Morocco Kasbahs and Desert

Day 1: Arrive Casablanca

Arrive in to Casablanca at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon (approx 5pm) you will meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip and for the leader to collect your local payment. Check the notice board (or ask reception) to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting we will be heading out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant (optional). If you arrive late, no worries, the leader will leave you a message at the front desk.

Day 2:Rabat/Volubilis (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours)

Sightseeing in Rabat, including the Mohamed V mausoleum and the Hassan Tower, the exteriors of the Royal Palace and the Chellah Gardens. Stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa. An important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman conquests, in 1997 Volubilis was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour Meknes, and lose yourself in the fantastic olive markets or the massive Roua stables that once held 12,000 horses. Make sure your camera is ready as you marvel at the Bab Mansour, ornamented gates that surround this ancient city. Meknes is one of the four Imperial cities and its name and fame are closely linked to that of the Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made Meknes the center of his empire and built many of the monuments that remain today. Finish with the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum before moving on to Fez for the night.

Day 3: Fes (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours)

Full day sightseeing in Fez, including the Nejjarine Fountain with its intricate tile work, the exteriors of the Royal Palace and the medina (old city), UNESCO World Heritage designated and one of the best preserved living medinas in the world. Wander the various quarters for tanneries, dyers, leatherwork, brass, gold & silver, and finish with the Bou Inania Medersa with its view over the town.

The ancient medina of Fez lies in a bowl created by the surrounding Zalagh mountains. The city was founded during the 8th century by Moulay Idriss, who lies buried deep within the medina at the shrine (zawiya) bearing his name. Today the old city houses some 187 000 people. The new city of Fez, built by the French during their Protectorate of Morocco, lies a few kilometres to the west and has the feel of a French provincial town, with its cafés and wide boulevards. By contrast, the medina has tiny winding streets of cobble-type bricks, some alleys only just wide enough for a donkey to pass through; here is vehicular access only to the periphery of the medina. The medina covers an area of approximately 1.5 square miles or 2.5 square kilometres. It has many entrances or gates, called Babs.

Day 4: Erfoud/Merzouga (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 7.5 hours)

Full day transfer over the Middle Atlas mountains with its cedar forests and through the ski station of Ifrane into the desert regions, through the vast palm groves of the Ziz Valley and right up to the majestic sand dunes – all in one day! Dinner and overnight in a simple auberge

Day 5: Todra Gorge (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 3.5 hours)

Sunrise excursion in 4 x 4 vehicles to the highest dunes in Morocco; continue through a stone desert to the superb Todra Gorge followed by a visit to the Tineghir palm grove. Dinner and overnight at Boumalne du Dadès.

Day 6 Ouarzazate/Aït Ben Haddou (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 3.5 hours)

Short visit of the beginning of the Dadès Gorges and then along the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” through the lush and verdant Dadès Valley to Ouarzazate, a former Foreign Legion stronghold, for a visit to the Taourirt Kasbah, as well as the film studios outside the town (as long as there is no production going on). Next stop at the village of Aït Ben Haddou for a visit to its famous Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a site of many film productions.

At one point Ouarzazate was a crossroads for African traders travelling to northern cities in Morocco and onward to Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre and customs post. It is home to the Kasbah of Taourirt, Kasbah of the former caïd (chieftain or senior official) and later the possession of T'hami El Glaoui.

Ouarzazate is home to a large movie studio, Atlas Studios. Several historical movies have been shot here (Astérix et Cléopâtre, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator and lately Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel); it also served as the location of the November 26, 2006 episode of the television series The Amazing Race 10!

Day 7 Marrakech (B) (Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours)

Travel to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2200m); the winding mountain roads afford breathtaking views over the highest peaks of Morocco. Arrive in Marrakech by late morning. After lunch, dive into the extensive and crowded souks, as well as the famous Djemma El Fna Square with its acrobats, fortune tellers, story tellers, snake charmers and much more.

World famous Djemma El Fna is the highlight of any Marrakech night. Musicians, dancers and story tellers pack this square at the heart of the medina, filling it with a cacophony of drum beats and excited shouts. Scores of stalls sell a wide array of Moroccan fare, while others paint henna tattoos. Enjoy the various shows, but be prepared to give some Dirhams to watch. By day the square is largely filled with snake charmers and monkey trainers, in addition to more conventional stalls.

The souks (suuqs) or markets of Marrakech just adjacent to Place Djemma El Fna seem to sell pretty much anything. From spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagines…and much, much more.

Adjacent to Djemma El Fna, Koutoubia mosque takes its name from the bookseller’s market that used to be located here (from the Arabic “al-Koutoubiyyin,” librarian). It is said that the minaret of the mosque is to Marrakech what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Beautifully lit at night, the minaret is visible from Gueliz, itself connected to the Medina by Ave. Mohammed V.

The town of Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts: the Medina, or the historical city, and the new city with its two principal districts of Gueliz and Hivernage. Gueliz is the modern, European district of Marrakech. Its name comes from the French word “église” some say, because the first monument that was built there was the Catholic Church Saints Martyrs; others suggest the name is actually Berber, and comes from the hill of Gueliz.

Day Depart Marrakech (B)

You are free to depart at any time on Day 8, though remember check out from the hotel is approx. 12am midday.