Majestic Morocco: Fez, Merzouga, Marrakech & More

Upon arrival in Casablanca, after proceeding through immigration customs and collecting your baggage, our representative is waiting for you outside of the terminal with a big welcome before starting a brief sightseeing to Casablanca, Morocco's largest metropolis and its industrial hub. Highlights include the old French quarter of Habous, beaches lapped by green-blue water, the Hassan II Grand Mosque (exterior) considered among the largest in the world, has a capacity of 25,000 worshipers. The mosque's minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world. After the tour, transfer along the coastline to Rabat for overnight.

The tour of Casablanca is for early arrivals only.

After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for a short tour of the capital of Morocco, Rabat. You will enjoy a short walk of the Mohammed V Mausoleum. Mosaics rise from the marble floor to a ceiling of gold leaf and hand-carved cedar wood, while the three ground-floor tombs are carved from white onyx. Next to the Mausoleum is Le Tour Hassan (the Hassan Tower), which is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque, which began construction in 1195. The morning ends with a visit to the Kasbah of the Udayas, Rabat's medina. This is the fortification constructed on a mountain, overlooking the ocean. The Kasbah was constructed during the realm of the Almohads. Inside the Kasbah one can come across Andalusian gardens full of orange trees, flowers and palms. We drive to Fez via Meknes and Volubilis. Once arrive in the region, we'll be able to explore the Roman Ruins and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss. A walk around the impressive Roman city site, then you will have some time to see where Morocco's first Arab conquerors settled, in the small, sacred town of Moulay Idriss. Then off to Meknes where you can explore an afternoon some of this Imperial city's sights and continue to Fes for overnight.

This morning you will be met at your hotel for a guided city tour of the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes. The first stop of the morning is a visit to the entrance of the biggest royal palace in Morocco. This palatial complex rests in the center of the Fes El-Jedid area and is surrounded by high walls with an intricate and elaborately decorated gateway that is permanently closed. The doors are bronze but they shine like gold. Now it is closed to the public, although the king of Morocco still uses the complex when he visits Fes. You then continue the tour with a panoramic view of the medina, before venturing to the heart of the largest old medina in the world. The medieval centre of Fez, the Medina (market), has not changed for centuries. Its narrow alleys house hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns, carpets and musical instruments. One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the Leather Souq and the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries. In the medina you will visit the Jamaa Al-Karaouine (the world’s first established university) and a Medersa (a Koranic school). You will also visit the tannery, clay workshops, artisan quarters, and souks. Overnight at the hotel.

Leaving Fez this morning, we drive through the Middle Atlas into the south with a break in the quiet French built alpine resort town of Ifrane, we continue our journey while we enjoy the views of verdant cedar forests, volcanic mountains, wind-swept plains, spectacular gorges, and stony desert. We travel along the marvelous oasis of the Ziz Valley before arriving Erfoud, the port of entry to the Saharan dunes and sits at the southern end of the Ziz Oasis. Known by the name of "the Gate of Sahara Desert", it was built new by the French around 1920's as a French administrative outpost and Foreign Legion stronghold. This frontier town on the Algerian border has a definite Wild West (in this case, Wild South) feel to it. Fossilized bathtubs and moist, sweet dates are its current claims to fame, though it was once the end of the road and then overland to Merzouga, the heart of the desert, and serf the sandy sea on a powerful 4 WD Land Rover. Dinner and overnight at the desert Camp.

Enjoy an early morning sunrise camel ride along the golden sand dunes in Merzouga. Return to for breakfast before driving to Tinghir via Rissani and Tinjdad. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts one of the largest palm groves in the country. Enjoy walking at the famous Todra Gorge, a 300m wall, carved deep into the High Atlas Mountains. Leave Tinghir heading to Dades and its charming valley. Stop there to take pictures then continue along to Kelaat M'Gouna, a large village famous for cultivating roses. Expect to find many fine, rose-infused products there. Transfer to Ouarzazate, also known as "Morocco's Hollywood," for dinner and overnight.

Enjoy the city tour of Ouarzazate, beginning with the Taourirt Kasbah. The latter is considered one of the most beautiful Kasbahs in the country and the film studios (optional visit), where some of the most famous desert landscapes are being shot. Continue to the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape immortalized in films such as, Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Leave Ait Ben Haddou crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent Tiz In Tichka pass (2262m) to Marrakech for overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Marrakesh. We start at Djemaa el Fna, the central square and Marrakesh's heartbeat surrounded by bazaars, mosques, terraced cafes, snake charmers, fire-eaters, and fortune-tellers. After the visit, we stop at the Koutoubia Minaret, the oldest of the three great Almohad towers, and the Bahia Palace, a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens. We then proceed to Tiskiwine museum which houses an impressive collection of North African arts and crafts. The museum, which was founded by a Dutch anthropologist, is organized into geographically themed exhibits, with each room focusing on artifacts from different towns and regions along the ancient trade route from Marrakech to Timbuktu. The works on display include exquisite hand-woven carpets and textiles, traditional Berber clothing and jewelry, intricate basketwork and tribal handicrafts. Later enjoy a tour by a walk through the old medina and the labyrinth of souks. Overnight in the Marrakech.

After breakfast, a day at leisure or wander on your own. You may want to sign in for one of the following optional activities:

Day retreat at a local farm: We start with a pickup from your hotel/Riad at 10 am by our English-speaking driver aboard a deluxe car for a 20-min. drive to the Valley of Ourika. Upon arrival at the entrance to the trail, you will switch to a camel/donkey/mule-depending on availability- for transfer to the Bennouna's farm. A welcome drink is served by the Farm host, followed by a tour of the property. Enjoy a 20-min. meditation on the roof of the farmhouse (yoga class optional upon request) followed by a light lunch. Enjoy your leisure time at the swimming pool with fresh drinks at your disposal (extra charge for alcoholic drinks and wine) or enjoy a breathtaking walk in the surroundings. We will start to prepare for the cooking class at 4 pm. First, we'll pick up vegetables from the garden and then bring them to the kitchen to begin an immersed experience with the award-winning Executive Chef. You will dine on the food you cooked. After dinner, enjoy the sunset on the terrace with Moroccan tea and return to your hotel/Riad.

Cooking class: Exceptional gastronomic experience with the award-winning Executive Chef in Guéliz. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of North Africa's rich food culture. Join him as he walks you through the mind of a Moroccan Chef. The Chef will unlock the secrets of the recipes he mastered over the years. You will have lunch or dine on the food you cooked with the Chef. You'll experience an inside perspective of one of the world's most highly cherished cuisines.

After breakfast, transportation to the airport for your return flight.