CASABLANCA to MARRAKECH (14 days) Morocco Encompas

DAY 1: Arrive in Casablanca - Transfer to hotel
Welcome to Morocco! After a short transfer from the airport, you will have a free day to explore this vibrant city. Tonight you will meet your fellow travellers at your pre-departure meeting at 6pm, organised at the joining hotel in the heart of town.
We also offer the option of joining this tour 1 day earlier in Marrakech, please check the extra options section for further details.

OVERNIGHT:
Casablanca hotel

MEALS:
Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 2: Visiting the capital city of Rabat. Drive to Tetouan
After breakfast, we will offer an optional visit to the stunning Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. This is a remarkable landmark, boasting the world's tallest minaret and ranking as the third-largest mosque globally, with a capacity for up to 25,000 worshippers.

Following this, we will journey towards Tetouan. En route, we will make a stop in Rabat, the official capital of Morocco, to explore several key sites: the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the Hassan Tower, and the Oudaya Kasbah.

Once we arrive in Tetouan and have checked into our hotel, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

OVERNIGHT:
Tetouan hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 3: Explore Tetouan and head to the Blue City of Chefchaouen
Following breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive to the centre of Tetouan, giving you some free time to explore this charming northern city. You might choose to admire the exterior of the Royal Palace, discover the elegant architecture of Our Lady of Victories Church, or simply relax at a local café with a cup of coffee or mint tea and watch the daily life unfold around you.

We then continue our journey to Chefchaouen, a scenic 1.5-hour drive away.

Upon arrival, we'll take a brief orientation walk through the old medina. The rest of the afternoon is then free for you to explore the famous "Blue City" at your own pace.

Nestled high in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen's striking blue-and-white medina began as a Berber stronghold. You'll have time to wander its narrow, blue-painted alleyways and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.

The city's heart is the main square, which features the 18th-century Kasbah, the central mosque, and numerous cafés serving authentic local dishes. The lively market offers a blend of traditional Moroccan crafts and unique souvenirs.

For those up for a short climb, follow the mountain trail to Ras El-Ma, the spring that supplies the entire city. This viewpoint rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view over the 'Blue Pearl of Morocco'.

OVERNIGHT:
Chefchaouen hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 4: Visit Volubilis and Meknes, continue to Fes
After breakfast, we will make our way through the Rif Mountains towards Volubilis, passing through Ouazzane and other Rif villages.

In Volubilis, we will visit the impressive Roman ruins and learn about the archaeological site and its place in Moroccan history.

We will then continue to Meknes, a city famed for its 17th-century heritage. We will stop here for lunch and take some time to admire the historical walls of the Medina and the monumental gate, Bab El Mansour.

Following our visit to Meknes, we will drive directly to Fes, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, where we will spend the night.

OVERNIGHT:
Fes hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 5: Exploring the ancient city of Fes
Considered the largest and oldest medieval city in the world by many, Fes is over 1,200 years old and is famous for its busy Medina. Home to 400,000 inhabitants this is packed with narrow winding streets, mosques, souks and is a heady mix of sights, smells and sounds. We'll spend plenty of time exploring the Medina, seeing various palaces and mosques (which non-Muslims will not be able to enter), and many different crafts on sale. Our guided tour will also include the Fes's famous dye-pits and tanneries, as well as a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and pottery. Finally we'll return to our hotel to relax after a long day of walking and exploring. This evening there is the option for a traditional meal inside the city with live Moroccan entertainment including music, belly dancing and magicians.

OVERNIGHT:
Fes hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 6: Head to Midelt, berber family experience
This morning we journey over the Moyen Atlas and overnight at the mountainous location of Midelt. A small town that consists of little more than one main street, most tourists would not stop here but this is a beautiful alpine area surrounded by huge pine trees and a great place for hiking the tranquil surroundings. Midelt is also a good place for carpet shopping with a small friendly population.We visit a local Berber family to experience a few hours in their way of life. Through our financial support of the family, they have built a new toilet block for the extended family. Our visits will continue to further support local families. We will enjoy a small hike in the afternoon then spend the night in this mountain location.

OVERNIGHT:
Midelt hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 7: Sahara Desert - Camel Trek & Berber camp
Today we enjoy a stunning drive into the Sahara Desert and a fantastic Moroccan lunch (optional), after which you can spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming (except in Winter months). Then we will head towards the desert and Merzouga. Here we can experience a camel ride where we trek into the desert for a night at our authentic Berber Camp. In the evening there is plenty of local food to enjoy also the opportunity to listen to local music and a night out under the incredible Sahara night sky filled with stars. (Camel trek included).

Please note that to ensure the well being of camels used on this tour, we have the following policies in place:

- Our camels are only used for approximately 1 hour, once per day.
- Camels are free to roam throughout the day and have access to food and water.
- No camels younger than 4 years old are used for camel rides.
- We have a policy of only 1 rider per camel.
- All camels are regularly vet checked.

OVERNIGHT:
Berber Camp

MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 8: The Todra Gorge (optional rock climbing)
Today is spent exploring Todra Gorge, from its plunging depths to its 1000 foot high cliffs. You have the opportunity to discover the charm of Todra on your trek or go for optional Rock Climbing. You can witness its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Or alternatively, you could choose just to chill out for the day.

OVERNIGHT:
Todra Gorge hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 9: Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
Today our journey takes us through Ouarzazate, where you have the chance for an optional tour of the Film Studios. We then drive on to Aït Benhaddou, a 'fortified city', situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples of kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, the site had been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Here we also include a guided tour of the main Kasbah.

OVERNIGHT:
Ait Benhaddou hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 10: Heading to the coastal city of Essaouira
The drive today takes us through truly stunning landscapes as we pass over the High Atlas Mountains, making our way to the coastal city of Essaouira. A colourful fishing town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications, where great beaches and surf beckon. You can choose to relax on the beach of explore the UNESCO listed medina, with its many market stalls and woodcarving workshops. All of the city gates will take you in to the Medina, so you won't get lost! The beach is in front of the medina and there are plenty of cafés with terraces, both ideal for relaxing for a few hours. Blue doors and window frames abound as do the artists shops – buy a carpet or Thuya wood carving or sit on the beach sipping a mint tea as the sun sets, an antidote to the hustle & bustle of the Imperial cities.

OVERNIGHT:
Essaouira hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 11: Free day in Essaouira
You'll have another free day today to further explore the city of Essaouira. If you haven't already, be sure to make the most of your time to explore the UNESCO listed Medina and Portuguese fortifications.

OVERNIGHT:
Essaouira hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 12: Leave the coast and journey to Marrakech
We'll leave Essaouira this morning either by minivan on onboard the Supratours public bus, with our final destination being the city of Marrakech, the final one of four Imperial Cities we'll have visited on this tour and the second oldest. The city is also known as the 'ochre city'. The city is set against backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the skyline is marked by the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque, a sister tower to the Tower of Hassan in Rabat. Why not begin exploring the city this evening with a visit to the Djemaa-el-Fna square, where you'll see vibrant street sellers, entertainers and street food galore!

OVERNIGHT:
Marrakech hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 13: Optional Marrakech Tour
Today is free to explore at leisure or why not join our optional guided tour of the city with our guide. The tour will feature Marrakech's pride and main landmark, the Koutoubia Tower. A companion tower to the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Tower of Hassan in Rabat, it is said that the sultan who built them had the eyes of his architect cut out to prevent him from ever building a more beautiful tower elsewhere. Our tour of course will also take in Marrakech's UNESCO listed medina, which is packed with stalls packed with spices, crafts, and seemingly everything else under the sun. We'll finish at the Djemaa-el-Fna, which is Marrakech's famous large open square. This really comes to life at night with masses of street food stalls, entertainers and local people packing it for the evening. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool, explore the markets further, or do some souvenir shopping.

OVERNIGHT:
Marrakech hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 14: Tour ends in Marrakech
Your Moroccan tour with us ends after breakfast today and your time is free until you depart. Our guide or the hotel will help you arrange a taxi for the short drive to the airport, or you can add extra days to explore Marrakech further if you wish.

OVERNIGHT:
N/A

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 1: Arrive in Casablanca - Transfer to hotel
Welcome to Morocco! After a short transfer from the airport, you will have a free day to explore this vibrant city. Tonight you will meet your fellow travellers at your pre-departure meeting at 6pm, organised at the joining hotel in the heart of town.
We also offer the option of joining this tour 1 day earlier in Marrakech, please check the extra options section for further details.

OVERNIGHT:
Casablanca hotel

MEALS:
Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 2: Visiting the capital city of Rabat. Drive to Tetouan
After breakfast, we will offer an optional visit to the stunning Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. This is a remarkable landmark, boasting the world's tallest minaret and ranking as the third-largest mosque globally, with a capacity for up to 25,000 worshippers.

Following this, we will journey towards Tetouan. En route, we will make a stop in Rabat, the official capital of Morocco, to explore several key sites: the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the Hassan Tower, and the Oudaya Kasbah.

Once we arrive in Tetouan and have checked into our hotel, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

OVERNIGHT:
Tetouan hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 3: Explore Tetouan and head to the Blue City of Chefchaouen
Following breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive to the centre of Tetouan, giving you some free time to explore this charming northern city. You might choose to admire the exterior of the Royal Palace, discover the elegant architecture of Our Lady of Victories Church, or simply relax at a local café with a cup of coffee or mint tea and watch the daily life unfold around you.

We then continue our journey to Chefchaouen, a scenic 1.5-hour drive away.

Upon arrival, we'll take a brief orientation walk through the old medina. The rest of the afternoon is then free for you to explore the famous "Blue City" at your own pace.

Nestled high in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen's striking blue-and-white medina began as a Berber stronghold. You'll have time to wander its narrow, blue-painted alleyways and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.

The city's heart is the main square, which features the 18th-century Kasbah, the central mosque, and numerous cafés serving authentic local dishes. The lively market offers a blend of traditional Moroccan crafts and unique souvenirs.

For those up for a short climb, follow the mountain trail to Ras El-Ma, the spring that supplies the entire city. This viewpoint rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view over the 'Blue Pearl of Morocco'.

OVERNIGHT:
Chefchaouen hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 4: Visit Volubilis and Meknes, continue to Fes
After breakfast, we will make our way through the Rif Mountains towards Volubilis, passing through Ouazzane and other Rif villages.

In Volubilis, we will visit the impressive Roman ruins and learn about the archaeological site and its place in Moroccan history.

We will then continue to Meknes, a city famed for its 17th-century heritage. We will stop here for lunch and take some time to admire the historical walls of the Medina and the monumental gate, Bab El Mansour.

Following our visit to Meknes, we will drive directly to Fes, the oldest and largest medieval city in the world, where we will spend the night.

OVERNIGHT:
Fes hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 5: Exploring the ancient city of Fes
Considered the largest and oldest medieval city in the world by many, Fes is over 1,200 years old and is famous for its busy Medina. Home to 400,000 inhabitants this is packed with narrow winding streets, mosques, souks and is a heady mix of sights, smells and sounds. We'll spend plenty of time exploring the Medina, seeing various palaces and mosques (which non-Muslims will not be able to enter), and many different crafts on sale. Our guided tour will also include the Fes's famous dye-pits and tanneries, as well as a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and pottery. Finally we'll return to our hotel to relax after a long day of walking and exploring. This evening there is the option for a traditional meal inside the city with live Moroccan entertainment including music, belly dancing and magicians.

OVERNIGHT:
Fes hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 6: Head to Midelt, berber family experience
This morning we journey over the Moyen Atlas and overnight at the mountainous location of Midelt. A small town that consists of little more than one main street, most tourists would not stop here but this is a beautiful alpine area surrounded by huge pine trees and a great place for hiking the tranquil surroundings. Midelt is also a good place for carpet shopping with a small friendly population.We visit a local Berber family to experience a few hours in their way of life. Through our financial support of the family, they have built a new toilet block for the extended family. Our visits will continue to further support local families. We will enjoy a small hike in the afternoon then spend the night in this mountain location.

OVERNIGHT:
Midelt hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 7: Sahara Desert - Camel Trek & Berber camp
Today we enjoy a stunning drive into the Sahara Desert and a fantastic Moroccan lunch (optional), after which you can spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming (except in Winter months). Then we will head towards the desert and Merzouga. Here we can experience a camel ride where we trek into the desert for a night at our authentic Berber Camp. In the evening there is plenty of local food to enjoy also the opportunity to listen to local music and a night out under the incredible Sahara night sky filled with stars. (Camel trek included).

Please note that to ensure the well being of camels used on this tour, we have the following policies in place:

- Our camels are only used for approximately 1 hour, once per day.
- Camels are free to roam throughout the day and have access to food and water.
- No camels younger than 4 years old are used for camel rides.
- We have a policy of only 1 rider per camel.
- All camels are regularly vet checked.

OVERNIGHT:
Berber Camp

MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 8: The Todra Gorge (optional rock climbing)
Today is spent exploring Todra Gorge, from its plunging depths to its 1000 foot high cliffs. You have the opportunity to discover the charm of Todra on your trek or go for optional Rock Climbing. You can witness its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Or alternatively, you could choose just to chill out for the day.

OVERNIGHT:
Todra Gorge hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 9: Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
Today our journey takes us through Ouarzazate, where you have the chance for an optional tour of the Film Studios. We then drive on to Aït Benhaddou, a 'fortified city', situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples of kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, the site had been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Here we also include a guided tour of the main Kasbah.

OVERNIGHT:
Ait Benhaddou hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 10: Heading to the coastal city of Essaouira
The drive today takes us through truly stunning landscapes as we pass over the High Atlas Mountains, making our way to the coastal city of Essaouira. A colourful fishing town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications, where great beaches and surf beckon. You can choose to relax on the beach of explore the UNESCO listed medina, with its many market stalls and woodcarving workshops. All of the city gates will take you in to the Medina, so you won't get lost! The beach is in front of the medina and there are plenty of cafés with terraces, both ideal for relaxing for a few hours. Blue doors and window frames abound as do the artists shops – buy a carpet or Thuya wood carving or sit on the beach sipping a mint tea as the sun sets, an antidote to the hustle & bustle of the Imperial cities.

OVERNIGHT:
Essaouira hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 11: Free day in Essaouira
You'll have another free day today to further explore the city of Essaouira. If you haven't already, be sure to make the most of your time to explore the UNESCO listed Medina and Portuguese fortifications.

OVERNIGHT:
Essaouira hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 12: Leave the coast and journey to Marrakech
We'll leave Essaouira this morning either by minivan on onboard the Supratours public bus, with our final destination being the city of Marrakech, the final one of four Imperial Cities we'll have visited on this tour and the second oldest. The city is also known as the 'ochre city'. The city is set against backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the skyline is marked by the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque, a sister tower to the Tower of Hassan in Rabat. Why not begin exploring the city this evening with a visit to the Djemaa-el-Fna square, where you'll see vibrant street sellers, entertainers and street food galore!

OVERNIGHT:
Marrakech hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 13: Optional Marrakech Tour
Today is free to explore at leisure or why not join our optional guided tour of the city with our guide. The tour will feature Marrakech's pride and main landmark, the Koutoubia Tower. A companion tower to the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Tower of Hassan in Rabat, it is said that the sultan who built them had the eyes of his architect cut out to prevent him from ever building a more beautiful tower elsewhere. Our tour of course will also take in Marrakech's UNESCO listed medina, which is packed with stalls packed with spices, crafts, and seemingly everything else under the sun. We'll finish at the Djemaa-el-Fna, which is Marrakech's famous large open square. This really comes to life at night with masses of street food stalls, entertainers and local people packing it for the evening. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool, explore the markets further, or do some souvenir shopping.

OVERNIGHT:
Marrakech hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None

DAY 14: Tour ends in Marrakech
Your Moroccan tour with us ends after breakfast today and your time is free until you depart. Our guide or the hotel will help you arrange a taxi for the short drive to the airport, or you can add extra days to explore Marrakech further if you wish.

OVERNIGHT:
N/A

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
None