8 DAY MOROCCO ITINERARY

Travel to Rabat. This city is the political and administrative centre of Morocco, where the Royal Palaces, government institutions and International Embassies are located. Rabat’s architecture is testimony of its centuries of old rich history.

Admire the masterful architecture of Mohammed V Mausoleum, visit the UNESCO listed site of Hassan Tower, the official residence of the King of Morocco and the 12th century UNESCO listed site of Oudaya Kasbah.

After leaving Rabat, head south east via the stunning Moroccan countryside towards the imperial city of Meknes. Visit the 18th century Bab Mansour gate which is the most exquisite of its kind in North Africa and one of the 4 most beautiful gates in the world, Lahdim square, the Royal stables and Bassin Souani.

Visit Moulay Ismail’s shrine (founder of Meknes and sultan of Morocco from 1672–1727) to receive an insight into his interesting life and everlasting achievements.

Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, where you will undertake a guided walking visit of the ruins. Morocco has one of the richest histories and cultures globally, influenced by centuries of diverse rulers which includes Roman rule.

Explore the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Dating back to 3rd century BC, Volubilis is home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in North Africa.

During Roman occupation of Morocco, Volubilis was the powerful ancient capital and administrative centre of Roman Africa and prospered economically. Among the most famous of the ruins are the luxury villas with their water tanks, large courtyard beautiful mosaic floors, various pavilions, Basilica, Triumphal Arch built in 217 A.D and more than 300 temples. It was UNESCO World Heritage listed in 1997.

Continue your journey to the ancient, vibrant and the UNESCO listed Imperial city of Fes. This city is a north eastern Imperial Moroccan city referred to as “The Mecca of the West or The Athens of Africa”, also being the country’s capital of knowledge and culture. Fes is renowned for its exciting and colourful Fes El Bali walled Medina, its medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks and old world atmosphere and charm.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Fes).

On the 4th day of your 10 days tour from Casablanca and after a tasty Moroccan breakfast in your charming Riad, today you will begin a full day Heritage tour of Fes, with your expert local guide. (Walking tour with some transportation between sites).

• Begin with a visit to the 12th century Bab Boujloud or “blue gate”, to observe its stunning blue and green ceramics.

• Visit the largest royal palace in Morocco, Dar el Makhzen, exhibiting its seven golden doors and marvel at its wonderful golden gate, made of marble, copper and glorious mosaics.

• Stroll through the Mellah or Jewish quarter of old Moroccan Jewish heritage, built near the Royal residence for protection in 1438.

• Experience the panoramic view of the city from Borj Sud, an ancient fortress on a hill, from where you can view the UNESCO listed ancient Medina of Fes.

• Visit a pottery factory and observe how the unique pottery of Fes is made with its intricate mosaics, which adorn half of Morocco.

• Visit the 14th century Madrasa Bou Inania religious school and discover the holy school and historic University of Al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest educational institution, i.e. University, as stated by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records. Founded by a woman, Fatima al-Fihir in 859 AD.

• Visit the famous 11th century iconic Chouara tannery, the oldest leather tannery in the world.

• Explore the narrow streets lined with shops selling fresh fruits, spices, intricately woven Berber carpets, silk weavers and numerous other art and craft items from Morocco, a must-do while on your 8 day Morocco itinerary .

• Lunch in an authentic restaurant in the Medina of Fes.

• Visit Madrasa Al-Attarine, Nejjarine Museum, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum (founder of Fes).

• While negotiating the narrow alley-ways, your local guide will instruct you about Moroccan history, culture and the Moroccan Berber way of life, especially around Fes.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Fes).

Today, you will begin your spectacular journey towards the long awaited, magical and legendary Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world and where the undulating golden dunes glisten like gold in the sunlight. Travel dreams do come true and this visit to the desert may be one of yours, in this 8 day Morocco itinerary.

Visit the town of Ifrane known as the Little Switzerland of Morocco and stop for a break to enjoy its marvelous landscapes.

Here in Ifrane, you will become aware that this magical mountain town is one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco and features in the top 10 cleanest cities of the world. A beautiful place you will admire while on your tour.

Navigate the green and superb Middle Atlas Mountains, marvel at the largest Cedar plantations in Africa and be captivated by the antics of the Barbary Apes which you’ll have the chance to admire. This species of Apes is found only in Morocco, Gibraltar and Algeria.

Stop in Zayda town for lunch and enjoy a Moroccan tajine or some fresh barbeque. Drive through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains and the striking Ziz Valley oasis, containing the largest palm grove oasis in Morocco.

Observe a dense canopy of palms between ancient striated cliffs dating back to the Jurassic period.

Continue travel to the eminent dunes of Erg Chebbi and experience the glory of the Sahara Desert. Erg Chebbi is regarded as the gateway to the Grand African Sahara and has some dunes considered the highest sand dunes in north Africa at 350 M elevation.

Meet your Camel caravan and the experienced camel man, who will guide your trek to explore the mysterious Sahara sand sea, an unforgettable and alluring trek for your tour in Morocco.

Enjoy a charming sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a Berber desert camp. The evening will include dinner, followed by entertainment around the campfire, listening to traditional Berber drum music, having the experience of a lifetime under the milky way stars. This will captivate your heart and soul, not for a night but forever.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Sahara Desert camp).

Before sunrise, you may climb the sand dunes for a fantastic view of the amazing sunrise in the Sahara Desert, followed by a typical traditional Berber breakfast.

Begin your day with a 1 hour Quad excursion through the Sahara Desert. Enjoy the exhilaration of speeding through the sands and up the dunes, where you will stop to enjoy a peaceful moment with just sky and sand for as far as you can see. You will have a professional guide to ensure your safety. A great activity you must-do while on your Morocco 8 day itinerary.

After having experienced a memorable night in the spectacular sand sea desert dunes of Sahara, we depart for the town of Erfoud.

Marvel at the globally renowned fossil town of Erfoud, where a stop at the fossil museum will uncover a ‘wealth’ of ancient specimens.

Wander at leisure through the Todgha Gorge and witness the immensity of the red cliffs where international rock climbing feats are undertaken. The Todgha Gorge is globally recognized as a most spectacular canyon and has been used for several international movies such as the “Mummy”.

Discover panoramic views of old Jewish and Berber mud villages and experience the presence of Berber nomads in the gorge herding their goats to drink at the river.

Journey on to the magic of the Dades Valley and observe along the valley, amazing rock formations known as the Monkey fingers.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Dades valley).

After breakfast and spending the night in the heart of the beautiful Dades Valley, we continue driving through the Rose valley and Kalaat Mgouna, known as the Rose Capital and known for Damaskina Roses, also known for the annual festival during the rose harvest in May to choose Miss Rose of Morocco.

Continue through the “Road of the thousand Kasbahs”, the iconic Berber mud brick villages and earth castles to the “Oasis of Skoura”.

This oasis is UNESCO protected and is famous for its numerous Majestic Kasbahs and here we will stop to visit the iconic 17th century “Kasbah of Amridil”.

8 day Morocco itinerary takes you to the city of Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” and the spectacular UNESCO listed Ksar Ait Benhaddou, the most intriguing of the red earth castles and one of the most eye-catching filming locations featured in Game of Thrones, Gladiator and more.

Travel over the wilderness and natural beauty of the High Atlas Mountains, through the exceptionally scenic Tizi n Tichka Pass.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Marrakech).

On this day, you will embark on a full-day city tour of exotic and vibrant Marrakech, exploring in-depth, the rich cultural heritage and antiquity of this enchanting city.

Your Grand Morocco expert local guide will lead you through the UNESCO World Heritage listed, ancient-walled Medina, which dates back to the ancient Berber inhabitants and which extends back to more than 1700 BC.

Visit Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture and a major monument of Morocco’s heritage. This 19th century palace was built by “Ba Ahmed”, the grand vizier of Marrakech & named after his favorite wife “Bahia”. Craftsmen worked on this palace for fourteen years. The tiles were imported from Tetouan, the marble from Meknes while the cedar wood used for the painted and shimmering ceilings came from the Atlas Mountains.

Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 14th century school founded by the Moroccan Monarch “Abu el Hassan”, another beautiful example of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture. The Saadian dynasty enlarged and redecorated the building in 1570 and it became the largest Islamic college in north Africa.

Observe the 12th century and largest mosque in Marrakech, “Koutoubia Mosque” and its 77 meter high minaret. It was completed during the reign of the Berber Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansour (1184-1199), and inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat. Local laws restrict any new building projects from exceeding the height of the minaret, providing a focal point for all to enjoy.

Visit Saadien tombs, the only remains of the Saadian Dynasty which ruled Marrakech in 1524 to 1659.

Explore the UNESCO site of Djemaa el Fna Plaza which is the heart of Marrakech, where can be found traditional activities such as magicians, story tellers, musicians, snake charmers and Marrakech’s legendary Souks. When it was created in 1050 it was used for public execution.

Visit the enchanting and picturesque botanical Jardin Majorelle. The garden was created by an avid plant collector (Jacques Majorelle), and is today one of the most popular attractions in Marrakech, for good reasons. In this refreshing oasis, you are going to wander in the midst of trees and exotic plants of dreamlike origin, pools filled with water lilies and lotus flowers, and vividly colored earthen walls. Let yourself take a break from the frantic pace of the Red City and enjoy the delicate fragrance filling the air.

The Jardin Majorelle, which extends over 9,000 m², is one of the most enchanting and mysterious gardens in Morocco. Created over the course of forty years, it is enclosed by outer walls, and consists of a labyrinth of crisscrossing alleyways on different levels and boldly-coloured buildings that blend both Art Deco and Moorish influences. The French painter Jacques Majorelle conceived this large and luxuriant garden as a sanctuary and botanical ‘laboratory’. In 1922, he began planting it with exotic botanical specimens from the far corners of the world.

Accommodation : (Overnight in Marrakech).

On the last day of your 8 days in Morocco, you can have free time in Marrakech during the morning if you want to do your own things or perhaps visit a Moroccan Hammam or Spa and get ready for your flight back home.

We will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca for your on-ward flight.