The Best Of Morocco

Meet and greet at Casablanca airport, then start discovering Morocco's largest city and economic capital. On the way to the city center, then you will leave Casablanca along the coastline to Rabat for overnight.

After breakfast depart for Tangiers. Along the road you will pass by Kenitra center interchange, before continuing north towards the Kenitra, then follows the coast past the fishing village of Moulay Bouselham. 30 km north of there is the town of Larache an important harbor town in the region Tanger-Tetouan in northern Morocco, then Sidi El Yamani, connecting to the road to Tetouan. There is another town Asilah, a fortified town on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, before reaching Tangier. Its ramparts and gate works remain fully intact, 40 km remain to reach Tangiers for overnight.

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Tangier, Morocco's main gate to Europe and the settling place of many artists from around the world. Tangier is an incredibly unique city with many landmarks worth seeing. Begin with a tour of the world-famous St. Andrew's Church. Continue through the neighborhood of villas and mansions where we will see the Royal palace among the houses of many celebrities. Transfer to Cape Spartel, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. There, we will visit the Cave of Hercules, which dates back to the Neolistic era. Return to Tangier to resume your city tour. This will include the Dar El Oued Makhazen Kasbah, the American Legation, the Mendoubia Gardens, and the Grand and Petit Socco, where we will watch some Andalusian musicians. Overnight in Tangiers.

After breakfast departure to Chefchaouen or (Chaouen) a trip that will take about 3 hours, the roads wound around the valley edges as you travel along towards the Rif mountains. Stop in Tetouan for lunch, one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. It lies a few miles south of the Strait of Gibraltar, and about 40 mi of Tangier, then continue to Chefchaouen. Afternoon visit of Chefchaouen then overnight.

The drive from Chefchaouen to Moulay Idriss near Volubilus is about three hours. Once in the region, you'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.

After breakfast you take a full day city tour of Fes with a local guide, which will include Jamaa Al-Karaouine the world's first established university and the Medersa Bouanania, not to mention the tanneries, clay workshops, artisan quarters, and souks of largest and oldest medina in Morocco. Overnight in Fes.

Transfer to Midelt passing through many Amazigh cities and villages, the first of which are Ifrane, nicknamed "Morocco's Switzerland," is a charming ski town populated by European-style chalets; and Azrou is widely known for its handcraft cooperative. Arrival to Midelt for overnight. Midelt 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.

After breakfast, departure to Erfoud along the Ziz River, passing through a series of fortified villages before getting to Errachidia, in the south east of Morocco considered to be one of the most historically important regions of Morocco. Optional lunch at Errachidia then continue to Merzouga via Erfoud. NOTE: you can stay in a desert camp with round trip 4x4 transfers (not included and at a supplement).

Take an optional sunrise camel ride (not included and at a supplement) along the golden sand dunes in Merzouga. Then return to Erfoud for breakfast before driving to Tinghir via Rissani and Tinjdad. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts all above the Todra Gorge, a 300m wall, carved deep into the High Atlas Mountains, then transfer to Kelaat M'Gouna along the Dades Valley. Kelaat M'Gouna is 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.

Begin city tour of Ouarzazate with the Taourir and Tifoultout Kasbahs, considered among the most beautiful Kasbahs in Morocco. Next, visit the film studios where some of the most famous desert landscapes were and are still being shot. Continue on to the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape immortalized in films such; Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Alexander. Leave Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent Tiz In Tichka pass to Marrakech for overnight.

After breakfast, our full day explorations of Marrakesh will be on food and by horse-drawn carriages. 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 Almouahad towers, and the Bahia Palace, a marvelous display of painted wood, ceramics, and symmetrical gardens. You will then proceed to Saadian Tombs followed by a walk through the old medina and the labyrinth of souks. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day at leisure.

You will head towards Essaouira for the rest of the day and for the overnight. Essaouira is an attractive city with a beautiful old Medina that never ceases to seduce its visitors with beautiful architecture, cultural treasures, curving sandy beaches, and stunning combination of ocean views. Essaouira is also very rich with artisan quarter and has a big fishing port.

After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca via Safi, Oualidia and El Jadida. Safi was under protectorate by the Portuguese Empire from 1488 to 1541, while the fortress built to protect the city, under Portuguese rule is still there today. Safi is the main fishing port for the country's sardine industry, and also exports phosphates, textiles and ceramics. During the Second World War, Safi was one of the landing sites for operation Torch. After Safi, stop at Oualidia for lunch on your own before continuing through Eljadida to Casablanca for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Casablanca airport for your return flight.