Category : The great classics
Category : The great classics
Guide - Tour Leader
Accommodation
Driver-guideUpon arrival at Mohamed V Airport, reception by our representative at the exit of Terminal 1 or 2 depending on the Airline and transfer to your selected Riad/Hotel.
From Rabat, we head into the scenic Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. The views of the almost untouched nature are particularly spectacular. In the Berber language Tamazight, Chefchaouen means "look at the horns" (from Chouf = look and chaouen = horns), which refers to the two mountain peaks that can be seen from the city and from which you have a magnificent view of this ancient city. Chefchaouen is considered to be the most beautiful town in the Rif Mountains with its blue house walls in different shades, steep alleyways and lively squares. The well-preserved and lively old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heart of the medina is the Outa-el-Hammam square with its many small cafés and restaurants. The impressive mosque with an octagonal minaret and the Kasbah are also located here. The centuries-old holy city was closed to non-Muslims until 1920.
Today you have the whole day at leisure. It is worth wandering around the medina, which is completely surrounded by a wall, or enjoying a mint tea in one of the many picturesque cafés and taking in the hustle and bustle of the old town. At the south-eastern corner of the central square "Place Outa-el-Hammam" rises the ornate octagonal minaret of the impressive "Grande Mosquée", the Great Mosque. Nearby is the entrance to the 17th century Kasbah of Moulay Ismail, which houses the Folklore Museum. Here, traditional clothing, jewelry, ceramics, bridal palanquins, elaborately embroidered textiles, weapons and musical instruments document the Arab-Andalusian culture of this region. Today, art exhibitions are organized in the rooms of the former prison and works by local artists are on display. Outside the city walls, you can enjoy romantic walks in the beautiful surroundings of the Ras-el-Ma spring, which carries water all year round. Enjoy this unique little town!
After breakfast, departure for Fes, probably the most impressive royal city and spiritual and intellectual center of the country. The city of Fez is a witness to history and culture, knowledge and religion, but also the center of art, handicrafts and Moroccan gastronomy. You can still feel the Jewish influence today, in Fes it's all about enjoying, looking and learning.... Thanks to its art, science and faith, Fez is a spiritual center in the Arabic-speaking world and offers the intact image of a medieval city.
Today takes us to Volubilis and Meknes. Volubilis, or Walili as the Moroccans call the place, was an important Roman city on the western edge of the Roman Empire in ancient times. The remains uncovered today, such as the Capitol, the forum, the triumphal arch, the basilica and the thermal baths, bear witness to the past wealth of the inhabitants, who traded heavily in olive oil. The mosaic floors still shine today in such fresh colors as if they had only recently been laid. We then continue to Meknes, the smallest of the four royal cities with an old town that has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The city lies 550 meters above sea level, nestled in one of the most agriculturally fertile areas of Morocco. The region is known for its mild Mediterranean climate and is one of the largest areas for growing grapes and olives. Stop at the city gates Bab El Khemis and Bab el Mansour, certainly the most famous gate in Morocco - this is where trials used to be held and the heads of the executed were exhibited. Visit the large water basin, the "Bassin d'Agdal", the huge granary "Heri as Soauni" right next to it with the stables and then the mausoleum of Moulay Ismael, under whom the city experienced its heyday in the 17th century and his tomb is also open to non-Muslims. Return to Fes in the evening
Today's stage from Fes to Midelt takes you through the Middle Atlas over the Kandar Pass past mountain slopes forested with pine trees and holm oaks. Stop in Ifrane, a small town situated at 1650m above sea level and a popular destination for Moroccans in summer and winter. The town is also known for its elite university, Al Akhawayn. The route continues through immense cedar forests, where with a bit of luck you may encounter the cheeky Barbary macaques that live freely here, to Midelt (1488m). The small town in the middle of an impressive landscape lives from mining and fruit growing, especially apples, and is an ideal starting point for hikes to Djebel Ayachi (3737m).
Between the mountain ranges of the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas lies the still original, charming little town of Tinghir and invites you to linger a while with its miles of palm groves. Visit the world-famous Todra Gorge, with its rock faces up to 300 meters high. Take a short walk through palm and oasis gardens to the old mosque and Koran school of Ikelane, a witness to the last century and now a small museum. Afterwards, a short tour through the alleys of the partly beautifully restored Ksar, the old part of Tinghir and through the center with the famous "women's alley". If you are here on a Monday, be sure to visit the weekly rural market.
Via the villages of Alnif and Tazzarine, known for their fossil deposits and the cultivation of cumin "camoun beldi" and henna, you head towards Zagora. If you are traveling with a 4x4 vehicle, make a detour from Tazzarine in the direction of Taghbalt to Ait Ouazik to see the unique rock engravings. (Approx. 8 km after the traffic circle in Tazzarine, the road turns off to the right, the rock engravings are located on a hill behind the village of Ait Ouazik). Drive to Zagora through dry, stony landscapes via Taghbalt and the Tizi-n Tafilalt pass. Zagora, a typical sub-desert town, used to be an important stopover for caravans and a sign "52 days to Tombuktu" is a reminder of this ancient time. Today, the town is still an important marketplace in the region. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Suk takes place at the end of the town in the direction of Foum Zguid. In an area reserved for women only, you can admire the home-made goods and beauty products - the pottery from Zagora has a good reputation throughout the country.
After breakfast, you return to Zagora, then along the beautiful Draa Valley with its miles of palm groves, green oasis gardens and ancient clay castles to Agdz, a trading hub and once an important stopover for the trade caravans from Timbuktu. After crossing the Tinififft Pass, you approach Ouarzazate and its most famous sight, the Kasbah Taourirt. The Kasbah, which dates back to the 18th century, was once the official residence of the powerful Pasha Glaoui, who controlled the entire region south-east of Marrakech until 1956. Depending on your arrival time, you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the Kasbah and the district of Taourit. The magnificent landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, the architecture of the clay castles and the desert have attracted many film directors to this region. Here you also have the opportunity to visit one of the film studios. In the evening, you will reach Ait Benhaddou, perhaps the most impressive ksar in southern Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Magnificent mountain landscapes await you. Through the picturesque Ounilla Valley, along the course of the river, past pretty Berber villages, you drive to Telouet. The imposing and historic kasbah of the Berber prince El Glaoui, built between the 18th and 19th centuries, is located here at an altitude of 1800m. Despite its advanced state of decay, the huge building complex is impressive. The crossing of the famous Tizi n'Tischka Pass (2260 m above sea level), one of the highest pass roads in the country, offers breathtaking views of the valleys and the hamlets clinging to the mountainsides.
In the morning, accompanied by a local guide, you will visit Marrakech, also called the "City of the South". With him you will see some of the most important sites. You will pass by the Menara gardens and the Koutoubia (from the outside), then you will visit the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs and the El Badii Palace, followed by a stroll in the souks with a lunch break in a small restaurant in the souks. Then return to your Riad/hotel. Let the many new impressions pass through your mind, enjoy the "dolce far niente" or relax at the pool. (Note: not all Riads have a pool).
The former Mogador, as Essaouira was called until Morocco's independence, is now an attractive city that you can easily explore yourself. Besides the beach and the sea, Essaouira (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004) is a pleasant city with many possibilities for entertainment. In the morning you can watch the fish auction at the port. You can stroll through the old medina where you will find the jewellers' souk, many stalls selling beautiful handicrafts, the cedar wood inlay workshops and the Sqala de la Kasbah, a 200-metre long old battery. Sip mint tea on one of the countless terraces or go surfing or horseback riding, which are offered outside the city. If the wind is not too strong, you can laze on the beach or take a long walk. For lunch you can try a delicious fish dish and in the evening enjoy typical regional dishes in one of the many authentic restaurants.
We head along the coast to Casablanca. First stop in Safi, formerly a Portuguese trading center for slaves, gold and ivory. Today Safi is an important fishing port, mainly for sardines, and is famous for its potteries. Continue along the sea to El Jadida. In the former Mazagan, the "Cité Portugaise" is well worth a visit. The well-preserved fortified town from the Portuguese era, with thick fortress walls and four bastions, a church, a cistern and the small harbor, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Arrival in Casablanca in the late afternoon
The price includesAccommodation and meals according to the programme |
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French/English speaking driver-guide included (vehicle and fuel) |
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Transfer from/to the Airport |
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One 1.5 litre bottle of water per person per day during the tour |
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Guided city tour (½ day) in Marrakech, Rabat and Fes with an English speaking local guide. |
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Entrance fees to the monuments/sites indicated in the programme |
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Camel ride |
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Nights in tents in a luxury camp in the desert according to the programme. |
Not included in the priceFlight tickets |
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All drinks except water |
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Mandatory cancellation insurance |
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Personal travel insurance |
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Tips |
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Visit to the Majorelle Gardens/Berber Museum and the YSL Museum |
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Hammam and Massage |
The great classics
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