Activities

Day 1: MARRAKESH

When you are ready, you will discover the Mysteries of Marrakesh. The definite landmark of Marrakesh is the 12th century tiled minaret of the Kotoubia mosque, and there is no better place to begin your journey into this tantalizing city The Kotoubia minaret went to inspire the architects of the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat .You end up at the famous Jemma el Fana square. It’s a multitude of street-artists and stalls of dried fruit or orange juice freshly pressed in front of you. The multitude of small restaurants that take over its center from the early evening, contribute to the scent of its surroundings. The square was once the ultimate destination for traders from places as diverse as Venice, sub Saharan Africa, and Asia...The Jemmaa El Fanna square has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Space due to its important role in transmitting oral heritage from one generation to another.

Day 2: MARRAKESH

Today start your day with a visit of the tropical Majorelle Gardens, lovingly restored under the patronage of the late Yves St.Laurent.Then visit the Ben Youssef Mederssa, one of the jewels of Marrakesh. The current structure of this Koranic school was built in the 16th century. It is the biggest Mederssa in the whole Maghreb (west).

Opposite the entrance to the Ben Youssef mosque, the Almoravides Koubba was the ablution (washing ritual) center for believers going to the mosque. The complex was also one of the first fountains of Medina and used to ensure a constant water supply for the inhabitants of Marrakesh and their animals.

In the afternoon, prepare yourself for a discovery in the labyrinth medina and souks and get ready for shopping!!Souk Samarine is an important thoroughfare, traditionally dominated by the sale of textiles and clothing and all Moroccan handicrafts. Explore the colorful souks (marketplaces) of Marrakesh. Each trade-spices, carpets, jewelry, enamel, copper, brass, wood-is situated in its quarter. You might see villagers bringing in their handmade rugs to sell to merchants, and you might observe artisans hand tooling crafts as they have done for centuries.

Day 3: MARRAKESH/ESSAOUIRA/MARRAKESH

Drive through the Haouz plain with orchards and agricultural plots, and then pass by the

Argan forest. You might see the goats on the argan trees. The nuts of this tree are used to produce many argan beauty products. Continue to the fortified, whitewashed fishing village of Essaouira located on a rocky promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most charming towns with impressive ramparts that give the city a fortified look. Visit the Sakalla that has a display of cannons. This spot commands some beautiful views of the medina and the ocean. Tour the port to have a glimpse into the fishing industry in Morocco, walk in its beautiful medina and its old Jewish quarter or walk in the sandy beach; Drive back to your hotel in Marrakesh.

Day 4: MARRAKESH/ ATLAS MOUNTAINS/ AIT BEN HADOU

You will depart for an exhilarating drive across the olive groves and citrus tree orchards, to the Berber town of Ourika set in the foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains, a main trailhead with streams and paths branching in all directions. As you start ascend into the High Atlas valley, you will pass through the Berber town of Toufliht, so hold on to your hats!

You will pass under the little town of Taddart, perched on a cliff overlooking the oued (river), and proceed past small, riverside irrigated plots, some of which are centuries old where you might see the hardy Berber women and men tilling their soil before you reach the market town of Telouat which is once the residence of the Glaoui: the Lords of the Atlas! Then, you stop to visit one of the jewels of Morocco, Ksar Ait Ben Haddou. In typical Moroccan fashion; the true treasures must be reached out and discovered, usually off the beaten path. In actuality, this setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco; films including, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and recently The Gladiator. You might like to have high tea with one of only four families that still live in the Ksar.

Dinner and Overnight in your hotel

Day 5: AITBENHADDDU/OUARZAZTE/TINGHER/TINJDAD

After having your breakfast you will head to the Kasbah of Tiffoutoute. An old fortress whose rooftops offer a magnificent panoramic view of the valley, the Kasbah was built on the upper reaches of an adobe village. Here you can climb the terrace for breathtaking panoramic views. This Kasbah was actually transformed into a hotel during the filming of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962.The final leg of your voyage of discovery of Morocco’s multifaceted south takes you to Ouarzazate; where the biggest film studios are. Drive through route of 1000 Kasbahs in the Dades valley. Travel on into the ,the fabulous Dades Gorges; and on to the gorgeous Todghra gorges with its postcard perfect colors of red earth, yellow dust ,green oasis and a brilliant blue sky. Continue to Ksar Elkhorbat, designated as a typical Berber-styled fortress.

This is a recommended place to experience a night with the Berbers and learn about their culture. Here, life moves at a slow pace, and the virtues of family and hospitality to strangers are held in high regard.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel

Day 6: TINJDAD/ALNIF/RISSANI/ERFOUD/MERZOUGA

After your breakfast you’ll depart for the famous Sahara Desert! Travel first to town of Alnif along the Tifarkhine (palms) pass Admire some parts of Morocco untouched by modernity! Afterwards stop in Rissani, once on the crossroad of the Sub –Saharan caravan routes; now the cradle of the founder of the current dynasty ruling Morocco. Here you might visit the 19th century Ksar Oulad Abdel Halim .Then head to Erfoud which is located amongst the impressive sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Almost one million palm trees grow in the Erfoud region, so it is no surprising that the date should be its symbol. Erfoud is the take-off for visits to Merzouga, famous as the only place in Morocco where you can see a desert Erg(sand sea).Here change your vehicle from four tires to four feet as you mount your dromedary camels “Ships of the Desert “on a ride that takes up to Erg Cheebi, the highest sand dunes in Morocco’s Sahara to witness a spectacular sunset coloring the sands from gold to purple  as the sky darkens to show a canopy of a myriad of stars where you shall dine  and stay in your Berber Desert Camp.

Overnight in a Berber Desert Camp

Day 7: MERZOUGA/MIDELT/IFRANE/FES

Drive along the Ziz valley; a surprising sight of greenery; it is a large oasis in the middle of an arid plateau. Stop for lunch in Midelt; the capital of apple! Then cross some parts of the Middle Atlas Mountains and the cedar forest that is the habitat for the Barbary apes (monkey). Then to the ski resort of Ifrane. It’s a popular destination for people keen on winter sports. Ifrane is also known as Morocco’s Switzerland which is next, to the ancient city of Fes.

Overnight in Fes

Day 8: FES

Today you take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you visit Fes El Bali medina, the largest living medieval medina-city, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Fes was founded in the 8th century by Moulay Driss 1 and subscribed as a UNESCO patrimonial in 1981.Visit the Bou Inania mederssa (Koranic College), a jewel of the Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Your tour of the medina includes also the Nejjarine complex that houses a beautiful fountain and the nearby Foundouk; now converted into a museum. Fes is also the capital of Arab handmade crafts; visit the medieval tanneries and then see artisans at work, see the brass workers at Essafarine.

Among the highlights of Fes there is the Karaouine mosque and university and the shrine of Moulay Driss2.Continue your visit to the 14th century Fes El Jedid (New Fes). Here you will see the stunning gates of King Palace, and then if you want you can visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue-the oldest synagogue in Fes then the Jewish cemetery and then walk in the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter which provides an interesting insight into the Jewish architecture.

Day 9: FES/VOLUBILS/MEKNES/FES

Today travel to Volubilis, the most important Roman site in Morooco.This Roman city was a flourishing trade in the 2nd and 3rd centuries selling wine, oil and wild animals. Volubilis is a city of incredible mosaics, monumental arches and old columns where you will have a real sense of Roman lifestyle in the country. After completing your tour of the ruins, make a short stop at nearby Moulay Driss 1 town, the holiest Muslim site in Morocco .Travel to the Imperial city of Meknes. It was chosen by the Sultan Moulay Ismail to be the capital of his empire. Explore some of its 40 kilometers of ramparts  and monumental gates such as its impressive 17th century Bab Mansour gate .From here you continue to the Heri Souani, the granary of huge vaulted structures and royal stables ;it’s reported, that  once it housed some 12000 horses!. Then admire the Agdal Basin: house of water, once used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines of the sultan. Then return back to your hotel in Fes.

Overnight in Fes

Day 10: DEPARTURE TRANSFER

After Breakfast in your riad, our service is still available in case of a late flight in the afternoon.

Transfer to the airport and end of the service. And Bon voyage

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 10 days of touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
• Professional licensed English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to the sites as per itinerary
• Water every day in the vehicle during the tour
• Accommodation with dinner and daily breakfast
• 1 night accommodation in a private Berber tent in Desert camp in Merzouga with dinner and breakfast
• Short camel ride in the Sahara Desert

Not included:

• Air transportation
• Tips and Gratuities
• Drinks for meals
• Travel insurances highly recommended