Moroccan Cocktail Great Adventure

Your guide and driver will meet you at Casablanca airport for the 40 to 60 minutes journey into the city centre. (Timings depend on traffic). Transfer will be by private minibus.

See the great Mosque.
The Hassan II Mosque is not only the largest Mosque in Casablanca, but the largest in Africa and 5th largest in the world! The stately structure is set on an outcrop, protruding into the Atlantic Ocean; its minaret is the world's tallest minaret at 210 metres. The building was completed in 1993, originally designed by Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues. It is certainly a must see for anybody visiting Casablanca, and the only mosque in the city that non-Muslims can visit. The majesty and craftsmanship of this holy building is staggering; as you wander around, you can marvel at the meticulous geometric tilework, heavenly marble inlays, hand carved wood and intricate cedar ceilings. The perfectionism and attention to detail of the artisans who contributed to its construction is notable. From the plaster work to the carpets, many Moroccans have played a role in the Mosque's fabrication over time.

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The road travels up the coast, past the capital city of Rabat and onwards to the town of Larache, maybe a visit to the Roman ruins of Lixus could be fitted in. Travelling through eucalyptus forest and by the coast on to Asilah and the city of Tangier. Transfer is by private minibus. Travel time around 4-5 hours depending on stops.

At leisure in Tangier, head out into the winding streets of Tangier, perhaps have a cup of tea in the Grand Socco area.

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Drive into the Rif Mountains in the North of Morocco and through the fields and Berber farms to the "Blue City" of Chefchaouen. Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 2.5-3 hours depending on traffic.

Afternoon at leisure in Chefchaouen, time to explore “Chaouen” with its Berber, Jewish and Spanish history, a town closed off to Christians until the early 20th century. A light blue wash on the white house’s makes the town very photogenic. The old medina is quite small, and therefore discoverable by walking through the streets, perhaps stopping at the weaving shops (formerly silk but now wool) and the funduq at the corner of the main square Plaza Uta El Hammam.

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Enjoy some free time to fully explore the blue town Chefchaouen, located in the breath taking Rif mountains of Morocco. Browse the quirky markets, sample some local cuisine in one of the city's many restaurants, or simply wonder the streets to take in its charming atmosphere. Be wary of spontaneous street guides who will offer to show you the best local restaurants, and then ask for a commission. Pop into the old city and Medina to have a further browse of local souvenirs. A visit to the Kasbah Museum - the ethnographic museum - will give you a taste of Chefchaouen fascinating history, through a collection of local artefacts, ranging from musical instruments to pottery pieces. For a spot of people watching with a drink in hand, head to the popular and bustling square of "Plaza Uta el-Hammam," situated in the heart of Chefchaouen Medina. Be sure to admire the "Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen" with its traditional Moroccan architecture.

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Descending the Rif mountains to the forests in the “dayets” (or small lake) area, the route continues to the imperial city of Fes.

The road takes you through the foothills of the Rif Mountains, with Berber farms and green fields and onward to the rolling hills near Fes. Travel time is around 4 hours depending on road conditions and stops. Transfer is by private minibus.

At leisure in Fes the oldest of the Imperial Cities, with many different tribes and people inhabiting it over the centuries, all adding their own influences on the place. The medieval Medina is large, comprising of winding alleyways, shopping areas, cafes, old palaces and residences, Fes el Bali alone has about 9500 alleyways and fantastic souks! There is a new city outside the Medina walls, where wide streets and European architecture predominate; here you can explore the many shopping opportunities. Our local experts recommend you explore the Medersa Bou Inania, the el-Attarine and the many museums to get a feel for the city's heritage.

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Discover the gaudy streets of Fes in this lively guided tour. You will explore Morocco's oldest imperial city partially on foot, partially by car, to best appreciate the historical architecture, which serves as a wonderful example of a medieval Moroccan city; the narrow streets, sprawling souks and ornate palaces are a joy to explore. Small local cafes dot the side streets, inviting you in to sample traditional Moroccan foods. You will walk through the streets with a local guide who is an expert on the city and its heritage. Some highlights of the tour include visiting the Royal Palace, strolling through the humming Medina and marvelling at market rugs, clothing, and trinkets along the way. Please do tell them any specific interests you have, and they can tailor the tour to meet your requirements. Please note, it is commonplace for guides in Fes to show you specific shops and stalls- this is so they can make an extra commission for their trade. They tend to prefer bigger groups as a result. Our local experts always choose the best guides available in Fes, whilst recognising this is a cultural reality that is hard to shift. Do not hesitate to let your guide know if you would rather spend more time seeing the cultural sites at the start of the tour, and they will happily abide.

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Transfer by private minibus from Fes to Volubilis and Meknes.

Volubilis is one of Morocco's best-preserved ruins: it is an ancient Roman city but was originally founded in the 3rd century BC by Carthaginian traders. The Romans developed it 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, wherein the city grew rapidly to cover about 42 hectares, with a 2.6 km circuit of walls. By the time Berbers took it over in about 280 ADS, there was likely a mixture of people living there. One of the many draws of the site is that it is only partially excavated; the Triumphal arch, the Capitol, Baths and Basilica still dominate the landscape. The city's financial prosperity came from olive growing and lead to the construction of many stunning townhouses, as well as mosaics scattered around the site. The site is open to wander around, but you may prefer a guide.

Meknes has been known as the "Versailles" of Morocco as it was once the base of the sultanate of Morocco, with the buildings to match. The first inhabitants were the Berber tribes of Meknes’s, and various subsequent rulers made the city their capital. In 1755, an earthquake hit the city and some of the more impressive buildings were stripped and reused elsewhere. The Medina and the old Jewish Mellah are worth visiting, both near the Place-el Hedim, as is the Great Mosque and Madrasa Bou Inania and the huge gates of Bab el Mansour.

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Travel from Meknes up into the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, with maybe a chance to see the barbary apes that live in the forest or take tea with a Berber family in the mountains. Continue onwards to the plains between the two mountain ranges and night in Midelt. Transfer will be by private minibus. Travel time 3.5-4 hours.

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We head to the High Atlas Mountains and have a chance to see the palmeries and the Gorge du Ziz before descending to the edge of the Sahara Desert at Merzouga. Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 4 hours depending on stops. Meet the camel team and trek the short distance through the great dunes of Erg Chebbi to the desert camp. The dunes will change hue in the sunset, and you will have the chance to climb to the summit of the dunes to see the setting or rising of the sun, a chance not to be missed. There will be dinner served in the camp, and then you can see the spectacular
desert sky full of stars.

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Get up early to see the sun rise over the dunes and after breakfast maybe try some sand surfing or sand buggy (which you book directly there through 3rd party suppliers for insurance purposes), but the guide can help you find them.

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Take the journey along the foothills of the High Atlas past the palmeries and oases to the Gorge du Todra, a chance to visit here before travelling onwards to the Gorges du Dades with the amazing rock formations.

Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 5.5-6 hours depending on stops.

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Private minibus transfer from Dades to Ouarzazate along the foothills of the High Atlas and past the palmeries of Skoura. Travel time 3-4 hours depending on stops. Visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, this World Heritage site is an ancient but well preserved kasbah and has been the backdrop for many films including "Gladiator" and "Game of Thrones." It is still inhabited, but possible to wander through the streets and get an impressive view from the hilltop on which it is built. A rocky desert or "Hamada" surrounds the kasbah, but where there is a deep-water course, palm trees grow in abundance.

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Travel through the rolling hills of the Anti- Atlas pass the Rug town of Taznakht and the Siroua Mountains to the Berber town of Taroudant.

Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 4-5 hours depending on stops. leisure time in Taroudant, see the souks, or relax in the hotel. Taroudant is a city in the Sous Valley in southern Morocco. It is situated east of Agadir on the road to Ouarzazate and the Sahara Desert and south of Marrakesh. The town is known as the "Grandmother of Marrakesh" because it looks like a smaller Marrakesh with its surrounding ramparts.

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Travel through the rolling hills of the Anti- Atlas to Tafraoute, just a small town, but with some interesting souks, and the base for some interesting walks through the countryside or visit the local almond harvest festival if there in Feb- March period. Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 3-4 hours with stops.
Wander around the souks and the centre of the town. Perhaps try some of the traditional babouches/slippers on sale or immerse yourself in the silver souks, with plenty of antique jewellery on display too.

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Take the road through the banana plantations and onwards up the town of Agadir. Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 3-4 hours depending on stops. Enjoy the beach, the hotel or take a walk around the city. Agadir is a mainly modern city, rebuilt recently. However, the beach area is a relaxing place to stay, and perhaps then take a trip to the harbour area to see the fish catches and maybe try a fresh fish lunch. There are golf courses around the city and water sports and trekking available further afield.

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Travel up the coast to the Town of Essaouira. Perhaps visit the National Park of Immouzer (called Paradise valley) and see the waterfalls there. Transfer is by private minibus. Travel time around 3 hours depending on excursion, traffic and stops.

This old, fortified town has origins from Berber, Portuguese and French architecture, but was inhabited by the Romans and possibly the Phoenicians as far back as 7th century BC. The Romans used to harvest molluscs here for the Imperial purple dye. It has been a trading port of various importance throughout its history and still has a thriving fishing harbour which is a mass of fishing boats mainly painted a vibrant blue.

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Essaouira is arguably one of Morocco's most enchanting towns, with origins in Berber, Portuguese and French architecture. It was inhabited by the Romans and possibly the Phoenicians as far back as 7th century BC; the Romans used to harvest molluscs here for the Imperial purple dye. This old fortified has been a trading port of various importance throughout its history and still has a thriving fishing harbour: take a wander down to the sea, and you'll be stunned by the dazzling mass of fishing boats, all painted a vibrant blue. The serenity of Essaouira makes it perfect for leisure time: recline on the golden sands, drift between the craft shops on the blue cobbled streets, or simply relax in a hammam. Its name translates as the 'wind city of Africa', so if you fancy something more active, it is great for windsurfing and other water sports. It has a nice climate throughout the year, with other activities including discovering the wooden boat building in the harbour, trying a traditional Moroccan cookery course, and admiring the copious displays of Thuyia wood and argan. The seafood here is to die for, so we highly recommend giving that a try too! Overnight in hotel B&B

Travel from the coast and climb up into the hills that border the town of Essaouira before travelling inland, away from the Argan forests and to the plains. Pass the rocky desert of Agafay and reach Marrakech.

Transfer is by private minibus. Travel time around 3 hours depending on traffic and stops. Explore Morocco's famed Jamna El Fna Square, hustling with acrobats and story tellers as they perform alongside the vibrant souks.

Meander the food stalls in the square - though there is a strong influence from the French in popular dishes such as cooked garlic snails, there is also a lot of traditional food to be sampled. Choose a stall which has a lot of locals, this is usually the best indication of authentic quality. In the winter months, why not try a spiced coffee in the square, made with a secret recipe including cloves and cinnamon.

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Enjoy a riveting half day tour of the ancient streets of Marrakech, accompanied by a specialist guide. You'll head from the bustling Medina, twisting your way through the kaleidoscopic souks, and arrive at breath-taking palaces and museums. The souks, under a bamboo roof to shade people from the summer sun, have a vast array of things to sell, all arranged in enticing colours, shapes and styles. You will be whisked around the souks, peering into and even haggling in different areas such as the spices, gold/silver, nuts and fruit souks. There will be a chance to see the metalworking and woodworking areas, and perhaps a visit to the underground communal bakeries where the bread for each local family is cooked. The tanneries are also a popular attraction, though you may wish to protect yourself with a mint sprig to offset the smell!

Continue to the Palais Bahia, which is arguably the most architecturally impressive palaces in the country. It was constructed in the late 19th Century, and its name means 'brilliance', and you'll witness why: magnificent rooms open onto opulent courtyards, which edge onto a stunning 2-acre landscaped garden. It was intended to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan styles, merging into one; you'll likely come across similar structural themes throughout your trip. Continue to the Madrasa: once a prosperous Islamic college and now an Islamic heritage site, it boasts splendid courtyards and open-air galleries. Other highlights of this tour include the epic Museum of Marrakech, where you can learn of the city's intriguing history, followed by the Saadian tombs, where you can marvel at the sepulchres of this compelling dynasty. Your tour ends in the Mellah, an enchanting neighbourhood in Marrakech inhabited by the city's Jewish population. The beauty of having your private guide is that you can specify your interests: whether it’s the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture, the hidden market gems or the more modern areas of Marrakech, your guide will happily accommodate.

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Private minibus transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca, past the Jbelts (or small mountains North of Marrakech) and onwards to the green fields around the coastal city. Travel time 3-3.5 hours depending on traffic Visit the city centre or relax in your hotel. Perhaps take a stroll to the old city area or the cor-niche alongside the sea.

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Time for your onward flight - you will be transferred from Casablanca to the airport. Transport will be by private minibus about 40-60 minutes. We wish you a safe journey home!