Unveiled Morocco

Upon your arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, experience a warm meet-and-greet before being transferred to your city hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the iconic sights of Casablanca, including the renowned Hassan II Mosque. Take a leisurely stroll along the Corniche Boulevard, an Atlantic Boardwalk adorned with numerous restaurants and cafes, offering a chance to dine (optional) at Rick's Cafe, famous from the movie Casablanca. 

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Casablanca, and you'll head to Rabat, about 1 hour away. Spend some time exploring this capital city, founded in the 10th century by the Phoenicians and later occupied by the Romans. Visit the Chellah Necropolis, showcasing ancient ruins left behind by these civilizations. Explore Rabat's highlights, including the Hassan Tower, an unfinished minaret near the great Hassan Mosque, and the resting place of Mausoleum Mohammed V and Hassan II. A visit to Rabat is incomplete without a walk in the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a fortress that was once a city and later served as a pirate lair. Afterward, enjoy a direct transfer to Chefchaouen. 

With its distinctive pale blue and whitewashed buildings and winding alleyways, Chefchaouen is a charming place with strong Andalusian connections. It was here that many Jews and Moors fled during the Spanish Inquisition. Highlights of our day include a short hike to the ruin of the "Spanish" mosque with its fantastic panoramic view; a visit to the Ras el-Ma, where city's freshwater springs from the mountain; and a stroll through the wonderfully restored kasbah and gardens. Have most of this day to wander on your own through the medina shopping for handicrafts or lounging in one of the many outdoor cafés. 

After breakfast, make your way to the ruins of the former Roman outpost that is Volubilis. Once home to nearly 20,000 people during Roman occupation, many of its structures and mosaics are still intact for us to behold. From Volubilis, it’s only a short jaunt to Meknes, which was the first capital of the Alouite Dynasty, under the bloody rule of Moulay Idriss I. Spend some time relaxing in this charming, quintessentially Moroccan city, before journeying to Fes to spend the night. 

Fes, the cultural capital, is one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Passing through the gates and walls into the alleyways beyond transports you back in time. The streets are just as they were when they were built in the 8th century, with high walls that protect the courtyards inside from the heat of the midday sun. Enormous theosophical colleges, beautiful mosques and fascinating souks spilling their goods onto the pavement are all part of the scene. You will have a walking tour to some major points of interest. You'll visit the Place an - Nejjarine, where the ancient caravanserai overlooks a fountain; wander outside the great Qayrawan Mosque, passing the 14th century merchant's shops; or head to the tanneries -where leather is stained in a vast of striking coloured dyes. 

Today is a day of travel. Take an early morning departure from the crowded streets of Fez into the quiet and scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. We set into Ifrane the city of flowers and top-class ski resorts. We view the cedar-forested hills of Azrou. The area is abundant for wildlife and we most likely will encounter Barbary macaque living in these forests. In addition to the monkeys, these areas are renowned for their abundant birdlife. After we pass the city of Midelt we descend into the Ziz Valley created by the Ziz river over millions of years. These carved gorges offer great fertile agricultural land. We pass the garrison town of Erfourd and onto Rissani. Soon we start seeing the first sand dunes of Merzouga, Erg Chebbi. Conclude your evening at the hotel set on the outskirts of the dunes. 

Erg Chebbi are one of the most photographed places in the world and when you see them you will know why. One of the best desertexperiences is to take a camel ride across the dunes when the sun goes down and marvel at the spectacle that the desert created.Spend the evening at either the desert camp or a hotel. 

After departing the desert, we make our way to the village of Tinghir and to the nearby Todra Gorge. This gorge in the High Atlas presents an astonishing spectacle, its gigantic rock walls change colours to magical effect as the day unfolds. The 300 metres tall cliff walls are mere 15 metres apart from each other. We have some time to stretch our legs and then continue to another gorge of Dades. We will travel along small villages painted in pink-grey colours merging into the local rock, ruins of kasbahs and ksours and parts of fertile shafts of land creating breathtaking contrast to the arid land. Later we continue the journey to Dades Valley.

We start the morning by viewing the amazingly dramatic Dades Gorge with high cliffs of limestone and weirdly shaped erosions. Then we set onto the road of a Thousand Kasbah passing Rose Valley (beautiful in April to May) and Skoura Oasis reaching the city of Ouarzazate. Not far from Ouarzazate we stop to visit the oldest and finest example of the fortified city – Air Ben Haddou. Following our visit, we proceed across the High Atlas Mountains, embarking on a scenic drive that unfolds breathtaking views en route to Marrakech. 

The Guide will meet us at the lobby of our riad and take us on a complete tour of the famous Medina, including the historic buildings and world noted markets. Visit the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the famous Jemaa el Fna Square. 

Spend the day at leisure in Marrakech. Either spend the day at leisure or we recommend going to a nice spa to enjoy Moroccan scrubbing, take a cooking class or just stroll through the souks and enjoy some shopping experiences. 

Essaouira is set less than 3 hours from Marrakech. This cool sea breeze town offers a lovely beach, preserved medina and impressive 18^th century ramparts and fortifications. 

Essaouira can be easily explored on your own. We recommend walking the streets of the old town exploring the ancient houses. Walkways in Medina includes the Sqala and Portuguese ruins that are very well preserved. You can also seize the chance to wander along the beach and boardwalk. 

Take transportation to the airport in Casablanca.