GRAND TOUR OF MOROCCO FROM TANGIER TO TANGIER, 9 DAYS.

GRAND TOUR PROGRAM FROM TANGIER TO TANGIER

DAY 1, FRIDAY: TANGIER

• Arrival at the airport Ibn Battouta (Boukhalef) in Tangier.
• Assistance and transfer to the hotel.
• Check-in at the hotel.
• Free time in Tangier.
• Tangier, was founded by Anteo (atlas) son of Neptune and the Earth, naming it after his wife (tingo) or daughter (tinga). Anteo was killed by Hercules, son of Jupiter. His tomb is situated on one of the hills surrounding the city, "the hill of the charf". It is also said that the "Gardens of the Hesperides" flourished there, where their trees produced golden fruits. Although it was somewhat abandoned for years, the situation has changed to make Tangier a very interesting city. It is completely renovated thanks to the fact that the current king has bet firmly on the development of northern Morocco. He has also set up his summer residence here. Many people speak Spanish, so the language will give you an advantage. Remember that Tangier belonged to the Spanish protectorate until 1956.
• Accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 2, SATURDAY: TANGIER - RABAT - CASABLANCA

• Breakfast at the hotel
• We will start our route towards Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom, located on the Atlantic coast, on the southern bank of the river Bu Regreg, which separates it from the neighbouring town of Salé. Its foundation dates back to the 2nd century BC, of which archaeological remains are still preserved in a settlement known as Chellah.
• In 1195, during the Almohade dynasty, Yaqub al-Mansur planned the construction of a large city covering more than four hundred hectares, surrounded by imposing walls and fortifications with five large gates. A large mosque with four hundred columns was to be erected there to surpass the Giralda of Seville and the Koutoubia of Marrakech, but the works were stopped after his death in 1199. Only the 44-metre minaret called Torre Hasan survived, twenty fewer than initially planned.
• On arrival we will visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the famous Hassan Tour.
• Free time for lunch.
• After lunch, we will continue our route to Casablanca.
• Arrival at the hotel in Casablanca and delivery of rooms.
• Dinner and accommodation at the hotel

DAY 3, SUNDAY: CASABLANCA - MARRAKECH

• Breakfast and check out
• 08:30 hrs. Panoramic visit of Casablanca. In it we will be able to admire the exteriors of the Great Mosque Hassan II, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau, was inaugurated in 1993 after 8 years of work, this mosque is the highest in the Arab world, the lights of its minaret, 200 meters high, can be seen from several kilometers away, and is the second largest after the mosque of Mecca. This architectural work has the latest technologies such as earthquake resistance, automatically opening roof, heated floor or electric doors. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that allows the visit to non-Muslim tourists (entrance not included).
• Departure to Marrakech, the red pearl of southern Morocco. 
• At the arrival we will have lunch in the hotel and the rooms will be distributed. Some may not be ready, but room numbers will be assigned and luggage will be left at the hotel.
• Afterwards we will take a guided tour of Marrakech. We begin with the external visit of the Kutubía, the twin tower sister of the Sevillian Giralda. We will visit the gardens of Menara, have a large pond of 30,000 square meters, which was built in the time of the Almohads, who designed a whole system of underground channels to take advantage of the thawing water of the Atlas and thus be able to use it for irrigation. This system is still used after almost 9 centuries of history... We will also visit the Bahia Palace, dedicated by the vizier to one of his favorites, at the end of the 19th century. We will finish the visit in the famous square of Jmaa el Fna, which at this time of the day becomes the greatest spectacle in the world.
• For those who want transportation will return to the hotel at 20:00 hrs. Those who do not want to return to the hotel can stay in the square and return each on their own.
• Free time for dinner in Marrakech. However, it will be offered as an optional dinner of the renowned show of the Fantasy Chez Ali, representing the different tribes of Morocco and their traditions.
• And for those who don't want to, they can enjoy a dinner in the restaurants that are around the square.

DAY 4, MONDAY: MARRAKECH - ATLAS MOUNTAINS -OUARZAZATE

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out
• 8:00 am We will continue our trip towards southern Morocco. We will cross through the majestic mountains of the Alto Atlas and the port of Tzi´n´Tichka, the door entrance to the desert which is 2260 meter high. Here we will pause to contemplate the spectacular views.
• We will continue to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the geological wonders of the world, which has been kept maintained throughout the millennium. Next we will visit a grand fortress which has served as a movie set several times for movies such as ¨Laurence de Arabia¨, ¨Gladiator¨, and ¨La Joya del Nilo¨. It is made from different elements, the adobe seems to mix with the dry land over what used to be a flourishing stream and has now been converted to cropland.
• Free time for lunch
• After the visit of this landmark, we will continue to Ouarzazate, former garrison of French troops, located in the meridional zone in the country. Rich with its agriculture and famous for its details in its palm trees, roses and henna that grow on its bank. It is also the mainstay of many movie directors. These attributes have caused numerous economic boosts to this zone and has created many businesses related to the audiovisual world and jobs to many of the residents.
• Arrive at the hotel, check in the rooms
• Dinner and accomodation in the hotel in Ouarzazate

DAY 5, TUESDAY.- OUARZAZATE – TINERGHIR - GARGANTAS DEL TODRA - SAHARA

• Breakfast at the hotel  and check out 
• 07:00 hrs. Departure from the hotel to continue our journey along the well known route of the kasbahs.
• We will pass by Boumalne Dades, where the Valley of the Roses is located, to continue towards Tinerghir, where we will detour towards the Todra Gorges. There we will be able to admire marvellous palm groves that help to support the heat of these places.
• Free time for lunch.
• In the afternoon, we will continue our route towards Merzouga, where we will leave the vehicle to change to camels, we will cross the field of dunes mounted to camel during 1 hour and a half approx. to sleep in khaimas in the middle of the desert.
• We will spend the night in khaimas, next to the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara desert from we will be able to contemplate a spectacular starry sky.
• Dinner and overnight in Jaimas.
• After dinner there will be a fire with the music of Berber drums.

DAY 6, WEDNESDAY: SAHARA - IFRANE - FEZ

• Sunrise in the Sahara. Its dunes extend to the horizon and some rise more than 150 m. The experience of seeing the first rays of sunrise in the Sahara is impressive.
• Today it is obligatory to get up early for an unforgettable date with the sunrise. We will go out at night to be able to contemplate it from the dunes and to admire the different tonalities that is acquiring the sand as the Sun goes up.
• Return in 4x4 to the Kasbah, for it we will border the field of dunes crossing the tracks that previously were used in the rally to Dakar.
• Breakfast at the Kasbah.
• After breakfast we will depart for Fez, the first of the Imperial Cities, its origin dates back to the 8th century. It is also one of the first holy cities of Muslim worship in Morocco and is also proud to host one of the oldest universities in the world.
• On the way we will cross the middle and high Atlas, with several stops on route.
• Dinner at the hotel

DAY 7, THURSDAY: FEZ

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Walking through the labyrinthine streets of Fez transports us to past worlds in which potters, forgeers and craftsmen coexist with the foreign visitor, who never ceases to be surprised by observing its people and smelling the multiple aromas and smells that flood the atmosphere of this city.
• We left to visit the city of Fez with a local guide. We will start with a panoramic view of the city, including the Merinides tombs. Afterwards we will visit Fez el Jedid, including the Alhuitas Square, outside the Royal Palace and Dar el Makhzen.
• We will continue to the walking visit of Fez el Bali. We will visit the spice souk of Attarin, the souk of Jenna. We will arrive at Nejjarin Square where the founduk of the same name is located and we will visit the Bounania Madrasa. We will continue towards the Es Seffarin square to finish the morning in the tanners' quarter and see the tanneries.
• Mirrors, perfumes, chickens, pigeons, silverware, gold, babouches, sandals, chadors, chilabas, drums, vegetables, fruits, pottery, ceramics, forging, spices, portraits of the king, cereals, books, glassware and everything imaginable, everything... is here. The constant jolting of the donkeys, loaded with goods from various sources, transports you to another world only broken by the scream of "barak" with which the owner of the animal warns passers-by of the passage of the donkey.
• Lunch at the hotel.
• Free time in Fez.
• Free time for dinner
• 20:00 hrs. Optional, dinner with folkloric show.

DAY 8, FRIDAY: FEZ - CHAOUEN - TANGER

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
• Departure to Chefchaouen, located in the only intercontinental natural park, declared a natural biosphere reserve.
• Chaouen is a mountain village, white and blue, of wise, friendly and respectful people, who offer the visitor beautiful urban panoramas in decline, precious samples of local crafts and a peace and serenity that today is difficult to find. From there you leave with a strong desire to return and stay longer, talk to its people and find peace.
• Free time in Chefchaouen to discover the blue city 
• Departure for Tangier 
• Time for lunch on the route 
• Arrival in Tangier 
•  Hotel check-in 
• leisure time 

DAY 9, SATURDAY: TANGIER

• 3 hours before the departure of the plane, transfer to Tangier airport
• End of services.