Morocco’s In-Depth

Depart on your transatlantic flight on Royal Air Maroc’s direct flight to Casablanca. 6 hours, 45 minute flight from JFK, New York.

Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted by a representative of our local Oussaden Tour Office. A 60 mile drive brings to Rabat, the present capital of Morocco and official residence of King Mohammed VI. Check into your hotel. Afternoon tours will include the walking to the bustling Medina, followed by a visit to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Great Mosque, the Hassan Tower and the magnificent Mohammed V Mausoleum. You will drive past the ramparts and the walls of Mechouar that encompass the royal palace. Overnight in your hotel.

You will begin your exploration of the Imperial Cities this morning with a stop at the Holy City Of Moulay Idriss where the founder of the Idrisid dynasty is buried. Continue on to the archeological site of the Roman ruins at Volubilis. From here you will travel to Meknes where after lunch, you will drive throughout the walls and numerous Gates of Bab El Mansour, the Shrine Mosque, the Tomb of Moulay Ismail, Dar Jamai Palace and the Royal Stables. You will end your day in Fez, the first Imperial City which was built in 790 A.D. by Moulay Idriss II. (B, D)

A full day to explore Morocco’s most fascinating city and the world last surviving Medieval city. Start the day by traveling downtown to visit King Palace. After walking through the Arab and Jewish sections, you will see South King Palace. Continue along the river for a panoramic view of the Old Town Medina. You enter the city through one of the main gates for a walking tour highlighting the University of al-Qarawiyyin which is one of the oldest school in the world, the Medersa el-Attarine, the “Madrasa Bou Inania” religious school, Najarine Fountain and you will end it with an optional lunch. Later, you will visit Moulay Idriss mausoleum and the famous tannery where skins are cured and dyed in enormous vats.

This morning, depart to a Beni sadden, a berber village where you spend enjoying time with a berber family

Depart for the day’s viewing of Morocco’s magnificent mountains. We cross both the middle and high Atlas ranges on our way to the Sahara with our first shop in the Berber enclave of Azrou, then travel along forests of giant cedars to the Beni Mguild Berber Capital of Midelt. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Erfoud.

Continue our journey, following the ancient Bedouin trading routes parallel with the Middle Atlas and passing series of the fortified villages with outstanding pre­Saharian architecture. We will start our excursion in 4-wheel driver to the sandy dunes of Merzouga and spend the night in the edge of the Sahara under a tent. Dinner will be a feast in the desert.

Before breakfast we will see the sunrise over the Sahara. We will then depart to Tinghir where we will visit the kashahs, and pass through sandstone fortresses, remote oasis and the grand and colourful Todra Gorges with cliffs over 300 metres vertically around you. Lunch. Continue to Ouarzazate. Dinner & overnight hotel in Ouarzazate.

After breakfast, we travel from Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Morocco) through the valley of thousand Kasbahs to Morocco’s most iconic Berber village of Taroudant. Enjoy the scenic view of Jbel Siroua from Tizi-n-Taghatine and Tizi-n-Lakhsan. On the way, we will stop in Taliouine, a humble Berber village in the heart of the anti-Atlas mountains known for Saffron production. Continue our drive trip via the orange and palm groves in the surrounding to Taroudant. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Depart early this morning to Marrakech “The Pearl of the South” via Tizi-n-Test crossoing many bereber villages; “Ouled Berhil”, Imlil, “Moulay Brahim” then Tahanout. As we draw closer to Marrakech, you will notice the abundance of the pink mud-brick buildings amid this tree-filled dye which its hospitable climate and superb location it has been a get­a-way location for Moroccans and europeans alike. Dinner & Overnight.

Depart for the monuments of Marrakech with visits to the 16th century grandiose Saadian tombs, the Bahia palace, a splendid example of Moorish Andaloussian architecture. Later, visit the word famous “Jemaa el-Fna”, a spectacular open theatre with story tellers, fire-eaters, snake charmers and palm-readers. Tonight, special treat in a dinner party with typical Moroccan entertainment, including folklore music and skilled horsemen. Overnight at hotel.

Free day to relax or explore on your own. (optional excursion in Marrakech extra charge)

Depart this morning for Essaouira, a picturesque port of an 800-year-old city, which shows traces of Iberian influence in its forts and towers. During the road, you will find a women’s associations for Argana; a stop to see the activities done by women. We suggest you have lunch outdoors (not included) at Chalet de la Place, seafood dishes are highly recommended optional. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Depart this morning, to Casablanca. Sightseeing includes United Nations Square, Royal Palace, Central Market and Anfa Residential area. Once here you Will visit the mosque of Hassan II, which is the largest in the Moslem world after the one in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Continue to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and you will be assisted with customs for your safe return flight home.