In the afternoon, you will be picked up at the airport in Casablanca and transferred to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

Casablanca

Casablanca is Morocco's most forward-minded city. It is where modern industry is churning most noticeably, and where Morocco's economy shows the most activity. Commonly used as Morocco's gateway, most international flights arrive and depart from here. Despite most travelers wanting to reach the Sahara or walk in Marrakesh's medina, Casablanca deserves a little more attention. It is where a culture as old as Morocco's gazes onto a modern world, and interprets modern fashions as its own. Much can be learned about Morocco's culture by walking its streets and meeting its people.

Explore Meknes & Visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis

Today, you will be taken to Fez, one of Morocco's impressive Imperial Cities. Along the way you can stop in Meknes, one of Morocco's lesser-visited Imperial Cities. Located here is one of Morocco's most impressive gateways, Bab Mansour. Thirty minutes away from Meknes are the Roman Ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, which sits perched overlooking the ruins. You'll arrive to Fez in the later afternoon.

Approximate Driving Time = 4 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

Private Tour of Fez

In Fez, you will be able to explore the UNESCO protected Fez Medina with a private guided half day tour. Since this can be confusing due to well over 9,000 streets and alleyways, your guide will take you to the most worthwhile parts, including the Fondouk Nejjarine, the tanneries and the various craft souks. Lunch is included today on the tour. (This service is on a private basis.)

Fez

An old and noble city, Fez knows that it is the center of culture and intellectualism in Morocco. Many of Morocco's important historic movements began in Fez, and Fez has seen ruler after ruler come and go, and has stood strong for 1,200 years. This history is plain to see as one navigates its medina's narrow passages, smells its smells, and hears its sounds. Tourism money has poured into Fez in the past couple of decades, adding fantastic modern riads to compliment an ancient lifestyle.

Ziz Valley Walking Tour

You will depart early this morning and head to Ifrane, the gateway into the Middle Atlas Mountains. From this alpine area, you'll continue onward through Midelt and into Tafilalet, a region that includes the expansive Ziz Valley oasis. It's here where you'll meet our local coordinator who will take you on a short walking tour through this rich agricultural area filled with date palms and small farmsteads. Following, lunch will be served at his family's humble home. After a relaxing night in the hotel, you'll be fully rested for tomorrow's desert adventure.

Approximate Driving Time = 7 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

Sahara Desert Experience

This morning you'll have some time to relax (or to explore Erfoud and Rissani) before continuing south to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi region of the Sahara Desert. Once near the dunes, you'll take a 4x4 to meet the camels where a one-hour ride on these local dromedaries takes you into the encampment. If you'd rather not ride camels, you can continue into the desert camp via 4x4. You'll be sleeping in a Bedouin-style tent. This tent area has actual beds/blankets/sheets, carpets aligning the ground, and western-style bathroom facilities. A scrumptious dinner will be served this evening.

Approximate Driving Time = 3 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

Sahara Desert

The endless expanse of the Western Sahara feels like a final frontier. One of the world's most sparsely populated regions, the Desert provides beauty in the void of life. Spending a night camping, Berber-style, under the Sahara stars is a unique experience that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Rise early enough in the morning, and see the sun rise over over an rusted sand ocean.

Tinjedad Berber History & Valley of Kasbahs

You'll rise with the sunset to grab some photos before taking a 4x4 (or your favorite camel) out of the dunes. If you'd like to do a bit of exploring before heading out, you can head to the now touristy village of Khemlia to listen to Gnawa spiritual music.

Once in Tinjedad, you'll be able to make a stop at a local Berber-history museum that also serves excellent lunches. Here, we can arrange a guided walk of this lesser-visited palm oasis if you'd like. En route to Skoura, if you'd like to visit the Dades or Todra Gorge (Todra being a bit more touristy), either one will add at least two hours to your transport time today. We do not recommend this in the cooler months with shorter days.

You'll end today in the scenic Valley of Kasbahs on the edge of Skoura. Once at this kasbah guesthouse, you'll have time to relax and enjoy the garden before dinner is served.

Approximate Driving Time = 6 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

Skoura

It is not often that you will hear about Skoura when covering the highlights of Morocco, however this convenient and quaint town is slowly turning into a destination in its own right. Situated in the province of Ouarzazate, Skoura is the perfect mid-point between the vast sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas Mountains leading to Marrakesh. Although it is small, the charming town offers beautiful scenery and a seldom-experienced glimpse into the lives of local Moroccans.

Visit Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou

After leaving the palm oasis valley this morning, you can visit Ouarzazate. This relatively new city is home to the Taorirt Kasbah once owned by the Glaouis family, who ruled Morocco. You will also be stopping at the UNESCO world heritage site at Ait Ben Haddou which several famed films have used as a backdrop.

One highly recommended (and off-the-beaten-path) location you might also consider stopping at is Telouet. This impressive kasbah was once the stronghold of the Glaoui family as they ruled the entire southern region of Morocco. Choosing this option will add one hour of transport to today's total. Following, you'll head over the Tiz n Tichka pass, which winds over the High Atlas Mountains and to Marrakesh.

Approximate Driving Time = 5-6 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

Private City Tour

Today in Marrakesh, your time will be devoted to a private guided visit of the Marrakesh Medina. A local head guide from the region will meet you at your riad at 9:30 am this morning to discuss what you might be most interested in seeing and doing. You can explore the Saadian tombs, Bahia Palace, Ali Ben Youssef Koranic School, and walk through the various souks. Admire the bright colors, and breath in the aromas along the way! Lunch will be included on your excursion today, before you return to your hotel around 3:30 pm. (This service is on a private basis.)

Marrakesh

This is the maze of shops, street performers, smoky haze, foreign spices and street vendors that Morocco is known for. This is the quintessential Moroccan travel experience. The imperial cities all have their own medinas, but foreigners know about Marrakesh's version for a reason. Where berber tribes once traded their gold and ivory, vendors now sell trinkets to tourists, but the atmosphere remains the same as it has been for centuries. The churning of commerce can be felt here like in no other place, and the result is pretty magical.

Marrakesh - Casablanca

Today, you can do any last minute shopping or sightseeing before heading to Casablanca at your convenience.

Approximate Driving Time = 3 hrs (This service is on a private basis.)

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Casablanca and transferred to the airport. (This service is on a private basis.)