12 DAYS: IMPERIAL CITIES & THE SAHARA AT MERZOUGA

In Casablanca, there are many sites of interest including Hassan II Mosque with its 200m high minaret and its lavish interior with wood, marble, carved stone and gilded ceilings. You will also be able to visit the Old City Medina (built by the Amazigh - the Berbers) as well as the Habous (built by the French) and a particulary good place to find fine crafts. Lunch in Rick’s Café (an option not yet costed in) recreates the legendary film “Casablanca". After lunch (or earlier if you wish) depart Casablanca and head for the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen. This journey takes you through the Rif Mountains, richly wooded and with many peaks and deep valleys. You arrive into the magical Blue City of Chefchaouen in the early evening. Overnight Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is known as the “Blue City for its ever present use of blue paint. House doors are metal studded and many houses have red-tiled roofs and ornate metalwork. Chefchalouen is a most excellent place, ideal for relaxing and simply “wiggle wandering”, taking in its wonderful laid-back ambience as you explore the masny lanes and alleyways. The photographic opportunities are everywhere around. Place Uta el Hammam is the old centre of Chefchaouen with its grand fountain. In the bustling medina, the local crafts to seek out are leather, woodwork and cloth. In the afternoon, you'll travel to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. Volubilis contains Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins, some of which are now undergoing conservation. There is a Forum and basilica as well as many mosaics. Volubilis is an excellent example of an important outpost city on the edge of the Roman Empire and now holds World Heritage Site status. In Meknes there is much to appreciate in this ancient Imperial City. Moulay Idriss is an architecturally stunning shrine. Bab al-Mansour is an impressive huge gate of the Imperial City, very photogenic. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is a palace-tomb and the only mosque in Morocco, other the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. The tomb is of the Sultan who made Meknès his capital in the 17th century. It was the sultan that developed Meknes into a city of grand architecture and the Mausoleum itself is no exception. The Moulay Ismail Royal Stables (El Heri es-Souani) are close by the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. This massive stable was built to hold no less than 12,000 royal horses. Ismail had a great respect and admiration for horses. The stables were designed extremely well to ensure the temperatures were kept cool and that the air was constantly renewed; no expense was spared to ensure that Ismail’s horses were given the best possible living conditions. The old core of the city has an interesting Old Medina too. Overnight Fès

Today you have a City Guide with you for the morning. Discussion will let him know what places you particularly wish to see and learn about. Fès is an impressive ancient Imperial City with an entrancing maze of narrow streets in its fascinating Old Medina, its market and souk area. Fès's Islamic University (Al-Qarawiyyin) is regarded as the scientific capital of Morocco. The University is the oldest existing continually operating university in the world, founded in 859. It is now a World Heritage Site. The university specialises in studies of historical Islamic religious texts, sciences, Arabic linguistics and ancient Sunni law. Being the central point for religious activity in Fès, tradition has it that the mosques of Fès must first hear the call to prayer from Al-Qarawiyyin before sounding their own calls. The markets of Fès El Jdid are a great place to explore, wandering freely, coming across what you come across! It is a bit of a labyrinth and your senses will be heightened as you pass spice and perfume stalls, etc. Tailors offer vibrant colours of fabrics and have great sacks of dyes. Simply “people watching” here is a fascinating pastime. The colour, clamour and activity of the famous Fès leather tanneries can be enjoyed (but have some mint to hold beneath your nose!). The Fès pottery district is similarly very interesting and the quality products are highly regarded and, be warned, very tempting! After lunch, begin your begin your travels towards the Sahara by crossing the Moyen Atlas. You will head to Boulaajoul, passing through extensive cedar forests (with perhaps a sighting of macaque monkeys), close to Ifrane and Azrou. Overnight in Boulaajoul

Today your travels will lead you into the true Sahara and to the great sand sea of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga. Follow the Ziz valley with its deep and steep valleys with date palmeries on the valley floor. You will also see a huge barrage (reservoir), its water being so important for both social and economic survival here. First stop will be in Erfoud. Erfoud is the “fossil capital” of this area. There is the opportunity to visit a craft workshop here where the fossil rich rocks are carefully and skilfully changed into objects, some practical (e.g. side and dining tables) and some decorative (e.g. plates and bowls). As you near Merzouga, you'll begin to see the fabulous 200m high Erg Chebbi sand sea on the horizon. Travelling over piste now (unmetalled tracks), you will approach your desert camp. Now you are really having an adventure. Having settled into your accommodation in a Bedouin Camp, and after welcoming mint tea and nibbles, take a camel ride into the sand dunes. Having ridden some distance, you climb up the nearest sand dune on foot to watch the colourful display as the sun sets; a most magical moment. After sunset, and as darkness quickly follows, it is time to return to camp for evening dinner and a night by the campfire enjoying traditional Tuareg music, drumming and singing, from the locals. Before heading to bed, remember to take a look at the night sky; the star show can be incredible in this area of minimal light pollution. Sleeping in your Berber tent, amongst the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi sand sea, has to be a highlight of your tour. As well as the opportunity to view a magnificent sunset, if you are an early riser, then a Saharan sunrise can be just as thrilling as a Saharan sunset (but take a blanket, it can be chilly!) Overnight Merzouga

Leaving the Sahara, you'll head to Boumalne Dadès via the Todra Gorge. At 300m deep, the Todra Gorge cuts into the red stained limestone, offering aspectacular sight and an easy and most enjoyable walk. On leaving the Todra Gorge, you will travel along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, in the shadow of the High Atlas to your north. You'll see very many old kasbahs, many of which, being made of pisé mud, are now greatly worn away by wind and rain. Look out for stork's nests in the high watchtowers of the kasbahs. You'll see various farming activities, many still using traditional methods. Overnight in Boumalne Dadès

The Dadès Valley again has many kasbahs, set amongst date palms and rich farmland, using the Dadès river water for irrigation. Travelling deep into the Dadès Valley, the lanscape surrounds you on all sides. River cut canyons here are very impresive, especially as they are so deeply cut in to the landscape. These deep valleys twist and turn too with fantastic, tight bends; definitely a most impressive sight. One particularly outstanding feature of the landscape of the Dadès Valley are the weird and wonderful shapes of the aptly named Monkey Fingers. The rocks have been worn away by wind and rain to form the most startling of rock formations. A stop at a troglodyte (cave dwelling) family, before lunch, within the Dadès Gorge, will be taken. Here you will drink some tea and learn about many aspects of their of their lives that have been lived here for many generations. Lunch is in Bouteghrar village. El Kelaa Mcgouna is a town in the The Valley of the Roses. It has become very well known for its cultivation of roses. Many farmed plots are bordered by rose bushes. The rose petals are used in the cosmetic industry for the making of soaps, lotions and perfumes. A stop can be amde to se this activity at closer hand and also to perhaps seek out some rose based souvenirs. In the first week of May a most colourful Rose Festival is held, perhaps your tour will coincide with this. Onwards then to Ouarzazate, the “Peaceful City”. Overnight Ouarzazate

Today you are heading norhtwards to Marrakech; the route is again spectacular with much interest to be seen in the Berber villages, in their activities on the land and in markets. First planned stop is Aït Benhaddou. Dating from the 11th century, Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important part of the ancient trade route over the High Atlas between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara. Time is taken at Aït Benhaddou to leisurely wander within the well preserved and conserved fortified settlement. Perhaps climb to the high watchtower that once guarded the converging routes of the many camel caravans that met at this important transit point. The film industry of Ouarzazate often uses Aït Benhaddou for scenes e.g. Gladiator, Game of Thrones and, most recently, Odyssey (Director "Christopher Nolan). Onwards and upwards through the High Atlas. Near the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, at 2,260m, there are wide panoramic views over the mountains as well as overlooking the snaking N9 road that you are soon to follow. As youi travel, on yout left, look out for the highest peak of Mount Toubkal at 4,167m. Onwards then to Marrakech, the pink city. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to informally visit the lively Marrakech Medina with its Jemaa el Fna entertainment square and labyrinth of Souks. Overnight Marrakech

Marrakesh is an exciting, exotic city, full of colour and with non-stop activity. Spending time in the centre of Marrakesh, in and around the Medina and the old city walls, provides interest at every turn. Some hours spent here offer memorable sights, smells and experiences. Today you are led by an official City Guide for half a day. With discussion you can decide on your particular areas of interest. Options include Jemaa el Fna Square (a lively entertainment square), the Medina and its Souks, a Traditional Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque (outside only for non Muslims), Medersa Ben Youssef (Koranic School), Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace. All easily reached on foot. Your official City Guide will take the most effiient routing for your choices. The Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren) is about 30 minutes walking from the Medina (optional; not yet costed in). An enjoyable experience is a Caliche trip, a horse drawn carriage tour around central Marrakech (optional; not yet costed in). Afternoon and evening at your own informal leisure. You may wish some additional activities to be includsed e.g. a hammam and spa, massage, patisserie making class, rooftop afternoon tea experience (optional; none yet costed in). Overnight in Marrakech

After such a lively tour, a relaxing day might be in order, maybe just in and around your accommodation. Perhaps this could include a hammam spa and massage experience to relax and soothe you (optional; not yet costed in). Alternatively, if there is still the energy, then a daytrip into the nearby High Atlas is always fascinating. Taking such a trip to either Imlil, Ourika or Amizmiz, brings you close to the very welcoming Berber people, seeing their daily lives close at hand and visiting one of their homes for lunch (and, inevitably, tea!) (optional; not yet costed in). Overnight Marrakech

As the end of your tour approaches, you may wish a further morning in Marrakech before then heading back to Casablanca. Alternatively, you may wsih to simply prefer to head to Casablanca after breakfast and take you informal leisure there.Overnight Casablanca. Overnight Casablanca

Private driver and transport for transfer to Casablanca Airport at an appropriate time for your scheduled flight departure; there your Anzazl Tour tour arrangements end.