Grand Tour of Morocco

Arrival at Casablanca’s Mohamed V Airport. Welcome, assistance and transfer to join the group for sightseeing in Casablanca, the business capital of Morocco. Visit the exterior of the impressive Hassan II Mosque, Mohamed V Square, the United Nations Place, the central market, the habbous sector and the residential area of Anfa before strolling along the Ain Diab corniche, dotted with swimming pools and restaurants. Lunch is on your own, then we depart for Rabat the white Imperial City. Visit the administrative capital of Morocco with the Hassan Tower, the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Kasbah of Oudays and the medina. Late in the afternoon we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast depart for fabled Fes (Fez), the oldest of the Imperial Cities, known for its spiritual and educational contributions to Moroccan culture. En-route, stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred Islamic town of Moulay Idriss for lunch. Continue to Meknes, “The Moroccan Versailles,” which was founded at the end of the 17th century by Moulay Ismail. See Bab Mansour, the best-preserved gate in Morocco, Hari Souani and the old medina. Arrive for dinner and overnight in Fes.

Spend the day exploring Fes including the medieval medina, where the craftsmen still work in their age-old traditions. You will visit the medieval medina, the medersas, the Karaouine Mosque, and the famous Nejjarine Fountain. Independent lunch, and continue your visit through the medina. Dinner and overnight in Fes.

After an early breakfast depart for Erfoud. Along the way, as we pass through the mountainous terrain, stop at Azrou, a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperative. Continue on to Midelt and the Ziz River valley through fortified villages and on to Erfoud for dinner and overnight. There is an optional excursion by Land Rover to the Merzouga Dunes at the edge of the Sahara: $30 per person, minimum 4 people.

After breakfast depart for Ouarzazate. Along the way visit the ruins of Ksar Abbar. The road to Ouarzazate passes through Tenghir and the Toda Gorges, sheer walled canyons carved into the mountains. Pass through the Dades Valley and visit Al Kala’a M’Gouna. Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate.

After breakfast spend some time exploring Ouarzazate before departing for Marrakesh. Visit the kasbahs of Tifoutout and Taorirt, then on to Ain Ben Haddou, another majestic kasbah, nestled in the midst of a forest of almond trees. Continue on through the Tiz-In-Tichka Pass at 2260 meters, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery and views of the valleys below. Arrive in Marrakesh for dinner and overnight.

The day is devoted to exploring Marrakesh, the “Pearl of the South.” Marrakesh was founded in the 11th Century by the Almoravides. Stops may include the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadien Tombs ~ a 14th Century necropolis, the Dar Si Said Museum, Agdal and Menara gardens, Bahia and Bedii places and the tanners square. Continue on to the souks with their narrow paths known for their fascinating colors, and the Djemaa El Fna, filled with fascinating characters, fire eaters, teeth pullers, fortune tellers, spice, nuts, and incense merchants, story tellers, snake charmers, and tame monkeys, to name a few! Dinner and overnight in Marrakesh.

After breakfast depart for Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Independent lunch then visit the city. Essaouira is an excellent example of a Portuguese port and is an exotic blending of Moorish and Portuguese art and architecture. Traders and artists have gathered here since the 18th century. Dinner and overnight in Essaouira.

After breakfast depart for Casablanca. Stop along the way at El Jadida, another former Portuguese stronghold with a spectacular 1100 square meter underground reservoir, for a tour before continuing on to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast check out and transfer to the airport for departure. End of services.