Culture Morocco Trip — Imperial Cities to Desert 10 Days / 9 Nights

Upon arrival we collect you and drive to Casablanca, where you'll visit the Hassan II Mosque — the largest outside Mecca — and experience the beautiful coastal Corniche seaside. Afterwards, we head to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Here you'll see the Hassan Tower, the Oudaya Kasbah, before checking into your Riad in the heart of the Medina. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

After breakfast, road to Chefchaouen, arriving at midday to explore the medina of this unique and beautiful city with its whitewashed walls and distinctive blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain and the influences of Spanish civilisation and architecture are visible everywhere. You'll have the opportunity to meet locals and stroll through this enchanting Medina. Overnight in your Riad.

After breakfast, depart via Volubilis — the ancient Roman ruins — and Moulay Idriss, the holy town. Continuing to Meknes, take a tour of the Medina including El Hdim square, the imposing Bab El Mansour gate (entrance to the old city), the Jewish quarter, the Royal Granaries and the city ramparts. Night in your accommodation in Fes.

After breakfast in your Riad, spend the day exploring the oldest city in Morocco through its alleys and small streets. The visit begins at the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish quarter and the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. See all the sites of cultural and historical interest including Al Qaraouine University (the oldest in the region), the famous Tanneries and the Attarine Museum. After lunch, visit the ceramic factory and enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. In the afternoon, explore the new city — La Ville Nouvelle. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

After breakfast we leave Fes toward Ifrane — the Switzerland of Morocco — and Azrou, a Berber village in the heart of Morocco's largest cedar forest, where you may spot Barbary apes. Travel through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt and along the spectacular Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock. After lunch, continue through Errachidia and Erfoud along the lush Ziz Valley with panoramic views all the way to Merzouga. Arrive in the afternoon for a welcome glass of mint tea at the Kasbah.

After breakfast, explore the Merzouga area. Visit the Gnawa people — originally brought from Sudan — to experience their unique music and lifestyle. Nearby, the lake of Merzouga attracts diverse bird populations worth discovering. Visit a nomad wire house where Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the cities. In the afternoon, mount your camel for a trek guided by an experienced camel man through the vast sea of sand of Erg Chebbi. Dinner is served in front of the tent where you will spend the night — the camp is equipped with flash-toilets and showers.

Your camel man wakes you early to watch the best sunrise of your life, then camel-trek back to Merzouga admiring Erg Chebbi's changing colours in the morning light. After breakfast, leave for Rissani, Tinghir and the Todra Gorges — the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. Lunch in the heart of the gorge, then drive through the Dades Valley — the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs — with countless opportunities for spectacular photography. Stop at Kalaa M'Gouna, the rose city, to buy rosewater. Continue to Ouarzazate for the night.

After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic lookout over the valley's kasbahs before passing the cinema studios and stopping at the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile and Game of Thrones. Visit the site and enjoy lunch in town. In the afternoon, road to Marrakech through the High Atlas via Tizi n'Tichka (2,260m) with photo stops, including a visit to an Argan oil cooperative. Overnight in a Riad in Marrakech.

A full day to discover Marrakech — the Red City. See the most important historical and cultural sites including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadians Tombs and the Bahia Palace. After lunch near Djemaa el-Fna square, walk through the traditional souks and explore hundreds of handicrafts. The afternoon is free to wander at your own pace through the other quarters of the city.

Spend the morning at leisure — shopping or relaxing in Marrakech — before leaving in the mid-afternoon to arrive in Casablanca by 4PM. If you have a departing flight or wish to spend more time in Casablanca, we can arrange the departure from Marrakech at your convenience. End of the trip.