12 days in the Sahara and the imperial cities of Casablanca
Day 1: Full day to discover Casablanca
You will start this tour through the historical heritage of the largest city in Morocco. We will be able to explore some places in the city such as the largest Hassan II mosque, the United Nations Palace and the coastal “cornice” by the sea before returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: Casablanca - Rabat
After breakfast, we will start the next day to explore the capital of Morocco. The first stop at Kasbah des Oudaias, which is the oldest place in Rabat with special panoramic views, the magnificent river « Bu Regrag » and the view of the Atlantic Ocean. The second stage in Rabat is the Hassan tower « Tour Hassan » and his tomb, it is an unfinished mosque started by the leader « Al Mohads » Yacoub Al-Mansour. The evening will be free to enjoy yourself.
Day 3: Rabat - Volubilis - Meknes - Fez
In the morning, our staff will greet you at the reception taking the direction of another imperial city of Meknes. In Meknes, we will visit the Moulay Ismail ruins, vestiges such as the Moulay Ismail mausoleum, an old wheat warehouse, a royal palace, the Bab El Mansour gate and the Swani basin. We Will head to Volubilis or Walili in the Berber language, which is a partially excavated Berber Roman ruin in Morocco located near the city of Meknes, then we will continue to Fez. The night at your hotel or Riad.
Day 4: Full day exploring Fez
The next morning, after breakfast in your riad, you will start an exploration trip of the Medina where you will visit the many hidden treasures that only the locals know about. Fez has been the capital of Morocco for over 350 years and is home to the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest operating university in the world. Your guided tour will take you to the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine springs, and the tanneries. After lunch, you will also see the exterior of the Royal Palace and pass through the famous Jewish quarter “el Mellah”, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the few living synagogues in Morocco. Your visit to Fez includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, then you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Fez medina. We will spend the night in your riad.
Day 5: Fez - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz Valley - Merzouga Desert
After breakfast, we will drive to Ifrane « Moroccan Switzerland » and Azrou through the Middle Atlas mountains « the Tizi n Telghamt pass ». During our trip we will stop in many areas to take photos and have lunch in Midelt, then we will continue our tour through the Ziz Valley, Errachidia city, Erfoud, and after reaching the heart of the Moroccan Sahara desert, you will rest and then travel a camel and trek in the deep desert. During our camel ride, we will capture the sunset among the sand dunes. A delicious dinner in the Sahara desert camp and we will enjoy tonight in desert tents with Berber drum music under the clear sky and stars. the royal family in power in Morocco. You will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon, to be greeted with a glass of mint tea before checking into your riad in Merzouga.
Day 6: Full day in the Sahara Desert - Nomads - Gnawa music
Early in the morning, your camel guide will wake you up to see the sunrise. After breakfast, you will return to the hotel on the back of a camel. Here we will take you on a journey of exploration of the region, visiting the village of Khamlia, originally from the slaves of Sudan … to experience their music and lifestyle. We can also visit the nomadic Berber shops, where many Berber handicrafts are cheaper than in the big cities. Here you will spend the night in your hotel or Riad.
Day 7: Merzouga - Rissani - Toudra Gorges - Valley of Dades
The next morning. You will leave for Rissani, we will visit the Markt in Rissani, a traditional town which was at the origin of the reigning family in Morocco and the meeting place of the caravans who trade in Timbuktu in Mali. Here you will see many hooded men and veiled women, continuing to the Todra Gorge, Morocco’s tallest and narrowest gorges. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we will cross the Dades Valley, where you will see the majestic sand castles and the incredible rock formations known as « monkey fingers ». Accommodation will be in an elegant hotel overlooking the Dades Valley.
Day 8: Dades Valley - Kasbah Amridil - Sakoura Palm Trees - Ouarzazate
After breakfast at the hotel, we will cross the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. The route through the Dades Valley is the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, offering plenty of opportunities to take some of the best photos of the trip. We will stop at Kalaat Mgouna, « the city of roses », to purchase rosewater, which will make your clothes smell great long after your trip is over. Continuation to Ouarzazate via the Kasbah of Amridil, one of the last Berber chiefs of the 18th century, today the Kasbah is a home of many Glaoui. At night, you will stop in Ouarzazate.
Day 9: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Tizi N’tichka Pass - Marrakech
After breakfast at the hotel or riad, we will continue our journey to reach the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1986). Famous films have been shot in this spectacular setting, such as Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara with Penélope Cruz … After visiting the kasbah we will go to Marrakech, we will see the Tizi Ntichka pass, which with 2,260 m is the highest point of our country. We will enjoy beautiful scenery from the viewpoints along the way and make a few stops to take photos of the Berber villages in the late afternoon and check in at your riad inside the medina. Night in a riad.
Day 10: Trip to Essaouira
The next morning you will start your journey to the coastal city of Essaouira. Arrive after approximately 2.5 hours by car to start exploring the city. Stroll through the alleys of the medina and discover hundreds of handicrafts. This « city of the wind » attracts surfers from all over the world. Essaouira has known many civilizations, including the Portuguese occupation, which affects much of its architecture, however, it is still a small town with a lot of history. Due to its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also considered the « Jewel of the Atlantic » of Morocco. You will also visit the Argan Oil Women’s Cooperative. Here they extract the oil renowned for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Lunch will be in the medina or in the port. In the afternoon, you will return to Marrakech. Night in a riad.
Day 11: Full day to visit Marrakech
After breakfast at the riad, you will enjoy sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Koutoubia minaret; the Saadian tombs; the magnificent Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Koranic school. Finally, end the morning by strolling through the alleys of the medina, having the opportunity to admire all the different artisans who make their crafts before reaching the famous Jamaa El Fna square. Lunch in a restaurant near the square, then in the afternoon visit of the Majorelle garden and a short tour of Gueliz, the new city of Marrakech. After dinner, you will have the option of strolling through the square, which is bustling with magicians, storytellers, dentists, and food vendors. Accommodation in your riad.
Day 12: Marrakech - Casablanca Airport
After breakfast at your riad, we will take you to Casablanca airport to catch your flight home. End of service.
What is included
Pick up from your riad/hotel.
Transport in a comfortable vehicle.
Pilot / Speak English.
Dinners and breakfasts.
What’s not included
Lunch
Beverages
Tips
Personal expenses
