13 Days of Moroccan Thrills: Conquer Imperial Cities, Camel Treks & Kasbah Wonders

 Welcome to the airport or the port and departure for Chefchaouen, one of the most pleasant cities of Morocco. Holy city, with a dozen mosques and shrines, a joyous city with paved paths leading to a series of shady squares. Dinner and accommodation at the Riad.

After breakfast, free time to explore the city and take some last photos, then, leaving for Meknes, we will cross the Rif mountains and enjoy the beautiful landscapes to reach Volubilis the old Roman ruins dating from 3BC, visit the site and continue . In Meknes, the fourth imperial city of Morocco, founded at the beginning of the 17th century by the sultan Moulay Ismaïl, we will visit the magnificent gates of Bab El Mandour and Bab Lakhmiss, then the royal stables of Hri Souani, then the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. . After the visit, we will drive to Fez, a beautiful city founded in the 8th century. Fez is the oldest of the Moroccan imperial cities, with a medina that brings us back to the 13th century, artisans grouped in its streets and activities reminiscent of old guilds, mingling with peasants fleeing drought in recent years.

Free day in the city of Fez, ancient imperial city, and one of the highlights of this tour, Fez is the pearl of the Arab world, the place of great sensations. Here, as in Florence or Athens, the traveler comes to seek the treasure of a civilization, the inexhaustible wealth of a generous and varied life in abundance, where the sun reigns. Sensuality, colors, flavors. Fez is surely all that you like. Here, no one knows where the pleasure of the mind ends and the senses begin. With the refinement of its palaces and the sensuality of its life, Fes, unique city, invites you to a multiple trip. The ancient madrassas and the beautiful fountains as well as the art museums will allow you to fall in love with this city, not to mention the mosaic factory and Zellij which is one of the characteristics of Fez.

After breakfast, we will walk along the mountains of the middle and high atlases crossing the rivers and palm groves populated by traditional communities of semi-nomadic Berber herders. On the way, we will cross the city of Ifrane, "The Switzerland of Morocco", then the cedar forests of Azrou where we will see the colony of Barbary monkeys / monkeys living there.

We leave the hustle and bustle of big cities to find ourselves in cozy and quiet villages, dedicated to agriculture and pasture in Midelt, we stop for lunch, then continue to the Ziz Gorge and the palm grove of the valley. Ziz, slowly the landscapes turning sign that the desert is closed, we will arrive at Er-Rachidia to arrive at Merzouga in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in a hotel at the foot of the dunes.

Breakfast at the hostel and departure from one of the tracks used in the "Paris-Dakar". We will pass on the other side of the dunes and will visit the oasis of Merzouga and the oasis of Tissadmine, the nomadic lands, the mines MIFISS and the trays of the desert to arrive at the village of Khamlia, village inhabited by a black population of Mali . .

A break is planned for a tea accompanied by a percussion of castanets drums, then return to the hotel for lunch, free time until the departure of the camel through the vast expanse of golden sand to enjoy the beautiful sunset. sun and desert spirit with an indescribable starry sky as rarely seen. Dinner and accommodation under nomad tents in a desert camp.

Breakfast. We surround Erg Chebbi, an expanse of sand desert where lies the great dune of Morocco, more than 250 meters high, connecting track part of the route followed by the former Paris-Dakar, with the mountains which border Algeria. Stop at the oasis of Tissardmin and continue to a nomad camp where we will know some secrets of his life and his customs. Later, stop at a panoramic point where you can contemplate Erg Chebbi as a whole. Stop in Khamlia, the original city of Mali, where you can relax with a tea while enjoying a small concert of gnawa music. Back to the lodge, lunch and camel ride in an hour and a half that will take us to the foot of the Great Dune, wrapped in the beautiful sunset of the desert. We will sleep in a Haima in the heart of the desert under the spectacular blanket of stars.

Breakfast and departure for Ouarzazate through the valley of Thousand Kasbah, then the valley of roses to reach the palm of Skoura, famous for its many kasbahs among the palm trees, including that of Amerhidil which appears on the old tickets of 50 Dirhams, Skoura is the first crossing point on the Dades road leading to Kelaat M'Gouna, the Dades gorges, Boumalne and the Toudra valley. It is in fact a characteristic place of oasis architecture.

Arrival in Ouarzazate, lunch break then visit the Kasbah Taourirt, built entirely of earth and part of the village of the same name attached to Ouarzazate. The complex occupies a strategic position at the confluence of two major rivers: the wadis of Dades and Ouarzazate, forming the Drâa River; also located at the crossroads of old passages for caravans.

Breakfast and departure direction Marrakech. On the way, we visit the famous Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is undoubtedly the best preserved fortified village in southern Morocco. Arrival in Marrakech late afternoon. Accommodation at Riad diner libre.

Day dedicated to the visit of Marrakech, we will visit the Saadian tombs where are buried the founders of the Saadi dynasty, the Bahia palace, home of the former vizier, the Koutobia mosque built in the 12th century by the Almouahad dynasty with its splendid minaret, the madrasa ben Youssef, to finish in the inexpressible Djemaa el Fna, the morning a big souk and the evening a show of magic. In the afternoon, we will leave the old medina to visit the magnificent botanical gardens of Majorel. Overnight at the hotel or Riad.

After breakfast, we will leave Marrakech for Casablanca, the largest city and economic capital. Once there, we will visit the Hassan II Mosque, once the largest mosque in the world and visited by tourists throughout Morocco. Built during the last decade of the 20th century by the last King Hassan II, after the visit we will drive along the Cornwall of Ain Diab to enjoy a fish lunch in a restaurant located at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean . After lunch, we will continue to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco and third imperial city. In Rabat, we will visit the Kasbah Chellah (the royal tombs of the Merinid dynasty), the Hassan tower and the Mohamed V mausoleum. Overnight at the hotel or Riad in Rabat.

After breakfast, we will continue our visit of the city of Rabat, we will visit the royal palace and Kasbah oudayas. Kasbah Oudayas was built in the twelfth century by the Almoravids to fight the Berghouata tribes. This only becomes important with the Almohads, who make it a military camp, a ribat overlooking the mouth of the river Bouregreg and call it Mehdiya. The kasbah serves as a base for Moroccan armies conquering Andalusia, led by the Almohad dynasty. After lunch we will leave for Assilah, the city dates back to 1500 a. C., when the Phoenicians occupied a place called Silis or Zilis, Zilil, which is being searched at Dchar Jdid, about 12 km northeast of present-day Asilah; This place was once considered the Roman stronghold Ad Mercuri. The city of Asilah was built partly by the Idrisid dynasty. Caliph Al-Hakam II rebuilt the city in 966. The Portuguese conquered it in 1471 and built its fortifications, but abandoned due to an economic debt crisis in 1549. In 1578, Sebastian of Portugal used Asilah as a base for his troops during a planned crusade that resulted in the death of Sebastian, which in turn provoked the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580. In the 17th century, Moroccans briefly regained control of Asilah under the sultana Moulay. After visiting the city we will go to Tangier. Overnight at the hotel or guest house.

During this guided tour of the city of Tangier, you will discover the true face of the city of Tangier. Start along the Corniche, the central beach, before reaching the eastern part of the city. There you can take pictures of the harbor and, hopefully, see even the Spanish coast!

Join the coast to visit the mythical caves of Hercules. It is said that these caves once housed the famous hero, it's up to you to see what legend you want to believe!

After the caves, discover the true face of Tangier by strolling in the Kasbah. This 15th century fortress has had a tumultuous history and serves as a meeting point for all the inhabitants of the city. The archaeological museum offers a nice contrast with the colorful and crowded streets.

After breakfast and following the return flight schedule, transfer to the airport, boarding assistance and end of our tour.

NB: We suggest:

• Standard Tours: including Official art historian guide and accommodation in Selected 3 stars hotels and Riads, Standard desert camp at the desert
•  Luxury Tours: including official art historian guide and accommodation in Selected Luxury hotel and Riads, luxury desert camp.