Morocco Markets and Mountains

Find a warm welcome at Mohammed V airport of Casablanca. Assistance and transfer to your hotel will be provided. 

After breakfast explore Casablanca, the commercial capital of Morocco. Visit the central market, Mohamed V square, the Habous district, the royal palace, the residential area of Anfa and the outside of the Hassan II mosque. Enjoy a fish lunch and orientation commmentary at one of the seafront restaurants.  Continue to Rabat, the administrative capital of the kingdom, for a city tour that includes the Mechouar (ramparts and walls surrounding the royal palace), the Oudaya kasbah, the splendid Mohamed V mausoleum and the Hassan Tower.

After breakfast, depart for Meknes, the Ismailian capital, famous for its 40 km long walls, and the most beautifully preserved ancient gate in Morocco. Visit the Bab Al Mansour and the royal stables of Moulay Ismail, the old medina and the Jewish quarter. After lunch, continue to the holy city of Moulay Idriss, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country, named for Morocco's most revered saint, the great-grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. (It is said that five pilgrimages or "moussems" to Moulay Idriss equals one haj to Mecca.) Nearby, explore the best preserved archaeological site in Morocco, the Roman ruins at Volubilis. Continue to Fez.

After breakfast, the whole day will be devoted to sightseeing in Fez, the most ancient of the imperial cities, founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss II. Visit the medieval medina with its Attarine & Bouanania Medersas (religious Islamic universities), the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum and the Karaouine mosque.

After breakfast, depart via the mountains of the Middle Atlas traveling through Ifrane, a charming ski resort, and Azrou, an important handycraft center. Continue to Errachidia and the Ziz Valley known for the date palm trees which are the source for the yearly date festival in Erfoud.

Those who wake early can enjoy an excursion by Land Rover to see the sunrise over the sands dunes of Merzouga. After breakfast back at the hotel, travel to Rissani, the holy city where Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty, is buried. Visit the kasbah of the 17th century and the ksar Abbar ruins, and continue to the Oasis of Tineghir via Tinjdad road. Visit the magnificent Todghra canyons, where the rock walls reach an altitude of 250 meters. Visit the Dades canyons and continue to Ouarzazate. You'll be following the road of the thousand kasbahs and the Dades Valley, famous for its roses and its annual rose festival.

After breakfast, visit the Kasbahs of Taourirt & Tifoultout, and Ait Benhaddou, the most spectacular fortress in the south of Morocco, which has served as setting for many famous films such as “Lawrence of Arabia ”.   Travel to Marrakech via the Tichka Pass for an impressive view over the Atlas Mountain chain.

The entire day will be devoted to the visit of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city, known as the "pearl of the south". The city was founded by the Almoravides at the end of the 11th century. The historical sites include the Menara garden, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia palace, the Koutoubia Mosque and Dar Si Said museum. In the afternoon, visit the old medina and its souqs and handicraft quarters,  and the famous Djemaa El Fna square with its non-stop street entertainment. You may choose to have a special dinner with a "Fantazia" show at characteristic restaurant.

Enjoy a leisurely start today. After breakfast, drive approximately two hours to Essaouira, the former Mogador and Portuguese stronghold along the Atlantic coast.  This charming and picturesque port village has been an important stop along trade routes since Roman times.  There is a Portuguese, French and Jewish legacy here, as well as an artistic base that has for centuries attracted musicians, painters and craftsmen from Morocco and all over the world.  It is well known for its woodcarving handicraft.

Visit the former Portuguese fortress of Safi, known for its pottery.  Continue to Oualidia via the lovely coastal road, and then on to El Jadida, to view the famous Portuguese citadel, ramparts and cistern before arriving in Casablanca.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homebound or onward flight.