Majestic Morocco tour - 12 days

Explore Morocco on a Private Tour with Expert Guides and a Tailor Made Tour itinerary. This 12-Day Morocco Private Tour includes visiting the Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & the Skoura Palm Groves, the Dades Valley and Valley of Nomads along with the Coastal town of Essaouira.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Casblanca Arrival, Visit the Hassan II Mosque and continue to Rabat 

(Driving Time: 1 1/2 Hours)  

Casablanca Arrival. 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.

Overnight in Rabat.

Day 2: Rabat Guided Historical Tour of the Imperial Sites, then continue to Meknes, and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis en route to Fes 

(Driving Time: 4 1/2 Hours)  

Visit the Imperial Cities of Rabat and Meknes, then the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. During your morning tour, you will learn Rabat's history and enjoy its beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues, and green spaces. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah. Visit the Royal Palace and the Hassan tower which stands on the hill overlooking the Wadi Bou Regreg. Explore the gardens nearby and visit the Palace of Rabat and visit the Necropolis at Chellah/Kasbah of Chellah.

Next take the road to Meknes. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic view of Meknes which includes a splendid look at the old Islamic medina with its numerous tall and soaring minarets. Explore the Old Medina and Bab el-Khemis. Pass through the ancient walls of the medina and the Islamic cemetery from which extends the Jewish quarter and the entrance to the Old Mellah (Jewish neighborhood). Enter through Bab el-Khemis, a large decorated gate from the 17th century often referred to as “Thursday Gate.”  Visit the 17th Century Kasbah. Famous for its military scale, Meknes has a massive extension of walls and monumental gates. Its breadth emanates the historical achievements of one of the greatest Sultans in the history of Morocco, Moulay Ismail.

Continue to the Royal Stables and Agdal Reservoir. The Royal Stables are an amazing site, as this massive stable yard was constructed to comfortably house no less that twelve thousand royal horses.

Pass the Bab el Mansour Gate. Regarded as one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, the Bab el Mansour is the most important gateway in Meknes.

Take the National road to Volubilis.

Visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. The breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis, also referred to as Oualili, was once occupied by the Romans. Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ. Discover the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology.

Overnight at a Riad or Hotel in Fes.

Day 3: Fes Guided Historical Tour: Architecture, Mosques, Gardens, Souks

Visit the Merenid Tombs of Fes. Next, stop at the Musée des Armes located in an old fortress. On display are 8,000 pieces of artillery from Makina, the arsenal built by Moulay Hassan I. Enter the Fes el-Bali through the symmetrical horseshoe arches at Bab Boujeloud, the Blue Gate.

Upon entering Rue Talaa Kebira, the main street in the medina, you will see lines of shops covered by canopies. Make your way to the University of al-Karaouine, the oldest continually operating university in the world. Then, visit Dar el-Magana, a 14th century water clock and Zaouia el Tijaniya, the shrine and tomb of Ahmed el Tijani. Stop to visit the Ech Cherabliyine Mosque, Mosque of the Slipper-Makers, then browse the souks selling henna, slippers, caftans, silks, jewelry, and spices.

Tour the Najjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts housed in a beautifully restored foundouk, an ancient style of hotel for merchants. Stop for lunch within the medina at one of the fine Moroccan palace-style restaurants that serves an extravaganza of mezzes for lunch. After lunch, visit the Musée Dar el-Batha to view the impressive collections of pottery, leatherwork, woodwork, books, and manuscripts from the nineteenth century.

Next, enter Bab el Ftouh, the Gateway of the Aperture, to explore the Andalusian quarter, a residential part of the medina laced with monuments. Stroll through the Fès el Jedid, a Kasbah that functioned as Morocco’s administrative center until 1912. Explore the royal palace and many interesting neighborhoods, including the Moulay Abdalllah Quarter, the Jewish Mellah, and the Ville Nouvelle.

Visit Medrasa Bou Inania, an Islamic school founded by Abu Inan Faris that is beautifully decorated from floor to ceiling. Visit University of al-Karaouine. Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world, and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.

Visit the Chourara, or the Tanner’s Quarters, one of the most lively and picturesque souks in Fes. Located near the Wadi Fès and far from residential areas due to the tannery smell. See the wide array of local leatherwork, a proud tradition of Fes.

Visit the Dyers Souk, a dyers market, located along Rue de Centuries, is the best place to see the dying vats which have been used for centuries to dye cloth and sheep, goat, cow, and camel leather. You will see many tanned hides colored with natural pigments of all shades and hues. 

Overnight at Riad & Hotel in Fes. 

Day 4: Fes Departure to Ifrane, Azro, Erfoud and onwards to the Merzouga Shara Desert 

(Driving Time: 8 1/2 Hours)

En route stop in Ifrane for Pastries. Continue the road to Erfoud. Sunset Camel Trek into the Moroccan Sahara Desert.and 1001 Arabian Nights Dinner. Overnight at a Luxury Desert Camp in the Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga. 

Day 5: Merzouga Departure - Visit the Sahara Desert Town of Rissani - the Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine and Nkob 

(Driving Time: 4 Hours)

Take the road to the town of Rissani. Visit the local souk and eat Madfouna food. Madfouna is the local stuffed pizza indigenous of the Sahara region. Continue the road via Alnif to Ait Ouzzine. Overnight in a Kasbah Hotel in Nkob.

Day 6: A Day of Bread Baking with the Berbers. Learn how Bourafin is made on Volcanic Rock in the Moutnains, then drive to Ouarzazate, passing the Draa Valley and the Old Road of the Carvans 

(Driving Time: 2 1/2 Hours)

Visit Ait Ouzzine, a traditional Ait Atta Village nestiled in the Jebel Saghro and Atlas Mountains. Morning tea and greet the family. Then take the road into the mountains. Participate and learn how to make Bourafain, a traditional bread of the Berbers made in the mountains with volcanic rock. Bourafin consists of dough, secret spices, herbs and animal fat that is stuffed and combined into a bread that raises high and wide.

Aït Ouzzine is a Berber village inhabited by over 300 families who live in beautifully painted crenulated kasbahs, with their own henna fields, water wells, livestock and gardens. This peaceful village is tucked away along an impressive desert route connecting the Draa Valley (Tansikht) and Rissani. Meet a local Berber family, partake in a cooking lesson of how to make traditional bread and a tajine. Explore and tour the village by foot. Walk in the green fields and see how the traditional Berbers live with their gardens of herbs, live stock, and henna plants. Explore the village. Henna Party with the Berbers. Take the road to Ouarzazate. Overnight in Riad or Hotel in Ouarzazate with Atlas Mountain Views.

Day 7: Ouarzazate Departure to UNESCO Ait Benhaddou Ksar, Visit Kasbah Telouet and the Villages of Telouet, then take the Ounilla Valley or Tizzn' Tichka Pass to Marrakech 

(Driving Time: 5 1/2 Hours)

Visit the Oasis of Fint, then take the road to visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and Kasbah Telouet. Continue the road to Marrakech. En route stop at an Argan Cooperative. Tasting of Argan oil and Amlou. Lesson on how Amlous is made. Lunch in a local restaurant with cuisine made with Argan oil. Overnight at Riad or Hotel in Marrakech. 

Day 8: Marrakech Guided Historical Tour: Explore the Yves Saint Laurent Gardens, the Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque & Gardens, Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Medersa

Start the day with a visit of the Yves Saint Laurent Majorelle Gardens, then explore Marrakech’s most important sites – the Bahia Palaces, Ben Youssef Medersa, Saadian Tombs. Mid-day discovery at the Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens. Shop the souks of Marrakech. Explore Souk Semmarine and enjoy the Djemaa El Fna Square at dusk. Before heading back to your Riad, go on a food tasting walk of the famous Djemaa. Exotic eats of snail soup, sheep’s heads and more. Taste or watch. It’s all a food experience.

Overnight at Riad or Hotel in Marrakech. 

Day 9: Marrakech Departure to Essaouira, often referred to as Old Mogador 

(Driving Time: 3 Hours)

Marrakech Departure to the Atlantic Coast of Essaouira. Take the road from Marrakech to seaside Essaouira. Embark on a local culinary experience lunch and a wine tasting or Le Fromagerie. Continue to Essaouira. Evening at Leisure. Overnight at Riad or Hotel in Essaouira.

Day 10:Essaouira Guided Historical Tour of the Ramparts, Medina, Jewish Mellah and Heritage Sites. A Guided Exploration of this Historic Coastal Town.

Essaouira is a seaside medieval town. Visit this charming artist colony that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, and mouthwatering seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival in June. Take a stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offering breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town.  

Stop by the fish market. Visit the jewelry market and the cooperative of Thuya wood. Thuya is a wood that is indigenous to Essaouira and is unique for its earthy, menthol, and woody smell. Visit Orson Welles Square. Explore and shop for local musician instruments.  Option to visit Jewish Hertiage Sites in Essaouira: the Synagogue and Mellah.Afternoon at leisure. 

Overnight at Riad or Hotel in Essaouira.

Day 11: Essaouira Departure to Casablanca. Coastal Touring. En route visit El Jadida and it's historic cistern and the Lagoon of Oualidia. 

Essaouira Morning at Leisure.Coastal touring if departing from Casablanca. Visit Oualidia, El Jadida/Lagoon with oyster lunch and cistern en route to Casablanca. Overnight at Riad or Hotel in Casablanca.

Day 12: Casabanca Departure 

(Driving Time: 1 Hour)

Breakfast at your Hotel. Casablanca Departure.