DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Morocco
Depart for Morocco

DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Casablanca, Transfer to Rabat
Arrive in Casablanca this morning and transfer to Rabat, a heady swirl of color, culture, and history. Arrive at your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 3:40 PM
Overnight: Rabat
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Thursday - Rabat City Tour
After breakfast, tour the capital. Begin with a drive past the tiled entrance to the Royal Palace, followed by a stop at Bab Rouah, the city's "Gate of the Winds." View Hassan Tower, part of an unfinished mosque started by a 12th century caliph. At the Kasbah of the Udayas, explore the fortress and take a stroll in the French-colonial Andalusian gardens. End the morning at the Oudaya National Museum of Ornaments, then lunch at a local restaurant. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Rabat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Friday - Explore Volubilis & Meknes, Overland to Fez
This morning, drive inland to Fez. Along the way, stop to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, the once-bustling city and African administrative center of the Roman Empire. Continue to Meknes and view the Bab Mansour gate, beautifully patterned with zellij mosaics. Afterward, continue to Fez. Dinner is at the hotel tonight
Overnight: Fez
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Saturday - Tour Fez
Explore the sprawling medina of Fez on foot this morning. You'll enter via the Bab Boujloud, or "Blue Gate" and visit the famed Al-Bou Inania Madrasa. Afterward, you will have an opportunity to shop for authentic Moroccan carpets. Then, stop at the Chouara Tannery to see how leather is cut and dyed using traditional techniques. At the Nejjarine Museum, browse the collection of wooden arts and crafts, then view copper craftsmen at work in Seffarine Square. The tour ends outside the Karaouine Mosque and University. After lunch in the medina, your guide leads you through the Jewish Quarter, or mellah. By the end of the walk, you'll be at the King's Palace. Spend the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Fez
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Sunday - Cross Middle Atlas Mountains, Drive to Erfoud
Today, travel towards Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains. Begin with a stop in Ifran, a Moroccan ski resort. Midmorning, you cross the 6,000-foot pass and continue west toward the great Sahara. Next, stop for lunch in the village of Midelt. As you approach Erfoud, panoramic views of the remarkable Ziz Gorges and vast valleys surround you. Continue to Erfoud for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Erfoud
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Monday - Experience Rissani, Sahara Camp
This morning, explore the small city of Rissani on the edge of the Sahara. En route, stop at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Then, wander its lively souk, and visit a 17th century ksar. Afterward, pass by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz. You'll pause to visit a local bread shop, where you'll witness and sample an ancient culinary art. After lunch at the hotel, journey into the Sahara Desert, stopping en route to share tea with some welcoming locals in a Berber tent. Later, settle into your Sahara camp. You'll even have the opportunity to enjoy a short camel ride, then end the day with dinner
Overnight: Sahara Tented Camps
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Tuesday - Explore Desert & Todra Gorge, Travel to Ait Benhaddou
After breakfast, leave the camp and make your way to the oasis of Tinghir for lunch. The real attraction here is the Todra Gorge, a deep ravine carved by the Todra River over millennia. Continue to Dades Valley, where roses bloom in profusion in springtime. The locals make good use of the prolific flower by producing rose water here. Dinner tonight is at your hotel
Overnight: Ait Benhaddou (Ouarzazate Region)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Wednesday - Visit Ait Benhaddou, Travel to Marrakesh
After breakfast at the hotel, take time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a ksar (fortified city) along a former caravan route. Its desert-dusted Kasbahs and maze-like warrens are sure to enthrall you. Next, make your way to the city of Marrakesh. Check into your hotel with free time before dinner tonight
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Thursday - City Tour of Marrakesh, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Gardens
Discover historic and exotic Marrakesh today. Begin at Majorelle Gardens, a botanical marvel set in the heart of Marrakesh. Next visit Koutoubia, a 12th century Mosque and minaret, still topped with four copper globes. Then, explore Bahia Palace, where 360 rooms were once adorned with Italian marble and Sudanese gold. For a more recent archaeological find, you'll see the richly decorated tombs of the Saadi Dynasty. End your morning in the famed Djemaa el Fna square, a dazzling display of acrobats, story tellers, and snake charmers. Take your time and absorb this vibrant kaleidoscope of culture, torn from the pages of Ali Baba. In the evening, you are guests of a local Marrakesh family for dinner
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Friday - Full Day in Marrakesh
Arise before dawn to participate in today's optional Hot Air Balloon Ride. * Take off in a hot air balloon as you watch the sunrise over Marrakesh. Drift above the beautiful landscape, before returning back to earth to enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Explore the city on your own today or perhaps participate in the optional tour to the scenic Ourika Valley* where typical Moroccan villages are scattered amidst the towering Atlas Mountains. Here, discover the area's natural herbs and their many uses. Before lunch at the gardens enjoy, a "Berber foot bath". Afterward, return to the hotel *The Marrakesh Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride with Breakfast and Ourika Valley and Botanical Gardens with Lunch operate simultaneously. Passengers may opt to participate in only one of these tours
Optional: Marrakesh Sunrise Balloon Ride & Breakfast (AM)
Optional: Ourika Valley and Botanical Gardens with Lunch (AM)
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Saturday - Cooking Class, Travel to Essaouira
This morning, head to the Medina to attend a half day cooking class in an authentic Riad. Learn how to successfully prepare traditional Moroccan tajine and salads. After lunch, depart Marrakesh for Essaouira. Stop at the Argan Oil Women's Cooperative to learn how this skin-nutrifying elixir is extracted from the argan nut, rich in nutrients and antioxidants beneficial to skin and hair. Arrive in Essaouira and check into the hotel
Overnight: Essaouira
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13, Sunday - Discover Essaouira, Gnawa Performance
You'll be introduced to Essaouira's culture with a stroll through the medina and its bustling fish market. Visit a jewelry shop, renowned for its quality and design. Browse the extensive collection of uniquely handcrafted silver jewelry. The rest of the afternoon is free. In the evening, learn about traditional music during a talk with a local expert. Get the details about henna painting along with a demonstration. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail while viewing a Gnawa performance and dance**Gnawa performance will sometimes operate on day 12.
Overnight: Essaouira
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14, Monday - Travel to Casablanca & City Tour
Travel to Casablanca today, stopping en route for a light lunch. Upon arrival, see the fabled city's important sights, including the Mohammed V Square and Hassan II Mosque.* In the Hablus district, peruse the market and admire the exterior of the Royal Palace. Tonight, during dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager*Hassan II Mosque is subject to unexpected closures for local religious observances. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.
Overnight: Casablanca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Tuesday - Depart Morocco
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast