9 Day Journey from the Heart of Morocco

Upon arrival at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, you will be greeted by your dedicated driver who will then escort you to your hotel in Casablanca for the night. He will ensure you arrive smoothly and have everything you need to settle in for your overnight stay. If you have been in Casablanca for a few days prior to the tour start date, the driver will come to your Casablanca hotel to meet you and collect you, before setting out on your itinerary. The purpose is to make sure you get off to a good start and have local expertise and assistance from the very beginning of your trip.

Your first morning will begin with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Casablanca. Next you will head to the capital city of Rabat. Upon arrival in Rabat, you will see the historical sites including Bab Challah gate, the mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Oudaya Kasbah. You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards you will continue driving towards the blue city of Chefchaouen. Along the way, you'll pass through many small towns and make stops for breaks. You will arrive in Chefchaouen early enough to explore the blue alleyways of the medina, take pictures and sample the local cuisine. You'll spend the night at a hotel or Riad in Chefchaouen.

Today in Chefchaouen you will have free time in the morning to explore the blue city at your own pace. Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains of northwestern Morocco and is famous for the buildings painted in different shades of blue in its old medina. Leather and weaving shops line its steep cobblestone lanes. In the shaded central square of Outa el Hammam is the kasbah with red walls, a 15th century fortress and tower that houses ethnographic and art exhibitions. Not far from there rises the octagonal minaret of the Grand Mosque. After lunch you will continue your journey to Fez. In the afternoon you will travel by road to Fez, one of Morocco's oldest and largest cities.

After enjoying breakfast at your riad, you will begin exploring Fez, one of the oldest cities in Morocco. Walking through the narrow lanes and alleyways, you'll start your visit by seeing the Royal Palace gate and the Jewish quarter, the first Mellah built in Morocco during the 14th century. You'll see all the important cultural and historical sites including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest university in the world, the tanneries and the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss. After lunch, you'll visit a tile cooperative to learn about traditional Moroccan zellij tiles before enjoying panoramic views over the entire Fez medina from a scenic viewpoint. You'll spend another night at the same riad.

After breakfast, you will leave Fez and travel towards Merzouga via Midelt and the Ziz Valley. You'll travel through Ifrane, a beautiful mountain village known as the Switzerland of Morocco. You'll stop at the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains. During the journey, you'll see glimpses of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains, stopping in Azrou, a Berber village in the heart of the cedar forest - the largest in Morocco - where you can see Barbary apes. After Midelt, you'll pass through the Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the spectacular Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau and seeing how the landscape transitions to the desert as you approach Errachidia. You'll travel along the beautiful Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views on the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Upon arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon, you'll be greeted with mint tea. Then you will ride a camel into the Merzouga sand dunes of the Sahara Desert to reach your desert camp for the night.

Your camel guide will wake you up early to witness what may be the most spectacular sunrise of your life. You'll calmly trek back on camelback to the village of Merzouga. Along the way you can't fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes - changing hues with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast and a hot shower at the riad, you'll leave for Rissani, Tinghir and the Todgha Gorge - the highest and narrowest gorge in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we'll drive through the Dades Valley where you'll see majestic sandstone formations and rock castles known as "monkey toes". Your accommodation for the night will be a lovely guesthouse overlooking the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast included.

After breakfast at your accommodation, you will start your journey through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate and then Marrakech. The road through the Dades Valley is known as the Way of a Thousand Kasbahs - providing many photo opportunities. You will stop at Kalaat M'Gouna - the roses valley center - where you have the option to visit a rose cooperative and purchase rosewater, which will make your linens smell good for a long time after your trip. You'll continue to Marrakech via the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains in the 19th century, the kasbah is now home to many Glaoui families. Your journey will continue over the majestic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260 m) through the High Atlas Mountains. Here you'll have the opportunity to see the production of argan oil - only found in Morocco - by Berber women in their cooperative, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech for the night.

After enjoying breakfast at your riad, you can begin exploring Marrakech, the Red City of Morocco. Your guide will ensure you see the most important historical and cultural sites, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts for sale. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore other parts of the city at your own pace.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or dropped off at your hotel in Casablanca, depending on your departure plans at the end of the tour. The driver will ensure you make your onward connection smoothly and have a safe journey home after your incredible Moroccan adventure.