Itinerary

Day 1
Casablanca and Rabat

Arrive off your international flight and your Bushtracks guide and driver will meet and transfer you to your hotel in Rabat.
Lodging: Golden Tulip Farah Rabat

Day 2
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes

This morning depart for a visit to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Walk into the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the burial place of the present King's grandfather. Also see the Hassan Tower and the Chellah, which were built by the Merinids in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Then drive to Meknes, a former Imperial city of Morocco. See the old ramparts; the Agdoul Basin, which was used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines; the Moulay Ismail stables, granaries, and House of Water (Dar el Ma), which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to house, feed, and water the sultan's 12,000 horses; Bab el Mansour and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, one of the few holy sites in Morocco which may be visited by non-Muslims.

Continue on to explore the ruins of Volubilis. Volubilis was the Roman capital of northwestern Africa and has impressive and well-preserved Roman ruins.

Continue by road to Fes and check into the hotel.
Lodging: Les Merinides

Day 3
Fes

Your private guide and vehicle will meet you for a full-day tour of Fes, the religious capital of Morocco. Your tour will include the old and new medinas, the 14th century Medersa Attarine (religious school), and the Arts Museum of Batha.

Later explore the impressive labyrinth of souks in Fes, declared by UNESCO to be one of the world's cultural treasures. The afternoon will also include photo opportunities at the imposing gate of Bab Boujloud, the splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine, the ancient ramparts, and the beautiful facade of the Royal Palace.

Enjoy your Moroccan dinner at la Maison Bleue Restaurant.
Lodging: Les Merinides

Day 4
Fes

This morning depart for the Domaine Ain Amyer about half an hour drive from Fes for a horseback riding excursion. Meet with the horses and guide then depart for a half day horse riding in the country side of Fes, three hours approximate duration on horseback. Enjoy riding through the Anti-Atlas slopes to reach the well known natural spa area Moulay Yacoub, "water cure: in Moroccan. Later this afternoon ride back to the Domaine Ain Amyer, then drive back to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Lodging: Les Merinides

Day 5
Fes, Midelt and Erfoud

You will need to make an early start this morning for a full-day drive to southern Morocco. Travel through cedar forests and picturesque scenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfound, stopping at Kasbah Asmaa in Midelt for a typical lunch en route. Erfoud, situated among the impressive sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, is one of the largest oases in Morocco. From Erfoud you will travel approximately 60 minutes by jeep to the impressive Merzouga dunes.

You are encouraged to take a one hour camel ride in the golden dunes to watch extraordinary and unique moments at sunset in the dunes.
Lodging: Deluxe Camping in Merzouga Dunes

Day 6
Merzouga Dunes, Erfoud and Ouarzazate

This morning you will depart for Ouarzazate through the beautiful 1,000 Kasbah Valley. Along the way, visit Tinghir, a former military outpost built on terraces above a magnificent palm grove and the route into the awesome Todra Gorge at the ends of the earth: between 900 feet cliffs.

Then on to Boumalne du Dades, a large town and local administrative center at the foot of the gorge of a dry riverbed followed by a series of Kasbahs (huge adobe fortified houses), to El Kelaa de Mgouna and Skoura. After Skoura, the palm trees are replaced by orchards and irrigated gardens.

Situated in a valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate is a former outpost of the Foreign Legion and has now become an important center for the film industry due to the quality of its light and unpolluted atmosphere.
Lodging: Le Berbere Palace Hotel

Day 7
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech

This morning your guide and private driver will take you to see Taourirt Kasbah, the Film studios in Ouarzazate, then continue on the way to explore the ancient Kasbah complex of Ait Ben Haddou, an impressive 11th century structure declared by UNESCO to be an historical treasure. A photographer's wonderland, Ait Ben Haddou is still home to five families. Afterwards drive past scenic views of mountains and semi-desert terrain topped by Kasbahs and adobe homes.

Continue on to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains at Tizi N Tichka Pass (6,600 feet). Arrive at Ait Ourir village at the foot of the high Atlas mountains then cross the fertile countryside of the Haouz Plain to the pearl of south.
Lodging: Royal Mirage Deluxe

Day 8
Marrakech

Today take a full-day guided tour of Marrakech. First visit the Koutoubia Mosque, sister tower to Seville's Giralda, the minaret of which has become the symbol of the city. Then visit the more recently built Bahia Palace (19th century), which is often inhabited by His Majesty's guests, and its succession of rooms finely decorated in Arabic style, and gardens and riad planted with orange and jasmine trees.

Continue to the Museum of Dar Si Said with the best display of Berber arts and crafts from all over the country, and the remains of the Badii Palace, an historical monument chosen to host the annual National Festival of Popular Art. Enjoy a Moroccan lunch at a typical restaurant in the medina.

Then to the souks of Marrakech! This afternoon ends at the Djemaa El Fna Square, a popular entertainment area where each afternoon storytellers, snake charmers, tooth-drawers, and dancers appear to entertain the crowd.

Enjoy your dinner at Al Foundouk restaurant.
Lodging: Royal Mirage Hotel

Days 9 - 10
Marrakech

This morning meet with your guide and van for transfer to the palm grove of Marrakech. Meet with the horses and guide then leave for a half-day horse riding in the heart of the green belt through olive trees, bamboo, waterways and traditional farms. Ride through traditional villages made of a mixture of mud and straw. Fresh mint tea served on arrival and refreshment at the end of the ride. Drive back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

The following day meet with your guide and your van then drive to Ait Ourir or Ourika valleys at the foot of the high Atlas mountains. Upon arrival, you'll be met and greeted by the guide/instructor, offered a short briefing about the entire itinerary then you'll depart for the half day horse riding in the mountains. Enjoy a Berber Tea and a delicious Tajine by a Berber local family. This afternoon drive back to hotel.

Enjoy a folkshow dinner with Fantasia and a horse show at the Fantasia Chez Ali.
Lodging: Royal Mirage Hotel

Day 11
Marrakech

Today enjoy time at leisure to explore the amenities of your hotel or go for a last shopping spree. Your Mercedes van and guide are at your disposal for the whole day. In the evening, enjoy a panoramic tour by a traditional horse carriage followed by a transfer to Yacout gourmet Moroccan restaurant for dinner.
Lodging: Royal Mirage Hotel

Day 12
International Flights Home

Today your private guide and driver will transfer you back to the Casablanca airport for your departing flight home.

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