9 days 8 nights : 2 in Marrakech, 1 in Ouarzazate, 1 in Merzouga, 3 in Fes, 1 in Casablanca
Day 1
Arrive Marrakech: Overnight stay in the Medina in deluxe riad accommodation.
Day 2
Full day tour of Marrakech (combines between AM Historical & PM Hidden Sides & Souks).
Day 3
Marrakech to Ouarzazate – 200 Kms. Depart Marrakech after breakfast, winding up through the Atlas Mountains over the Tichka Pass, the pass rises to 2260 meters above sea level, so the views are quite splendid. Plenty of stops are made for taking in the scenery and photography. From time to time, between December and March, snow can make this journey slower than the 200 kilometres would lead you to imagine. We arrive in Ouarzazate mid afternoon where we have a visit to the back lot of one of the film sets where many Hollywood blockbusters have been shot. (Available certain dates only and subject to change according to filming schedules). Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 4
Ouarzazate- to the Sahara Desert (Merzouga) – 420 kms. This morning you will travel out of Ouarzazate to one of Morocco's most spectacular sights, the Todra Gorge. The road through the Gorge follows the right bank of the river, which is covered with palm trees. Further east is the narrowest and most spectacular section of the gorge, where for a distance the narrow corridor between the sheer, towering walls of rock is only 65 feet wide. Stop in the heart of the dades valley at the oasis Kelaa Mgouna, famous for its Persian roses and the manufacture of rose water perfume essences. Your drive takes you through this rather harsh valley, hemmed in by the high Atlas and anti Atlas mountains, dotted with decorated Kasbahs of the local berber people. The desolation of the scenery makes the lushness of the oases of Tinghir one of the largest and most beautiful oases in Morocco. At the nearby Todra Gorge, enjoy a lunch tagine at a restaurant looking out at the canyon walls rising 1.200 feet on either side.Late afternoon we arrive at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara Desert where you meet Camels for a ride in the sunset. Dinner and overnight in our luxury Sahara desert camp.
Day 5
Sahara Desert (Merzouga) to Fes 480kms. After breakfast, visit the old Oasis Tafilalet that saw once the birth of that actual Moroccan dynasty. Stop to visit the town of Rissani, which was a major caravan centre in medieval times and later. Leave for fes and drive north through the lush oases of the Ziz valley, through the French Foreign Legion outpost of Errachidia and on to Midelt, renowned for its minerals and fossils.
We continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range stopping at the alpine resort of Ifrane for refreshments before the final leg of the journey which should have us in Fes by early evening. Dinner and overnight in a deluxe Fes Riad.
Day 6
We commence the day with a half day tour of the city to include the tanneries, the 8th century Medina and markets, the 14th century district and new city. The afternoon is free to enjoy the city or to relax at your riad. Overnight and dinner at your deluxe riad.
Day 7
A full day tour to Meknes and Volubulis, Meknes is one of the Imperial cities and now a UNESCO World Heritage site of immense beauty. En route to Meknes we visit the archaeological wonder of Volubulis, the ancient roman city form the first and second century. Overnight and dinner at your deluxe riad.
Day 8
Fes to Casablanca- 250kms. After breakfast drive to Rabat to explore the administrative capital and the Imperial City of Rabat. This will include a visit to the Royal Palace, Oudaya Gardens, Chellah and Mohammed the fifth mausoleum. After lunch, drive to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Casablanca.
Day 9
After breakfast, transfer to Mohammed the Fifth airport for your flight back
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