South of Morocco Escapade, 7 Days with Mountain Voyage

Day 1

Arrival in Casablanca.

Throughout the day, you will be welcomed into Casablanca Airport. Participants will be taken by private transfer to their accommodation at Hotel Kenzi Tower.

The day will be at leisure. A guide will be at disposal for those who arrive in time to have a tour of the city.

The largest city in Morocco, and its business and industrial centre, Casablanca was little more than a modest port town on the Atlantic coast until the arrival of the French in 1906. Cosmopolitism, and the French rule, left their mark in the city, with its broad avenues, squares, and buildings combining Art Deco and Hispano-Mauresque styles.

Casablanca is home to one of the wonders of modern world architecture, the Hassan II Mosque. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters (689 ft).  Built by architect Michel Pinseau and completed in 1993 after nearly 8 years of work, more than 35,000 workers and craftsmen were employed in its construction.

Dinner (included) will be served at Sens restaurant, located on the 27th floor of Kenzi Tower, boasting splendid views over the city.
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2

Casablanca / Meknes / Volubilis / Fes.

After a panoramic tour of Casablanca, you will be headed for Fes – a drive that takes some 4 hours excluding stops.

En route, you will visit the imperial city of Meknes, famous for its walls, almost 40 km long, and its magnificent gates. In the XVII century, at the height of its splendour, the beauty of Meknes rivalled that of Paris.

You will also visit the ruins of the Roman town of Volubilis. An exceptionally  well-preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Roman Empire, they contain mosaics, columns, the remains of a big temple and a basilica, and these of some town villas and palaces.

You will arrive in Fes in the afternoon. The accommodation will be at beautiful Palais Ommeyad, where dinner (included) will be served. During dinner, members of a Sufi brotherhood will perform their hypnotic songs for you.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3

Fes.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a tour of the ancient medina of Fes. Founded in 789 AD, Fes became the largest city in the world during the XII century, as capital of a massive empire and the veritable stronghold of human knowledge and civilisation in those tumultuous times. It was home to the most ancient and prestigious learning institutions of the Middle Ages worldwide – a center where all the technological and intellectual advances of its era where encouraged and protected. Dinner at leisure. Accommodation will be at Palaisamani.
Meals Included: Breakfast &Lunch

Day 4

Fes / Erfoud / Merzouga

Early departure towards the South, through the immense cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, home to the Barbary monkeys. It is a long drive up to Erfoud – approximately 6 to 7 hours – amidst beautiful landscapes. You will stop in the Berber town of Midelt for lunch (included). On arrival in Erfoud, 4×4 vehicles will be awaiting you for a drive through the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, possibly the largest ones in the Sahara desert, until you reach the private encampment and watch the sunset spread its strange colors over the massive sand dunes. Dinner and entertainment will be provided at the private luxury encampment.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5

Merzouga / Todra Gorges / Ouarzazate

Those who wish to experience the silence and solitude of the desert at sunrise may enjoy an early camel ride to the top of the dunes for it… After breakfast, you will return to Erfoud and continue towards Ouarzazate, a journey of approximately 5 hours. En route you will visit the dream-like gorges of Todra, continuing through the immense palm grove of Skoura, and reaching Ouarzazate in the afternoon.Lunch will be with a local family in the beautiful town of Tinghir. True Moroccan hospitality!The accommodation will be at the magnificent Berbere Palace, where dinner (included) will also be served.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6

Ouarzazate / Ait Ben Haddou / Marrakech.

After breakfast, you will explore Ouarzazate. It was for a long time just a small crossing point for the African caravans on their perilous way to the North of Morocco and beyond. With the arrival of the French, who turned it into a military outpost and administrative centre in colonial times, it grew to become the provincial town which it is nowadays.

The main highlight of Ouarzazate is the Kasbah Taouirt, the fortress which belonged to T’Hami El Glaoui, legendary Pacha of Marrakech during French occupation, who entertained guests such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. Built in the 19^thCentury, it is possible to visit the ancient apartments of the Pacha, his dining room, and his favourite’s chamber, and admire the delicate stucco ornaments and cedar wood carved ceilings.

Worth a visit are also the Atlas Studios, one of the biggest cinema studios in the world. The list of famous films made there is outstanding and sets of many of them remain in place. You will continue to the astounding UNESCO Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, where you will enjoy lunch (included). After lunch we will cross the Atlas mountains via Tizi n Tichka, the highest mountain pass in the whole of North Africa. The arrival in Marrakech will be at the end of the afternoon. Dinner at leisure. The accommodation will be at Hivernage Hotel & Spa .
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7

Marrakech departure (optional day excursion to High Atlas mountains).

Airport transfers will be offered for those who have scheduled their departure flights for this day. Those who wish to are most welcome to join the day excursion to the High Atlas mountains, with short trekking and lunch included, at Kasbah du Toubkal.
Meals Included: Breakfast