Morocco Natural Landscapes Tour

Once you land at the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, your guide/driver will meet you at your arrival gate to take you to Marrakech. This is a beautiful short drive of about 125 miles.

You will arrive in Marrakech, a city of pleasure for visitors and locals, where southern tribe members and Berber villagers bring their goods to market and find a variety of entertainment. To tourists, the city is a feast for the imagination, full of incomparable beauty, situated before the towering mountains that provide a thrilling backdrop. After a visit to the bustling Jemaa El Fna square, you will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations at your hotel.

You will devote your morning to exploring Marrakech’s many historical sites, starting at the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, reflecting the image of an exquisite Moorish edifice. It was constructed in 1866 for dignitaries who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. The pool is an innovative irrigation system serving dry life in the desert.

Your tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain) and the Saadian tombs, demonstrating Moorish architecture at its best. The tombs consist of sixteenth-century mausoleums that had lain walled in and undiscovered until 1917. Next, you will explore the gardens of the Agdal and then the Marjorelle. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

Highlights:

Menara Gardens:

Menara Gardens, nestled near the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech, offer tranquility amidst the city's hustle. The iconic pavilion reflects in a vast reservoir surrounded by olive groves and citrus orchards, creating a serene oasis perfect for strolling or picnicking. It's a timeless escape where visitors can unwind amidst natural beauty and Moroccan architectural charm. The Menara Pool is a sophisticated reserve of water, taking its sources from the snow-capped nearby Atlas Mountains, Making Marrakech a lush oasis year-round.

The Koutoubia The Koutoubia Mosque, an architectural masterpiece in Marrakech, symbolizes the city's rich history and Islamic heritage. Its soaring minaret, adorned with intricate geometric patterns, dominates the skyline while surrounding gardens provide a peaceful retreat. As the largest mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia is a place of worship and a landmark for cultural exploration and admiration of Islamic architecture.

Bahia Palace

Step into the opulent world of Bahia Palace, a marvel of Moroccan architecture nestled in the heart of Marrakech. Intricate mosaics, carved woodwork, and tranquil courtyards transport visitors to a bygone era of royal grandeur. Wander through its ornate rooms adorned with colorful tiles and lavish décor and immerse yourself in this breathtaking palace's rich history and exquisite beauty.

The Souks:

The Marrakech Medina is a vibrant maze of bustling souks, offering an unparalleled shopping experience for every taste. Lose yourself in a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and scents as you wander through narrow alleys with stalls brimming with treasures. The Medina beckons with its exotic delights, from handcrafted textiles and intricate pottery to aromatic spices and traditional Moroccan lamps. Prepare to haggle with friendly merchants and uncover unique souvenirs that will evoke memories of your Moroccan adventure for years.

Jamaa el Fna Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, the pulsating heart of Marrakech, is a sensory feast like no other. By day, it's a vibrant marketplace where snake charmers, storytellers, and henna artists captivate onlookers with their ancient crafts. As dusk descends, the square transforms into a mesmerizing spectacle of food stalls, filling the air with tantalizing aromas and lively music.

You will begin your day with an excursion to the Ourika Valley, where you will visit the traditional Berber Souks and the Jewish shrines. After lunch, you will see the Berber Museum of Arts and Crafts to learn about the dwellers of these mountains and their products before you discover their workshops and sophisticated, hand-made products. You will return to Marrakech for dinner and other accommodations at your hotel.

Highlights:

Ourika valley: About 25 miles from Marrakech, Ourika Valley offers locals and visitors an excellent summertime refuge from the city's scorching heat.

Highlights Setti Fatma: This picturesque village is the gateway to the valley and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Waterfalls: Hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, a series of seven cascades in the Atlas Mountains. The hike offers breathtaking scenery and a refreshing dip in the natural pools.

Berber Villages: Explore traditional Berber villages along the valley, where locals welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality. Learn about their customs, cuisine, and way of life.

Herb Gardens: Visit aromatic herb gardens and learn about the local flora used in traditional medicine and cuisine. Enjoy a mint tea tasting amidst the fragrant surroundings.

Berber Markets: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of weekly Berber markets, where locals gather to sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and textiles. It's a cultural immersion into daily life in the valley.

Scenic Drives: Take a scenic drive along the Ourika River, with stops at panoramic viewpoints to admire the valley's natural beauty and rugged landscapes.

These highlights offer visitors to the Ourika Valley a diverse and enriching experience, showcasing its natural wonders, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality.

You will spend most of your day en route to Ouarzazate, exploring the legendary Kasbah of Aït-Benhaddou, a renowned architectural marvel classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Your journey will lead you to the highest pass in Morocco, the Taddart and Tizi Tishka, at 11,000 feet. This pass divides the mountains into two distinct facets: the harsh, stark side, which acts as a shield that protects the hinterland from the powerful, dry expansion of the Sahara, and the lush, soft, and evergreen side, which collects the moisture from the Gherbi winds of the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights:

Ait Ben Haddou: Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco, is a mesmerizing ancient ksar (fortified village) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Its earthen clay architecture, intricate alleys, and panoramic views attract tourists worldwide. Explore its well-preserved kasbahs, walk through its narrow streets, and immerse yourself in its rich history, dating back centuries. Ait Ben Haddou's timeless beauty and cinematic backdrop (featured in movies like Gladiator) offer a journey into Morocco's past and cinematic allure.

Tizi n Tichka:

Tizi n Tichka is a majestic mountain pass in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Rising over 2,260 meters, it's the highest pass in North Africa, offering breathtaking views of the rugged landscape below. Travelers traverse its winding roads, marveling at the dramatic scenery and encountering traditional Berber villages. Tizi n Tichka is a journey through stunning natural beauty and cultural immersion into the Berber way of life, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors.

Ouarzazate: Ouarzazate, Morocco, dubbed the "Hollywood of the Sahara," enthralls tourists with its cinematic landscapes, ancient kasbahs, and vibrant souks. Visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, explore Atlas Film Studios, and delve into Berber culture at Taourirt Kasbah. From desert excursions to historical wonders, Ouarzazate offers an unforgettable Moroccan experience.

You will explore the Dadès Valley through El Kelaâ De Mgouna and Boumalne to view the inimitable natural vistas and unusual rock formations. You will then continue to Ouarzazate, one large oasis that intercepts the water flow between the Dadès, the Drâa valleys, and the majestic High Atlas Mountains.

Next, you will travel through the Dadès valley, wherein, in the spring, thousands of Persian roses bloom in hedgerows, filling the air with their heavenly perfume. You will also see the thousands of Kasbahs scattered along the Dadès River and majestic sandcastles with a visually appealing, timeless beauty.

You will leave the Valley of Todra, traveling west toward the Erfoud, which lies on the edge of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. You will reach Tinghir, the town where we will spend the night. Only 15 kilometers from Tinghir inside the Valley of Todra, you will find the Todra’s highest and narrowest gorges in the region.

After you arrive in Erfoud, you will leave your vehicle and hop into the 4-wheel Drive cruiser, which takes you to meet a caravan of camels that you will ride to camp. You will conclude your day in your command over the dunes of Merzouga, where tents are pitched for you to enjoy a night under the African Skies. After dinner, the Rokba drummers will illuminate your night with their lively dances and moving chants. Enjoy this encounter of man and nature at its best.

Highlights:

Todra Valley, nestled in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, enchants visitors with its towering cliffs, lush greenery, and the gentle flow of the Todgha River. Travelers can hike through the dramatic Todgha Gorge, with its sheer rock walls reaching 300 meters, or relax in the shade of palm trees lining the valley floor. It's a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers, offering unforgettable experiences amidst breathtaking scenery.

Kalaa Megouna Kalaa Megouna, known as the "Valley of Roses," seduces American tourists with its fragrant rose fields and picturesque landscapes. Located in Morocco's Dadès Valley, it hosts an annual Rose Festival, celebrating the region's rose harvest. Visitors can explore rose distilleries, purchase exquisite rose products, and immerse themselves in the valley's beauty framed by the Atlas Mountains. It's a sensory delight and a cultural gem waiting to be discovered.

Boumalen Dades:

Boumalene Dades, nestled in Morocco's breathtaking Dadès Valley, captivates American tourists with its stunning scenery of rugged canyons, lush oases, and ancient kasbahs. Visitors can hike through the dramatic Dades Gorges, explore traditional Berber villages, and savor the tranquility of the surrounding landscapes. With its rich history and natural beauty, Boumalene Dades offers an unforgettable Moroccan adventure.

Ziz Valley:

The Ziz Valley, a unique natural wonder, is nestled between Rich and Er-Rachidia in southeastern Morocco. Spanning over 150 kilometers, it's a tapestry of lush palm groves, towering cliffs, and the meandering Ziz River. The valley is a living testament to the traditional Berber way of life, with its charming villages and warm hospitality.

You will spend your day discovering the rural environs of the Atlas Mountains’ Berbers. Covered with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars and laced with flowing streams, your first view of the Middle Atlas will appear oddly un-Moroccan.

You will depart from Erfoud, one of the most delightful southern regions. It consists of a dry, red desert belt that abruptly drops into the lush valley of Ziz, with copious date palm groves and flowing streams. Visit the gorges of Ziz and some of the oases and natural sites before you reach the magnificent town of Midelt.

Midelt's Middle Atlases give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze and soar to over 12,000 feet. You will stop in Midelt for lunch and enjoy the dramatic sight before you.

Azrou is an important market center for the region’s Berber tribes, located at a major junction of mountain routes. Your driver will take a little detour in a cedar forest to introduce you to one of the oldest inhabitants of this region, the Berber apes. This may also coincide with the encounter of a nomadic family in its temporary encampment. As nomads are hospitable people, we are invited at least for a mint tea under their tents whenever we encounter them. You will reach Fez in the afternoon.

Highlights:

Ifrane

Ifrane, Morocco's "Little Switzerland," is a charming mountain town known for its alpine architecture, lush forests, and cool climate. Explore its serene lakes, hike scenic trails, and enjoy a peaceful retreat amidst the beauty of the Middle Atlas Mountains.

Azrou Azrou, nestled in Morocco's Middle Atlas Mountains, is renowned for its cedar forests, home to Barbary macaques. Explore the bustling souk, admire traditional Berber crafts, and hike scenic trails near Ifrane National Park. Rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, Azrou offers a tranquil escape in the heart of Morocco.

Undeniably fascinating, Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells. The most ancient of the imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outside of its walls. Fez owes nothing to the Western world save electricity.

Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path. Your morning will be spent visiting the Medina. Our specialized guide will take you on a historic discovery of Fez, starting at the King’s Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates.

Next, you will explore the Jewish quarter, a 15th-century citadel with Moorish maze architecture and medieval glory. The highlights of this part of town include visits to Sephardic synagogues and mausoleums of holy Rabbis.

Then, we will drive to the Merinides hill to visit their necropolis. Here, you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the old walled Medina, brimful with countless minarets to call for prayers in a city that has responded to these calls for 12 centuries. Drive down the hills to the gate of Bab Guissa to leave your vehicle and enter an ancient world. Fez has preserved its Medina as it was centuries ago. Not even a bicycle can be used as a tool for transportation. Only donkeys, mules, and horses can help move all that the city produces and needs as supplies.

The first guilds you will immediately encounter are the cobblers, the saddlers, and blacksmiths, interlaced by some caravansaries for tribespeople who come from the surrounding areas to trade and supply their needs. Down the hill to Juteya, you will encounter all sorts of crafts, but noticeably carpenters and leather workers as one of the traditional tanneries is not far. With its various activities, this walk will lead you to El Ashabine Square. From there, you will find your way to the Sgha square, leading you to Attarine, Souk el Henna, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idris, the founder of Fez. Next to it, you will visit Nejjarine Square, which has a famous fountain, a carpentry guild, and a folk art museum at the Fondouk.

You will walk to the tannery and visit the Great Mosque University of Al Quarrawiyyine, passing by Shemma’ine, the dried fruit market. After that, you will see the Medersa Attarine and walk to Sbetryyine, a guild of bookbinders, which will lead you to the Seffarine Square, where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening passersby as it was the case for centuries. You will break for lunch and then continue exploring the marvels of Fez Medina. These will highlight the Dyers souk, Foundouk Tetouani, and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani.

You will end your walk at Foundouk Lihoudi, where a local Fez family will host you for traditional mint tea in their home. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

Travel to Chefchaouen visiting Moulay Idriss and Volubilis. Chefchaouen is considered one of the best and most authentic white towns in the Mediterranean, Nestled on the peaks of the Rif Mountains.

Highlights:

Volubilis: Volubilis, located near Meknes in Morocco, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins. Once a thriving ancient city of the Roman Empire, Volubilis boasts impressive structures such as grand villas, intricate mosaics, and imposing arches. Visitors can wander through the ancient streets, marvel at the remains of public buildings like the Basilica and Capitol and admire the intricate artwork depicting scenes from Roman mythology. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into Morocco's rich history and the legacy of Roman civilization in North Africa.

Moulay Idriss Zerhoune Welcome to the revered Moulay Idriss Al-Akbar Mausoleum, nestled in Morocco's spiritual town of Mount Zerhoune. This sacred site honors Moulay Idriss I, the founder of Morocco's first Islamic dynasty and a revered saint in Moroccan culture. Pilgrims and visitors alike flock to this tranquil sanctuary to pay homage to the saint's tomb, soak in the spiritual ambiance, and witness the rich heritage of Moroccan spirituality and reverence.

Chefchaourn

Absolutely! Chefchaouen, often called the "Blue Pearl" of Morocco, is known for its stunning, blue-washed buildings set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains. Here are some highlights you can share with your clients visiting Chefchaouen: Visiting Highlights

Medina: The heart of Chefchaouen is its enchanting medina (old town). Enclosed by ancient walls, the medina is a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with vibrant blue buildings, adorned with colorful flowerpots, and bustling with activity. Encourage your clients to explore its hidden corners and charming shops selling local handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs.

The Blue Houses: Chefchaouen's unique character is derived from the iconic, blue-washed houses. Make sure your clients take plenty of photos against this mesmerizing backdrop. The shades of blue create a magical atmosphere, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Ras El Ma: This picturesque waterfall just outside the medina offers a refreshing escape from the bustling streets. Your clients can relax by the cascading waters, take a leisurely walk along the riverbanks, or enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature.

Spanish Mosque: A short hike uphill from the medina leads to the abandoned Spanish Mosque. This mosque offers panoramic views of Chefchaouen and the surrounding countryside. It is a perfect spot for your clients to capture breathtaking photos of the blue city against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains.

Kasbah Museum: Encourage your clients to visit the Kasbah Museum, housed in a 15th-century fortress. The museum showcases exhibits on the region's history, culture, and traditions, providing valuable insights into Chefchaouen's rich heritage.

Local Cuisine: Chefchaouen is renowned for its delicious Moroccan cuisine. Recommend your clients to savor traditional dishes such as tagine, couscous, and pastilla at local restaurants or street stalls. Don't forget to suggest trying the refreshing mint tea, a staple of Moroccan hospitality.

Talassemtane National Park: Nature enthusiasts must take a day trip to Talassemtane National Park. This pristine wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, trekking, and wildlife spotting amidst stunning mountain scenery. Your clients can discover hidden waterfalls and ancient forests and encounter native wildlife, such as barbary macaques.

Rabat, Morocco's coastal capital, is a unique blend of modernity and history along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its whitewashed buildings, lush gardens, and vibrant streets offer a picturesque backdrop for exploration. Discover ancient treasures in the UNESCO-listed medina, where narrow alleys lead to bustling souks and historic landmarks like the Kasbah of the Udayas. Delve into the city's cultural heritage at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, or find tranquility in the serene Andalusian Gardens. As Morocco's political and administrative heart, Rabat boasts grand avenues, government buildings, and diplomatic embassies. Whether wandering through ancient streets or embracing modern amenities, Rabat invites visitors to uncover its rich tapestry of past and present.

Mohamed V Mausoleum: The Mohamed V Mausoleum in Rabat, Morocco, is a testament to national pride and architectural splendor. This grand mausoleum is the final resting place of King Mohammed V and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. Designed by Vietnamese architect Vo Toan, its white marble structure is adorned with traditional Moroccan design elements, including intricate mosaics, carved woodwork, and ornate ceilings. The mausoleum's serene ambiance and historical significance make it a revered site for Moroccans and a must-visit destination for tourists seeking to pay homage to Morocco's revered leaders.

Kasbah Oudaia: Kasbah Oudaia, also known as the Kasbah of the Udayas, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Rabat's oldest and most iconic landmarks. It was initially constructed in the 12th century by the Almohads, a Berber-Muslim dynasty, as a military fortress to repel attacks from the sea. Today, it stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural prowess, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and a chance to immerse themselves in its timeless beauty.

Chellah: Chellah, located in Rabat, Morocco, is a unique archaeological site and cemetery that dates to ancient times. Originally a Phoenician trading post, it was later settled by the Romans and the Almohads. Today, visitors can explore its ruins, including ancient walls, gates, and the remnants of a mosque and minaret. The site is also known for its tranquil gardens and storks nesting atop the ancient walls, creating a serene atmosphere. Chellah offers a fascinating glimpse into Morocco's rich history and is a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city.

In the morning, your driver will meet you at your hotel to assist you with your luggage and transport you to Mohamed V Airport. Your guide will help you with your check-in and bid you farewell.