Morocco Grand Tour ~ 15 Days 14 Nights From Casablanca

Upon arrival at the Casablanca airport, our driver will be there with a personalized sign to welcome you.  Alternatively, you can be picked up from your hotel.  This port city, on the Atlantic Ocean, is the commercial hub of western Morocco.  In this bustling city, you will first visit the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest functioning mosque in Africa, and the 7^th largest in the world.  We will continue the tour to see the famous Rick's Cafe from the movie “Casablanca”.   We will then head north to Rabat for your overnight accommodation in a hotel or Riad. BB

After breakfast, you will start exploring Rabat, where the ancient and modern collide in the tree-fringed boulevards of this European-flavored, administrative capital of Morocco.  Our local informative guide will ensure you have a wonderful day.  Among the many sights to be seen will be the Kasbah des Oudayas with its beautiful Andalusian gardens located at the mouth of the river Abu Regrag.  The Kasbah was originally built in the 12^th century by the al Mohades dynasty.  A highlight will the Hassan Tower, another UNESCO site in Rabat, which is part of an incomplete mosque also built by the same dynasty in the 12^th century.  At the same location is the mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan II with its own amazing architecture.  While at this site you will also walk to have a view of the stunning performing arts center.  Following the visit in Rabat, we continue our drive to Meknes, the Ismaili capital in the 17^th century.  Here you will see the immense arched and mosaic tiled 17^th century gate of Bab Mansour which leads into the former Imperial City.  You will also see a granary and the Sahrij Souani, used for irrigation and planting.  We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.  On your visit to this historical site, you be accompanied by a local guide.  Volubilis was a part of the Roman Empire and dates to 225 BC.   Here you will see the most beautiful mosaics in Morocco from the same period.  Your guided tour will increase your knowledge of the Roman Empire.  We will then continue the drive to Fes through the beautiful foothills of the Rif mountains.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast, our local informative guide will take you on an adventure through Fes (or Fez) the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual capital of Morocco.  Fes is primarily known for the Fes El Bali, or walled medina, another UNESCO site, with its medieval architecture, vibrant souks, and old-world atmosphere.  We start outside the medina to see the royal palace gate, then walk through the Jewish quarter or “the mellah”, the first Jewish quarter built in the country.  Following that, you will enter the medina to experience the sensory stimulating souks - exotic spices, vibrant materials and beautiful metal works are just some of the sights you will experience.  As well as spending the morning wandering by the souks, you will visit sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Medrasa Bouanania, the el-Karaouine Mosque and University, the oldest in the world (and built by a woman).  You will also visit the famous tanneries and the Najjarine Fountain.  After a Moroccan lunch, at a local restaurant in the heart of the medina, you will be driven to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the entire medina. From there we will visit a pottery cooperative.  Time permitting, we will take a drive through modern Fes drive to experience a different atmosphere.  Overnight accommodation at your hotel or riad. BB

We will begin our journey from Fes, traveling southeast towards Merzouga.  The first stop will be at the town of Ifrane, referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco” with its alpine style architecture and nearby slopes and forests. The second stop will be at the cedar forest in Azrou to see Barbary apes.  Our drive will continue with several more stops (one for lunch at your discretion) to take beautiful photographs and will continue through the welcoming traditional Berber villages towards Erfoud and Rissani.   We will stop at a Berber village where you can interact with local inhabitants. Throughout the day, you will be amazed by the stunning contrast and diversity of the countryside.  As we continue south, the scenery becomes especially beautiful where the Ziz valley meets the High Atlas Mountains and creates a breathtaking gorge. . After arriving in Merzouga in the late afternoon, you will be accommodated overnight in a hotel.  BDB.

After breakfast in your hotel, we will explore the area around Merzouga. 7 kilometers south of Merzouga is the village of Khamliya.  These inhabitants are direct descendants of the slaves that been brought from Sudan. You will spend time enjoying their Gnawa music. Nearby is Dayet Srij - a seasonal salt lake.  It is often dry in summer, but when full it attracts a wide range of migratory and desert birds, including desert warblers and flamingos. This area attracts photographers from all over the world when the birds are present.  You may also visit the souk in Rissani which occurs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.   Locals come to trade necessary items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dates, nuts, crafts, spices and even donkeys, sheep, and goats.  This fascinating souk is also a social meeting place where the local communities come to meet each other and hear news of the area.  Lunch will be at one of the local restaurants in the area. In the afternoon, you will start the guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel driver.  He will lead you across the sand sea of Erg Chebbi and make sure you watch the best sunset of your lifetime.  Overnight accommodation is at a desert luxury camp equipped with flush toilets and hot showers.   Dinner and evening entertainment are included at the camp.  BDB.

Today your camel driver will wake you up to watch a beautiful sunrise. You will see the sun cover the golden sand dunes of Merzouga and the rocky barren Sahara Desert.  After your breakfast at the camp, you will return to Merzouga by camel, or opt for a 4-wheel-drive return trip.  You will then head on the road to the Dades Valley for another excellent day.  We will first visit the Todra Gorges, the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco.  You may have an opportunity to hike for an hour in the area.  After lunch, the drive continues to the Dadès Valley.  You will be amazed at the rock formations known as “monkey toes” or “monkey fingers” found in the area.  Overnight accommodation at the hotel with BDB.

After breakfast you will head on the road to Ouarzazate crossing the Dadès Valley.  We will pass through the beautiful Berber villages including Kalaa Mgouna.  It is called the “rose town” as it is famous for the cultivation of rose petals.  One of our main stops will be the Skoura Oasis.  Here numerous ancient kasbahs are found amongst the palm trees, some sadly in ruins.  You will visit the famous Amridil Kasbah, a historic fortified residence.  Built during the17th century, it is considered one the most impressive kasbahs in Morocco.  It is also renowned for the filming of the movies ‘Ali Baba and 40 Thieves” and “Lawrence of Arabia”.  After lunch, if time permits, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah, Ouarzazate’s main landmark.  This impressive 19^th century fortress has approximately three hundred rooms and twenty riads, or traditional houses built around a courtyard.  Near to this kasbah is a movie studio, said to be the biggest in the world.  The movies Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Body of Lies and Star Wars were filmed here.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel.BB

Today we are travelling to Taroudant via Taznakht and Taliouine.  But first we will stop at the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, 25 kilometers from Ouarzazate.  This spectacular fortified village, a UNESCO world heritage site, was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the T-hami El Glaoui.  In recent years, this ksar has become an attractive location for movie producers.  We will stop for lunch in Taznakht, then continue to the Taliouine region, which is the saffron capital in Morocco.  We may stop at a saffron co-operative to watch the processing of saffron.  We will arrive in Taroudant in the evening.  Taroudant, built in the sixteenth century, is in the Sous valley in southeastern Morocco.  As it resembles a small Marrakech with its surrounding ramparts, it is known as the “Grandmother of Marrakech”.  Today, the town has the feel of a small fortified market town on a caravan route.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel.  BB

After breakfast at your hotel, you will have a short tour of the highlights of Taroudant. Then we leave for Essaouira via the resort city of Agadir.  Here we will stop for lunch and a walk along one of Morocco’s beautiful beaches.  After lunch we will continue the drive along the magnificent coastal road.  As we near Essaouira you will see herds of goats climbing the argan trees looking for fresh argan nuts.  We will arrive in Essaouira in the late afternoon.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel. BB

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by our knowledgeable local guide for a wonderful tour of the town.  You will visit the Skala fortress, see the magnificent canons and watch falcons, and gulls hover above the nature reserve on the Purpuraires Islands.  To the north of the Skala you may see surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers all taming the waves.  Be sure to ask your guide to show you the many places in Essaouira immortalized in film.  Your guide will take you to the fishing port with its bustling fish market and through the medina where you will learn more of the town’s fascinating history and see many artisans at work including the Thuya (a local wood) carvers.  Essaouira is rated as the most beautiful cities in Morocco by UNESCO.  And the beaches surrounding Essaouira are rated as ‘Blue Flag’ meaning they have met high environmental and quality standards.  In the afternoon you might choose to browse the shops and art galleries in town, walk along the skala or enjoy the atmosphere of the beach.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel. BB

After breakfast in your hotel, you will have some free time to wonder and take photographs in the morning light of this charming small town.  We will leave Essaouira in the late morning for Marrakech. The 3-hour drive will include several stops to see the Argan forests and visit one of the women’s Argan cooperatives.  Argan oil is produced for use in cosmetics, medicine, and cuisine.  We will continue to Marrakech to check in to you overnight accommodation in a hotel. BB

After your breakfast in your hotel a local guide will meet you at your accommodation to begin a day full of fascinating sights.  Marrakech, a former imperial city, is a major economic center and home to many mosques, Palaces and Gardens.  The densely packed, walled medieval city dates from the 12^th century of the Berber Empire.   Your guide will take you through the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to experience the sensory stimulating souks - exotic spices, vibrant materials and beautiful metal works - are just a few of the many souks you will see.  You will also visit sites with historical and cultural interest, including the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Koutoubia Mosque, and of course, the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.  Lunch will be at a recommended restaurant nearby.  After lunch you will be driven through the new city to visit the beautiful Majorelle Gardens.  You will be driven back to your accommodation at the end of the day. BB

Today you will experience beautiful scenery on the drive to the Ourika Valley for your hike.  We will drive via Tahnnaout, through the Atlas Mountains before arriving at the Berber village of Asni.  Along the way, there will be fascinating views of the highest mountain in north Africa, “Jbel Toubkal”.  There will be several stops for photographs as we pass through several valleys - the Tahnnaout valley, the Moulay Brahim Gorges, and the Ourika valley, one of the most stunning and attractive valleys in Morocco where we stop for your hike.  This valley is known as an area of peace and tranquility in contrast to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.  After we arrive, an experienced mountain guide will take you for a 2-hour hike through the area to the waterfalls.  You may also see Barbary Apes in their natural environment.  Following the hike, we will stop for lunch, before heading back to your accommodation in Marrakech.  BB

Today you have chosen 1 of 2 activities for the morning: Cooking Class You will be picked up by one of our team for your Moroccan cooking class at 10 AM.  This unique cooking class experience will teach you the techniques for preparing Moroccan dishes such as Tagine and couscous.  You will learn to prepare either an appetizer and a main dish or a main dish and a dessert.  The cooking school is designed with easy–to use modern equipment found in every kitchen.  (More details upon request). Quad Biking. After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven beyond the bustling streets of Marrakech into the countryside.  You will spend 3 hours enjoying a self-drive Quad-Biking experience through thousands of palm trees.  (More details upon request). The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or to do some shopping on your own at the medina market.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad   BB.

After your breakfast and depending upon your departure time, we will drive you to the airport in time for your flight.  Here we say goodbye and your tour ends.