Highlights of Morocco, 13 Days

Overview:

Morocco is a vibrant and modern country, yet retaining its mystery and exoticism; a country with cities with a unique atmosphere of their own, but also a country where the rural world has changed very little in centuries; a rich and diverse melting pot of cultures, peoples, and landscapes. This country has a strong sense of culture and ancient history. With a mix of diverse, captivating panoramas, and a rich mixture of culture, Morocco is a supreme destination to travel to.

Highlights:

• Casablanca
• Chefchouen
• Fes
• Merzouga
• Skoura
• Marrakech

Day 1	Transfer from the airport of Casablanca to their hotel
Day 2	City tour of Casablanca & Meknes and transfer to Chefchouen via Rabat (4h drive)
Day 3	City tour of Chefchouen
Day 4	Transfer from Chefchouen to Fes (4h drive)
Day 5	City tour of Fes
Day 6	Transfer from Fes to Merzouga (7h drive). Transfer from Merzouga to the Camp.
Day 7	Full day at Merzouga
Day 8	Transfer from Merzouga to Skoura (5h drive)
Day 9	Transfer from Skoura to Marrakech (5h drive)
Day 10	City tour of Marrakech
Day 11	Garden's tour of Marrakech & excursion inisde car
Day 12	Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca (3h drive)
Day 13	Transfer to the airport of Casablanca

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome arrival - Casablanca

Arrival into Casablanca airport, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred by your private car to your hotel.

Day 2: Casablanca – Meknes & Volubilis - Chefchouen

Morning visit of the remarkable Hassan II mosque, one of only two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Built by the late King Hassan II at the end of his 40-year reign, this astounding edifice is larger than Saint Peter’s in Rome and capable of holding 80,000 worshippers.

Then drive to the Imperial city of Meknes, known as the “Moroccan Versailles” and founded in the 17th century by King Moulay Ismail. Meknes is famous for its 25-milelong walls.

Arrival to Chefchouen in the afternoon.

Day 3: Chefchouen

At 10h00 am, your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for a tour of Chefchouen.

Chefchaouen: Hanging like a crescent from Twin Mountains, the town is a 15th century relic of the Muslim civilization of Andalusia. Nestled into a fold of the Rif Mountains the walls of the town are painted a pale ochre in order to diminish the intensity of the sun. The roofs are covered with brown tiles and resemble those found in southern Spain. The roofs are covered with brown tiles and resemble those found in southern Spain. The alleyways climb to little squares often crossed by Andalusian arches.

Visit Chefchaouen, which is also called Blue City, and has many surprises for visitors. The town's historical aspects and because it is near to the Spanish border and Tangier. The town is easily recognizable by its unique blue-rinsed buildings and houses. This tradition was started by Chefchaouen's former Jewish population and has been carried on down to this day.

Visit the famous Plaza of Chefchaouen Uta El Hammam.

Day 4: Cefchouen - Fes

After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to transfer you to Fes.

Arrival late afternoon.

Day 5: Fes

At 9h30 am, your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for full day tour of Fes:

Fes el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was founded in the 9th century. Home to the oldest university in the world, Fez reached its height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Merinids, when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina – madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - date from this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre.

Artisan workshops in the medina are as active today as 100 years ago, and strongly contribute to the city’s industrial economy. Trades such as metal and leather working, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculpting are still practiced in these workshops. Original ramparts still protect the ancient city and its’ 9000 passageways and narrow streets.

Your sightseeing tour will include the following:

• New Medina
• The Medersa
• Bab Boujloud
• The Splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine
• The Mellah
• Souks

Day 6: Fes – Erfoud - Merzouga

Morning transfer to the town of Erfoud, a base from which to explore the vast dunes of Erg Chebbi. This is a spectacular drive through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Midelt and on across the Pass of the She-Camel and through the Tunnel of the Legionnaires looking out over the valley of the Ziz to Errachadia.

Arrival to Erfoud in the afternoon.

Afternoon, a 4x4 WD with driver will be waiting for you to take you deeper to the dunes of Erg Chaabi.

CAMPING IN THE DESERT
One of the most requested parts of Morocco is camping out in the desert. Based around the world renowned dunes at Mergouza to the south of Erfoud, we have a special arrangement with an encampment that is quite unique and private. Excellent accommodation, full WC and shower facilities and first-rate service and dining are all part of this experience.

A night in the desert is an extraordinary experience enhanced by there being no light pollution so the night sky is spectacular.

Day 7: Merzouga

Free morning to enjoy the desert.

At 14h00 your 4*4 will be waiting for you to start a day excursion to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara Desert. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are a strikingly strange natural formation. On top of the flattest area you could imagine, suddenly a long mountain of sand rises. This mountain is surrounded by flat and desolate nature on all sides, and you could end up wondering if it really is real. But so, it is, even if its existence is so weird that it has given rise to legends and myths among the locals.

Day 8: Merzouga - Skoura

Breakfast at the camp and at 09h00 am continue to Skoura.

En route, visit Rissani, the holy city where Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty, is buried. Visit the ruins of Sijilmassa, a famous capital of the old caravan routes in the 8th century. Visit the Kasbah of the 17th century and the Ksar Abbar ruins which gives us an opportunity to discover the lifestyle of the Berber village. Continue to Tineghir via the Tinjdad road and stop to view the Todgha canyons which is a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, near the town of Tinerhir then continue to Boumalne Dades which is a beautiful urban communion situated about 25 km from the city of Kelaa M’gouna.

Day 9: Skoura – Marrakech

Morning short sightseeing tour to discover Ouarzazate and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Aït Benhaddou, where movies such as Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth were filmed. In Ouarzazate, you will visit the Kasbah Taourirt of Pasha Glaoui and continue directly to Marrakech through the col of Tizi Tichka, the highest passage of Morocco and all of North Africa as you cross over the High Atlas Mountains.

Arrival to Marrakech late afternoon.

Day 10: Marrakech

At 9h30 am, your guide will meet you at the hotel for full day guided tour of Marrakech.

Founded nearly 1000 years ago, it is also known as the "red city" and is perhaps the most famous destination in Morocco. A combination of the old (the Medina) and the new (Guéliz), Marrakech is an exotic cocktail of sights and sounds.

There are many historical places of interest to see including athe extraordinary Jemaa el-Fna, the main square in Marrakech. In the evenings, the square becomes a venue for alfresco eating and entertainment with troupes of costumed acrobats, storytellers, magicians, dancers, and semi-mystical Gnawa musicians. The souks display a vast array of merchandise & offer an insight into a way of life unchanged in centuries.

The "new town" Guéliz, built by the French in the 1930's, is a total contrast to the Medina with its broad avenues, modern shops and cafés. The most visited site in Guéliz is the "Jardins Marjorelle" created by Yves St Laurent. A haven of peace set in an exotic garden.

Your sightseeing tour will include the following:

• The Square, Jemaa el Fna
• Saadian Tombs
• Koutoubia Minaret
• El-Bahia Palace
• The Koranic School Medersa Ben Youssef
• The Souks

The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 11: Marrakech

At 09h30 am, your guide & driver will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for a guided tour of Marrakech gardens as follows:

The gardens of Marjorelle, a property acquired in 1922 by the painter of the same name and then bought and developed by Yves St Laurent. These gardens are an oasis in the heart of the city and rich with flora and fauna. Once inside the garden walls, you would never think you were in the heart of a busy city. There is an excellent café in the gardens where you can enjoy a drink or snack.

The garden of “La Menara”, and its hundreds of olive-trees, the park extends for over a hundred hectares (280 acres approx) and has in its centre an immense pool dating from the XIIth century. At the water’s edge is a small Saadien house that has been restored.

The Palmery - just outside the city of Marrakech - has about 150.000 palm trees.

At 16h00, meet your Side car driver to enjoy the excursion of the city by moto.

Day 12: Marrakech - Casablanca

Free morning and by 12h00, transfer to Casablanca via high way.

Arrival at 16h00 to their hotel.

Day 13: Casablanca Airport

Transfer to Marrakech airport for your onward flight out.

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - 2: Le Doge in Casablanca Standard room, bed and breakfast basis
Day 3 - 4: Riad Cherfia in Chefchouen Suite room, bed and breakfast basis
Day 5 - 6: Palais Amani in Fes Deluxe room, bed and breakfast basis
Day 7 - 8: Desert Luxury Camp in Merzouga Bed and half board basis
Day 9: Ksar El Kebbaba in Skoura Superior room, bed and half board basis
Day 10 - 12: La Maion Arabe in Marrakech Junior room, bed and breakfast basis
Day 13: Sofitel Tour Blanche in Casablanca Superior room, bed and breakfast basis