Tour Director - Jan Blanchard

The tour begins in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech. You'll need to fly into Casablanca and arrive by noon on November 2nd so you'll need to leave the US on the 1st. You can fly out of either Marrakech or Casablanca. We will offer a transfer to both airports the morning of November 12th.
 
Day 1 - Overnight in Casablanca, Club Val D' Anfa - D 
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at the Casablanca Airport a driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel.  In the early afternoon, we’ll start our Moroccan tour with a visit to the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco and the third largest mosque in the world and one that non-muslims are allowed to enter.  Able to accommodate up to 105,000 in prayer, this marvel of modern Moroccan architecture is the work of hundreds of expert craftsmen from around the country. After our tour, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 - Overnight in Méknes, Château Roslane Boutique Hotel and Spa - B, D
After breakfast and checking out, we’ll head to Rabat where we will visit the Hassan Tower, which has sat unfinished since 1199.  Commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the tower was to be the minaret for the largest mosque in the world.  Unfortunately, when the sultan passed away in 1199, the project was abandoned, leaving some partial outer walls, 348 columns, and a minaret only standing half-finished at 140 feet rather than the intended 260. Standing opposite the Hassan Tower is the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of Mohammed V, the current king’s grandfather, as well as the king’s father, Hassan II, and his uncle, Prince Abdallah.  It is considered a masterpiece of Alaouite architecture with its white walls and green tiled roof. After our visit we'll grab a quick lunch before heading to the ancient Roman site of Volubilus, The site of these ancient ruins dates back to 3 BC, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. The Roman rule began in the 1st century AD, and continued until it fell to local tribes in 285.  The remains of many ancient structures are still being excavated, as well as the triumphal arch still standing. There are several large mosaic floors still fully intact, and they will still reveal vibrant colors when wet. After visiting this amazing site, we’ll make our way to Méknes where we’ll check into our hotel, set among the vineyards, and enjoy dinner as a group. 

Day 3 - Overnight in Méknes, Château Roslane Boutique Hotel and Spa - B, L
Today we’ll tour Fes with a private guide beginning at the royal palace, with its seven golden doors, and learn about the significance of the intricate decor.  We’ll stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, which was built next to the palace to offer protection. We’ll take in the view of the city from Borj Sud, a former fortress and one of the lookouts on a hill. Next we’ll visit a pottery co-op and see how they make the famous and unique Fes pottery as well as the intricate mosaics adorning half of Morocco. Next it’s time to head into the ancient medina and step into a sort of living museum.  The Fes medina is very much a local community that lives and works and goes about daily life in the medina and it’s sure to be a feast for the senses, in the best possible way!  We’ll stop by the Al-Quaraouiyine University, the oldest degree-granting university still in operation, having been founded by a woman in 859. We’ll get a chance to visit several handicraft workshops, where you will see why Fes is considered the handicraft capital of Morocco.  We’ll see silk weavers where beautifully colorful fabrics are woven from silk fibers of the agave plant and the famous Fes tannery, where they process all manner of animal hides by hand, much as they have for nearly 1,000 years.  During the tour, we’ll will stop for lunch in a restaurant located in a unique location that you would never have kown existed. After our day touring, you’ll have the evening free to spend as you’d like.
 
Day 4 - Overnight in Méknes, Château Roslane Boutique Hotel and Spa- B, L 
Today we'll embark on a culinary journey with an immersive cooking class! We'll start by delving into the aromatic world of Moroccan spices, then step into the kitchen to master the art of crafting cooked salads, tagines, bread, and the quintessential Moroccan mint tea. of course, we'll get to sit down to lunch and taste our creations. You'll leave with the recipes in hand, ready to recreate the flavors of Morocco and share the experience with your loved ones back home. Later in the afternoon we'll spend some time exploring the town of Méknes before returning to our hotel
 
Day 5 - Overnight in Azrou, Hotel Xaluca SPA - B, D
Today we’ll enjoy a tour, tasting and lunch at Les Celliers de Meknes, one of the larges wineries in Morocco.  After our visit we'll make our way south and get a taste of the diverse landscape of this beautiful country. We’ll visit the wild monkeys in the cedar forests outside of Azrou and then work our way into the Atlas Mountains before arriving at our way to our hotel. 
 
Day 6 - Overnight in the Sahara, Bivouac Cafe Du Sud - B, L, D
Today we'll cross the rest of the way over the Atlas Mountains and make our way to the Sahara Desert, stopping for lunch along the way.  We'll start with an SUV excursion that takes us through the dunes. In the late afternoon, we’ll meet our camels and camel drivers for a camel trek to our desert camp. No doubt, the photos you get will be some of your favorite from the trip.  We’ll arrive at our luxury tent camp and enjoy a welcome glass of Moroccan mint tea and Moroccan cookies and take some time to relax before dinner at the camp followed by music around the bonfire. Hopefully the skies will be clear and you can be awed by all of the stars.
 
Day 7 - Overnight in Tarmigte, Riad Dar Chamaa - B, D
You may choose to wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes (an amazing experience) before enjoying a traditional Moroccan breakfast at the camp. After packing up, we'll head to the Risanni Market, a bustling gathering point where locals and traders converge for a rich exchange of goods and culture. As one of the region's largest markets, it's a fascinating showcase of daily life in Morocco.  We'll meet up with your driver and begin your journey west, making a stop to see the stunning Todra Gorge, carved from the red rocks of the landscape by a river. Stop as you pass through Kalaat M'Gouna, an area known as the Rose Valley because of the thousands of roses grown each year to be distilled into rose water used to make all manner of products. In the afternoon, arrive in Ouarzazate, known as "Moroccan Hollywood" thanks to the Atlas Film Studio and other local spots used in filming.

Day 8 - Overnight in Marrakech, Es Saadi Hotel- B, D
Before we leave Ouarzazate, we’ll stop at Ait Ben-Haddou, an ancient Ksar that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located along the former trade caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. Don’t be surprised if it looks somewhat familiar as it is now often used as a filming location for movies and TV shows including Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Babel, The Amazing Race 10 and Game of Thrones. After our visit we’ll continue our journey across the Atlas Mountains via the winding Tichka Pass and its amazing views. We’ll arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. In the evening, meet up with a private guide and taste our way through the Marrakech medina with a food tour. We will enjoy our time learning about the many spices and cuisine of this beautiful country.
 
Day 9 - Overnight in Marrakech, Es Saadi Hotel- B, L

Today we'll tour Marrakech with a local guide beginning with Dar Bacha, which houses the Museum of Confluences, offering a mixture of Berber, Arab, and Jewish artifacts from throughout Morocco’s history. Then we'll visit the Koutoubia minaret, the tallest structure in Marrakech. Within the city walls, no building is allowed to surpass the height of the Koutoubia, which stands at 253 feet (77 meters).  A short distance from the mosque, we'll explore Jemaa el Fna, the primary square in the medina and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally created in 1050 A.D. to stage public executions. This is perhaps why Jemaa el Fna is translated as "assembly of death". Next we'll head into the souks to several workshops, including shoemakers and bakers. Stop at one of the iconic spice markets, learning of the medicinal uses of many of the common spices and herbs that are still used across Morocco to treat common illnesses.
 
Day 10 - Overnight in Marrakech, Es Saadi or similar- B, D
Today we'l head to the mountains and do some hiking. We'll head to the Ourika Valley where we'll hike to multiple waterfalls. You'll be in awe of the beauty of the valley. After our hike we'll enjoy lunch by the water before heading back to Marrakech.  In the evening, we’ll meet back up to celebrate the end of the journey with a farewell dinner at a chic Marrakech restaurant.
Optional: Not interested in hiking? For an additional fee, you are welcome to stay in Marrakech and visit the Majorelle Gardens and Yves Saint Laurent Museum, created in 1923 by French Orientalist artist Jacque Majorelle and revitalized in the 1980s by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé.. Or, you might choose to visit a hammam 
 
Day 11 - B
Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful country. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule. There will be two transfers scheduled: one to the Marrakech airport and one to the Casablanca airport. 


Note: The itinerary is descriptive, not definitive and is subject to change. In particular our actual itinerary will depend on hotel availability, which vary from year to year. There also may be modifications due to weather and availability of local activities and guides.