12 Days Tour Casablanca – Fez – Merzouga – Marrakech – Essaouira

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1 — Casablanca Airport – Transfer To Fez

   After picking you up at Mohamed VI airport, we will ead to Fez medina, passing through Morocco's official capital, Rabat. Fez is one of the oldest imperial cities in moroccan history, founded since 12 centuries ago, by Moulay idriss, whom he met the Berbers and appointed him the first monarch. The medina is created in the XIIIth century, with its craftsmen grouped by streets. Overnight in Riad.

2. Day 2 — Fez – Volubilis – Meknes – Azrou

   Because Azrou is situated close to Fez ( about 80 Kms ) We will dedicatea special time in the morning to check Fez's must-see monuments and architectural sites. Fez is in fact the cultural capital of Morocco. After lunch, we will drive to Volubilis, an ancient roman city. Then we head towards Meknes, where we will visit Moulay Ismail tomb, El-Hedime square and Bab Mansour. Before sunset, we will try to get to Azrou, located in the middle Atlas. Overnight in a hotel.

3. Day 3 — Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga

   After breakfast, We will depart from Azrou, crossing a cedar forest, down to Midelt and Errachidia reservoir, till we get in the beautiful landscape of the Ziz valley, which is source of living for Erfoud; known as "the gate to the desert". We will see sunset on Borj d'Est, a Mountain overlooking the town and the valley. Afterwards we will drive until we get to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where we will spend the night.

4. Day 4 — Erg Chebbi – Erg Chebbi

   Throughout the sand dunes we go for a drive on these fabulous landscapes on the edge of the Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco. We will see plenty of nomadic black tents behind the sand dunes. We shall stop by a nomadic family to have tea and see what a nomadic life looks like. We go on our drive and discover the nomadic life of black African people by visiting Alkhamliya, a village where nothing has been changed through centuries. Either we lunch here in Alkhamliya village or we go back to our hotel and lunch there. After taking a nap, we go on a camel ride to meet one of the most fascinating sight ever seen, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga. Tonight we stay in Berber tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

5. Day 5 — Erg Chebbi – Taouz – Rissani – La Cantera De Fosiles – Merzouga

   We return from the desert, we will drive to Taouz to explore some prehistorian archeological engravings. Then we will go to Rissani, known in the past as Siljimassa, as it used to be an imperial town earlier than Fez. it was also deemed as an important point for trade caravans routes of Mali and Niger, who carried spices and slaves. We will take a look to the famous gate, the ancient palaces and the vibrant souk. At lunch, we will have one of the city's specialities, the saharian pizza. later, we visit the fossils exhibition and return to the hostel.

6. Day 6 — Merzouga – Todra's Gorges – Dades Gorges

   Leave the dunes behind and drive north towards to Tinerhir. We will pass by Erfoud and Jorf, whereby to discover "Khettarat", a chain of old and dry wells, used for irrigating the farms in Xvth century. We will then ove to Tinhgir palm grove, after that we will arrive to Todra's gorges where we will rest and eat. After that, will walk around the gorges, whilst meditating at the high canyons. In the afternoon, we leave Todgha Gorges towards neighboring Gorges, called Dades, less gigantic, but very cool and view from the above. There the river erodes the rocks creating a beautiful landscape. Check and night in hotel.

7. Day 7 — Dades – Boutaghrart – Skoura – Ait Ben Haddou

   We will start riding by the track that leads to the rose valley and the magnificent berber village of Boutghrart where we will drink tea with a local host family. We will go on along the thousand casbahs route observing tens of Kasbahs by the road, while hundreds of others situated inside the valley of Skoura. We continue our way passing by Ouarzazate, as "Hollywood of Africa" for being a backdrop of films due its Cinematic studios, then we arrive at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, another enchanting ksar, where many movies were filmed (Obelix, Gladiator, King of thrones.). Diner, and night in the hotel.

8. Day 8 — Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech

   After breakfast, We will visit the kasbah of Ait Behadou, until we get on the top of the hill, overlooking the Kasbah and the Ounila seasonal river. After that, we leave the site, to another Kasbah, called Telouet, located at the beginning of High Mountains. Lunch will be served in Tizi n'Tichka (2260 meters) with its beautiful landscapes. Arriving to Marrakech at the evening, drop you in your Riad.

9. Day 9 — Marrakech

   A Full guided tour will be scheduled to discover Marrakesh, Tourist Number 1 destination in Morocco, known as the "Red City". Marrakesh is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history, it is situated near the foothills of the high Atlas Mountain. Similarly to other old towns, Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city The Medina and a very modern city called Gueliz built during the French occupation. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square is full of energy and vibes, where story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, snakes charmers and musicians perform in open air. During the night the square turns into a huge chain restaurant. During our guided city tour, we will see The Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century in the reign of Almoravid Dynasty. We will go among narrow streets and allies in the medina. We pass by "seven saints" during the reign of Moulay Ismail, the festival of the seven saints was founded to the request of the Sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakesh to attract pilgrims.

10. Day 10 — Marrakech – Essaouira

    In the morning we will visit Guilez, the new part of Marrakech, then we leave for Essaouira, in the southern coastline (200 Kms), where we see the Mogador isle from the horizon. Once we arrive in essaouira, you will likely see flamengo birds flying around the port. Diner and overnight in a riad.

11. Day 11 — Essaouira – Marrakech

    After breakfast, we carry on the tour in Esaouira, by walking by the souk.and the Portuguese ramparts. Then we drive to Marrakech after having lunch in Chaoun on our way. Overnight in your riad.

12. Day 12 — Marrakech – Casablanca

    After having breakfast, we transfer to Casablanca for your return flight. We would kindly ask for the date of your flight so that we adjust our time and arrive conveniently. See you off in the airport, and wishing you a nice return flight.

Read before you go

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