Morocco Explored Magical History tour is a spicy 10 days exploring some of the most interesting sites in this land of amazing and complex history. You'll visit exotic Marrakech, the destination for caravans out of Africa, cross the High Atlas to UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou - gateway to Sahara, taste Berber village ways of life in a designated biosreserve at Cascades Ouzoud, discover the soulful Imperial city of Fes, explore the most southern outpost of Roman cities Volubilis, wander a despots ruined palace in Meknes, and relax with playful beach time near Essaouira, a former Portuguese colony on the Atlantic coast. This tour does not visit the Sahara or include camel trekking.

Throughout this tour you will be immersed in Berber and Arab cultures mingling with African ways of life, closely tied to ancient traditions. You will visit souks (markets), Imperial cities, kasbahs, palaces, Berber villages, Roman ruins, stay in medina riads and traditional buildings. All transport by a very comfortable large 4x4 cars. Tours leave and return to Marrakech and Fes or Casablanca, minimum of two persons.

EMAIL for PRICES | sample 10 day Itinerary | return to Custom Tour s

For more information about Morocco, explore the icons at the top of this page.

Sample Ten Day Tour

This sample 10 tour can be shortened to 7 to 9 days, or add any number of days.

Day 1
Arrive Marrakech. Evening drums will draw you to the Djemaa El Fna (main city square) where a festival atmosphere awaits travellers as it has for a thousand years. Plunge past the snake charmers and have your fortune told, listen to Berber and Gnoua musicians, or storytellers, or watch the "exotic" dancers illuminated by lamplight and wreathed in smoke. Food stall meals range from a bevy of fresh salads, harrira (lentil and bean soups) fried fish and chips (Moroccan style) to kebabs and even sheep's head (a specialty that has its own dedicated stalls). Stay Marrakech ancient medina in the heart of the old city. Your riad (old house) has a central, tiled, courtyard, with breakfast served on a rooftop terrace.

Day 2
Transport (3.5 hours) from Marrakech crossing the High Atlas mountains. Our destination is the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. This historic cluster of old kasbahs was the stronghold stop for caravans crossing the High Atlas to pay taxes for protection from thieves after their gold, slaves, salt and ivory. Stay this night in Ait Benhaddou auberge.

Day 3
Depart and transport back over the High Atlas mountains and weather permitting, take a remote route to Ouzoud waterfalls. We will stop and enjoy the impressive landscapes, have lunch, and explore a cave before arriving at Cascades Ouzoud. These intriguing waterfalls cascade into a spectacular gorge through a series of pools. Exploring trails above and below the falls, you'll see Barbary apes and exotic birds.
Stay in a charming Ouzoud traditional riad overlooking the falls.

Day 4
Transport 7 hours – this is our longest day - from Ouzoud to Fez. We will stop and enjoy the views leaving the High Atlas for the low land plains and the bread basket of Morocco, passing extensive olive groves and oil presses, then climbing the Middle Atlas mountains before reaching Fes.

Day 5
After breakfast, meet your guide for the day, and explore this ancient and fascinating medina with your guide. Discover the endless labyrinth of narrow streets, with hundreds of tiny shops, wool dyers and craft manufacturers who ply their trade in narrow medieval grottoes, as well as hidden historic treasures, and the leather tanneries, still using techniques from ancient times, producing fine leather in beautiful colours. Fes is also famous for its robust and beautiful pottery, and it's delicious regional cuisine. Stay in trditional Fes riad.

Day 6
Depart Fes to explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis near Meknes. The Romans built Volubilis as a trading doorway into Africa and for 200 years in the 2nd and 3rdC AD it was the furthest outpost of all Roman cities. It's beautiful floor mosaics and carved house columns are still well preserved. The surrounding land is prized for it's olive oil and ancient trees. Continue to Meknes and stay in a medina riad.

Day 7
Morning walk around the old city of Meknes to explore the 17th-century imperial city-within-a-city of Moulay Ismael, palaces, mosques, dungeons and gardens. The highlights are the dungeons; the royal stables containing grain silos that used to hold enough food for the city residents for a year, as well as a stable big enough for 12,000 horses; and the Moulay Ismael Mausoleum. After lunch transport to Marrakech (7 hours). Stay in Marrakech medina private riad.

Day 8
Explore the back street maze of Marrakech with your guide - visit Ben Youssef Medersa, the Koutoubia mosque, and the Marrakech Museum. Afternoon explore the vast souk (market). The Souk is comprised of many specialist areas e.g. metalwork, where crafters ply their trade; dyers workshops are strung with colourful skeins of wool; carpets, and carpet sellers entice you into their shops with a cup of mint tea; search tiny shops selling Berber jewellery, old silver, and African beads; or spices, olives, fresh herbs; or traditional apothecaries where you can buy all manner of potions to heal or cast spells of love or revenge. Stay in medina riad.

Day 9
Daytrip - Transport (3 hours) to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast with an expansive golden beach and fishing port. Old Portuguese ramparts guard the walled city, where silver craftsmen and wood carvers work in one of the most charming medinas in all of Morocco. Visit fish grills on the square, or a Thuja wood craft shop or an art gallery. Learn about natural medicines and cures, and watch women processing Argan nuts by hand into one of the rarest oils in the world. Return to Marrakech in time for supper. Stay in medina riad.

Day 10
Depart or add on more days.

Want to arrive and / or depart from Rabat or Casablanca or Fes?
Email or telephone your dates, and we can price practical itineraries and options.

For more information click on the icons across the top of this page.
FAQ's has important information about visiting Morocco.

back to the top

Contact

info@moroccoexplored.com

Telephone to Morocco:
GSM: +212 66 770 5212

Telephone from Morocco:
GSM: 0 66 770 5212

Telephone Canada and voice mail:
+1 604 393 3715

Links | Site Map | Terms & Conditions