Heritage Morocco Tour — Imperial Cities to Sahara Desert 14 Days / 13 Nights

Welcome to Morocco. Transfer from Mohamed V Airport to your accommodation in Casablanca city centre. Overnight in hotel.

Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca before departing to Rabat — Morocco's capital. In Rabat, visit the Mechouar of the Royal Palace, the ruins of Chellah, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Overnight in your accommodation in Rabat.

After breakfast, road to Chefchaouen, arriving at midday to explore the Medina of this unique 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 are all around. You'll have the opportunity to meet locals and walk through this beautiful Medina. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, depart via Volubilis (Roman ruins) and Moulay Idriss (holy town), then Meknes: tour the Medina including El Hdim square, the imposing Bab El Mansour gate, the Jewish quarter, the Royal Granaries and city ramparts. Night in Fes.

A guided tour of the Fes Medina and its famous souks — narrow cobbled streets lined with ancient mosques and green-glazed minarets. Visit the most beautiful palaces and monuments, the famous Tanneries and the ceramics cooperative. Then road to Midelt through the Middle Atlas: Ifrane (Switzerland of Morocco) and the cedar forests of Azrou where you can hand-feed the Barbary apes. Overnight in Midelt.

After breakfast, follow the Ziz River through the valley and stop at the spectacular Ziz Gorges on the way to Merzouga. Arrive at the hotel around 3PM to begin the camel caravan and watch the sunset over the dunes. Spend the night in a wild oasis after a 2-hour walk into the desert — drink mint tea, listen to traditional Berber music and watch the stars rise in the amazing Sahara sky. Dinner and night in tent.

After breakfast in the Riad, set off through the two oases of Merzouga to meet nomadic families and visit Khamlia — the village of the black peoples where centuries-old traditions and Gnawa music are still alive. Explore the Mifiss mines and the Tissardmine oasis. Return to the hotel and enjoy the magical sunset over the dunes. Dinner and overnight in accommodation.

Discover the desert region and its isolated oases. Travel east along Erg Chebbi, stopping at Rissani — the first Alaoui city — to visit its palm grove, ancient kasbahs and the enormous souk. Continue via a fossil quarry to the Todra Gorges for lunch, then Boulmane Dades. Pass through Kelaa M'Gouna — famous for its rose valley and rosewater production — and drive the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Kasbah Taourirt then continue to the famous Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou — a UNESCO site filmed in Lawrence of Arabia, Tea in the Sahara and Gladiator. Continue to Taznakhte, known for its kelim carpets, then Taliouine — the city of Saffron — for lunch in a local restaurant. Descend to Taroudant, the "little Marrakech", whose Saadian ramparts date from the 16th century.

After breakfast exploring the small alleys of Taroudant's Medina, head to Agadir for a walk on the beach promenade. Then road to Essaouira along the scenic coastal route passing through Berber villages. Dinner and overnight in your hotel in Essaouira.

Morning free in Essaouira — the Jewel of the Atlantics. Visit the Skala Fortress with its beautiful views and bronze cannons, the working port, the souks with their Thuya and cedar wood artisans, and the Mellah (Jewish quarter). The city is known for its craftsmanship and its annual Gnawa music festival (typically third week of June). After lunch, road to Marrakech via Chichaoua.

A full guided day discovering the multiple facets of Marrakech — the Red City. Stroll through the labyrinth of narrow streets in the Medina, explore the famous souks and visit the most beautiful palaces and monuments. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

Morning drive to the beautiful Ourika Valley — a rich landscape at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, with picturesque Berber villages clinging to the mountainside. Famous for its pottery and minerals (crystals and amethysts), the valley's traditional Berber souk is held on Mondays. Lunch in a local restaurant or a Berber house, then a walking tour to the famous Seven Waterfalls of Setti Fatma. Return to Marrakech in the afternoon. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

Spend the morning at leisure — shopping or relaxing in Marrakech — before leaving 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 at your convenience. End of the trip.