Kasbahs & Caravans
 A Moroccon musician |
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12 days / 11 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Casablanca | 1 |
| Rabat | 1 |
| Fes | 3 |
| Erfoud | 2 |
| Ouarzazate | 1 |
| Marrakech | 3 |
| Optional Essaouira Extension | 3 |
Day 01 Arrive Casablanca
A royal welcome to this imperial kingdom of North Africa. Transfer to your hotel.
Le Royal Meridien Mansour
Day 02 Casablanca — Rabat
This morning explore Casablanca. Highlights include the astonishing Hassan II Mosque and a drive through the residential district of Anfa where Roosevelt and Churchill met during World War II. This afternoon drive to Rabat where you explore the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past (B).
Rabat Hilton (Executive Room)
Day 03 Rabat — Meknes — Fes
Travel to Meknes, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco where the monuments reflect the splendour of this 17th century city. Visit Bab Mansour gateway, the granaries and stables of the great Moulay Ismail and his mausoleum. Visit the Roman ruined city of Volubilis with its beautifully preserved mosaics (B,L).
Sofitel Palais Jamai Hotel (Medina side)
Day 04 Fes
Step back in time and discover the most imperial of all cities. Fes is timeless and one of the least untouched and secretive cities in the world. Once the capital of Morocco, it remains the undisputed religious, artistic and intellectual centre of the country. Explore the 9,000 narrow lanes and alleys that make up the labyrinth of the city’s old quarter. Visit the historic Nejjarine Fountain, fine palaces, mosques and madrassahs (Koran Schools) that are dotted throughout the city (B).
Sofitel Palais Jamai Hotel (Medina Side)
Day 05 Design Your Day Fes
Today you decide how best to further explore with a choice of two of the following activities: travel outside Fes into the countryside to the village of Bhalil where local resident Mohammed Chraibi introduces you his unique cave home; or return to the Fes medina for further exploration and shopping; perhaps this evening dine in the magical riad of La Maison Bleue; or experience traditional Moroccan hospitality with dinner in the home of a local family (B,D).
Sofitel Palais Jamai Hotel (Medina side)
Day 06 Fes — Erfoud
Drive through the Saiss Valley into the High Atlas passing mud-brick Berber villages before descending into the palm groves and slopes of the Ziz Gorge and on to Erfoud, one of the largest oases in all of Morocco located on the edge of the Sahara (B,L).
Ksar Jallal (Suite Figuig/Fenza)
Day 07 Erfoud
This morning visit the historic 8th century caravan towns of Rissani and the desert ruins of Sijilmassa. Finish your day with a 4WD trip into the Sahara where you may ride a camel, climb some of the smaller dunes or just marvel at the changing colours of the dunes as the sunsets (B).
Ksar Jallal (Suite Figuig/Fenza)
Day 08 Erfoud — Ouarzazate
Drive to the spectacular Todra Gorge with its canyon walls rising up to 1,200ft. This afternoon cross the southern slopes of the High Atlas passing through the Dades Valley at the oasis of Kelaa Mgouna before arriving at the ‘movie capital’ of North Africa, Ouarzazate (B,L).
Berbere Palace
Day 09 Ouarzazate — Marrakech
Ouarzazate has become a major location for many films with a fascinating area of snowy peaks, palm groves, villages and magnificent Kasbahs. This morning visit the kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultout, the spectacular fortified village of Ait Benhaddou (backdrop for films such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and more recently ‘Gladiator’). Cross the Atlas Mountains and descend to Marrakech (B,L).
La Maison Arabe (Deluxe Room)
Days 10-11 Design Your Days Marrakech
The next two days are yours to explore and discover this colourful, vibrant and amazing imperial city. Choose 1 or 2 activities from the following: start with a full day of sightseeing of Marrakech, visiting Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs and the Dar Si Said Museum in the morning and then exploring the souks and bazaars, ending in the fabled Djemaa el Fna Square as the sunsets; drive to the Berber village of Imlil and meet with your mountain guide and mule escorts for a day of trekking in the Atlas Mountains; learn the secrets of fine Moroccan cooking with a visit to the renowned La Maison Arabe Cooking School, or for some excitement, take a half day quad bike excursion in the Atlas Mountains. Dinner one evening is at the renowned ‘Yacout’ restaurant (B).
La Maison Arabe (Deluxe Room)
Day 12 Depart Marrakech
Today your journey ends with a transfer to Marrakech airport (B).
Archive Essaouira Extension | Motocco
Day 01 Marrakech-Essaouira
Leave Marrakech and drive to the Atlantic Ocean and the ancient port of Essaouira, formally known as Mogador.
Heure Bleue Palais or Riad Madada Mogador
Days 02-03 Essaouira
Your days are at leisure to relax and explore. Originally founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the fortified town of Essaouira dates back to 1765. Surrounded by massive stone walls you will find narrow streets dotted with white-washed walls and tranquil squares (B).
Heure Bleue Palais or Riad Madada Mogador
Day 04 Essaouira-Marrakech
Transfer back to Marrakech in time for your onward flight (B).
Note: A minimum stay of 5 night applies in August and from 24 December - 03 January inclusive.
Relive the movie ‘Casablanca’ with drinks and dinner at Rick’s Café Casablanca. Though the movie was not actually filmed in Casablanca, Rick’s Café recreates the famous setting and even adds a touch of elegance on Saturday evenings with an Oyster & Champagne Bar.
