12 Days To Sahara And Imperial Cities From Casablanca

Day 1: Full day exploring Casablanca

You will travel through the historical heritage of Morocco’s largest city on this tour. We will be able to explore some of the places in the city such as Hassan II, the largest mosque, the United Nations Palace and the Couscous “Corric Road” before returning to the hotel for the night.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat

After breakfast, we begin our second day exploring the capital of Morocco. First steps in the Kasbah of Oudaias, the oldest place in Rabat with exceptional panoramas, beautiful views of the “Bu Regrag” river and the Atlantic Ocean. The second stop in Rabat is the Hassan Tower “Tower Hassan” and the Mausoleum, an unfinished mosque whose construction was initiated by Yacoub Al-Mansour, leader of the “Al Mohads”. The evening is free to enjoy.

Day 3: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fez.

In the morning, our staff will welcome you at the reception and drive you to Meknes, another imperial city. In Meknes, we will visit Moulay Ismail Ruins, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, Old Wheat Store, Royal Palace, Bab El Mansour Gate and Swani Basin etc. We will go to volubilis or Walili in Berber, a partially excavated Berber Roman site in Morocco near the city of Meknes, then we will continue to Fez. Overnight at your hotel or riad.

Day 4: Full Day Exploring FES

After breakfast in your riad the next morning, you will embark on a discovery tour of the medina where you will visit many hidden gems known only to local residents. Fez has been the capital of Morocco for over 350 years and is home to Al Karaouine University, the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Your guide will take you to the tomb of Moulay Idris, the Nejjarine fountain and the tannery. After lunch, you will also visit the facade of the Royal Palace and cross the famous Jewish quarter “Mellah”, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the few remaining synagogues in Morocco. Your trip to Fez includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, before enjoying a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Fez medina. Night in your riad.

DAY 5: FES – AZROU – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, we will drive to Ifrane and Azrou, the “Switzerland of Morocco” via the Middle Atlas mountains “the Col de Tizi n t’lghamt”. During the trip, we will stop at many places to take photos and have lunch in Midert, then we will continue to visit the Ziz Valley, the city of Errachidia, Erfoud, after reaching the heart of the Sahara desert in Morocco, Merzouga there you have a little rest and then get on your camel, go deep into the desert. During our camel trek, we will see the sunset between the dunes. Delicious dinner at the Sahara desert camp, we will enjoy tonight in a desert tent, under clear skies and stars, Berber drums. The royal family that governs Morocco. You will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon – you will be welcomed with a cup of mint tea before checking into your riad in Merzouga.

Day 6: Sahara day – Merzouga – Nomads – GNAWA music.

Early in the morning, your camel driver will wake you up to admire the sunrise. After breakfast, return to the hotel by camel. Here we will take you to explore the region, visiting the village of Khamlia, which originally housed the Sultan’s slaves… learn about their music and way of life. We can also visit Berber nomadic tents where many Berber handicrafts are cheaper than in big cities. Here you can spend the night in a hotel or a riad.

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

The next morning. During your trip to Rissani, we will visit the market of Rissani, a traditional town that was the birthplace of the ruling family of Morocco and a meeting place for trade caravans from Timbuktu to Mali. Here you will see many hooded men and veiled women as you continue towards the Todra Gorge – the highest and narrowest canyon in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the canyon, we cross the Dades Valley where you will see majestic sandcastles and amazing rock formations called “monkeys”. Accommodation for the night will be in a luxury hotel overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 8: Dades Valley – KASBAH AMRIDIL – Castle of Skoura palm trees – Ouarzazate

After breakfast at the hotel, we cross the Dades Valley to Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. The road through the Dades Valley is the path of a thousand kasbahs – offering countless opportunities to take some of the best photos of your trip. We stopped at Kalaat Mgouna, the “City of Roses”, to buy some rose water, which will keep your sheets scented long after your travels. Continue to Ouarzazate via Amridil Kasbah, one of the last Berber rulers of the 18th century, now home to many Glaouis. In the evening you will stop in Ouarzazate.

DAY 9: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – TIZI N’TICHKA PAS – MARRAKECH

After breakfast at the hotel or riad we continue our journey to the ksar (fortified village) Ait Ben Haddou, there we see the famous Kasbah (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986). Famous films including “Gladiator”, “The Obelisk”, “The Mummy”, “The Jewel of the Nile”, Penelope Cruz’s Sahara have been shot on this spectacular stage… After visiting the Casbah, we will go to Marrakech and see us pass Tizi Ntichka whose 2260m are the highest point in our country. We will enjoy the beautiful scenery from the observation decks along the way and stop to take photos of the Berber villages before checking into a riad inside the medina in the late afternoon. Night at the Riad.

Day 10: To Essaouira

On the second morning, you will begin your journey to the coastal town of Essaouira. Arrive there after about 2.5 hours drive and start exploring the city. Walk through the narrow streets of the medina and admire hundreds of handicrafts. The “Wind City” attracts surfers from all over the world. Essaouira has been home to many civilizations – including the Portuguese occupation which influenced much of its architecture – but it remains a city with a rich history. It is also considered the “Pearl of the Atlantic” of Morocco due to its size, distinctive blue doors and washed walls. You will also visit a women’s cooperative for argan oil. Here they extract oils known for their culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Lunch will be served in the medina or at the port. In the afternoon, you will return to Marrakech. Night at the Riad.

Day 11: Explore Marrakech to the fullest

After breakfast at the Riad, you will visit sites of historical and cultural significance, including the Koutoubia Menaret, the Saadian Tombs, the magnificent Bahia Palace and the Ben Yusuf Koranic School . Finally, end the morning with a stroll through the alleys of the medina – a chance to admire all the different artisans working on their craft before heading to the famous Jamaa El Fna square. Have lunch in a restaurant near the square, then visit the Majorelle Gardens in the afternoon and take a short tour of Gueliz – the new city of Marrakech. After dinner, you can choose to stroll through the square, where there are magicians, storytellers, tooth pullers and food vendors. Night in your riad.

Day 12: Marrakech – Casablanca Airport

After breakfast in your riad, we will transfer you to Casablanca airport for your return flight. end of service

Included:

• Transportation throughout the tour
• Accommodation in hotels or riads
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast)
• Experienced local guide
• Entrance fees to all sites visited
• Camel trek in the Merzouga Desert
• Night in a desert camp with dinner and entertainment
• All taxes and service charges

Not Included:

• Lunch and dinner (other than what is specified in the itinerary)
• Personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs, etc.
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guide and driver