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Morocco 2012
Overview | Itinerary Overview | Itinerary Detail
Below is a detailed itinerary of the Morocco holiday. Go to the Itinerary Overview to view brief detail about every day's destination, or download our trip brochure, or contact us to request a printed brochure to be posted to you.
Day 1: CASABLANCA If arriving into Casablanca on the Emirates flight 751, you will be met and transferred to our very comfortable hotel. Meet our local guide and other tour members.
Day 2: MEKNES This morning there is a tour of Hassan II Mosque, the 3rd largest in the world and built to commemorate the 60th birthday of the late king. Here you'll get your first taste of the beauty of Muslim architecture and culture. We leave Casablanca for the 2 hour drive to Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. First settled in 300BC Rabat has had a colourful history. Occupied by the Romans it later became the base for the infamous Barbary Pirates from 1627 right through to the 19th Century. After a visit to some of the major attractions we'll push on to our overnight stop in the city of Meknes.
Day 3: FES This morning we will explore the once Grand Imperial capital of Meknes. This is the perfect place to get lost in a traditional souq (market). The souqs are alive with traditional metal and woodworkers, musical instrument makers, salt and spice traders. In fact, you name it, you can find it here. In the afternoon continue to the well preserved Roman Ruins of Volubilis with its beautiful mosaics for a guided tour. It's only a short drive from Volublis to Fes and enroute we will briefly visit Moulay Idriss, a pilgrimage place for Moroccans.
Day 4: FES Guided walking tour of the medina and souqs of Fes, including the leather tanneries. There will be time for your own exploration of the 9,400 twisting lanes of the old city. Wandering through the local sougs is like taking a step back into the middle ages, as the locals go about their work the same way they would have done 1200 years ago. The clanging of the copper smiths, the smell of freshly baked bread being carried in trays balanced neatly on the heads of children and the cries of "Balak, Balak!" or "attention" which send you scrambling to hug the walls well out of the way of heavily laden mules. You'll have time to visit royal palaces, beautiful gardens and museums.
Day 5: MERZOUGA (Erg Chebbi) An early morning start for a most beautiful drive through stunning scenery via the Middle Atlas Mountains to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara Desert. Along the way among the towering forests of cedar trees you'll see the local Berber people, herding sheep and working in the fields. In the days to come we will have a very upclose and personal experience with the local people. We travel via Azrou, Midelt, Erfoud and Ziz Gorge a spectacular chasm filled with curious rock formations. The gorge is dramatically lit by shafts of afternoon sunlight which accentuates its beauty. From vantage points along the way there are wonderful views punctuated by Kasbahs and lush oasis. We stay tonight in an Auberge or desert inn.
Day 6: MERZOUGA Enjoy the sunrise in the golden dunes before visiting some of the local villages to see how people live in these desert surroundings. In the afternoon you'll have the option to join a camel caravan into the great dunes or you may stay and relax at the Auberge camp.
CAMEL CARAVAN: What better way to explore the Sahara, than atop a regal camel! Hang on tight as they heave themselves to their feet, and then relax into the rhythm and enjoy the camel's-eye view of the desert. Travelling by camel caravan you'll enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi You'll camp overnight in the dunes in traditional Berber tents made of goat hair or you can have a bed made up in the solitude of the desert dunes and enjoy a Sahara Desert star filled night. As the stars come out you can often hear the distant rhythmic beat of tribal drumming penetrating the still night air. During our stay with the desert nomads we enjoy their local Moroccan hospitality, food and music.
Day 7: TODRA GORGE We return from our overnight in the desert to Merzouga by camel. Leaving the eastern desert region we continue by our air conditioned mini bus to the village of Tineghir and the famous Todra Valley.
Day 8: TODRA GORGE This morning before the heat rises, we take a leisurely walk through the lovely Todra Valley palmary—a lush, green oasis nestled between towering red cliffs. Sampling the delicious local fruit, chatting to local women at work in the fields, and exploring the abandoned Kasbahs, you'll see Berber life at its best and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in Morocco. This afternoon we can explore nearby Tineghir village.
Day 9: AIT BEN HADDOU Journey along the "Valley of 1000 Kasbahs" to the desert city of Ouarzazate and visit the fortified Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Built to defend profitable trade routes, these fortified family dwellings have housed Berber tribes for centuries. Either beautifully restored or slowly eroding back to the earth, the Kasbahs will be one of the most memorable sights from your time in Morocco.
Day 10: IMLIL (1700m) (start Trek) (walking time 1 hour) We cross the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi 'n Tichka pass (2260m). We turn off this road which leads to the great city of Marrakech and head for the village of Imlil in the foothills of the mountains. From Imlil we commence our 4 night trek into the Atlas Mountains. It's only a very short walk today to overnight in a Gite (local home converted to accommodate trekkers) at 1750m, just above Imlil. All our gear will be carried by mules.
Day 11: OUANESKRA (2300m) (Trek) (walking time 3-4 hours) Today we begin our trek proper through the Atlas Mountains. From our Gite at 1750m just above the village of Imlil we walk past the village of Tamattert and the pass of the same name at 2279m. After a 3-4 hour walk we reach the village of Ouaneskra (2300m) where we will spend the night in a Gite. On the trek today we will enjoy magnificent views of Djebel Toubkal (4167m) the highest mountain in North Africa which is covered in snow part of the year.
Day 12: IMSKER (1385m) (Trek) (walking time 4-5 hours) Today we follow the course of the Imenane River with impressive Berber villages and agriculture terraces. We stay in a Gite tonight in the village of Imsker.
Day 13: TIZI N'OUSSEM (1722m) (Trek) (walking time 6-7 hours) We commence today with a light ascent and descent over the El Bour pass and on to the village of Imi Oughlad (1375m). Here the locals come to use the traditional water mills to grind their grain. A gradual ascent through wooded mountain slopes leads to the Tizi N'Tacht Pass (2000m) which commands a grand view of the surrounding mountains. During the descent to the village of Tizi N'Oussem (1722m) you can see the terraced slopes of the fertile Azadene Valley. Tonight we stay in a Gite with a beautiful view of the valley.
Day 14: MARRAKECH (finish Trek) (walking time 4-5 hours, driving time 2 hours) Crossing slopes with large juniper trees, we climb up to the M'Zig pass (2490m) where there is a panoramic view of the village of Imlil, the mountains of Oukaimeden and Toubkal. We descend following a small stream to Imlil. In the afternoon we board our vehicle for the short (2 hours) drive to Marrakech.
Day 15: MARRAKECH We have two full days to explore this exciting city. Charming, chaotic and charismatic, this is the unique atmosphere of Marrakech. In the evening you'll want to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Djemaa el Fna square. Heaving with activity, Djemaa el Fna, the central square, has been a meeting point for centuries. Your senses will go wild over the sights, sounds and smells. Packed full of traders, Berber musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, witch doctors, wise men and tooth pullers, the squares hypnotic charm will soon rub off on you. There is so much to see and do, we will stay the next day to continue our exploration.
Day 16: MARRAKECH Another free day in Marrakech to explore. Your guide and leader will organise some group activities if you wish but everyone is free to explore at their own pace. There are mosques, palaces, gardens, museums plus countless other cultural and historic sights to visit.
Day 17: ESSAOUIRA Today we travel to the Atlantic Coast and the 18th Century Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira. Our hotel is near the beach and is the perfect place to cap off your holiday. A haven for many artists in the 60's including Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, you'll soon realise why they couldn't prise themselves away. There's plenty of opportunities to sample the famous local seafood dishes.
Day 18: ESSAOUIR A free day to enjoy Essaouira. Explore the old city with its whitewashed houses and vivid blue doors, or stroll the beach to the picturesque fort slowly sinking in the sand.
Day 19: CASABLANCA Drive back along the coast to Casablanca, stopping for lunch at El Jadida en route. Founded by the Portuguese in 1513, El Jadida was the principal Portuguese trading port. We take the time to walk along the ramparts of the old fortress. Tonight in Casablanca we can head out for a last night party at one of the many famous restaurants and bars. How about a final drink at Sam's bar.
Day 20: Depart CASABLANCA The Morocco Adventure finishes after breakfast. A free hotel/airport transfer will be provided to those departing on the Emirates flight EK752. |
