14-Day tour to Marrakech via Rabat, Fes, Merzouga, Dades Gorge, and Essaouira (one-way)

Day 1: Casablanca - Rabat

Upon arrival, we will greet you at the airport and drive to the seafront area of Casablanca where we will have a relaxing coffee or tea beside the Atlantic Ocean. Then, passing through Casablanca city en route to the capital of Morocco, Rabat, you will see the famous Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque outside of Mecca.

After about an hour and a half we will arrive in Rabat where you will see the Hassan Tower which is a part of the Oudaya Kasbah before you check-in to your hotel.

Day 2: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis - Fes

After a leisurely breakfast in your riad/hotel, we leave Rabat and head towards Meknes and Volubilis. In Meknes, also known as the Ismaili capital of Morocco, you will have the opportunity of seeing the famous gate dedicated to Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Bassin, and the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum.

After lunch, we continue to Volubilis where we will visit Roman ruins dating from 25BC; some of the mosaics are still in very good condition. The ruins remained substantially intact until they were devastated by an earthquake in the mid-18th century and by Moroccan rulers subsequently looting the site for stone to reuse in building Meknes. We will have plenty of time to explore this interesting site before continuing our route to Fes through the foothills of the Rif Mountains.

We will get to Fes in the early evening when you can check-in to your hotel.

Exploring Fes

After breakfast you will have the chance to explore with us, walking through the alleyways and narrow streets of Fes, the oldest city in Morocco.

Our visit starts at the Royal Palace gate, next to the 16th century Jewish headquarters. We will show you as many sites of cultural and historical interest as possible, including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region; the much-photographed tanneries; the Attarine museum and the Mulay Idriss mausoleum.

After lunch, you will visit Fes Tile and Mosaic Cooperative and then enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over the whole medina of Fes before visiting the new city “La ville nouvelle” for a drink.

Overnight accommodation in a hotel.

Day 4: Fes – Ifran – Azrou – Midelt

After breakfast in your riad or hotel, we will leave Fes and travel towards Ifran, a beautiful mountain village, referred to as "the Switzerland of Morocco" and then on to Midelt. During this journey you’ll catch glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains.

Stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest - the largest in Morocco – you may well catch sight of Barbary apes which live there. After a short stop within the forest, your journey continues to Midelt over the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas.

In Midelt you will be accommodated in a luxurious hotel.

Day 5: Midelt - Ziz Valley - Merzouga

After breakfast in your hotel we will travel to Merzouga via the Ziz Valley and Erfoud. We will travel through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia; here you will have lunch and enjoy Berber hospitality.

Afterwards, we continue along the verdant Ziz Valley to towards Erfoud where beautiful fossils are excavated, stopping at panoramic viewpoints along the way. We will arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check-in to your hotel where you will spend the night.

Day 6: Merzouga and Camel Trek

After breakfast in your accommodation we will make a short tour of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people, who were originally slaves brought from Sudan. You will have the opportunity to experience their music and lifestyle. Nearby is the lake of Merzouga, with its migratory bird populations. You may also visit a Berber house.

In the afternoon you will mount your camels, guided by an experienced camel man, to explore within the golden sand sea of Merzouga .

We will take dinner under the stars and then enjoy traditional Berber music around the fire before spending the night in traditional jaimas (Berber tents).

Day 7: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorge

Your camelman will wake you up early in the morning to watch what may well be the most spectacular sunrise of your life. After a short stay, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. En route you’ll be sure to wonder at the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes - changing with the light as the day progresses.

After breakfast in the riad/hotel, you’ll leave for Rissani and Todra Gorges - the highest, narrowest gorge in Morocco.

After lunch in the base of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as "monkey toes".

Your overnight accommodation will be in a hotel overlooking the Dades valley.

Day 8: Dades Gorge – Skoura - Ouarzazate

After breakfast in the hotel, you will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kelaa M'gouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is the Route of 1000 Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip.

Today you will have the opportunity to meet Berber Nomads in their caves and then you will enjoy driving through fertile Rose valley and the rock formations along the way. We’ll stop at Kelaa M’gouna, "the rose city", to purchase rosewater, which will make your linen smell beautiful for a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Skoura and visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area. After some hiking in the valley, we will stop in a restaurant, overlooking the whole valley, for lunch.

On to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”, whose geography and beautiful landscapes have attracted many world-class movie producers. Here you may choose to visit the studios, containing props used in movies you may have already seen such as The Mummy, Gladiator and the Last temptation of Christ.

Overnight accommodation will be in a local hotel.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Taroudant

You’ll have breakfast in your riad/hotel, and then we’ll head to Taroudant via Taznakht, visiting Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The latter is the largest kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the beginning of the 20th century. It used to be one of his stops during his long travels from the Sahara to Marrakech. It is now one of UNESCO’s heritage sites.

We continue to Taliouine, the saffron capital of Morocco. Here you’ll have the option to visit the saffron co-operative. If your visit coincides with the saffron harvest (which takes place mid-October to mid-November), you will have the opportunity to meet the Berber people with their families harvesting it in their fields.

We should arrive at Taroudant in the afternoon. Here you will see the ramparts and walk within the small alleyways of the Medina. Taroudant is always referred to as “the little Marrakech” because its walls look just like the walls of Marrakech itself and has the influence of the Saadian dynasty, which built the walls of both cities during the 16th century .

You will spend the night in a local hotel.

Day 10: Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira

The coastal road offers beautiful scenery in an area famous for the Argan trees; here you will see herds of goats climbing the Argan trees looking for better food than they find on the ground.

After several stops along the coast we get to Essaouira in the early evening.

You’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 11: Exploring Essaouira

Have breakfast at your riad or hotel, and then start exploring the city. You’ll visit the Skala Fortress, the port, the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans; walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of different handicrafts on display.

Essaouira, like Chicago, is known as the “windy city" and thus it attracts wind surfers from all over the world.

Essaouira has known many civilisations - including the Portuguese occupation which affects much of its architecture - however, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s "Jewel of the Atlantic”.

Our visit includes the Mellah - the Jewish headquarters, and the beach to the south of the port. There is an annual festival of “Gnawa music”, when many musical groups come from different parts of Africa and the world. This festival usually starts in the second week of June, so if your visit coincides with this, you have the option to extend your stay for an extra day.

Essaouira is well-known for its fresh fish and seafood, so today would be a good day to try lunch the Moroccan way, that is choosing fish ‘cooked to order’.

In the afternoon you have free time to wander around and explore by yourself.

You will spend the night in your hotel.

Day 12: Essaouira – Marrakech

After a relaxed breakfast in your hotel, depart for Marrakech. En route - since this is the land of Argan culture – there will be the opportunity to visit the women's co-operative of Argan oil where they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medical properties. After several further comfort breaks and stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Marrakech and check-in to your hotel for your overnight stay.

After dinner enjoy strolling within the famous square of Jemaa El Fnaa, where you will be entertained by magicians, story tellers, musicians and dancers.

Overnight in your hotel.

Day 13: Exploring mystical Marrakech

After breakfast in your accommodation, you can start exploring Marrakech " the red city of Morocco”. We will do our best to ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Jardins de Majorelle, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Coranic School.

After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the suqs and view hundreds of souvenirs, handicrafts and household wares for sale. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wander independently and see Marrakech as you like.

Overnight accommodation in your hotel.

Day 14: Marrakech – Menara Gardens/Departure Airport

If there is time available, we will take you to the Menara Gardens which is a peaceful area away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The pavilion with its green roof looks striking against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Its false lake is surrounded by orchards and olive trees which are irrigated by a sophisticated system of underground channels called a qanat bringing water from the Atlas Mountains 30 km away.

If, however, your departure time doesn’t allow the above, then we will drive you directly to the airport for your flight either back to Casablanca or further afield.