Morocco - 17 Days
Magical Morocco
Four Imperial cities, sand, camels and kasbahs on this trip round magical Morocco. Beginning in Tangier we take to the Moorish trail which leads you first to Rabat with its ancient forts and busy markets. On to Casablanca, the city with an old colonial twist and go further inland to Marrakesh, with its red mud walls, amazing mosques, colourful souks and unique street entertainment. See Roman ruins at Volubilis and then travel up into the Rif Mountains on the hippie trail to Chaoeun, and its air of mystery. Visit the three cities of Fez - a World Heritage Site, and then take off into the Atlas Mountains for the scary Todra Gorge. We follow this with a visit to the Meski Oasis then head back to the coast and take time out on the beach before returning to Tangier.
Day 1
Travel to Morocco
Day 2
Casablanca To Oualidia.
We marvel at the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest monuments to Islam in the world where there is an opportunity to take a guided tour. The mosque can take up to 20,000 worshippers within and a further 80,000 in the outside courtyard and was built after the King wanted a place of worship that Casablanca could be proud of. We then meander our way down along the coast to Oualidia.
Oualidia is a fantastic little seaside village with both a protected lagoon and surf beach and is known not only for the watersports available, but also as Morocco's premier spot for oyster farming!
Tonight we camp and enjoy the evening around the campfire.
Day 3
Oualidia Via Safi To Marrakech. A short drive to Safi, one of the major pottery centres in Morocco. We take a stroll through the old potter’s quarter, “Colline des Potiers”, and haggle for everything from ashtrays to metre-high vases – you can even buy a toilet u-bend! We then head inland for magical Marrakech and enjoy dinner this evening in our hotel.
Day 4
Marrakech. Marrakech is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and after Casablanca, is Morocco’s second largest city. A morning walking tour with our local guide will give you the chance to get your bearings before heading in to one of the most exhilarating and liveliest souks (market) in the world. The markets are located around the Djemma el Fna square, resplendent with snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats and musicians. Marrakech will not fail to ‘capture’ you… enjoy the day and night at your own pace.
Day 5
Marrakech. Another day spent at leisure exploring the sights, sounds and smells of Marrakech. Options include the Friends of Marrakech Museum, the Marjorelle Gardens and its 12 acres of exquisite gardens… or more shopping! Don’t forget to head up to one of the rooftop bars for a sundowner drink and watch the square come to life.
Day 6
Marrakech Via High Atlas And Ben Ait Haddou To Ouarzazate. We say goodbye to Marrakech and head up to the imposing High Atlas mountains. We spend today enjoying the amazing scenery from both the landscape and the people. Before reaching Ouarzazate we visit the Ait Ben Haddou, the ancient Kasbah used as the set for filming of movies including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia. Ouarzazate itself was created as a garrison town by the French but now has it’s own film studios and is a gateway for the Draa and Dades valleys.
Day 7
Ouarzazate To Todra Gorge. Another stunningly scenic day, travelling past kasbahs and palmeries along the Dades Valley and up to Todra Gorge. Our hotel is located in the steepest part of the gorge alongside the small river, affording us the best views as the gorge walls change colour as the sunsets. Tonight we eat under the hotel’s huge Berber tent and camp on the roof top terrace.
Day 8
Todra Gorge To Merzouga. Enjoy an early morning optional hike through the oasis. We then head for the Saharan sands and arrive in Erfoud to collect our local guide to drive out into the desert heading for our camp. Here you have the option for a sunset camel ride into the dunes where you sleep under the stars.
Day 9
Merzouga To Midelt Via The Meski Oasis. We depart Merzouga after watching an African sunrise up over the massive dunes… an amazing and surreal experience. We then make our way to the Meski Oasis, where we stop for a short swim. We then meander through the Ziz Gorges and palmeries to Midelt, a ‘frontier’ town located between the High and Middle Atlas mountain ranges. We camp here for the night.
Day 10
Midelt To Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. A pleasant drive through the Middle Atlas mountains today, stopping off at the leafy and picturesque village of Ilfrane. The French created Ilfrane in 1929 and it has a distinctly Alpine feel to it. It has additional prestige of a Royal Palace and is a favourite retreat of wealthy Moroccans.
We arrive at the striking Volubilis Roman ruins in time for lunch and a stroll through this fantastically preserved site. We then take the very short drive across to Meknes, the last of Morocco’s four old Imperial cities that we visit. We pay our respects at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the longest serving ruler in all of Morocco’s history, as well as taking a look at an old medersa (Islamic college) and enjoying a stroll through the markets.
Then down to Fes, the ‘heartbeat’ of Morocco.
Day 11
Fes. Fes is one of the most complete medieval cities left in the world today. Up to 300,000 people still live in the ‘old’ city of Fes el Bali and we take the day to explore as much of it as we can. No motor vehicles are allowed inside the old city so watch out for the donkeys and mules! Enjoy a tour with our local guide, who will show you all the best shopping spots and will even help you haggle for the lowest prices. The rest of the day and night is at your own leisure to allow you to find your own little piece of Fes magic.
Day 12
Fes to Chefchaouen. We arrive in Chefchaouen late in the day, hopefully in time to take in the fantastic view of the sun setting over the Rif Mountains. Tonight we stroll down in to the village for dinner.
Day 13
Chefchaouen / Tangier. Chefchaouen is a magical little village with a strong Spanish influence dating from the mid 1500’s right up to Moroccan independence in 1956. Up to 1920, only three westerners had been recorded as entering the walled old city… only two of them made it out! Thankfully the villagers are much more receptive to outsiders, nowadays. Enjoy this free morning of exploring the maze of alleyways in the old walled village or perhaps head up one of the two mountain peaks from which the town gets its name.
After lunch we head back to Tangier for our group meal.
Day 14
Tangier to Asilah. The city of Tangier is located at the gateway to the Mediterranean where Africa meets Europe. We leave Tangier in the early afternoon heading south to Asilah, one of the old Portuguese Atlantic ports, an attractive seaside town only 45 minutes from Tangier. Enjoy some time on the beautiful beach or take a stroll through the colourful quaint medina.
Day 15
Asilah Via Rabat To Casablanca. Leaving Asilah, we keep heading south on the short drive to the nation’s capital, Rabat. Rabat is situated on an estuary that was once renowned as an area of international piracy when settled by the 17th Century Spanish refugees. We visit the imposing Hassan Tower and exquisite Mohammed V Mausoleum, tomb of the present king’s father and grandfather. We also take a relaxing stroll through the local markets and kasbah and rub shoulders with the locals before continuing onto Casablanca.
Day 16
Casablanca. Your tour finishes here.
Day 17
Travel Home
ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT
Hotels
10 Nights
Camping
4 Nights
Kumuka Overland Truck - Air Conditioned
HIGHLIGHTS
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS MARKED *
Morocco
Asilah, Old City, Beaches, Rabat, Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, Markets, Casablanca, Hassan II Mosque*, Oualidia, Beaches, Safi, Potters Quarter, Marrakesh, Markets, Djemma el Fna Square, High Atlas and Todra Gorge, Spectacular Scenery, Merzouga Saharan Sand Dunes, Meknes, Fes, Old Cities, Chefchaouen, Hill Walking, Volubilis, Roman Ruins
