Day 1: Marrakech | Dar Rhizlane or 2 Ciels Hotel |  D

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• Arrival and greeting at Marrakech

• Check-in at luxury boutique hotel

• Welcome to Morocco dinner and show at Koya by Safran.

Day 2: Marrakech |Dar Rhizlane or 2 Ciels Hotel |  B L D

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• Today you will have a full day to explore Marrakech, Pearl of the South, with visits, among others, to colorful historical monuments:

  • Koutoubia Mosque: Admire the stunning architecture of this iconic landmark.

  • Saadian Tombs: Discover the architectural masterpieces and tombs housed in two mausoleums.

  • Bahia Palace: the 19th-century architectural marvel adorned with vibrant mosaics, intricately painted wood, and gleaming Italian marble unveils its rich history and stories of the city’s

  • past glory.

  • Dar Si Said Museum: Explore this museum dedicated to Moroccan arts.

  • Ben Youssef Madrasa: Visit this 16th-century Islamic college founded by Moulay Abdallah, renowned for its exquisite architecture. Intricately carved wooden ceilings and detailed tilework hark back to the grandeur of Morocco’s educational heritage.

  • Jemaa el-Fnaa: In the afternoon, stroll through the famous square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, where you can experience food stalls, storytellers, henna tattoo artists, musicians, acrobats, and other entertainers. Continue your exploration through the various souks (markets) and the ancient Medina, immersing in the authentic culture of the Moroccan Kingdom.  After refreshing at your lodging enjoy a lavish dinner accompanied by traditional entertainment at one of the city’s renowned nighttime venues.

Day 3: Marrakech - Imlil (Atlas Mountains) | Dar Imlil Riyad |  B L D

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• Drive to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, enjoy coffee on the veranda of Richard Branson’s Kasbah “Tamadot” and soak in the mountain views.

• Take a 2-3 hour hike from Imlil to the next village through rocky uphill foot/donkey paths past local homes, farms. Stop for tea and snacks at a local Berber villager’s home, hike back down to Imlil.

• Check in at the 5***** Dar Imlil Riyad guest house on the river with great mountain views. Enjoy a swim in the big pool (weather permitting) and a wonderful home-cooked Berber meal.

Day 4: Imlil – Marrakech | Dar Rhizlane or 2 Ciels Hotel  | B L D

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• After breakfast, drive to Ouirgane to hike (easy to moderate) in the National Park.

• Visit traditional olive oil “factory farm” employing donkeys to power the olives crusher, enjoy tea, snacks and taste the olive oil with the farmer’s family.

• Return to Marrakech for dinner at Patron de la Mer (seafood specialties) or at your riyad.

Day 5: Marrakech – Dades | Xaluca Dades Gorge Hotel  I  B L D

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• After an early breakfast, depart for a journey through the High Atlas mountains with winding roads, a flowing river, palm orchards, changing scenery with colorful valleys, shepherds with their flocks and Berber villages high up on the hillsides. You will drive over the Tizi'n Tichka Pass, amazingly scenic at 7400’ elevation, highest point of the Atlas Mountains and the highest pass in North Africa.

• Stop in Ouarzazate to visit the immensely popular tourist destination at UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, The Gladiator, Gladiator 2, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, Time Bandits, Prince of Persia, and many others.

• Continue on and stop in Skoura for a walk in the historical oasis and palm grove.

• Optional stop in the “City of Roses” Kalaat M’Gouna village to
  walk in the fields with local women farmers and their animals.

• Continue to Dades Gorges, a scenic High Atlas Mountain valley; consider a late afternoon hike/walk

• Dinner at our pick of local restaurants

Day 6: Dades – Sahara Desert | Xaluca Luxury Camp  I  B L D​

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• After breakfast, drive to Todra Gorge for a quick walk at the gorge or a longer hike through the valley below the canyon past a changing assortment of barren mountain vistas and lush green scenery of the Tinghir Oasis.

• Continue on to Merzouga to visit Khamlia, a small town of Gnaoua & Berbers villagers. The Gnaoua came from near Sudan
  and have preserved their language and their music; watch as they perform their music and dance for you to an intoxicating percussion!

• From Erg Chebbi, climb aboard your camel (or Jeep 4x4) to begin the Moroccan desert evening that travelers consider among the most memorable highlights of their tour! Admire the desert sunset over majestic Sahara dunes and spend tonight in a luxury heated Berber tent with all facilities at this desert oasis.

• Dinner, entertainment, stargazing and overnight at Xaluca Luxury Desert Camp

Day 7: Merzouga Desert Camp - Midelt | Riad Villa Pomme d'Or

B L D

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• This morning, opt to hike for a couple of hours in the Sahara Desert or the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, ride ATVs in the sand dunes, ride camels, visit traditional nomadic camps on the desert plateau to see how nomads today live today, or just relax at the desert camp.

• After the return to Merzouga, drive through the beautiful Ziz Gorge; hike or walk through the beautiful valley full of palms.

• Check in to a luxury riyad guest house in Midelt where you’re greeted with offerings of delicious dates and roasted almonds. Enjoy dinner and comfortable evening at Riad Pomme d'Or.

Day 8: Midelt - Fez | Palais Faraj  |  B L D

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• After breakfast, it’s a short drive to the tiny Berber community of farmers/ranchers (Ait Ghiat) to visit a rural family. Enjoy tea and freshly baked bread inside a villagers’ house. See how the self-sustaining Berber people live off the land tending their goats, donkeys, chickens and sheep. Continue on, driving through the Middle Atlas Mountains to stop in the delightful town of Ifrane – a European looking mountain town (the “Little Switzerland" of Morocco). Walk around the town and stop for a drink and/or snack.

• Drive to Fez for check-in and dinner at your lodging, Palais Faraj

Day 9: Fez  |  Palais Faraj   |  B L D

After breakfast, enjoy the guided city Tour of Fez.

• Explore the city’s intricate mosques and madrasas, renowned for stunning architecture and decorative artistry. Fez has Morocco’s first Jewish district established in 1438.  Visit the vibrant tannery where traditional leather production methods are still in practice. 

• Discover the historical and cultural treasures of Fez with your guide on the comprehensive private tour of this Imperial City and its stunning architecture. Fez boasts the world’s largest Medina and car-free zone, a labyrinth of narrow streets and souks - the hub of the city’s culture and spirituality.

• Enjoy lunch of traditional cuisine at Restaurant Ryad Nejjarine

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• ​Fez Highlights​​​

  • Chouara Tannery:  It is the largest tannery in the city and one of the oldest

  • Fez el-Bali: The oldest walled part of Fez - an engaging local neighborhood

  • Museo Nejjarine: The specialty museum of wooden arts and crafts

  • Bab Boujloud: Ornate carved city gates

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• Al-Attarine Madrasa:  It was built in 1323-25 and is considered one of the highest achievements of Marinid architecture due to its rich and harmonious decoration and its efficient use of limited space.

• Jardin Jnan Sbil: these gardens were created in the 19th century and were originally exclusive to royal elites. They were connected to the Royal Palace by an underground passage.

 

• Day 10: Fez (Day trip - Volubulis - Meknes) | Palais Faraj |  B L D

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• After breakfast, set off (1:30 drive time) for a day trip first with local guide to the recently excavated Roman ruins at Volubulis, then transfer for a guided tour at Meknes.

• ​The 2000-year-old Roman ruins of Volubilis are Morocco’s best-preserved archaeological site, and since 1997 a UNESCO World Heritage. Only half of Volubilis’s ruins have been excavated.  Its many mosaics, the site's main feature, are preserved in situ.​

• ​Meknes (:45 drive time), a quieter, laid-back town was Morocco’s 4th Imperial City, its former capital and the home of the the country's sultanate. The city is no less important historically than Fez due to its road network and three sets of defensive fortifications. The king’s tomb stands in the remains of the original imperial city, flanked by a majestic royal granary – the magnificent Bab El Mansour. On the other side of the vast Hedim Square is the Museum of Moroccan Art “Dar Jamai” offering a wide variety of handicrafts  ​

 

Day 11: Fez - Chefchaouen |  Riad Cherifa  |  B L D

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• After breakfast drive to Chefchaouen (2:15 drive), picturesque town nestled in the Rif Mountains. Known for its distinctive blue-washed buildings, Chefchaouen, Morocco's "Blue City" is a tranquil retreat and a "paradise" for photographers.  Wander through narrow cobblestone streets admiring vibrant blue buildings. Visit Chefchaouen Kasbah, a historic citadel and the town's main attraction, and the Spanish Mosque offering panoramic city and mountain views.

 

Day 12: Chefchaouen - Tetouan | Hotel or Riyad  |  B L D

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• After breakfast tour Chefchaouen with the city’s first female guide Amina before heading off to Tetouan.​

• Nestled at the foot of the Rif Mountains, Tetouan is considered the most Andalusian city in Morocco due to its location.  The Spanish influence is everywhere as locals speak the language and the city'sarchitecture has the Spanish look and feel.  

• Though smaller than those of larger cities,Tetouan's Medina features Andalusian, Jewish and Berberq quarters hardly touched by development - Morocco's most authentic Medina.

• Options:Visit Oddi Family Museum; the archeological museum; hikes in the Rif Mountains; visit the beach 30 mins. away.

 

Day 13: Tetouan - Tangier | Barcelo Tangier Hotel | B L D

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• Following breakfast, visit the viewpoint over Tetouan for views of city and valley toward the Straits of Gibraltar.  

• ​Transfer to Tangier, Morocco's "Gateway City" between Europe

• and Africa. The tour begins in the Old Medina, historic heart of the city. Wander through narrow streets, bustling souks and vibrant markets of the Old City. Stop for the best nougat ever while learning the storied history of the 60-year international zone controlled by European countries and the U.S. where French, Arabic and Spanish are spoken everywhere and water views a stone's throw away.​

• Enjoy an excellent dinner at majestic El Minzah Hotel's traditional Moroccan restaurant with live music and belly dancing.

 

Day 14: Tangier – Rabat  |  Barcelo Rabat  | B L D

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• After breakfast, early departure to drive to Rabat, an Imperial Kingdom City and the Capital of Morocco. 

• City tour (Royal Palace's stunning Islamic architecture, and official residence of Morocco's King; Hassan Tower, iconic minaret of an incomplete mosque, Mohammed V Mausoleum; and Oudayas Kasbah ("kasbah": a fortress or citadel), with Atlantic ocean vistas.

• Visit Chellah, a medieval fortified necropolis and pastoral site being  excavated to expose ancient discoveries.

• Enjoy the new Photography Museum on the ocean waterfront

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Day 15: Rabat - Casablanca  |  Barcelo Rabat  | B L D

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• After breakfast, travel to Casablanca for the flight home or journey onward, or for setting off again to enjoy additional days in other fascinating parts of Morocco that we've visited, highly recommend and can arrange for our travelers to visit!

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*Notes: (1) MTAG Itineraries are tailored to suit the unique interests, the pace of travel and the budget of each private group; (2) The lodgings shown are indicative of the quality our travelers can expect. Depending on fluctuating price and availability substitutions may be made.