14-Day Imperial Cities, Sahara, High Atlas & Atlantic Coast

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Today you head north to Rabat (Morocco's present capital city).

In Rabat, freely explore:

The Chellah Necropolis, a medieval fortified city

Wander the charming grounds of Roman and Islamic ruins

View Rabat’s original site, entering via the grand door of the Kasbah des Oudayas

View the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the incomplete mosque and Mausoleum of Mohamed V, an abandoned project in the 12th century.

After lunch you travel to Chefchaouen through the heavily forested Rif Mountains and a National Park before arriving in Chefchaouen, the Blue City

Overnight in

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Chefchaouen is instantly charming. Nestling “comfortably” in the Rif mountains, the Blue City is ideal for exploring, enjoying its gentle ambience. Place Uta el Hammam is the old centre of the town with a grand fountain. The medina has many charming, winding alleyways and the local crafts to seek out are leather, woodwork and cloth.

Then to Volubilis and its UNESCO protected Roman ruins. The complex was founded in the 3rd century BCE and abandoned 1,000 years later. Once thriving, it was one of the most remote parts of the Roman Empire. Your visit will explore the Roman ruins and impressive mosaics.

Option: visit Meknes, an ancient Imperial City.

To Fès

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Fes is an impressive ancient imperial city with an entrancing maze of narrow streets in its fascinating Old Medina, it's market and souk area. Fes' Islamic University is regarded as the scientific capital of Morocco and can be visited as well as the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. The colour, clamour and activity of the famous Fes leather tanneries can be enjoyed. The Fes pottery district is similarly very interesting and the quality products are highly regarded.

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Today, you'll travel to the Merzouga Desert over the Col du Zad at 2,178 metres in the Moyen Atlas to Azrou followed by the town of Midelt and Erfoud. Before reaching Merzouga, you'll stop at Rissani, a good place to see a traditional souk, especially on market days. As you near, you'll see the 200-metre high Erg Chebbi sand sea on the horizon. In Merzouga, after welcoming mint tea and nibbles, you'll take a camel ride to a high sand dune for the sunset before stargazing in the evening.

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Travelling south to Khamleya, a traditional Saharan village, after your night in the Berber Camp, you will experience more Berber culture through their drumming and dance. Around Khamleya village, amongst the sands of the Sahara, you will also see farmed plots; survival at the very edge of possibility

Travelling westwards from the Sahara, and after passing through Rissani, a busy market town, you travel between the High Atlas and the Jbel Sahrho mountains. The Todra Gorge is a most impressive, 300m deep, water cut canyon; the journey into it is superb, the road climbing ever higher and letting you see traditional, remote life in the mountains. Onwards then to Boumalne Dadès for overnight.

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The Dades Valley has many kasbahs, set amongst date palms and farmland using its river water. Weird landforms called Monkey Feet Rocks are a startling rock formation seen on following the famous twisty Dades Gorge road. You stop at a troglodyte (cave dwelling) family and drink some tea with them and learn of their lives. Lunch is in Bouteghrar village. El Kelaa Mcgouna in The Valley of the Roses has farmland bordered by rose bushes, used in the cosmetic industry for soaps, lotions and perfumes.

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Dating from the 11th century, Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important part of the ancient trade route over the High Atlas between Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara. Near the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at 2260 metres, there are great panoramic views over the mountains as well as the snaking N9 road. Look out for the highest peak, Mount Toubkal at 4,167m. In the evening, you'll visit the lively Marrakesh Medina.

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Marrakesh offers a rich mix of sights and experiences and today you'll be able to explore all 'the red city' has to offer. There are many options for you to explore today including Jemaa el Fna Square, a lively entertainment square, the Medina and its Souks, an Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque, Ben Youssef Madrasa, a Koranic School, Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace. All of which are easily reached on foot. The Majorelle Gardens is also about 30 minutes walking from the Medina.

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Continue your 14 days in Morocco today by heading higher and deeper in to the High Atlas. You’ll visit the Angal Valley, viewing its grand mountain and valley sceneries and travelling amongst many fascinating Berber villages, seeing their everyday activities. First you will experience the busy market town of Amizmiz and from there your driver will take you ever inwards and upwards in to the the Angal valley. You will travel by Tafghart village and on upwards to Ait Hamed village where you will have lunch in a traditional Berber home. Continuing upwards to Imi-n-tala village, it’s on to Anerni, Adasil then down to Toulkin and Azgour. From here it’s back to Amizmiz and on to Marrakech.

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Explore the beautiful Marrakesh Plain and Jbilet mountains, visit villages, view seasonal farming activities and enjoy many happenstances, unscheduled encounters. As well as seeing various farming activities, locally grown food will be enjoyed, first eating a traditional “second breakfast” of olives, butter, bread, eggs and mint tea and then Lunch in a farmer’s home. Above the Marrakesh Plain are outcrops of granite, forming low hills offering intriguing walks to explore their hidden gems.

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Travelling over rolling plains, approaching the western seaboard, a unique argan tree forest is encountered, trees that only grow in Morocco. Goats graze on the trees’ fruits, high in the branches! Argan nuts contain oil, extracted for culinary and cosmetic purposes so a stop is made at an Argan Co-operative. On arrival into Essaouira, enjoy some leisure time walking the seawalls, discovering delights in the Medina, enjoying time in the active fishing harbour or strolling the beach promenade.

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Depending on your preference, the morning can be spent further enjoying the charms of Essaouira and, after lunch, you'll travel to Casablanca for your final night of the trip. Alternatively, if you wish to spend more time in Casablanca you can travel straight there after breakfast. Either way, when you arrive in Casablanca you'll have some free time to explore this wonderful city and La Corniche, the extensive boulevard which runs the length of the coast of Casablanca.