From the Ocean to Desert

Arrival in Marrakech. Welcome to Morocco! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and, in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride to the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square (included). Dinner will be included.

Today, we´ll explore one of the most fascinating places in the world, the city that gave Morocco its name. Our city tour will take us through its strong walls, the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Medina, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Bahia Palace (tickets included). Afterward, you´ll have free time for lunch (included) and to relax by the pool or in the hotel garden, or to shop in the souks. In the evening, you can join the Fantasy Party, an optional excursion offered by Europamundo.

We’ll set out to cross the Atlas Mountains, where lofty peaks often covered in snow bid us farewell as we leave the palm groves of Marrakech. You’ll see small Berber villages clinging to the edges of deep gorges. Our journey includes a stop at the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, renowned for its appearances in numerous movies. As we travel through landscapes reminiscent of biblical scenes, we´ll pause in Ouarzazate, known for its impressive Kasbah. Continuing through the Valley of Roses, we´ll reach Boumalne Dades where dinner will be included. Note: Occasionally in winter, roads may close due to snowdrifts. If necessary, this part of the itinerary will be rescheduled according to our alternative plan. (Access to the Sahara Desert depends on road conditions).

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the Sahara Desert: traverse the Valley of the Kasbahs, river valleys surrounded by thousands of palm trees, rocky plains merging into lush oases and adobe villages, and formidable fortresses guarding ancient thoroughfares. Our visit includes the awe-inspiring Todgha Gorge, a majestic canyon with towering walls rising more than 100 meters on both sides. En route, we´ll stop at a small adobe town near Khorbat, where you can learn about the desert community supported by the Europamundo Foundation (access may be affected by weather conditions such as river flooding). We’ll proceed towards Erfoud. For those interested, an off-road excursion to the Sahara Desert sand dunes offers a breathtaking sunset experience. Lunch will be included.

We’ll depart early from Erfoud, crossing the Atlas Mountains once again through dramatic gorges and breathtaking landscapes. We’ll then traverse a high, chilly plateau inhabited by nomadic shepherds. Our journey includes a brief stop in Midelt, a commercial town in the heart of the region, known primarily for its agriculture. We’ll continue our route with a stop for lunch (included) in the Middle Atlas, by a lake in a beautiful natural setting. The scenery will change dramatically as we enter a region rich in forests, where snow is common in winter. Near Azrou, we’ll visit the "House of Cedars" in a national park—a small museum that provides insight into the region. Here, we’ll also have the chance to observe the lively colonies of monkeys that inhabit the area. Our journey will then take us to Bhalil, a small and peaceful town inhabited by Berbers of the Middle Atlas, known for its picturesque old town with colorful streets. Traditionally, people lived in caves here, which are now integrated into the houses. We’ll continue to Fez, where, before heading to our hotel, we’ll admire views of the ancient city from the Marinid Tombs. Dinner will be included.

We’ll include a city tour of Fez, entering through the Bronze Gates of the Royal Palace, exploring the Jewish quarter, its bustling souks, and the tannery district. Known as the cultural capital of the country and home to the oldest university in the world, Fez is renowned for its impressive Medina, which preserves the traditional Arab atmosphere like no other. We will end the visit with lunch at an ancient palace in the Medina (included). After lunch, admission will be included to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis, a World Heritage Site. Founded in the third century BC, Volubilis was the capital of Mauretania Tingitana and served as an important military outpost of the Roman Empire, where numerous beautiful monuments were built.We’ll then visit Moulay Idriss, a holy city and pilgrimage site for Muslims in Morocco, as it is the burial place of the great-grandson of Muhammad and founder of the first royal dynasty of Morocco. The city was closed to non-Muslims until 1912, and until 2005, non-Muslims could not stay overnight there. We will continue to Meknes for dinner (included) and accommodation.

Visit of MEKNES, another fascinating city declared a World Heritage Site, founded for military purposes in the eleventh century by the Almoravids, was the capital of the kingdom in the time of Sultan Muley Ismaíl (1672-1727), founder of the Alaouite dynasty. This sovereign built an impressive city of Spanish-Moorish style, surrounding it with high walls, marked by monumental doors. We will be astonished by the immense gate of Bab el Mansur, the activity in the square el Hedim (reminiscent of the D, Jemaa square of Marrakesh). We include admission to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.After the visit, you will have free time and then we will continue our journey by bus. Time for lunch in the service area and arrival in RABAT, city tour of the capital of the Kingdom. We visit the powerful fortress of the Oudaia, the Hassan tower where the mausoleum of King Mohamed V is located, the walls of the Andalusians, the outer enclosure of the Royal Palace and the modern quarters of embassies. After our visit, free time and continuation of route. CASABLANCA -Arrival at the end of the day. Dinner included.

This morning, we’ll start with an included guided tour of Morocco’s largest city and economic center. We’ll stroll along the grand avenues, visit the beautiful Mohamed V Square with its fountain, Moorish buildings, and palm trees, and walk through the Arab League Park. We’ll also explore the little Medina. Our tour includes admission to the impressive Hassan II Mosque (the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims), located by the sea and featuring a 210-meter-high minaret with laser lights pointing to Mecca. After the tour, you’ll have free time for lunch in the pleasant maritime area of La Corniche. After lunch, we’ll travel to El Jadida. Its citadel (Mazagan) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth century. We’ll stroll through its picturesque streets, which retain many traces of the Portuguese era, such as the Manueline-style Church of the Assumption. We’ll also include a visit to the old sixteenth-century cistern. After exploring, our journey will continue to Safi, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.Note: The old cistern of El Jadida is currently closed for restoration. It is expected to reopen throughout the season.

With our guide, we’ll visit Safi, a city renowned for its ceramics, highly prized throughout Morocco for their quality and bright colors. We’ll photograph the Castle of the Sea and its impressive fortress walls, stroll through the charming Medina, and visit the Hill of the Potters with its many shops.Afterward, we’ll continue to Essaouira. Its walled Medina, facing the sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautifully preserved city is a favorite among artists and painters. You’ll have free time for lunch and to wander through its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and strong walls struck by the waves.After lunch, we’ll continue along the Atlantic coast, taking in the magnificent landscapes. We’ll make a brief stop in Taghazout, a picturesque small town known for its fishing and popular with surfers. Then, we’ll proceed to Agadir for accommodation, arriving in the evening. Dinner will be included.

You’ll have a free morning to enjoy the country’s top beach destination. Relax on its infinite beaches, take a scenic walk along the seafront, or shop in one of the many retail areas.After lunch, we’ll continue our journey, following a stunning highway that winds through the Atlas Mountains. We’ll arrive in Marrakech later in the day. Dinner will be included at the hotel.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.