This morning after breakfast, we travel inland to the lessor known Imperial City of Meknes. We begin our tour of this city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail by visiting the Bab Mansour gate (which incorporates columns pillaged from Volubilis), Agdal reservoir - which may bring to mind the Grand Canal of Versailles - and Heri es-Souani, the former granary and royal stables that once housed 12,000 horses.  We will enjoy a local lunch before making the short drive to then nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, for a guided tour. We continue on to Meknes. See the beautiful gate of Bab Mansour (which incorporates pillars pillaged from Volubilis), the tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail, Agdal reservoir, and Heries-Souani (a former granary and stable). Continue to Fes and arrive by early evening.  Dinner will be together at the traditional riad.

• Guided Tour (mostly by bus) of Meekness
  • Lunch
• Guided Tour of Volubilis
• Lunch

Sleep: Fes - Riad Dar Skalli (B, L)

Today after breakfast, our local guide will meet us at our hotel for a guided tour of the city. We begin with a panoramic view of the entire medina. Next, we visit a mosaic house where we will have a demonstration of traditional pottery methods that are still practiced by Moroccan artisans. We continue on to the old medina of Fes, where we will explore the ancient streets and neighborhoods. Enjoy a walking  tour in the medina; the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, Al-Qarawaiyin University, and other monuments. We will also visit the various artisan sections including the leather tanneries for which Fes is famous.  We return to our hotel by mid-afternoon.

• Guided Tour of Fes
  • Lunch

Sleep: Fes - Riad Dar Skalli (B, L)

After breakfast, we depart Fez and drive towards the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. On the way, we travel through the largest cedar forest in Africa which is also home to the barbary apes (a.k.a. "Atlas monkeys") which are sure to entertain! We enjoy a picnic lunch in the cedar forest before we continue over the Middle Atlas Mountains to the city of Midelt, located in the high plains, where we will stop for the night. After a mint tea welcome, rest and relax in your room, or go for a light hike in the ecological park that is next to Ksar Timnay. This is the beginning of the land of the Berbers,. In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious locally sourced dinner followed by live music and dancing.

• Visit Azrou Monkeys
• Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains
• Explore Ecological Park in Midelt
• Live Berber Music

Sleep: Midelt - Ksar Timnay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we depart from Midelt and travel over the High Atlas Mountains and then following the Ziz River Gorge to the desert. If this happens to fall on the Market Day in Rissani,, we get to experience the hustle and bustle of this dusty city. For lunch, we will try the local specialty of Medfouna (aka Berber Pizza). After our visit here, we meet our camels for a sunset trek into the edge of dunes to your luxury camp for the night. (or If you prefer, transfer to the desert camp in a 4x4 vehicle).  Climb the nearest dune to watch the sun set and the stars come out. Dinner will be served at camp followed by traditional music and more stargazing, before retiring to your tent for the night.

• Cross the High Atlas Moutnains
• Experience Medfouna
• Camel Trek
• Overnight in Luxury Camp Bouchedor

Sleep: Merzouga - Desert Camp Bouchedor
(B, L, D)

This morning your camel guide will wake us early to can watch the sunrise over the dunes. Breakfast will be served at camp. We depart our desert camp on camelback to ride back to the edge of the dunes, where we will board our coach bus to take us to the Dades Valley. Along the way, we will stop to visit an ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains. Visit the oasis town of Tinghir for a guided walk of the palmeraie and Mellah (old Jewish area). Visit nearby Todgha Gorge - the most impressive part of the canyon. Continue on to our hotel in the breathtaking Dades Valley in the evening, where you dinner will be awaiting our arrival.

• Ancient Irrigation System
• Guided Walk of Tinghir Palmeraie and Mellah
• Stroll through Todgha Gorge

Sleep: Dades Valley - Kasbah Tizzarouine  (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, we take a short drive through the Dades River Valley to the village of Taltnamarte near the small city of Kelaat M’Gouna in the heart of the Rose Valley. If the roses are in bloom (spring departures only), we will join the locals and try your hand at picking the pink blossoms. Visit the local cooperative to learn about the rose distillation process.  Next, we enjoy a traditional couscous lunch with a local family in their home. Time permitting, we explore the local area. Dinner at the hotel
Sleep: Dades - Kasbah Tizzarouine (B, L, D) 

After breakfast, we depart early for the road of 1000 Kasbahs and through the city of Ouarzazate, pronounced: "wor-za-zet" - and known as the Hollywood of Morocco! After a quick rest stop, we make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, before crossing over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, reaching an altitude of nearly 7500 feet above sea level before descending to Marrakech by early evening. Dinner together in Marrakech.

• Visit Ait Ben Haddou
• Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass

Sleep: Marrakech -TBA depending on size of group (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, we will get a private guided tour around Marrakech. We begin the tour at nearby Koutobia Mosque.  We continue by bus through the Kasbah (Bab Aganou, Saadian Mosque, and the Jewish Quartier). Visit the Mellah (Jewish Quartier) and walk to visit Bahia Palace. We eventually arrive at the souk and the winding maze-like medina. The tour will finish at lunchtime. Rest of the day free to explore on our own.

• Guided Tour of Marrakech

Sleep: Marrakech - TBA depending on size of group (B)

After breakfast, we enjoy a free morning exploring Marrakech before meeting the group for a late morning departure to Essaouira. Free day to discover the Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira on your own.
Sleep: Essaouira - Hotel El Kasbah Souiria (B)

After breakfast we visit the market to buy ingredients for a home cooked meal and a full day cooking experience, which will be our included lunch for the day. Free rest of the afternoon/evening to prepare for your departure and do some last minute shopping.
Sleep: Essaouira - Hotel El Kasbah Souiria  (B, L)

Today we depart for the airport to catch our flights back home. 

(B)