Upon arrival into Casablanca, after completing immigration and customs formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here you will be met by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Riad Kalaa, where you will stay for one night. 

Riad Kalaa housed in an old house dating back to 1815 is located in Rabat, Morocco. Accommodation options include room 1000 parfums, Saharan suite, eastern suite and star suite. Each room is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, internet access and a safety deposit box. Some of the rooms have an open fire. The wooden terraces host a swimming pool, the hammam spa and the restaurant offering traditional Moroccan cuisine – making this place a unique place in Rabat.

At a time to be advised by your driver the night before: Depart for Fez, with a privately guided tour of Volubilis on the way.  At Volubilis, find beautiful mosaic floors, uncovered and brought to light by the archaeologists that still work on this partly excavated site. It was developed from the 3rd century BC onward as a Phoenician and later a Carthaginian settlement. The town fell to local tribesmen in 285 and was never recovered by the Roman Empire. Constantly uncovering this city beneath the sands of time, now exclusively a Moroccan project runs by Moroccan archaeologists. After, continue on to Riad Fes, where you will stay for two nights. 

Inspired by Moorish architecture, Riad Fès invites you to travel back in time to discover the authenticity and the pomp of the life of the noble families of Fes.

After breakfast, you will begin your half day privately guided, walking tour of Fez, the holiest city in the Islamic world after Mecca and Medina.  Founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, this enchanting city has since been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine, and religion. The best surviving example of an ancient Arab city, Fez is comprised of a “new” city, established in the 12th century, and the unchanged 2,000-year-old medina.

Tour Fez el-Bali (“Fez the Old”) and its medieval medina (old town), a UNESCO world heritage site crammed with narrow, winding streets, where donkeys laden with goods trawl alongside buyers through the ancient market. A fascinating maze of lanes, blind alleys, bustling souks, and artisan workshops, the atmosphere assaults the senses with fragrant spices, exotic delicacies, brightly colored carpets, and fine handmade goods bursting from endless stalls.

As time and interests permit, visit centuries-old mosques and universities, and Fez el-Djedid (“Fez the New”), built in the 12th century, where you can admire Fez’s Royal Palace. Explore the mellah (Jewish Quarter), founded in 1438 and once home to tens of thousands of Jews, 40 synagogues, the Bet Din, communal ovens, ritual baths and schools.  Visit the recently restored Ibn Danan synagogue and the oldest extant synagogue in Fez. Until very recently abandoned and decaying, its restoration was part of a comprehensive UNESCO project to preserve the monuments and fabric of medieval Fez. And no trip would be complete without a visit to the Merenid Tombs that offer spectacular panoramic views of Fez.  Whatever you didn’t have time to see on your morning tour, you can venture back on your own during your afternoon at leisure!

Departing from Fez after breakfast, you will begin your ascent into the Atlas Mountains where you will pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un-Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930’s to resemble a Swiss village. Pass by the cedar forest in Azrou and see the monkeys in the trees. Most of the day will be spent winding your way through the beautiful forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as you cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then you will continue towards Merzouga.  After passing through the city of Erfoud, you will reach Merzouga, which hugs the dunes. Here you will stay at Riad Azawad for one night. 

Situated in the Ksar Tanamouste area, Riad Azawad is the perfect place to begin your desert experience! 

Rise early to witness the spectacular sunrise over the dunes.  You have time at leisure to take a walk, or if you are feeling a little adventurous, rent some quad bikes for a little fun on the dunes.  This afternoon you will be led to your camels for a trek across the sandy dunes of the Erg Chebbi. See the desert landscape and sunset from the camel back, and after about two hours you will reach the Azawad Luxury Desert Camp, where you will stay for one night. 

At your desert shelter, your camels are hobbled, and mint tea is served. Music, bonfires and a night of stargazing is what it’s all about! Spend the night in a charming bivouac of a dozen oriental-inspired tents in the most beautiful corner of Morocco. Dotted amongst the desert landscape, the spacious and comfortable tents are decorated with uniquely sourced pieces and locally crafted artwork to form a harmonious whole with their surroundings giving the impression of being on an expedition from another time.

After breakfast, begin the journey to Skoura, one of Morocco’s most beautiful oases, offering weary travelers a chance to rest their weary feet and enjoy the abundance of nature.  At first glance from the road, it resembles a sort of thin, long, oasis. However once you get off the road you discover that Skoura is very large and that what appeared to be a line of trees is actually a flourishing oasis.   On the way, you will stop at Todra Gorge, which is a series of limestone river canyons, or wadi, in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, near the town of Tinerhir. Both the Todgha and neighboring Dades Rivers are responsible for carving out these deep cliff-sided canyons, on their final 40 kilometers through the mountains.  

Reach Skoura in the evening, where you will stay at Les Jardins des Skoura for one night.

The kasbah which opens its doors to a universe of minerals and plants where it may seem that time has stood still. Surrounded by a magnificent garden (6000 Yr2) featuring a number of different trees and fragrances, five spacious bedrooms and three suites with air conditioning. On winter nights, the convivial dining room is warmed up by the atmosphere of a lovely chimney fire.

Depart Skoura, at a time to be advised, as you head to Marrakesh.  Travel through the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, Ouarzazate, which was once the crossroad for African traders seeking to reach northern cities.  You have the opportunity to visit the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO world heritage site which presents a majestic sight, seen from far away, rising above the desert plains.The crumbling buildings made up of six Kasbahs and nearly fifty ksars, (individual Kasbahs) are built from local clay brick which blends into the landscape. Travel back in time as you explore this traditional mud-brick city, which has been the set location for many films including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and ‘Sex in the City’. 

Reach Marrakesh this evening, where you will stay at Riad Kniza for two nights. 

Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury “Hotel de Charme” in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored by Haj Mohamed Bouskri using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by.

After breakfast, you will depart on a half day walking historical tour of Marrakesh to explore this enchanting palm oasis with your private local guide.  Set where buildings are blushed in hues of rosy earth, the signature color of Marrakesh, Morocco’s second oldest imperial city retains the splendor of its ancient past.  The Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens is the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco. The minaret was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al- Mansur (1184-1199) and was used as the model for the Giarlda of Seville and for the Hassan Tower of Rabat.  El Bahia Palace is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents trends and standards of the wealthy who lived at that time. It was built for Ahmed Ibn Moussa (or Ba Ahmed) between 1894 and 1900 in the Alawi style that was popular at the time. Next visit the sixteenth century Saadian Tombs with its stark towers, which date back from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were only recently discovered (in 1917) and were restored by the Beaux-arts service.  

During your afternoon at leisure, wind your way through the labyrinth of the spice-filled air of the bustling souk, unchanged for over 1000 years. The maze of alleyways leads to tiny shops flaunting Berber carpets, kilims and caftans, leather goods, silver jewelry, copperware, other handicrafts, stylish dresses, medicinal herbs, and gorgeous antiques.  

In the early evening, why not head towards the frenetic Djemaa el Fnaa, the greatest square in all of Africa – and perhaps the world. It was once the ultimate destination for traders from Venice, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Today, it provides ever-changing entertainment for Moroccans and foreigners alike, reaching its climax at sunset when the square is alive with storytellers, healers, snake charmers, acrobats and countless food stalls. Walk through the square to experience its intensity and then perhaps enjoy the view from the terrace of a rooftop café.

At a time to be advised the night before: You will be collected from your hotel by an Alluring Africa representative for your private road transfer to Marrakesh Airport for your departure flight.

Return home, taking with you the sights, sounds, and memories of an incredible African adventure!