This Morocco expedition will expose you to the Berber nomadic life in the desert, Marrakech, Rabat. The trip is all about Culture and history.
Day One: Arrival
On your arrival, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Riad Zyo.
Day Two – Rabat
Get your breakfast and visit the Oudaia Kasbah, a heavily fortified town – a medina within the medina complete with mosques, souks, visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan Tower, the site of Sultan Yacoub el Mansour’s failure to create the largest mosque in the world. Chellah Necropolis which dates from the time of Almohads, here you also find many ruins of the Roman Empire too. ADinner and overnight at Riad Zyo.
Day Three – Morning at Leisure then to Chefchoauen
This morning will be at leisure, In the afternoon, we start making our way to Chefchoauen. Dinner and overnight at Dar Cherifa
Day Four – Chefchaouen
Historical city, with its distinctive pale blue and whitewashed buildings and winding alleyways, Chefchaouen is a charming place with strong Andalusian connections. It was here that many Jews and Moors fled during the Spanish Inquisition. Here, you will have short hike to the ruin of the “Spanish” mosque with its fantastic panoramic view; a visit to the Ras el-Ma, where the city’s freshwater springs from the mountain; and a stroll through the wonderfully restored kasbah and gardens. Shopping for handicrafts. Dinner and overnight at Dar Cherifa.
Day Five – Volubis, Meknes to Fez
Today, you will drive to the former Roman outpost that is Volubilis. Once home to nearly 20,000 people during the Roman occupation, many of its structures and mosaics are still intact. Then proceed to Meknes, which was the first capital of the Alouette Dynasty, under the bloody rule of Moulay Idriss I. Later, go to Fez for the overnight. Dinner and overnight at Riad Al Amine Fes
Day Six – Fez
The capital of culture, Fez is one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. The streets are just as they were when they were built in the 8th century, with high walls that protect the courtyards inside from the heat of the midday sun. Enormous theosophical colleges, beautiful mosques and fascinating souks spilling their goods onto the pavement. You will visit the Place an-Nejjarine, where an ancient caravanserai overlooks a fountain, the great Qayrawan mosque, passing 14th-century merchant’s shops, tanneries – where leather is stained in vats of strikingly coloured dyes. In the souk al- Attarine the scent of exotic spices fills the air and close by a hammam. Dinner and overnight at Riad Al Amine Fes.
Day Seven – Midelt, Merzouga to Erg Chebbi dunes
Depart Fez and head to the mountains of the Middle Atlas where you can spot Barbary Apes in the hills south of Azrou. The proceed to the city of Midelt and descend into the picturesque Ziz Valley oasis. The great sand sea of Merzouga, a beautiful area. The camp is set in a beautiful spot between sand dunes. We will enjoy a delicious dinner followed by campfire. We sleep in luxury canvas tents. Dinner and overnight at Desert Luxury Camp.
Day Eight – Erg Chebbi dunes
Have breakfast head into the vastness of the dunes on a camel caravan accompanied by camel teers. Camel have been used in the desert life for over centuries for talking cargoes from Sub Saharan African to the ports of the Mediterranean coast. You will ride or walk alongside caravan led by Berber guides. Possibly visit one Nomadic family living in the area. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the dunes and then return back to the desert camp. In the afternoon you can either do some sandboarding at the camp or trekking through the desert. if you prefer we can travel to view the Dayet Sirji lake or head all the way back to Rissani and visit the local souk there. Dinner and overnight at Desert Luxury Camp.
Day Nine – Todra Gorge to Skora Oasis
After breakfast, you will drive to the Atlas Mountains to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surround Tinerhir. The region is dotted with deserted kasbahs, palmeries and mud-brick villages. Local Berber people can often be seen moving their herds through the gorge. Go for the nature walk and appreciate the beauty of the area. Get back to the vehicle and drive Kasbahs to Kelaat Mgouna to Skoura Oasis. Dinner and overnight at Le Jardin De Skoura.
Day Ten – Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou then Marrakech
This morning, you will drive to Ouarzazate and Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. The best-preserved fortified Kasbah in the country. With its dramatic walls of red earth, slit windows and crumbling towers, it is a magnificent example of a traditional stronghold. Chosen as a location for Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile, and more recently Gladiator, Ait Ben Haddou sits upon a lofty pinnacle of rock overlooking a river which is dating from around the 15th century. We will proceed to Tizi and Tichka that will take us to Marrakech. Dinner and overnight at Riad Reves D’ Orient.
Day Eleven – Marrakech
We will explore Marrakesh today by visiting Djema El Fna square and cars are not allowed here. We will visit the tombs of the royal family of Saadian, the Ben Youssef medersa, the ruins of the Baddi palace built by Ahmed El Mansour using the most precious materials such as onyx, gold and marble. Visit Koutoubia mosque the dominant mosque of Marrakech and its minaret that watches over Marrakech for mover than 800 years. Dinner and overnight at Riad Reves D’ Orient.
Day Twelve – Essaouira
Depart Marrakech and drive west to the Atlantic coast and the former pirate’s lair of Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most attractive coastal cities. The maze of narrow lanes with tiny cafes looking out onto small squares is encircled by Portuguese, Berber and French battlements. Two fortresses look out over the ocean, and on an offshore island stands another, even larger castle. Dinner and overnight at Riad Rayhane.
Day Thirteen – Essaouira
This is a free day with optional activites. You can check out when fishermen bringing in their catch or mending their nets. The harbour was once the lair of pirates who sailed out to plunder richly laden ships that passed along the coast. It later became a free port, when it had a small international community of merchants. Take a visit to the little workshops that specialize in ornate inlaid work using thuya wood- a local conifer. The low-key markets and twisting backstreets of the medina are fantastic and for those wanting a bit more space, there is a long sweeping beach on which to stretch your legs. Dinner and overnight at Riad Rayhane.
Day Fourteen – To Casablanca
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at Mogador.
Day Fifteen – Fly out from Casablanca or Rabat airport
Have your breakfast and you will be transferred to the airport depending on the time of your flight.