THE VERY BEST OF MOROCCO

An early departure is taking place for today’s journey. You will meet your driver at the hotel, and your journey begins when you cross the High Atlas chain to one of the highest passes in Africa Tizi-n-Tichka Pass. On your way, you’ll have the chance to explore the hidden beauty of the Berber hamlets settled on the bottom of the mountains, drive down the valleys and fields bordered by olives, walnuts, pomegranates, apples, pears, and quinces trees, and see the locals tend sheep and climb hills in quest of wood.

After an hour’s drive, you will notice a slight variation in the sceneries, and the lands become semi-arid. That is your sign to know that you are just passed the entrance gates to the Moroccan Sahara. The architecture of the area is different from what you have seen in Marrakech. The houses were made suitable for the hot weather conditions of the south. Most buildings are from adobe, have turrets with small windows and colored walls. 

After the Tichka pass, you will take a side road to the Telouet Kasbah. The Kasbah is known not for the dramatic history of its former owners – Family EL Glaoui – and the leave of the Last Pacha with the french. But, for its beautiful architecture too, and made it the favorite site for thousands of visitors. For more than eight decades, the interior stands out with its traditional designed walls, colorful tiles, finely carved ceilings decorated in a painterly fashion using Saffron and Henna, and beautiful locked doors with silver knockers.

All of the rooms that remain include the harem, the kitchens, the cinema, and the roof-top can be an unrecommended trek but allows you to look down upon some of the old courts.

Enjoy a mouthwatering tagine for your lunch in the village of Telouet. Then we will continue our exploration at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, used as a backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters. It was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the Salt Road caravan routes, where traders brought slaves, gold, ivory, and salt from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond.

Today, you will have an off ordinary path as you will be taking an off-road to the Oasis of Fint through the Plateau de Pierres, and enjoy the charming palms hovering under the Mountains.

You may ask your driver to stop for a quick walk inside the oasis to connect with the nomadic land while enjoying the fresh air.

After this short break, you continue to Kasbah Tifoultoute. A majestic castle converted into a hotel for the cast of Lawrence of Arabia in the 1960s. Many famous directors have followed in his footsteps to exploit the magnificent scenery for filming the desert and shots at the Atlas Studios.

Now leave Ouarzazate on a short drive to Skoura, often referred to as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs as beautiful kasbahs are located in this area with a resourceful oasis outlined and enormous palm groves that give magnificent views of the Atlas Mountains alongside deserted scenes. These palm groves were planned by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its earliest settlers, the Berbers of the Haskourene tribe.

The most imposing of the kasbahs in this area is 17th Century Amerhidil Kasbah. This residence was owned by the most powerful family – the Glaoui – responsible for protecting the village and its lands. Touring the Kasbah is a charming opportunity as its interior is now restored.

Your trip starts when the driver makes his way to the north of El Kelaa Mgouna for the perfumed Valley of Roses. On your way, you will revive your senses and explore the traditional Florale distillation factories. These small manufacturies produce the whole Stock for the Moroccan Markets and all their products based on roses such as soaps, oil, cream, perfume, and dried flowers for decoration.

Continue your exploration to the Nomad Valley, where you will have a cup of Saharian Tea. Once you finish your tea, you will be ready to drive east to Dades Valley throughout the stratified rocky cliffs formed by erosions and diverse splendid views from flower-filled to riverbanks passing by hidden kasbahs in the entry of the valleys of Boulmane Dades.

By the time you reach now, Aït Youl is one of the biggest Kasbah in the south, where we suggest having your lunch in one of the nearby guesthouses in a panoramic view while gaping the majestic valley view. After your break, you move to another breathtaking site and splendid landscapes with pink-grey gigantic cliffs at the Todra Gorge. After your long day in the mountains, you’ll pass the night in tinghir.

Leaving Tinghir to Erfoud, the town was built by the French Troupes, during the colonial time, after winning the Tafilalet battle in 1932. Once there, you may enjoy an overview of the city from Borj-Est rises 3067 feet above it or visit one of the popular fossil sites, where you can acquire some as souvenirs.  

While having a contemporary Sahara town side, it still maintains its Berber authenticity with an imposing Berber souk and inspiring surrounding sceneries loaded with oases, dunes, and rugged mountains. 

On your way to Merzouga, you’ll pass by the old Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif of the ancient Alaoui Dynasty and Ksar Rissani, where the late King Mohammed has seen his first light.  

Finally, you change your vehicle to 4X4 for your ride through the dunes to reach your destination before sunset. You can ask for Camel Ride if you want to experience the Nomadic way to your camp, where you will enjoy diner and overnight under the sky.

Start your journey by traversing the small hamlets nearby Erg Chebbi dunes like Hassi Labied, Merzouga, and Khamlia.

Near Merzouga, you will see Dayet Srji lake that attracts flocks of pink flamingos and wildlife; Bird-watchers enjoy this quiet area. On our way to Khamlia, we expect to meet the locals and sip a cup of Saharian Mint tea while explaining their living ways and enjoying their spiritual Gnawa music.

You leave Khamlia to the wild golden dunes near the Algerian frontiers. We may stop for a picnic lunch under the shadow of a tree before proceeding to visit Nomads, living under a Berber tent. After this, you will have the chance to visit the sites of the black volcanic rocks.

After two Days in the middle of the dunes, it is time to leave it behind and travel through the little palm grove at Madkhal Meski and the Ziz Gorge near the Barrage Hassan Addakhil.  

Today, the itinerary takes you on into the striking woods, where you will mark the transition, from the dunes of the southern side to the High Atlas mountains. We travel along a deserted field of scrub and wilderness to the Berber mountain town of Midelt, where we can rest for a couple of hours. After Lunch, you make your way through to the Azrou then Ifrane, with its russet-tiled houses hidden amid the forest of cedar, which cannot grow below 1600m. the perfect hideaway from the hustle of large cities. 

Only 40 minutes from Fez, you approach the small 1920s French-built hill station of Immouzèr du Kandar. Here we may stop by the kasbah for a look at the little Medina, the pleasant Saiss Plateau, and the distant city of Fez, then you head to the welcoming sight of your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meet your guide for a full day city tour in the Medieval city of Fes. This tour is a voyage in the past, where the Jewish and Ismalic heritage are influencing our present identity. Your day will start with a drive via Dar el Makhzen and the Royal Palace with its great seven bronze gates. Then you will stop at Borj Sud for a picturesque view of the medina.  

Accompanied by your guide, you will explore the maze of this medieval city and the story behind nominating it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk inside the dyers’ streets in the es-Sebbaghine area, followed by the brass and copperware artisans at es-Seffarine avenues.  Get through the twisting alleys to the el-Quarawiyyin Mosque and University, a walk into the past to the Mosque near fragrant Souk of el-Atterine of spices and herbs; el-Atterine Medersa. Of course, not to miss the famous Tanneries on the bank of the Oued Fes.  

Next to the charming el-Nejjarine Square with its Plaza, fountain, and wood artisans. Finish your walking day at the Bouanania and Attarine Madrassas.

Back into your vehicle at Bab Boujloud to end your tour around the stunning ramparts of the Saadian watchtower at the North Borj. Rich history, variety, and many memories to be photographed.

Depart Fes to Meknes for a half-day tour before heading to the Blue City. Meknes is one of the four famous Imperial Cities Of the Moroccan Kingdom which is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Start your tour at Hri Souani, famous state-owned horse stables of Haras where the Arabo-Berber horses were bred. It was built in the era of Moulay Ismail by his soldiers and located next to a pond which used for the underground channels that carried water from the Middle Atlas Mountains.   

Then, you stop for a few minutes in front of the Royal Palace, where you can make some photoshoots of the Seven Bronze gates before getting through the alleys of the Mellah with its exceptional atmosphere and fine Mauro-Hispanic architecture. Your Meknes tour comes to an end when you drive to Borj Sud to take the panoramic view of the Medina. Drive north beside the outlying of the Zerhoun Hills to Moulay Idriss. Hundreds of Moroccans travel on pilgrimage to the holiest Islamic town.

Continue your trip to the Roman archaeological site of Volubilis, discover the ancient olive presses, mansions, incredible mosaics, monumental arches, and Corinthian columns. A real sense of Roman lifestyle in a medieval Berber town.  

Leaving Volubilis and drive up to the north to the blue city of Chefchaouen.  

After more than ten days on the roads, You have earned a day to relax in one of the most beautiful towns in Morocco between the hills of the Rif Mountains. You may have an afternoon walk around this blue and white village and see Dar El Makhzen and the square Uta el Hamman, the city’s Great Mosque, built in the 15th century, and the medina.

Depart from Chefchaouen to the White Bird of the Rif Mountains; Tetouan is a unique mixture of Arab and Andalusian cultures. Make an orientation visit to the new town where you will see the Hassan II Square, governor’s palace, Spanish garden, the first North African mosque, and the old medina.

Then continue your journey to Tangier, where you’ll take in the highlights of Tangiers, visiting the Cap Spartel, the lighthouse that marks the official convergence of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Once you finish the tour, you will drove south on the coastline to The gorgeous whitewashed resort town of Asilah that gives you a feeling of traveling on a greek island, only with Spanish menus. The wrought-iron windows on the white houses are but a few reminders that the town was a Spanish region for a long time. Assilah is an easy and hassle-free introduction to Morocco. A fortified town on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast of Morocco. A unique place to enjoy tranquility before leaving to Rabat for dinner and overnight.

After your breakfast, you will meet your guide for a full day city tour in the diplomatic city. You walk out of the kasbah area, where you will explore the little streets with lots of small shops selling aromatic spices, leather, silver, rugs, and wood carvings. Other fascinating sights include the Bab Chellah, viewed by many to be the most attractive city ramparts in Morocco, the Parc du Triangle, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the incomplete Hassan Minaret Tower.  

Continue to Casablanca, where your driver will take you to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the largest minaret tower in the world, and Place Mohammed V.

Tonight we strongly recommend a dinner at the infamous Rick’s Cafe, the mythical saloon from the 1942 film Casablanca.  

Start your day down to El Jadida, built as a fortified Portuguese site on the coast in the early 16th century to be reclaimed in 1796 by Morocco. The fortification with its protected walls is an absolute illustration of Renaissance military design. All the surviving Portuguese structures as the Portuguese cistern and the Church of the Assumption, built in the Manueline style of late Gothic architecture.  

On now to Safi, famed for its potteries that produce the typical brightly colored Safi pottery.  

Continue to Safi’s natural harbor was associated with the Phoenicians and the Romans. Also, it was a gate for the trans-Saharan commerce between Marrakech and Guinea.  In the 14th century, the city became a religious and cultural center when the Merenids built a ribat there. 

Safi’s revival came in the 20th century when its fishing line has grown, and big manufacturing complexes were built to process the 30,000 tonnes of sardines caught annually. 

Now the final leg of the journey to another fortification of Portuguese origin – Essaouira – for the night.

Abandoned by the Portuguese in 1541, it was not until 1765 that The Mogador was transformed into a walled city. 

The fortifications were never that practical in keeping out the thieving tribesmen, but now It holds a charming artists’ town with its old harbor and cannons viewing the fishing fleet. 

Wander through the small alleyways which form the medina. Observe artisans at their workshops handling the piece of wood as their baby and transforming it to wooden tables, cases, and various items in lemon or briarwood decorated with mother of pearl. 

Set on a plain below the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is the capital of the south. Its character is as much African as Arab, reflecting its former role as a caravan station on trans-Saharan trade routes.

Who knew that the Giralda of Seville has a twin sister minaret in Marrakech?

It’s the Koutoubia, one of the largest, most beautiful mosques in the western Muslim world. Standing 225 feet high, it’s a Hispano-Moresque masterpiece that’s located in the heart of Marrakech. Other famous sites include four stops. The first site is the Saadian Tombs. It dates in the 15th century back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. Then, stroll in the 19th-century Bahia Palace and its gardens. Designed to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan styles.

Finally you walk through the small medieval streets of Marrakech Medina until you reach the main city square of Djemaa el-Fna. Full of entertainers, singers, storytellers, snake-charmers, and acrobats. Marrakech is a cultural melting pot with surprises around every corner that indicate how the history of the city has shaped the way it is today.

THE LEISURE DAYS IN THE SEVEN MEN MEDINA

You will have the day at leisure today until your private transfer from your accommodation in Marrakech to Marrakech airport.