12 days tour imperial cities desert

DAY 1: CASABLANCA – RABAT:

Arriving at Casablanca International Airport. In Casablanca you’ll visit Hassan II Mosque, the biggest mosque outside Mecca and experience the Cornich coast before departing for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Here you’ll see the Mausoleum, the Hassan tower and the oudaya Kasbah. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad. Bed and Breakfast.

DAY 2: RABAT – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FES

After breakfast in the hotel and after exploring the city of Rabat we travel to Fes via Meknes and Volubilis. In Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco, you will see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail; the granary and the Sahrij Souani used for irrigation and plantation. In Volubilis, the well preserved Roman empire dating to 225BC, you will see some mosaics that are still in very good shape before continuing on to Fes via the countryside and the foothills of the Rif Mountains. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad.

DAY 3: EXPLORING FES

After breakfast, you’ll start exploring the cultural capital of Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts by the Royal Palace, the Jewish headquarter, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. We’ll ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region and the Tanneries. After lunch, you will visit the ceramic factory and take in a panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the new city for a drink. Overnight accommodation is in your Riad.

DAY 4: FES – IFRANE – AZROU – ERRACHIDIA – MERZOUGA

After breakfast in your Riad, you’ll leave Fes travelling towards Ifrane, referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco” and then to Merzouga via Azrou and the Ziz Valley. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest in Morocco – where you may see Barbary apes. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. Your journey continues to Merzouga via the Tizi Ntalghamt pass and along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way. Arriving in Merzouga at the end of the afternoon you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your Kasbah; Overnight in our Hotel/Riad.

DAY 5: MERZOUGA AREA AND THE CAMEL TREK

After breakfast in the Riad we’ll start exploring the area, visiting the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle and the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations. You may also want to see the nomad wire house where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. In the afternoon you can ride your camel, guided by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand sea of Merzouga, enjoying a wonderful sunset over the golden dunes and an overnight stay at the desert camp, equipped with flash toilets.

DAY 6: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGES – DADES GORGES

Waking early will reward you with the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. En-route you won’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in the Riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be in a fancy hotel overlooking the Dades valley. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad.

DAY 7: DADES GORGE – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – MARRAKECH

After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Marrakech. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaa Mgouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over before heading to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. The Kasbah was built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before ending at your accommodation in Marrakech. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad.

DAY 8: EXPLORING MARRAKECH

After breakfast in the Riad , you can start exploring Marrakech ” the red city of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, including the Saadien tombs; the Palaces of El Bahia and El Badi and the Ben Youssef Coranique School. Lunch is at a restaurant near the square, then in the afternoon you’ll see the gardens at Majorelle, Menara and the Koutoubia tower. After dinner you will have the opportunity to walk around the ‘Square Jemaa El Fna’ full with magicians, story tellers, snake charmers and food sellers. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad. Bed and Breakfast.

DAY 9: EXPLORING MARRAKECH

After Breakfast you’ll have the option to explore more of Marrakech and its monuments or have a day trip to the Ourika valley and experience the Berber culture. Overnight in our Hotel/Riad........