If you missed out on seeing the sights of Rabat yesterday, you can do so this morning before you move on to Meknes, one of Morocco's lesser-visited Imperial Cities. The city was created by Moulay Ismail, a tyrannical despot who enslaved tens of thousands of people to build this 'Versailles of Morocco.' While many travellers pass it by, you might want to think about taking a guided tour if you decide to do so; Heri es Souani, the place Moulay Ismail stabled his 12,000 horses; his tranquil tomb, which he constructed during his reign to ensure it would equal the magnificence of his empire; and the Bab Mansour, considered one of Morocco's greatest gates. Your next stop, Volubilis, is the most impressive Roman ruins in Morocco, and one of the former Empire’s most remote outposts, as the tough legionnaires were held back from further expansion by the Berber Tribes. Once a thriving provincial city, it takes only a little imagination to see toga-clad senators and scurrying plebeians filling its streets. You will spend tonight in Fez, the historic centre of arts and sciences in Morocco.

(Transport (4hrs), Breakfast, Dinner)*

More than just a hat with a twirly tassel, Fez is a jewel box of exotic delights on this best of Morocco tour. To unravel the intricacies of the nine thousand streets and alleyways of the UNESCO-protected Fez Medina would take a lifetime, but your Fez born-and-bred guide will reveal the city’s most special parts, including the Fondouk Nejjarine, the tanneries and the various craft souks. Do you know why the bakery is also a de facto marriage bureau? Probably not, but your guide will explain why, and tell many other tales of this fascinating city. The tour lasts from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with lunch included. You can prepare more for your visit by reading our Fez travel guide. Some other sites of interest in Fez are the King’s Palace and Mellah/Jewish Quarter, the Pottery Complex, and the Batha Museum.

(Private Guided Visit, Breakfast, Lunch)*

Today will be a long drive, but one that reveals Morocco's visual splendour. You will leave at 7AM and head for Ifrane, a French Protectorate administrative centre and summer escape where you will go onward to Midelt. Along the way, you will be able to explore the Ziz Valley, Morocco's largest date producer. Note that not all the palm trees are tall; the height of a palm tree depends on the variety, of which there are 283 recognised varieties grown in Morocco—Mejhoul being the most delicious and costly of them. One of the highlights of your trip will be lunch with the family of Sightseeing Tours Morocco’s local coordinator named Tata. His home is a traditional kasbah shared by his extended family, with a charming garden where they cultivate much of the produce used in their kitchens. Children coming along on this journey will be delighted to see the family’s donkey, goats and chickens. Either before or after your meal you can a short walk through the date palms and farms that surround this small village. Then, it’s onward to Erfoud for the night.

This early morning, you will head south to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert's golden dunes prior to having some free time. You may pack an overnight bag before selecting your favourite camel to take you into the sandy seas. After your hour-long camel ride, you will be able to witness the Sahara Desert sunset. After spending the night in a Bedouin-style tent covered in Moroccan carpets and western-style bathroom facilities, you will sleep on a blanketed and sheeted bed. Deluxe tents are also available, each with its own hot-water shower, sink, and western toilet (each tent having its own hot-water shower, sink, and western toilet). Nothing will compare to sleeping under the desert stars.

(Transport (3hrs), Light Walk, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)*

This morning, you’ll be able to rise with the sun as it begins its glorious passage for another day. Make sure you grab some photos before climbing back onto your newfound camel friend for the short ride back to the hotel. Feeling invigorated by a hot show and hardy breakfast, you’ll take the road to Rissani, where, if time allows, you can marvel at the million-year-old fossils that the area is famous for. Then it’s onward to Tinjedad for lunch to an extraordinary ksar (a completely walled-in village) where you can also see a local Berber cultural museum and even enjoy a walk in the oasis. You’ll then continue onward to Skoura, known as the Valley of Kasbahs.

(Transport (5hrs), Breakfast, Dinner)*

After leaving Skoura, you will visit Ouarzazate, where the Taorirt Kasbah once stood as one of the Glaoui family's strongholds in southern Morocco. You’ll then make your way to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved Kasba’s in the entire Atlas region. Don’t be surprised if you feel as if you are stepping into another, more ancient world, as the Kasbah has been the backdrop to many historical films, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Gladiator. You will also have the opportunity to visit Telouet, a lesser-visited Kasbah and the once rich and powerful throne of the Gloaui family whose vast wealth came, in part, from the levies charged to the camel trains that passed through their territory. This will add one hour to today’s travel time. We also offer a local lunch experience with a local (and once famed artist) performing for you following your meal. They say that there are 340 bends on the Tizi n Tichka pass, but in reality there are only two, left and right, although they are repeated an awful lot of times. This amazing zigzag feat of French engineering that climbs to 2,260m (7,400ft), replaced the ancient route of the camel trains on their arduous journey from Timbuktu to Marrakech, bearing gold, spices and slaves. Your journey takes you over the Tiz n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains, to end in Marrakesh.

(Transport (5-6hrs), Breakfast, Dinner)*

Your “best of Morocco” adventure continues today with a private guided tour to discover the secrets of the Marrakech Medina. Meandering the arms-width streets of the souk with your guide, the centuries roll back as he regales you with the history of the city’s glorious monuments (and their not always glorious past), telling you tales of a culture whose daily rhythm has changed little over the centuries. You can read more in our travel guide to Marrakesh that will help you get a feel of what this ancient city has in to reveal.

(Private Guided Visit, Breakfast, Lunch)*

Depending upon your flight time tomorrow, you can stay in Marrakesh or travel to El Jadida this afternoon to relax in a quaint guesthouse with dinner provided in preparation for your departure. For those doing this route at the 4/5-star level, a 3-night minimum in Marrakesh is required, so plan your departure from Marrakesh (or from Casablanca in the afternoon) tomorrow.


(Transport (3hrs), Breakfast)*

We say goodbye today to this “best of Morocco” itinerary. We hope you enjoyed your journey with our team!

(Airport Transfer (1.5hrs)*