Special Tours in Morocco ...
14 Days Colorful Morocco Tour from Casablanca
14 Days Colorful Morocco Tour from Casablanca
Introduction
Enjoy the Colors of Morocco during this 14 Days Photography Tour from Casablanca, you’ll get to any attention-grabbing view, see what it's like to live the Moroccan style and have a taste of their special cuisine recipes. You'll cross pathways with nomads in remote stretches of mountains and desert, be hosted by locals for homemade meals and have a friendly unforgettable conversation with the locals, and discover the beauty of Moroccan ancient buildings, including Casablanca's Hassan II mosque. Along the way, you'll enjoy intimate stays in authentic Riads, Moroccan homes converted into elegant and ornately-tiled hotels with open-air, as well as Andalusian-style courtyards.
At the meantime, you'll benefit from the expertise of our local Trip Leader who will share valuable knowledge and deep insight of the Moroccans’ lives. Moreover, you will get the chance to step on the hills, the colorful northern cities and of the mighty Sahara that has so decisively shaped Moroccan culture to its roots. You’ll also camp under its starry skies in tented camp, and even explore its tides by camel tours.
Highlights
- Casablanca Hassan II mosque and Rabat with its monuments and gardens.
- Hassan tower and lovely walk through the archaeological park of Chellah and admire the stork nests.
- Volubilis which is the ancient Roman city with beautiful mosaics, marble and bronze statuary.
- The view of Medinas in Fes and the blue city Chefchouen.
- The countryside scenery of Morocco especially the Atlas Mountains.
- Tafilat oasis and ancient caravan routs.
- The sunrise and sunset at the top of beautiful sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga and watching stars at night.
- Home hosted meals and Interaction with locals.
- The souks (the colorful markets of Morocco)
- The clay village of Morocco known as Ait Ben haddou.
- Explore the red city of Marrakech with its beautiful palaces and gardens.
Itinerary of the tour
Day 1 : Casablanca arrival, Overland to Rabat
After landing in Casablanca, you'll have the chance to sit for lunch on your own. Then, you travel to Rabat. Then, in the afternoon you walk through Medina of Rabat to discover more by foot. You will converse with locals and have a taste of some Moroccan traditional food. Then, you will have a group meeting with trip leader and followed by group dinner. Meals: B, D
Day 2 : Exploring Rabat, drive to Meknes
After breakfast, you head out to discover Rabat with a local guide. You will see the exterior of Rabat's Royal Palace and its impressive Bab ar-Rouah (Gate of the Winds), and visit the ruins and wild gardens of the Chellah, a 14th-century Merinide necropolis. This site offers a great photo opportunity as you see sometimes the stork on the top of Merinide mosque (14 th century) you'll also stop at the Hassan Tower, a huge unfinished mosque, built mostly at the end of the twelfth century.
On the opposite side of this mosque there is a beautiful Mausoleum of the king Mohammed the fifth. It contains the tomb of Moroccan king and his sons, late Hassan second and prince Moulay Abdallah. Outside there are the royal guards who wear a beautiful uniform and are happy to take pictures of them and with them too. After exploring Rabat, you continue to Meknes and enjoying the view from the window seats.
Included meals: B, D.
Day 3 : Exploring Meknes and Volubilis, Overland to Chefchaoouen
After sniffing the morning breeze, you will explore the city of Meknes. You will start first to enjoy the panoramic view of the old part of Meknes with its beautiful mosques and minarets. Then, you drive and admire the Thursday gate before you enter the medina. You will explore the beautiful granary of Moulay Ismail. This later is the founder of the town in 17th century. After that you drive to see the beautiful gate all over Morocco known as Bab Mansour. You might have look to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. After that, you head to nearby archaeological site of Volubilis, you enjoy the tour of the ancient hilltop ruins and discover the town’s fantastic mosaics along the Decumanus Maximum.
Afterwards, you drive towards the city of Chefchaouen. Known for its distinctive blue-washed buildings. The city was founded in 1471 as a small kasbah (fortress) by Moulay Ali Ibnou Rachid. Many Moriscos and Jews settled here after the Spanish inquisition. Its blue walls are popular subject of interest. There are several theories as to why the walls are painted blue. One popular theory is that the blue keeps mosquitos away. Chefchouen may take you by surprise. So, you might feel like you're in the hills of Spain while exploring its street. After making it to the town in the afternoon, you'll check into your guesthouse. Then, you'll take a walk through the narrow streets of the surrounding neighborhood.
Included meals: B, D.
Day 4 : City tour, Home-Hosted Lunch, afternoon at leisure
You take a walk early in the morning before breakfast around the blue walls of Chefchouen. It is always better to have a nice photo before everyone wakes up. Then, you will hike to get to Spanish mosque from where you enjoy the view of the old part of the city when the sun rises. Afterwards, you come back for your breakfast. After having rest, you leave to meet a local family for a hands-on cooking lesson in the town. You’ll join them in the kitchen to prepare a regional, seasonal meal, like harira, a traditional soup served during the month of Ramadan, or tagine, a slow-cooked savory stew. After that, you’ll return to our hotel. The afternoon is free to explore more the Medina of Chefchouen or probably take the same hike to Spanish mosque for sunset. Included meals: B,D.
Day 5 : OVERLAND TO FES / HOME HOSTED MEAL.
Today after breakfast you leave for Fes, you enjoy the Rif Mountains and the countryside scenery. It depends on the season; you might probably stop on the way to see an old olive pressing. The ancient olive presses are worked by applying pressure to olive paste to separate the liquid oil and vegetation water from the solid materiel. In Morocco, olives are used as appetizers and served with herbs such as thyme and rosemary.
You drive about 4h and a half. You check in the hotel in Fes and then you leave to see the north tower which dates back to sixteenth century built by Saadien dynasty which ruled Morocco at that time. You enjoy a great view of the Medina of Fes at sunset time. Early in the evening, you will have a bit of free time to continue exploring Fez. Then, you'll join a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner, where you'll get the chance to taste authentic regional cuisine, and learn even more about daily life in this ancient city.
Included meals: B, D.
Day 6 : Explore Fez
After having your breakfast, you'll begin your full-day exploration of Fez. Led by your trip leader and a local city leader, you will leave your mini bus and all previous conceptions of urban design behind as we enter Fez's medina, often considered the world's most well-preserved medieval city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will kick it off by exploring the traditional Jewish quarter, called the Mellah, where you'll visit a 17th-century synagogue.
Then, you will take a walk around the souks (markets) of Fez. You visit the Chouara Tannery which is surrounded by many leather shops that have terraces from which you can look down onto the pits. Every inch of space is filled with bazaars, cafés, shops, donkeys, and people. You can't help it, but be amazed by the vibrant display of old age urban tradition, and the intensity of life bursting around every corner. The thrill of it must be experienced to be understood. You will visit also an old koranic school known as Attarin Medrasa. A masterpiece of Moorish-Andalusian Islamic art and architecture, the extravagantly beautiful koranic school. This school originally built by the Merenid Sultan in fourteenth century. You will visit as well the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. It is now a wood museum.
Included meals: B, L.
Day 7 : overland to Erfoud/ visiting a nomadic family/ home hosted meal.
Today you drive across the range of Middle Atlas Mountains before you stop for café and facilities in the beautiful town of Ifrane. After that, you drive through the beautiful plateau of Middel Atlas where the berbers graze their animals. On the way you might stop to enjoy a fresh mint tea with the berber semi-nomadic family. You will interact with the family and learn from them. Afterwards, you continue to Zaida village where you stop to enjoy a home hosted meal with the berber family. You will have a lamb tajine which is the main dish of the berbers.
In the afternoon, you continue your journey through tizi N’talghmt camel pass and continuing via the gorge of ziz to Errachidia. Afterwards, you continue south to get to one of the biggest palm groves in Morocco known as Tafilalt oasis. You stop to enjoy a great view over this beautiful ouasis. You will finally descend into Erfoud, a small trading village that is the gateway to the vast Sahara Desert. In the evening, you 'll enjoy dinner in your hotel.
Included meals: B, L, D.
Day 8 : Discover Rissani, visit a fortified village, off-road to sahara.
After having the breakfast, you'll drive to the village of Rissani. You will have an opportunity to visit the founder’s Mausoleum and explore something of the local ksour(fortified villages). Then, you'll head to Khamlia, a remote desert village. This region is known for the spiritual songs of its Gnawa musicians. The Khamlia’s Gnaoua originated in black Africa having a close and long-standing relationship with the desert. Their ancestors were brought from central and west Africa, through the Sahara Desert in caravans that arrived to the southeastern part of Morocco. And you get the chance to hear their melodic chants during a live performance. You'll learn more about everyday life in the desert as you visit nomadic family.
Then you head to the desert, where you are going to hike on top of the dunes, and travel through the tides of desert the traditional way, on the back of a camel (weather permitting). After the camel ride in a ceremonial tent facing some of the highest dunes in Morocco, you will have an enjoyable afternoon tea. Afterwards, you will take the lead to our tented campsite, located close to a sea of sand dunes near Merzouga. In this particular place, you'll experience the remote environment of the Sahara, with no roads, and the sound of the wind in the dunes as you navigate the sandy waves. After arriving at your campsite in the afternoon, you will get around the dining tent for hot mint tea. Then, you may set for enjoying some time in leisure, or join your Trip Leader on an optional hike where you can enjoy the sun setting over the sandy dunes.
Included meals: B, L, D.
Day 9 : Overland to Boumalen Dades.
You wake up early in the morning to enjoy a sunrise before breakfast. As the sun rises the color of the dunes changes and creates a great picture opportunity. Then, you enjoy the breakfast outside the campsite. After that, you drive to Anif. You enjoy the countryside. You visit some remote villages on your way to Boumalen Dades. You discover how the berbers live in the Atlas Mountains by visiting one local family. You explore the beautiful gorges of Todra and Dades. Todra gorge rise vertically to leave just a narrow pass through which our cars and the river struggle for right of way. In the morning Berber women drive their goats through the barrow gorge to the better grazing land higher up and we have an opportunity to follow their daily ritual and admire the stunning views. Included meals: B, D.
Day 10 : Overland to Ait ben haddou
Leaving the Dades Valley this morning and set off on the fabled ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’. You enjoy the Mgoun valley known as the rose’s valley. The first stop is at Skoura Oasis (after approximately 2 hours), home to several privately owned kasbahs. Here visit the Kasbah Ameridil: a castle or a fortress which is dated back to seventeenth century. The family owner is Arabic, and the picture of the kasbah is on the previous bank note of 50 dirhames. It is the kasbah where the famous movies were filmed. It represents the earth building technic of southern Morocco.
Continue on your journey to Ait Benhaddou (approximately 2 hours). Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century. Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. Its grant kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. After check in the hotel, you take a walk to the top hill of this beautiful village from where you can enjoy the scenery and the sunset too. This village has been classified by the UNISCO as the world heritage site. In addition, many films have been shot there including: Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After heading to your nearby hotel for the night, maybe sit back on the roof top terrace and enjoying the view.
Included meals: B, D.
Day 11 : Cross High Atlas Mountains (Overland to Marrakesh).
Today you will drive for several hours through the winding roads of the Atlas, bound for Marrakech, an ancient, exotic city wrapped in European modernity. There’s no rush as the scenery through the High Atlas Mountain passes is magnificent, and there will surely be calls for several photo stops along the way. On arrival in Marrakech you will check in to your hotel. This evening, head to the great square of Jemaa el Fna, one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies.
At night, you'll walk to Djama Lfana, where the street is lined with food stalls, a great place to sample some local cuisine. You might probably have a drink on the top terrace of one of the cafes which surrounded the square of Jamaa Lafna, watching what is going on and enjoy the sunset.
Included meals: B, D.
Day 12 : Explore Marrakesh/ Meet the locals
After breakfast today, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the old medina, with its palaces, souks and historical heritage as Bahia palace. This splendid mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Continue to the Marrakech Museum, itself a former palace, which houses a fine collection of Moroccan art and sculpture. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque; its famous minaret is the prototype for others of its kind around the world, including La Giralda in Seville. Then walk back through the streets of the old medina to the Jemaa el Fna. In the afternoon, you will visit the Majorelle gardens where you will have plenty of time to wander the gardens, visit the berber museum or site in the garden café and have mint tea. You will return to the hotel for a free time. Included meals: B, L
Day 13 : Drive to Casablanca; Visit the Beautiful Hassan Second Mosque.
Today, you head north to Casablanca for approximately 3 hours and a half. You stop for lunch then you head to discover the Hassan the second Mosque which was designed by the French Architect Michel Pinsou who had lived in Morocco. This mosque represents a Moroccan and Moorish architecture. A lot of craftsmen participated in building and beatifying the mosque. Included meals: B, L, D.
Day 14 : Transfer to the Airport.
After breakfast, you leave your hotel, 35-45 min drive to Mohamed V airport for your return flights. Included meals: B.
Good to Know
Included
- 14 Nights' accommodation in selected Hotels and Riads.
- Mineral water in the Van.
- comfortable 4WD or Minivan.
- 15 Days of Car services.
- Fuel and all car expanses, taxes and road tolls.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver.
- Professional Local guides in Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, and Marrakech.
- Entrance fees.
Not included
- Tips.
- Soft and alcoholic drinks.
- Travel Insurance.
- Anything not mentioned above.