This route combines the Royal cities with the stunning landscape of the High Atlas Mountains where Berber villages perch on sheer cliff sides that tower above green, cultivated valleys; and the wild Atlantic Coast, dotted with ancient Portuguese-built ports and fortifications.
The journey will take you from the busy commercial centre of Casablanca to Morocco’s capital, Rabat; then on to the smallest of the imperial cities, Meknes. After discovering a little of Morocco’s Roman history with a visit to the ruins of Volubilis, we continue to the holy village of Moulay Idress, then to the country’s spiritual capital, Fez. With its winding alleys full of craftsmen, great mosques, ancient Koranic schools, old working tanneries, incredible architecture and exotic people, you will feel as though you’ve stepped back into a distant era.

We linger in Fez, allowing ample time to explore the crowded labyrinth of the medina. Small shops, selling everything from foodstuffs to silk, from carpets to leatherwork, line a thousand streets and alleys. We then head south towards the Middle Atlas and incredible scenery of either Cascades d’Ouzoud and Imlil, or to the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley.  

We return to the Atlantic coast and the beautiful port city of Essaouira. Here ancient Portuguese fortifications surround the busy fishing harbour and the blue and white painted houses lead you into the medina. Our return to Casablanca follows the coastal road visiting the small cities of Safi and El Jadida en-route. We spend our final night in Casablanca where we refresh before boarding our return flight.

Includes: all airport-hotel transfers, accom in 3-4* hotels and private riads, all entry fees to included sites, local guides in each city, touring in air-cond vehicle, breakfast every day, 3 Dinners. Escorted from Australia.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Departure
Evening departure on Emirates Airlines for Casablanca via Dubai
 

Day 2: Casablanca
We are met and transferred to our hotel. ‘Welcome to Morocco’ dinner at a local restaurant.
 

Day 3: Casa-Rabat  
Morning visit to Hassan Mosque. Depart from Casablanca and drive to Rabat, only 91km away. On arrival we visit the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the Medina, and the Kasbah des Oudiais.
 

Day 4: Meknes
Drive to Meknes and arrive in time for lunch. Then visit the old imperial city and medina, Bab al-Mansour Gate, the old Royal Palace and Stables and a local covered marketplace.
 

Day 5: Volubilis-Moulay Idriss-Fes
En-route to Fes visit Volubilis and the Holy city of Moulay Idriss. Arrive in Fes.
 

Day 6: Fes
Morning guided tour of the city visiting the Palace Gates, the old Jewish Quarter, and the narrow maze-like alleys of Fes el Jedid. It’s like entering the 16th century. See potters and weavers at work, the leather tanneries, traditional medicine shops, and much more.

OPTION
Ouarzazate or Cascades d’Ouzoud
Our departures of 25 Mar, 20 May 21 Oct follow the Middle Atlas route via Todra Gorge, Dades Valley and Ouarzazate.

Our departure of 02 Sep stay in Fes for an extra night, then follow the western route to Cascades d’Ouzoud and include a night in the High Atlas Mountains at Imlil.

Ouarzazate Route
Day 7:  Todra Gorge
An early start from Fes and drive south-east to the Middle Atlas to the Todra Gorge for two nights.
 

Day 8: Todra Gorge
Relax and explore the nearby town of Tinehrir, take a hike through palmery oasis to ruined Kasbahs and fields being worked with traditional methods.
 

Day 9: Ouarzazate
Continue south via Kelaa’a M’Gouna and Kasbah Amerhidi to Ouarzazate with time to explore this famous Kasbah town.
 

Day 10: Marrakech
Continue via the highest mountain pass in the Atlas, via Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, to Marrakech and overnight for three nights
 

Day 11: Marrakech
A local guide will accompany us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youseff Medressa, and through the crowded and colourful alleys of the medina and Jamaa el Fna.
 

Day 12: Marrakech
A full day of leisure.

Cascades Route
Day 7: Fez
A full day at leisure in Fes with time to explore this remarkable city.
 

Day 8: Cascades d’Ouzoud
This route passes through rich agricultural land, villages and spectacular mountain-passes to Cascades d’Ouzoud where the water drops 150m from the plateau into the river. We arrive at our riad during the afternoon and overnight.
 

Day 9: Marrakech
Spend the morning exploring the many trails around and below the Falls, then reach Marrakech where we spend three nights.
 

Day 10: Marrakech
A local guide will accompany us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youseff Medressa, and through the crowded and colourful alleys of the medina and Jamaa el Fna.
 

Day 11: Marrakech
A full day of leisure.
 

Day 12: Imlil
Morning drive to the Berber mountain village of Imlil where much of the movie ‘Kundun’ was filmed.  The tree-lined road follows a scenic mountain valley and passes through several Berber villages. Overnight in a simple but comfortable Berber guest house overlooking the valley of terraced fields.

Both Routes
Day 13: Essaouira
Depart from Imlil/Marrakech for the coastal city of Essaouira. Spend time at the bustling harbour after checking in at our centrally located riad-hotel for two nights.
 

Day 14: Essaouira
A full day at leisure allows you to discover the relaxed ambience and beauty of this ancient city.
 

Day 15: Casablanca
Depart from Essaouira for Casablanca. En-route visit the city of Safi (famous for its pottery), and the walled city of El Jadida. After check-in at our Casablanca hotel we meet for a ‘Farewell to Morocco’ dinner at a local restaurant.
 

Day 16: Departure
After breakfast transfer for Dubai. Transit accom if applicable.

Day 17: Dubai
Check in for return flight to Australia.

Day 18: Arrival in Australia
Morning arrival.