Instyle Imperial Cities & Desert (EXDMR)

Duration: 15 days (may vary)
Areas: Morocco
Tour types: History & Culture

Description

Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis & Fes
From Casablanca we drive to Rabat, the present imperial capital, where we take a stroll around the Kasbah des Oudaias. We spend time in the old Moorish city of Meknes, wandering around the sites and medinas and exploring the impressive remains of Roman Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss. Two days are spent in the exotic town of Fes where we explore the souks and crowded alleyways of the Medina.

Merzouga Sand Sea & Todra Gorge
Heading south across the flanks of the Middle Atlas, we stay on the edge of the Sahara, close to the great shifting Sand Sea of Merzouga, where there is a chance to use 4WD vehicles to explore the area and the option to take a camel ride and camp out in the desert. Continuing past tiny palmeries and mud-brick villages, we make for the dramatic Todra Gorge - hemmed in on all sides by vertical limestone cliffs which rise up 400m. We'll take time to explore these deep chasms on foot.

The Atlantic Coast & Marrakech
Crossing the Jebel Sahro Massif, we'll explore the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. We then cross the Tizi n'Tichka Pass through the High Atlas and relax at the Atlantic resort of Essaouira - a delightful blend of Southern European, French and Arab cultures. Finally we spend two fabulous days in Marrakech. Its animated Djemma-el-Fna Square is the 'Heart of Morocco' a focal point where Berbers and Arabs come to exchange news, haggle and trade in jelabahs, carpets and spices.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Casablanca.

Day 2

Visit Hassan II Mosque (optional tour); drive to Rabat; sightseeing.

Day 3

Drive to Meknes; walking tour.

Day 4

Visit Roman Volubilis and Moulay Idriss; drive to Fes.

Day 5

In Fes; sightseeing.

Day 6

Drive to Erfoud via Midelt and Gorge du Ziz.

Day 7

In Erfoud; visit Rissani Market and sunset at Merzouga (with option to spend night camping at Erg Chebbi dunes).

Day 8

Drive Todra Gorge.

Day 9

On foot in Todra Gorge.

Day 10

Drive to Ait Benhaddou via Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.

Day 11

Drive to Essaouira via Tizi n'Tichka pass.

Day 12

In Essaouira; free.

Day 13

Drive to Marrakesh; optional tour.

Day 14

In Marrakesh; free.

Day 15

Tour ends Marrakesh.