Morocco Highlights & High Atlas Mountains

Dramatically perched on Casablanca’s coastline and overlooking the majestic Atlantic, the Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest places of worship on Earth. Visit this astounding, state-of-the-art mosque on a guided tour and learn why it has quickly become a beacon of pride of this North African nation. The inside of the mosque can accommodate up to 25 000 worshipers, which positions it among the World’s biggest structures of this kind. Explore this magnificent complex and take in the finest in Moroccan craftsmanship. Make your way through this grand sanctuary and admire the impressive granite columns and bright, marble interiors as the crashing ocean waves echo in the distance. A visit to Hassan II Mosque serves as a truly inspiring introduction to Morocco’s religious heritage and it should not be missed.         

A private vehicle with an English-speaking driver will transfer you from Casablanca to Fes. During the transfer, enjoy some brief touring stops along the way, including a visit to Meknes, the famed Ismailia capital known for its 24-mile (40-kilometer) long walls and numerous gates. Next, visit Bab Mansour, an impressive and elaborately decorated gateway that is today a popular arts and crafts galleria. Interestingly, the marble columns seen here were taken from the nearby Roman city of Volubilis. Next, visit the historic Royal stables, the amazing artisan markets and the popular Jewish quarter. Before arriving in Fes, stop in Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss to take in the fascinating history and scenery. Upon arrival into Fes, you will be delivered to your hotel.

HOTEL
Raid Maison Bleue

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby this morning, then set out to explore Fes, the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco. Also known as Fes el Bali, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in the 9th century and is also home to the world’s oldest university, founded in 859 CE. The city of Fes reached its true economic and cultural height through the 13th and14th centuries under the Merinids, at which time it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fes has retained its status as the country’s artisan centre. Workshops hosting master craftsmen in the medina are as busy today as they were hundreds of years ago, and strongly contribute to the city’s industrial economy. Trades such as blacksmithing, leather working, ceramics, silk weaving, and sculpting are still practiced, and you’ll sure to witness this firsthand throughout the day. The tannery of Fes, colorful and pungent, is a must-see; here, workers labor in small pools filled with specific dyes to treat their wares. The original ramparts still protect this ancient city, and its estimated 9,000 passageways and bustling streets are a joy to explore. With a private driver and expert guide at your side, discover the essential highlights of Fes over the course of this full-day tour.

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Raid Maison Bleue

Travel in a privately driven vehicle from Fes to Marrakech, making a lunch stop en-route. Explore the rugged terrain of the Middle Atlas Mountain range, boasting towering cliff faces, and incredible passes. Drive by the scenic Berber villages of Immouzer de Kandar and the university town of Ifrane for a glimpse into rural living in Morocco. Explore the Kasbah of Ras El Ain and mingle among the merchants to find the perfect gift. The approximate travel time is seven hours and 30 minutes.

HOTEL
Sofitel Palais Imperial

The sweeping and dynamic history of Marrakech – an imperial capital in centuries past – is best appreciated with the help of a private guide. Today, begin your tour of the Ochre City with a visit to the Koutoubia Mosque. Constructed in the 12th century, it’s known for its a beautiful minaret which can be seen from nearly every approach to the city due to a long-standing ordinance that forbids any other building in the old city to rise above the height of a palm tree. After viewing Koutoubia Mosque, visit nearby El-Bahia Palace. Translated to English, the El Bahia Palace means “Palace of Brilliance,” and this incredible, ornate and meticulously crafted property is endowed with some of the finest ceramics in the country. This 19th century palace was built over a seven-year period for Ba Ahmed, the son of the Grand Vizier Si Moussa. Featuring a trapezoidal garden, tiled courtyard, and many hidden treasures in the form of antique objects d’art and the palace’s convergence of Andalusian and Moorish architecture, it is a must-see site. Your next stop is one of most coveted archeological sites in Morocco: the Saadian Tombs. Opened to the public in 1917, they are accessed through a narrow passage which leads to an enclosed garden and into two mausoleums that host more than one hundred mosaic-decorated tombs. The Musee De Marrakech, your next stop, is an important example of Moorish architecture, and the main courtyard and chambers are host to impressive feats of design; elaborate archways, gorgeous stained glass, and a collection of ceramics that are sure to dazzle. Finally, wander through the mesmerizing souks of Marrakesh. With 18 souks selling a dizzying array of handicrafts, textiles, spices, foods, electronics, antiques and everything in between, the souks of Marrakech are the perfect place to find a keepsake to bring home, or to simply get in touch with day-to-day life in the Red City.

HOTEL
Sofitel Palais Imperial

Enjoy a guided walking tour through the Gardens of Majorelle, a property acquired in 1922 by painter Jacques Majorelle. After spending nearly 40 years creating his “Ochre City”, the ownership of the garden changed to the families of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in 1980. An oasis in the city, the expansive gardens feature an impressive collection of cacti, exotic plants and unique tree species carefully placed to emphasize their beauty. Pools, streams and fountains add to the charm, as does the birdsong of the many winged creatures that call this place home. Carry on to the Gardens of Menara; an area which has in its center an immense pool dating from the 12th century. At the edge of the water, among the various plants and olive trees, is a small Saadien house which over the last century has been rebuilt and resorted back to its original beauty. Enjoy the remainder of the excursion exploring the nearby monuments that surround the gardens. After exploring the gardens and Yves Saint Laurent Museum, you’ll make the 20-minute drive to the nearby Palmery Museum. Featuring exotic plants and flowers, impressive sculptures and works of art, it is a joy to explore. Once you have had ample time to tour the Palmery Museum, you will be returned to your hotel.

The caleche, a horse-drawn carriage popular in Marrakech, is one of the best ways to appreciate the city. This evening, with the sun setting and giving the land a golden hue, sit back and relax as you are guided through and past ancient ramparts and some of Marrakech’s 22 fortified gates. A particular highlight is Agdal Gardens, where you will saunter through a botanical garden lined with orange, fig and lemon trees. As the sun sets behind the walls of the old city, you’ll begin the return trip back to the city, trotting through Jemaa el-Fna – Marrakech’s most popular square among locals and visitors – to see the marketplace in the heat of night, before making a stop at the souks for an evening tour past the curios, food vendors and craftsmen that have for centuries characterized the souks of Marrakech. After a memorable night on the town, you will be returned to your hotel.

HOTEL
Sofitel Palais Imperial

A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer between Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountain region. The approximate travel time is one hour.

Formerly the summer house of a feudal caïd (local baron), Kasbah Toubkal has been restored using traditional Berber techniques by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. Located on the slopes of Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains known as the “roof of North Africa”, Kasbah Toubkal is surrounded by vast spaces, plateaus, plantations, cliffs, a lake, waterfalls, deep ravines, overlooking three valleys with a superb panoramic view

The walking in this region is fantastic. There are some fabulous walks from the Kasbah which can be tailor-made to suit your interests and fitness level (from 45 min walks to 7 hour treks with a private mountain guide). You can also choose to do 4X4 excursions, Horse or Mule Treks, Mountain Biking or choose to just relax at this fantastic property. Explore Imlil, a picturesque mountain village in the heart of the sublime Toubkal National Park just minutes from the Kasbah. Explore on your own or add some of these amazing activities through the hotel or book them in advance (activities not included in the tour price).

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Kasbah du Toubkal

Prepare for a day of exploration and cultural enrichment as you head out aboard a 4-wheel-drive vehicle into the picturesque surroundings of the High Atlas Mountains Ranges accompanied by a local expert guide. Depart in the morning from Asni to the hamlet of Imlil where the off-road adventure begins. Enjoy the view as you’ll be driven along the serpentine, non-graveled roads to one of the highest perched villages of the range, some 2000 feet high.  En-route, marvel at the many terrace-lined towns and small mud-brick houses.  Make a stop along the way to the local old hydraulic and olive press which to this day is still in use.  A visit to the Takherkhort Reserve is also scheduled where you can enjoy a walk through native flora and fauna, stopping along the way to take some photos of the Barbary sheep and the over 150 species of birdlife. Upon arrival to the Mountain Lodge you will feel the greatest sense of homeliness and comfort by the welcoming scent of freshly baked bread, as the local woman demonstrate Berber hospitality at its finest.  As the ancient oven continues to bake, you will be seated on a panoramic terrace and served local delicacies and of course some of that freshly baked bread as you admire the almost surreal surroundings. From here, you will be driven to the town of Tahanoute, a picturesque village set among a variety of olive groves, and citrus trees for an opportunity to admire the red clay structures built according to traditional Berber construction techniques. A local resident will prepare a home-cooked meal for your enjoyment, with a special “table-setting” atop their roof.  This opportunity allows you to experience the everyday life of these mountain people.

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Kasbah du Toubkal

A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer from the High Atlas Mountain region to Casablanca. The approximate travel time is four hours.