During the first day of your trip we will meet you in the port and drive through the Rif mountains and Tetouan city to enjoy the views of the beautiful
mountains till we get to Chefchaouan one of the stunning villages in the feet of the rif mountains.
Chefchaouen medina had a Spanich-style square surrounded
by many funky arts and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants and cafes where
you will spend your night in a nice place to enjoy the breze and the beauty of
the nature.
Night at the Riad.
After breakfast, we will leave for Fes and on the way stop by the imperial city of Meknes. Sultan
Moulay Ismail dreamed of making Meknes the most splendid city in North Africa, hence its
nickname “Versailles of the Maghreb”. Here we will visit the main points of interest. We can
visit the Roman ruins of Volubulis, one of the best-preserved Roman sites of the world. For a
long time, Volubulis was the principal Roman administration center in North Africa outside of
Egypt. Toward the end of the afternoon, we arrive in Fes, where we still have time to see the city
in its splendor, bathed in the soft light of the afternoon and we will take a short panoramic tour of
the city. For dinner, we recommend the Clock Café, which has a very original and diverse menu
with original dishes such as a camel burger, among other Moroccan specialties that are not easily
accessible. This café also has interesting cultural exhibitions: you can hear an ancient Moroccan
tell stories and talk about the Morocco of old, enjoy a cinema night, or have a workshop on
Arabic calligraphy, among others.
Night at the Riad.
We will spend the morning and part of the afternoon visiting the medina de Fes with a local
guide, described by Paul Bowles as “an enchanted labyrinth protected from time”. The local
guide is thoroughly familiar with this city, so that you can discover it thoroughly: its corners,
traditions, stories and history. The labyrinth-like medina de Fes has more than 9000 streets which
create a magical environment between light and shadow. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fes was once the capital of Morocco, and it has Fatimid, Andalusian, Arabic and Jewish
influences. The city reached its peak in the 13th century, and it became the center of knowledge,
with one of the world’s oldest universities. You will be able to visit the most important palaces,
the Jewish quarters, the Madrassa (old school and university from the 13th century) and a
Quranic school. Furthermore, you will visit shops with authentic handicrafts from Fes and its
leather work, where ancient methods are still used.
Return to the Riad.
We will leave in the morning to visit the magical cedar forests of Azrou and Ifran, where you
will be dazzled by its spectacular natural elements. The atmosphere is calm, clear and rich in
nature’s scents. On our journey, we will have a break in Midelt, a small town between the High
and the Middle Atlas, an exceptional location to watch the exuberant mountain landscape.
During our journey, you may see some monkeys and other typical animals in the Cedar forest.
After arriving in Merzouga, you can enjoy traditional Moroccan tea as a welcome sign of
affection. After that it’s time to ride a camel through the desert for about an hour to get to the
camp. After that you can have an unforgettable dinner outdoors, in the desert, under a beautiful
nomad tent where, in ancient times, weddings were celebrated and where the wedding dinner
occurred. After dinner, there will be live traditional music and dancing around fire.
Night at the luxurious desert camp.
Today is dedicated to discover the oriental Sahara desert. We will drive through the desert on a
4×4, visiting the nomads at Erg Chebbi. We will also go to the village of the dark-skinned people
named “Khamlia” and enjoy the original music and folk songs of the Gnawas and visit Rissani,
the last major city of about 40km west of Erg Chebbi. Rissani itself is very interesting old town.
From 8 to 14 century it was a separate kingdom, known as Sijelmassa, prosperous of the caravan
routes and visit market – souk, the interesting thing about this Souk is not a tourist souk, but for
the people living there.
3 times a week is the market with sheep, goats and donkeys. At
lunchtime, you will have Berber Pizza. From there back to Merzouga
Village.
Night in a Hotel.
After unforgettable night in the desert getting to know its culture, traditions and nature, you will
leave for something completely different: the rocky landscape of the Gorges, the high Atlas and
the green beauty of the Dadès Valley. Explore the Todra Gorge, which is one of the most
spectacular canyons in the world, with towering rock cliffs that reach 300 meters high, each
separated only by 10 to 15 meters, which extend through several kilometers .
Finally you will reach the Dades Valley which is carved for centuries by the Dades River. It is a
perfect destination overlooking the fertile valley below and the panorama of the mountains
beyond.
Night in a Hotel.
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Dades Valley and drive to Ouarzazate and Ait
Benhaddou, which are two locations of great historical and cultural importance in the Atlas
mountains.
You will feel as if you have travelled in time to see the landscape and lives of those who dedicated themselves to trade.
Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the most important ksar in the “Route of the One Thousand Kasbahs”, a route of small fortifications
that allowed the trade caravans to travel between the Sahara Desert and the city of Marrakesh.
It is still inhabited and used as a setting for movies and TV shows such as “Gladiator” and “Game
of Thrones” to add authenticity.
Follow the calm and clear high Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, going higher than 2000m above the level of the sea, where the rocky hills remind you of an old
western movie.
Night in a Riad.
Visit Marrakesh, the red city of Morocco and the cosmopolitan center of the country. The
surprising architecture, the intense sent of spices, the colorful and exotic atmosphere, and the
small corners and secrets in its history make this city the most desired and visited city in
Morocco. During the day, you will be accompanied by a local guide exclusively dedicated to the
city of Marrakech so you can enjoy the best the city has to offer. The attractions that you will
explore are multiple: the Bahia Palace (opulent building from the 19th century), the Ben Youssef
Medersa (old Quoranic school), Majorelle’s gardens and Saadian Tombs, and so many more.
Commerce is chaotic in Marrakech and it’s the city main activity. At night, dine at the Jemaa el
Fna Square, a market under open sky, where the mixture of scents, songs and shows are
engaging and where the most traditional and typical food can be tasted at Moroccan prices.
At the end of your day, return to the Riad.
After breakfast in your Riad, you will start driving to the coastal city of Essaouira. Getting there after about a 2 and a half hour drive to start
exploring the city.
You will visit the Skala Fortress; see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walk through the alleys of the Medina and view hundreds of
handicrafts.
This “City of the Wind” attracts surfers from all over the world.
Essaouira knew many civilizations – 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”.
You will also visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil. Here they extract the oil that
is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties.
Lunch will be done the Moroccan way – fresh fish “cooked in order” at the fish market.
In the afternoon, you will drive back to Marrakech.
Night at the Riad.
Transfer to Casablanca or Marrakech airport to catch your flight.
