Moroccan Explorer 2011 - 12

Itinerary

Day 1 - Marrakech

We meet our Topdeck representative for our included airport transfer. An optional half day tour out to the stunning Ourika Valley to see traditional Berber villages is available to those arriving early today – otherwise, a free day. In the evening we meet our Trip Leader to find out more about our trip.

Day 2 - Marrakech

This morning we take a traditional horse and carriage for a half day city tour with a local guide visiting the Tombs, the Palace, the medina and the famous Djemaa el-fna square. (B)

Day 3 - Marrakech - Rabat

Our first stop is Casablanca where we have a guided tour around the impressive Hassan II Mosque. After lunch we head to Rabat where we visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Kasbah des Oudaias. (B)

Day 4 - Rabat - Fes

We head inland today first stopping at Volubilis, Morocco’s largest and best preserved Roman ruins. Close by we visit Meknes, the third Imperial city. From here it’s a short drive to Fes, the oldest of the Imperial cities. (B)

Day 5 - Fes

Today we take in the vibrant atmosphere of Fes on a full day tour with a local guide. We visit the Medersa Bou Inania, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and the Andalusian and El Quaraoiyin Mosques. We visit the Nejjarine Square with its 18th century fountain. Fes medina is a maze of more than 9000 small narrow cobbled streets, and is a world away from modern Fes. (B)

Day 6 - Fes - Merzouga

We cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara. We arrive in the evening and stay in a very authentic Moroccan guest house right the edge of the dunes. At night after we watch the sun go down, we kick back Berber style with singing and dancing and traditional Berber food. (B,D)

DAY 7 - Merzouga

We have the morning relaxing on the edge of the sand dunes, as we take in the scenery. It is an amazing experience swimming in the guest house pool, while looking at the vastness of the desert stretching in front of us. Lunch is included at the guest house and then we set off with our guide into the desert as we walk through and over the dunes to our camp at an Oasis. (Walk is approximately 2 hours. There is the option to pay locally and ride by camel instead of walking). At the Oasis we have dinner around the campfire, and sleep in Berber tents; a true desert experience. (B,L,D,)

Day 8 - Merzouga - Dades Gorge

We make the journey back to meet up with our Driver as we leave the desert behind us. We travel through the vast countryside, watching the impressive landscape change again. Local conditions permitting we visit the very impressive Todra Gorge before continuing on to Dades Gorge. (B,D)

Day 9 - Dades Gorge - Marrakech

We visit the Kasbah of Ait BenHaddou. We head to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara and now famous as Hollywood in the desert, due to the number of famous movies that have been made there. We then climb over the 2260m Tizi n’Tichka Pass and then drop down to the plains as we arrive in Marrakech late afternoon. Time to freshen up and have a last night out together (B).

Day 10 - Marrakech

The trip finishes after breakfast. For those flying out late in the day it’s a good chance to take the optional excursion to the Ourika valley, or for those joining the Atlas Trek, your trip starts after breakfast. (B).