A comprehensive tour taking you inland through beautiful countryside which varies during the seasons, to unique cities, rustic rural villages, over the impressive Atlas Mountains and to the Atlantic coast.  Guided tours of the major sites are included along with free time for exploration.  Your accommodation is in a range of hotels, interesting hotel-kasbahs, and charming riads, with breakfast daily.

Includes: All transfers and accommodation in hotels, Kasbah–hotel and riads.  All meals where specified [B] being breakfast only basis. [D] being dinner provided.  Guide for sites where specified.
Not included: Entry to sites (allow approx AUD 35 p/p) Meals not specified. Tips for services as per tipping schedule provided. International airfare from/to Australia (approx $1940-$2500) subject to availability at time of booking

ITINERARY
 

Day 1: Casabanca [B] and Group Dinner
You will be met and assisted by your guide on arrival at Casablanca airport.  Afternoon sightseeing in the city and transfer to your hotel for 1 night.  Meet for a group ‘Welcome to Morocco Dinner’ at a restaurant in the evening.

Day 2: Casa-Rabat  [B]
Morning visit to Hassan11 Mosque.  Depart from Casablanca and drive to Rabat, only 91km away.  Afternoon visit with guide to the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the Medina, and the Kasbah des Oudiais.  Check into your riad for 1 night.

Day 3: Meknes [BD]
Drive through the picturesque countryside and winegrowing region to the city of Meknes and arrive in time for lunch.  Your guide will take you to visit the old imperial city and medina, Bab al-Mansour Gate, the old Royal Palace and Stables and a local covered marketplace.  Overnight with dinner included.

Day 4: Volubilis-Moulay Idriss-Fes [B]
Crossing The Atlas en-route to Fes, visit Volubilis where a local guide will take you through the ruins of the old Roman site overlooking expanses of beautiful countryside. Drive to the holy city of Moulay Idriss for lunch break and free time before continuing onto Fes for 2 nights.

Day 5: Fes [B]
Your guide will meet you for an extensive tour of the city visiting the Palace Gates, the old Jewish Quarter, and the narrow maze-like alleys of Fes el Jedid. This is like entering the ‘guilds’ of the 16th century. See potters, mosaic makers and weavers at work, the leather tanneries, traditional medicine shops, and much more.  Fes is a good place to purchase colourful weavings and the typical blue and white Fes pottery.

Day 6:  Demnate  [BD]
Early departure from Fes and drive south via Azrou and Beni-Mellal along the western edge of the Middle Atlas mountains, then ascend to the village of Demnate. Overnight at a Kasbah-style hotel for 2 nights.

Day 7:  Demnate  [BD]
Your guide will meet you for a day exploring the villages and the unusual natural rock formations of the area.

Day 8: Ouarzazate [BD]
Continue to Ouarzazate. If time permits you can explore this frontier town on the edge of the desert famous for its Kasbah, and its association with movie-making at the studios on the outskirts of the town.

Day 9: Marrakech [B]
Drive to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO preserved site before continuing over the highest mountain pass in the most geologically impressive Atlas Mountains descending to Marrakech and overnight in a riad for three nights.

Day 10:  Marrakech [B]
A local guide will accompany you to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youseff Medressa, and to familiarise you, through the crowded and colourful alleys and souks of the medina and Djemaa el Fna.  You might want to enjoy the experience of dinner at one of the many mobile food carts which are wheeled out into the square every evening serving an array of foods to both locals and tourists alike.

Day 11 Marrakech [B]
A full day of leisure. You could easily spend time watching the spectacle of life from one of the panorama cafes, or re-negotiate the souks for some very interesting shopping. Alternatively you can take a taxi from the main entry gate of the square to the beautiful Marjorelle Gardens with its small museum of exquisite examples of Islamic art and furniture. Here you can relax surrounded by lilly ponds, tortoises and exotic cacti.

Day 12: Essaouira [B]
Depart from Marrakech for the coastal town of Essaouira.  After checking in at our riad-hotel for two nights spend time walking to the small harbour and afterwards try one of the many restaurants offering Moroccan or French contemporary cuisine and the freshest of seafood.

Day 13: Essaouira [B]
A full day at leisure allows you to discover the relaxed ambience and beauty of this ancient town.  Near to your riad you can easily walk through the Artisan stores to the Portuguese ramparts overlooking the ocean and make some silver jewellery purchases.

Day 14: Casablanca
Depart from Essaouira for Casablanca. En-route visit the city of Safi famous for its bright primary coloured pottery and the walled city of El Jadida. Check into your hotel for 1 night and meet for a ‘Farewell Morocco Dinner’.

Day 15: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Casablanca airport for your flight.