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- 15 Days: Morocco Grand Tour
Day 1: Meet you in the Casablanca airport and drive to Rabat After you arrive in Casablanca, we will meet you at the airport and drive to Casablanca-Madina and then to Rabat. In Casablanca, you will visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest one in Morocco. After the visit we will pass near to the "Cornish" seaside going to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where we will spend the night in a nice riad. Day 2: Rabat- Chefchaouen After having breakfast, we will visit the Hassan Tower in Rabat Mausoleum of Mohammed V and then drive to Chefchaouen via the city of Knitra and the Rif Mountains, where you can enjoy the Rif’s landscape . We will be in Chefchaouen by the early afternoon. Day 3: Chefchaouen city Chefchaouen, Morocco’s Blue City, is a truly beautiful town with appropriately blue walls and majestic mountains overlooking the characterful town. In this town which has so many little stories and hidden finds, you can learn about the majestic walls and gates of the town; admire the small signs of early life here through the flour mill; and enjoy the medina’s beautiful natural water spring. .In the main plaza you will find plenty of restaurants that have a large variety of delicious food. Day 4: Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes After your breakfast in the riad, we will start driving to the next destination, passing by the first point,Volubulis, the impressive Roman ruins and the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco. About 33Km north,we will be in the second point, Meknes, one of the four imperial cities in Morocco, here where we will have lunch then visit the fames places in Meknes as Bab Mansour,a huge gate with arches and mosaic tiling , and Lahdim Square. After the visit, we will move to Fes city where we will spend the night. Day 5: Fes ‘Mecca of the West Today in Fes you will have the chance to visit the old-medina with all of its famous places as the University of Al Quaraouiyine which was founded in 859 and the oldest continuously functioning university in the world,and also the Chouara Tannery from the 11th century, one of the oldest tanneries in the world, the Attarine museum and Mulay Idriss mausoleum. Day 6: Free morning to explore in Fes and drive to Midelt in the afternoon During the second day in Fes, you will have your free time and take the opportunity to check out the Madina’s streets by yourselves. in the afternoon, we will drive forward to Midelt , passing by one of the best cities in Morocco known by ‘the Switzerland of Morocco’ , then have a stop in the ceder forest to see Monkeys and experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains . After some time within the forest, your journey continues to Midelt where you will spend the night-in a luxury hotel-along the magnificent hills and the Atlas mountains . Day 7: Midelt - Ziz Valley - Erfoud – Merzouga dunes After breakfast in your hotel, you will travel to Merzouga via Errachidia and Erfoud. You will be travelling through the fascinating Tizi Ntalghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia, where you will have lunch .Afterwards, you will travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. You will arrive at Merzouga in the afternoon take a breath before you start your camel ride to spend an overnight at the desert camp with Berber music and enjoy the silence of the desert with a sky full stars and a bright moon. Day 8: Merzouga village The camel guide will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to your hotel, appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast and a shower, you will make the grand tour through the dunes: the 2 oasis of Merzouga, the wandering deposit, Khamlia village (village of the blacks), mines MIFISS the desert plateau to meet the nomadic Berbers in the oasis of Tisserdmin. Finally we will go back to your hotel where you will spend the night . Day 9: Merzouga Village - Toudgha Gorges - Dades valley After breakfast in your hotel, we will drive through Boumale Dades passing by Erfoud which is famous by fossils dating back a hundreds of millions of years, then to the Berber village of Tinjdade where we will have a stop for a drink, then continue our journey via the high Atlas mountains to see the stunning gorges of Todgha where springs of water runs between the rocks and enjoy the views of natural beauty. After the visit to the gorges, the trip continues through the magic mountains of the Dades Valley where we will end our day spending the night in a nice hotel located on the top of the mountain to enjoy an over view of the valley and the mountains. Day 10: Dades valley - Ouarzazette - Ait Ben Haddou kasbah - Marrakech After breakfast in the hotel, you will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M'gouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is called, “the way of the thousand kasbahs” – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip in both the valley, famous for its roses and the cinema city of Ouarzazate. We will pass by Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. the largest Kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains. During the beginning of the XXth Century, it used to be one of his stops during his long travels from the Sahara to Marrakech, now it is a UNESCO heritage site. After that, we will begin to cross the high Atlas mountains with many panoramic views and attractive Berber villages all along the way till Marrakech. Day 11: Marrakech - Essaouira The hustle and bustle of Marrakech quickly slips away as you travel to and enter into the peace and beauty that is Essaouira. This ancient citadel on the West Atlantic coast of Africa literally means “wall” in the Berber language, and you’ll soon discover why. Travelers from all over the world come here to experience the very special weather, and explore its diverse and unique history. As we leave Marrakech, we drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees and working farms on the drive to the coast. After a short while, we arrive in Chichaoua, where we can take a short break for a coffee or snack. Once you have had the chance to refuel a bit, we will continue on, soon coming upon our first signs of the Argan trees. These special trees are valued for their nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. The tree, a relic species from the Tertiary age, is extremely well adapted to drought and other environmentally difficult conditions of southwestern Morocco, and because they are now endangered, they are under the protection of UNESCO. After all of your morning travels, you arrive in Essouira, where you have the chance to wander the ancient streets and can imagine what life existed here in the past. The streets have a genuinely Portuguese feel, after they renamed the city in the 16th century and used it as a port city of their own. Here you can dine on fish straight out of the sea at any number of local restaurants, and can even have a camel ride on the beach, if you want! Day 12: Essaouira - Marrakech After breakfast in your riad, depart back to Marrakech. On our way - since this is the land of Argan culture - this is an opportunity to visit the women's co-operative of Argan oil where they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. After several stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Marrakech and check-in to your riad. After dinner you will enjoy walking within the famous square of Jemaa Elfna, entertained by magicians, story tellers, musicians and snake charmers. Overnight in a riad in the Medina. Day 13: Marrakech Sightseeing After breakfast in the riad , you can start exploring Marrakech " the Red City of Morocco”. We will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace. After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wander by yourself through the other parts of the city. Day 14: Enjoy a free day to explore Marrakech Today you will be on your own and if you would like to have a cooking class, our Team will help to arrange it for you. Day 15: Transfer to the airport We will drive you to the airport and provide assistance.
- 8 Days: Tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Arrive to Marrakech airport and transfer to your riad. Day 2: Marrakech Sightseeing After breakfast we’ll explore Marrakech - “the Red City of Morocco”. We will ensure you see the most important historical and cultural sites, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace. After lunch at a restaurant near the square we’ll take a walk through the souks and the rest of the day will be at your leisure. Day 3: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Ouarzazette - Dades Valley After collection from your riad / hotel in Marrakesh we will set off for the Dades Gorges. Passing through Tizi-n-Tishka in the High Atlas Mountains we will visit the UNESCO World heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou which has been the backdrop for many films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Alexander. After lunch we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and historical monuments of Taourirt Kasbah in Ourzazate and the Valley of the Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses. We’ll also pass through the Berber villages of El Kelaa des M'Gouna and Boumalene Dades where we will spend the night. Day 4: Dades Valley - Toudgha Gorges – Merzouga village After breakfast we will leave Boumalene Dades for Merzouga, or the highest dunes in north Africa. We’ll pass through the dramatic Dades Valley and Toudgha Gorges, the Berber village of Tinjdad, then continuing through Arfoud which is known to have Fossils dating back a hunderds of milions of years, then to Rissani before we get to Merzouga. You will arrive at Merzouga in the afternoon, take a breath and a glass of mint tea before you start your camel ride to spend an overnight at the desert camp with Berber music and enjoy the silence of the desert with a sky full of stars and a bright moon. Day 5: Merzouga Village - Exploring the desert The camel guide will wake you up early in the morning to watch the best sunrise of your life as it rises over the dunes. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to your hotel, appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast and a shower, you will make the grand tour through the dunes: the 2 oasis of Merzouga, the wandering deposit, Khamlia village, mines MIFISS the desert plateau to meet the nomadic Berbers in the oasis of Tisserdmin. And finally go back to your hotel where you will spend the night. Day 6: Merzouga - Draa valley - Ouarzazette Before sunrise, you will be woken up to climb the sand dunes for fantastic photo opportunities. We will then make our way back to the hotel for showers and breakfast before we continue our journey to Ouarzazate, passing through Alnif, Tazzarine, Nkob, and the Draa Valley. We will spend the night in a guest house in Ouarzazate. Day 7: Ouarzazette High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech After breakfast, we will set off for Marrakech, passing through the spectacular High Atlas mountains and we will then drop you off at your riad. Day 8: Transfer to the airport
- 5 Days: To the Desert from Marrakech
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou – Kalaa des M’gouna (Rose city) From your Hotel or the airport in Marrakesh, we will set off for the Dades Gorges. Passing through Tizi-n-Tishka in the high Atlas Mountains we will then visit the UNESCO World heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou which has also been the backdrop for many films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Alexander. After lunch we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and historical monuments of Taourirt Kasbah in Ourzazate, Skoura and the Valley of the Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses and there where we will spend the night. Day 2: Dades Valley - Merzouga via Todra Gorge Today's target point is arriving to Merzouga which is known for the highest sand dunes in North Africa. THE DESERT! It is called Erg Chebbi Sahara desert and it is about 20 kms long and 5 kms wide and is a unique, multifaceted environment. On our way, we will have the chance to see many oases such as the oasis of Tinjdad. We will continue our tour passing through the little Berber towns of Mellab and Touroug. Arrive to Rissani where we will have lunch. After this break, we will continue our way enjoying the green oasis of palm trees of Ziz –Tafilalet and the black Hamada before arriving to Merzouga to spend the night in a Riad Day 3: Merzouga area, culture and tradition After breakfast, you will go all the way round the dunes via the oasis of MERZOUGA, the nomadic depository, KHAMLIA village (Blacks’ village 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’ll leave for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths. After a lunch pizza in Rissani you will travel back to your riad where where your camel will be awaiting you. After a glass of mint tea we will make our way to start our camel trek. All unnecessary luggages can be left in safe rooms at the hotel. The 90 minute camel trek will take us to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses and linen, a restaurant, a kitchen. The evening will consist of dinner followed by entertainment provided by Berber drums. Day 4: Merzouga - Ouarzazate Before sunrise, you will be woken up to climb the sand dunes for fantastic photo opportunities. We will then make our way back to the hotel for showers and breakfast before we continue our journey to Ouarzazate, passing through Alnif, Tazzarine, Nkob, and the Draa Valley. We will spend the night in a riad in Ouarzazate. Day 5: Ouarzazate - Marrakech After breakfast, we will set off for Marrakech, passing through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi ‘n’ Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech, where the tour ends.
- 4 Days: Marrakech to Fez
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou – Kalaa des M’gouna ( Rose city ). From your Hotel or the airport in Marrakesh, we will set off for the Dades Gorges. Passing through Tizi-n-Tishka in the high Atlas Mountains we will then visit the UNESCO World heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou which has also been the backdrop for many films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Alexander. After lunch we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and historical monuments of Taourirt Kasbah in Ourzazate, Skoura and the Valley of the Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses. Our first overnight will be spent Those who are romantics at heart are likely to swoon at the opportunity to visit Kalaat M’gouna, especially in the spring. This city in the Dades Valley is famous for one thing: roses. Kalaat M’gouna means Valley of the Roses and the city itself is named after the nearby Mount M'goun. In the late spring months, the city is literally covered in roses. A pink carpet as far as the eye can see dots the otherwise brown landscape. It is believed that pilgrims who arrived in Morocco from Saudi Arabia brought Rosa Damascena, the variety of roses that are grown in this region, with them in the 10th century, and they continue to play a part in the city’s culture today. If you visit during the first week in May, you can observe the annual rose festival. There is never a set date for the festival as it depends on the harvest season. Expect a lot of local Berber musicians playing traditional instruments and dancing (you can search for more of this on our blog about Morocco). There is also a parade and numerous booths set up by artisans and food vendors. Garlands of roses are sold by local children for a very small price. Tons of rose petals are harvested every year to be made into rose water for culinary and beauty purposes. It can take many tons of petals just to make a few liters of rose water. Roses are picked by hand and then transported to small distilleries in the area to be processed. There are also factories in Casablanca that buy much of the harvest. If you decide to purchase rose water from the numerous sellers of this prized product, keep in mind the water should be clear in color. There are many synthetic versions of the product that are usually pink in color. True rose water is not pink. There are many opportunities around Kalaat M’gouna to simply enjoy nature. It is possible to go for a short walk or a much longer hike in the mountainous terrain. Near Kalaat M’gouna is the town of Bou Thaghrar, a small but inhabited Berber settlement. There are many old dwellings that are now in ruins as well as a river that winds through the settlement. Visitors can stay overnight in Kalaat M’gouna but the city is only 85 miles from Ouarzazate, which makes it an ideal day trip. One hour east of the city is the Todgha Gorges near the city of Tinerhir. This canyon was carved out of the mountains by the Todgha River and is a popular destination for rock climbers. There are many Berber villages nearby as well including the famous city of Imilchil where the yearly wedding festival occurs. Day 2: Dades Valley- Merzouga via Todra Gorge Today's target point is arriving to Merzouga which is known for the highest sand dunes in North Africa. THE DESERT! It is called Erg Chebbi Sahara desert and it is about 20 kms long and 5 kms wide and is a unique, multifaceted environment. On our way, we will have the chance to see many oases such as the oasis of Tinjdad. We will continue our tour passing through the little Berber towns of Mellab and Touroug. Arrive to Rissani where we will have lunch. After this break, we will continue our way enjoying the green oasis of palm trees of Ziz –Tafilalet and the black Hamada before arriving to Merzouga to spend the night in a Riad. Day 3: Merzouga area, culture and tradition After breakfast, you will go all the way round the dunes via the oasis of MERZOUGA, the nomadic depository, KHAMLIA village (Blacks’ village 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’ll leave for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths. After a lunch pizza in Rissani you will travel back to your riad where where your camel will be awaiting you. After a glass of mint tea. After lunch we will make our way to start our camel trek. All unnecessary luggages can be left in safe rooms at the hotel. The 90 minute camel trek will take us to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses and linen, a restaurant, a kitchen. The evening will consist of dinner followed by entertainment provided by Berber drums. Day 4 : Merzouga – Fez Before sunrise, we will wake to climb the sand dunes for fantastic photo opportunities of the sunrise on the horizon. We will then make our way back to the hotel for showers and breakfast before setting off for Fez. En route we will pass through Arfoud, Errachidia, the Ziz Valley, Meditlt, the cedar forests and monkey troupes of Azrou, and Ifrane, before we drop you back at your riad/hotel in Fez.
- 7 Days from Casablanca: Imperial Cities
Day 1: Arriving in Casablanca, we will meet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing includes the The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world. You will stay the first overnight in a hotel in Casablanca. Day 2: Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes We will attend an orientation tour of Rabat, which is the capital city of Morocco and the country's seventh largest city. Our excursion includes Minarets, a type of tower typically built into or adjacent to mosques. We will also visit Mosques and other locations of ancient architecture around the city. Then on the way to Meknes, we will tour the local monuments such as Moulay Ismail Mousolé and Swani basin. Sahrij Swani is a basin lake reservoir with ancient ruined walls. We will also enjoy the Imperial City of Meknes, Morocco, Maghreb North Africa. Day two will end with an overnight stay in a local hotel. Day 3: Meknes - Fez When breakfast is finished, we will leave Meknes for Fez. The morning of sightseeing includes the Medina, Royal Palace and tanneries. The rest of the day is for you to relax and explore the area on your own if you wish. The end of this day will be in a hotel in Fez. Day 4: Fez - Ouzoud - Marrakesh On this fourth morning in Morocco, we will start on the way to Marrakech. Our route will be through the Atlas Mountains and forests. There will be many viewpoints and I will be sure you see all of my Morocco. Our trip would not be complete without a stop at Ouzoud falls. We can hike, boat or just relax for a bit and enjoy the scenery before continuing onto Marrakech for our overnight stay in a local hotel. Day 5: Marrakesh sightseeing and at leisure After breakfast, we will embark on sightseeing walking tour with a local guide. The visits include Bahia Palace and Djemma el Fna Square, we will see palm readers, acrobats, camels, markets and so much more. We will have many chances to enjoy a glass of delicious sweet, Moroccan mint tea. Later you have time to leisure and experience my morocco, your way. Some great ideas are to write postcards to send home, enjoy local fare or just stay at your hotel or riad for the night. Day 6: Marrakesh – Casablanca On the final day of your tour in Marrakech, you can shop for some last-minute souvenirs, gather unique goods and enjoy the city before we travel via Settat to Casablanca for the last night of our tour. When we return back to Casablanca, I will take you to your hotel or Riad. Day 7: Depart Casablanca I will you farewell at the end of a fascinating tour of Morocco once we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
- 4 Days: Fez to Marrakech
Day 1: Fez - Ifrane - Midelt – Ziz Gorges - Erfoud - Rissani - Merzouga We will pick you up from your Riad (hotel) then drive south to Ifrane and Azrou through the Middle Atlas mountains. On the way we stop at the cedar forests to see the Barbary Apes in their natural habitat. Traveling through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt and along the magnificent Ziz Gorges, you’ll see views of the Middle-Atlas plateau and the scenery changing from lush green to desert dunes as you approach the city of Errachidia. In the midday, we will stop for lunch and then we’ll continue our journey through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud, Rissani and Merzouga. While in Merzouga, we will have some traditional mint tea and leave our luggage in a safe room to begin our camel ride to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes, which are the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The camel trek takes about 1hr 30 min from to the camp where we will set up Berber tents for our night in the desert. The tents are well equipped with mattresses, blankets, and cushions. After an authentic Moroccan dinner we will gather around the fire and enjoy the sound of traditional Berber drums under the stars. Day 2: Merzouga area, Culture and Tradition After breakfast, we tour all the way round the dunes by route of the oasis of Merzouga, the nomadic depository, Khamlia village which is a small village in the Moroccan Sahara whose inhabitants are direct descendants of these slaves. We will visit the native Gnawa tribal people and learn about their heritage. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its diverse bird populations. We can enjoy the lake before leaving for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Sijilmasa was a medieval Moroccan city and trade entrepôt at the northern edge of the Sahara in Morocco. The ruins of the town extend for five miles along the River Ziz in the Tafilalt oasis near the town of Rissani. The town's history was marked by several successive invasions by Berber dynasties. Here you’ll walk through the Souk, where locals sell spices, vegetables and cloths. After we enjoy lunch pizza and traditional mint tea in Rissani we travel back to your riad (leaving your luggage in a safe place) where your camel tour guide will be waiting for you. We will begin our 90 minute trek into the desert on camelback to spend our second night in the Erg Chebbi Dunes. The dunes are formed by the wind and are the highest in North Africa and provide many breathtaking sunsets and sunrises during your stay. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses, pillows and linens, a restaurant, a kitchen. The evening will consist of an authentic Moroccan dinner and fire followed by people playing Berber drums. Day 3: Merzouga - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley We will wake up early to enjoy a magnificent sunrise on the dunes head back to the hotel on camelback. Upon returning to the hotel, we will get cleaned up for the day, have breakfast and set-out for Tinghir and the Todra Gorges to finally arrive in the Dades Valley by the end of the day. In Dades Valley, we will have dinner and spend the night in a Riad. Day 4: Dades Valley - Skoura - Ouarzazate- Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech After breakfast we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. The route through the Dades Valley is also known as the way of the thousand Kasbahs. There are countless photo opportunities. We’ll also spend time in the Roses Valley and Skoura Village, then continue to Ouarzazat, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Lunch is going to be at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. After touring this UNESCO World Heritage site, our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n' Tichka pass, over the High Atlas Mountains. This scenic route reaches an altitude of 2260 meters. We will stop to enjoy the impressive views and visit the argan oil cooperative. We will arrive in Marrakech late afternoon and I will drop you off at your desired location.
- 3 Days: Marrakech to Fez
Day 1 : Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou Kasbah - Skoura Oases Roses Valley - Boumalene Dades I will pick you up from the your Riad or Hotel and leave Marrakech to begin our tour in the Dades Valley. We pass through Tizi-n-Tishka in the high Atlas Mountains where we will stop to appreciate the mountain views from different viewpoints. Continuing on we will visit the Ait Ben Haddou village which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It is famous as the backdrop for many films, including 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'Gladiator' and 'Alexander'. We take lunch here before continuing on our way enjoying the natural beauty of the landscapes and historical monuments such as Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and Roses Valley, which is renowned for the Festival of Roses. We also pass through the little Berber villages of Skoura and 'El Kelaa des M'Gouna' and 'Boumalene Dades'. The last is our final stop for the day. We will stay overnight in a Riad which includes an authentic Moroccan dinner and breakfast. Morocco is known for its many varieties of tea unique to the region Day 2 : Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge - Tinjdad - Merzouga After enjoying breakfast we will leave Boumalene Dades and head to Merzouga, the site for one of the largest wind blown dunes in Morrocco, Erg Chebbi. Through the Berber village Tinghir we visit Todra Gorge where the narrow gorge cliffs are as high as 600 meters and only 10 meters apart. We leave Todra passing through many more Berber villages of Tinjdad and onto Rissani for lunch. We can stop for lunch along the way (we should be there midday) or in Rissani if you prefer, where you could have the local specialty, Berber Pizza for lunch. After lunch we make our way to Merzouga where we will leave our luggage in a safe storage room. Riding camels into the desert will take us to a Berber camp in the middle of the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. 20 km long and 5 to 8 km wide it is also reputed as the highest sand dunes in North Africa and is a unique place to Morocco. The camel trek takes about 1hr 30 min from the hotel to the private camp. We continue the spirit of the nomadic Berber lifestyle setting up 3 traditional Berber tents that feature additional restaurant and kitchen equipment. The dunes naturally provide basic facilities. The tents are well equipped and we provide mattresses, blankets, and cushions. After an authentic Moroccan dinner we gather round the fire and enjoy the desert sky with traditional Berber drums. Day 3 : Merzouga - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Ifran - Fez Before sunrise, our camel guide will wake you to ascend the dunes and see the sun emerge from behind the dunes on the horizon. Then return back to camp for packing. During the winter season, when the days are short, we will start the camel trek before daylight and meet the sunrise while we ride back to the city. When we arrive at the Riad we will be able to have showers and breakfast, before continuing our journey to Fez. We leave Merzouga en route to Fez, passing through many places: Arfoud, Errachidia, Ziz Valley, Meditlt, Cedar Forests of Azrou, Ifrane and Fez. On a good day you might be able to catch a glimpse of the monkeys that live in the forests. We will stop for lunch along the way in one of the many restaurants we will travel by. We can decide while we are on the road. I will make sure you reach your chosen Riad or Hotel as our final destination. Here we will leave at your Riad or Hotel at the end of the 3 days tour.
- 7 Days: Casablanca to Marrakech
Day 1: We will begin by picking you up at Casablanca airport when you arrive and start our trip to Fes. We will drive 4.5 hours on our way to Fes and staying our first night in a Riad. Day 2: Fes Sightseeing After breakfast in your Riad, we will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and along the streets. Our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the historic Jewish headquarter where we will see the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. It was built during the 16th century. We will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University (the oldest in the region), the Tanneries, the Attarine Museum and Mulay Idriss Mausoleum. After lunch, we will visit the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. The city is packed with history and memorable experiences. Please let me know if there is anything special you'd like to add to the list! We will conclude our first day with a stay in a local Riad. Day 3: Fes to Merzouga. Beginning our day with sunrise and after breakfast, we will start our day traveling from the Riad in Fes then drive South to Ifrane and Azrou by the Middle Atlas mountains. On the way we will stop at the cedar forest to see the Barbary Apes in their natural habitat. Traveling through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt and along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, you’ll see views of the Middle-Atlas plateau. You will be amazed at how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. After stopping for lunch, we’ll continue our journey through the Ziz Valley Erfoud, Rissani and Merzouga. We will stop to enjoy some authentic Moroccan mint tea before leaving our luggage in a safe place to embark on camels to a Berber camp in the middle of Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes. The wind blown dunes are 20 km long and 5 km wide it is also reputed as the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The camel trek takes about 1hr 30 min from the hotel to the camp where we continue the spirit of the nomadic Berber lifestyle. There we setup 3 Berber tents with additional restaurant and kitchen with the dunes naturally providing basic facilities. The tents are well equipped and we provide mattresses, blankets, and cushions. After dinner we gather around the fire and enjoy the desert night and we can play traditional Berber drums. Day 4: Merzouga - Toudgha Gorges - Dades Valley The camel guide will wake us early in the morning to watch what may be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, he will lead us camel back to your hotel. You will have a peaceful trek back to fully appreciate the beauty of the desert. After breakfast and getting ready for the day, we leave for Tinghir and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. We will arrive at Dades Valley for dinner and hotel accommodations. Day 5: Dades Valley - Ait ben Haddou Kasbah - Marrakech After breakfast at the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing countless opportunities to take photos. Continuing onto the Roses Valley, Skoura Village and to Ouarzazat, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Midday we will have lunch at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. After touring this UNESCO historical site, our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi ‘n’ Tichka pass (2260 meters) over the High Atlas Mountains. We will have time to stop and enjoy impressive views and visit the argan oil cooperative. We will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and stay in a Riad overnight. Day 6: Marrakech Sightseeing After breakfast in the Riad, you can start exploring Marrakech, which is often called “the red city of Morocco”. We will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, Koutoubia Tower, Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace. Midday we will have lunch at a restaurant near the square, then we will will walk through the souks and tour the handicrafts market. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wonder by yourself the other parts of the city if you choose. I am happy to give you ideas for places to visit. Night six will be spent in a Riad in the city before we part ways at the end of your trip. Day 7: Final Day I will pick you up and take you to the airport or wherever you will be staying for the duration of your time in Morocco. I will be sure to get you in time for your departure.
- Desert Trip: 4 Days/3 Nights Roundtrip from Marrakech
DAY 1: Beginning our trip, I will pick you up and we will depart Marrakech to drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the pass of Tizi n’ Tichka to Ouarzazate. On this tour we will visit the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou then continue to Ouarzazate Center where you can visit the Atlas Studios. Relax and enjoy lunch at the Kasbah of Tourirt that was a residence of the Glaoui Dynasty. You will continue to the Rose Valley and visit the amazing Kasbah of Amerhidil in Skoura. This Kasbah is situated by the Amerhidil River and is one of the largest rivers in Morocco. You will spend the first night in Dades Valley. Local markets have a wide variety of offerings DAY 2: After breakfast we depart for the Dadès Gorges via the Valley route and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery while sipping on Moroccan mint tea also known as “Berber Whiskey”. We will continue to Tinghir via Boulman Dadès and visit this area lush with beautiful palm trees. The journey continues on to Todra Gorges where we can enjoy a leisurely lunch and then we will continue to Merzouga. Riding camels, we will trek into the breathtaking Erg Chebbi dunes, the largest in Morocco. You will spend the evening in a bivouac (camp), enjoy a Moroccan dinner, and sleep in a traditional Nomad camel hair tent. DAY 3: Desert sunrises and breakfast at camp are spectacular. Bivouac trekkers will return by camel and take us to the small town of Rissani where you will visit the Ksours and Kasbahs of Tafilalt, and stopping in the Tafilalt Palm Grove along the way. We will also visit the Zaouia of Moulay Ali Sherif (mausoleum of the dynasty’s founder) and experience the local market in Rissani to see the traditional souks. Next, continuing on to Ouarzazate via Alnfe, Tazarine, Drâa Valley, Agdz, and visiting the Tamnougalt Kasbah, we will end the day by staying overnight in a Kasbah Riad. We will have the opportunity to visit the amazing Kasbah of Tourirt during our time here. Monkeys adorn the trees in many of our locations along the route. DAY 4: On our last day, we will wake in Ouarzazate and enjoy breakfast before we continue the journey to Marrakech via the Pass of Tizi n’Tichka over the High Atlas Mountains. On our return to Marrakech, we will stop along the way for lunch and to enjoy the picturesque scenery. We will take you back to your desired location in the afternoon/evening.
- 5 Days: Marrakech to the Desert
DAY 1: Your journey begins heading towards the High Atlas Mountains, visiting Telouet Kasbah. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit villages with the locals and wonderful places they reside. We will enjoy lunch at a mountainside restaurant. Telouet Kasbah is a Kasbah along the former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. The kasbah was the seat of the El Glaoui family's power, thus sometimes also called the Palace of Glaoui. Its construction started in 1860 and it was further expanded in later years. Thereafter, we will continue to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou going through many tiny villages and the river of Telout. Our day will end with your choice to spend the night in Ouarzazat at Dar Chamaa or Hotel Les Jardien de Ouarzazat. Aït Benhaddou is a historic ighrem or ksar along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in Morocco. It is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. DAY 2: Our morning departure will take us toward Zagora via Tizi-n-Tinifift pass in the Anti-Atlas Mountain range to reach Agdez and the Draa valley. We will travel on the unpaved road starting from Tansikht village through the forest of palm trees toward the Oasis of Zagora where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will adventure the first sand dunes of Tinfou and the mediaeval library of Tamegroute with its old books which goes back to 11 century. When our day is coming to a close, you will have your choice to check into the hotel in Zagora at Riad Lamane or Hotel Kasbah Asmaa. This decision will be made when you book your trip. DAY 3: Beginning this day, we will pick you up and will continue our trip to Merzouga through the Oasis crossing the Stone Desert and over the Anti-Atlas with it's beautiful landscapes. Midday we will stop for lunch in Tazarine village. In this area of desert landscape and fortified clay villages, the route used to be the old caravan road bringing gold from South Africa to exchange for sugar and salt. Continuing through to the dunes of Merzoug we will meet our camel guide and begin your camel trek into the beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes where we will spend the evening in a bivouac (camp), enjoy an authentically prepared Moroccan dinner, and sleep in a traditional Nomad camel hair tent. DAY 4: Waking up to sunrise in the desert is magical. Breakfast prepared for you after a good night sleep in the desert is surreal. After breakfast, Bivouac trekkers will return by camel, to lead us on camelback to Tinerhir for lunch, to visit the dramatic Todra Gorges, continue through the Dades Valley to the spectacular “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” and on to the former French Foreign Legion outpost of Ouarzazate. We will spend the evening in Kasbah Itran or Xaluca Dades. There can be limited availability, but I will confirm your stay. DAY 5: After you enjoy breakfast, we will continue our journey to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou that is situated on a hillside along the Ouarzazate River. This beautiful example of southern Moroccan architecture has been used as a backdrop for over 20 films including Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, and Gladiator. We will spend some time here and will then continue to Marrakesh over the Tizi N’ Tichka Pass while enjoying scenic views of the High Atlas Mountains and of the Berber villages along the way. This tour will conclude with dropping you off at your desired location in the afternoon/evening.
- Desert Trip: 4 Days/3 Nights Marrakech Roundtrip
DAY 1: I will pick you up and depart Marrakech and our trip will begin by traveling through the High Atlas Mountains via the pass of Tizi n’ Tichka to Ouarzazate. We will visit the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou then continue to Ouarzazate center where you can tour the Atlas Studios. During the first part of the trip we will also relax and enjoy lunch at the Kasbah of Tourirt that was a residence of the Glaoui Dynasty. Continuing to the Rose Valley, we will visit the amazing Kasbah of Amerhidil in Skoura. This Kasbah is situated by the Amerhidil River and is one of the largest in Morocco. Today the kasbah is the most prominent structure and takes up the long southern part of the complex, while the ruined Ksar (the former village) occupies the northern section. The kasbah made an appearance in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. It is still owned and maintained by the Nasiri family to this day. The family continues to live in one part of the kasbah while other parts have been restored to serve as a museum showcasing the traditional architecture of the building and local traditional artifacts, including tools, an olive press, a bread oven, and an old well. We will wrap up Day 1 by spending the night in Dades Valley. DAY 2: After breakfast we will depart for the Dadès Gorges through the lush Valley and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery while sipping on traditional mint tea also known as “Berber Whiskey”. A non-alcoholic concoction of gunpowder green tea brewed with a fistful of fresh mint and varying amounts of sugar, the tea is a quintessential Moroccan experience, down to the dramatic high-pour technique. It is served in all households several times per day and for any occasion. Not surprisingly, this fundamental expression of Moroccan culture and hospitality has a fascinating story behind it. We will continue to Tinghir via Boulman Dadès and visit this area lush with beautiful palm trees. The journey continues on to Todra Gorges where you will enjoy a leisurely lunch. After lunch we will continue to Merzouga where we will start a camel trek into the beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes. You will spend the evening in a bivouac (camp), enjoy a Moroccan dinner, and sleep in a traditional Nomad camel hair tent. DAY 3: In the Erg Chebbi dunes, we often wake-up to a spectacular sunrise in the desert and you will enjoy an authentic Moroccan breakfast. Bivouac trekkers will return by camel and lead us to the small town of Rissani. You will visit the Ksours and Kasbahs of Tafilalt, stopping in the Tafilalt Palm Grove on the way. We will tour the zaouia of Moulay Ali Sherif (mausoleum of the dynasty’s founder) and experience the local market in Rissani to see traditional souks and beautiful goods from local vendors. Next, continuing to Ouarzazate via Alnfe, Tazarine, Drâa Valley, Agdz, and visiting the Tamnougalt Kasbah. This area is one memorable stop after another. Day 3 will end with an overnight stay in a Kasbah Riad where you will have the opportunity to visit the amazing Kasbah of Tourirt. DAY 4: We will start the day enjoying breakfast and then continuing the journey to Marrakech via the Pass of Tizi n’Tichka over the High Atlas Mountains stopping along the way for lunch and to enjoy the beautiful, picturesque scenery. Be sure to pack extra batteries because you will be inspired to take photos on the last part of your trip.
- 3 Days in the Desert: Marrakech Roundtrip
DESERT TRIP FOR 3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS STARTING AND ENDING IN MARRAKECH DAY 1: I will pick you up and we will depart Marrakech and travel over the Tizi n’ Tichka Pass. You will enjoy superb scenery while we pass through the High Atlas Mountains. The many Berber villages are so unique. Around midday, we will make a stop for lunch and tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou, that is situated on a hillside along the Ouarzazate River. This beautiful example of southern Moroccan architecture has been used as a backdrop for over 20 films including Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, and Gladiator. After lunch we will continue towards the El Kelaa M’gouna (Valley of the Roses), the Dadès Valley (Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs) and stay overnight in a hotel near the Dadès Gorges. You will experience the evening with an authentic Moroccan dinner in your choice of Xaluca Dades Kasbah or Kasbah Itran. DAY 2: After breakfast we will depart the city for Todra Gorges. Its 20 m/66 ft wide entrance, bubbling clear stream and its 304 m/1000 ft high rock walls stretch 99 m/325 ft back on either side and is the most stunning part of the canyon. Todra Gorge is a great place to go for a hike. The mouth of the gorge lies just 15 minutes by foot from the village, so walking up to and through the gorge is an easy and spectacular option. The Todra Gorges are a series of limestone river canyons, or wadi, in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, near the town of Tinerhir. Both the Todgha and neighboring Dades Rivers are responsible for carving out these deep cliff-sided canyons, on their final 40 kilometers through the mountains. The narrow valley is lined with palmery and up on the rocks you may see the Nomad families tending sheep and goats. Perhaps, you will spot the eagles that nest in the Todra and other amazing birds. We will have lunch in the Gorge, travel further into the desert to the village of Merzouga, where you will camel trek into the beautiful Erg Chebbi Dunes. You will spend the evening in a bivouac (camp), enjoy an authentically prepared Moroccan dinner, and have your choice to sleep in a traditional Nomad camel hair tent at Kasbah Mohayut Bivouac or Auberge L’oasis. DAY 3: Wake-up to a spectacular sunrise in the desert and enjoy breakfast. Bivouac trekkers will return by camel and continue to Ouarzazate and back over the high Atlas Mountains. We will return back Marrakech in the evening.