Imperial Cities and Desert(Sahara) 9 days / 8 nights
Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Fes - Atlas Mountains - Merzouga (Sahara) - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
Experience the wonder, heritage and culture of magical Morocco
In this tour you will explore the chaotic Marrakech medinas to the moody Sahara desert landscape, Morocco is a land filled with wonder and rich culture. Stay in traditional accommodation and explore villages off the beaten track. Learn the secret to the perfect Moroccan couscous, visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, travel through the Sahara on a camel. Abounding with myths and legends, Morocco offers a surprise around every corner - this tour " Imperial Cities and Desert(Sahara) 9 days / 8 nights" will delight travellers looking to discover all of its hidden treasures.
Tour Highlights
- Imperial cities Meknes, Fes, Marrakech
- Sacred town of Moulay Idriss
- Ancient ruins of Volubilis
- Scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs”
- Camel trek in Merzouga (desert)
- Dramatic Todra Gorges
- Kasbah of Ait ben-Haddou
- Spectacular Atlas Mountain scenery
- Visits to five UNESCO World Heritage sites
Day 1: Marrakesh
Arrival at the airport of Menara, where our driver is waiting for you to take you to your hotel or Riad.
Accommodation in Marrakech: http://riadmaialou.com/
Day 2: Marrakesh – Casablanca – Rabat (290 km)
After breakfast, we take of to Rabat through Casablanca, the economical capital and the great metropolis of Morocco. In Casablanca we visit the Mosque Hassan II, the second biggest Mosque in the world, than we continue for Rabat, administrative capital of the country. We also visit some important monuments of Rabat: The Mohammed V Museum, the Hassan Tower, the Royal Palace, …. We take dinner and stay the night at the hotel in Rabat.
Accommodation in Rabat: www.lepietri.com or similar
Day 3: Rabat – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
In the morning we leave Rabat to visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis (a Unesco World Heritage Site), the most important Roman ruins of Morocco. Afterwards we pay a visit at Mouly Idriss, one of the holiest towns in the country. We continue for Meknes, de 4th imperial city of Morocco. In the afternoon visit of the important monuments of the city: Bab El Mansour, Lahdim square, and Mouly Ismaïl museum. Then we drive to Fes to get to your accommodation.
Accommodation in Fes: http://www.riad-letchina.com/spip.php?rubrique3
Day 4: Fes "guided tour"
Today we discover one of the oldest and most beautiful imperial cities of Morocco, the spiritual capital of the country. In the morning we visit the most important curiosities of this city: the Medressa’s (religious universities), the Najarine square, the mosque of Karaouine, the museum of Mouly Idriss. Lunch is served at the Medina (the old city). In the afternoon there is a visit to Fes El-Jedid, the Royal Palace, the School of Koran, the Jewish quarter and the Souk. We continue to the Riad in Medina for dinner and the overnight stay.
Accommodation in Fes: ttp://www.riad-letchina.com/spip.php?rubrique3
Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Rissani – Merzouga "Camel trek & overnight in desert camp"
In the morning, we leave direction south through the Middle Atlas Mountains; we pass by the Cedar Forests of Azrou, by Berber villages, and continue for the Sahara Desert. Half way we take a break for lunch at the city of Midelt, famous for his fossils and minerals. We continue our trip through the mountains en enjoy the beautiful view of the Ziz Valley with his palm groves en Kasbah’s. About 16:00 we arrive at Merzouga where you can make a camel trip through the desert. For dinner, you are served a traditional Berber Tagine. You will spend the night in a Berber tent under a starry sky.
Accommodation in Merzouga: Desert camp
Day 6: Merzouga -Todra Gorge – Rose Valley -Ouarzazate
We wake up early in the morning to see a spectacular sunrise over the dunes, and we return to the hotel for breakfast and a quick shower. Then we drive direction Ouarzazate through Tinghir. Just before Tinghir we take right for a visit to the Todra Gorge. Before we reach Ouarzazate we pass across Kalaat Magouna and Rose valley. We have dinner and stay the night in Ouarzazate.
Accommodation in Ouarzazate: http://www.riadbouchedor.com/hotel_morocco/en.h or similar
Day 7: Ouarzazate – Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou – Marrakesh
After breakfast we leave for the Atlas Mountains trough Ouarzazate. We pass de pink valley and the Skoura Oases. We pay a visit to the famous Atlas Film studio and the most beautiful Kasbah of Morocco, Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou – a Unesco World Heritage site – and continue to Marrakesh. and several films have been shot there, including:t 'The Jewel of the Nile' in 1985, 'The Living Daylights' in 1987, 'Kundun' in 1994, 'The Mummy' in 1999 and more recently 'Gladiator' was filmed here in 2000 and 'Alexander' in 2004, Babel in 2006,Prince of Persia in 2010...
Lunch in restaurant in Kasba Ait ben Haddou. Afterwards we drive to Marrakech trough Tizi-n-tichka pass of the High Atlas Mountains. Where hundreds superb Berber villages scattered on the mountains. This unexpected and fascinating presence of houses that are made from mud and straw; in the middle of nowhere; with the satellite dishes on roofs. All this make you feel that nothing has been changed in life here through thousands years. Meanwhile donkeys and mules still the main means of transportation among these high and tough mountains, since there are no accesses for cars and tracks. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Accommodation in Marrakech: http://riadmaialou.com/
Day 8: Marrakesh "guided tour"
Today you will learn to know the city of Marrakesh, Pearl of the South. After breakfast, you visit, under the guidance of a French/English speaking guide, the Koutoubia mosque, the Palace of Bahia and Menara. In the afternoon you will visit the Jemaa-El-Fna square (the beating heart of Marrakesh) and the colourful and scented alleys of the Souk. Dinner is served in Jemaa-El-Fna.
Accommodation in Marrakech: http://riadmaialou.com/
Day 9: Marrakesh
Transfer to the airport of Marrakesh, depending on your flight.
Included:
- - English speaking local guide in Marrakesh and Fes
- - Comfortable Private transportation during the excursion (4×4 or minibus with driver)
- - 8 nights in half board (Dinner & breakfast)
- - Local taxes
- - Hors-carriage tour in Marrakech
- - Camel trip in the Sahara Desert
- - One night in desert camp in Sahara
Not included:
- - Flights
- - Tips
- - Tickets to the sites ( 1-7 Euro, some of them are free)
- - Drinks and lunches (Menu: 6-12 Euro )