Highlights of Morocco

Overview

Exotic and fascinating, the Kingdom of Morocco is rich in history and culture, offering travellers intriguing historic sights, authentic cuisine, and changing scenery that is perfect for value-minded travellers wanting to explore and learn about a new destination. 

This Morocco-focused itinerary takes in the Imperial cities of Morocco, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat as well as some more inspiring cities, such as Ouazarzate, Casablanca and Erfoud. 

In the red city of Marrakesh, step back in time as you wander through the Jemaa-el-Fna, a square and exotic bazaar offering some of the greatest open-air entertainment. Listen to the storytellers—an integral part of the culture—and browse for handicrafts. In Fez, take an optional tour to see the ancient medina. Founded in the 9th century, it is one of the largest medieval cities in the world and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

On this comprehensive and affordable tour of Morocco, you will also be enchanted by beautiful landscapes, stunned by the beauty of the desert, and surprised by the mountain scenery of the Middle Atlas. You’ll also visit Casablanca and its newly built great Mosque; Meknes, where you'll visit the royal stables built to house 12,000 of the royal horses. 

Your tour also takes you to Ouarzazate, where you'll visit the Kasbah de Taourirt, built in the early 19th century and used as a base for the powerful el Glaoui tribe, who controlled the caravan route through the region. See the mountain resort of Ifrane; Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara desert; and Rabat, Morocco’s vibrant capital where you'll visit the relics of Chellah, a city built by the Romans in 40 AD. 

From the Middle Atlas mountain range and Ziz Gorges to arid desert, this budget-minded Morocco holiday will amaze you with spectacular scenery.

UK - Marrakech

Fly to beautiful Marrakesh where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for one night.

The rest of the day is yours to relax.

Marrakech - Casablanca

Drive to Casablanca this morning and discover the city's highlights on a city sightseeing tour with a local guide. Learn more about Morocco's colonial past, see the market and the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.

Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Fez

A short ride along the coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. Sightseeing includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudayas. You are reminded of the time when Morocco was the Roman province of Mauretania as you visit the fine ROMAN RELICS OF CHELLAH and its GARDENS. Continue to Meknes—during your guided tour, see its monumental gates, mosque, palace, and miles of protective walls. Visit its ROYAL STABLES, originally built to house 12.000 of the royal horses. Travel east towards Fez, Morocco’s most enchanting city.

Fez

At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the exotic ancient Medina on the optional sightseeing tour, a maze of narrow, bustling streets and alleys that are home to colourful souks.

Fez - Ifrane - Erfoud

Travel today into the very heart of Morocco. Stop in the quiet, French-built alpine mountain resort of Ifrane. Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and wind-swept plains as you motor across the Middle Atlas range. Pass fortified mud-and-straw villages and descend into the spectacular ZIZ GORGES. The landscape becomes progressively more arid and you enter a stony desert. Approaching Erfoud, an unexpected and breathtaking surprise: the peaceful oasis of the Ziz Valley.

Erfoud

The best choice today is an included excursion to Rissani to see the MAUSOLEUM OF MOULAY ALI SHARIF, the first ruler of the Alaouite Dynasty. This evening, enjoy an optional excursion in the desert.

Erfoud - The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs - Ouarzazate

Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains and arrive at the Tinerhir oasis with its green valley of palms and local villages. On to the impressive Todra Gorge, then along the Dades Valley to the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate, where you’ll visit the KASBAH DE TAOURIRT, the intricate but fascinating residence of Pasha Thami el Glaoui.

Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Tizi - n - Tichka Pass - Marrakech

Travel to AÏT BENHADDOU, a kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains towards 7,414-foot-high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Each new twist in the road leads to a different, more dramatic landscape. Leaving the pass behind, the landscape gradually changes to a tapestry of red ochre. Enter the gates of the red-colored imperial city of Marrakech, justly reputed the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities. An optional evening excursion is a fitting way to end the day.

Marrakech

The included city sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with an orientation drive followed by a walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating JEMAA-EL-FNA SQUARE and its exotic bazaar, BAHIA PALACE, and SAADIAN TOMBS. You’ll really feel as if you’ve stopped the march of time.

Marrakech - UK

Your holiday ends this morning after breakfast.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in Marrakech.