Overview
In the red city of Marrakesh, step back in time as you wander through the Jemaa-el-Fna, the main square and exotic bazaar, offering some of the greatest open-air entertainment. Listen to the storytellers—an integral part of the culture—and browse for handicrafts. In Fez, take an optional tour to visit the ancient medina. Founded in the 9th century, it is one of the largest medieval cities in the world and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On this comprehensive and affordable tour of Morocco, you will also be enchanted by beautiful oasis, stunned by the beauty of the desert, and surprised by the mountain scenery of the Middle Atlas. You’ll also visit Casablanca and see its modern great Mosque and Meknes, where you’ll visit the royal stables built to once house 12,000 royal horses. Your tour also takes you to Ouarzazate, where you’ll visit the Kasbah de Taourirt, and the amazing, fortified city of Ait Benhaddou, used as set to the “Gladiator” movie.
Stop at the mountain resort of Ifrane; overnight in Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, and visit Rabat, Morocco’s vibrant capital. From the Middle Atlas mountain range and Ziz Gorges to arid desert, this budget-minded Morocco holiday will amaze you with spectacular scenery.
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. Later, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
Skirt the Atlantic coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country's capital. The highlights of the included sightseeing tour are the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudayas. Continue to Meknes and see its monumental gates, mosque, palace, and miles of protective walls during your guided tour. Visit the Royal stables, originally built to once house 12,000 of the royal horses. Travel east towards Fez, Morocco's most enchanting city. Today's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B/D)
Spend the day at leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the exotic ancient Medina, UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the optional sightseeing tour. You'll walk through a maze of narrow, bustling streets and alleys that are home to brilliantly hued souks. (B)
Travel today into the very heart of Morocco. Stop in the quiet, French-built alpine mountain resort of Ifrane. Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and windswept plains as you travel across the Middle Atlas range. Pass fortified mud- and-straw villages and descend into the spectacular Ziz gorges. The landscape becomes progressively more arid as you enter a stony desert. Approaching Erfoud, encounter an unexpected and breathtaking surprise: the peaceful oasis of the Ziz Valley. Today's Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km (B/D)
The best choice today is an included excursion to Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alaouite Dynasty. This evening, enjoy an optional excursion in the desert. (B/D)
Upon leaving Erfoud, we learn about the Khettaras, ancient underground irrigation systems. Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains and arrive at the Tinerhir oasis with its green valley of palms and local villages. On to the impressive Todra Gorge, then along the Dades Valley. Arrive in the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate, where you'll visit the Kasbah de Taourirt, the intricate and fascinating residence of Pasha Thami el Glaoui. Today's Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km (B/D)
Travel to Ait Benhaddou, an ancient, fortified city, famous as a film location for "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Gladiator." Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains towards 7,414- foot-high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Each new twist in the road leads to a different, more dramatic landscape.
Leaving the pass behind, see the landscape gradually change to a tapestry of red ochre. Enter the gates of the red-hued imperial city of Marrakesh, justly considered the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities. An optional evening excursion is a fitting way to end the day. Today's Distance: 127 mi/ 205 km (B)
The included city sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with an orientation drive followed by a walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating Jemaa-el-Fna square and its exotic bazaar, Bahia Palace, and Majorelle Gardens. You'll feel as if you've stopped the march of time. (B/D)
Leave Morocco's magical city of Marrakesh for the journey back to Casablanca. On arrival, see the main sights and visit the majestic Hassan II Mosque in the company of a Local Guide. Today's Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 9 Breakfasts
- 5 Dinners
- Casablanca Novotel Casablanca City Center (First-Class)
- Fez Menzeh Zalagh (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Erfoud Kasbah Tizimi
- Ouarzazate Ibis Ouarzazate Center (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Marrakesh Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Explore Africa's must-see regions with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their adventures, so you can explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (10) View All Most Recent 'Highlights of Morocco' Reviews
This is a busy tour, we travelled 2,000km and saw a lot of Morocco. There were only 12 of us on the tour and we were the only Australians. Excellent Tour Director: Paulina from Spain and very safe driver Mohammed. Very windy roads through the mountains and some roads not in a great condition.
The 4 optionals were all very good though if you didn't do the extra camel ride on the sand dunes it's probably not worth doing the desert trip from Erfoud. It would be extremely difficult to visit the Fez medina without a guide. The 2 included dinners were very good.
Hotels were ok and you need to balance quality against the price of this tour. Most included meals were ok, sometimes breakfast was fairly basic. No hotels had tea/coffee making facilities, fortunately we'd packed our travel kettle and a supply of tea bags. My favourite hotel was in Erfoud, it felt like you'd stepped back in time.
Weather was excellent, blue sky and sunshine and quite hot - up to 33C. The heat is very dry away from the coast. You do a fair bit of walking on this tour and at times on uneven ground. You do get hounded by vendors but nothing that you don't experience in other parts of the world. Moroccans were friendly and helpful and wanted us to tell people to visit Morocco.
Our tour director, Anne and coach driver, ...read more Mohammed were excellent. They made the tour special and really worked hard to cater to everyone's requirements. We really enjoyed meeting such interesting and inspiring fellow travellers. One cannot go travelling and still come back the same person .... we would recommend this tour to you, our family and friends!
We would really like to acknowledge Madeline from Global Journeys who has been a wonderful help and very supportive in all of our travel preparations. It's a true pleasure and privilege to visit such wonderful places.
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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