Imperial cities & desert

Today fly to beautiful Marrakech where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your
hotel for one night.
Welcome to MOROCCO. Upon arrival in Marrakech, you will be greeted at the airport by our English
speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure .

After breakfast drive to Casablanca. It is the largest metropolitan city in the Maghreb that is characterized by elegant buildings, great avenues and special architectural arts merging modern and Moorish styles featured in belvederes, domes and columns. Upon arrival enjoy the city sightseeing tour with a local guide to include visiting the Hassan II mosque.

Today after breakfast journey along the coast road to Rabat, Morocco’s historic capital, and enjoy a
sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide, including the Royal Palace, Hassan’s Tower, the
Kasbah of Ouidais and the magnificent Chellah Gardens. Later, continue to Meknes, where you can enjoy this fascinating city, famous for its 16 miles of protective wall, on a sightseeing tour of the Moulay Ismail Mosque and the former royal stables and granaries. Next stop is the ancient city of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s four splendid Imperial Cities, where you will stay for two nights.

This morning after breakfast, visit the first Islamic city in Morocco. Visits include the courtyard of the
Kairaouine mosque, the Bou Inania madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the Jewish quarter (mellah), huge ornate arch of Bab Boujeloud and the extensive souks. Marvel at one of the ancient tanneries and the view from above.

Today’s journey will include a scenic Middle Atlas Mountains drive with a visit to the picturesque mountain resort of Ifrane and later, a chance to view the spectacular Ziz Valley. You will stay for two nights in Erfoud, part of the oasis of Tafilalt on the edge of the mighty Sahara Desert.

Today after breakfast, enjoy the visit to the fortified village of Rissani in the Tafilalt region. Nestled at the edge of the Ziz Valley, Rissani is a traditional desert village yet houses the impressive Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alawite dynasty, which thrived here in the 17th century.

After breakfast drive through the impressive Todra Gorges and past the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains to Tinerhir Oasis, with its green valley of palms and local villages, before continuing on a scenic drive through the Dades Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of 1000 Kasbahs’, to Ouarzazate where you’ll stay for one night. A charming oasis resort with an exotic Kasbah, Ouarzazate has been featured in several films including ‘The Sheltering Sky’.

This morning after breakfast, enjoy an orientation drive of Ouarzazate and a visit to the Kasbah de Tourirt before today’s highlight: a visit to beautiful Ait-Benhaddou, the setting of many films including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Gladiator’. Later, continue through picturesque villages
and rugged mountain scenery to the 7,414 foot high Tizi-n-Tichkas Pass, in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving in the imperial city of Marrakech, for two nights.

The snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains rise majestically above Morocco’s enchanting ‘pink city’. You’ll enjoy a city sightseeing tour with a local guide this morning to include visiting the 16th century Saadian Tombs, set in exquisite Andalusian gardens, the Palais Badia and the Bahia Palace.
After spending time in the souk, you will arrive at DJemaa El Fna Square, the focal point of the city.
This huge open space is busy throughout the day, but it is in the early evening, when lanterns around the square are lit, that the DJemaa El Fna really comes to life, with acrobats, fire-eaters, snake charmers, musicians, water-carriers and dancers, and the aromas of countless food stalls selling traditional meals and snacks. Your Tour Manager will find you a table on a balcony of one of the cafes that overlook the square for a bird’s-eye view of the spectacle.

After breakfast free time at leisure. Later transfer to Marrakech airport