EXOTIC MOROCCO (09 Days, 08 Nights)

DAY 01: CASABLANCA / RABAT (60 Miles)
Arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. We will start our orientation tour of Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco. Our sightseeing will feature an inside visit of the Hassan II Great Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments and a visit of Place Mohammed V, the United Nations Square and the surroundings of the Royal Palace before strolling along the Ain Diab corniche. Lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After lunch, departure to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. In Rabat we will visit the splendid Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Diwan (Meals: L,D)

DAY 02: RABAT / MEKNES / VOLUBILIS / FES (150 Miles)
After breakfast, we will drive to Meknes, the Moroccan Versailles which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail a contemporary of Louis XIV. Our sightseeing will feature the stables, the Bab Mansour, Grenier, the Jewish Quarter and the Moulay Ismail Tomb. We will continue to Moulay Idriss, the holy city for an orientation tour followed by a visit to the famous Roman ruins of Volubilis, dating from the second and third century. Lunch in Meknes. We then drive to Fes. Arrival, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Palais Jamai (Meals: B, L,D)

DAY 03: FES
The whole day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Fes, the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, founded in 789 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. Highlights will include the Medieval Medina, the Medersas (an Islamic University), the El Qaraouiyyin Mosque and the sumptuous Nejjarine fountain. Independent lunch followed by a visit to the "Arabian House" to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Palais Jamai (Meals: B,D)

DAY 04: FES / IFRANE / ERRACHIDIA / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA (278 Miles)
Today we will depart for Erfoud via the cedar woods of the middle Atlas mountain range. We will pass by Ifrane, a charming ski resort and Azrou, an important handicrafts center. On our way, we will make a stop in Midelt for lunch. We will continue to Erfoud via Errachidia and the Ziz valley dotted with palm trees and also known for the annual Festival of Dates. Upon arrival in Erfoud, we will then depart in Land Rovers to the beautiful Merzouga dunes for your Bivouac at our VIP camp site, La Belle Etoile. The camp site offers showers, bathrooms and other services. Enjoy a relaxing night under the stars.

Accommodation: VIP Kasbah La Belle Etoile (Night under tents) (Meals: B,D)

DAY 05: ERFOUD/ TINEGHIR / OUARZAZATE (227 Miles)
Early wake-up call! Enjoy a camel ride and witness one of the world's most sumptuous sunrises ascending over the Merzouga Dunes. We will return to the Kasbah for breakfast before our departure to Rissani, the holy city where Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty, is buried. We will visit the Kasbah of the 17th century and the Ksar Abbar ruins which gives us an opportunity to discover the lifestyle of the Berber village. Continuation to Tineghir via the Tinjdad road and stop to view the magnificent Todra Gorges. Independent lunch at the Todra site. On our way to Ouarzazate, we will stop at the Dades canyons via the famous road of the thousand Kasbahs and the Dades valley famous for its roses and the Rose Festival (Annual Moussem). Arrival in Ouarzazate, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Le Berber Palace (Meals: B,D)

DAY 06: OUARZAZATE / MARRAKESH (126 Miles)
After breakfast, we will visit the Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residences of Glaoui (The former Pacha of Marrakesh). Then, we will drive to the beautiful Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient Route of the Kasbahs. Independent lunch at the restaurant near the Kasbah. Here you have the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the local Berbers. After lunch, we will depart for Marrakech via the Tichka pass which offers an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountains chain. Arrival, dinner and overnight stay in Marrakesh.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Marrakech (Meals: B,D)

DAY 07: MARRAKESH
After breakfast, the entire day will be devoted to the sightseeing Marrakesh, the second imperial city of Morocco known as the "Pearl of the South". Marrakesh sits in a lush oasis nestled at the foot of the snow capped Atlas Mountain. Highlights of your sightseeing will include the Saadien Tombs, the Koutoubia Tower and the Bahia Palace. In the afternoon, we will continue our sightseeing of the Souks and the medina, a real labyrinth where small shops are lined one next to the other. We will then discover the magic of Djemaa El Fna Square, a unique square in the world where life never stops, but is continuously animated by jugglers, story-tellers, snake-charmers and more. Suggested dinner at Bo & Zin, where Asian flowers are combined with Moroccan ones and with classic international cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Marrakech (Meals: B)

DAY 08: MARRAKESH
After breakfast, excursion to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Nestled on the main road in Ait Ourir, the Ourika Valley is a beautiful, charming, hospitable and peaceful Berber village where you can take a short hike in the cooler mountain air. You will encounter beautiful isolated villages clinging to hillsides with plots of cultivated land lying along the river valley. Lunch in the Valley. Return to Marrakesh. Farewell dinner at the famous Yacout restaurant with traditional Moroccan music and entertainment.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel Marrakech (Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 09: MARRAKESH
After breakfast, departure to Marrakesh International airport and assistance with all the boarding formalities. End of our services. (Meals: B)