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2014-01-10

10 Night Marrakesh Ouarzazate Todra Gorge Merzouga DesertMiddle Atlas Ifran Fes Essaouir

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Day 01: Marrakesh.We will welcome you at Marrakesh airport. Transfer to the riad or to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, the rest of the day will be at leisure.Our driver will be available for an orientation drive of Marrakesh.Overnight accommodations at riad.

Day 02 : Marrakesh -High Atlas Mountains – Kasbah Ait ben haddou – Ouarzazate.

After breakfast, depart early for Ouarzazate, a former caravan town on the silk and salt route in the eastern foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Ouarzazate is known as the Gateway to the Sahara. First of all, we will travel through the dramatic landscape of the High Atlas Mountains passing through the berber town of Taddert and over the 2260 meters high Tizi-in-Tichka pass. We will stop at the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate. The kasbah is one of the most intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient road of the Kasbahs, and is a UNESCO world heritage site.We continue on our way to Ouarzazate. We will stop to visit the Taourirt kasbah former home of the famous Pasha Glaoui. The painted

ceilings, arches, beautiful small windows with wrought iron works and woodwork have helped make it another UNESCO site. The local guide will explain lifestyle of the pasha in the former feudalistic Moroccan society, stressing the status of his women, the favourites and common-law wives as well as the slaves. In the afternoon, enjoy a private visit of the Atlas Corporation Studio, a well ?known cinematographic centre renowned for blockbuster productions including Asterix and Cleopatre directed by Alain Chabat; and the Oscar-wining Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott. Overnight accommodation will be at the hotel or riad in Ouarzazate.

Day 03: Ouarzazate – Dades Valley ? Todra Gorge ? Merzouga Desert.

After the breakfast we will travel through the ?Road of the thousand Kasbahs?- the fascinating ?sand castles?.We will stop at Kalaat Mgouna, ?the rose?s city? known for roses and its annual festival during the roses harvest in May,continue to Dades valley to see the amazing rock formation ?the monkey toes?, and the still-standing 19th century Kasbah of Ait Yul. Leave the Dades valley towards Tinrghir and the Todra valley. Watch the panoramic views of the old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley. Get to the Gorge and walk under the 300m high red cliff, where many Rock-climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport. Continue our trip to Erfoud and Rissani, then the village of Merzouga where you will spend night in Riad.

Day 04:Merzouga- Erg Chebbi tour:gnawa music-visit mines,black

desert, nomad people-Merzouga ( overnight in desert camp).After visiting the village and oasis of Merzouga, You?ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle, then we continue to see the panoramic view behind the Erg Chebbi of sand dunes so as to take lot of pictures and to see how the colour of the dunes change by the light of the sun after to the village of Mirdani?an old village in ruins?also stopping at M?fis, the place where coal was extracted and the large majority of the population of Merzouga worked to earn a living. A very interesting day which is spent in or very near the dunes?the highest dunes in Morocco. After the village of Mirdani we continue to the Bedouin families in their tents at Kem Kem. After having tea there we continue to finish the tour by visiting where you can see the fossiles and the oasis of tissardmine in the afternoon we will come back to Merzouga, where your camel will be awaiting you. before you mount your camel, guided by an experienced Camel man, to explore within the mysterious sand-sea of the Erg-Chebbi. Here you will spend your night under the stars, or if you prefer,in luxury camp.

Day 05: Merzouga- Ziz Valley – Medilt – Middle Atlas – Ifran – Fes.

In the morning we will ride the camels backing to Merzouga , you?ll have the breakfest and shower in your riad in Merzouga so as to travel to Fes via Errachidia along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, and through the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass to Midelt, then continue our journey to Azrou, a berber village in the Middle Atlas Mountains, before which we stop to see the Barbarian apes in the famous Cedar forest. On to Ifran ?the French village?, stop for a picture or a drink then drive to Fes where You will be accommodated overnight riad.

Day 06 :Tour of Fes.

The whole day is devoted to tour this UNESCO World Heritage City.Sightseeing of Fes includes the medieval medina with its Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas,the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum,and the Karaouine mosque.Afternoon visit of Fez al Jdid ? new Fes.In the evening check into riad.

Day 07 : Fes – Beni Mellal – Marrakesh.

In the morning, departure towards Beni Mellal, crossing of the plains of Tadla and Haouz an agreculture area,arriving evening in your Accommodation in Marrakesh.

Day 08 : Marrakech – cooking class in the afternoon

Marrakesh, it is second oldest imperial city, known as the pearl of the south. After breakfast start ,Visit of historical Marrakech:the Menara garden,the Saadian tombs,the Bahia Palace,the Koutoubia Minaret and the Majorelle Gardens named after the famous French painter,who constructed here his art deco villa and started the botanical gardens, in 1980 it became the residence of Yves Saint Laurent. Afternoon cooking class,in the evening we will visit the famous Djemaa El Fna square with its surrounding souks and handicraft quarters.Then come back into Riad.

Day 09: Marrakech, Essaouira

After breakfast, we will depart for the Romantic seaside town of Essaouira ,a charming, centuries?oldporttown on the Alantic coast known for beaches, modern art, traditional crafts ans a unique blend of architectural styles. Essaouira is a typical Portuguese harbor portraying influences of both Moorish and Portuguese design. Overnight at riad in Essaouira.

Day 10: Essaouira – Marrakech airport

After an early breakfast, we drive to Marrakesh airport for your return flight