You will be met on arrival at Casablanca Airport or at your hotel and then driven the short distance to Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and modern economic capital. Here you can enter the impressive Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world and one of only two in the country that allow non-Muslims to enter. In the afternoon you will travel west towards Fes, making stops in Meknes and Volubilis. Surrounded by vineyards and fertile farmland, Meknes is an important, historic imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here you can see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail himself, the Bab Mansour Gate with its beautiful zellij mosaics and marble columns, and the Sahrij Soanni Basin, a huge reservoir that supplies the city and imperial gardens. Next you will visit the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, dating to the 1st century BC. You can walk through the triumphal arch and see many beautifully preserved mosaic floors depicting scenes from Roman myths. Then continue to Fes, through fertile valleys in the foothills between the Rif and Atlas Mountains. Arrive in the early evening to check into your traditional riad in the heart of the old, medieval medina, where you will stay in a B&B.
After a traditional breakfast in your riad, it's time to explore the cultural capital of Morocco, the ancient Medina (old town) of Fes. Walk through its narrow, winding streets among the hustle and bustle, donkeys and horses, the exotic sights and smells of a functioning, medieval city; the largest urbanized pedestrian zone in the world. Here you can admire the delicious fresh fruits piled high, mountains of aromatic spices and intricate … You will visit the famous traditional tanneries and Al-Qaraouine University, the oldest in the world. In the afternoon, after a satisfying lunch in an authentic Moroccan restaurant in the heart of the medina, your journey continues with a visit to the Jewish Quarter, the Royal Palace, a ceramics factory and the Merenid Tombs, perched on a hill above the medina and offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the old town. You will then return to your riad for the night.
After breakfast, you'll set off early as there is so much to do in three days that you'll create memories for life.
At 7am in winter or 8am in Morocco's beautiful long summer, your experienced English-speaking Fes Authentic Tours driver will pick you up from your accommodation after breakfast and drive you up into the heights of the Middle Atlas as Fes is at the foot of the mountains. It's quite a long journey to the famous sand dunes of Erg Chebbi but the transport is comfortable and air-conditioned and there is so much to see that time flies.
Your first stop after passing the surprise of Michliffen, a Moroccan winter sports and ski resort, is Ifrane, a picturesque little town known as the "Switzerland of Morocco" due to its alpine architecture. It was built in the Swiss style by the French during their occupation of Morocco in the 1930s.
A little further on is the beautiful town of Azrou, "The Rock" in the Amazigh language of the local Berbers. This area is home to mighty, aromatic cedar forests where you will encounter the legendary "Barbary Macaques", actually a type of macaque monkey. They can be quite curious and friendly, but be careful they don't run off with your bag!
As you continue across the plateau, the peaks of the High Atlas, said to support the sky, slowly come closer and then you cross the pass to Midelt and on to the edge of the Saharan town of Rissani. From there it is just a short hop south to Merzouga where the impressive dunes of Erg Chebbi suddenly appear on the near horizon.
These dunes stretch east into Algeria and are superb examples of their type, with the highest dunes towering over 50 metres above the spectacular desert landscape that surrounds them. Your hotel is located at the foot of the dunes and here you can relax and enjoy the evening after your trip. You will be treated to a carefully prepared traditional Berber dinner and sleep in a comfortable bed while listening to the sweet sounds of Berber music.
After breakfast, you are free to spend the day at your own pace. There is plenty to do and see in the area. Do you opt for a strenuous and breathtaking hike through the dunes of Erg Chebbi? Or would you rather relax at the hotel and cool off with an ice cold drink and a dip in the pool? Some opt for a shopping spree in Merzouga town centre, where many local handicrafts are sold at much cheaper prices than in the bigger cities. You may also want to visit the nearby town of Khamalia, where the friendly black descendants of the ancient slaves from Sudan will delight you with their distinctive Gnawa music.
Be sure to return to the base before sunset, as your camel will be waiting to take you on an unforgettable 90-minute excursion into the depths of the desert as you enjoy the magnificent sight of the sun setting in the desert sand. You will then spend the night in an authentic Berber tent in a traditional camp, where your guide will personally cook you a delicious Moroccan meal and you will listen to the sweet melodies of the local musicians as you relax and fall asleep under the numerous twinkling stars and the huge, bright moon.
Sunrise in the desert is just as beautiful as sunset, so the journey begins at dawn as you ride your trusty camel through the dunes that cast ever-changing shadows on the arid landscape. Breakfast is served at a hotel, and then it's on to Ouarzazate via the impressive Todra Gorge, a favorite with climbers who often clamber like bugs up the steep 300m rock faces. Then it's on to the cute little town of Tinghir, where you can do a bit of hiking or just relax. The next stop is Kelaat Mgouna, known for its Rose Festival in May (exact dates may vary depending on the rose petal harvest, though). Don't miss out on trying the fragrant rose water and rose oils available here, which will leave a delicious scent on your clothes and linens for weeks.
Afterward, visit Skoura, with stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains. The city itself is located in a fertile desert oasis full of groves with countless date palms. Finally, it is a short drive to Ouarzazate, where after a pleasant dinner you will spend the night in a cozy hotel.
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to look around the film studios of Ouarzazate, the so-called "Hollywood of Africa" where many famous films such as "The Mummy" and "The Living Daylights" as well as TV series such as "Game of Thrones" and "Prison Break" were filmed. Take a tour of the Atlas Film Studios museum where you can see sets and props from these and many other productions.
When you're finished here, our next stop is the magnificent hilltop Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the narrow streets to the top and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. This ancient wattle and daub village has served as a filming location and backdrop for more than twenty films, including the classics "Lawrence of Arabia", "Gladiator" and the Indiana Jones series. To conclude your trip, you will head to the red city of Marrakech, the jewel in Morocco's crown. You will pass through the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, the highest pass in Africa, which lies on the edge of the Atlas Mountains. The winding roads offer spectacular views. Your adventure ends with your Fes Authentic Tours driver dropping you off at your accommodation in Marrakech.