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14 day – 13 nights
Casablanca – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Talifet – Erfoud – Optional Rissani tour – Fez – Volubilis – Meknes – Rabat – Marrakech
Costs based on this itinerary start from £3290.00 per person
Day 1: To Ouarzazate via Casablanca
Direct flight to Casablanca and then transfer to Quarzazate, an old French garrison town on the threshold of the awe inspiring Sahara: now favoured by the international film community for the undeniable beauty of the surrounding area. The flight arrives late in the evening. Overnight Hotel Berber Palace.
Day 2: To Ait Benhaddou and village tour
Architecturally the village is a delight, and has the best preserved Kasbah in the Atlas region. This is due to its popularity with film makers, with at least 20 major films on location here - including Lawrence of Arabia. Visits include the Kasbah with its tremendous views of the surrounding palmeraie and the Hamada (stony desert), plus a local house. Overnight Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 3: To Erfoud via Talifet
Stop for a short visit in Talifet home to the Alaouite Dynasty. It’s also one of the most important oases, on the Ziz River, in the Moroccan Sahara, once prospering as a major centre for the caravans from Niger en route to Tangiers. Two nights with dinner at the Kasbah Chergui.
Day 4: Rissani tour and optional sunrise excursion
Optional sunrise excursion to the vast shifting sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Its a very early start but worth the effort to see these magnificent dunes in the glory of dawn. Morning at leisure with afternoon tour to Rissani - the last village on the Ziz River before the desert begins. Most inhabitants still live in the maze of passages in the 18th Ksar.
Day 5: To Fez
After breakfast drive to Fez. Leave the fringes of the desert and drive through the Ziz River valley sprinkled with delightful palm fringed towns and brooding Ksour dominating the hillsides. The Ziz gorges are incredibly spectacular. Three nights Riad Fez.
Day 6: Fez City Tour
Full day city tour of Fez, the oldest of the Imperial cities. Visits will include the walled Fez el Bali with its hive of narrow alleyways and byways. Wonderful Mosques and Merdersa grace this ancient medieval city. Visits include the King’s Palace and the Bou Inania Madrasa Fez Pottery, leather ware and Moroccan jewellery are good buys in the souks.
Day 7: Full day excursion to Volubilis
After breakfast drive to the ancient Roman City of Volubilis, in the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. The triumphal arch, basilica, and columns of the Capitol are particularly well preserved. This remote outpost of Roman is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are some excellent mosaics, and delightful vignettes of daily life – an olive press and a bakery. Later visit Moulay Idriss, one of the holiest cities in Morocco before returning to the hotel.
Day 8: To Meknes afternoon City tour
Morning drive to Meknes the smallest, but most delightful of the 4 Moroccan Imperial cities, with its UNESCO World Heritage listed Medina. Afternoon city tour to include the Dar Jamai Museum of Moroccan Arts, the El-Hdim Square to visit the old Medina with its bustling streets, and see Merdersa Ben Inania; considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Overnight Hotel Zaki.
Day 9: To Rabat
Morning drive to Rabat with remainder of day at leisure. Two nights Tour Hassan.
Day 10: Rabat
Morning city tour of Rabat the capital city of Morocco – visits will include the Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum, Chellah Gardens and Necropolis and the Oudaya Kasbah with its panoramic view over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 11: To Marrakech
Drive to Marrakech through ever changing scenery. Three nights Jardin de la Koutabia.
Day 12: Marrakech
This vibrant city is famed for its gardens and visits will include the lovely Agdal and Menara gardens. In the Medina see the renowned Koutoubia Minaret, considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Whilst in the Medina see the Kasbah and spend time hunting for souvenirs in the Jemaa El Fna Square.
Day 13: Marrakech
At leisure perhaps exploring the Majorelle gardens privately owned by Yves St. Laurent, visiting the pulsating Jemaa El Fna square again to absorb the vibrancy of the city – or simply relax with a good book!
Day 14: To Airport
Transfer to the airport for direct return flight. |
