Treasures of Morocco - Premium Adventure

Day 1 Start Casablanca

The adventure begins in the port city of Casablanca. Depending on flight arrival times, your expert leader will meet the whole group for a welcome briefing either this evening or tomorrow morning. Accommodation: Gray Hotel (five-star)

Day 2 Casablanca tour; Volubilis ruins; Moulay Idriss; Fez

This morning, before leaving Casablanca, we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has a soaring 655ft (200m) minaret, sliding ceiling, and glass floor through which you can see the Atlantic Ocean. We then begin our journey to Fez, stopping en route at Unesco-listed Volubilis, the largest and best-kept Roman ruins in Morocco. We also stop at the whitewashed town of Moulay Idriss to stretch our legs and have lunch. Finally, we reach Fez, where our accommodation for the night is a standout on this tour. Riad El Yacout, in the old medina, started life as a wealthy merchant’s home and has been lovingly restored by Fassi craftspeople. We enjoy a welcome dinner here, a chance for us to try tasty local fare. Accommodation: Riad El Yacout (four-star) Drive time: Six and a half hours

Day 3 Explore Fez

Fez is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, it is the oldest of the Imperial cities in the kingdom with many mosques and madrasas (theological colleges). We join our local guide to explore the narrow streets, visiting different sections of the souq, including those selling leather, brass and copper. We also stop at the tanneries and pottery workshops to see traditional local crafts in action. Outside the medina, we visit the Jewish District (Mellah) and the exterior of the Royal Palace. We then drive to a panoramic viewpoint for great photos of the city below. Accommodation: Riad El Yacout (four-star)

Day 4 Drive to Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara

We start early for a full day of travelling to the Sahara with a journey through superb scenery and plenty of stops along the way. Our journey takes us over the Middle Atlas, through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada, a flat, stony desert gradually approaching the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. The journey is undoubtedly worth it, and we’re rewarded with a night at the Riad Madu or Riad Chebbi. Relax by the pool and enjoy watching the sun set over the desert. Accommodation: Riad Madu or Riad Chebbi (five-star) Drive time: Nine hours

Day 5 Village cultural experience; ride a camel at a Saharan camp

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day (with perhaps another dip in the pool). Later this morning, we travel by 4×4 to Khamlia village to watch a traditional Gnawa music show and have a traditional lunch of Medfouna – a fantastic cultural experience. This afternoon, we transfer to our luxury desert camp and then undertake a genuine Saharan experience – a camel trek through the dunes to watch the desert take on a rose colour at sunset. After dinner, we sit around the campfire and gaze at the stars. Accommodation: Sahara Sunny Camp (four-star)

Day 6 To Skoura via the Todra Gorge

Leaving the desert, we head towards the little town of Skoura. En route, we pass through the Todra Gorge, sheer cliffs rising dramatically on either side of the road. Following the 1,000 Kasbahs Road for approximately two hours, we see several of these imposing buildings in palm groves. We stay in a kasbah-style lodge during our two nights in Skoura. Accommodation: Kasbah Sawadi Ecolodge or similar Drive time: Eight hours

Day 7 Skoura, the palm grove capital of Morocco

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then join the leader on a guided walk through the palm groves of sleepy Skoura. Dotted around the palm, fig, birch and tamarisk trees are some of the most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco, the largest of which is the Amerhidil Kasbah, once owned by the Glaoui family. During our walk we stop for a picnic lunch. Accommodation: Kasbah Sawadi Ecolodge or similar

Day 8 Journey to Imlil village via Ait Benhaddou

Leaving Skoura, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the 1,000 Kasbahs Road via the desert city of Ouarzazate and onto the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This Unesco World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular in the Atlas, and a filming location for several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). After admiring this vast site from the riverbed, we take a walk through the village streets. We then continue our drive through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 7, 415ft (2,260m) above sea level. The drive is windy from here with a variety of scenery to enjoy. Accommodation: Riad Jnane Imlil or similar Drive time: Ten hours

Day 9 Walk to Aremd and Sidi Chamharouch; evening hammam

Imlil is the starting point for trekkers climbing Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. Our own hike takes us to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (king of the jinns), an important pilgrimage site. We start from our hotel, climbing for about 40 minutes to the mountainside Amazigh village of Aremd. From here, we hike for another 1hr 30min to the shrine. We then return to Aremd where we enjoy lunch with an Amazigh family before heading back down to Imlil. We then take it easy with a traditional Moroccan hammam. A standard treatment with soap and scrubber is included but it is customary to give a 20 dirham (US$2) tip. Accommodation: Riad Jnane Imlil or similar

Day 10 Over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech

This morning, we travel over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Along the way, we stop at a women’s cooperative argan oil farm, where we can see the growing trees and enjoy a demonstration of the production. We also enjoy Moroccan tea. Our journey takes us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech. Here we have a guided tour, visiting the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs. It ends in the central square of Djemaa el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It comes alive in the evening with food stalls, juice-sellers, snake charmers and acrobats entertaining the masses. Accommodation: Stars or Bab or 2 Ciels Hotel  (four-star) Drive time: One and a half hours

Day 11 Marrakech cooking class; free time

We start the day with a trip to the local market before embarking on a cookery class with recipes to impress your friends when you get home. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. This afternoon, take free time to see more of Marrakech. You might wish to visit the largest mosque in the city, Koutoubia, or venture through the souqs and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs, you may have time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After this, you can unwind by taking a 30-minute ride on a calèche (a horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned by Yves St Laurent. Your expert leader can help plan your free time. This evening, enjoy the vibrancy of Djemaa el Fna one last time. Accommodation: Stars or Bab or 2 Ciels Hotel (four-star)

Day 12 End Marrakech

We’ve scaled dunes on camelback, eaten lunch with an Amazigh family and toured the greatest cities in Morocco. But after breakfast, this tour draws to a close. Speak to your sales representative if you’d like to extend your stay in Marrakech and explore the city a little more.