6 Days Tour from Casablanca

After an early breakfast, your tour of Casablanca includes a visit to the port; the old medina; Place Mohamed V, a busy shopping street lined by residential blocks dating from the 1930s; United Nations Square, designed by French architect Joseph Marrast; the League of Arab States Park, which was built in 1925 and offers a large area of greenery with palm trees, arcades, pergolas and cafés with shady terraces. Then visit the impressive and newly built Hassan II Mosque (closed to tourists on Fridays), the second largest mosque in the world.
In the afternoon, we will have a 1⁄2 hour drive to Rabat, capital city of Morocco. See the old medina; the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate, built during the Almouahad dynasty. Also see the well-preserved Hassan Tower and the Chellah, which were built by the Merinids in the 12th and 13th centuries. Walk into the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the burial place of the present King’s father.
Next, drive to Meknes, founded in the 9th century by Zenata Berbers. A visit of this former Imperial City of Morocco includes the old ramparts; the Agoudal Basin, once used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines; and the Moulay Ismaïl royal stables, granaries and House of Water (Dar El Ma), built in the 17th and 18th centuries to house, feed and water the sultan’s twelve thousand horses. Finally, see Bab El Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco; and the Moulay Ismaïl Mausoleum. Then departure to Fes. Overnight in Fes.

After breakfast in your Riad, you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco “Fes”. Fes is so rich in culture, traditions and gastronomy. It is referred in Morocco as the country’s capital culture. This tour will let you walk in its oldest medieval Medina, its alleys and small streets. You will visit the Royal Palace gate, the Blue Gate and the Jewish quarter, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 14th century. You will enjoy best sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest one in the world, the Tanneries and Moulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will visit the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight at the same Riad.

After breakfast, you will leave Fes travelling towards Sahara via Midelt and the Ziz valley. Today you will travel via the Ifrane city, a beautiful mountain village, named the Switzerland of Morocco. Here you will also stop at the cedar forest on the middle Atlas Mountains. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains and stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest one in Morocco – where you will have the opportunity to see the Barbary apes. After that, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. After lunch in Midelt, you’ll be travelling through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the spectacular Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau, seeing how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the province of the south-east Errachidia city. Afterwards, you’ll travel along the fantastic Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea. Then take camel ride in the dunes of Sahara Desert of Merzouga to reach the camp where you will have the night.

After breakfast depart to Boumalne du Dades, a large town and local administration center at the foot of the gorges, followed by a series of kasbahs, El Kelaa des Mgouna and Skoura. After Skoura, the Palm trees are replaced by orchards and irrigated gardens. Roses for making perfume are the specialty of El Kelaa des Mgouna. Paris, the famous perfume by Yves Saint Laurent is made from the extract of these roses. You will find some nice shop-ping here for rose products such as rose water, body milk, dried petals etc… Continue to the film industry center at Ouarzazate. An afternoon tour of Ouarzazate includes the 17th century Kasbah Taourirt, which served as the home of the Pacha Glaoui.
Drive to the ancient Kasbah complex of Ait Ben Haddou, an impressive 11th century structure that has been declared an historical treasure by UNESCO. A photogra-pher’s wonderland, Ait Ben Haddou remains home to five families.
Next, set out through a mountainous and semi-desert landscape and continue over the High Atlas Mountains at Tizi N’Tichka Pass (7,400 feet). Proceed across the fertile countryside of the Haouz Plain to the pink city of Marrakech for overnight.

A half-day tour of Marrakech begins with the visit of the Medina. See the small Saadian pavilion mirrored in still water with the Atlas Mountains and olive groves in the background. This pavilion was used by sultans for romantic interludes.
Next, enter the old Medina, buried within the imperial walls. Stop at the foot of the famous Koutoubia Minaret, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Continue to the Kasbah, the 16th-century monument site of the Saadian tombs. Notice the wonderful Hispano-Moorish architecture surrounding the burial grounds of the royal family. Afterward, visit the aristocratic Bahia Palace with its lush Moorish-style courtyard garden and beautifully painted residential rooms.

Finally, stroll through the famous Jemaa El Fna Square, the ancient meeting place of tradesmen in Northwest Africa. Enjoy a three-course lunch at one of the city’s fine restaurants. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may want to relax by the pool, return to the souks for shopping, or visit the interesting Dar Si Said Museum. End of the tour.