11 Days from Marrakech

Day 1 : Arrival in Marrakech and pick up to the Riad

You will be welcomed by our team at MARRAKESH Menara Airport and drive to your accommodation in the AUTHENTIC part of the city.

Day 2 : MARRAKESH sightseeing, guided tour

After breakfast in your Riad, you will start to explore MARRAKESH « the red city of Morocco”. You will visit the sites of historical and cultural interest, including the the Koutoubia Tower, the Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Medrassa… And main square place of Jamaa Elfna. After lunch you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. Marrakech nicknamed the “Red City” for its old red sandstone city walls and buildings. It has Berber rather than Arab roots and was an important trading capital for tribes of the Atlas Mountains. Orient yourself around Marrakech’s bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square : the souks are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens to the west and the kasbah area with the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. In the new city, you will find the Majorelle Gardens.

You will have free time in the evening while you finish the guided tour, night will be in the same Riad.

Day 3 : Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Benhaddou – Dades Valley 360km

Will pick you up from your Riad at 08;30 am before embarking on an interesting journey through fascinating landscapes. You’ll initially drive through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains with its snow-capped peaks most of the year. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m) while enjoying the breathtaking views of the “Berber” Amazigh Villages that are built primarily in adobe & stones by the ever-flowing river. Within these villages we are going to visit Argan Cooperative where local women are going to abstract different products… this place is known as the best for pure and high quality of Argan oil compared to the mian cities.

You’ll take a walking tour of the UNESCO listed Ait Benhaddou Village. This dramatic village consists of numerous (fortresses) that are a striking sample of the southeastern architecture with high four towers & small atop windows. It has been used as a backdrop for shooting national & international films such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Sahara, Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia and many others.

We continue to through Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa) with the possibility to include a visit to the local Atlas Film Studios. Drive through the palm-dotted oasis of Skoura, Valley of Roses before reaching Boumalne Dades where we will spend our night. (Dinner & Breakfast are Included) 360 klm.

Day 4: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga & Camel Ride 255 klm

After having breakfast in your hotel, we will resume our journey further Southeast to the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi. Stretch your legs in the impressive Todra Gorge (Canyon) that offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views with the possibility to spot mountain climbers along with locals who would come to enjoy the cooler weather compared to other parts of the South. You’ll drive through the palm oasis of Tinjdad where we may have lunch, then continue to the Desert through the administrative center of Erfoud. After a while we reach Merzouga Desert, you leave the Car and you’ll have your camel ride experience through the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy the stunning views of the sunset with the possibility to do the sand-boarding before reaching the luxury desert camp where you’ll have a delicious dinner within the Camp. After that, we will have New Year’s entertainment; special local music… You can enjoy the starry sky in a romantic atmosphere. Overnight in a Desert Camp by the sand dunes : private tent with hot water : shower and WC (Dinner & Breakfast are Included)

Day 5: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Midelt – Zaida 304km

After a stunning sunrise view on the dunes of Sahara and breakfast, we continue back to the Van. We start our day by visiting the town of Khamlia where most of inhabitants originally from Sudan and Mali, even they are intergrated in local culture but, they still conserve their African Gnawa music. We are going to listen to their spiritual music in one of the associations. After that, we continue to a famous local market of Rissani where we are going to walk around to discover this unique Souk and to admire the variety of products…

From Rissani we pass by Erfoud known as the Capital of fossils in Morocco ; we do a visit of fossils factory to get more info about. Lunch will be in one of the Villages, then we drive through Ziz Gorges, Medilt before we reach Zaida where we are going to spend the night near Milddle Atlas Mountains.

Day 6 : Timhdet – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fes 160Km

After having breakfast, we will head north to the spiritual city of Fes by driving through Middle Atlas Mountains till we reach the UNESCO preserved cedar forest. This forest hosts a colony of Barbary Apes that you can possibly meet & feed. Have a break in the beautiful city of Ifran before reaching Fes in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Guided  Tour of Fes

Today, you’ll have an interesting day of what Fes has to offer. Your local tour guide will share with you his/her knowledge of this authentic city. Enjoy the views of the Fes el-Bali (Oldest Fes), this UNESCO listed Medina as a World Heritage Site is the largest car-free district in the world. Cars have no space here & only mules and donkeys are the only means of transportation. We will start by visiting the outside part: to take pictures by the golden gates of the Royal Palace, then stretch your legs in the vibrant Jewish Mellah (Quarter) where you’ll learn about the role that the Jews played in turning Fes into a main commercial center then to the famous Ceramic pottery and back to Medina. Now, it’s time to get inside the vibrant & the authentic Fes el-Bali. You’ll visit the local museums, pass by the old Medersas (Koranic Schools) including the Qarawiyyin University & Mosque (The Oldest University in the Islamic World). Visit the Chouara Tanneries where you can learn about how leather is being made using traditional methods & ingredients. Your tour guided will escort you back to your Riad in the late afternoon.

Day 8: Fès – Meknès – Volubilis-Chefchaouen 282klm

After having breakfast in your Riad, you’ll continue on the track further north with a nice drive through the spectacular Rif Mountains that offer majestic views. While including a visit to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis where you can have a guided tour with a local guide. You’ll learn about the Roman lifestyle when they settled in Morocco. Before Volubilis we are going to discover the Imperial city of Meknes, this unique city goes back to the 17th century when the late Sultan Moulay Ismail put the solid ground for the Alaouite Dynasty that is still ruling Morocco to this day. We’ll include a short break by the impressive Bab Mansour Gate with its geometric designs depicting the elaborate Moroccan Islamic Architecture. Stretch your legs in the vibrant El-Hedim Square and the olive market before driving through the High Walls of the Royal Palace. You’ll arrive at the Granaries & stables where the Sultan used to store grains & barley along with the stables where feeding and looking after the 12000 royal horses used to take place. We are going to have lunch somewhere in Rif Mountains before reaching the blue-painted city of Chefchaouen in the late afternoon. You may want to stretch your legs in the evening to get a first glimpse of this unique but charming city.

Day 9: full Day to discover Chefchaouen

Today, you will spend all the day meandering around the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen Medina starting from the vibrant Utta Hammam, which is located in the heart of Medina. You may want to visit the Kasbah (fortress) where you can learn that it’s the reason behind the foundation of Chefchaouen by the warrior Moulay Ali Ibn Rashid to organize attacks against the Portuguese & Spanish invaders. Continue on the track to the Ras el-Ma Spring offering stunning views with local women washing clothes & carpets. You may want to have a soft hike up to the mosque where you can get a complete view of the old Medina of Chefchaouen. Night in the same Riad.

Day 10; Chefchaouen – Rabat- Casablanca 340klm

We leave Chefchaouen and drive West to Casablanca through many local villages and the Capital administrative of the Kingdom Rabat. We are going to visit the main attractions of Rabat like Hassan Tower and Kasbah Ouadaya. After lunch we drive to Casablanca where we pass the night.

Day 11: visit the famous Hassan II mosque- Driver to Mohammed V Airport

Casablanca is a giant city with high skyscrapers turning into the economic capital of Morocco. You’ll have a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque(The only mosque which Non-Muslims are allowed to visit in Morocco), is the focal point and the landmark of the city. The Mosque is the third largest religious building in the Islamic World & is an actual masterpiece of architecture depicting the unique Moroccan & Andalusian craftsmanship. After that, Will drive to the Airport where our service gets to end.