Day 1: Arrival at Casablanca Mohammed 5 Airoport and visit the Hassan 2 Mosque - Rabat:
Casablanca is home to the Hassan 2 Mosque ,designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau .It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic , which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25000 worshippers inside and 80000 outsisde. Its Minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters.It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. The Mosque of Hassan 2 ‘s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Anfa quarter .Work on the mosque was started in 1986 , and finished at 1993 .Tour its famous minaret ,dome,royal doors made of marble ( if time allows).Transfer to the hotel in Rabat , spend the night at Riad Kalaa in Rabat.
Day 2: Rabat - Larache - Ksar El Kebir – Ouazzane - Chefchouen.
After the breakfast , and during your half-day tour you will learn Rabat’s history and enjoy its beautiful domes , minarets , wide avenues and green spaces, your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaîa Kasbah (built by Moulay Ismail from 1672-1727 to protect the city and is enclosed by rampart dating from the Almohad period).
Visit Bab oudaîa ,a monumental gate and example of Almohad military architecture . See the Musée of Oudaîa , Moulay Ismail’s palace exhibiting collections of Moroccan folk art , before moving on to city medina.
Visit the Hassan’s Tower , which stands on the hill overlooking the Wadi Bou Regreg .It is a gigantic mosque , emblematic of Rabat and famous for its unfinished minaret where storks nest .Next , visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed 5 decorated with stained glass windows , white marbleand a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading to an impressive dome.Visit the palace of Rabat and the Necropolis at Chellah /Kasbah.
After Rabat we drive to Chefchaouen through Larache, Ksar el Kabir and Ouazzane, Spend the night at Casa Perlita in Chefchaouen.
Day 3: Chefcheouen Tour & Hiking
Enjoy a panoramic view of Chefchaouen as you enjoy breakfast from your hotel’s terrace. After breakfast explore the blue city with your local guide and start your tour with the kasbah museum in the medina . It is fairly simple without architectural surprises however it is surrounded by gardens on the interior and exterior. Inside the Kasbah, you can visit the ethnographic museum containing antique weapons, musical instruments, and photographs of the old town.
Next, visit the cobbled main square, Plaza Uta el- Hammam and where the striking 15th century Grand Mosque sits. After exploring the medina, have lunch at one of the local restaurants( try fresh goat cheese salad, a local Rif specialty, chicken pastilla or a lamb tajine with prunes).
After lunch you have a free afternoon , you can go for a hike in the close-by green hillsides. In the evening it is possible to relax in hammam ( a moroccan spa experience). For dinner, we recommend you Restaurant Tissemlal, a beautifully decorated old house with a French-Moroccan food.
Day 4: Chefchaouen – Ouazzane - Méknes - Volubilis – Fes.
Breakfast at your Riad , and begin your visit in Meknes at the 18th Century Palace built by Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah , then pass through the triomphal arck ,standing at sixteen meters high with an eight meter long arck ,the intricately patterned triumphal arck is argued to be the most beautiful in Morocco . Enter Place El-Hedime (Square of Ruins ) which links the medina and the Kasbah .the square is lined with modern residential buildings and a covered food souk(Market).
We will stop and visit the Musée Dar Jamaî, next we will visit the Bou Inania Medersa to explore the beautiful Koranic school established by the Merinids in the 14th century ,opposite of the Medersa , see the Grand Mosque .
Among the most impressive elements of this imperial city is the grand gate named after the atchitect El Mansour , a Christian renegade who converted to Islam . The design of the gate plays with Almohad patterns . It has Zellij mosaics of excellent quality . the marble columns were taken from the Roman ruins of Volubilis . Lunch in Meknes .
After visiting Meknes , take the road to explore the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili).Once occupied by the Romans , Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Then take the road to Fes , arrive in the evening .Spend the night at the Riad
Day 5: Fes Historical Tour.
Breakfast at your Riad , and begin your tour with the visit of the 14th Century Palace Gate of the King , the Royal Palace in Fes is one of the oldest and largest in Morocco then we continue to the majestic and panoramic view of Southern medina. Visit the Pottery and Zellij Tile Cooperative , you will see old techniques of how zellij and pottery is made .
Next visit the jewish Mellah , a jewish quarter located in the old cities of Morocco with a walled bounday .The Fes Mellah is also walled and it has a fortified gateway ,continue onward to visit the Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue
After enter the Medina from R’cife a (Bab) or region of the old medina , Fes el Bali know as Rcife which is the heart of manufacturing of all Fassi goods .Cross the local fruit and vegetable market here you will witness the stalls of local traders and people buying their daily goods . Dyers souk of silk ,wool and cotton , the dyers market ,located along Rue de Teinturies , Seffarine Square , place el-seffarine , this Kissaria is the most important center for the production Fassis style ceramics , brass-ware and silverware in Morocco .The Tannery ; the Tanner’s Quarter sis the most lively and picturesque souks in Fes .The Tanneries are often located near watercourses like the Wadi Fes and a distance from residential areas due to the strongly unpleasant smells they produce. See the wide array of leather work , a tradition of Fes.
Visit the Weaves Cooperative, located in a residential neighborhood off a main shopping street . The workshop specializes in weaving the finest Jellaba fabric , made of silk and wool threads imported from Italy .
University of Cairaouine , founded in 859, this univesity is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is considered the oldest continuosly operating institution of higher learning in the world .
Lunch at Restaurant Nejjarine in the heart of medina.
Visit the Bouinania Medersa ,founded by Abou Inan Faris , who also founded the Madrasa Bou Inania in Meknes . It is widely acknowledged as a major example of Merinid architecture , the Madrasa functioned as both an educational institute and as a congregational mosque at the same time , it is the only madrasa in Fes which has a minaret .
Spend the night at Riad.
Day 6: Fes free day (Gardens and Palaces) Visit the Souks days ,day on your own recommendations.
Visit the Jnane Sbil Garden , where originally created by the Sultan Moulay Abdallah , encompasses 7,5 hectares , it is one of the oldest gardens in Fes . Because of its historical importance , great care was taken to restore the garden to its original design and after four years of detailed restoration and renovation of the heirloom plants , the hydraulic systems and the famous waterwheel , the project was completed and re-opened in June 2010 ,and actualy a geft for the Fassis people from the King.
Next visit the Batha Museum & Andalusian Garden ,the Museum offers up a great collection of pottery , leatherwork , wool, books and manuscripts from the 19th century centered around a green spacious courtyard . The batha garden is a serene escape from the bustling medina in Fes , it is also utilized each June by the Fes Festival of Sacred World Music where by various world music groups perform.
Visit Palais Mokri , it is a landmark in Fes , built around 1906 by El Tayeb El Mokri, this residence covers about 220 meters of Fasis architecture and a garden built in the old medina , Palais Mokri reflects the ancient art of Morocco . It has fine woodwork , zellij tile and plasterwork , this grand palace was designed by masters who were remarkable artists , after lunch , free afternoon .
Spend the night at Riad.
Day 7: Fes - Ifrane - Zize Valley - Erfoud - Rissani - Merzouga.
Breakfast at your Riad , then take the road to Sahara Désert ,enroute we will pass Ifrane stopping to see Cedar tree forrest and the local Barbary Monkeys , we will also pass the American –Moroccan University which was built by the Saudi’s . We will have lunch during our journey in the Ziz Valley or in an other local town en route to Merzouga.
Visit Erfoud , the capital of Fossils , visit royal palace gate , the panoramic view from the Borj-Est , Fossil sites in Carriere des Fossiles and the Maadid Ksar . Erfoud was built up by the French troops after the victory of Tafilalet Battle. Erfoud is a very active city , full of commerce restaurants and street cafés , hotels ,banks and handicraft and souvenir shops ..Erfoud is a cinema hub for many movie directors .Some well known films had several scenes shot in Erfoud , some include names as Prince of Persia in 2010 and March or Die in 1977 , the Mummy .
Visit Rissani in the Sahara Desert town that is from the ancient Alaouite Dynasty and the birthday of King Mohammaed 6 , the current king of morocco , visit the old Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif , the first king of the Alaouite Dynasty.
Arrive in Merzouga before sunset ,then go by dromedary camel for one hour , at sunset into the Erg Chebbi Dunes to camp overnight Bivouac tent at an Oasis ,your camel man will share some of the Sahara desert’s secrets .As you glide across humpback on these silent , mystical dunes there will be countless opportunities to photogragh the endless rolling dunes , 1001 Berber nights Dinner , spend the night at a bivouac tent in an Oasis within the Erg Chebbi.
Day 8: Merzouga - Rissani - Erfoud - Todra Gorges - Dades Gorges.
The camel man will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life ,after breakfast and shower, you’ll leave for Tinghir and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco.
The Gorge extends from the village of Tamtattouchte Tinerhir. The Todra, with cliffs rising dramatically up to 300m on each side of a narrow corridor, make up some of the most impressive cliffs and are by far, the highest in Morocco.
The Todra Gorge is a spectacle with its gigantic rock walls changing color to create magical effects with the sunlight. A day at the Todra Gorges and Valley offers the option of extreme climbing or light hiking and sightseeing.
You will have lunch inside the Todra Gorge or at one of the restaurants beneath the overhanging cliffs with a panoramic view. Sometimes you can find the Nomad women with children from the Atlas Mountains visiting the Gorge to carry water by donkey or mull to their tents.
Your journey will take you through the Dadès Valley which covers 125 km between Ouarzazate and Boulmane du Dadès in the High Atlas Mountains .
Once you reach Boumalne at first sight you notice the limestone cliffs with uniquely shaped erosions and superb scenery and the valley’s pise (windy roads). Driving along you will pass flower filled fields, fertile fields, riverbanks and several fortified ksours. At the bottom of Gorge of Boulmane Dadès there are ruined hilltop Kasbahs and valley floor gardens. Protected by the mountains, Aït Youl is among the largest Glaoui Kasbah that is worth a pitstop.
Relax and sip mint tea while gazing at the impressive valley view, your driver will take you past the Boulmane
Day 9: Dades Gorges – Nomade Valley – Rose Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate.
After the breakfast , your driver you to the Rose Valley and will stop for you to view the Capp and Florale distillation factories laid out in the small kasbah town that manufacture the entire nations products of eau de rose. The rose water and other products such as hand and body soaps, oil, crème perfume and dried flowers are for sale and also popular among Moroccans.
And every May the Rose Festival is attended by local villagers and celebrated with traditional Berber Music, food and dance. The Festival features a an exhibition of local crafts and a street-parade with bright colorful floats made out of faux roses whereby the Ms. Roses of El Kelaa Des Mgouna is chosen.
Lunch options are dining on the Berber Village of Bou Thaghrar set within Mount M’Goun After lunch by foot or 4x4 you can explore nearby ruined kasbahs and learn about the history of the Valley of Roses. Next, go Skoura , a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves that provide great views of the Atlas Mountains alongside deserted landscapes. It is renowned for the cultivation of roses. The palm groves were laid out in the 12th century by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its original inhabitants, the Berbers of the Iskourene tribe. The most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco can be found here. Many of them are still partially inhabited. Skoura is referred to as the “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs.” Continue your road to Ouarzazate night and diner at Kasbah Dar Chemaa.
Day 10 : Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Tizi-n-Tichka - Marrakech
This morning after breakfast you may visit Kasbah Taourirte , the most beautiful old residence of the Pacha El Glaoui , then direction to the Atlas films Studios before we head to the village of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will visit the exotic Kasbah named after it. This Kasbah is situated on a hill along the fertile Ounila River; it becomes famous due to its role in hosting numerous films such as: The Man Who Would Be King, Jewel of the Nile, Jesus of Nazareth, The Message, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and Gladiator.
Later on, continuing our off roads drive to Telouet. You will have a break for lunch then visit the incredible Kasbah of Telouet.
Afterward we continue across the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2260m). Stopping along the way for photos and enjoying the panoramic views of High Atlas Mountains along with Berber villages located alongside the road. Arrive to Marrakech. Enjoy your Dinner and spend the night in hotel.
Day 11: Marrakech ( Guided Historical Tour ).
Your introduction to Marrakech after breakfast will begin in the Medina, the old quarter of the Marrakech. From here we will explore this historically charming area by foot.
In Djemma el Fna, you will visit the famous 12th century Koutouba Mosque and its influential minaret , our guide will lead you through the labyrinth streets and alleys of the Djemma El-Fna . Enjoy aromatic smells, taste fresh squeezed orange juice and venture into the souks specializing in Berber carpets, silver jewelry, artisan workshops, handmade shoes and tanneries.
We will drive to the Lower Medina to explore more of Marrakech’s secrets: El Mansour mosque, the sixteenth century Saadian Tombs with its stark towers, the ruined 16th century El Badhi palace, and the Mellah and the Jewish quarter.
Enjoy a three- course lunch consisting of fresh salad, tajine and fruit at one of Marrakech most delectable restaurants.
After lunch we will head north of the Mellah to visit the 19th century Bahia palace, originally built for Si Moussa, a former slave who became King Moulay Hassan’s chamberlain. The palace holds a courtyard and riads decorated with beautiful carved stucco, Arabic architecture.
Next we will visit the contemporary Moroccan Art Museum or Tiskiwin, a private museum dedicated to popular arts & crafts, styled as a beautiful Spanish-Moroccan house, next door to Dar Si Said palace, a smaller version of the Bahia. , Gueliz and head to the Majorelle Gardens, a magical and lush small garden estate designed by Jacque Majorelle and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent. The Majorelle Garden is filled with colorful walkways, ponds, cactus and plants as well as a beautiful shop with hand-made goods.
Day 12: Marrakech – Excursion to High Atlas (Toubkal).
After breakfast head south toward Imlil, small and peaceful village in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco that has become the center of mountaineering in the area. At 1740 m above sea level, Imlil sits just below Djebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa(4167 m ).
En route, your driver will take you on a small tour of the village that is fertile in spring and summer with waterfalls surrounded by greenery. Explore the small shops selling Berber silver jewelry and local Moroccan goods.
Travel a winding road and then take a short hike downhill to Kasbah Toubkal. Enjoy lunch and tea on the terrace with breathtaking views of Toubkal and the surrounding kasbahs. Return to Marrakech.
Day 13: Marrakech – Essaouira :
The hustle and bustle of Marrakech quickly slips away as you enter into the peace and beauty that is Essaouira. This ancient citadel on the West Atlantic Coast of Africa literally means “wall” in the Berber language, and you’ll soon discover why. Travelers from all over the world come here to experience the very special weather, and explore its diverse and unique history.
As we leave Marrakech, we drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees and working farms as we drive to the coast. After a short while, we arrive in Chichaoua, where we can take a short break for a coffee or snack .
Once you have had the chance to refuel a bit, we will continue on, soon coming upon our first signs of the Argan trees. These special trees are valued for their nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. The tree, a relict species from the Tertiary age, is extremely well adapted to drought and other environmentally difficult conditions of southwestern Morocco, and while now endangered, they are under protection of UNESCO.
After all of your morning travels,You arrive in Essaouira, where You have the chance to wander the ancient streets and imagine what life has come before us. The streets have a genuinely Portuguese feel, after they renamed the city in the 16th century and used it as a port city of their own. Here you can dine on fish straight out of the sea at any number of local restaurants, and can even have a camel ride on the beach if you want!
Day 14: Essaouira Historical Tour.
Essaouira is a seaside medieval town. Visit this charming artist colony that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, and mouthwatering seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival in June.
Take a stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offering breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town. Visit Orson Welles Square. Explore and shop for local musician instruments. Overnight at your Riad or Hotel in Essaouira.
Day 15 : Essaouira –Oualidia – Eljadida – Casablanca.
As soon as you have breakfast, you get the departure to Casablanca via El-Jadida .You have lunch at El-Oualidia with a possibility to experience local fish dishes. The journey is carried on to El Jadida passing by Atlantic Coast to Casablanca. Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 16: Casablanca départure
Breafkast at your Hotel and transfer to Casabanca Airoport.