8 days
Daily Tour
6 people
Arabic, English, Espanol, Francais
Discover Morocco’s Four Imperial cities of Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez and Meknes and explore the Sahara desert, oases, gorges and casbahs on this 8 day adventure showcasing the best of Morocco.
We will pick you up in the morning from the airport or your hotel in Casablanca. We will visit the Hassan II mosque, the landmark of Casablanca which is the only mosque open for non-Muslims. Built by King Hassan II between 1987-1993, over 25 thousand worshipers can pray inside and 80 thousand worshipers outside in the big square of the mosque. We will then travel to Rabat to visit historical sites including the Chellah where you will see a breathtaking combination of Roman and Merinid remains. After our tour of Rabat we move to the next city Meknes, built by Sultan Moulay Ismael in 18th century, famous for beautiful gates, mosques and madrasas. Overnight in Meknes.
After breakfast we will start our visit of Meknes with the granary Sahrij Swani, used to store food and water for the 'black Army' of Sultan Moulay Ismael. We will visit the mausoleum of the Sultan and admire its Arab-Andalusian style. We will also see the tremendous gate of Bab Mansour. Only 30 km from Meknes we will then discover Volubilis .The archeological roman site includes remains of astonishing mosaics, hundreds of Latin inscriptions and artistic materials. Our trip for today will finished in Fes.
Breakfast in your riad, before your day of exploration in the old medina of Fez where you will visit the many hidden treasures that only the inhabitants of the place know about. Fes served as the capital of Morocco for more than 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 Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine Fountains and the Tanneries. After lunch you will also view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famous Jewish quarter “the Mellah,” where you will have the option to visit one of the few living synagogues in Morocco. Your tour of Fes includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, and then you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight accommodation at your riad.
We will leave Fes travelling towards Ifrane. Situated in the northwestern slope of the Middle Atlas at 1630 meters above water level. With its broad avenues, wooden ski-style chalets and manicured gardens, this city is called ‘the Switzerland of Morocco.’
Stopping at the Cedar forest of Azrou, the largest one in Morocco, if we are lucky we will sight some Barbary apes. We will then head to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. After Midelt we will drive through the fascinating Tiz n’Talghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as we approach the city of Errachidia. Here we will have lunch.
Afterwards, we will travel along the Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive at Merzouga in the afternoon. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before your camel ride, guided by an experienced camel man to explore within the golden sand sea of Merzouga. Overnight will be at our desert camp. Enjoy sunset and dinner before spending the night in the dunes, listening to Berber music, or stargazing.
After breakfast we leave the sahara and head to see the old system of irrigation that is still used in the oasis of Eljerf. We will have lunch in valley of Toudra, one of the oldest valleys in Morocco for caravan trading and where the first Moroccan money was made out of silver. A beautiful valley of 15 km of date palms ends up with a spectacular gorge. The course of the river has carved out a cliff-sided canyon. You will have some free time to walk through the gorge to better appreciate the beauty of the landscape.
Next we head for the Dades Valley which has an astonishing rock formation made by million years of erosion. We cross the Rose Valley, the only place in Morocco where we harvest Damascus roses from we extract products like rose water and rose oil. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
After an early breakfast in the riad, we start our journey to reach the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). Famous films have been shot in this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, Sahara with Penélope Cruz and Game of Thrones.
After visiting the kasbah we will head to Marrakech through the Tizi n’Tchka pass. At 2.260m we can enjoy spectacular views. We will enjoy beautiful landscapes from the viewpoints along the way, before arriving to Marrakech at early evening.
Full day in Marrakech: after breakfast in the riad, you will enjoy some of Marrakech’s historical and cultural sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret; the Saadian tombs; the beautiful Palace of Bahia and the Ben Youssef Quranic School. Finally, end the morning by walking through the medina alleys -getting a chance to admire the different artisans performing their crafts before arriving at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square. Lunch at a restaurant near the square, and then in the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, and have a short tour at Gueliz -the new city of Marrakech. After dinner you will have the option to walk through the square entertained by magicians, story-tellers, tooth-pullers and food sellers. Overnight accommodation in your riad.
When you are ready you will have a transfer to the airport of Marrakech or airport of Casablanca where we end or journey.
We work with solo travelers, couples, families - all the way to large groups - and have a range of transport options to suit groups of all sizes.
We focus on authentic, locally owned accommodation for all of our trips. On this tour you will stay in a mix of hotels and a desert camp. We have accommodation in mind, but once you contact us to book your trip, we will work with you to choose the perfect accommodation for your budget and needs.
We will take a deposit in advance of your trip online, and then accept the balance in cash when you arrive for your trip in Morocco.
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