Casablanca – Erfoud – Marrakech 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS DAY 1 CASABLANCA We meet your flight and ease you ...
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Cafe France , Riad Laarous, Jamaa Lafna main square...
(English-French-Spanish) Speaking Driver
Casablanca – Erfoud – Marrakech
8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
DAY 1 CASABLANCA
We meet your flight and ease you through our modern airport before taking you to your hotel in
Casablanca . At night you will be thrilled by our visit to the wonderful nosque of Hassan II. Built over
the sea, it is illuminated at night with a laser which projects towards Makkah from its immense
minaret. Tonight you will enjoy a traditional dinner in Casablanca before settling into your hotel for
the night.
DAY 2 CASABLANCA – RABAT– VOLUBIS – MEKNES – FES
Our adventure begins after breakfast this morning as we depart for a sightseeing trip of Casablanca.
It is considered the economic capital of the world and as such you will notice the wealth and
modernity of the Anfa Quarter.
We will be able to see the mosque of Hassan II in daylight as we visit the boulevard of the Corniche of
Casablanca. This modern promenade is broad and green and offers a fresh escape from the busy city
and a great opportunity to watching the huge waves crashing against the sea wall whilst seabirds
swoop and feed. The vast range of cafés, restaurants and ice-cream parlours make it difficult to
choose between their delicious wares, should you wish to linger a while and take in the seascape.
We travel on towards Rabat. Morocco’s capital city lies on the Atlantic Ocean and with its minaret
towering over the city, it’s gorgeous gardens which surround its fort, and it’s specific places of
interest, it is a certainly a Capital city to be proud of. Interestingly the city feels spacious and modern
in spite of its long history. We visit The Mechouar (The King’s Palace) with the National Flag
fluttering high above the ornately decorated gate which stands at the end of an impressive parade
ground lined with cannons.
Onwards to Mohamed V’s Mausoleum which is also located in a huge esplanade. It is, as you would
Imagine, highly decorated both outside and inside through the archways. We look downwards upon
the tomb which is bathed in light and riches, gold decoration and scarlet carpet enhance the space
whilst a scholar sits to read the Quran quietly at one end, it is indeed a place of peaceful rest and
utmost respect. Across the esplanade we find the sandstone Hassan Tower, the relic of an
incomplete mosque. The complex is protected by majestic scarlet– clothed guards on horseback.
The Kasbah of Oudaya is an impressive sandstone Kasbah with crenellated walls. It lies close to
the sea and the hues of sandstone and sea contrast beautifully. Around the Kasbah itself streets of
blue and white buildings thread their way like a maze, this is our final visit before we move on.
Our next stop is in the important Roman town of Volubis which has been partially and thoughtfully
excavated. The ruins and mosaic floors are quite captivating. We continue this busy day with a visit
to Meknes. Meknes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and in the 17th century it was the regional
Capital under the rule of Sultan Moulay Isamail. These days his highly ornate mausoleum is one of
our highlights .You will find the decoration is magnificent in all the rooms and the open courtyard
and the fountains are a delight. We visit Bab Mansour, an impressive gateway to the fortified
imperial city as it was, with its arches, Kufic script and turquoise and white mosaic tiling denoting the
importance of the city. Bab Lakhmis, our next point of interest, sits between two crenellated
sandstone towers and presents us with a decorated lavishly edifice once again. It has superb Kufic
writing across the gate with heartwarming phrases which indicate the Sultans hope for his city.
We head next for our final destination for today, Fes, where we will enjoy our evening meal and a
well earned rest in the hotel.
DAY 3 FES
After breakfast this morning we meet you to share the magnificence of this must-do
city in Morocco. We travel to a time long gone; your senses will be flooded by all that the ancient
imperial capital of Fes has to offer! Fortunately you will have the whole day to take in the
memorable sounds, tumbling colours, and pungent aromas as we guide you through the narrow
lanes that form the astonishing maze that is Fes el Bali.
We visit Bouanania Medersa, with its Andalusian architecture it presents us with an airy courtyard
surrounded by traditional zellij mosaic work and particularly wonderful examples of carvings,
including the unique water clock . Open to non-Muslims, this Islamic school gives us respite from
the city like an oasis in the desert.
Fes is a city of doorways, each opening onto its own secrets and some of which are visit worthy in
themselves, so we head towards The Kings Palace door and witness its ornate golden brilliance and
the Moorish-styled iconic Bab Boujloud which is the western gateway to Fez el Bali.
We weave our way through the Mullah, the old Jewish quarter known for the architecture of its
balconies and arrive at the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss. This is a religious complex containing the tomb
of Idris II, its dedicatee, who ruled Morocco in the ninth century and is considered to be the founder
of Fes. Together we admire the intricacies of the ornately carved stucco and zellij work.
Our evening meal and hotel will be in Fes tonight.
DAY 4 FES – MIDELT – IFRANE – ERFOUD
After breakfast this morning we leave Fes heading to the Berber town of Midelt in the mid Atlas
Mountains. This journey allows us to travel through an agricultural zone where apples, walnuts, and
a wide range of other produce is grown. It feels a world away from Fes and you will notice that the
people here even have their own dialect.
We continue our journey via Ifrane, an imperial garden city with natural springs, lakes and waterfalls
and a Swiss or suburban French feel. This contrasts profoundly with our tour so far and is quite an
experience. Bursting with wildlife as it is, you may be lucky enough to find a deer walking across
your path or a Macaque cheekily watching you!
Later we arrive at the oasis of town of Erfoud where the landscape eerily resembles Mars and yet is
nestled in palm trees. Erfoud has been used as the backdrop to films including the 2015 James Bond
film ‘Spectre’. Tonight we dine and sleep in Erfoud.
DAY 5 ERFOUD – TINGHIR– OUARZAZATE
After breakfast this morning we leave Erfoud on the road to Ouarzazate.
At Tinghuir a fault in the plateau created the enormous Todra Gorge which feels as if the earth has
split in two. People feel minuscule against the dramatic brown limestone walls which rise 300
metres above the stream. This is an idyllic place for a picnic or a swim. After lunch a ramble
through the gorge is an impressive sight as you pass scattered villages and nomadic goat herders
scattered throughout the gorge.
We travel on to Ouarzazate for the next part of our adventure. The valley of the roses stretches out
across the desert of southern Morocco, a heavenly pink when in bloom, the valley is also
known for its amazingly tasty apricots. This route allows us to embrace more Berber culture and of
course, to sample the infamous Moroccan mint tea at its best.
Ouarzazate is a relatively small town but has the huge Kasbah Taourirt to explore and remarkable
rugged scenery, contrasting starkly with our experience yesterday and opening the gateway for our
journey into the desert tomorrow. ‘Moroccan Hollywood’ continues here with many films having
been set in the area. This evening we dine in Ouarzazate and spend the night here in a hotel here in
the desert.
DAY 6 OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH
After breakfast today it’s time for us to travel the winding road that leads to the delightful little town
of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. This is a site to enthrall film buffs with so many scenes having been
filmed here including some from ‘The Sheltering Sky’, ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Babel’ as well as some scenes
in the more recent television series ‘Game of Thrones’. Only four families now reside in the ancient
fortified village within Moroccan clay houses, which in themselves are quite intriguing. Ait Ben
Haddou listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. You are free to lunch locally before we continue our
exploration.
We travel later to Marrakech where the city enlivens us with its inimitable and unforgettable
energy. Experience the aroma of traditional cuisine wafting in billows of smoke across the square,
take pleasure in the sounds of music played on local instruments and savour the delights from a
multitude of stalls, find yourself comfortable lost in the alleys of shops, watch the street entertainers
from acrobats to snake charmers, for everyone Jemaa el Fna is a unique and personal experience not
to be missed. Enjoy your dinner in Marrakech tonight before retiring to your hotel for the night.
DAY 7 MARRAKECH
After breakfast we have a full and busy program today.
Jemaa el Fna has a different atmosphere during the day, exploding with colour and frenetic
activity. We wander across the square to visit the superb Koutoubia Mosque. With its
classic Moroccan architecture the intriguing minaret is detailed in its design and is the best example
of only three Almohad towers worldwide (the others being in Seville and Rabat). The building is
decorated with Kufic script, ceramic work and interestingly shaped horseshoe and arched windows.
Look closely and you will find the sides of the minaret are decorated differently.
Medersa Ben Yousef is our next place of interest. This Quranic School is so highly decorated as to
astound anyone who enters. The Zellij tiles are striking; the woodwork outstanding and the
stucco gorgeous. One can’t help but wonder at the hours the craftsmen laboured to create such a
vision! Outside the breathtaking architecture continues with a series of highly decorated arches and
columns which line a peaceful courtyard.
You have some free time now to take lunch at one of the many restaurants before we regroup this
afternoon. We make our way to Bahia Palace. Be prepared to be overwhelmed once more
by the magnificence of the design. The artisanship contrasts with that of the medersa but again
is totally awe-inspiring!
As we visit The Saadiens Tombs this afternoon we have many tales to tell about the history and
legends that pertain to the tombs but for now we keep you in suspense.
Our dinner tonight is in Marrakech where the buzz of Jemaa el Fna takes our sense for a spin.
Beautiful lights hammered into brass and silver guide our way through the bustling streets as they
swing from their stalls reflecting on inlaid wooden furniture arranged beneath. People of all ages
wander safely and comfortably through the medina at night enjoying the sounds of the Berber
music; the traditional games played by adults and children alike, the wonderful ice-cream and
milkshakes with new flavours to experience and countless stalls displaying traditional Moroccan
food. And all the time the street entertainers and performers keep everyone entertained.
Your Marrakech hotel will offer you a relaxing night.
DAY 8 MARRAKECH
This morning we bid our farewells to you our new friends. We see you safely to the airport in
Marrakech (or to Casablanca for an additional charge) and hope to see you again soon.
HIGHLIGHTS
CASABLANCA
RABAT
VOLUBIS
MEKNES
FEZ
MIDELT/ERFOUD
IFRANE
TINGHIR
OUARZAZATE
MARRAKECH
Best Seller Private Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech on 2024
The driver Ibrahim was a ton of fun as were our local guides, particularly Zaid at the camel Safari. Multiple stops on the way there gave us spectacular views of the Moroccan mountains, desert, and canyons. The Desert camping was very glamorous and the camel ride wasn't excessively long (long camel rides are rather uncomfortable, not the case here.) Live music at the camp with sinks and bathrooms but don't expect showers in the dune camp. You can take them in Merzouga if you need but you don't get sweaty or gross in the desert so I passed for a day.
Amazing price for an amazing experience. There are no words to describe the sky full of stars in the middle of the desert, or the multilingual guides we had all along the way!
There was lots packed into this three day adventure. Be prepared for long days of travel. Our tour guide and van driver, Ayoeb, was fantastic and checked in with each of us to make sure we were taken care of.
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