18 DAY MOROCCO TOUR FROM CASABLANCA

You will be welcomed by your Driver/Guide in the airport of Mohamed 5 in Casablanca and transfer you to your hotel in Casablanca. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, delve into the history and culture of Casablanca and explore the highlights of this old world city. In Casablanca the economic capital of Moroccan kingdom you can see the United Nations Place, Mohammed V Square, the Central Market, the Habbous Quarter the Mehkama (court), the Cathedral Notre Dame de Lourdes, the residential area of Anfa, the famous Hassan II Mosque and the beautiful Ain Diab Corniche lined with restaurants and swimming pools.

Get to Rabat after one hour driving. Rabat is the capital of Morocco. You will visit Bab Challah, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, famous Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah.

After typical breakfast at your Hotel in Rabat we head up to Assilah. Assilah; pearl of the Atlantic is a wonderful place to disconnect from the world. It is a small city surrounded by Old Portuguese walls. You will have free time to walk inside the small Medina and you can have fresh sea food. Its medina, easily manageable for the tourists, is extremely clean and cared for, is surrounded by walls flanked by palm trees. It is one of the most attractive medinas in the country. Strolling through its streets painted white, indigo blue and emerald green is a sensation that must be experienced.

After lunch head up directly to northern Moroccan city Tangier. Overnight at the Hotel in Tangier.

After breakfast in your Hotel, you will meet your driver to start exploring Tanger. It is a day to discover (Tanger) the culture of the city of northern Morocco. The visit allows you to visit Cape Spartel, the impressive Palace of the Sultan, the Necropolis, the caves of Hercules, the Kasbah, the medina and the souk. Once you arrive at the souk, you will have free time to walk through the streets. After visiting the souk you would have time to have lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant to taste the best Moroccan dishes. Overnight at the Hotel in Tangier.

After breakfast at you hotel you will meet your driver again to continue to the blue city Chefchaouen. You will have a stop in Tetouan then continue the journey to Chefchaouen. Overnight at the Hotel in Chefchaouen.

Today in Chefchaouen You will have time all the day to visit the blue city. It is a city located in the Rif Mountains, north-west of Morocco. It is famous for the remarkable buildings of different tones of faded blue of its old town. Leather and weaving workshops line its steep cobbled alleys. In the shaded central square of Outa el Hammam is the Kasbah with red walls, fortress and keep of the fifteenth century with ethnographic and artistic exhibitions. The octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque rises not far from there.

In the morning we head to Volubilis and Meknes through the Rif Mountains to enjoy the views of the Magic Mountains till we get Meknes one of the oldest cities in Morocco.

Volubilis: is an ancient Berber and Romanized city, capital of the kingdom of Mauretania, located in the plain of Saiss in Morocco, on the banks of the Wadi Rhoumane, river of the suburbs of Meknes, not far from the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun where rest Idriss I, founder of the Idrissid dynasty.

Meknes: is famous for its imperial past, with remains such as Bab Mansour, a huge door with voice and mosaic tile. The gateway to the ancient imperial city. The mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl, who made his city in the seventeenth century, includes courtyards and fountains. To the south, the vast Heri es-Souani complex once housed stables and food warehouses.
Overnight at the Hotel / Riad in Meknes.

The journey today begins with a tour of the walls with monumental gates dating from the seventeenth century Berdaïne Bab, Bab Khemis. Continue exploring the city by the stables (Rua), attics (HERI), and Stud. Stop at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the only mosque that non-Muslims could visit in Morocco for a long time. Exit through the famous Bab Mansour El on the vast square Hedim. On the other side of the square, the Museum of Moroccan Art “Dar Jamai” offers a wide variety of handicrafts.

El Hedim Square “the square of demolition”) is a famous square in Meknes, Morocco. The square was built in the years 1672-1674 after the Sultan of Morocco, Moulay Ismail, demolished half of the Old city of Meknes for his palace and the square.

In the evening transfer to the oldest city Fez.

After breakfast in your Riad, you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish quarter, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 14th century. We will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest one in the world, the Tanneries and Moulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will visit the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight at the same Riad.

After breakfast, you will leave Fes travelling towards Merzouga via Midelt and the Ziz valley. Today you will travel via the Ifrane city, a beautiful mountain village, named the Switzerland of Morocco. Here you will also stop at the cedar forest on the middle Atlas Mountains. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains and stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest one in Morocco – where you will have the opportunity to see the Barbary apes. After that, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. After lunch in Midelt, you’ll be travelling through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the spectacular Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau, seeing how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the province of the south-east Errachidia city. Afterwards, you’ll travel along the fantastic Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea. Then take camel ride in the dunes of Sahara Desert of Merzouga to reach the camp where you will have the night.

After breakfast, we will make the tour of Erg Chebbi dunes. On our way, we will visit the village of KHAMLIA, a Moroccan Berber village. The visit aims to attend their performance on Gnawa Music. We visit the Oasis of Merzouga which preserves an old system of irrigation, then orientation to Rissani to explore ancient Ksours and Kasbahs. After a local and typical lunch, we drive back to the hotel around 16:00 p.m. Once there, we change our car with friendly camels to depart in a camel trek to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You will spend your night in a bivouac (camp) and enjoy Berber music, before going for a peaceful night under a camel hair made nomad tente and see the stars.

Today you will have to wake up very early in the morning to see what will may be the best sunrise of your life. You will set over the Sand Dunes of Sahara of Erg Chebbi to watch wonderful sunrise. After watching the sunrise you will go down to the Camp for breakfast. Then you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. While enjoying morning camel ride you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses.
Once you arrive the village of Merzouga, you will meet the driver again to continue the tour to Dades. You will have optional stop in Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali chref, the founder of the Alaouit dynasty, and then you will continue to Arfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the Todra valley, where you will have lunch. Once in Todra you can highlight a half-hour walk to see the gorges calmly and you will be guided through the palm grove and the Jewish quarter. Todra gorges is the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. The Todra River has formed a gorge of enormous vertical walls of great beauty; it is a climber’s paradise and a unique place.

After breakfast in your accommodation, you will start travelling through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate and then to Marrakech. The road through Dades Valley is called the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. You will stop at Kalaat M’Gouna -the centre of rose’s valley-, where you will have the option to visit the cooperative for the roses, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 19th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains, where you will have the opportunity to explore the process of producing the Argan oil- existing only in morocco – by Berber women in their cooperative, before arriving at your overnight accommodation in Marrakech.

After breakfast in your Hotel/Riad, you can start to explore Marrakech; «the red city of Morocco”. You will visit the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and main square place Ljamaa Lfna. After Lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. On the afternoon, you will have some free time to wonder by yourself the other parts of the city.
Marrakech nicknamed the “Red City” for its old red sandstone city walls and buildings. It has Berber rather than Arab roots and was an important trading capital for tribes of the Atlas Mountains. Orient yourself around Marrakech’s bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square: the souks are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens to the west and the kasbah area with the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. In the new city, you will find the Majorelle Gardens.

Indulge your senses as you explore the complicated labyrinth of souks, tucked behind ordinary restaurants and shops. Check out Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata for a selection of spices, woodwork, and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit Souk of Tanneries or the dyers’ souk to see how cloth and yarn are dyed using traditional methods. Next, admire the fine example of Moroccan Islamic architecture of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, and note the ornate detail of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.

Free day to relax in Marrakech and explore extra sightseeing by your own. There is so many extra things and activities to enjoy in Marrakech like Hammam, Massage, and Spa etc… You can also explore suburbs of Marrakech. There is so many nearest amazing places to explore like Valles, waterfalls and landscape. As well as you have the opportunity to make a day trip to Essaouira, Ouzoud Waterfalls.

After breakfast you will head down to Essaouira. On the way to Essaouira you can ejoy the amazing view of goats claiming argan trees as well as you can stop to see argan forest and cooperative of argan oil if you would like that.
Essaouira is a coastal town that provides an excellent opportunity to relax on the beach. Its Medina combines between history, culture with modern cafes and restaurants. Essaouira has a long promenade with a large sandy beach and it is safe to swim. It’s a perfect opportunity to get away from the city rush, and enjoy the cooler climate of the coastal town of Essaouira.
Essaouira is an exceptional example of late-18th century fortified town. It is built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context.

Departure for El Jadida ex “Mazagan”, an old Portuguese city, with beautiful ramparts and bastions. The visit will include the port, the ramparts, the Portuguese cistern, and the bastions offering a superb view of the city.
El Jadida, originally called Mazagan, is a Moroccan city located on the Atlantic coast about 100 kilometers from Casablanca. The city is not huge. The trip allows you to discover El Jadida and enjoy the beach and the calm of this charming little town. Take the time to stroll through the narrow streets of the small Portuguese city and explore its ramparts. Do not miss the Portuguese cistern, underground water supply; built during the construction of the Portuguese citadel in the early sixteenth century. Enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline and the ocean. Observe the fishermen who go to sea in small boats like those of Essaouira. And relax by the sea and enjoy the quite beach. As for most coastal cities of Morocco, it is possible to eat many varieties of fish, freshly caught or buy fresh fish for grilling. Then transfer to Casablanca. Overnight at the hotel in Casablanca.

Transfer to the International Casablanca Airport Mohamed V.

End of the tour.