THE GREAT DESERT - ROUTE OF THE OASES
COSTA DEL SOL - COSTA DEL SOL (SPAIN)
07 NIGHTS / 08 DAYS
DEPARTURES: SUNDAYS ALL YEAR
Minimum of 2 Passengers
Day1 COSTA DEL SOL - TARIFA - TANGIER - CASABLANCA
Morning departure from the various points along the coast of the Costa del Sol as we will pick up the other members of the group. (Transfer service). In Tarifa, with all on board we embark on the ferry and cross the straits of Gibraltar to Tangier. On arrival in Tangier, we will go through customs to then be met by our driver to continue on to Casablanca (375km) with an optional lunch break in Larache on the way. Check-in at the hotel on arrival in Casablanca. Dinner and accommodation.
Day2 CASABLANCA - MARRAKESH (250km)
After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. You will have the opportunity to see the Hassan II Mosque, without doubt the most important mosque in the Islamic world after Mecca. We continue on to Marrakesh arriving at the hotel around lunchtime. Afternoon free. Optional: Ksar El Hamra Dinner and Show. Accommodation.
Day3 MARRAKESH
Breakfast. This is the city that enchants the visitor and Marrakesh requires a full day to completely appreciate all the sights. Our city tour will be relaxed and enjoyable. We will see the Koutoubia minaret, twin sister of the one in Seville, the Saadian tombs, the Palace of the Bahia, the Medersa and naturally, the incomparable Djemaa el Fna square. Here we will find musicians, dancers, snake charmers and all imaginable. Accommodation.
Day4 MARRAKESH - OUARZAZATE (204km)
After a hearty breakfast and a final check of all baggage and belongings, we leave Marrakesh and we enter the 'other Morocco'. To start, we will travel through the High Atlas, travelling via the Tizi n Tichka pass and then on to the Kasbahs of Ait Benhaddou. We stop here for an optional lunch. A little later we continue on to Ouarzazate. Dinner and accommodation.
Day5 OUARZAZATE - TINERHIR - ERFOUD (385km)
Breakfast. Between Ouarzazate and Tinerhir, we will see the most beautiful of all the valleys: The Dades Valley. The journey to Tinerhir is short but entertaining given its great variety of landscape. It's like this all the way up to the Todra Gorge, with its canyon walls over 300m high. A spectacular sight and well worth the experience! We continue on to Erfoud. Dinner and accommodation.
Day6 ERFOUD - FES (421km)
Breakfast. Today is a special one in the itinerary, when you will have the opportunity to visit the Dunes of Merzouga. This will be an optional excursion. Even so, you will have to rise early in order to witness the 'Sunrise over the Desert'. It's well worth It!! Those who do not opt for the Dunes excursion can relax before we commence the journey to Fes, where we will arrive in time for check-in. Dinner and accommodation.
Day7 FES
Breakfast. Fes is the most monumental of all the imperial cities and classified under World Heritage listing by UNESCO. The Medina of Fes with its XIII century origins, is the largest of the Islamic world. We visit the Christian and Jewish quarters. Through the labyrinth of streets, we will encounter the first university of the western world, the Nejarrine fountain and the Tanners quarter plus other important monuments. We will discover a truly fascinating world within the walls of the Medina. Accommodation.
Day8 FES - TANGIER (345km) - COSTA DEL SOL
Breakfast. Today is the last stage of the journey. We will enjoy our last breakfast, gather together all the baggage and drive leisurely up to the Moroccan border (340km). It is here that we will farewell the Moroccan driver. From here we take the ferry back to Tarifa and after customs, we will have a transfer service up the coast to our originating points on the Costa del Sol. END OF TOUR.
- Morocco
- Tours
- Riads
- Accommodation
Morocco - Land of Enchantment
This ancient land of great history and complexity has significant links with the Iberian Peninsula. Morocco has not only been a vital source of cultural, architectural, artistic and linguistic influences on Spain and Portugal owing to almost eight centuries of Moorish Occupation between the 8th and 15th centuries, but it is also believed that Iberians can actually find their roots in North Africa.
Morocco has been the scene for much tumultuous history having been occupied by colonies of Phoenician traders; followed by the Roman, Byzantine and Vandal invasions and finally the most important of all, the Arabs in 683 bringing with them the world of Islam.
Morocco today is a vibrant country with all the outward signs of a modern Arab Nation, yet it maintains the classic contrasts of such nations in its fabulously rich culture, which emerges spontaneously at every corner and which is rooted deeply in the daily life and psyche of the people.
The marvellous Kasbahs, Medinas and Souks with their bustling activity and colour are an absolute treat for the visitor, as are the many inviting local food stalls and restaurants where the customary hospitality of the people combines with a rich variety of tastes and flavours of the cuisine.
Your stay is made complete by the inevitable attraction of the beautiful Moorish architecture, the rich and varied handicrafts and the chance to witness the charm of a rural Berber dance, accompanied by the captivating rhythm of instrument and song.
Rabat is the capital and along with Fez , Marrakesh and Meknes, is one of the medieval "Imperial Cities". There are many other impressive sights to enjoy such as Volubilis, the ancient ruins of Roman occupation and Foum El Hassan with its important museum of Rupestine Art located in the valley of the Oued Draa.
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Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options, including several private tours that feature the beautiful riads of Morocco...
| Fully Escorted Tours: | IMPERIAL MOROCCO -- MOROCCO |
| Tours with Private driver: | ANDALUCIAN HERITAGE -- DISCOVER MOROCCO IN RIADS -- ENCHANTING MOROCCO -- ESSAOUIRA AND MARRAKESH IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR OF MOROCCO -- KASBAHS, OASES AND DESERT -- MARRAKESH DELIGHTS -- TOUBKAL EXPLORER |
| Small Group Tours: | IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR OF MOROCCO -- THE GREAT DESERT - ROUTE OF THE OASES |
Riads
Riads are traditional guest houses that are often renovated and restored homes of wealthy Moroccan families. There is an enormous amount of variety as a result of the individual nature of the accommodations and Riads vary from humble and rustic homes to sumptuous, luxurious palaces. Mostly decorated with regional fabrics and exotic handicrafts, Riads also often have their own internal patios and sometimes their very own hammam, or traditional steam bath. Best of all, many of these homes are located in the most sought after parts of the city and often inside the walls of the Medina (old city). Many Riads are ancient but have been transformed in such a way as to combine the best of the old with the new - enchanting earthenware and raw colours with the finest of life's little indulgences. This is the ideal way to experience the 'real' Morocco in style.
Moroccan Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Marrakesh, Fes, Casablanca and Rabat plus many other smaller regional cities such as Essaouira, and Meknes and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region: