Casablanca Tours

 Casablanca ~ Casablanca 

Day 1: Casablanca – Chefchaouen

The first day of trip will begin in Casablanca by visiting the largest Mosque in Africa, the Hassan ll. The Hassan ll Mosque took 7 laborious years to build. The Mosque can hold up to 25,000 for prayer inside, and 80,000 on the Mosque’s grounds outside. After touring The Hassan ll Mosque you will begin your drive to the city of Chefchaouen (The blue City), passing through Rabat, the Capitol City of Morocco.  The day’s journey will end in the beautiful city of Chefchaouen. Rest of the evening in your Riad or Hotel. 

Day 2: Chefchaouen

After breakfast, self-tour of the city of Chefchaouen (The Blue City), a small city situated in the Rif Mountains. The city dates to 1471. The cities name derives from a Berber name “Chef Chaouen” which means “look at the horns”. Chefchaouen is a quaint place to hike and relax. You will walk inside the old city of Chefchaouen and visit Rass El Ma (The Head if the water). Ras El Ma is the source of water that is used by the city for irrigation and laundry. This is a public area where local woman washes clothing and blankets. This is my personal favorite city to photograph. So much beauty to capture in this city. When you finish your tour, you will settle down in your Riad or Hotel for the night.

Day 3: Chefchaouen - Fes

After breakfast, you will leave Chefchaouen and head towards the city of Fez. You will cross the Rif Mountains and into the Middle Atlas Mountains, making stops to visit the ruins of the Romans in Volubilis, following the ruins we will stop for lunch.  you will continue your journey to Fez. Rest in your Riad or Hotel for the evening. 

Day 4: Fes

Today you will explore Fes, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. A local licensed historical guide will accompany you as you discover each of the two old Medinas. The largest which is Fes El Bali. In 1981 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second, Fes El Jedid, is the oldest city, which was built by Merinids. You will find many fascinating historical sites such as: Al_Qarawiyyin, which dates to 859 AD, and is the oldest continuous functioning madrasa (Old School) in the world. The Ancient Tanneries where you can see the tanners incredible labor of making Babouches (Moroccan Slippers) as well as wallets, handbags, and a host of leather goods. This medieval labyrinth has something exciting around every corner. You are sure to enjoy the culture, food, and artisans of Fes 

Day 5: Fes – Midelt

Today’s adventure will begin with a drive to Merzouga. You will pass through the city of Ifrane, which is considered the coldest place in Morocco. Ifrane is also known as the Switzerland of Morocco because of the housing architecture and snowfall. Continue your journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Cedar forest in the city of Azrou, which is 3940 feet in elevation. Here you will have the opportunity to feed the endangered Barbary (Macaque) Monkeys. From here you will drive to the city of Midelt to your Hotel for the evening. 

Day 6: Midelt – Merzouga 

After breakfast, your journey will continue through the picturesque Middle Atlas Mountains, to the Ziz Valley palm groves. The groves are located within the small Atlas Mountains. Continuing to the city of Erfoud. The festival of Date’s is celebrated in Erfoud over three days in early October. This city has also become the perfect location for filmmakers simply for its beauty and location. Rissani, if its market day, is an interesting stop. One of my favorite Souks to shop in, especially for dates. The local’s shop in the Souk a couple of day a week. After Rissani you will have a short drive to Merzouga where you will settle for the night.

Day 7: Merzouga 

After breakfast you explore the desert, visit the Nomads and will venture to the village of Khamlia where you will experience the sound and dance of African Gnawa Music. After working up an appetite you will enjoy an authentic Berber pizza in the village. Following lunch, you will head over to meet your next mode of transportation, a camel. You will take a gentle, peaceful ride on your camel for approximately an hour and a half, to the tent in the Berber Camp, situated in the dunes. Here you will experience the life of a nomad, eat and enjoy the sound of cultural Berber music. The tents are equipped with comfortable beds, blankets and pillows.

Day 8: Merzouga - Ouarzazate

Good Morning, today your excursion will begin by traveling through the Valley of Roses where the festival of Roses is celebrated at the end of May each year. As the old saying goes, Stop and Smell the Roses. You will find several shops where you will find a wide selection of rose infused beauty products. From the Valley of Roses, you will continue onward to Skoura, oasis of palm groves, and then to the city of Ouarzazate. This city is known as the Hollywood of Morocco because of the Cinema Studios. Many famous movies where filmed here such as Cleopatra, Gladiator & Game of Thrones. Not far from the Cinemas you will stop by the Kasbah of Taourirt. Stopping here for the evening in your Riad or Hotel.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Following breakfast, you will drive to the most famous Kasbah in Morocco, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. The fortified village and Kasbah are situated in the hills along the Ounila River. Ait Ben Haddou has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Many films have been produced in the Kasbah including: The Message, The Mummy, Alexander and Babel. After the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah tour, you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant with a panoramic backdrop. After lunch the journey continues through the High Atlas Mountains where the altitude reaches 2260 M in Tichka Pass. After a long day you will reach Marrakech to put your feet up for the evening. 

Day 10: Marrakech

After breakfast you will explore the city of Marrakech. The name Marrakech originates from the Amazigh (Berber) words MUR (n) AKUSH which means “Land of God”. Marrakech lies at the foothills of the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. You will visit some of the most fascinating sites of Marrakech, starting with the Tombs of Saadians, Palais Bahia, Garden Majorelle, the Kotoubia Mosque, and ending the day in the square of Jamaa Lafna and the Souks. The square of Jamaa Lafna is overflowing with shops, crafts, snake charmers, narrators, minstrels, fortune-tellers entertain amid the stalls of food, fresh orange juice and a host of restaurants. You will find Marrakech a fascinating day. In the evening, the center of the Djemâa El-Fna Square, is swarming with life. Rest well, see you in the morning.

Day 11: Transfer to the Airport in Casablanca

Transfer to the Airport, depending on your time of departure.