Experience the real Moroccan Berber culture during this 7 days private desert and cultural tour from Casablanca that combines the Sahara desert and the two most ancient imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech, Explore one of the oldest imperial cities of Morocco during a guided city tour of Fes and discover also Marrakech the Almohad Imperial capital in Morocco, meet local people, experience ride camel, explore the Kasbahs and cross the valleys, enjoy an overnight in desert camp and witness a beautiful sunset over the golden dunes.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Casablanca – Marrakech
Your private tour begins with your driver picking you from your airport or from your hotel in Casablanca in the direction of Marrakech. One of the major cities of Morocco, Marrakech is the most important of the four Imperial Cities and is located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, also known as “Red or Ochre City” for the red walls that surround it and for the various buildings of this colour built in the same period using red stones and sand. Visit the Bahia Palace, the ancient Koranic school of Ben Youssef, the Koutoubia Minaret. Short stop for lunch and a mint tea break in one of the panoramic terraces overlooking Jemaa el-Fna square, continuation to the Mosque and the Koutoubia Minaret, then Majorelle Gardens with the possibility to visit the Berber museum inside the gardens. Free dinner and overnight in riad or hotel.
Day 2 : Marrakech – Ait-Ben-Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades
After breakfast departure with the driver from your riad or hotel in Marrakech passing through the mountains of the Grande Atlas up to the Tizi n’Tichka at an altitude of 2,260 m (the highest mountain pass of the Atlas). You will then continue south to get to the kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, where you will make a short visit. The journey will continue in the direction of Ouarzazate recognized as “the African Hollywood”. the town where several films set in the desert were and are still being shot. The journey will continue to the Dades Valley through the Valley of Roses, famous for the cultivation of damask rose from which the essence is extracted for the production of many cosmetics. We will visit the Gorges of Dades. Dinner and overnight in riad/hotel.
Day 3 : Dades – Gorges Of The Todra – Erfoud – Merzouga
After breakfast departure from the Dades Valley and continuation towards the Gorges of the Todra. We will continue towards the city of Erfoud located at the gates of the desert, also called the city of fossils. Arrival in the afternoon in the village of Merzouga to discover the dunes of Erg Chebbi once there, we’ll trade in our 4×4 for camels (optional), guided by an experienced camel guide, who will help us to explore the region of Erg Chebbi. It’ll take us around 90 minutes to reach the campsite, once there, we’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dunes and once dark, our dinner will be served around a campfire. This night will be spent in Berber tents in the desert.
Day 4 : Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Ifrane – Fez
Wake up at dawn to witness the sunrise in the middle of the dunes, return by camels to the riad where breakfast will be served and you can take a hot shower. After a short stop in the direction of Fez crossing the Ziz Valley, we will then continue to Ifrane, also named the “Little Switzerland” and located at over 1700 m altitude, a short stop at Azrou where you can see the Barbary apes who live in the lush forests of cedars and oaks, continuation to fez in the evening, you will enjoy your dinner and overnight in riad/hotel.
Day 5 : Full-Day City Tour in Fez
We’ll start the day exploring the oldest city in Morocco, snaking through its alleys and narrow streets. We’ll begin sightseeing at the Royal Palace gate, followed by the Jewish headquarter where the first Mellah ever was built in Morocco, during the 16th century. We’ll ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region.
We’ll also visit the Tanneries, the Attarine museum, and the Moulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you’ll visit many different cooperatives and then, experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes before ending the night at your Riad.
Day 6 : Fez – Volubilis – Meknes – Rabat
After breakfast departure from Fez to Volubilis, the most famous Roman archaeological site in Morocco, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, short visit to the city. We will then proceed to Meknes, the most recent and modest of the four Imperial Cities, it was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail. We will visit El Hdim square, Bab El Mansour (the massive gate which is the entrance to the old city) and the Jewish quarter, after lunch, departure from Meknes to the capital of Morocco, Rabat, a beautiful and modern city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Besides being the seat of government it is the main centre of Moroccan cuisine and architecture, here we will have dinner and stay overnight in a riad/hotel.
Day 7 : Rabat – Casablanca
After breakfast, we recommend for a short visit to Hassan Tower, a minaret that was once part of the homonymous mosque that was supposed to be the highest in the world but was never finished because it was destroyed in 1755 following a strong earthquake that had the epicentre in Lisbon. This isolated minaret is 44 meters high and is reminiscent of the famous Giralda tower in Seville. On the other side, we will visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V which houses the tomb of the King of Morocco and his two sons. Departure from Rabat to Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco where most of the country’s foreign trade is managed. The most important building to visit is the Mosque of Hassan II, the largest after the Holly Mecca. Arrival at your riad/hotel and end of our services.
What is included?
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English-speaking driver/guide
Transportation (4×4 or minibus with air-conditioning)
Hotel/riad overnight stays
Breakfast & Dinner (except for breakfast on first day and dinner on last day)
Local city guides where applicable
Camel trekking at Erg Chebbi
Accommodation in traditional nomad tent
Sandboarding in The Dunes
What is excluded?
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Lunches
Drinks
Entrance fees (for optional attractions such as museums)