The Best Of Morocco: Tangiers, Chefchaouen, Fes & More

Our local representative will be awaiting your arrival at Casablanca International Airport. Please look for him in the arrivals hall. He will be holding a placard with your name on it. He will escort you to your private vehicle. Then start discovering Morocco's largest city and economic capital, Casablanca is the best representation of the modern nation. A brief highlight tour will cover include those at Pl Mohammed V, and new public buildings include the Grand Theatre de Casablanca. The city's handsome Mauresque buildings, which meld French-colonial design and traditional Moroccan style, seen best downtown area, the Quartier Habous and in the beachside suburb of Ain Diab, and The flamboyant building of Hassan II Mosque (exterior). Then we will leave Casablanca along the coastline to Rabat for overnight.
Casablanca tour is for early arrivals only.

After breakfast, explore Morocco's political and administrative capital. A clean central beach, an intact and evocative Kasbah, and an attractive walled medina that is far less touristy than those in other large cities. Our tour starts from the Mohammed V and Hassan II Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, the landmark of Rabat and one of the oldest mosques of Morocco. The Kasbah des Oudaya, Rabat's historic citadel occupies the site of the original Ribat (fortress-monastery) that gave the city its name. This afternoon, we drive along the Atlantic Coast to Tangiers. En route, there is hardly a better place for lunch (own expense) than the village of Moulay Bousselham. Time allowing, we will perhaps stop at Asilah (a small-town from the Roman era) known for its imposing ramparts and Portuguese fortifications which enclose the old town of white and blue washed houses. Continuing our drive along the Atlantic coast (1 hour), we soon enter the urban area of Tangier. We penetrate the intricate medina of Tangier and reach our hotel for the next two nights.

Today we explore Tangier, an incredibly unique city with many landmarks: Morocco's main gate to Europe and the settling place of many artists from around the world. Flanked by a row of French colonial-era buildings Mendoubia gardens, is popular with young couples and local families on weekends. On a peak of the central hill, surrounded by historic cannons, an engraved stone monument displays the speech King Mohammed V gave to the French asking for Moroccan independence in 1947. We visit the Marshan district and its Roman tombs and admire the Moresque interiors of St Andrews church. This magnificent church is a tribute to the harmony of Christianity and Islam where you can see the Lord's Prayer written in exquisite Arabic calligraphy and the numerous Andalusian-Moroccan touches throughout the building. We cross the fish market where fresh fish is sold at auction to arrive to the Jewish cemetery, dominating the sea front. Head to the American legation, the first American property to ever open outside the United States. Descend onto Petit Socco and have a mint tea at Cafe Tingis, a favorite with the Beat Generation. A 15-minute drive outside Tangier, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean is Cap Spartel and the legendary cave of Hercules where he rested after he retrieved the "golden apple". It's interesting how the cave, in the shape of the continent of Africa, opens and looks out toward the Atlantic. Enjoy a free time at the beach then drive back to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast we drive to Chefchaouen or (Chaouen). The roads wind around the valley edges as we travel towards the Rif Mountains. En route we explore Tetouan, one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea, famous for the beautiful patios and palaces of Moresque heritage. Erected on an ancient Roman site, Tetouan was destroyed during the 15th century by the Portuguese. The fall of the kingdom of Granada in southern Spain in 1492 marked the renaissance of Tetouan. More than its architecture, the cuisine, the music, the jewelry and the embroidery speak of their Andalusian origin. Perhaps, visit the Ethnographical Museum to admire the glory of its Moresque Heritage. We continue to Chefchaouen through the dramatic gorges of Oued Laou, connecting the Mediterranean beaches to the world famous azure town. Upon arrival, we explore Chefchaouen, quite likely the most charming village in Morocco with its Medina, Bab el Ansar and the famed Ras el Maa (waterfall), where a short walk takes us to Rif Sebbanine, the laundry district and its 15th century mosque. Chefchaouen is about losing ourselves in its streets. Their Kasbah built in the 15th century is worth a detour. Overnight at the hotel.

Drive to Ouazzane, the holy city for Moroccan Jewish population who still make pilgrimages to venerate the tomb of several marabouts (Moroccan saints), particularly Moul Anrhaz, the local name for Rabbi Amram ben Diwan, an eighteenth-century rabbi who lived in the city and whose burial site is associated with several miracles. Home of many pillars of Sufism. We drive to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis to explore its stunning ruins. Impressive stone arches and columns, some tumbled down and others still standing tall against the vivid blue sky, invite us to take a step back in time. Only about half of the 40-hectare UNESCO site at Volubilis has been excavated. The better-known monuments are in the northern part of the site, farthest from the entrance in the south: The Capitol, dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, dates to 218AD; the Basilica and 1300 sq. meter Forum are nearby. Here, floors of what were once family dwellings are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming animals with his lyre and Hercules performing his legendary 12 labors. That so many of these tiles are still in place and exhibiting their colors after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing. Then off to the Imperial city of Meknes, the one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate with its all-winding narrow streets in the medina and grand buildings that warrant it as an imperial city. Remnants of three sets of fortifications, ingeniously incorporated into the city's road networks, emphasize its past importance and glory. The king's tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original imperial city, flanked by an almighty royal granary, the magnificent Bab el-Mansour. Continue to Fes for overnight.

Today you take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you visit one of the most imperial, timeless and untouched cities in the world - Fez El Bali (Old Fez) - the cultural heart of Morocco. You explore some of the 9000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks (open air markets) that make-up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century AD. The Imperial capital was a renowned center of medieval learning and at its heart still remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. In the neighboring building is the Attarine Mederasa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Then the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain an elaborate tile-work mosaics, the Fondouq (Caravanserai) has been converted to a museum of carpentry artifacts. In the 13th Century the Merinide Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic schools), souks and the city wall. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to tour hotel for overnight.

This morning, depart Fes. Pass through many amazing cities and villages, the first of which are Ifrane, nicknamed "Morocco's Switzerland," is a charming ski town populated by European-style chalets. Continue on to Midelt, which serves as the commercial center of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco's principal cities for the mining of several minerals. You will have some free time in Midelt, before you continue your journey through the dramatic Ziz Gorge to arrive in Erfoud. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, a 4x4 vehicle will be waiting for you to continue your adventure by heading towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara desert. En route, visit the villages in the surroundings area for a closer contact with the Berber culture, before arrival to Rissani, visit of camel milk cooperative, then continue to Rissani and visit one of the best traditional market in Sahara, "a place where they sell just donkeys and other markets for ships, goats and cows. Stop at El Khamlia village for lunch included. Continue to the African village or "Gnawa village". Then continue to Erg Chabbi. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are a strikingly strange natural formation. On the top of the flattest area you could imagine, suddenly a long mountain of sand rises. This mountain is surrounded by flat and desolate nature on all sides, and you could end up wondering if it really is real. But so it is, even if its existence is so weird that it has given rise to legends and myths among the locals. Upon arrival at the camp you will witness the sunset from over the desert dunes and be astounded by the peace and calm as well as the changing colors of the landscape.
This evening, get onto the back of a camel and venture into the desert for a chance to see one of the most beautiful sunsets of your lifetime. Traverse the golden sands of the Sahara until you reach a perfect viewing spot for one of the Nature's greatest shows. As another day comes to an end, watch the sky come to life with a fiery glow and the rays playfully change the colors of the endless dunes around you. Enjoy your dinner under tent then overnight.

We drive to Tinghir and Todra gorges - the highest and the narrowest gorges in Morocco. Situated on the east side of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the Todra Gorge is recognized around the world as one of the most spectacular canyons. Here, both the Todra and Dades Rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons on their final 25-mile stretch through the mountains, leaving behind this series of reliefs and etches in the rock. The Todra is the name of the last 600 meters (just under 2,000 feet) of the canyons. In places, this gorge measures just 33 feet across, but the cliffs are more than 500 feet tall on either side. The river has since dried up, leaving only the imagination to picture the powerful natural forces that once carved this region. The gorge, though in a remote, is popular for its hiking paths and a wellmaintained dirt road for visitors to share with mules and other pack animals.
After lunch (on your own), we'll drive through the Dades Valley with its majestic sand castles and incredible rock formations known as "monkey toes". The route through Dades Valley is also known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs. You'll catch a spectacular view of a vast valley dotted with small oases and hundreds of ancient fortifications.
The sand-colored walls of the Kasbah may all start to look the same but each holds a special historical treasure within and offer innumerable opportunities for remarkable photos. Continue to Skoura, a quiet little village speckled with palm tree groves, Skoura is surrounded by acres of palm groves (les palmaraie), which are a paradise of palm and olive trees dotted with Kasbahs and small villages. This is where we find Kasbah Amridil that stands out from the rest.
Originally built in the 17thcentury, it is one of Morocco's most iconic living museums that has withstood the test of time. Then we drive to Ouarzazate for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we visit Taourir Kasbahs, one of the most beautiful Kasbahs in Morocco. After the French left in the 1953, the movie business flourished in Ouarzazate. Optional visit of the film studios where some of the most famous desert landscapes are filmed. You might recognize the sand-colored houses of this impressive Ksar (Arabic for "fortified city") when you see the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape immortalized in such films as,
Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Alexander. Ait Ben Haddou is a massive fortification made up of six Kasbahs all protected by UNESCO. You can spend time in its maze of winding streets until reaching a fortified granary at the top which provides an amazing view of the valley. We leave Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent Tiz In Tichka pass to Marrakech, our home for the next three nights.

Unearth the secrets of Marrakech, beginning in the medina, the old walled section of town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This thousand-year-old city was long a political, economic and cultural center. Marvel at its architectural jewels, including the soaring Koutoubia minaret. Continue to the Bahia Palace, an exemplary of privileged life in the 19th century. Your next stop is at the Tiskiwin Museum, founded by a Dutch anthropologist which houses an impressive
collection of North African arts and crafts 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. Later you visit Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's main square, you will find orange juice stalls and vendors, along with fire-eaters, mime artists, snake-charmers and street musicians performing at every turn. You may also take the opportunity to explore the city's fabled, labyrinthine souks, their bustling alleyways brimming with all manner of wares. Overnight at the hotel.

Optional excursion to Essaouira where you will enjoy most of the day at leisure. This relatively small, easily navigable beach city is ideal for a free day. Essaouira has got a distinct multicultural feel, resulting from the large Portuguese, French, and Jewish populations that once called it home. Its mild climate and expansive stretches of ocean sand also place it among Morocco's top beach towns. Essaouira's walled medina was added to Unesco's World Heritage list in 2001. Its well-preserved, late-18th-century fortified layout is a prime example of European military architecture in North Africa. For the visitor, the mellow atmosphere, narrow winding streets lined with colorful shops, whitewashed houses and heavy old wooden doors make it a wonderful place to stroll. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred back to Marrakech.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight.