Morocco Private Journey 1 - 2000 Years of History

Activity code: MORJ01

Duration: 11 Days

START - Casablanca / FINISH - Marrakech

A highly recommend private journey essentially exploring the Imperial Cities of Morocco. Starting in Casablanca you will also visit Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech and have opportunities to enjoy the incredible scenery of the Rif and Atlas Mountains in-between. The    wide-open vistas of places along the way such as Chefchaouen, ancient Volubilis and the incredible waterfalls at Ouzoud blend well with the hustle and bustle of the labyrinthine souks in the historic cities.

We have many years of experience putting together practical and interesting journeys for our customers and we recommend this route to make the most of your time in this fascinating country. We are happy to discuss any reasonable modifications to tailor-make a holiday to suit your requirements for any or all of the following - number of persons travelling, preferred accommodation type, UK departure airport, overall duration, pre-booked activities and much more.

What makes this holiday special ?

We have great pleasure to offer you the opportunity to experience Morocco accompanied by one of our excellent team of English-speaking drivers.

Travelling with one of our friendly English-speaking drivers allows you to experience much more of the country and its people. Your driver will gladly discuss both your daily schedule and general matters about Morocco and the places you pass; he can arrange local guides or co-ordinate any itinerary of pre-booked sightseeing that we arrange with you beforehand. In addition to your driver's experience and knowledge during your holiday we have also driven extensively around Morocco and will be happy to share our experiences with you if you are at all unsure about your chosen route or any aspect of travelling with one of our drivers.

Your driver will have a comfortable 4WD vehicle and their daily rate includes their food, accommodation, fuel and road tolls.

Highlights of the 2000 years of History Private Journey

• MARRAKECH - Nestled on a large plain at the foot of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, it is the perfect city to begin your visit to Morocco. Surrounded by its original fortified city wall Marrakech entices you into its midst to explore the historic and labyrinthine Medina. Today, Marrakech has become a thriving metropolis with chic night spots, top restaurants and a very modern atmosphere in places. All of which emphasises the immense historical context of the Medina and its focal point, the Djemma el Fna.

• FEZ: Historically, the first of the Imperial Cities and made up of three centres, Fez deserves a couple of days of any visitor's time in Morocco. Described as "the most perfectly preserved and working mediaeval city in the world".

• MEKNES: Meknes was made the capital of Morocco in the 17th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail, known as the Louis XIV of Morocco. In this respect Meknes can be compared to Versaille for its grandiose and extravagent monuments laid down for history to judge.

• RABAT: Rabat is the current capital of modern Morocco and has well designed boulevards which are a perfect setting for the culture and grandeur a state capital should offer. Sights include the Royal Palace, the unfinished mosque with its striking Hassan Tower, the necropolis at Chellah and the grand Mauosoleum of the Kings.

• VOLUBILIS: The largest Roman archaeological site in Morocco - the Triumphal Arch, capitol building, house of Bacchus – everything testifies to the city's ancient splendour. The site contains the villa where you are able to view the mosaic of the Labours of Hercules, the Baths of Gallienus and the House of Orpheus with its Dolphin mosaic and Orpheus Myth.

• OUZOUD:Half way between Fez and Marrakech are the impressive natural waterfalls of Ouzoud, an exceptional site. A 100m drop cuts through the middle of a luxuriant chasm which then takes the river for 2km to the deep gorges of El Abid wadi.

• RIADS: Many treasures, especially the now-famous riads are hidden away in Marrakech and other cities in Morocco, such as Fez and Essaouira. Riads are houses, built around a central courtyard patio, whose outside walls are entirely closed. They are often converted into guesthouses or restaurants and are a symbol of the Moroccan art of fine living. We recommend riads in our programme where the local staff are integral to the experience and all food and drink and many other materials involved with your stay and the building itself are all sourced from the local area.

Why book with Rediscover Morocco ?

We have all driven extensively around Morocco and will be happy to share our experiences with you if you are at all unsure about self-drive or your chosen routes. Roads around the country are improving all the time and are actually pretty good in most places, even in the mountains and desert areas they are now mostly asphalted. We do not recommend driving at night though as headlights can be optional and safety barriers on some mountain roads are non-existent.

Accommodation: the hotels in this itinerary are generally small, independent or family-run, properties which add significantly to your travel experience in this fascinating country. In the list below we have included suggestions for upgrades to "boutique" riads and deluxe options (please do not hesitate to request alternative hotels).

Transport: to take the stress out of arriving and departing we also offer a private airport transfer service.

English-speaking Driver Services: This itinerary includes the services of one of our excellent team of English-Speaking drivers. They will drive a comfortable air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and teh holiday cost will include their food, lodging and fuel.

Extra Information: all our holidays have a recommended route with suggestions for sightseeing; we are able, through our local agency, to book activities and specialist sightseeing, particularly in Marrakech - such as cooking, quad bikes, caleche rides, day hikes, etc.

NB. extend this holiday easily by adding nights in any or all of the locations.

What's included in your Private Journey holiday?

• Private round trip airport transfers.
• 10 nights on BB at a choice of small hotels [NB. hotels at Volubilis, Chaouen and Ouzoud are on HB basis]
• 7 days fully-inclusive one-way 4WD vehicle with a/c
• Services of an English-speaking driver for 7 days (includes his food and hotels)
• Private guided half day city tours in Fez & Marrakech
• FREE travel app with all your documents, maps, weather and much more
• All taxes, full 24 hour representative services.

Flights available to book through us with a range of airlines, from various UK airports.

Our recommended hotel choices for this fly drive:

• Marrakech: - Riad Mur Akush, Riad Hikaya, Boutique Hotel Le Kech, Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
• Casablanca: - Kenzi Tower Hotel, Hyatt Regency
• Rabat: - Riad Kalaa, Riad Senso
• Ouzoud: - Riad Cascades d'Ouzoud, Kasbah Tizouit
• Fez: -  Riad Dar Chrifa, Riad Myra, Hotel Barcelo Medina

Click on the location to view our whole selection.

Contact us now to book this self drive holiday for any date.

• Day 1 - Arrival Casablanca

  Arrival into Casablanca; private transfer to your hotel.

  • stay 1 night at Hyatt Regency or Kenzi Tower Hotel on BB basis.

• Day 2 - Casablanca - Rabat - Volubilis

  Meet up with your English-speaking driver at your hotel and make a brief visit to the incredible Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca; visit the capital of Morocco, Rabat, including the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of the Kings. Afterwards, head inland to the ancient site of Volubilis (Roman city).

  • stay at La Colomb Blanche in Moulay Idriss - 1 night on HB basis.

• Day 3 & 4 - Volubilis - [Rif Mountains] Chefchaouen - Fez

  Visit Moulay Idriss and the wonderful site of Volubilis first thing before the crowds (if no time on previous day) and then drive to the north into the Rif Mountains; an optional detour to visit the site of Lixus prior to arriving in Chefchaouen.

  • stay in Chaouen for 1 night, e.g. Casa Hassan or Riad Lina.

  Day 4 - visit of Chefchaouen and return south via a choice of routes to Fez for a few days sightseeing.

  • stay 3 nights, e.g. Riad Myra, Riad Mabrouka, Barcelo Medina Hotel.

• Day 5 & 6 - Fez

  A full day sightseeing in Fez (souks, palaces, medersas and forts); don't miss the many opportunities to look down over the medina in Fez. *We include a private half day guided city tour of Fez.

  Day 6 - we suggest a visit of nearby Meknes or drive east and off the tourist trail during your extra day in Fez.

• Day 7 & 8 - Fez - Meknes - Mid Atlas - Cascades d'Ouzoud - Marrakech

  Short drive to visit Meknes (if not done on previous day) prior to heading south en route to Marrakech through Mid Atlas Mountains - don't miss the Barbary Apes in the Cedar Forest near Azrou.

  • stay 1 night at the Riad Cascades d'Ouzoud

  Day 8 - visit / walk to the waterfalls in the morning, optional additional visits to the natural rock arch and market town of Demnate, then onward drive down to Marrakech.

  • stay 3 nights at your choice of accommodation; e.g. Riad Mur Akush, Riad Les Trois Mages, Riad Hikaya.

• Day 9 & 10 - Marrakech

  Full day sightseeing in Marrakech (souks, historic monuments, gardens, palaces, Djemma el Fna and much more...). * We include a private half day guided city tour of Marrakech.

  NB. If you keep the services of your driver for a few extra days then you could visit the High Atlas or the coast at Essaouira for a day trip. Alternatively, these places can be visited on an excursion arranged through one of our local representatives.

• Day 11 - Marrakech departure

  Private transfer to Marrakech (or Casablanca) airport for flight home.

• Prices & Departure Dates

  Prices are on request as these depend on your chosen accommodation and room availability as well as time of travel. Please take this into consideration when comparing prices; we always aim to match a high quality experience with exceptional value for money. Please note that discounts will apply if there are 4 or more people in your travelling party as fixed costs such as transportation and guides will be shared equally between the group.

  NB: Flights available to book with us through a range of airlines, from various UK airports.