Morocco Discovery Trip

After breakfast, your Morocco tour begins with the highlights of the city which will include an inside visit of the Hassan II Great Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world, then we proceed with a visit of the popular Mohammed V square, the United Nations Place, the residential district of Anfa and the surroundings of the Royal Palace before strolling along the Corniche boulevard the night life of the city line up with private and public beaches. Followed by independent lunch, departure to Rabat, Morocco’s present-day capital and principal royal residence. After time to rest and freshen up our sightseeing will feature the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum to admire the magnificent architecture of the burial place of the two previous kings of Morocco, the 12th C unfinished mosque the Hassan Tower, sister of the Giralda in Seville and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech. End up the tour with the visit of the 12th C fortified Kasbah of Oudaya and its beautiful Andalusian garden. Overnight

After breakfast, departure to Fez via Meknes city known as "the Moroccan Versailles" which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail and a former capital whose medina walls are adorned with exquisite gates considered among the best preserved in the Islamic world. Further into the countryside lays the sacred whitewashed town of Moulay Idriss, the burial town of the founder of Islam in Morocco and where the first Arab dynasty was founded in 787 AD. After independent lunch followed by a visit to the near-perfectly preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis to explore the best preserved archaeological site in Morocco. Then we continue to Fez the intellectual and religious heart of the nation. Overnight

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Then the tour is off to explore the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, one of the best examples of a preserved medieval city. Fes, founded in the 9th century, has been little unchanged since then. A certified guide is available to help you navigate the serpentine souks and its medieval medina, a Unesco world heritage site crammed with narrow, winding streets, tiny squares, colorful honeycomb vats of the tanneries and artisan workshops to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Admire Fez’s Royal Palace and 14th century Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the largest in Morocco. Optional lunch followed by the visit of the Qarawiyyin University the oldest in the world and the sumptuous Nejjarine square and its beautiful fountain before finishing our tour by climbing the Merenids Tombs, which open onto a stunning panorama of Fes. Overnight

After breakfast in your Riad or hotel, we will drive north to explore an extremely different culture and lifestyle from Fes. Chefchaouen is popular tourist attraction and welcoming town situated in the Rif Mountains just south of the Mediterranean coastline in northwest Morocco. The city is nestled at the feet of the Rif Mountains by which the name Chaouen “horns” has been adopted because of the shape at the top of the mountains; it was founded in 1471 as a small fortress. Chefchaouen fell under Spanish occupation and was emancipated in 1956.It's known as "blue city" for its traditional buildings. Enjoy a walk to explore the white and blue washed walls of the medina and the markets that offer some unique native handicrafts. There is also a ruined mosque built by the Spanish, with stairs still in the tower. During the drive back to Fes, you can enjoy scenic views of Rif Mountains, Back to Fez in the afternoon. Overnight

Driving inland, you will cross the Middle Atlas mountain range, well known for its ski resort station, surrounded by cedar, oak and pine forest terraced farms, and sienna mud-brick Berber villages, crossing the small city Ifran, often called the “Moroccan Switzerland” a very beautiful city with very charm European style houses. During this trip, you will see the beautiful landscapes of the mountain where the Berber tribes, the original inhabitants, have lived for centuries. Have lunch in Midelt, the city of the apple festival and then continue you journey through palm-filled gorges of the Ziz River heading south across the flanks of the Middle Atlas and passing through many Berber cities and villages to stay on the edge of the Sahara close to the great shifting sand sea of Merzouga. This is the chance to explore the stunning sand dunes to take a camel ride led by a Bedouin guide robed in the flowing blue garb of the Tuareg people and camp in nomad tent in a beneath the innumerable stars of the clear desert sky, or in a comfortable hotel in searing summer months. An experience not to be missed is to watch the sunset from the spectacular Merzouga dunes, an energizing location in the midst of the huge every-changing golden dunes, where you will feel a liberating peacefulness. Overnight (under tent)

After breakfast, continue the tour via Dades valley and its road of a thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan-trading route. Reaching Mgouna a big village famous for its roses and its annual rose festival attended by hundreds of people from all parts of the world. Continue to the Oasis of Tinghir via Tinjdad road. Visit the magnificent Todra canyons to marvel at the natural force that carved this quiet Berber oasis and rock-climbing haven, continue to Ouarzazate Morocco's Hollywood where you be following the road of the thousand kasbahs and the Dades Valley. Overnight

Refreshed, breakfasted and raring to go, we will enjoy our visit in Morocco's Hollywood, with its cinematographic studios offers an extremely appropriate environment for the biggest films shooting, we visit the magnificent Taourirt Kasbah together one of the few remaining Pasha Glaoui residences. This Kasbah is recently restored and receives thousands of people during the folkloric festival of the city every year. Later we set forth towards the north alongside the Ouarzazate valley to the magnificently exotic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, declared, and rightly so, a world heritage site. Ait Ben Haddou is one of the most spectacular sights, the fortified village is a Unesco world heritage site and the backdrop for famous films such as Lawrence of Arabia not to be missed in the Atlas ranges the largest mountain chain in Africa, set upon a rock above a reed-strewn assif, commanding the area for miles around. This Kasbah had long controlled the route to Marrakech until the French blasted a road through the Tizi n'Tichka mountain (2260 m). Continue to Marrakech. Overnight

After breakfast, we will have a full day guided city tour of Marrakech. Most famous of all imperial cities and capital of Morocco several times, an ancient oasis city of weathered pink buildings and orange groves, known for its beautiful climate, charming position at the feet of the high Atlas Mountains, its nice gardens and mostly for its outstanding square in the heart of the medina. In the morning you will enjoy the tour of the main monuments of the city, including the beautiful 12th C Koutoubia mosque the fascinating Andalusian style of the 19th C Bahia Palace the interesting 16th C Saadian tombs and Menara gardens. After lunch, you will discover the mysteries of the medina and its fascinating local souks, then enjoy your time witnessing the carnivalesque public square Jamaa el-Fna square come alive at sunset and wander around the snake charmers, storytellers compete for an audience, water sellers, monkey players and acrobats. Overnight

Day at leisure, enjoy it on your own… (Optional excursion to Ourika Valley, cooking class or spa & hammam), Overnight

After breakfast, we drive from Marrakech to the seaside fishing town of Essaouira, an historic settlement with wide, sandy beaches. The route will take you through a region whose main industry is the cultivation of Argan trees. We will visit local cooperatives produce oil from the trees, and the oil is used both in beauty products and in cooking. Overnight

Once known by its Portuguese name of Mogador, the city of Essaouira is a citadel with a prestigious past, occupied by various civilizations since prehistoric times, famous for its Tyrian factory that once supplied Rome with its legendary purple dye, Essaouira is a cradle for artists of all types. Embark on a tour of the port and watch as the fishing boats return home. The Bab El Marse port not only has its Sqala canons on display, but it offers amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Medina. Travel to the Media itself-a UNESCO World Heritage site-and go inside to meet celebrated marquetry inlayers and cabinetmakers. Stop in at the Women's Cooperative manufacturer of Argan oil, and then enjoy some free time exploring the alleyways of the Medina, strolling along the endless beach, or testing out some fresh fish at a local beachfront restaurant. Overnight

After breakfast we take a daytrip with nice drive to Agadir city with over 300 days of sunshine, Agadir is a beach town in Morocco where you can surf and fish throughout the year. The city beach offers interesting options of sailing, wind surfing, horse-riding, tennis and golfing. The architecture is a mix of traditional Arabic and European styles. Agadir is very different from any other city in Morocco. The new town with its wide straight streets and low minimalist houses, we will visit one of the few remaining traces of old Agadir; you will visit the Kasbah, a former 16th century fortress. Only just an outline of walls and an entrance arch. But from the top you will have stupendous views of the beach, ocean and the busy port. You will see the evocative Talborjt mosque; you will have around 10 minutes here for photographs. Back in the new city of Agadir you will make a 15-minute visit to the souk, housed in a purpose-built market and full of herbs, spices, ceramics, carved wooden objects, jewellery, leather-work and much more. Next you will make your way to the Boulevard of the Cornish to view the glorious bay with its 9km of white sand washed by the Atlantic, Back to Essaouira in the evening. Overnight

After breakfast, departure to Casablanca via El Jadida city the medieval city occupied by Portuguese in 1506, proclaimed world heritage of Unesco in 2004. We will follow the road that parallels the Atlantic Coast. We will make a stop at Safi, city which was Portuguese and later the residence of the French Consul in Morocco. Today it is a fishing port and a city known for its ceramics. In this city you will be able to see a Castle on the sea, a fortress of the 16th century, a vault a white palace of the 18th century. Continuation by the Coastal road and its splendid sights. Stop at Oualidia city for fish menu lunch. Then we will have a short visit of El Jadida city, called Mazagan which is famous for its resort beach. This city keeps the print of its Portuguese roots. Overnight

Private transfer to airport & assistance with return flight formalities