Day 1: Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco!

Your tour starts in Casablanca, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel but we recommend that you also try and make contact this evening, after 20.00 hrs.

You can take the opportunity to explore this diverse city. You will stay overnight in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca – Hassan II – Rabat – Meknes

In the morning you can visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the worlds second-largest and the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. You can only enter the mosque with an organised tour which are run daily (Except Fridays) at 0900, 1000, 1100 and 1400 and costs 120dh per person.

We travel for three hours, stopping briefly to see Morocco’s capital city, Rabat, before arriving in Meknes, a royal city situated on hills surrounded by orchards and olive groves. The old medina is typical of Morocco’s northern cities and the houses have warm ochre-yellow-washed walls and green roof tiles. In the centre of the old city you will find the Place el Hedim, an ideal place to watch the local population going about their business while you enjoy a coffee.

Explore the colourful markets filled with fresh produce and souks with beautiful carpets, tiles and Berber silver; lose yourself in the narrow alleys of the Meknes medina!

Day 3: Meknes – Volubulis – Moulay Idriss – Fès

Not far from Meknes lies Morocco’s holiest place, Moulay Idriss, as well as the remains of Volubilis, the country’s main Roman city, this is where the Berber king, Juba II built the first palace aided by a Roman architect in 32 BC before it was taken by the Romans 80 years later. The 8th century town of Moulay Idriss holds the tomb of the founding father of the first Arab Dynasty in Morocco and is built on two hills, between which lies the tomb.

We will visit both places on the journey to Fes (the admission fee is not included in the cost of the journey), one of the most exciting cities in the Islamic world with a labyrinth of endlessly winding alleys, up and down, jostling inhabitants, braying donkeys, bright bold colours, swirling scents and a cacophony of noise. There are numerousKoranic schools and mosques in the ancient city.

Day 4: Fès

It is best to visit Fès with a guide as the old city has retained its essentially medieval character and its winding streets can get very busy. The age-old guild system is still partially in use and the inhabitants are close knit in communities of traders and craftspeople. The decline of this medina in the past century has been associated with an exodus of well-to-do families. For those interested, a daylong excursion can be organized to visit the most essential monuments, under the guidance of an expert local guide. This is an optional excursion that can be booked locally.

Day 5: Fès – Marrakech

During the long and scenic drive to Marrakech we pass the Atlas mountain range en route to the thousand-year old pink city, in the middle of an oasis.

Marrakech is unparalleled in the colourfulness of its population and markets. The Djemaa el-Fna central square is world-renowned, full of fortune-tellers, storytellers and snake charmers. The old city walls of Marrakech are largely preserved. You can take a tour along the walls in a horse-drawn carriage, which in this city is still a normal means of transport. The city walls conceal mosques, old palaces and sultans’ tombs like the Bahia palace, the residence of a grand vizier and a magnificent example of Andalusian-Moorish architecture. The serene central courtyard contains fountains, a mosaic floor and a garden full of orange trees.

Day 6: Marrakech

There is an optional half-day excursion to visit the most important monuments, which can be booked locally. Alternatively, for those wishing to escape the bustle of the city, a full-day excursion can be arranged to Imlil, a village in the High Atlas, which has excellent walking. A local guide will accompany you and lunch is included.

Go green! Our TIP
You can also, under expert guidance, take a crash course in Moroccan cooking with a lesson in a beautiful Riad. This is a half day excursion and you will naturally get to eat your cooked meal afterwards.

Day 7: Marrakech

On your final full day in the city, you may like to see the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech which are filled with rare plants, bright colors and peace and tranquility. The botanical gardens are situated north-west of the Medina of Marrakech, about a 30 minute walk. (Stop by the wholesale market en route to see mountains of dates, grains and nuts being traded). Try to arrive before 10 am, when it starts getting really busy.

Day 8: End of tour in Marrakech

The last day of your tour. The tour leader and the rest of the group will normally depart early in the morning but you can use your hotel room in Marrakech until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Morocco.