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Day 1: Casablanca - Rabat

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Arrive at Casablanca International Airport, where we will meet you and drive you into Morocco's largest city and commercial center. In Casablanca you will see the Hassan II Mosque – the largest mosque outside of Mecca – and experience the Atlantic coastal seaside. Afterwards, we will drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where you will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah, before checking into your riad in the Medina – the old, historic part of town – for the night. (A Moroccan riad is an old-style home with multiple stories centered around an open-air courtyard, traditionally owned by wealthy families. Many riads have been converted into guest houses, similar to a bed and breakfast, for tourists.)

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Day 2: Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes

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After breakfast in your riad, we will travel to Fes via Meknes and Volubilis. In Meknes, known as the Ismaili capital of Morocco, you will see the famous gate Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Bassin, and the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum. After lunch, our journey continues to the Roman city of Volubilis, where you will see the wonderfully preserved original mosaics, Roman road, and city layout. As we travel through the Moroccan countryside on the final stretch of this trip, we will stop briefly in the Holy City of Moulay Idriss before arriving in Fes, where you will check into your riad in the Medina at the end of the afternoon.

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Day 3: Full day exploring Fes

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After breakfast in your riad, we will start an exploratory tour of the Medina where we will visit hidden treasures known only to local residents. Fes served as the capital of Morocco for more than 350 years. and is home to the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest operating university in the world. Your guided tour will take you to Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, the Nejjarine Fountains and the Tanneries. After lunch we will see the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famous Jewish quarter, “the Mellah”, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the last few synagogues still operating in Morocco. Your tour of Fes also includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes before visiting the new city in the late afternoon. Overnight accommodations at your riad.

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Day 4: Fes - Azrou - Midlet - Ziz Valley - arfoud

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After breakfast in your riad, we will head towards the southeast of Morocco, following the Caravan roads to Merzouga. During this journey you’ll catch glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains to the west, and may well see Barbarian apes as we travel near Azrou through the largest cedar forest in Morocco. After lunch in Midelt, we will continue through the Lower Atlas mountains and observe how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the Sahara as we approach the city of Er Rachidia. Our journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, famous for date cultivation. This area is the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty, the current ruling royal family in Morocco. We’ll arrive in Merzouga at the end of the afternoon, where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your hotel (Xaluca).

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Day 5: Merzouga Area and Camel Trek

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After breakfast in the hotel, we'll begin an exploratory journey of the area. We’ll visit the Gnawa people – originally brought as slaves from Sudan – to experience their music and lifestyle. We may also visit the souk in Rissani , a traditional town which was the origin of the current ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of ancient Caravans trading as far as Timbuctou (in Mali). In the afternoon you will mount your camel, guided by an experienced camel man to explore the sand-sea of Merzouga. We will have dinner together in our overnight desert camp. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with western bathrooms.

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Day 6: Merzouga - Todra Gorges - Dades Gorges (260km)

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Your camel guide will wake you up early in the morning to watch what may be (weather permitting) one of the most beautiful sunrises of your life. After breakfast at the camp, we will trek back to the village of Merzouga, appreciating enroute the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes - changing with the light as the day progresses. From Merzouga, we'll leave for Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, the highest and narrowest gorge in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see earthen houses rising from the earth like majestic sand castles and amazing rock formations known as "monkey toes". Overnight accommodation will be in a fancy hotel overlooking the Dades valley.

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Day 7: Dades Valley - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Tizi n’Ttichka Pass - Marrakech

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After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley, also known as the way of the thousand Kasbahs, will provide numerous opportunities to take some of the best photographic shots of your trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat Mgouna, "the rose city", to purchase rosewater, which will make your linens smell good for a long time after your trip. We will continue to Marrakech via the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260 meters altitude) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your riad in Marrakech.

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Day 8: Exploring Marrakech

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After breakfast in the riad, you will enjoy a morning guided tour of Marrakech, "the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see all the sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Koutoubia Menaret; the Saadian tombs; the beautiful Palace of Bahia; and the Ben Youssef Coranic School. We will end the morning by walking through the alleys of the medina, admiring various artisans performing their crafts before arriving at the famed Jamaa El Fna Square. After lunch at a restaurant near the Square, we will visit the Majorelle Garden and have a short tour of Gueliz, the newer city quarter of Marrakech in the afternoon. After dinner you will have the opportunity to walk through Jamaa El Fna Square, entertained by magicians, story-tellers, tooth-pullers and food sellers. Overnight accommodation in your riad.

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Day 9: Day trip to Essaouira

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After breakfast in your riad, we will travel to the coastal town of Essaouira, about a two and a half hour drive from Marrakech. With its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is regarded as Morocco’s "Jewel of the Atlantic”. Here we will visit the Skala Fortress; see Thuya wood carved by artisans; and view hundreds of handicrafts as we walk through the alleys of the medina. We will also visit a women's co-operative where they extract argan oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Lunch will be done the Moroccan way – fresh fish “cooked to order” at the fish market. In the afternoon we will travel back to Marrakech for the last night of your stay at riad Ksar Anika.

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Day 10: Marrakech - Casablanca Airport

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After an early breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the Casablanca or Marrakech airport for your flight back home.

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