DAY 1: Arrival at the airport then visit Casablanca → drive to Rabat

We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat.

DAY 2: Rabat sightseeing → Meknes → Moulay Idriss Zerhoun → Volubilis → Fes

Following breakfast we will visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by an earthquake in the year 1755, this important Roman town still preserves detailed mosaics and architecture offering a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history. We will then continue our journey passing through Meknes, an imperial city often called the "Versailles of Morocco" owing to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.‍

DAY 3: Fes sightseeing escorted by an official local guide.

Following breakfast at the hotel, our accredited local guide will accompany you on a walking tour of the Fes medina. Step back in time as you wander through the labyrinth of twisting alleyways - donkeys and mules pass through the narrow streets, savour the aromas from the market stalls where countless spices and perfumes are traded, and explore the leather tanneries where men treat leather using century old techniques. We’ll cap the day with dinner at one of the many local restaurants of the medina then settle in for the evening at your hotel.

DAY 4: Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Gorges → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga (Camel ride into Erg Chebbi desert)

We continue our journey onwards from Fes to Ifrane, through hills blanketed in forests of cork oak and giant cedar, where a few Barbary apes still call home. Passing through the Middle and High Atlas ranges, we will catch our first glimpse of Southern Morocco’s unique architectural style and stop for lunch overlooking a breathtaking view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town of Midelt. As we descend into the desert plains, the view changes from dramatic mountain peaks to an expansive oasis punctuated by countless Ksours (fortified villages), which then give way to a vast stony plain that marks the edges of the Sahara. As the mid-day sun wanes, we will mount our camels and trek into the pink sands 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.

DAY 5: Merzouga → Erfoud → Todra Canyon → Dades valley and gorge.

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 some light breakfast and tea we will ride the camels back across the desert to the Kasbah to freshen up before our journey back West towards the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon". We will have lunch here and amble along the valley to take in the view.In some time we arrive at the Dades Gorge, where we watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.

DAY 6: Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas mountains → Marrakech

In the morning, we venture off the beaten track into the heart of the high Atlas mountains to share tea with a Berber nomad family in their tents, stopping for a brief hike above the valley ridge and visiting the Berber troglodyte villages. From there, we continue on to Ouarzazate, a bustling southern city often referred to as "The Hollywood of Morocco" owing to the many famous films shot on location such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as several seasons of the hit show, Game of Thrones. Here, we will explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah inMorocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many of the films and shows shot on location. We then continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech - a fantastical Arabian Nights city with myriad alleyways, souks, and market stalls. Marrakech is the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, and has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike; this remarkable city never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers, and we’re sure you’ll love it too. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the vibrant streets at your leisure before settling in for the evening.

DAY 7: Marrakech guided sightseeing tour

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 Djemaa el Fna, 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 it’s pampering yourself at a local hammam or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.

DAY 8: Marrakech at leisure → Transfer to the airport in Casablanca.

Marrakech is a sensory-rich city with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. You may want to try a Moroccan hammam or a spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart around the city. Whatever it may be, our guide is at your service to help with suggestions, information, and arrangements. As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us, and hope to see you again soon.