Tours From CASABLANCA

Itinerary

This is a journey of investigating imperial cities that were ruling Morocco in several past times, in these ten days we will travel around Morocco’s classic destinations passing through its four imperial cities. Over little days, you will rich your knowledge by investigating the striking traditional and historical architecture of the administrative capital of Morocco Rabat, tasting and living with imposing walls and monumental gates of the Capital Ismaailia city of Meknes the capital of kings, find out the mosque of the spiritual and scientific city of Fez watching the tanneries and walking into the markets having ideas about the craftsmen. Travelling via the everlasting climaxes of the high atlas enjoying the beauty of the scenery of Morocco, moving towards the Middle and High Atlas Mountains chains listening to narrators and storytellers, photographing with snakes, painting the traditional henna of Marrakech cheerfulness walking in the historical square of Djemaa el Fna via the way to Marrakech driving to one of the highest desert in Morocco; sahara desert and sand dunes to have fun with Berber people as an example playing drums riding camels …. To walk across the Todra valley gardens to meet and interact with locals before going in time to the Roman Empire at the archaeological site of Volubilis, to discover the delightful Essaouira coastal town. As a result of this calls in which you wonder and highlight, see and live in each part of this journey. It will be one of the unforgotten classic cultural exploit.

DAY 1: FROM CASABLANCA – Rabat

Because the tour will begin in Casablanca towards Sahara desert, our Morocco first-class tours offer to you experienced drivers and guides that will aid you discover the imperial cities, and the Atlas Montains, and the sahara desert. Our trip will start by picking you up from Mohamed V airport in Casablanca, you will be grateful by falling into this airport the biggest one in Morocco before taking you to discover Casablanca and its historical monuments before driving to Rabat.

These ten days voyage will start from Casablanca as one of the royal and biggest cities in Morocco and the largest one of Maghreb that situated in the mid-western for more than 90km via the south of the administrative capital of Morocco. It was named Casablanca under the rule of the Alawi Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah , but it was gained his name from the Portuguesse who called it CASA BRANCA after they saw a white house in, but with the arrival of the Spaniards they called it Casablanca. We will start first by walking around Casablanca discovering it’s amazing places tasting the fruitful beauty of its traditional architecture beginning by the Old City; an old neighborhood built as the way which the Old Moroccan cities was, surrounded by many walls, and it includes several doors to enter; we mention the most famous one Bab Marrakech which is one of the most important monuments in the city, the only one that still exists after the earthquake that hit the city. We can also have a look to the White Mosque; one of the most touristic attractions in Morocco because it is the largest one in Morocco pulling touristic by its beautiful white color that send a kind of serenity in the soul, and its proximity to the ocean. We can also visit Abdel Rahman Salawi Museum that shows the history of earliest and modern Morocco established in 1940 which is attributed to Abderrahmane Slaoui, a very known Moroccan traveler and explorer, and we can also discover the Hassan 2 mosque that is located directly on the coast nearly to the lighthouse of the neck it was built in 1993, it is considered as the largest spiritual and religious landmark in Morocco, it is chining with its decoration and construction.

From the capital economic, we will move towards the administrative capital of Morocco: Rabat that embrace many monuments worth seeing, as an example the Royal Gates which built in 1864, moving to have an exciting look to the garden of Challa that built between 1310-1330 enjoying its delightful beauty that made up by walls that surround this historical garden with defensive gates. Afterward we will hold at Mohamed V Museum built in 1972 continuing our way to look around the tombs of Moroccan kings Mohammed V who died in 1962 and Hassan II who died in 1999 taking a view also to the grave of Moulay Abdullah the uncle of Mohammed VI finishing our day by visiting Tower Hassan which was built in 12th-century in the time of JACOB the MANSUR period of the ALMOHADS, where this historical parameter was added in the initial list of World Heritage, it is a minaret of an incomplete mosque.

DAY 2: RABAT – CHEFCHAOUEN

However of being the second day which we must be in Chefchaouen, but we still in Rabat completing our investigations to Rabat. We will start the day by exploring the Kasbah of Oudaya which was built in the 12th-century by ALMOHADS also. This fortress was built with an ANDALUSIAN-STYLE, and what make the KASBAH a place worth visiting are the monuments that make it up such us JAMAA AL ATIQ mosque, the military work of BORJ SQALA that served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defense against the Spanish army, the royal residence of the ALAWIT DYNASTY and the PRINCELY HOUSE erected to the west. The top of the Kasbah offer to you best opportunities to enjoy a striking view of the surrounding area. You will also get to see the 240 km long Abi-Regragriver located in western Morocco between Rabat and Salé. As this way, we will find ourselves finishing Rabat Calls to walk away towards Chefchaouen via the cities of Knetra, SidiKasem having a break in Ouazaane passing by spectacular scenery with cedar, oak and almond trees.

Chefchaouen a widely appeared city between two climaxes in the charming Rif Mountains bearing in mind the  fresh sun lamp that descend among that narrow paths of the city making the blue color sparking and delight. Chefchaouen that was a traffic way between Tetouan and Fez, and served as a base for the curbing of Portuguese, after it was colonized by Spanish in 1920 and. You will observe that Chefchaouen is made up with several building containing striking blue and whitewashed explained by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquistia whom recreated the blue city of Chefchaouen that make the visitor feel as he or she is in Spain due to its red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways which give a sense of tranquility, comfort. We will begin our day by a light breakfast of Chaoueni specialties – the ftourbeldi (country breakfast) consists of eggs, olive oil, goat’s cheese and orange juice before moving to the famous Outa el Hammam square and spending the morning exploring the sights, sounds, and smells of the medina, the shops in the square selling woven goods and small sweets, and most importantly, tasting the town’s famous goat’s cheese. Herds of goats wander the sparse hillsides that surround Chefchaouen, and their cheese is sold in great fresh rounds in the street markets investigating

what this attractive city  abounds to us  in monuments. This city contains several ancient districts, such us the KASBAH, SOUIKA…that deserve seeing where you can stroll through the tranquil gardens inside, visit the ethnographic museum, and soak in wonderful views from the rooftop then moving to waterfall of Ras el-Maa to get refreshed before continuing our discovering by driving out of town to enjoy a short hike in the surrounding hills. In dinner, you will be grateful when enjoying Moroccan food with a house cooked full with taste and made with much of love.

DAY 3: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – FES

After finishing breakfast, we will slide down from the hill blue city of Chefchaouen voyaging across the south passing the centre of the neck of land for about three hours towards the sacred pilgrimage town of MoulayIdriss after reaching Volubilies; a Berber city that is one of the historical monuments in Morocco, shut to Meknes city for more than 25 kilometers. Many civilizations passed by, but ROMAN civilization had a great influence in it and made it one of the World Heritage site. Honestly speaking there are many attractive things that pull visitors as the great wall with its eight doors and some watchtowers that built with a ROMAN touch and the high plateau where you can take a walk and a tour around arches, basilicas, and excellent mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, many of which remain intact. The reward for walking in the sun lies in an unbelievably memorable lunch of traditional Roman recipes in the shadow of the ancient ruins. Recline on Moroccan Kilims and having dinner on local ingredients, much as the Romans did a thousand years ago. It is the history starts for Morocco; Volubilies. Afterwards lunch you next stop will be a city located northern Morocco was built upon the rocky hills at the base of Mount Zerhoun. It took his name from the founder of the IDRISSID state Moulay Idriss 1, it was a forbidden to non-Muslims, (IF TIME PERMITS). The city of Molay Driss Zerhoun tenders to you a large insight toward traditional Moroccan life. At a religion place where the great-grandson of Mohammed and the man who brought Islam to Morocco, the faithful gather to pay homage at the tomb here searching the delightful streets, perhaps sampling the famous nougat candy sold at street-side stalls. Before moving to Fez, the spiritual heart of Morocco for night.

DAY 4: EXPLORE FES

Following breakfast in the scientific capital and the spiritual city of  Fes, the second largest city of Morocco that was a center of the Jewish community during the past historical times, explained by the old city of Fez el Bali that is possibly may be defined as the greatest of all Medinas and by its situation and pictured alleyways modifying by the move of donkeys piled high with goods that shows the exists and the stills of traditionally life that is hugged between Fez’s people, also the air perfumed by spices; it kicks us back through times to the Middle Ages. In addition, due to the guide that our premium local tour offered to you, you will decorate your eyes by the artisans’ creation that adorned the narrow streets, to rich your knowledge about tanneries and how Morrocan makes leathers, visiting mosques and colorful local authentic Moroccan architectural characters. Going and investigating the dissimilar specialty places of the Center of the city enjoying typically food made up from naturally butters and fats, take pleasure in tasty pastries, to crepes and soups to dried and fresh produce.Fez was established by Idris 1 in the twelfth century and was for a known for a long time to be the social capital and focal point of the Almohad it is currently a World Heritage site according to UNESCO classification because it embrace many monument places worth seeing as the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali, it’s an attractive charming place, a place that is debatably one of the world’s most captivating old city. Fez was being for a long time as an educational center for people that have diverse nationality, it was the point where many cultural were intermixed specially at the University of AL –Karaouine the oldest in the region and in the world according to the UNESCO where we find mosques of great renown that was a place for pray and also as a library and religious institutions. Walking around the specialty zone that divides the souk, filled with historic khans, medresses and dye-pits, stalls overloaded by fruits, herbs and soups, and where the squawk of chickens, smell of spice and sound of hammering of copper fills the air, by seeing and living that; it is easy to dream yourself head back to the Middle Ages. Spend the day exploring the old city by discovering the best school ever of studying Islamic, the BOUANANIA SCHOOL built during the reign of the MARINIDS, a witness of the MARINIEN architecture in Morocco moving towards the TANNERY as well, so FEZ is famous on producing leathers, we find that the TANNERIES of SHWARARA is one of the famous ones in FEZ before going to the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy na unforgettable dinner of one of the city’s signature dishes, the salty and sweet pastille. Car : 1 hours – Walk : 3 hours /

DAY 5: FES – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA SAHARA

When finishing our Fez’s calls we will take a long way driving via the Atlas Mountains towards the most modern and clean city in Morocco named Ifran. IFRANE means caves in AMAZIGH famous as Switzerland of Morocco. It attracts many visitors with its waterfalls, green nature, and European character they may come to skiing because of its high altitude at 1665 meters or they may come to sniping. This Berber city is a fantastic cool and calm city really recognized by The Brotherhood Private University that was established in 1997 by the king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Our exciting trip continues, but this time across the Cedar forest, the largest woods in Morocco at the Middle Atlas, for about 89km south the city of Fez driving towards Midelt where we are going to have a Berber lunch at this Berber village that is situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From vast plateau we start passing those tough mountains which are still established by a big Berber community. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at JbelAyachi (at 3747 m) continuing our way to visit the monstrous Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, amused the view of the High Atlas Mountains viewing Tafilalt Oasis until we reach the city of Errachidia where you will watch colossal palm trees and a location perfect for building up an extensive variety of natural item trees and vegetables with a one of a kind microclimate. Moreover, we will pass through the rich Ziz Valley, stopping at various stations to relish the view and take pictures en route to Erfoud and Rissani; ERFOUD the capital city of fossils that organize the DATES SEASON yearly and were a sea before hundreds of years. Heading up to the red colored sand sea dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga via, RISSANI, Sijilmassa once upon time the hometown of the Alaouist dynasty, where Moulay Ali sheriff started to unify Morocco under his red flag in the beginning of the 17th century before continuing the way to Merzouga that his huge sand dunes appearing from the horizon. By arriving, we will be welcoming by a glass of mint tea following by one hour and half of riding on camel guided by a specialist camels man on the desert to spend a wonderful night enjoying these dramatic dunes, wonderful skies and stars at night, you may want to experience Berber Gnawa music an playing drums with them while rounding campfire at that night dinner will be served in the campsite.

DAY 6: MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TODGHA GORGES – DADES GORGE

Waking up early eating breakfast by the time when the sun colored Merzouga with its gold color making it a garden of golden sand following that by a drive towards Errisani the capital of sijilmassa or sijilmassa itself heading up to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Charif the founder of the Alawite Dynasity of Morocco during the 17^th century. This fantastic town was the capital of Tafilalt as the center point between north and south brought the city to an important status of a former major caravan center. To the present time, Errisani stays as a main commercial center in the region, with a big souk where you can find everything you want, especially on Sunday; however of having two other days Tuesday and Thursday. Errisani famous on selling dates, ships, and goats as particular ancient time.

Driving away from Errisani customary Moroccan town with the mainstream of the women disguised and men hooded towards the immense canyons of Morocco Todgha Gorges for about 127km. Todgha Gorges are situated ahead of the central high Atlas Mountains where you will see the contrasting landscapes take you back of the Colorado, with its high plateau, its gorges and great canyons, and its peaks sometimes fractured by erosion. Todgha Gorges are natural monuments in the southeastern that was crafted by Todgha Valley and Dades Valley across thousands of years. It attracts the lovers of Mountain tourism where they can climb several peaks as Jbel Saghro with 2500m and several peaks exceed 4000m as JbelMgouna with more than 4000m being the highest in this part of the High Atlas.

Driving away from Todgha Gorges towards Dades Gorges via the road of 1000 Kasbahs. However, of the excising of enormous ones of both sides of the route we find that many old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately, a lot of them are ruins. Now we reach Dades Gorges or Valley observing the natural creativity of the rock development and formations called “the monkey toes” and we head to the Berber family for Lunch, cooking course, a walk to discover the valley and spend some time with the Berbers before we head to our hotel near the valley. Overnight in Roses valley.

DAY 7: DADES GORGE – AIT BENAHDDOU – MARRAKECH

From the charming Dades Valley driving via the high Atlas Mountains through Boumalen, that alive with big Berber community and its agriculture; continuing our way along Roses Valley that is partly appearing from the horizon with its green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes enjoying the charming beauty of the nature, towards KALAA MGOUNA that is famous on producing flower and rose water, also it is known on organizing the competition of the Miss QUEEN of flowers and to rich  our knowledge about the local productions as soap, perfumes and skin creams arriving to Ouarzazate the gateway to the desert, a city that established in 1920, situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains that is populated by Berbers who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known as the Kasbah of Taourirt diverted in 17th century. The door to the desert is known as Hollywood Africa where many famous movies filmed there in one of Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005).

From the Hollywood of Africa to the fortified city of AïtBenhaddou, built in the 11th century it is classified as a World Heritage site since 1987 and several movies have been filmed there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004). A collection of several traditional building and fortified house side by side is located on a hill along Ounila River that it was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh for several past times. However, a jewel that hidden between the paradises of high Atlas Mountains is unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. In addition, that what explain the moving of people towards more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Finaly we will go towards the High Atlas Mountains enjoying its panoramic views, and the invention of the green nature seeing Berber towns along the way about few hours’ drive until we reach Marrakech; it is called the “Homeland of God in Berber” where we will spend the night in a traditional riad close to the medina.

DAY 8: MARRAKESH, FULL GUIDED CITY TOUR

Here you are in Marrakech; you will have a full day exploring the Red City of Morocco with our local guide. Historically speaking Marrakech is one of the previous royal cities in Morocco. Marrakech, which is known of being seven men, is a city of special magic that is located near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountain. Like all the old cities, Marrakech contains both an old fortified city The Medina and a very modern city called Gueliz established during the French occupation. Marrakesh has the largest captivating traditional souks( native markets ) it is the town’s star attraction you mustn’t miss the Babouche (shoes) Souk, Chouari (carpenter’s) open-air market, El-Attarine (perfume and spice) souk and the Cherratine (leather) souk before heading up to the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square is full of storytellers, water sellers, dancers, snakes charmers and musicians. During the night, the square turns into a huge open-air restaurant. We will also visit the KOUTOUBIA Mosque, built in the 12th century in the period of influence of Almoravid Dynasty. We will go among narrow streets and allies in ancient city and we may want getting around the back streets of the old town enjoying talk with MARRAKECH people; they are too funny and humble. We pass by “seven saints” during the reign of MoulayIsmail, the festival of the seven saints was founded to the request of the Sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakesh to attract pilgrims. In addition, you may want to visit the Majorelle Garden that contains a blue villa with flowers of different types; the French painter Jacques Majorelle gave it as a gift to Marrakech that was dominated in the first half of the 20th century by T’hami El Glaoui, “Lord of the Atlas”, and Pasha of Marrakesh. Still there is a house called Dar Pacha El Glaoui from where he used to rule the completely southern part of Morocco.

DAY 9: ESSAOUIRA DAY TOUR

Driving from Marrakesh to Essaouira you will see in your way the enormous Argan tree on both sides of the road. These Argan trees are frequently climbed by goats. To eat and to food in, and these trees are the sources of making Argan Oil which produced by several women’s cooperatives and it is used to prepare couscous, salads. Moreover, it was traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases before being founded as good enough for cosmetics by Europeans manufacturers. Still stop by one of these cooperatives is worthy to see how Berber women squeezed the Argan fruits between hands to extract this precious oil. When we reach our region in this nine day, we will explore the city of Essaouira that is well known for its kite surfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind so that it is called “the city of the wind” .Horse riding, camel riding along the beach, quad biking are activities that one can enjoy while staying in Essaouira. It was inhabited by ancient civilizations such us the ROMANS, and PORTUGAL, and its 18th-century seaport fortress – UNESCO World Heritage. ESSAOUIRA offers to you many monuments to see and discover, such us; AL MALLAH also known as the Jewish Quarter or the merchants of the sultan, you will be grateful when our guide take you to the ISLAND of MOGADOR small island located near the city, it is one of the most important Phoenician sites.

You can enjoy the festival of “Gnawa music” that is organized since 1998, where several singers of the world come from diverse place to participate in this festival that it is scheduled in the last week of June that includes rock, jazz and reggae musician. In the early 1952, the film director and actor Orson Welles made his movie Othello. Now there is a square named Orson Welles. That day you may have lunch in a very Moroccan manner, or u can have a gridiron of fish because Essaouira is famous on seafood. In the late afternoon, you may want to have a walk and explore by yourself and sit to feel the romantic magic of town, and u may choose to walk on Moulay el HASSAN Square that have an attractive location overlooking to Atlantic Ocean, the sunset there casts in the self a sense of love, romance, and tranquility. We can. In the evening, we will take the way going back to Marrakech. And if time helps we can have a walk in this cheerfulness city.

DAY 10: CASABLANCA / AIRPORT TRANSFER

It is the last day in the tour after breakfast. You may have a free time to explore by yourselves before the time of the private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up come. We can add more accommodation if you wish to spend more time exploring here. Discussing with your boss the wealth of extra activities to do around Marrakech

If the itineraries that we offer do not match what you’re looking for, contact us and we will prepare the trip to your measurements and needs.