5 Days From Marrakech To Chefchaouen

DAY 1 : MARRAKECH – KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU -OUARZAZATE – DADES VALLEY :

We will pick you up at 8:00 in Marrakech and drive towards Ouarzazate through the Tizi ‘n’ Tichka pass at 2260 m over the High Atlas Mountains. You will enjoy the landscapes and the fantastic of Berber villages. We will visit Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou ,which is the largest Kasbah in Morocco , and it is a UNESCO historical site(this famous kasbah was used as a backdrop for more than 20 films). We will have lunch at the Kasbah before we continue to Dades valley via Ouarzazate, called the Hollywood of Africa. We will pass along the Road of the thousand Kasbahs, then we get to Kalaat Mgouna; It is well-known for roses and its annual festival during May. We will spend the night in the heart of the Dades Gorge at local Riad/guest house with dinner and breakfast.

DAY 2 :DADES VALLEY – TODRA GORGES – MERZOUGA AND CAMEL TREKking:

After breakfast in the Riad, we’ll drive through the valley to see rock formation “the monkey toes”. Leaving the Dades valley towards Tinghir and the Todra valley we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley. Arriving at the Gorge you’ll walk under the 300 m high red cliff, where many Rock-climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport. After having lunch, we continue on to Erfoud, known for its unique fossils exploration and exhibition. We’ll leave for the village of Merzouga, where the Camel ride will start. The caravan takes you to the sand-sea of the Erg-Chebbi, guided by an experienced camel guide. After one hour and half with breaks to see one of the best sunsets in your lifetime we get to our nomadic Berber tents well equipped where you will have dinner, camp fire, drum party and over night stay in the desert. Dinner and breakfast will be served here.

DAY 3 :MERZOUGA DESERT -ZIZ VALLEY – CEDAR FOREST – FES :

After a great sunrise view on one of the dunes, having warn shower and delicious breakfast, we drive by 4×4(alternative of Camel, its optional) then you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. We’ll leave to Fes via Errachidia along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, and through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt. Will have lunch before we continue to Azrou; a Berber village in the Middle Atlas Mountains, where we’ll stop to see the Barbarian Monkeys in the cedar forest. Then we continue to Ifrane, which is called the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’, will have a break to take a memorable pictures before arriving at your accommodation in Fes.

DAY 4 : DISCOVRING FES:

After breakfast in your Riad, you will start exploring Fes“the Spiritual City of Morocco”. You will spend the whole morning exploring the Medina and its alleys; visiting most of the sites with cultural and historical interest – including the famous Al Karaouine Mosque and University (the oldest in the world), the Medresa Bouanania, the Tanneries and the Najjarine fountain. After lunch, we will drive you outside the Medina to see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, and then visit the pottery cooperative. In the afternoon, we will drive you to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight at the same Riad .

DAY 5 : Day Trip From Fes to Chefchaouen and back.

Within this full day excursion from Fez to the blue pearl of Morocco. you will have many breaks in different landscapes on the way to Chefchaouen. While you reach there you will have free time in order to discover the amazing sides of this unique blue town. After, your visit and having lunch we will go back to Fez where your 1 Day Trip Fes To Chefchaouen ends.

Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 in the Rif Mountains by Jews and Moors fleeing Spain. A lot of different theories about why Chefchaouen is blue; Some says it was painted in blue by the Jews who settled there after fleeing Hitler, others say it’s to keep the mosquitoes away, while some just said it represents the color of the sea.

Chefchaouen or Chaouen is a city in the north-west of Morocco. It is the main town of the province of the same name, and stands out for its buildings in blue tones. Chefchaouen or Chaouen, as it is often called by the Moroccans, is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Tangier and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The name refers to the shape of the mountain tops above the city, which resemble the two horns of a goat. “Chef Chaouen” derives from the Berber word for horns, Ichawen.

Chefchaouen is a popular shopping destination as well, as it offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular with tourists.

The countryside around it has a reputation for being a prolific source of kief. The Chefchaouen region is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco.

The growing tourist industry is geared especially towards Spanish tourists, who are especially numerous during great Catholic feasts like Semana Santa and Christmas.

There are a number of distinct mosques in the town. Aside from the mosque at Place Uta Hammam in the medina, there is also a mosque dedicated to the patron saint of Northern Morocco’s Jebalah region, Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich Alami. His tomb and the village surrounding it is by the way an hour’s drive or so from Chefchaouen on the old road to Larache. There is also a ruined mosque built by the Spanish, with stairs still in the tower.

Duration of the Day Trip; Full day, pick up at 8 AM (3 hours in order to get to Chefchaouen).

You are able to check the 5 Day Desert trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen Itinerary on map in here;

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1fUIzQFzyUSFcWoDM2pV_8R_d9TkQubo&usp=sharing