1. TANGER – ARRIVAL – CHEFCHAOUEN:

Ship arrival to Tanger

  Tanger

The strategic position of this city in the Straits of Gibraltar has made this area to be coveted by numerous different nations since immemorial times. The city as such was founded by the Phoenicians in the 15th century B.C., although several cultures had claimed its foundation over the basis of diverse mythological legends, where the most famous one is the Greek tale assuring that Heracles (equivalent to the Latin Hercules) slept in a nearby cave before he went to face one of the twelve trials, being one of his sons who founded the city. All along its history the city was Carthaginian, Roman, Visigoth, Byzantine, Berber, Arab, Portuguese, British... and it was an important centre for the European diplomatic relationship of late 19th century and early 20th century. The city became a Belgian, Spanish, North American, Dutch, Portuguese, English and Soviet condominium in 1925 (Italy entered in 1928) with a short period of Spanish government (1940-1945) until the independence of Morocco on October the 20th of 1956, when a process began that concluded with the international reconnaissance of the Moroccan government over Tanger in 1960.
The geopolitical situation of this multicultural enclave along its history has made that this place were the destination of numerous foreign artist as well as the cradle of many other local artists, turning into a paradise for all the bohemian people in the condominium period.
This cosmopolite city, of great growing rate in the present time, has a special attractive in the stroll along the steep streets of its medina, in its promenade and in the nearby and mythic Caves of Hercules. ´s port. If the ship arrives in the morning, we’ll go the same day to the picturesque mountain town of Chefchauoen

  Chefchauoen

Mountain town in the middle of the Rif mountain range, between Tisouka and Megou mounts, which stand over the area like two horns, giving its name to Chefchaouen (literally “look at the horns”). Founded in 1471 around a little still existing kasbah, it was known as one of the places where great part of the Moorish and Jew went after they were expatriated from the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquest. From this city it’s significant its medina, which rambling and narrow blue streets provide a dreamy scenery to explore in order to discover all its secrets, wrapped up by the fresh and clear mountain air., where we’ll sleep. If the ship arrives in the afternoon, accommodation in Tanger and visit of the city, going to Chefchaouen the next morning.

  2. CHEFCHAOUEN – CHEFCHAOUEN:

We spend the whole day exploring the fascinating and narrow blue streets of the medina of this awesome place. Visit of its kasbah and plenty of free time for relaxing.

  3. CHEFCHAOUEN – FES:

Breakfast. Early departure following an interesting route along the Rif mountain range until we get to the lively city of Fes

  Fes

Founded in 789 A.D. by Idris I and converted in the kingdom’s capital by his son, Idris II, Fes was from the beginning an important learning and spreading centre of the Islam, as it’s vouched by its religious centres, some of them, like the Kairouyine mosque close to the Karueein University, are some of the oldest mosques of all Africa. Along with the Muslim population, there has always been an important Jew community in the mellah of the city, which unfortunately has drastically decreased its number since the independence of Morocco in 1956. This city has traditionally been famous for its tanneries and for the production of the so-called “Fes hats”. It’s important to visit here the ancient medina or Fes el Bali, UNESCO´s World Heritage, which at the moment holds the record for being the widest pedestrian urban zone of the world. Its rambling and narrow streets will guide us to magnificent places like the el-Qaraouiyyîn mosque, the colourfully tanneries, the Nort Fortress, the es-Sahrij madrasa, its numerous souks and a thousand places more to discover. Outside of the ancient medina we can find places like the Marinid Tombs or the Mellah. . IWe spend the day in this city, a true delight for the senses, before we earn our deserved rest in our hotel/riad in the medina.

  4. FES - MERZOUGA:

Breakfast. Early departure following a route across the Middle Atlas passing Ifrane, the Moroccan “Switzerland”, in a spectacular itinerary through the magnificent cedar forest of the area, looking for drier landscapes. We cross over the rich in contrasts Ziz Valley. We go to Erfoud

  Erfoud

This is the capital of Tafilalet region, heading north from Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty. Founded in 1917 by the French Protectorate, as one can clearly see in the orthogonal layout of its streets, Erfoud is emplaced inside an immense oasis used in the irrigation systems around the kasbahs of the area, fact that makes this region the main date producer of the country. In the end of the summer, the Guetna - or date gathering - takes place in a festive atmosphere that wraps the entire region. This is also one of the most important fossil extraction and manufacture centres of the world; this region was, hundreds of millions of years ago, an oceanic basin that gradually turned into low deep seas following a slow sedimentation process where loads of sea animals were retained in the ground. The result of this slow process is possible to be seen nowadays in the quantity and variety of fossils produced in the quarries of the area., the desert’s gateway, and we continue following an off-road trail to our destiny in the guesthouse of Merzouga

  Merzouga

Merzouga is a small Berber town located in the southeast corner of the country, near the Algerian border. It has the greatest natural source of underground waters of all Morocco, but it has become famous for being close to the sand desert land of Erg Chebbi, home of the highest dunes of all the country. .

  5. MERZOUGA- DESERT:

Breakfast. We travel around Erg Chebbi, a large expanse of sand desert where is located the Great Dune of Morocco, which is over 250 meters high, connecting off-road with part of the route followed by the former Paris-Dakar, with the mountains limiting with Algeria as a background. Stop in the oasis of Tissardmin and we continue up to a nomad settlement where we’ll find out some secrets of their life and traditions. Next stop in a panoramic spot where it’s possible to contemplate Erg Chebbi as a whole. Halt in Khamliya, town whose people originally came from Mali. Here we can relax drinking tea while we enjoy a small concert of Gnawa music. Return to the guesthouse, lunch and departure on camel following an hour and a half route that ends at the foot of the Great Dune, surrounded by the beautiful twilight of the desert. Overnight in a jaima in the very heart of the desert under the spectacular blanket of stars.

  6. MERZOUGA – TODRA – DADES – OUARZAZATE:

We get up before daybreak to watch the sunrise. Camel ride return to the guesthouse. Breakfast. Departure looking for Todra Valley, an awesome palm grove which colourfulness contrasts splendidly with the walls of the valley. We pass through the Todra Gorges, majestic canyon of more than two hundred meters high walls, unavoidable stop for the climbing lovers. Then we take the “route of a thousand kasbahs”, following a dazzling itinerary linking with the Dades Gorges. Lunch in Boumalne Dades. We continue down the Rose Valley. Arrival and overnight in the city of Ouarzazate

  Ouarzazate

OOuarzazate, the desert’s gateway, has traditionally been an important stopover for the caravans coming from beyond Sahara desert, though it underwent a real development in the French colonial period, in which it was an administrative centre of the protectorate. Nowadays, the city stands out because of its kasbahs, specially the Taourirt´s one, and because of its magical surroundings that have made to bring here two film studios, where it has been filmed movies like Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Babel, Alexander, The Mummy and many other eye-catching films. It’s also an important traditional medicine place - in its pharmacies one can learn the secrets of a discipline that so many things has provided to the western medicine. .

  7. OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH:

Breakfast. We take a picturesque mountain road that pass over the High Atlas, showing us a sensational view in our journey to Marrakech

  Marrakech

Marrakech, the red city, is one of the greatest cities of Morocco. Emplaced close to the High Atlas, it has a dry Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures over 40ºC. Founded in 1062 A.D. by Youssef Ibn Tachnifn, first sovereign of Almoravid dynasty, it still preserves important remains of its history in monuments like the Ben Youssef Medrassa, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Badi and Bahia Palaces or the more modern El Ajdal and Marjorele gardens, among others. It’s essential to visit here the famous Djemaa el Fna Square, UNESCO´s World Heritage, a magical place that will bring us to a fantasy world where we can be captivated among storytellers, water-carriers, snake and other animals charmers, acrobats, dentists, musicians, dancers, fortune-tellers, henna tattoo makers, orange juice, herbal remedies and dried fruits and nuts sellers... this place is all luxury for the senses. . Halt in the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou

This is the most beautiful of the Moroccan kasbahs. Emplaced in the Draa Valley at not many kilometres from Ouarzazate, this magical place, UNESCO´s World Heritage, will transport us to a dreamy age, as the numerous movies filmed here can prove to us., distinguished by its charm and beauty. Lunch in the mountain town of Teddart. Arrival to Marrakech, accommodation in riad and we spend the rest of the day exploring the city and the magical Djemaa el Fna Square.

  8. MARRAKECH – MARRAKECH:

Breakfast. A whole day to visit the “red city” accompanied by our guide and/or to enjoy a free time in it.

  9. MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA:

Breakfast. Departure to find again the Atlantic Ocean with the captivating city of Essaouira

  Essaouira

The archaeological remains prove that the Essaouira emplacement had been occupied since prehistoric times. This is because Mogador Island protects its bay from the heavy Atlantic swell of the area, giving a natural port to its inhabitants. This was an important Carthaginian port and, in Roman times, a production centre of Tyrian purple. It fell in Portuguese’s hands short time in 16th century, and the present city wasn’t built until 18th century by Mohamed III. From the city it’s remarkable its medina, UNESCO´s World Heritage, a magical place of narrow streets where, between the numerous products of its souks, the marvellous wood works, the argan products and the excellent fish really stand out. Moreover, its musical tradition comes vouched by the famous Gnawa Festival celebrated here every summer.. Accommodation in hotel/riad, lunch and free time for relaxing.

  10. ESSAOUIRA – ESSAOUIRA:

A whole day to spend within the magic of this wonderful city. Ample amusement possibilities riding a horse or a camel, practising some water sport, driving a quad or simply enjoying its fascinating scenery.

  11. ESSAOUIRA – RABAT:

Breakfast. We follow a picturesque coastal road heading north until we get to the city of Al Jadida

  Al Jadida

Cosmopolitan coastal city at not many kilometres to the south of Casablanca, Al Jadida is famous for its endless beaches and the fortress built by the Portuguese, who called this city Mazagan when it was founded in 1502. The city fell in Maghrebian hands in 1769, when it was called el-Brija el-Jadida (The New Fortress) by the Alaouite sultan Mohamed ben Abdellah. The Portuguese port of Mazagan has recently been declared UNESCO´s World Heritage for being “an outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures”, and it’s especially interesting to visit here the Manueline cistern and church., where we’ll eat. Then we continue our way to Rabat

  Rabat

RThe history of this city began in the current area of Chellah, in the 3rd century, when it was occupied and developed by the Romans. But its real boost won’t come until the 12th century, with the construction of the fortified encampment or ribat, original core of the city, by Abd al-Mumin. His grandson, Yaqub al-Mansur, promoted the development of the city, designing the construction of one mosque which minaret would surpass the Giralda of Seville and the Koutoubia of Marrakech, project that never was completed. The city fell in decadence after the conquest of Alfonso X, The Wise, and it was slowly recovering its former splendour along the centuries until it was proclaimed Administrative Capital of the French Protectorate in Morocco, status confirmed by the autonomous government when Morocco got the independence in 1956. It’s important to see in this city the Kasbah of Oudaia, Hassan Tower or ruins of Yaqub al-Mansur mosque, where we can find the mausoleum of Mohamed V, and the Chellah necropolis, among others.. Accommodation in hotel/riad and optional visit of the city.

  12. RABAT – TANGER:

Breakfast. We go to our final destination in Tanger, with a previous stop in the coastal town of Asilah

 Asilah

Atlantic coastal town in the north of the country, near Tanger and Ceuta. This area was amply visited by the Phoenician and the Greeks in the ancient times. The first settlement known, Phoenician, dates from the 15th century B.C. and it was afterwards a Carthaginian port which reached some splendour, reflected in the minting of it own coins when its people rebelled from the central government. It was occupied by the Romans in the 1st century B.C., who called it Julia Constancia. The name of Asilah won’t come until the Arab conquest in 712 A.D., people who made of this city a famous cultural and commercial centre. It was taken over by the Portuguese in 1471, who fortify it, and along the next centuries it was changing among the hands of Arabs, Portuguese and Spanish, due to its strategic importance. From these turbulent times it’s remarkable the medina ramparts built in the 15th century by Alfonso V. It’s known at the present time for its charming medina, its excellent fish dishes, its endless beaches and the international festival of culture celebrated here every summer.. End of travel. [The return ship must be in the afternoon]

  12 DAYS: ATLANTIC – DESERT – ATLANTIC ------------------------» Booking