9 Days in Morocco (Private 4 stars Hotels)

We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat. ...more ...less

Following breakfast we will visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by an earthquake in the year 1755, this important Roman town still preserves detailed mosaics and architecture offering a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history. We will then continue our journey passing through Meknes, an imperial city often called the "Versailles of Morocco" owing to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.

Following breakfast at the hotel, our accredited local guide will accompany you on a walking tour of the Fes medina. Step back in time as you wander through the labyrinth of twisting alleyways - donkeys and mules pass through the narrow streets, savour the aromas from the market stalls where countless spices and perfumes are traded, and explore the leather tanneries where men treat leather using century old techniques. We’ll cap the day with dinner at one of the many local restaurants of the medina then settle in for the evening at your hotel.

We continue our journey onwards from Fes to Ifrane, through hills blanketed in forests of cork oak and giant cedar, where a few Barbary apes still call home. Passing through the Middle and High Atlas ranges, we will catch our first glimpse of Southern Morocco’s unique architectural style and stop for lunch overlooking a breathtaking view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town of Midelt. As we descend into the desert plains, the view changes from dramatic mountain peaks to an expansive oasis punctuated by countless Ksours (fortified villages), which then give way to a vast stony plain that marks the edges of the Sahara. As the mid-day sun wanes, we will mount our camels and trek into the pink sands of the Moroccan Sahara; here, we will have ample free time for you to explore and take in the beauty and vastness of the desert dunes. Once the sun sets, a Moroccan dinner will be served alongside live music around the campfire, after which you are free to explore again - this time in the company of a million stars exploding against the pitch-black sky, and the all-encompassing silence of the Sahara at night.

If you would like, your camel guide will wake you up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes. After a cup of tea, we will ride the camels back to the kasbah, where we will be able to freshen up before heading into the Draa Valley. Besides the natural, historical, and architectural wonders found in the valley, there are also countless villages that seem to have remained untouched by the modern world. Fully veiled women can be seen washing clothes on the riverbanks and the men seem watchful and unaccustomed to foreign visitors. These local people, besides speaking a vernacular Arabic dialect, also speak Imazighen, the language of the Berber or Tamazight people, the indigenous inhabitants of North Africa for thousands of years. Our route will continue along the "Road of 1000 Kasbahs", which will take us to Ouarzazate (pronounced Warzza-zat), a city in the middle of a barren plateau at an altitude of 1160 meters, established at the crossroads of all routes going north, south, east, and west. Its geographical position has made it a key trading post since ancient times. The capital of a large province, the town's northern limits run along the foothills of the High Atlas, and its southern borders disappear into the vastness of the Sahara Desert. The area is still mostly populated by the Berber people, who were the original builders of the numerous fortified kasbahs and dwellings for which the region is famous. After checking in at our hotel, you can enjoy an afternoon beside the swimming pool and enjoy the clean desert air.

Following breakfast we will explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many of the films and shows shot on location. We then continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech - a fantastical Arabian Nights city with myriad alleyways, souks, and market stalls. Marrakech is the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, and has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike; this remarkable city never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers, and we’re sure you’ll love it too. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the vibrant streets at your leisure before settling in for the evening.

Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky. In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether its pampering yourself at a local spa with massage or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.

Marrakech is a sensory-rich city with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. In the morning, you may want to try a Moroccan hammam or a spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart around the city. Whatever it may be, our guide is at your service to help with suggestions, information, and arrangements. In the afternoon we will return to Casablanca, where we will have plenty of time to relax and settle in the night.

As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us, and hope to see you again soon.