrival in Marrakech, a beautiful hotel/riad will be waiting.
Day 11
MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING
This day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city known as the “Pearl of the South” and home to the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Garden. With your private guide you will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk about the souks and the world famous Djemaa El Fna which offers various entertainment such as storytellers, acrobats, snake-charmers and magicians. The Jardin Majorelle is a two and a half acre botanical garden created by the artist for whom it is named. We return you to your hotel/riad for an overnight stay.
Day 12
MARRAKECH • OURIKA VALLEY • SETTI FATMA WATERFALLS • MARRAKECH
Ourika Valley day trip is not to be missed as a chance to see and experience the real life of the local Berbers. The unspoiled Ourika Valley is full of surprises such as Berber villages, rivers and waterfalls. You will see the beauty of the red High Atlas Mountains.
The region of Ourika Valley and Sitti Fatma is inhabited by Berber people who practice a traditional way of life. On this journey you will visit a Berber house to see how the real Berber people live as they prepare a nice Berber mint tea for you as a guest. You will spend this day enjoying one of the most beautiful and best preserved valleys in Morocco. With plenty of amazing photo stops of waterfalls and rocky landscapes we will also stop to visit a local association where the Berber women work to produce the many products of argon oil. This highly coveted oil is used for its nutritional value as well as for cosmetic purposes. At the end of this adventurous day we head back to your hotel/riad in Marrakech.
Day 13
MARRAKECH • ESSAOUIRA
On this day trip, we will visit the beach and famous fishing port of Essaouira, formally known by its old Portuguese name, Mogador. This citadel with a prestigious past has been occupied since prehistoric times and was famous for its Tyrian factory which supplied Rome with its legendary purple dye.
Protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Its medina is a hub for local artists and is known for the day and night life. You’ll visit the port, the Scala, the municipal market, and a handicrafts complex. You will also have the opportunity to discover the marvelous Argon oil when you visit a Women’s Co-operative manufacturing this famous product. Don’t forget to ask about the “goat trees”. An overnight stay in Essaouira is provided as you prepare for your departure.
Day 14
ESSAOUIRA • MARRAKECH
After an incredible tour through the alluring country of Morocco, you will be driven from Essaouira to Marrakech to take your flight home.