Highlights of Morocco

Rabat - Meknes - Fez - Ifrane - Atlas Mountains - Ziz Gorges - Erfoud - Rissani - Road of 1000 Kasbahs - Du Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Ouarzazate - Marrakech - Casablanca

Highlights of Morocco

A tour from Archers Direct (Cosmos)
The Itinerary and the map are from their website where the blurb says

'Immerse yourself in the beauty of Morocco, from enchanting cities of exotic Moorish architecture, bustling souks and aromatic spices, to stunning desert landscapes of golden dunes, kasbahs and oases.

Included highlights:
Rabat: City sightseeing including Chellah Gardens
Meknes: City sightseeing
Fez: Visit
Ifrane: Visit
Atlas Mountains: Scenic drive
Ziz Gorges & Oasis: Scenic highlight
Erfoud: Visit
Rissani: Visit
Road of 1000 Kasbahs: Scenic drive
Du Dades Valley: Scenic drive
Todra Gorges: Scenic drive
Ouarzazate Orientation & Kasbah de Tourirt: visit
Ait-Benhaddou Kasbah: Visit
Marrakech: City sightseeing
Casablanca: City sightseeing

Day 1, Friday 26th September:

Arrival.
Departing London Heathrow at 18.10 and arriving in Casablanca at 20.30 where I will be met by an Archers representative and transferred to the 4* Ramada Les Almohades at Avenue Moulay Hassan I Casablanca for an overnight stay.

Day 2, Saturday 27th September:

Casablanca - Rabat (included sightseeing) - Meknes (included sightseeing) - Fez
Drive along the coast road to Rabat, Morocco's historic capital, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city with local guide, highlights of which include the Royal Palace, Hassan's Tower, the Kasbah of Ouidais and the magnificent Chellah Gardens.

Then it's on to Meknes, where you'll enjoy more included sightseeing of the mosques and palaces of this fascinating city, famous for its 16 miles of protective walls.

Next stop is the ancient city of Fez, the oldest of Morocco's four splendid Imperial Cities, for a two-night stay at the 4* Menzeh (Menzeh Zalagh Hotel) at 10 Rue Mohammed Diouri, Fes, Morocco 30000. They have a swimming pool and a sauna. (B, D)

Day 3, Sunday 28th September:

Fez
Breakfast included then the day is yours to explore this ancient city, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty.

Why not join our optional sightseeing tour of the city where we visit the huge ornate arch of Bab Boujeloud and the maze of bustling streets and alleys that make up the old medina, with its colourful souks and spice stalls? Then marvel at the 9th-century Karaouine Mosque, the city's most beautiful building.

Imperial Medina of Fez €18
Fez is famous for its old feudal quarter with narrow winding streets, native markets, the Mederas and grand palaces such as the Royal Palace and the Mousoleum of Moulay Idriss II. Also see the Jewish quarter and the oldest tannery.

Traditional Moroccan Evening €38
Starting with an illuminated tour of this imperial city, the evening continues with a typical four-course Moroccan dinner at the 'Al Fassia' restaurant located in the old part of the town. The dinner includes wine and local mint tea. Arabian and Berber entertainers will complete your 'Moorish' experience.

Day 4, Monday 29th September:

Fez - Atlas Mountains - Ziz Valley - Erfoud.
Today's journey will include a visit to the picturesque mountain resort of Ifrane, a scenic Middle Atlas Mountains drive and a chance to view the spectacular Ziz Valley. You will stay for two nights in Erfoud, part of the oasis of Tafilalt on the edge of the mighty Sahara Desert. The hotel is the Kasbah Tizimi at B.P 94 ROUTE DE JORF, ERFOUD. It has a heated pool. (B, D)

Day 5, Tuesday 30th September:

Erfoud (included visit to Rissani).
Today you'll enjoy an included visit to the fortified village of Rissani, with its impressive Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alawite dynasty.

Sahara Dunes at Sunset €28
An exciting trip to the 450-foot high Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Time here to visit a Berber shepherd's family tent and possibly climb to the top of the dunes for unforgettable views at sunset.

(B, D)

Day 6, Wednesday 1st October:

Erfoud - Road of 1000 Kasbahs - Ouarzazate
We drive through the impressive Todra Gorges and past the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains to Tinerhir oasis, with its green valley of palms and local villages, and west to the Du Dades Valley, also known as the 'Valley of 1000 Kasbahs.' We arrive at Ouarzazate, a charming oasis resort with an exotic Kasbah, steeped in traditional Moroccan culture, for an overnight stay at the 4* Hotel Ibis Moussafir Ouarzazate at Avenue Moulay Rachid - 45000. They have a pool.(B, D)

Day 7, Thursday 2nd October:

Ouarzazate - Ait-Benhaddou - Marrakech
This morning enjoy an orientation drive of Ouazazate and the visit of Kasbah de Tourirt. Continue via Ait-Benhaddou through picturesque villages and rugged mountain scenery, Tiffoultoute oasis, where most of the film 'Lawrence of Arabia' was shot, to the 7,414 foot high Tizi-n-Tichkas Pass, in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving in the imperial city of Marrakech, where you will stay for two nights at the Hotel El Andalousat President Kennedy Avenue - MARRAKECH. It has a pool, sauna, and massage with oils. (B, D)

Day 8, Friday 3rd October:

Marrakech. Included sightseeing
The snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains rise majestically above Morocco's enchanting 'pink city'. You'll enjoy a city sightseeing tour with a local guide this morning.

1001 Nights €40
An illumination drive of Marrakech, a four-course dinner with delicious Moroccan specialities and wine and a spectacular oriental folklore show with music and dancing.

(B)

Day 9, Saturday 4th October:

Marrakech - Casablanca (included sightseeing)
Leave Morocco's magical city, Marrakech, for the journey back to Casablanca. In the afternoon enjoy the sights of Casablanca on our included city sightseeing with local guide. (B, D)

Day 10, Casablanca - UK:

Transfer to Casablanca airport for your flight to the UK. Departing Casablanca at 12.40 and arriving in Heathrow at 16.50(B)