A Grand Tour of Morocco
From the coast to the High Atlas, from desert to Imperial cities
In brief:
| Marrakech - 2 nights. Rabat - 1 night. Tangier - 1 night. Fez - 3 nights. Erfoud - 1 night. Ouarzazate - 2 nights. Taroudant - 1 night. Essaouira - 1 night. Marrakech - 2 nights. |
Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Marrakech. Two nights at the Moroccan 5-star Kenzi Semiramis or Atlas Medina.
Day 2 A full-day tour of Marrakech includes lunch, the Koutoubia Minaret, the Majorelle Gardens, the Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Palace museum of jewellery, costume, chests and doors.
Day 3 A tour of Casablanca visiting the Hassan II mosque. Continue to Rabat for overnight at the Moroccan 5-star Hotel Golden Tulip Farah.
Day 4 A tour of Rabat includes the Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, the ruins of the Roman town of Sala Colonia and the Oudaya Kasbah. Continue to Tangier for overnight at the Moroccan 5-star Hotel Mövenpick.
Day 5 Visit the port and former bohemian playground of Tangier. Drive into the Rif Mountains and visit the Spanish colonial capital of Tetouan. Lunch in the ‘white town’ of Chefchaouen. Continue to Fez for three nights at the Moroccan 5-star Hotel Jnan Palace.
Day 6 Drive around the city ramparts and visit the Dar el-Batha museum of local crafts. Lunch in the medina followed by an exploration of the labyrinthine medina and souks including a visit to Attarine Medersa and a traditional carpet-maker.
Day 7 Visit the Roman city of Volubilis and the hill town of Moulay Idriss. Lunch in Meknes, then a tour of its ramparts, imperial granaries and stables.
Day 8 Traverse the Atlas mountains to El-Rachidia. Overnight in Erfoud at the Moroccan 4-star Hotel Belere. The Tafialt Valley, in which Erfoud stands, claims to cultivate over a million palm trees irrigated by the River Ziz.
Day 9 Early morning optional excursion to the Merzouga Dunes on the fringes of the Sahara. Travel to Tinerhir for lunch and to visit the dramatic Todra Gorges. Continue along the spectacular ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’ to the former French Foreign Legion outpost of Ouarzazate for two nights at the Moroccan 4-star Hotel Mercure.
Day 10 Visit the much photographed Kasbahs of Tifoultoute, Taourirt and Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 11 Travel to the attractive walled town of Taroudant for overnight at the Moroccan 4-star Hotel Palais Salam.
Day 12 Travel to Essaouira for a tour of this former Portuguese port, visiting the fortifications, medina and handicrafts market. Overnight at the Moroccan 5-star Hotel Atlas Mogador.
Day 13 After lunch travel to Marrakech for two nights at the Moroccan 5-star Kenzi Semiramis or Atlas Medina.
Day 14 Explore the fascinating and colourful souks of the old medina, visiting the Medersa Ben Youssef, a 14th-century religious teaching establishment. Enjoy a drink overlooking Djemma el-Fna Square.
Day 15 Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
Extension - Marrakech
Stay on at Hotel Kenzi Semiramis or Atlas Medina for an additional four nights for relaxation or independent exploration. Includes breakfast and transfers.
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