Morocco

Monday 14 April

Evening departure on Emirates. 

Tuesday 15 April

Change planes for your flight to Casablanca. On arrival transfer to Rabat. Afternoon at leisure before a Welcome Dinner.

Wednesday 16 April

Rabat known as the ‘White Imperial City’ is the administrative capital of Morocco. Today our tour includes Kasbah of the Udayas, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Hassan Tower, an incomplete mosque tower that stands as a symbol of the city. 

Thursday 17 April

Visit Meknes - known as the ‘Moroccan Versailles’ before arriving at the partially-excavated Roman ruins at Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Driss. Continue on to Fes.

Friday 18 April

A day to savour with a tour of the oldest cultural and spiritual city in Morocco. Visit the medieval medina with its ancient leather works, spice stalls, craftsmen and narrow streets with only room for foot and mule traffic.

Saturday 19 April

From Fes we continue on to Ifrane, a surprising ski resort in European style. Then travel to Midlet (1508m) on the high plains between the High and Middle Atlas Mountains where development is credited to the mining of lead and gypsum. Arrive in Erfoud late afternoon for a two-night stay.

Sunday 20 April

Early wake up and depart by 4x4 to the dunes to ride camels and to see the sunrise. Later continue by 4x4s to visit the Ksar Abbar ruins and the town of Rissani. Rest of afternoon free before dinner.

Monday 21 April

A full travel day. First visit Tinghir, a town in the High Atlas Mountains in the heart of the Todra Valley and a former French Garrison town. Travel on to the Todra Valley palmerie, a checkerboard of cereal fields, vegetable gardens, palm and olive groves. Continue on to Boumalne.

Tuesday 22 April

Today we travel along the Dades Valley - centre for distilling rose essence. We travel via Kalaa M’Gouna where a Rose Festival is held each year and later arrive in Ouarzazate.

Wednesday 23 April

Travel along the desolate Daraa River Valley with its unusual rock formations to Zagora (perfect for the production of dates and figs). Some of the towns along the valley are built inside fortified walls.  A day to remember. Dinner at the hotel in Ouarzazate.

Thursday 24 April

Today travel across the Tizi n Tichka Pass (2660m) in the Atlas Mountains through rural Morocco to Marrakech, stopping at Ait Ben Haddou, a former stop on the caravan route from Sahara. It is known for its Kasbahs and has been the location for more than 17 movies and TV shows! Arrive in Marrakech late afternoon for a two night stay.

Friday 25 April

Today an authentic Moroccan cooking lesson is included. Cook and enjoy your food for lunch – a great insight into Moroccan food and culture. An afternoon tour includes further highlights of the city with free time this evening.

Saturday 26 April

This morning we depart for Essaouira stopping at an Argan Oil Cooperative along the way. We continue on to Essaouira an excellent example of a fortified mid-eighteenth-century town famous for its wood working handicrafts and the silver souk.

Sunday 27 April

Today we explore Essaouira visiting the port, medina and the Jewish Quarter.

Monday 28 April

This morning we continue to the City of Casablanca and on arrival explore the medina in the evening light. Farewell Dinner at Rick’s Cafeé. 

Tuesday 29 April

This morning we visit Hassan II Mosque, before transferring to Casablanca Airport for a mid-afternoon flight to Dubai.

Wednesday 30 April

Change planes and continue to Auckland.

Thursday 01 May

Arrive Auckland mid-morning

Please ask us if you wish to extend your stay in Europe