After breakfast we will pick you up from your hotel in Fés or Mèknes and drive together to Ifran (64 km).

This day we will cross the High Atlas Mountains, the most fascinating and beautiful natural region of Morocco. Ifran is one of the cleanest and unique cities in this region, also called Moroccan Switzerland.

The tour continues through the Ifrane National Park with one of the largest cedar forests in Morocco, home to the endangered Barbary macaques.

If we are lucky, we will encounter this famous monkey species that has migrated as far as Gibraltar. Here feeding is allowed, but still caution is advised.

Departure from Marrakech in the morning at about 9:00. We pass interesting sights, like goats on trees. Photo stops can be made at any time. Arrived in Essaouira (after about 2 hours) you will first move into your accommodation (probably a riad in the old medina). The afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

If you let your eyes wander over the sea on the old Portuguese fortress, you will discover them: The Purple Islands. These islets, off the coast of the small harbor town of Essaouira, or formerly Mogador, got their name because the Phoenicians used to extract the precious dye purple from sea snails here, which was reserved for kings and nobles.

Today we will take a dune "hike" by 4×4 around the Erg Chebbi dunes, a populated desert region of sand. You'll learn how and where nomadic families live in this area.  We will stop in Khamelia, a village where the inhabitants are mostly from Mali and Senega - the Gnawa. We will enjoy together their famous Gnawa music with a local delicious glass of tea, and learn more about their culture and ancient traditions. Afterwards we will continue to Mefiss, a place where Berbers have been extracting eyeliner coal from the mountains for many years, but where French army also lived during the colonial period. At noon we will visit a local restaurant specializing in Berber pizza.

If you are interested in German art, we will make a detour to the imposing monuments of the German artist Hannsjörg Voth, built in an incredibly wide plain during a twenty-year construction period at the end of the last century.

Today we will visit Rabat city, the capital of Morocco. Rabat is one of Morocco's four royal cities, along with Fez, Meknès and Marrakech. The name goes back to an Islamic border fortress (ribat) built by Zanata Berbers in the 10th century at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. In the 12th century, the Almohads had the ribat expanded into a fortified city (kasbah), which remained an important trading city until the 19th century with and in competition with Salé. We will visit the Medina, the Kasbah of Oudaia and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Break time for lunch. Overnight in Rabat city in a charming Riad or Hotel.

 Stage 1 - the local open pit mine

In Mefiss we make a first stop. Here Hassan shows us the quarries where even today Eyliner coal is laboriously mined. He told me (Monika) that he himself worked here as a child after his father died at an early age. He gives me such a stone. Shiny and special.

 Stage 2 - La Musée du fossiles et minérales

On we go to the fossils. Incredible what can be found here in this plain. A small museum contains fascinating treasures. Outside we see a whole "turtle family". Some of the fossils are still cut and polished by hand. You can buy beautiful plates, polished coral fossil or snails.

The North of Morocco - the Blue City

The evening sun bathes the town in a blaze of blue color. The whole town seems to glow - like a mystical underwater world. But these are only brief moments in the turbulent alleys, which are winding, narrow, sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, leading the visitor from square to square and store to store. Here you can find handicrafts, leatherwork, handmade carpets or the warm djellaba with hood, famous in this area. Not all that glitters is gold, but those who are not immediately persuaded to buy the next best thing can still purchase small treasures here.

Whether you want to focus on something specific - be it landscapes, cities, customs, or traditions - or whether you want to experience as many aspects as possible that Morocco has to offer, that is the first decision that needs to be made. Since Morocco is such a huge country, it is better to decide and then focus on one or two areas where you can experience this. You should bring enough time to take in and enjoy everything you want to see and experience, rather than trying to fit it all in. Also, the Moroccan population is a mix of Berbers, Arabs, Africans and Andalusians, which is also something to consider when planning your itinerary, depending on what cultural and traditional aspects (e.g. gastronomy) you want to experience on your trip.

New Year at the 2nd beach of Sidi Kaouki!

Our little bijou - a cottage directly on the beach, invites you to sit. There you can enjoy freshly caught fish - roasted on a fire. In addition Moroccan salad and bread. A campfire on the beach awaits you and... Music! At midnight the famous Gnawa will play their mystical sounds for us. Between cultures. Champagne to the toast may not be missing with me of course. It will be a special transition into a new fulfilling happy year!

Celebrate with us! The party is free of charge. However, I would be grateful for a contribution to the costs.

If you need help with flight and accommodation, write me. I will be happy to help you. We will organize the transfer from Sidi Kaouki to the festival for you. Either by quad or camel.

And of course I am looking forward to meeting you! It will be an unforgettable night! 

Please register bindingly with me via Whatsapp or email.

Why this 11 day individual tour Morocco?

Because this trip can be easily customized - ideal for one person or a small group that knows each other. In terms of time, places and also content.

The following steps - including the charming Essaouira - are from my trip (Monika) - a sensible and exciting recommendation. The main focus in this journey is to stay a bit in certain places as well. Of course, this trip can be booked just as suggested here. Optimal travel time: May or September