11 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM CASABLANCA VIA CHEFCHAOUEN AND FEZ

ITINERARY:

 

DAY 1: CASABLANCA AIRPORT – RABAT

Upon your arrival at Casablanca International Airport, we will welcome you and drive to visit Hassan II mosque which is the largest mosque in Morocco, then we will drive to the administrative capital of the country "Rabat" as its one of the 4 imperial cities, once we arrive there, we will visit the most important sites of the city starting from the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum and Oudaya Kasbah. Overnight in a charming Riad.

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DAY 2 : RABAT – RIF MOUNTAINS – CHEFCHAOUEN

After your fabulous breakfast in your Riad, we will drive to Chefchaouen via the Rif Mountains. We will arrive in Chefchaouen where you will have free time to visit this beautiful town. As the city is not big, you will walk around to explore its blue washed streets, and hike a little in the evening to the Bouzafer Mosque, where you will have a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and enjoy watching a beautiful sunset. Overnight in your Riad.

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DAY 3 : CHEFCHAOUEN – OUAZZANE – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES

After your tasty breakfast in the Riad, we will start our journey towards Volubilis, driving south via Ouazzane and other Rif villages. In Volubilis we will explore the Roman ruins and learn about the history of this remarkably preserved Berber-Roman city, dating back to the 3rd century BC, After that we will drive to Meknes city, a UNISCO heritage site and one of the 4 imperial cities in Morocco, it was originally founded in the 11th century, we will discover the historical walls of the Medina, El Hedim Square, Bab el Mansour and the Mausoleumof Moulay Ismail. in the afternoon, we will head to Fez. Overnight in a charming Riad in Fez.

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DAY 4 : FEZ SIGHTSEEING

In the morning, our guide will meet you at the Riad and start exploring the old town of Fez which is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco,

famed for its massive, car-free medina and ancient artisan tradition, we will take you to see the magnificent golden gates of the Royal Palace and the Jewish quarter, then to a Fortress that offers one of the best sweeping, panoramic vantage points over the entire ancient city. After so, we will take you to visit Fez pottery which is world-renowned for grey clay handicraft, After that you will walk roughly 3 hours with the guide exploring the most important monuments and historical sites of Fez old town such as Al Qaraouiyine University, Chouara Tanneries, the Attarine Madrasa and Moulay Idriss mausoleum. Overnight in a charming Riad.

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DAY 5 : FEZ – IFRANE – MIDELT– ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA DESERT

In the morning, we will leave Fez and drive towards Ifrane, "called the small Switzerland of Morocco," located in the Middle Atlas Mountains. The area is well known for cedar forests, low temperatures, and its alpine European-style architecture. We will continue our journey to the Merzouga Sahara Desert through the fascinating views of the Middle Atlas Mountains, High Atlas Mountains, and the Ziz Canyons, then drive through the Ziz Valley, known for dates and palm trees, passing by Erfoud, known as the capital of fossils and dates. As soon as we arrive in Merzouga, we will change the car for camels to go on an impressive desert camel ride experience to see a beautiful sunset over the sand dunes and spend a magical night in your Desert Camp.

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DAY 6 : MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR

Wake up early for a mesmerizing sunrise. After having your breakfast in the camp, we will pick you up and take you on a 4x4 desert excursion to explore Merzouga’s surroundings and learn more about the desert culture. The first stop will be at a nomadic family's camp to enjoy a cup of tea under a Berber tent and learn about nomadic life in the Sahara Desert. After that, we will take you to the mines of M’ifis which is one of the most important lead and baryte mines in the region, the next stop will be made in Khamlia village, a small town inhabited by dark-skinned people, we will visit the place where they play Gnaoua music to listen and dance to their symphonies. Then, we will have lunch in a local restaurant, where you will try Medfouna also called "Berber pizza". After having your delicious lunch, we will take you to Merzouga oasis to enjoy a short walk and explore the crops and the ancient underground canal networks "known locally as Khetaras". Next, we will take you to a charming hotel near the dunes where you will spend the night.

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DAY 7 : MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TODRA GORGES – DADES VALLEY

After breakfast, as usual, we will start our journey towards Dades passing through Rissani, a small city known for its huge souk, where you will have a chance to walk around and explore its local and ancient market. After that, we will drive to Tinghir passing by different villages and oases. Once we arrive in Tinghir we will drive along Todra Valley towards Todra Gorges, a short stop will be made to walk beneath its massive and magnificent canyons. Next, we persist our way towards Dades and drive through its Valley. Before we arrive at the hotel, we will insist on making 2 important stops at the Monkey Fingers viewpoint and the mountain pass of Tissadrine. Overnight in a Hotel in Dades Valley.

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DAY 8 : DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – MARRAKECH

After breakfast, we will leave Dades Valley and drive to Ouarzazate, a small city famous for "The Hollywood of Africa" and "The gate to the Sahara", also renowned for its vast Atlas Studios that you will have a chance to visit, after that we will drive towards the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, well preserved village, which has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, as it was a vital stop on the former Trans-Saharan trade route where caravans carried salt, gold, and spices between Marrakech and the Sahara. Also famous as Hollywood's favorite filming spot, where so many movies were filmed. After visiting this spectacular fortified village, we will traverse the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Tizi N'Tichka pass, which is the highest point of the road, "2260m". Stops for pictures are worth making before arriving in Marrakech. Overnight in a charming Riad in the Medina.

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DAY 9 : MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will meet you in order to start the sightseeing tour of Marrakech, “the red city of Morocco”. It was founded in the XI century by the Almoravid dynasty. We will insist on seeing the most important sites with cultural and historical heritage. You will have a great chance to visit Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia mosque, Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the Souks. Then you will go to join the famous square "Jamaa El-Fna", where you will see the fascinating snake charmers, “funny seminars” where some professional or humorous people tell fabulous and nice jokes, riddles… In the afternoon, you will have free time to walk around or relax in the Riad.

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DAY 10 : MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast, we will pick you up and take you on a day trip to Essaouira, a small coastal city on the Atlantic coast, known for its medina, harbor, fishing port, and a wonderful seaside where many people surf. Upon arrival, we will drop you off at the main gate of the Medina, so you will have roughly 3 hours to walk around and explore this amazing and beautiful town, then have lunch in a local seafood restaurant. After that, we will pick you up and drive back to Marrakech. Overnight in a Riad.

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DAY 11 : MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA AIRPORT

Depending on your flight time, we will transfer you from Marrakech to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport for your return flight with plenty of tales of Arabian and Berber days and nights, and end our services.