Day 01: Casablanca, Morocco - Rabat
Arrive Casablanca and enjoy a city for a tour of Casablanca and transfer to Rabat for overnight. Hilton Rabat (B)Day 02: Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes
A short drive takes you to Meknes, the megalomaniacal creation of Moulay Ismail, the most cruel and tyrannical of all Moroccos sultans, contemporary of Louis XIV and James II of England. Continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, high on a plateau overlooking the Holy City of Moulay Idriss nestled in a lush valley below. Volubilis was a center for the export to Rome of lions, Barbary bears and elephants to be slaughtered for rituals and celebrations. Within 200 years all three species became virtually extinct in Morocco. Continue past fields of wheat, mint, mimosa and cork trees to Fes. Palais Jamai Hotel (B,L)
Day 03: Fes
Enjoy a full day guided tour of Fes. It is a unique and remarkable place that stimulates all your senses, with haunting and beautiful sounds, visual richness, and wafting smells—suspended in time between the Middle Ages and today. In the afternoon, the exploration includes the Fes el Bali (Old Fes) with its palaces, mosques and medersas (Koran schools.) Fez el Bali is a thousand-year-old labyrinth of 300 mosques and 9,400 winding streets and alleyways. 13th century tanneries and all manner of souks: henna, spice, carpenters, blacksmiths, and food, surround the fountain at Place Nejarine (Carpenters place) and vie for your attention. Tonight, enjoy dinner and cultural exchange with a local Moroccan family. Palais Jamal Hotel (B,D)Day 04: Fes - Erfoud - Megzouga
Drive through fertile valleys and into the cedar forests and beautiful lakes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch (extra cost) at the nature reserve of Midelt before reaching the first slopes of the High Atlas. After Tizi Ntarghempt (6040 ft) begin your descent into the impressive palm groves and fortified villages of the Ziz valley and Erfoud, your base for exploration. At Erfoud Landrovers are at disposal for a 40-minute drive to Merzouga dunes. Meet the camels for short ride to the dunes to watch a sun set. Enjoy a taste of Berber life and spend the night in a private tent at the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco. Your tents have adjacent toilet and shower facilities. Exclusive Mobile Camp (B,D)Day 05: Merzouga - Erfoud - Ouarzazate
After breakfast, depart for Ouarzazate. Visit the quarry where blocs of fossilized fish plants and many other old sea minerals are taken to a factory to be cut into slices from which many objects are produced. Continue though lunar like landscape to Tineghir, one of the largest and most beautiful oases in Morocco. Enjoy lunch and cultural exchange with a local Moroccan family. Continue towards Ouarzazate along the southern flank of the High Atlas Mountains. Your drive takes you on through this rather harsh valley, hemmed in by the High Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains, dotted with decorated kasbahs of the local Berber people. The desolation of the scenery makes the lushness of the oases of Tenerhir and Skoura even more astounding, when they appear. Evening arrival to Ouarzazate for overnight. Berbere Palace Hotel (B,L)Day 06: Ouarzazate - Marrekech
This morning, visit two magnificent Kasbahs, Tifoultoute and Taourirt. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, the backdrop for famous films such as “Lawrence of Arabia. Gladiator, Kingdom of Heraven and many other movies. Continue to Marrakech along the River Imini through stretches of desert, picturesque farmland, Berber villages, and ruins of ancient kasbahs. Arriving mid-day, you will get your first glimpse of exotic Marrakech. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel (B)Day 07: Marrakech
Enjoy a guided tour of the Marrakech Medina with your guide. Begin by visiting the twelfth-century Koutoubia (Book Sellers) Mosque. Continue on to the Bahya Palace and the Palace of Dar Si Aid. This afternoon you will walk through the labyrinth of streets and souks with quarters of dyers, carpenters, jewelers, and many others. End at D’Jemaa Lfna square, a big popular fairground; unfolding day after day with its story tellers, fire eaters, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, water sellers, etc.. Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel (B)Day 08: Marrakech
After breakfast, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride to Menara Park (olive groves) and Majorelle Gardens (subtropical botanical garden with verdant groves of bamboo, dwarf palms multicoloured bougainvilea and various lily covered pools.) Return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel (B)Day 09: Marrakech
Transfer to Marrakech airport for your homebound international flight. (B)
