Morocco Sahara Desert Tour & Imperial Cities
Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat
Arrive at Casablanca international airport, where we will meet you and drive to Casablanca and then to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. In Casablanca you will see the Hassan II Mosque, the largest one outside of Mecca and experience the coastal Cornish seaside. Afterwards, we will leave to Rabat. Here you will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah, before you check in to your riad in the Medina Bed and Breakfast. (BB)
Day 2: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Fes via Meknes and Volubilis. In Meknes, another significant imperial city in Morocco, known as the Ismaili capital of Morocco, you will see the famous gate Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Bassin, and the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum. After lunch, your journey continues to the Roman city of Volubilis, where you will get a chance to see the wonderfully preserved original mosaics, Roman road, and city layout. As you travel through the Moroccan countryside we will pass by the Holy City of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. You’ll get to Fes at the end of the afternoon and check in to your riad within the Medina.(BB).
Day 3: Full day exploring Fes
Breakfast in your riad, and then start an explorative journey of the Medina where you will visit the many hidden treasures that only the inhabitants of the place know about. Fes served as the capital of Morocco for more than 350 years and is home to the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest operating university in the world. Your guided tour will take you to Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine Fountains and the Tanneries. After lunch you will also view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famous Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, where you will have the option to visit one of the few living synagogues in Morocco. Your tour of Fes includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, and then you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. In the afternoon we will visit the new city for a drink. Overnight accommodation at your riad as above. (BB).
Day 4: Fes – Azrou – Midlet – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
After breakfast in your riad, you will leave towards the southeast following the Caravan roads to Merzouga. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at the Cedar forest, the largest one in Morocco, over the Middle Atlas Mountains– where you may well sight Barbarian apes. After lunch in Midelt, you will continue through the large open high desert, and notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. Your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, famous for date cultivation. This area is the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling royal family in Morocco. You’ll arrive at Merzouga at the end of the afternoon – to be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your riad. Half-Board (HB).
Day 5: Merzouga area and the Camel trek
After breakfast in the riad you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people – originally slaves brought from Sudan -to experience their music and lifestyle. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations. You may also visit the souk in Rissani , a traditional town which was the origin of the ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Timbuctou in Mali. Here you will see a lot of men hooded and women veiled. Back to the village of Merzouga for some rest, in the afternoon you will mount your camel, guided by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand-sea of Merzouga. Overnight will be at our desert camp, where you will have your dinner. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with western bathrooms. (HB).
Day 6: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges
Early in the morning, your camel guide will wake you up to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. After breakfast at the camp you will trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute you couldn’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 your 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 (HB).
Day 7: Dades Valley – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n’Tichka Pass – Marrakech
After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazat. 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 Kalaat Mgouna, “the rose city”, to purchase rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech.
Day 8: Marrakesh Sightseeing
In the morning, your local guide will take you to see the historic sites of Marrakech, including the Koutoubia mosque, Jemma el Fna square, the souks of the Medina, the Bahia palace, the Saadian tombs and the famous Ben Youssef madrassah. In the afternoon, your private driver / guide will take you to visit the Majorelle and Menara gardens. You will have dinner in a local restaurant and spend the night in your hotel or riad.
Day 9:Marrakesh – Airport
Depending on your flight time there may be an opportunity for some last minute shopping before we collect you for your transfer to the airport.
