We greet you at the airport and travel into the city of Casablanca. Visit Hassan II mosque (not possible on Fridays or religious holidays), the largest mosque in Africa completed in 1993 and has the world's tallest minaret at 210 metres. If interested the tour of the mosque takes about an hour. After sightseeing around the mosque we continue to the capital city, Rabat, visit the Oudaya gardens and spend the night in a riad.

After breakfast we visit the Hassan Tower (commissioned in 1195) and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, built in homage to the king, It contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. We then travel east towards Volubilis in the region of Meknes and stop to visit the Roman ruins, it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania then under Roman rule from the 1st century AD, it covers about 42 hectares with a 2.6 km circuit of walls. After exploring the ruins we continue to Fes for dinner and the night in a riad.

Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour in Fes, which is the oldest of Morocco’s four “Imperial Cities”. The medieval city of Fes El Bali, or “Old Fes” remains complete and is unspoiled. Fes el Bali. a walled city, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your tour visit the

• Medina – walled city founded in the 9th century

• Bou Inania Medersa - an educational institute and a congregational mosque

• Kairaouine Mosque – the world's oldest university

• Famous soukhs (markets)

In the afternoon visit Fes El Jdid, or “New Fes” and a Moroccan arts museum of your choice. The night is spent in the riad.

After breakfast we travel to Azrou, where you can see Barbary apes in the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas. Lunch is in Midelt, in the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. We descend down out of the mountains and through to the stunning and picturesque Ziz Valley. All along the road there are innumerable palm-fringed towns. We travel through Er Rachidia a garrison town and then to Erfoud – an oasis town in the Sahara desert, famous for its fossils and date festival. Our journey for this day ends at Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you will be greeted with a traditional tea ceremony. You will then have time to wander the dunes before the sunset. Dinner is served and followed by an evening of music and you will spend the night in a bivouac of nomad tents.

After breakfast, you will have a days camel trekking tour into the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. You will have an option of either riding or walking. Your camel guides will prepare and cook your lunch out in the dunes. After lunch is the return trek to the bivouac for dinner and the night.

Early birds can watch the spectacle of the majestic sunrise where the colour of the dunes and the play of shadows are an awesome and memorable experience. After breakfast we leave for the Todra gorges. The road passes through Tinjdad and the Todra Valley. After lunch there are plenty of opportunities to walk, either along the river, through the gardens or up the road. Later we continue to the Dades Gorges and Dades Valley known as the ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’. We have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

After breakfast a walk in the Dades Gorges is scheduled. After the walk, the trip to Ouarzazate continues, going off-road along the Boutaghar piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and have morning tea with them. From here we continue through the Valley of the Roses, where local rosewater and other rose oil products are available for sale. The route goes via the Oasis of Skoura where there are many kasbahs, the most well-known of which is Kasbah Amredil which you will stop to visit. Once in Ouarzazate you will stay in a riad.

After breakfast, we visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage site and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as the Kingdom of Heaven and the Gladiator. It is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco. Here we stop for lunch and a visit to the Kasbah. We continue to travel via Telouet through the expansive and scenic High Atlas Mountains and eventually descend from the heights to the Moroccan midlands and the majestic city of Marrakesh. We have dinner and spend the night in a riad.

Item descriptionMarrakesh is probably best known for the central plaza of Djemma El Fna with its souks, juice stalls, spice and nut stalls, henna artisans, snake charmers, and the multitude of nightly food stalls. The day is spent with a guide visiting the sights of your choice. Optional selections of sights are the:

• El Bahia Palace - one of the most beautiful palaces in Marrakech

• Saadian tombs – a truly rich architectural gem of the 16th century

• Souks - the famous Markets of Marrakesh

• Madressah ben Youssef - once the largest Islamic school in North Africa

• Majorelle Gardens which used to belong to Yves St Laurent

• Koutoubia Mosque 12th century mosque with a 70m minaret

• Musee de Marrakesh and art museum located in the Dar Menebhi Palace

Not all of these are possible in one day but you could always add a day to your tour. You spend another night in your riad.

After breakfast we leave magical Marrakesh and head towards the Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira, which until 1960s was known by its Portuguese name, Mogador. Essaouira has a long history as a coastal trading post and has always been a place where Arabs, Africans and Europeans meet. Along the way we stop to visit the women’s cooperative where argan nuts are processed by hand into one of the most versatile oils; used in skin care products as well as a delicious cooking oil. After arriving at your riad in Essaouira we visit the sea front where you can choose your lunch from a selection of freshly caught fish and seafood. After lunch we walk to the medina and begin to take in the sights.

After breakfast we continue to explore the wonderful and enchanting coastal city of Essaouira; the Portuguese ramparts and fortress, the fishing port, the medina, souks and beach are perfect for leisurely discovery interspersed with a relaxing lunch, unhurried coffee or fresh orange juice from the many colourful juice stalls.

After lunch we travel by 4WD to Sidi Kaouki, which has a great beach for both surfing and windsurfing. After your time on the beach we return to your riad in Essaourira.

After breakfast we journey back to Casablanca. On the way we stop at El Jadida to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Portuguese fortified city and cistern. We then continue on to either the airport or your hotel in Casablanca.