A magical itinerary including Morocco's imperial cities and a desert experience, across the country from north to south, with your own private guides and drivers, enjoy comprehensive touring  of vibrant cities, stunning countryside, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and places of historical, cultural and culinary interest. 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hassan II mosque
  • Marrakech Medina & Souks
  • Marrakech gardens
  • Fez Medieval medina
  • Meknes & Volubilis
  • Sahara desert
  • Unique experiences in Skoura
  • Day 1

    Arrive Casablanca
    Today your flight arrives into Casablanca.  You will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel.
     
    Casablanca, whose name evokes good living, romance and adventure in a tropical setting, is an image that the 1943 Humphrey Bogart film conveyed to cinema-goers in the drab years of WW II.  Originally settled by Berbers in the 7th century, Casablanca’s fairly recent growth has made it the bustling, French-influenced business center of Morocco it is today.
  • Day 2

    Frome the harbour port to capital of the Kingdon, Casablanca and Fes
    This morning’s sightseeing begins with an excursion around the port city of Casablanca, Morocco’s largest metropolis and its industrial hub.  During the day, you will visit the Hassan II Grand Mosque.  The mosque is amongst the largest in the world and can house as many as 25,000 worshipers.  The mosque’s minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world.  Built on reclaimed land, almost half of the surface of the mosque lies over the Atlantic water. This was inspired by the verse of the Qur'an that states "the throne of God was built on the water". 
     
    Later today you depart overland towards Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom.  This afternoon, you embark on a city tour which highlights Rabat’s cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. 
     
    Rabat’s most famous site is the 12th Century Hassan Tower, the incomplete minaret of the great mosque built by Yacoub al-Mansour.  Located alongside is the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the founder of modern Morocco and grandfather of the current king.  You will also pay a visit to the Oudaya Kasbah, which is built on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  Its gate is one of the most beautiful surviving in the Moorish world, and within its walls you'll explore a delightful craft museum and Andalusian garden, complete with melodious fountain and sweet smelling orange trees. At the conclusion of your sightseeing, depart to Fes, where your check in at your hotel or riad.
  • Day 3

    Back to Middel Ages Three and Fes
    Today you take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you visit one of the most imperial, timeless and untouched cities in the world - Fez El Bali (Old Fez) – the cultural heart of Morocco.  You will explore some of the 9000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks that make-up the labyrinth of the city’s old quarter, originally founded in the 8th Century AD by Moulay Idriss I. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     
    The Imperial capital was a renowned center of medieval learning and at its heart still remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world.  In the neighboring building is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th Century. 
     
    You also visit Fez El Jedid (New Fez), built by the Merinid Dynasty in the 13th Century.  Here you will see the Royal Palace, mosques, medersas, souks and the city wall.  Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture.  The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding. 
  • Day 4

    Meknes & Volubilis
    After breakfast, you depart overland to Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco.  Your drive will take approximately 3 hours.  In Meknes, the impressive monuments recall the splendor of a city, first built in the 17th Century by the powerful sultan Moulay Ismail, to rival the court of his contemporary Louis XIV of France. 
     
    During your visit to Meknes you will see the monumental Bab Mansour gateway - considered one of the finest of the great gates of Morocco, the Granaries and the Royal Stables, which were built to accommodate some 12,000 horses.  You will also see Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum, one of the few shrines in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. From here it is on to Volubilis (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), home to the largest and most well preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.  With its Triumphal Arches, Basilicas and Capitols, the Volubilis skyline is peppered with examples of Roman architecture. 
     
    However, the greatest treasures of Volubilis are the superb mosaic floors, which have been excellently preserved and left in situ.  Three outstanding examples include: Orpheus charming animals with his lyre, nine dolphins signifying good luck, and a portrait of Amphitrite in a chariot drawn by a seahorse. At the conclusion of your sightseeing, you are transferred back to your hotel.  The balance of the day is at leisure. Lunch can be enjoyed in lovely restaurant in Meknes
  • Day 5

    At the edge of the desert, Erfoud
    Today travel to Erfoud, a small town on the edge of the desert, before reaching the wilderness of Sahara dunes. Travel by 4-Wheel Drive vehicle from the Desert dunes of Erg Chebbi en route to your tented-camp site. At the beginning a rocky desert, just as a drum roll preparing for the upcoming Sahara dunes that you can distinguish in the distance.  Then comes the sand warm and mysterious, never know what is hidden behind a dune. One of the hills reveals your magical tented camp. On arrival, you enjoy a reception with mint tea, before starting off via camelback to begin your exploration of the desert sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.
     
    After returning to the camp, there will be time to settle into your nomadic tented accommodation before enjoying a mouth-watering dinner served around a camp fire or in a tent – complete with traditional entertainment. Individual tents with a warm and cozy decoration will welcome you for the night, while  the sounds of the Sahara lull you to sleep
  • Day 6

    From Desert to Skoura
    Today you travel overland to Skoura, the small city near Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate was once a stopping point for African traders en route to the cities of Morocco and Europe. Visit the Todra Gorges and even more impressive picturesque oasis that they hide.  You will travel through the southern slopes of the High Atlas range, following the Dades Valley through flourishing crops, irrigation canals and palm trees.   
     
    Along the way you will make a stop to visit an amazing, small private museum which houses exhibits that showcase the local art, culture and history, before continuing on to Skoura and your hotel. 
  • Day 7

    Enjoy the day in Skoura
    At leisure to relax by the pool or take advantage of all the unparalleled experiences offered by the House of Dreams. This gorgeous property proposes a diverse range of unique excursions and activities. You can try the Hammam with traditional Moroccan treatments, exclusive excursions by 4x4  in the nearby valley of Roses, including a picturesque picnic in a secluded place, cooking class to reveal all the secrets of Moroccan cuisine, or have unique meals organized in a specific atmosphere recreating a 1001 night candlelight diner on the terrace or a white lunch under the almond trees to enjoy their blossom.
  • Day 8

    Leaving French colony to Pearl of the South, Marrakech
    This morning depart from Skoura to the nearby city of Ouarzazate, where you will enjoy some sightseeing. A city which was originally built as a French garrison in the 1920s is today the regional trade center, known for its pottery and carpets. Your sightseeing includes a visit to the Glaoui Kasbah of Taourirt.  The Glaoui brothers were the most powerful tribal leaders at the turn of the century and the Kasbah of Taourirt is considered to be one of the most beautiful kasbahs in all of Morocco.  It consists of a network of luxury apartments, simple clay houses and crenellated towers which are beautifully decorated with geometric motifs. 
     
    Afterwards you will continue to a location that has played a major role in motion picture history - the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou - the most exotic and best-preserved Kasbah in the whole of the Atlas region.  The village has starred in many masterpieces of the cinema such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Jesus of Nazareth”, “Gladiator” and “The Mummy”.
    Then continue your road to the exotic and thriving Marrakech, passing by the highest pic, the Tizi n’Tichka located on the 2260m of Altitude.
     
    Known as the Pearl of the South, Marrakech showcases all the magic and diversity that Morocco has to offer. Lunch can be enjoyed in lovely restaurant near Ait Benhaddou 
  • Day 9

    Marrakech
    This morning, you set out to discover the secrets of Marrakech, the most famous city in Morocco.  Most of the city’s architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town. Built in the 12th Century, the Koutoubia minaret is the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa.  This famous landmark dominates the local skyline and can easily be spotted from all of Marrakech. 
     
    The Bahia Palace is a masterpiece of domestic architecture which provides a good insight into of how the privileged lived in the Imperial city in 19th Century. The use of marble, stucco and mosaics predominates in the apartments, opening on to courtyards filled with fountains and plant life. The Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the jewels of Marrakech. The current structure of this Koranic school was built around 1570.
     
    This afternoon, you visit the labyrinthine souks of the old town.  This maze of colorful alleys and small squares are home to a bewildering array of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts. You also explore Djemaa El Fna, the city’s main square, and famous for its orange juice stalls.  No one can really be certain how it came into being, but over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire-eaters, mime artists, snake-charmers and street musicians perform at every turn. 
  • Day 10

    Marrakech
    This morning is at your leisure, a perfect opportunity for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing at your own pace. In the afternoon, you will be spent sightseeing via horse-drawn carriage and visiting the beautiful gardens which are dotted around the city. 
     
    You begin with a visit to the Menara gardens, which date back to the 12th century and are set amongst extensive orchards and olive groves.  At the center is a rectangular pool with a fabulous view of the Atlas Mountains. From here it’s on to visit the Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Gardens), originally designed in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle.  After taking up residence in Marrakech, Majorelle transformed the property’s existing garden into a tropical paradise, surrounded by vivid cobalt blue buildings with verdant exotic groves, lily-covered pools, and enormous sculptural cactuses.
     
    After Majorelle’s death, the property was purchased by the famous Couture fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent who established a trust to protect the future existence of the gardens. 
    These peaceful garden settings offer a variety of exotic plants such as bamboo, cacti, bougainvillea and palms.  Streams and fish filled pools also flow through the tranquil gardens.
  • Day 11

    Today you bid farewell to Morocco as you depart for the airport where your international departure flight awaits.Charlotte Travel can arrange to another destinations.

Details

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Includes

  • All accommodations
  • Luxury 4WD with driver at disposal during all the tour
  • English speaking guide at disposal during the all tour
  • Camel ride for 3 persons in Merzouga dunes desert on 20th December
  • Mountain & trek guide at disposal from on 23rd December
  • Cooking workshop with a chief and visit of its organic garden for 2 person on 23rdDecember
  • Spa treatment (1h relaxing massage + 1h hammam evasion) + brunch at Royal Mansour on 25th December
  • All visits in mentioned on the program with English speaking guide

Excludes

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Monument fees (as private tour, it’s flexible to add or skip the sites, can buy the site tickets directly at the sites)
  • Extra, tips and personal expenses
  • All services and meals not mentioned on the program

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