Morocco's hidden Jewels
15 Day Morocco Tour From Fes
Carefully selected hotels, Kasbahs, Riads. Includes one night in a traditional Berber camp
Qualified multilingual local guides / drivers.
Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle(s), mini bus or motor-coach
Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Chefchaouen, Martil, Tétouan, Tangier, Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades, Todra, Sahara desert, Rissani, Ifrane
Conducting preliminary research on flights from your nearest airport to find the most cost-effective options for landing in and departing from Morocco would be valuable. Please note that our tours are flexible, and we can commence from any city that aligns with your schedule.
We will meet you upon your arrival in Fes, and you will be taken directly to your riad in the heart of the old medina where we will leave you to relax and settle in.
In the morning after breakfast we will start your Moroccan experience with a day of exploring Fes, the intellectual and spiritual heart of Morocco. Fes features many mosques and madrasas, or theological colleges, including the 9th-century Karaouine University whose architecture is strikingly similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. In the morning we will wander through the famous medina, one of the largest in the world, where thousands of local craftsmen can be seen working in their tiny shops that open directly onto the twisting and turning alleyways of the souks. Noisy, pungent, hot, and claustrophobic, the medina of Fes is a totally absorbing and unique sensory experience.
We will have a chance to visit the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter (the Mellah), and the impressive Bab Bou Jeloud, or the Blue Gate to the medina. We will also see the wonderful mosaics and carved woodwork in Madrasa Bou Inania, a group of buildings from the 14th century with an elegant minaret overlooking Talaa Kebira, as well as the Fes El Bali, the largest bazaar in all of Morocco. We will have lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant where you can taste the cuisine typical of the region before continuing our tour through the labyrinth of the souks. We will spend the night in Fes.
Around 8 in the morning you will be picked up from your riad in Fes, and we will depart for the beautiful town of Chefchaouen. On our way we will visit Meknes, often called the "Versailles of Morocco" due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments. We will take some time to explore its highlights, including the massive Bab Mansour Gate, the old Medina, and Moulay Ismail's shrine. From Meknes we will drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a window into Morocco's ancient history.
We will also visit the nearby town of Moulay Idriss, where Moulay Idriss I, who brought Islam to Morocco, is entombed. Moulay Idriss is considered to be the holiest town in Morocco. Our journey ascends into the valleys of the Rif Mountains, which form the dramatic entrance to the welcoming town of Chefchaouen, nestled among the Rif Mountain peaks, and known as the "Blue City" for the vivid blue shades that the houses are painted. We will go directly to your riad, an Andalusian-style guesthouse, to settle in before going for a walk among the white and blue washed walls of the medina and the markets offering unique local handicrafts. With its unique aesthetic and its unforgettable view over the mountains, Chefchaouen is also a famous destination for photography. In the evening you can enjoy an aromatic glass of red wine and a tagine and couscous meal at one of the hotel's three rooftop terraces before relaxing under the crystal-clear Moroccan night-sky.
After breakfast you will have a tour of this striking blue-rinsed town, truly one of Morocco's must-see places and a hidden gem, tucked away in the mountains. Your local guide will take you through the local markets where you will see the unique offerings of the Moroccan highlands. In the afternoon you'll be able to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Rif Mountains. Overnight in Chefchaouen
After breakfast in Chefchaouen we will have a short trip to the authentic town of Tetouan, known as the White Dove, located at the foot of the Rif Mountains with it's ancient medina, declared as a Unesco World Heritage site; After a short visit, we will continue to Tangier, a seaport and coastal city that has for centuries been the gateway between Africa and Europe. A local guide will be waiting to take you on a private tour around Tangier and help you discover the historical and modern-day charms of this bustling Moroccan city.
Tangier tour will start at the city's famous kasbah. Located at the highest point in the city, the Dar el-Makhzen, or former Sultan's Palace, overlooks Tangier's Medina from behind its 17th-century stone walls. You can stroll through the palace gardens and pay a visit to the Museum of Antiquities and Moroccan Art. Afterwards, a wander through the medina will give you a feel for life in the city, both past and present-day. Your guide can take you to an authentic Berber souk and help you bargain for something special to take home with you.
We will leave Tangier for Rabat, continuing our journey along the Atlantic Coast. On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals, before stopping in imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops. Overnight in Rabat.
We will depart Rabat for the Casablanca, the economical capital and the biggest city in Morocco; We will visit Mohamed V Square and the spectacular mosque of Hassan II. We will continue to the seaside town of Essaouira. A relaxing drive through the vast and breathtaking Moroccan landscape, peppered with a few scattered villages. will take you to this UNESCO World Heritage listed city. This windswept fishing port, with broad beaches and an ancient walled medina has long been a popular destination. Stroll along the ramparts and beach as you take in the relaxed vibe of the small but lively medina, or visit the port to see the catch of the day. Essaouira also hosts the Gnaoua Music Festival every June. Overnight in Essaouira.
After breakfast at your riad you will be able to freely explore the maze of alleyways that make up this relaxed seaside port town. Here you'll be able to meet local artists in their studios and browse their artwork, or head to the lively fish market for a savory lunch of fresh grilled fish. Since it's right on the coast, Essaouira's seafood comes right from the sea, and you can expect the freshest, more sustainable, and widest variety of seafood to choose from. You can find a space on the wooden benches and tables alongside the locals and pick your own fish for the grill while enjoying a picturesque view out over the fishing port and the walled medina from the bastion of Skala du Port.
You might decide to go for a walk along the beach at low tide to see the crumbling ruins of the fort of Borj El Baroud, or the ruined sultan's palace outside of Diabat, or even to take a boat to the island of Mogador, breeding ground for the rare Eleanora's falcon. If you love watersports, you might also want to try one of the many popular options offered on the local beaches, including surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kayaking. Alternatively, you might prefer to simply sit in one of the many beachside cafes on Place Moulay Hassan, relax, and watch the waves roll in with a coffee or mint tea and a Moroccan pastry. We will once again spend the night in our Essaouira.
You enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, in the afternoon, we will leave the Atlantic coast; A relaxing drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees, and Argan oil cooperatives will take us to the red city of Marrakech, one of Morocco's imperial cities. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up imagery right out of Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, after which we will check into our hotel and you will be able to explore the vibrant markets of the famous Djemaa el Fna square before settling in for the night. Overnight in Marrakech (BB)
Today after breakfast you will explore Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike. A guided tour will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding streets and past hidden gardens and souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, which is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque towering alongside.
In the evening this square is overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. You will have a chance to relax at one of the many cafes surrounding the square to take in all the sights. You will have the afternoon to spend at leisure, pampering yourself at a local hammam or exploring the souks of the medina for yourself. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
Your Best Travel guide and driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation or port of entry before escaping the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. We will cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, which reaches an altitude of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) and is the highest mountain pass in North Africa. The road passes through various villages typical of the northern slopes of the Atlas, where corn can be seen ripening in the sun on the packed-earth roofs of the stone houses. We will continue across the territory of the powerful Glaoua tribe where a number of ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries can be seen dotting the countryside before we reach Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village classified by UNESCO as one of the world's cultural treasures.
At Ait Benhaddou we will stop for lunch and to give you some time to explore the kasbah for yourself. Our journey will continue towards the Skoura Oasis, filled with dense palm groves crossed by a network of tracks running between kasbahs, ksours, and farms. We will head towards the Roses Valley and into the Dades Valley on the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs", passing the fortresses of M'Goun and the countless traditional Berber adobe houses that perch along the riversides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the rocks themselves. We will spend the night in the Dades Valley.
After having breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we will drive to Tinghir, a former military outpost on the banks of the Oued Todra, where olive, pomegranate, and orange trees flourish. The road through the Todra Gorges follows the right bank of the river, which is covered with palm trees and is one of the most beautiful oases in Morocco. We will continue farther east into the narrowest and most spectacular section of the gorges, where we will take some time to wander among the towering rock walls of the narrow corridors. That afternoon we will leave for Erfoud, crossing the palm grove of Tinjdad and Touroug, and visit a workshop where local fossils are produced.
Afterwards we will continue straight to the desert village of Merzouga, which lies right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. You will have a chance to leave all unnecessary luggage behind in safe rooms at a hotel before mounting your camel (or 4WD if you can't do the camels) and riding into the Moroccan Sahara. Your camel will take you to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa, with some dunes rising to 820 feet. The camp features comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses, linens, toilets, a restaurant, and a kitchen. The evening will consist of stargazing and a Moroccan dinner followed by a traditional music show. We will spend the night in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the Milky Way spreading across the pitch-black night sky.
If you would like to wake 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 which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town. We will visit the village of Khamlia, the origin of Gnawa music, and have an opportunity to hear it played by the local people, the descendants of ex-slaves who found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route.
We will also visit the nearby Dayet Srji Salt Lake, which is the resting point for many kinds of migratory birds including flamingos, and is a bird lover's paradise. Afterwards we will visit the nearby city of Rissani, once called Sijilmassa, which was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. In Rissani you'll be able to wander through the souks and try Berber pizza, a local specialty. In the afternoon we will return to our kasbah in Merzouga, where you will be able to relax beside the swimming pool and watch the sunset over the desert.
After having breakfast in our kasbah in Merzouga we will retrace our path through the oasis of Erfoud and through the spectacular landscape, dotted by palm trees, ruined kasbahs, and Berber villages, that surrounds the Ziz Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco. We will pass through the bleak plain of rock and scrub that separates the mountains from the desert before stopping for lunch in the village of Midelt at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where we will have an unforgettable view over the imposing Moroccan mountains.
Our path will wind its way up through the mountain valleys and into the cedar forests of Azrou where some Barbary apes still make their home. In the middle of the High Atlas Mountains we will see Ifrane, the uncannily Swiss-styled alpine village, popularly known as the "Switzerland of Morocco". After having crossed the mountains we will arrive in Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, and one of the world's most complete medieval cities. Your guide will escort you through its narrow streets directly to your riad or hotel.
Today we will try to benefit our time as much as we can, maybe wander around Marrakech souks to get some souvenirs for friends…, then transfer to the Marrakech Menara airport.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your riad in Fes, and you will depart for the beautiful town of Chefchaouen. On your way you will visit Meknes, often called the "Versailles of Morocco" due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments. You will take some time to explore its highlights, including the massive Bab Mansour Gate, the old Medina, and Moulay Ismail's shrine.
From Meknes we will drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a window into Morocco's ancient history. We will also visit the nearby town of Moulay Idriss, where Moulay Idriss I, who brought Islam to Morocco, is entombed. Moulay Idriss is considered to be the holiest town in Morocco.
Our journey ascends into the valleys of the Rif Mountains, which form the dramatic entrance to the welcoming town of Chefchaouen, nestled among the Rif Mountain peaks, and known as the "Blue City" for the vivid blue shades that the houses are painted. We will go directly to your riad, an Andalusian-style guesthouse, to settle in before going for a walk among the white and blue washed walls of the medina and the markets offering unique local handicrafts. With its unique aesthetic and its unforgettable view over the mountains, Chefchaouen is also a famous destination for photography.
In the evening you can enjoy an aromatic glass of red wine and a tagine and couscous meal at one of the hotel's three rooftop terraces before relaxing under the crystal-clear Moroccan night-sky.
After breakfast you will have a tour of this striking blue-rinsed town, truly one of Morocco's must-see places and a hidden gem, tucked away in the mountains. Your local guide will take you through the local markets where you will see the unique offerings of the Moroccan highlands. In the afternoon you'll be able to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Rif Mountains. Overnight in Chefchaouen (BB)
After breakfast in Chefchaouen you will have a short trip to the authentic town of Tetouan, known as the White Dove, located at the foot of the Rif Mountains with it's ancient medina, declared as a Unesco World Heritage site; After a short visit, we will continue to Tangier, a seaport and coastal city that has for centuries been the gateway between Africa and Europe. A local guide will be waiting to take you on a private tour around Tangier and help you discover the historical and modern-day charms of this bustling Moroccan city.
Our trip will start at the city's famous kasbah. Located at the highest point in the city, the Dar el-Makhzen, or former Sultan's Palace, overlooks Tangier's Medina from behind its 17th-century stone walls. You can stroll through the palace gardens and pay a visit to the Museum of Antiquities and Moroccan Art.
Afterwards, a wander through the medina will give you a feel for life in the city, both past and present-day.
We will leave Tangier for Rabat, continuing your Moroccan tour along the Atlantic Coast. On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals, before stopping in imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops. Overnight in Rabat.
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 Cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna Square, 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.
Your guide will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Marrakech. You will escape the hustle and bustle of the red city and cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, which reaches an altitude of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) and is the highest mountain pass in North Africa. The road passes through various villages typical of the northern slopes of the Atlas, where corn can be seen ripening in the sun on the packed-earth roofs of the stone houses.
You will continue across the territory of the powerful Glaoua tribe where a number of ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries can be seen dotting the countryside before we reach Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village classified by UNESCO as one of the world's cultural treasures. At Ait Benhaddou we will stop for lunch and to give you some time to explore the kasbah for yourself. Our journey will continue towards the Skoura Oasis, filled with dense palm groves crossed by a network of tracks running between kasbahs, ksours, and farms.
Next, towards the Roses Valley and into the Dades Valley on the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs", passing the fortresses of M'Goun and the countless traditional Berber adobe houses that perch along the riversides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the rocks themselves. You will spend the night in the Dades Valley.
Following breakfast we continue our drive along the banks of the Oued Todra, where olive, pomegranate, and orange trees flourish, until we reach the Todra Gorge, where we will take some time to wander among the towering rock walls of the narrow corridors. As we descend into the desert plains, the landscape gives way to a vast stony plain that marks the edges of the Sahara.
Upon our arrival, we will leave all unnecessary luggage behind in safe rooms at a nearby hotel before mounting our camels and trekking into the towering dunes 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.
At your request, our staff will wake you at the crack of dawn to witness the spectacle of the desert sunrise, the colour of the sand contrasting beautifully with the palette of shadows on the dunes. After waking up to a desert sunrise and having breakfast, we will be able to relax for a couple hours before taking a 4WD off-road tour for an immersive desert experience. We start by meeting some desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life; We will drive along the high plateau of rocky desert with a huge panoramic view of the sea of dunes and varied desert landscapes to the "Ghost Town" of Mifis , an abandoned mining village where they excavate the ancient eye cosmetic of Kohl and quartz, here also you can still spot turtle, trulobites, Ammonites, and orthoceras fossils from the creatures which inhabited this ancient sea millions of years ago; Our discovery continue from Geology to music, to the town of Khamlia Village, sattelled by darker skin Berbers, here we will be able to hear the unique gnawa music from the local people who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal and Sudan via the Salt Route. After enjoying the live show of Gnawa spiritual music and having a home-made Berber pizza lunch, We drive to the nearby seasonal lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of migrant birds. From there we will head to the oasis of Merzouga, the community gardens, then to the nomadic depository; (If it's the souk day; you have the option to visit the authentic market of Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, a medieval Moroccan city that was once the meeting place for the salt and gold trade caravans coming from Timbuktu, Mali. Then a short drive back to our Kasbah where you can relax by the pool, (Here you have the option to do ATVs: quad biking or dunes buggies or 4WD drive back to the camp), where we will be greeted with a mint tea and have some time to relax. In the afternoon we will mount our camels / 4WD and ride into the pink sands of Morocco's highest dunes. We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset. In the evening we will dine on Moroccan cuisine and enjoy traditional live music around the campfire, sit down and chat with locals, or enjoy some drumming lessons.. You will spend the night in warm Berber tents in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the Milky Way spreading across the pitch-black night sky, and maybe even see some shooting stars.
After breakfast, we will retrace our steps through Erfoud to the dramatic Ziz Valley, a spectacular gash in the hills that surround the Ziz Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco. The region is dotted with deserted kasbahs, palm trees, and mud-brick villages, and is a photographer's paradise. After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas Mountains rising behind the town. The different landscapes we will cross is unbelievably diverse, ranging from rocky, sun-baked plains to cedar-covered mountains and deep, spectacular canyons. In the hills south of Azrou we might be lucky enough to spot a troupe of the Barbary Apes that still make their home in the local forests. We head onward to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco. After having crossed the plains we will arrive in the evocative city of Fes, which is the cultural capital of Morocco and one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Our guide will help you find your riad and leave you to settle in for the night.
We exclude the entrance fees to monuments and cultural sights from the tour total cost in order to not charge you for things you might not be interested in visiting, Please let us know if you need a list of all the monuments that require a fee for entry.
Our tours are designed to be flexible and accommodating. Our knowledgeable guide will offer various options ( both paid and unpaid worth to visit ) for objectives and sights not only in each city but also along the way. Additionally, we're committed to offering the best possible experience for our clients.
We intentionally exclude dinners in urban areas or big cities for two main reasons. Firstly, dining at Riads or hotels in city settings tends to be relatively expensive. Secondly, the presence of a variety of restaurant options in cities allows our clients to choose according to their budget and preferences.
We can arrange cooking classes/ Hammam & SPA / Hot air balloon / ATV Quads / Dune buggies and any additional activiy available in any destination upon request.
We have over 20 years of experience crafting a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are our most common itineraries, to be used as starting points in developing yours.
We will meet you upon your arrival in Fes, and you will be taken directly to your riad in the heart of the old medina where we will leave you to relax and settle in.
In the morning after breakfast we will start your Moroccan experience with a day of exploring Fes, the intellectual and spiritual heart of Morocco. Fes features many mosques and madrasas, or theological colleges, including the 9th-century Karaouine University whose architecture is strikingly similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. In the morning we will wander through the famous medina, one of the largest in the world, where thousands of local craftsmen can be seen working in their tiny shops that open directly onto the twisting and turning alleyways of the souks. Noisy, pungent, hot, and claustrophobic, the medina of Fes is a totally absorbing and unique sensory experience.
We will have a chance to visit the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter (the Mellah), and the impressive Bab Bou Jeloud, or the Blue Gate to the medina. We will also see the wonderful mosaics and carved woodwork in Madrasa Bou Inania, a group of buildings from the 14th century with an elegant minaret overlooking Talaa Kebira, as well as the Fes El Bali, the largest bazaar in all of Morocco. We will have lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant where you can taste the cuisine typical of the region before continuing our tour through the labyrinth of the souks. We will spend the night in Fes.
Around 8 in the morning you will be picked up from your riad in Fes, and we will depart for the beautiful town of Chefchaouen. On our way we will visit Meknes, often called the "Versailles of Morocco" due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments. We will take some time to explore its highlights, including the massive Bab Mansour Gate, the old Medina, and Moulay Ismail's shrine. From Meknes we will drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a window into Morocco's ancient history.
We will also visit the nearby town of Moulay Idriss, where Moulay Idriss I, who brought Islam to Morocco, is entombed. Moulay Idriss is considered to be the holiest town in Morocco. Our journey ascends into the valleys of the Rif Mountains, which form the dramatic entrance to the welcoming town of Chefchaouen, nestled among the Rif Mountain peaks, and known as the "Blue City" for the vivid blue shades that the houses are painted. We will go directly to your riad, an Andalusian-style guesthouse, to settle in before going for a walk among the white and blue washed walls of the medina and the markets offering unique local handicrafts. With its unique aesthetic and its unforgettable view over the mountains, Chefchaouen is also a famous destination for photography. In the evening you can enjoy an aromatic glass of red wine and a tagine and couscous meal at one of the hotel's three rooftop terraces before relaxing under the crystal-clear Moroccan night-sky.
After breakfast you will have a tour of this striking blue-rinsed town, truly one of Morocco's must-see places and a hidden gem, tucked away in the mountains. Your local guide will take you through the local markets where you will see the unique offerings of the Moroccan highlands. In the afternoon you'll be able to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Rif Mountains. Overnight in Chefchaouen
After breakfast in Chefchaouen we will have a short trip to the authentic town of Tetouan, known as the White Dove, located at the foot of the Rif Mountains with it's ancient medina, declared as a Unesco World Heritage site; After a short visit, we will continue to Tangier, a seaport and coastal city that has for centuries been the gateway between Africa and Europe. A local guide will be waiting to take you on a private tour around Tangier and help you discover the historical and modern-day charms of this bustling Moroccan city.
Tangier tour will start at the city's famous kasbah. Located at the highest point in the city, the Dar el-Makhzen, or former Sultan's Palace, overlooks Tangier's Medina from behind its 17th-century stone walls. You can stroll through the palace gardens and pay a visit to the Museum of Antiquities and Moroccan Art. Afterwards, a wander through the medina will give you a feel for life in the city, both past and present-day. Your guide can take you to an authentic Berber souk and help you bargain for something special to take home with you.
We will leave Tangier for Rabat, continuing our journey along the Atlantic Coast. On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals, before stopping in imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops. Overnight in Rabat.
We will depart Rabat for the Casablanca, the economical capital and the biggest city in Morocco; We will visit Mohamed V Square and the spectacular mosque of Hassan II. We will continue to the seaside town of Essaouira. A relaxing drive through the vast and breathtaking Moroccan landscape, peppered with a few scattered villages. will take you to this UNESCO World Heritage listed city. This windswept fishing port, with broad beaches and an ancient walled medina has long been a popular destination. Stroll along the ramparts and beach as you take in the relaxed vibe of the small but lively medina, or visit the port to see the catch of the day. Essaouira also hosts the Gnaoua Music Festival every June. Overnight in Essaouira.
After breakfast at your riad you will be able to freely explore the maze of alleyways that make up this relaxed seaside port town. Here you'll be able to meet local artists in their studios and browse their artwork, or head to the lively fish market for a savory lunch of fresh grilled fish. Since it's right on the coast, Essaouira's seafood comes right from the sea, and you can expect the freshest, more sustainable, and widest variety of seafood to choose from. You can find a space on the wooden benches and tables alongside the locals and pick your own fish for the grill while enjoying a picturesque view out over the fishing port and the walled medina from the bastion of Skala du Port.
You might decide to go for a walk along the beach at low tide to see the crumbling ruins of the fort of Borj El Baroud, or the ruined sultan's palace outside of Diabat, or even to take a boat to the island of Mogador, breeding ground for the rare Eleanora's falcon. If you love watersports, you might also want to try one of the many popular options offered on the local beaches, including surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kayaking. Alternatively, you might prefer to simply sit in one of the many beachside cafes on Place Moulay Hassan, relax, and watch the waves roll in with a coffee or mint tea and a Moroccan pastry. We will once again spend the night in our Essaouira.
You enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, in the afternoon, we will leave the Atlantic coast; A relaxing drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees, and Argan oil cooperatives will take us to the red city of Marrakech, one of Morocco's imperial cities. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up imagery right out of Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, with the graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, after which we will check into our hotel and you will be able to explore the vibrant markets of the famous Djemaa el Fna square before settling in for the night. Overnight in Marrakech (BB)
Today after breakfast you will explore Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike. A guided tour will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding streets and past hidden gardens and souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, which is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque towering alongside.
In the evening this square is overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. You will have a chance to relax at one of the many cafes surrounding the square to take in all the sights. You will have the afternoon to spend at leisure, pampering yourself at a local hammam or exploring the souks of the medina for yourself. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
Your Best Travel guide and driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation or port of entry before escaping the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. We will cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, which reaches an altitude of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) and is the highest mountain pass in North Africa. The road passes through various villages typical of the northern slopes of the Atlas, where corn can be seen ripening in the sun on the packed-earth roofs of the stone houses. We will continue across the territory of the powerful Glaoua tribe where a number of ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries can be seen dotting the countryside before we reach Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village classified by UNESCO as one of the world's cultural treasures.
At Ait Benhaddou we will stop for lunch and to give you some time to explore the kasbah for yourself. Our journey will continue towards the Skoura Oasis, filled with dense palm groves crossed by a network of tracks running between kasbahs, ksours, and farms. We will head towards the Roses Valley and into the Dades Valley on the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs", passing the fortresses of M'Goun and the countless traditional Berber adobe houses that perch along the riversides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the rocks themselves. We will spend the night in the Dades Valley.
After having breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we will drive to Tinghir, a former military outpost on the banks of the Oued Todra, where olive, pomegranate, and orange trees flourish. The road through the Todra Gorges follows the right bank of the river, which is covered with palm trees and is one of the most beautiful oases in Morocco. We will continue farther east into the narrowest and most spectacular section of the gorges, where we will take some time to wander among the towering rock walls of the narrow corridors. That afternoon we will leave for Erfoud, crossing the palm grove of Tinjdad and Touroug, and visit a workshop where local fossils are produced.
Afterwards we will continue straight to the desert village of Merzouga, which lies right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. You will have a chance to leave all unnecessary luggage behind in safe rooms at a hotel before mounting your camel (or 4WD if you can't do the camels) and riding into the Moroccan Sahara. Your camel will take you to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa, with some dunes rising to 820 feet. The camp features comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses, linens, toilets, a restaurant, and a kitchen. The evening will consist of stargazing and a Moroccan dinner followed by a traditional music show. We will spend the night in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the Milky Way spreading across the pitch-black night sky.
If you would like to wake 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 which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town. We will visit the village of Khamlia, the origin of Gnawa music, and have an opportunity to hear it played by the local people, the descendants of ex-slaves who found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route.
We will also visit the nearby Dayet Srji Salt Lake, which is the resting point for many kinds of migratory birds including flamingos, and is a bird lover's paradise. Afterwards we will visit the nearby city of Rissani, once called Sijilmassa, which was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. In Rissani you'll be able to wander through the souks and try Berber pizza, a local specialty. In the afternoon we will return to our kasbah in Merzouga, where you will be able to relax beside the swimming pool and watch the sunset over the desert.
After having breakfast in our kasbah in Merzouga we will retrace our path through the oasis of Erfoud and through the spectacular landscape, dotted by palm trees, ruined kasbahs, and Berber villages, that surrounds the Ziz Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco. We will pass through the bleak plain of rock and scrub that separates the mountains from the desert before stopping for lunch in the village of Midelt at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where we will have an unforgettable view over the imposing Moroccan mountains.
Our path will wind its way up through the mountain valleys and into the cedar forests of Azrou where some Barbary apes still make their home. In the middle of the High Atlas Mountains we will see Ifrane, the uncannily Swiss-styled alpine village, popularly known as the "Switzerland of Morocco". After having crossed the mountains we will arrive in Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, and one of the world's most complete medieval cities. Your guide will escort you through its narrow streets directly to your riad or hotel.
Today we will try to benefit our time as much as we can, maybe wander around Marrakech souks to get some souvenirs for friends…, then transfer to the Marrakech Menara airport.
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