IMPERIAL CITIES AND SAHARA TOUR

ITINERARY

Day 1: CASABLANCA
Welcome to Morocco, we will meet you outside the arrival hall on the open air holding a sign with the company name and logo, you need to go through the passport control and collect your bags by yourself then meet your us outside the arrival hall, transfer to your hotel in Casablanca and overnight. Overnight: Hotel Val d’anfa or similar.

Day 2: CASABLANCA- RABAT- CHAFCHAOUEN.
After breakfast we will visit the stunning Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world - it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time, then we head towards the blue city Chefchaoun. En route we will make a stop to explore the official capital of Morocco Rabat and visit the Royal palace, mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan tower.

Day 3: CHEFCHAOUEN DAY.
Today it is the time to explore the blue city with its narrow alleyways. At the top of the city located the main source of water called Ras-elma. This spring is the source of life for the whole city, if you are fit enough, you can go up the Mountains for a panoramic view of the whole
city. Chefchaouen medina has a Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky arts and crafts stores; rooftop restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a mint tea and a traditional dinner while you are watching the sun sets behind the Rif Mountains. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Day 4: CHEFCHAOUEN-FES.
After your breakfast, we will make our way through the Rif Mountains towards Volubilis, crossing Wazzan and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will visit the Roman ruins and learn about the archeological site and its Moroccan history. We will then continue to Meknes, a city with a 17th century heritage. We will stop here for lunch and hang out at the historical walls of the medina and Bab el Mansour. After the visit to Meknes we will drive directly to Fes city, where you will spend the night..

Day 5: FES SIGHTSEEING.
Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city. This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends – so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder1of the day is at leisure. You have the option for a classic dinner and live Moroccan entertainment, including traditional music, belly dancing and magicians.

Day 6: FES- ERFOUD
After breakfast, we will leave Fes travelling towards Ifran, a beautiful mountain town, referred to as "the Switzerland of Morocco" and then on to Midelt. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas Mountains. Stopping at the famous cedar forest - the largest in Morocco – you may sight Barbary apes. Our journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and the Atlas Mountains. We will be travelling through the fascinating Tizi Ntalghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas Mountains. The scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as we approach the city of Errachidia, where we will have lunch and enjoy the Berber hospitality. Afterwards, we will travel along the Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud. After the day scenic drive, settle in your hotel before enjoying a traditional Moroccan meal. Overnight at Erfoud.

Day 7: THE SAHARA DESERT MERZOUGA
We recommend a healthy morning meal before your tour of the area by 4X4, as there will be much to see and do. You will visit and learn about the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, experience their wonderful music and lifestyle. Nearby you can check out Dayet Srji Salt Lake where ducks, flamingos and other species of birds all reside, during the spring migration. Continue into the desert dunes of the Sahara, amid stunning golden colored sand dunes that reach up to 500 feet high, creating an otherworldly landscape. Then, switch modes of transport from 4X4 and ride Like a Local, on camel back, to your nomadic tented camp, where a reception with mint tea and pastries awaits you. As the sun sets over the Saharan dunes, celebrate your unforgettable day with a Scenic sunset. Return to your camp for a traditional meal before a campfire, along with distinctively Moroccan entertainment. Overnight at Merzouga.br />
Day 8: MERZOUGA- TODGHA GORGES
After breakfast in the Dunes we leave the desert and stop along the way to visit ancient irrigation wells called Khttarat. You can see how they were created from an intricate network of underground canals running from the Atlas to the Sahara, more than 300km, and dating back to the 14th Century. We then move on to stunning Toudra Gorge and check in to our hotel - where you can have an optional lunch followed by some free time-, set amongst the Palmeries and hemmed in by 300M high cliffs. We have time to explore the gorge after lunch or go for some optional rock climbing. We will visit Tizgui, one of the old villages of Toudra and stop by a local carpet cooperative where we learn how to make Moroccan tea and Berber rugs.

Day 9: TODGHA GORGES- OUARZAZATE- AIT BEN HADDOU
We have a leisurely departure from Toudra this morning as we make our way to Ait Benhaddou. On the road, also known as the road of a thousand Kasbahs, we will stop at Kasbah Amridil. This is one of the best Kasbah examples in Morocco and once featured on the Moroccan 50 Dirham bank note. We arrive at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in time for lunch. In the afternoon we will take a guided tour of Ait Benhaddou, a traditional pre-Saharan habitat of an earthen walled dwelling fortified by surrounding walls and guarded by 4 corner towers. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner and soak up the atmosphere of this inspiring place.

Day 10: AIT BEN HADDOU-MARRAKECH
After breakfast we will drive through the beautiful Ounila valley with its traditional villages and terraced fields to get to Tichka Pass (2167), We traverse the High Atlas enjoying stunning views en-route. We will make a stop at the heart of the Atlas Mountains to visit an Argan cooperative where the local women will show us how they make both Argan Oil and Amlou (a mixture of Argan oil, honey and almonds or peanuts) we will get the chance to try both with home made bread, we will also learn about other product made out of Argan oil like shampoos, creams…. we will then continue our journey through the Mountains with other stops for photos. Arriving to Marrakech we will check into our hotel, the rest of the day will be spent at leisure. An Optional dinner with show at Chez Ali is possible.

Day 11: MARRAKECH-CASABLANCA
Most of Today is for Marrakech. This amazing city is located in the middle of the country; its location attracted many dynasties along the Moroccan History and made it as their Capital. Thus, the first historical Monument we will visit is the Koutoubya Mosque; this mosque dates back to the 12th century and will be visited only from the outside. After that we are going to move on the 16th century Jewish quarter and than into the Bahia Palace of the 19th century. The latter, is one of the marvelous palaces in the country and was owned by the grand vizier of Morocco in the late 19th century. From this palace we will wander in the old medina to see its traditional Markets and souks. Our visit of the old medina will finish at the famous square of Marrakech Djamaa Elfena the place of snake charmers Acrobats, Musicians and souks… After lunch in a local restaurant at the Medina we will move on to the new city to visit Majorelle Gardens named after the famous French painter who constructed his art deco Villa and started the botanical gardens. In 1980 it became the residence of Yves Saint Laurent. It will be time to head to Casablanca for our last night of the tour. Overnight at Casablanca.

Day 12: DEPARTURE
Your adventure tour comes to an end after breakfast and you transfer to Casablanca airport is at your disposal any time of the day.