BEST OF MOROCCO
20 Days Tour - Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Merzouga - Dades- Marrakech
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Beach near Essouria Morocco-tours-holidays-trips-vacations
Tour Details:
This tour is interchangeable for pickup from Casablanca, Marrakech or Fes.
Arrival day:
Pickup from airport Casablanca. Proceed to Rabat, political capital of Morocco. Arrive at hotel in Rabat for night.
Day 1 - Rabat
The following morning, after breakfast visit old Medina, visit mausoleum of Mohamed V., visit to Hassan tower and the Kasbah of Udayas. Proceed to Larrash for lunch near the beach then continue to Assilah for the night.
Includes breakfast.
Day 2 - Assilah
Visit the sites of Assilah including; artisans who specialise in traditional artwork with painting, carpets and pottery and also on the walls of the town, the Medina and also the Portugese fortress. The history of Assilah dates back to the 1500’s. Then we travel to Tangier for lunch and we visit the caves of Hercules in Cape Spartel which is 100 metres above the Strait of Gibralatar. The caves have been used by the Berber people for hundreds of years and prior to that the Phoenicians used these caves. The Berber used these caves to cut millstones for grinding and the Phoenicians left drawings which are still visible. Then we travel to Tetuan for the night in Hotel.
Includes breakfast.
Day 3 - Tetouan
Explore Tetouan and visit the Place Hassan II and view the light towers designed with the influence of Gaudi and the hands of Fatima, designed to ward off the evil eye. We will visit the old city with its specialty and gift shops. We will also visit the Spanish quarters and the Kings Palace in Old Medina. Then we will travel to Oued Laou for lunch. Then off to Chefchaouen, the blue city for night in hotel.
Includes breakfast.
Day 4 - Chefchaouen
On the way too and in Chefchaouen we will have good photo opportunities, from the magnificent panoramic views. Chefchaouen is a very Meditteranean city and very pretty. We of course, will check out the Medina, Plaza Outa el Hammamm (and maybe an excellent fish lunch in Chefchaouen) in the afternoon we travel to Fez, city of Fantasy, 170 kms.
Includes breakfast.
Day 5 - Fez
Today you experience one of the magical places of Morocco, the oldest operational Medina in the world, and the largest...so comfy shoes. You will see tiny stores that have been operational for hundreds of years, selling magic carpets and traditional pottery and perfume with its origins in the Silk Road. You will experience tiny laneways and need to move out of the way so the laden donkeys can pass. If you ever dreamed of seeing Alladdins cave...you will see it in Fez and you will feel as though you are living in the 7th century.
After dinner we will tour around the perimeter of the city and take in the beautiful nighttime panorama of Fez.
Includes breakfast.
Day 6 - Midelt
Now we drive from Fez to Midelt and leave the middle Atlas Mountains behind. On the way, we will have a relaxing walk around Lake Dait Aoua before travelling on to Ifrane, the Swiss village which is remarkably like a village high in the Alps. We will have coffee and take photos with the famous lion statue in this beautiful garden city. Then we will stop in the Cedar forest at Asrou and watch and laugh at the Barbary Apes which abound there. We will have lunch in Asrou then travel on to Midelt. Along the way we will have contact with nomad families and we will have photo opportunities aplenty. Spend the night in hotel in Midelt.
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 - Merzouga
Travel to Merzouga and the western desert. Along the way we will stop for panoramas of the Middle Atlas and of course...coffee. The Atlas mountains are among the most grand and spectacular in the world and the roads through the mountains twist and turn in switchbacks, so you can see where you have been and where you are going up and down the mountainside. We cross Tizi Talghemt pass, 1,907 metres above sea level. Then we pass through mud brick villages and past the Hassan Dakhil dam before we get to Errachidia and the Ziz valley which is full of Date palms. We will stop for lunch in Ziz valley. Then we will continue to Erfoud, the date capital of Morocco where we will have traditional tea with a Berber family and a date tasting. Then to hotel for the night in Merzouga, in the Western Sahara.
Includes breakfast and dinner, tea and date tasting.
Day 8 - Merzouga
Tour and picnic around the Erg Chebbi dunes and then to Khamlia village where we will be entertained by traditional African musicians, experts in Gnaoua music. The people of this village are descendants of slaves from central Africa. Then we prepare for our camel trek into the dunes and watch the sun descend into the western sky. We will camp in traditional Berber tents and enjoy dinner and music performed by our camel men. You can sleep under a million stars outside or in you tent. The desert sky is magical at night and if we are lucky there will be a full moon.
Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and camel trek.
Day 9 - Merzouga
Return from camp to hotel and watch the sunrise from the back of your camel. Breakfast in hotel. Today is a free day, you can walk out the back of hotel and explore the dunes, go for a swim or just sit around and relax. Tonight there will be dinner and we will make our own party with drums and music.
Includes breakfast, Berber pizza for lunch and also includes dinner.
Day 10 - Boumane Dades
Travel from Merzouga to Bouman Dades. We will have morning coffee in Tinjidad. Then travel on to Todra Gorge were we will walk and wonder at the total grandeur of the gorge. We’ll have lunch in the gorge and then visit the Dades gorge, (more switchbacks) with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. We’ll spend the night in beautiful Riad in Dades.
Included, breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 - Ouzazate
Today we travel to Ouzazate. We will visit Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the ancient commercial centre of Morocco. This Kasbah is still occupied by the Glaoui family for several hundred years, you can walk through mud brick houses on your way to the summit (easy walk). Ait Ben Haddou is also famous for movies that have been made there, Lawrence of Arabia, Sodom and Gomorrah and Jesus of Nazareth amongst others. Ouzazate also has working studios which are used by Hollywood producers as well as the surrounding countryside. Some episodes of Game of Thrones were also produced in this region.
Overnight in Ouzazate.
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 - Taroudant
Taroudant is a market town rather than a city; it has a predominantly Berber population who are well known for their friendliness. Its town walls are more complete than any other town in Morocco, and glow majestically in shades of gold, pink and orange depending on the time of day. Taroudant is half citadel and half oasis, and its souks are reputed to be the best in the south, offering much better value for money than the souks of for example Marrakech. Being off the main tourist trail, Taroudant offers visitors an authentic glimpse of everyday life in a relaxed atmosphere. Overnight in Taroudant.
Includes Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13 - Agadir
We leave Taroudant early to travel to Agadir on the coast, via Tiout
Agadir is an absolute gem on Morocco’s coastline. With spacious streets, palm-lined boulevards and bright white buildings, it’s a city that is designed with the visitor in mind. Agadir is one of Morocco’s finest holiday destinations. People come here from all over the world to enjoy the fine beaches and the 300 days of sunshine that Agadir enjoys. The summer heat is pleasantly tempered by the coastal breezes that blow off the Atlantic, and during the winter it seldom gets cold enough for you to need long sleeves. It is also near to the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara, making it a great base to explore some of Morocco’s outstanding natural features.
Overnight in Agadir, breakfast included.
Day 14 - Essouria
Today we will explore the coast between Agadir and Essouria, The windswept coast attracts scores of kite-surfers, Cafes and restaurants are very cosmipolitan and a sea breeze is always blowing. There are many photo opportunities and also a fresh seafood lunch to be had. In Essouria you can stroll through the souks and laneways,where woodworkers produce hand-carved objects that are yours for next to nothing. Potter along the ocean-facing ramparts, pausing perhaps for a mug of thick, strong Moroccan coffee or a traditional shave at one of the tiny barber shops.
Overnight in Essouria, breakfast included.
Day 15 - Marrakech
Today we travel to the Red city, Marrakech. We will cross the High Atlas, through Ticshka Pass, 2,260 metres above sea level. The Tischka pass was part of the major trading route, the Silk Road, used to transport spices and precious goods through the Maghreb (Morocco) from Southern Africa and on to other eastern countries and then to China in both directions. We will have lunch in Tischka pass. Then on to Hotel in Marrakesh for the night. We will meet in the square of the old medina for dinner and explore the markets and experience the vivid nightlife of Jemaa el Fna.
Includes breakfast.
Day 16 - Marrakech
Visit sites around Marrakech including the exquisite Menara Mall, the Jardin Majorelle, where Eve St Laurent had his Moroccan home for many years, Bahia Palace, Menara Gardens, Palazzo el Badi, the SaidianTomb etc. Return to hotel
Includes breakfast.
Day 17 - Marrakech
Cooking class in either morning or afternoon, free time.
The cooking class is in Marrakech where you will choose your fresh vegetables from the garden, choose type of meat you like, lamb, beef or chicken, prepare your own Tagine.
Take a walk around the village while its cooking and come back and enjoy your lunch.
Includes breakfast.
Day 18 Ourika Valley
This valley is in the mountains south of Marrakech and receives a lot of snow throughout the winter. From December through February, the surrounding mountains will still be covered in snow. There will be opportunity for lots of photos of a snowbound countryside, if you visit during this time.. Along the way you will visit roadside souks where traditional clothes, scarves and household goods are sold. We will have lunch in valley. After lunch we will walk around the valley. Return to hotel in Marrakech. Free time in Marrakech for dinner and exploring.
Includes breakfast.
Day 19 - Marrakech to Ben el Ouidain
The Bin el Ouidane Dam is an arch dam located 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of Beni Mellal on the El Abid River in Azilal Province, Developed and constructed between 1949 and 1953, the purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and irrigation. This is a beautiful holiday valley used by locals and tourists alike for water sports, local souks and markets, variety of fresh produce and relaxing ambience. A good day to meet the locals and relax over a coffee and enjoy the view.
Overnight in Riad, includes breakfast.
Day 20... Ben el Ouidain to airport.
End of tour
DON'T FORGET
Bring a warm jacket, you may need it in the desert at night.
OUR TIPS:
Moroccan Dirham is readily available at the airport or from any bank atm in Morocco. If you wish to tip smaller denominations are best.
A snippet on Fes.....
Fes el Bali (Arabic: فاس البالي) (English: Old Fes) is the oldest walled part of Fes, Morocco. Fes el Bali was founded as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808 AD. Besides being famous for having the oldest university in the world, the University of Al-Karaouine, Fes el Bali, with a total population of 156,000, is also believed to be the biggest car-free urban area in the world.
UNESCO listed Fes el Bali as a world heritage site in 1981 under the name Medina of Fez. The world heritage site includes Fes el Bali's urban fabric and walls as well as a buffer zone outside of the walls that is intended to preserve the visual integrity of the location.
Fes el Bali is, along with Fes Jdid and the French-created Ville nouvelle, one of the three main districts in Fes
Our tours are available all year round