9 DAYS TOUR OF IMPERIAL CITIES MOROCCO SOUTH AND NORTH VIA SAHARA DESERT FROM MARRAKECH -

9 DAYS TOUR OF IMPERIAL CITIES MOROCCO SOUTH AND NORTH VIA SAHARA DESERT FROM MARRAKECH

“Experience the best of Morocco with our 9-day tour of the Imperial Cities, South and North, including a journey through the Sahara Desert. This hassle-free tour includes visits to Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, and Meknes, where you can explore the rich traditions, architecture, and flavors of this enchanting country, full of fantastic stories and endless charm.”

HIGHLIGHTS :

• Enjoy the beautiful landscapes between Merzouga and Marrakech
• Take a short walks in Dades and The Draa Valley
• Drive the Tizi n Tichka Pass of the High Atlas Mountains
• Visit the UNESCO worlde heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou
• Pass Ouarzazate and visit Film Studios and Taourirt Kasbah
• Camel ride for sunset and sunrise, overnight in Tents

Program Details:

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH

“We provide transportation from the airport to your accommodation upon your arrival, and we also offer the opportunity to explore Marrakech during your stay.”

DAY 2 : MARRAKECH - AIT BEN HADDOU - OUARZAZATE

“Start your day with breakfast at your riad before heading out from Marrakech to Ouarzazate through the stunning hills and mountains of the Atlas via the Tizi n Tichka pass. We’ll stop along the way for photo opportunities before taking a route from Telouet to visit the magnificent Glaoui Kasbah. After exploring the Kasbah, you’ll have the chance to stroll through charming Atlas villages and experience the local culture. Our journey then continues to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate, also known as the ‘Hollywood of Africa,’ due to its attractive geography and landscapes that have lured many renowned film producers. During the visit, you can explore the studios, featuring props used in movies like The Mummy, Gladiator, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Before checking in to your hotel, we’ll also visit the Kasbah Taourirt, another Kasbah of the Glaoui family who once governed Ouarzazate.”

DAY 3 : OUARZAZATE - DADES VALLEY - TODRA GORGE - ERFOUD - ERG CHEBBI :

“Start your day with breakfast before we head to the Toudra Gorges, passing through the Skoura palm grove. Along the way, we’ll also visit the Valley of Roses and travel through the Dades Valley, passing by the picturesque town of Bomalne situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, before arriving at the Toudra Gorges. After lunch, we’ll make our way to Merzouga, passing through a number of towns and villages including Erfoud. On the way to Erfoud, you’ll see the local irrigation system known as “Khettarat.” From there, we’ll continue on to the impressive dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here, we’ll switch from our vehicle to camels and take a camel ride through the sand dunes, enjoying the sunset before arriving at the Berber Bivouac. You’ll be treated to dinner and a show before spending the night at the Sahara Camp.”

DAY 4 : ERG CHEBBI - ZIZ VALLEY - MIDELT - AZROU - IFRAN - FEZ

“Start your day with breakfast before we head out on a scenic drive through the vast Ziz Valley, which boasts millions of palm trees, until we reach Errachidia. We’ll travel through the Ziz Gorges and the Middle Atlas region, which offers breathtaking views. Our journey will include a lunch stop in Midelt. After lunch, we’ll continue our drive to Fez, passing through the cedar forest of Azrou, the largest in Morocco, where we’ll stop for photo opportunities with Barbary macaques. Our next stop will be Ifrane, also known as the ‘Little Switzerland of Morocco,’ due to its European-style buildings. We’ll arrive in Fez in the afternoon and check in to your riad.”

DAY 5 : VISIT OF FEZ - GUIDED CITY TOUR OF FES

“We’ll start the morning by visiting the main monuments and historical sites of Fez, including the Medersa Bouaananiya and the University of Karaouiyine, which is considered the oldest university in the world.

We’ll also visit the king’s palace and take in the beautiful panoramic view of Fez. Another highlight of the day will be a walk through the old Berber markets in the ancient part of the city. We’ll spend the night at the Riad.”

DAY 6 : FES - MEKNES - VOLUBILIS - CHEFCHAOUAN

“After breakfast, we’ll depart early in the morning for Meknes. The tour begins with a visit to the ramparts, which feature monumental 17th-century gates like Bab Mansour and Bab Khemis. We’ll explore the city further, taking in the stables (Rua), granaries (HERI), and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, which was for a long time the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims could visit. We’ll also visit the famous Bab Mansour El and the vast Hedim Square. Our next stop will be the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, where we’ll spend some time exploring the ruins and getting a glimpse of life during the Roman Empire’s heyday. Finally, we’ll travel to the blue city of Chefchaouen, where we’ll spend the night.”

DAY 7 : CHEFCHAOUAN - TETOUAN - TANGIER

“Following breakfast, you’ll have some free time to explore the blue city until 12:30. After that, we’ll make our way through the town of Tetouan, where you’ll see houses perched on hillsides, and pass by the lush green trees of the Rif Mountains. Our final destination for the day will be Tangier, where we’ll spend the night.”

DAY 8 : TANGIER - ASILAH - RABAT - CASABLANCA

“After breakfast, we’ll dedicate the day to exploring Tangier with a guided tour. Highlights will include Cape Spartel, the impressive Sultan’s Palace, the Necropolis, and the Hercules Caves. You’ll also have some free time to wander the colorful streets of Asilah and take in its many enticing aromas. Later in the day, we’ll make our way to Rabat, where we’ll visit the Kasbah Oudayas, built by a notorious tribe of raiders in the 12th century. We’ll then head to the Hassan II Tower, which boasts four facades decorated in different colors – three in shades of pink, and one in gray due to the sea breeze. You’ll also have a chance to see the remains of the old mosque and the Mausoleum of Mohamed 5 located next to the tower. Finally, we’ll drive to Casablanca and check into our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.”

DAY 9 : CASABLANCA - MARRAKECH

“After breakfast, we will begin with a guided tour of the impressive Hassan II Mosque and the Casablanca Corniche in Casablanca. Then we will transfer you to Marrakech according to your flight schedule.”