Morocco Highlights Travel: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North -13 Days

Morocco Highlights Travel: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North -13 Days

DAY 1:  ARRIVAL TO MARRAKECH AIRPORT

Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Airport, you will be met by a Premium Morocco Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. While this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time, please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday, and that there will a Welcome Meeting with your leader tonight. We will visit the famous and the biggest Mosque in Africa, Hassan II, which was built between 1987 and 1993.  This will be a golden opportunity to see the skilful work of Moroccan artisans, revealing the richness and beauty of their handicraft. Transfer to Marrakech

Notes: Please be aware that some of our travelers in Marrakech are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Premium Tours trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Premium Tours. These guides are in no way connected to Premium Morocco Tours and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers not to join any tour offered by unauthorized guides. Premium Tours assesses the safety of all optional excursions offered by our tour leaders. If you would like more information on the excursions available, please contact us before you travel or see the Premium Tours.

Accommodation: 4* / 5*

Tour Highlights :

Meet At Airport and Transfer to Marrakech

Meals Included: Welcome Dinner

DAY 2:  MARRAKECH EXPLORATION

Enjoy a guided city tour of Marrakech “Paris of the Sahara” as Winston Churchill once described it. Stop first at the Koutoubia Mosque, which is an old monument built under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199). This monument inspired other buildings such as the Giralda in Seville in Spain and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Stop next at the Bahia Palace. This Palace was built in the late 19th century and was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style. Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef after that. This Coranic school is named after the Almoravid Sultan Ali Ibn Yusuf (reigned 1106–1142). Madrasa Ben Youssef is the largest in all of Morocco. Stop next at the Saadian tombs, which is a site that dates back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Continue the tour with the world famous Jema El Fna Square where you will enjoy amazing performance of traditional activities by storytellers, snake charmers, peddlers of traditional medicines. Your last stop is the bustling souks in the Medina.

Tour Highlights :

Guided walking tour Marrakech

Majorel Gardens

Bahia Palace

Souks

Jamaa lfna & Koutoubia

Meals Included : Breakfast /

DAY 3: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA

Morning departure from your hotel. Take the road to Essaouira.

Journey to the former Portuguese fishing village of Essaouira passing roadside towns and Berber village. During the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pit stop on the hippie trek from Marrakesh.

Visit this sea-side medieval town that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries and mouthwatering seafood.

Explore Essaouira, the sea-side medieval town with lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses is enchanting. Learn about the local tradition of thuya wood workshops, roam the art galleries, and enjoy fresh seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June. It also has an expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi.

Take a stroll along the sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan, and then on to Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. Explore the ramparts, the spice and jewelry souks of the medina, and the Jewish Mellah. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is a well-preserved example of a late-18th century fortified town.

Have lunch at the fish grill cafes with wooden tables and benches laid out overlooking the sea.

After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to the filming of Othello in Essouaria.

For a side trip within Essaouira consider a visit to Ranch de Diabat, located in the small village Diabat. Ranch de Diabat arranges luxury camel or horse trekking for 2 hours or several days.

in Essaouira to try kayaking, kite surfing, wind surfing, or relaxing on the beach.

Accommodation : 4* / 5*

Activites : Guided walking tour of Essaouira

Meals Included : Breakfast /

DAY 4: ESSAOUIRA – AGADIR – TAROUDANT

9am Pick up at your hotel. drive along the Atlantic ocean, see enourmous argan trees.

Visit the Valley of the Birds, a pleasant and verdant park that draws in migrating birds throughout the year. The park, with a zoo and aviary, is wonderful for children and adults.

Next, visit the Agadir Kasbah. The Agadir Kasbah was built in 1540 by the Saadian Sultan Mohammed ech-Cheikh. The grassy area below the kasbah, Ancienne Talborjt, covers the remains of Agadir’s old medina which was destroyed in the 1960 earthquake.

By the roadside you will see argan trees with their gnarled and twisted trunks. This tree is native to south-west Morocco and produces nuts that are the source of a rich and tasty oil.

Stop to visit the outer ramparts and then take a short break at Jnane Soussia restaurant for refreshments.

Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and see how argan nuts and ground into argan oil and argan butter. Sample and shop for products made from argan oil.

Afterwards, explore the medina and visit the excellent Taroudant souks. The Berber market in Taroudant sells vegetables and spices, as well as clothes and household goods, while the Arab souk specializes in handicrafts such as terracotta, wrought iron, pottery, brass, copper, leather, carpets, and jewelry

Visit the ancient walls of Taroudant that extend around the entire city and Place al Alouvine, a large central square and the heart of the medina.

Have lunch at a charming cafe in the old city, or at the Riad Zitoune restaurant with an interior palmerie and gardens.

Accommodation : http://www.riad-tafilag.com/

Activites : Guided walking tour of Essaouira

Meals Included : Breakfast /

DAY 5: ANTI ATLAS MOUNTAINS – AIT BENHADDOU

We start our Desert journey through the Saharan landscapes of both the Hamada (stone desert) and Erg (dune desert).  Our first visits include : ANTI Atlas mountains, volcanic range dating back to 3,5 Billion years, discover traditional Berber villages and Terraces, This area is also known for the quality of its Safran and Olive oil, drive the down the anti Atlas to Ait Benhadou via Taznakht Villag the capital of the anti atlas, , discover the pacha glaoui kasbah and the authentic villages of Ounila, ex-caravan route with 100 of kasbah, we arrive to the most spectacular Unesco Site in the southern Morocco, a walk to discover the Kasbah where Gladiator, Game of thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and many other moveies were shot, discover the beautiful berber Archeticture, Lunch in a local restaurant and set off for Ouarzazate Largest saharan center, Moroccan Hollywood, Visit the Cinema Museum, opportunity to shop in a super Market…

visiting the fortified city of Aït Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004)

Accommodation : HOTEL LA CARAVANE

Activities :

Visit Ouarzazate

Visit Cinema Museum

Visit Studios

Ait benhaddou Kasbah

Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 6: OUARZAZATE – DADES VALLEY – TODGHA GORGE – TINGHIR

Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century.

Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005).

From ouarzazate to skoura oasis, before we head to visit to one of those kasbahs is scheduled by seeing Amrhidil Kasbah, we go along the road of 1000 kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately a lot of them are ruins. We drive up to visit the Dades gorge & valley, and we head to the Berber family for Lunch, cooking course, a walk to discover the valley and spend some time wit the Berbers. We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. Along this valley another valley called valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival eachend of April. from here we make our way to Todra gorge, a 300 m high canion, a 2 hour walk to discover the valley and gardens, enjoy the afternoon at the gorge, we drive to our hotel in tinghit, optional Hammam experience tonight.

Accommodation: Hotel Amazir

Activities

Visit Skoura

Visit Studios

Optional Traditional Hammam

Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 7: TODRA – ERFOUD – ERRISSANI – SAHARA DESERT

Today we drive to Touroug via the valley of Tinjdad, where we visit an the oasis museum and continue to Touroug after lunch we will visit an old under ground irrigation channels dating app to 12 to 17 Century, discover this magical irrigation system, get you some scarves for the Sahara & we then cross Sijilmassa, morocco’s king ancestors town, famous for being the most imporatnt Caravans carrefour along the history, and then we continue our Day 2 of our Saharan exploration as we make our way through the far reaches of Morocco’s eastern perimeter to within 20km of Algeria’s border where we encounter the magnificent Erg Chebbi dune landscape.  Morocco’s most famous Saharan dunes is just breathtaking and transforming to the soul.  On foot or camel back you have the option to travel into the remote dunes until our Nomadic style camp hidden in the dunes.  An evening sunset climb to one of the higher dunes is customary followed by dinner and a campfire experience and Berber songs and storytelling can be arranged.  Breakfast and dinner included.  Accommodation in a desert camp.

Accommodation: Deluxe Camp

Activities

Visit Todra & Dades gorge

Visit Underground Channels

Fossils

Camel Trekking

Overnight Desert Camp

Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 8 : – MERZOUGA DESERT – ZIZ VALLEY – FES

Early in the morning, enjoy sunrise from the dunes of Erg chebbi at 20 km away of Algeria, breakfast in the camp or in the hotel at the dunes line, and camel ride back or walk with the caravan to the hotel at the dunes line for a shower and Breakfast. We drive afterwards across across ziz valley, second largest dates valley of Morocco where locals grow more than 300 types of dates, harvested every October, also called Moroccan dates baskest, enjoy beautiful canions of Ziz valley, lunch in a restaurant before arriving to the Middle Atlas forests, explore the cydar trees where you may encounter wild macaque monekys in the forest drive down to Ifran, a mountanious town also called Moroccan Swizerland, set at 1600m high, known for it ski station and snow during the winter, considere the cleanest city of Morocco, continue to fez, arrive to our riad in the afternoon.

Accommodation : 4* / 5*

Activities

Visit Ziz valley

Macauqe Monkeys Break foto

Ifran

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9: SIGHSEEING TOUR OF FES

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Then the tour is off to explore the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, one ofthe best examples of a preserved medieval city. Fes, founded in the 9th century, has been little unchanged since then. A certified guideis available to help you navigate the serpentine souks and its medieval medina, a Unesco world heritage site crammed with narrow,winding streets, tiny squares, colorful honeycomb vats of the tanneries and artisan workshops to observe various craftsmen performingtheir work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Admire Fez’s Royal Palace and 14th century Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the largest in Morocco. Optional lunch followed by the visit of the Qarawiyyin University the oldest in the world and the sumptuous Nejjarine squareand its beautiful fountain before finishing our tour by climbing the Merenids Tombs, which open onto a stunning panorama of Fes.

Enjoy the guided city tour of Fes. Begin with the entrance to the largest royal palace in Morocco. Continue with a panoramic view of the ancient medina. Enjoy an authentic experience at the traditional ceramic crafts village of Fes after that. Your next stop is Fes El Bali, the ancient town or Medina, which is a medieval part of Fes that has not changed for centuries. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the famous Al-Karaouine mosque, built by Fatima Al Fihria in 857. Al-Karaouine mosque became home to the University of Al-Karaouine, which is the first university in the world and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. The university was built by Fatima Al Fihria in 859, and, since then, it has become one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world. In the medina, visit also a Merdersa, which is a Coranic school. Complete the city tour of Fes with the leather Souq and the oldest Leather Tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries.

Activities :

Guided walking tour Fes

Fondouk Nejjarine

Mederassa Bou Inania, Tanneries, Jewish Quarter

Meals Included : Breakfast

DAY 10: FES – VOLUBILIS – CHEFCHAOUEN

Today, we visit the roman ruins of Volubilis where you walk with a guide or without guide to enjoy the beauty of the ruins, cosidered most preserved Roman-Berber era ruins, witnessing the prosperity of north africa !

We will Take the road to Chefchaouen.

Arrive in early afternoon. Check into your riad and have lunch, or venture out for lunch at one of the local cafes that offer an intimate view of the old blue and whitewashed city.

Explore the blue and whitewashed town’s old medina on foot along with your guide who will share stories of Chefchaouen’s history.

Start your tour with the Kasbah Museum in the medina. The Kasbah of Chefchaouen belongs to the early 18th century and was built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail. It is fairly simple without architectural flourishes, however it is surrounded by gardens on the interior and exterior. Inside the Kasbah, you can visit the ethnographic museum containing antique weapons, musical instruments, and photographs of the old town.

Step onto the museum’s roof and take pictures of a panoramic view of the town lined with blue and whitewashed houses, tiny balconies, tiled roofs, and patios embellished with citrus trees. Next, visit the cobbled main square, Plaza Uta El-Hammam where the striking 15th century Grand Mosque sits. The Mosque and its nearby buildings were built by Jewish refugees who, alongside Muslims, escaped the Spanish persecution and settled in Chefchaouen.

Try fresh goat cheese salad, a local Rif specialty, chicken pastilla, or a lamb tajine with prunes. For dessert sit outside by the mulberry trees of Plaza Uta El-Hammam and enjoy local sweets from one of the cafes. Browse the small shops famous for selling woven rugs, blankets, and woolen goods.

End your day with a guided hike in the green hillsides. In the evening, relax in a hammam, a Moroccan spa experience.

Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, the isolated town of Chefchaouen is a surprising delight. Much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquistia, so its striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways give it the feel of the Spanish hills. Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights, sounds, and smells of the medina, the shops in the square selling woven goods and small sweets, and, most importantly, tasting the town’s famous goat’s cheese. Herds of goats wander the sparse hillsides that surround Chefchaouen, and their cheese is sold in great fresh rounds in the street markets. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore more of the town. Within the plaza is the walled fortress of the Kasbah – you can wander through the tranquil gardens inside, visit the ethnographic museum, and soak in wonderful views from the rooftop. Alternatively, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a short hike in the surrounding hills.

Accommodation : http://www.darechchaouen.com/

Activities

Volubilis roman ruins tour

Chefchaouen – Guided Walking Tour

Meals Included

Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 11: CHEFCHAOUEN – RABAT – CASABLANCA

We will make our way to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.  We will visit the Royal Gates built in 1864, and enjoy the charming garden of Challa, surrounded by walls and beautiful defensive gates, built between 1310 and 1330.  Later we will stop at Mohamed V Museum built in 1972, and we will visit the tombs of Moroccan kings Mohammed V, who died in 1962, Hassan II who died in 1999, the tomb of Moulay Abdullah the uncle of Mohammed VI and Hassan Tower which was built in 12th  century.

Oudaya Kasbah which was built in 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defense against the Spanish army.  The roof of the Kasbah allows a stunning view of the surrounding area.  You will also get to see the 240 km long Abi-Regrag river, Take th road to Casablanca.

Accommodation : 4* / 5*

Activities

Casablanca Hassan 2 Mosque

Chella

Oudaya kasbah

Hassan tower

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 12: CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

10am meet your guide Morning departure from the your hotel in Casablanca.

Visit the Mosque of Hassan II. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. On Fridays, the Mosque of Hassan II is open to non-Muslims. The Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Anfa quarter.

and take the road to Marrakech. Arrive in Marrakech.

Option to explore the Djemaa El Fna Square and an evening out on the town. There are food vendors in the square and many restaurants to choose from.

Spend the night at a charming riad in Marrakech with a swimming pool & medina views.

Accommodation : 4* / 5*

Activities :

Meals Included : Breakfast

DAY 13: AIRPORT TRANSFER

Your trip ends today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around midday and you are free to leave at any time. We will arrange a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Transfer to Casablanca airport according to your flight details.

Morocco Highlights Travel: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North -13 Days

Morocco Highlights Travel: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North -13 Days, offer fabulous experiences in Morocco´s most attractive zones: from The most vibrant cities and Medinas, Architectural tours, Food and Wine Tours, Roman Ruins archeological sites, Culture of the Berbers, Moroccan History, Luxury hotels and Riads, the High Atlas Mountains; The rural villages of the countryside and the Sahara Desert itself. There is also one very unique stay in the Sahara dunes where we travel in and out by camel and stay in a Bedouin style camp.

We invite you to join a life enhancing journeys visiting Morocco landscapes in comfort on our Morocco Highlights Travel: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North -13 Days– leading to the most charming, historical Medinas and Monuments in Morocco, from Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca, through the Blue City of Chefchaouen and the archaeological Roman town of Volubilis, breaking the journey at Fez, Morocco’s most inspiring Medina, travel to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes where we’ll travel on camel back and spend a night under the stars in a Bedouin camp. Consider this a personal reward for your efforts!

Highlights

• – View the stunning contrast of Morocco
• – Deep Introduction to Culture, Nature, Life Philosophy
• – Enjoy authentic Berber’s hospitality
• – Taste delicious traditional Berber food
• – Explore one of Morocco Beautiful deserts
• – Ride in a 4×4 in Sahara & Atlas Mountains
• – Spend three full days seeing the best of what Sahara has to offer

Essential Information:

Why Us?:

– Your hotel Pick-up, so you spend the maximum time exploring real & Authentic, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains, Private tour at your own pace

– Top Rated tour, with 5 star customer feedback and a Excellence reviews from Trip Advisor

– One guide that is with you from the moment you arrive in Morocco until you leave, taking care of your entire trip.

Visited Places

• Rabat & Casablanca
• Chefchaouen
• Fes Medina
• Meknes
• Volubilis
• Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Ouarzazate
• Dades & Todra gorge & Valley
• Valley of roses & Ziz Valley
• Errissani Traditional Markets
• High Atlas Mountains
• Berber villages
• Sahara Desert
• Atlantic ocean

Travel Experience

• Moroccan Culture & People, Food & History
• Berber Culture
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Sleeping in desert camp

Travel Preparation:

The list below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please contact us or consult your nearest outdoor store.

Clothing & Footwear:

• Comfortable walking clothes that are suitable for layering
• Fleece jacket/warm jumper
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Synthetic/woollen socks
• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Sarong/scarf/loose cotton trousers that can easily be pulled on over shorts to cover shoulders/legs when walking through villages

Equipment:

• 3 season sleeping bag
• Day pack
• Beach towel
• Water bottle/hydration bladder
• Water purification pen/tablets
• Sunglasses
• Head torch
• Camera, memory card and charger
• Spare batteries
• Personal items (including hand sanitiser, lip balm, microfibre towel, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries, wet wipes etc)
• Medicine and copy of doctor’s prescription which states medication and quantity carried
• Personal first aid kit (including blister tape, insect repellant, oral rehydration salts, plasters, tweezers, diarrhoea tablets etc)
• Rubbish bag