Morocco and the Kasbah
Aaaah .... Morocco ... A Photographer's Dream

A grand 14 day Private tour of the Kingdom of Morocco - Private Transfers & Touring
Perfect for photographers - Arrive ANY day - Year round

A hammam, the traditional Moroccan steam bath
Compare with the Sahara desert version

The Kingdom of Morocco has long been among the World's most interesting travel destinations, with an irresistible allure, it provides some superb subjects for photographers. With good lighting conditions, Morocco is a brilliantly colorful country, full of vibrancy, warmth, hospitality and spectacular and varied scenery. We’ll combine the history and natural beauty of this rich and

Fascinating country with many personal encounters in towns, villages, ancient Kasbahs and Berber tents, sharing our experiences while sipping mint tea: symbolic of the Moroccan generosity. You will be delighted and overwhelmed by Morocco's endless visual opportunities.

This tour allows the time a photographer needs in order to gain a fresh perspective of Morocco, its medieval streets, exotic souks, imposing mosaic gates and attractive mosques, while aiming to capture the charisma of Morocco’s hospitable people. In order to take in all the delights of this exotic country.

Our guide will guide you round Fez’s medieval tannery, the archaeological site of Volubilis, beautiful architecture, colorful mosaics and ancient Kasbahs, vibrant Marrakech and the dramatic landscapes of the Sahara as well as introducing you to many cultural sights including, street scenes of daily life, the famous blue robed Berber people, shy veiled women and laughing children. We guarantee you
will come home with a true insight into Morocco and a selection of stunning photos capturing its beauty.

This is your itinerary , you change as you wish , this is only a suggested itinerary , we will be glad to work with you :

Day 1 - Arrive Fez
Upon arrival at Fes Saiss airport, meet and greet with assistance by our English speaking guide then transfer to your Riad for overnight.

Day 2 & 3 – Explore and photograph Fez
Two whole days to explore Fez, a wonderful city offering a wide variety of photographic opportunities. Fez’s Medina (ancient quarter of the city) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and claims to be the oldest and largest medieval city in the World, almost unchanged through the modern ages. Many of the streets are too narrow for cars, so donkeys and mules are commonly used for carrying large loads.
The bustle of these old streets, the infinite variety of merchandise from carpets and edible goods to copperware and pottery as well as the merchants, craftsmen, locals, and animals all lend themselves to photography.

Fez has many interesting architectural structures. The most famous mosque is the Karouine, thought to date over 1000 years, it is the most important centre Islamic learning in Morocco. It is closed to non-Muslims but the interior and glimpses of its occupants can be attractively framed through the many open doors. Many of the Medersas or Islamic schools, are open to non-Muslins, including the Attarine Medersa. Built in the early 14th Century, it has exquisitely interior, a beautiful bronze door and an elegant courtyard. Fez also has one of the most famed gates of Morocco, the Bab Boujloud it is a strikingly beautiful gate, yet surprisingly new, only built in 1913. The most impressive view is from the outside.
You will also visit the medieval tannery, the oldest leather tannery in the world thought to date back to the 9th Century, here we will watch the men working manually in very hot, odorous conditions as the strip the animal hides of sheep and goats. The tannery contains numerous stone vessels filled with a vast range of brownish honeycombs dyes, which contrast with the surrounding white houses. The
tannery processes is considered to be an unclean activity yet these hides eventually end up in souks as high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, slippers.
Overnight at your Riad.

Day 4 - Drive to Meknes & Visit Volubilis (3 1/2 hours)
Much of the land upon which Meknes and the surrounding area is founded came under the domination of the Roman Empire in 117 A.D. The most magnificent remaining site is the Roman city of Volubilis with its Forum, Arch of Caracalla, and houses decorated with well-preserved mosaics. Enjoy the panoramic views from the hilltop town of Moulay Ismail.

The original community of Meknes can be traced back to an 8th Century Kasbah, but it was under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672 – 1727), when Meknes became the capital of Morocco, now Rabat is the Capital. Meknes has been called the Versailles of Morocco, but Moulay Ismail’s grand scheme for a royal palace was never completed. Today the city is the centre of a productive area, producing finest
olives in the world, wine, cereal crops and citrus. Overnight at your Riad.

Day 5 – Explore and photograph Meknes
Day for photography and exploring Meknes, visiting the Tomb of Moulay Ismail, the Mansour Gate, the stables built for Moulay Ismail, the huge granaries and the olive markets. The atmosphere of Meknes feels genuinely Moroccan and the people are friendly and more willing to be photographed than some locations in Morocco. Meknes offers fantastic photographic
opportunities. Overnight at your Riad.

Day 6 - Drive to Merzouga (8 hrs)
Today we take a long drive and traverse the Atlas Mountains through Er-Rachidia, Erfoud and onto Merzouga. The route to Er-Rachidia passes through the 1930s French-built tunnel, Tunnel du Legionnaire down the spectacular valley of Ziz Gorges. We continuing on into the Tafilalt Valley in which Erfoud stands. Erfoud claims to cultivate over a million palm trees irrigated by the waters of the River Ziz. At Erfoud we turn onto a minor road, heading into the dunes and onto Merzouga.
Dinner and Overnight in your Boutique hotel.

Days 7 & 8 - Explore and photograph Merzouga
There are only a few things to photograph at Merzouga, the sand dunes, the Berber guides and their Camels. However these are packed with endless opportunities for artistic photographs. Early morning excursion to the Merzouga Dunes on the fringes of the Sahara. Here we will watch and photograph the change in light conditions and capture the atmosphere and the wonderful array of colours and shadows. We spend three nights in Merzouga to allow us the opportunity to truly explore the dunes photographic possibilities. We will visit the dunes for both sunrise and sunset and there is the option to take an excursion into the dunes on camel back or just relax in this wonderful setting.
Dinner and overnight in Bedouin tent in the heart of the desert.

Day 9 - Drive to Tinerhir (7 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Tinerhir and visit the dramatic Todra Gorge, about 10 km from Tinerhir. A paved road winds to a very narrow point, here the road stops and we will walk up and through the Gorge. The force of the Todra River carved the 160m high steep-sides of the canyon; although when we visit the raging waters are more a kin to a gentle stream. At the far end of the gorge a few hotels and restaurants
offer refreshments, at the top Berber crafts stalls can be found. Tinerhir itself is famous for its palm grove; containing many deserted and crumbling mud buildings nestled in amongst the date palms can be explored on foot. A ruined Kasbah stands on a hill above the town; this is a spectacular place to go at sunset.
Dinner and overnight in boutique hotel.

Day 10 - Drive to Ouazarzate (7 hrs)
We will continue along the Dades Valley to the former French Foreign Legion outpost of Ouazarzate. Passing hundreds of kasbahs that line the route we will see why this valley is commonly known as “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs”. This is a spectacular drive through stunning desert landscape, dotted with villages, palm groves and flanked by the Jebel Sahro range to the south. Photograph Gorge des Dades and Kasbah d'Amerhidl.
We will visit the much-photographed kasbahs of Tifoultoute and Taourirt en-route. Ouazarzate is a stocking up point for adventure enthusiasts while the surrounding area has been featured in many films; Ouazarzate has gained an international reputation for a peace and tranquility film set, and the Kasbah can be seen in “The Jewel of The Nile”. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 11 - Drive to Marrakech (7 hrs)
Today we drive to Marrakech. En-route we will visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering plenty photographic occasions to capture the red and browns of the many adobe (mud) buildings or to stroll around the tourist shops looking for glittering gifts. Arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon we’ll have time to explore the souks and spice markets and maybe enjoy a cold drink overlooking Djemma El-Fna Square. Dinner and overnight in boutique hotel.

Day 12 - Explore and photograph Marrakech
Early morning we will start our explorations of Marrakech, the city of drama. Marrakech follows the beat of an African drum. This imperial city has been almost continually occupied since Neolithic times, and was once the Berber capital. Travelling back in time 2,000 years, we’ll see snake charmers, magicians, acrobats, and dancers, delighting children and adults alike. We’ll capture a glimpse of daily life, as we stroll the narrow streets; perhaps we’ll see a young boy taking his family’s bread to the community bakery, veiled women carrying bags of food for the next meal, or children playing in the streets.
We will visit the Bahia Palace and Jardin de Majorelle as well as revisiting the famous Djemma el-Fna Square. The Bahia Palace of Marrakech was constructed between 1894 and 1900 for Ahmed Ibn Musa. The palace is a large and rambling set within extensive gardens. It includes a mosque; several tiled courts, elaborately decorated reception halls, carved and painted woodwork and glazed ceramic tile as well as private quarters still used by the Royal family and their staff.

The Jardin de Majorelle was created by the artist Jacques Majorelle and is a collection of plants and flowers from all of over the world including a huge cactus collection. The gardens offer us an escape from the heat and bustle of Marrakech; here in amongst the pleasant and cool surroundings we can photograph the flowers, streams and ponds set against a contrasting Moroccan blue villa.
Djemma el-Fna Square is perhaps the greatest open-air spectacle in the world, where one can see the colours and feel the pulse of Morocco. Drift with the smells and sounds of the souks. If we want to make any purchases, we will follow the ancient Moroccan custom of bargaining for our choices with the blue-robed Berbers, as we sip mint tea. Folk show dinner at Fantasia Chez Ali. Overnight at boutique hotel.

DAY 13 - Marrakech - Culinary Experience and a home hosted dinner (BLD)

This morning you'll ride through Marrakech in a horse-drawn carriage.
One of the special ways of understanding a culture is through its cuisines--not only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes, how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out of the earth and traditions, we'll proceed to the Ecole Hotelière, Marrakech's own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school, for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We'll stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing fruits.

Later, we'll call on you to take you for your sunset camel ride, in the 13,000 acres of palm groves around Marrakech. You'll finish the day with a memorable experience of Moroccan hospitality, dinner in the home of a Marrakech family in the old Medina.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

Day 14– Depart Marrakech.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Marrakech airport for your flight back home.

The day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions, difficulty with transportation and politics can lead to enforced changes.

MOROCCO EXTENSIONS

There are many interesting destinations, which offer an enjoyable variation to your holiday. The programs can be tailored to suit individual requirements and we will be happy to suggest destinations and itineraries to compliment your own ideas. Here are a few suggestions.

Essaouira: We can offer options for a relaxing beach extension, in the port of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.

Marrakech: You may like to extend your time and stay an extra night or two in order to explore the cultural and exotic Marrakech.
The high Atlas mountain country side : Ourika valley, Imlil and Ouirgane.