9 Days Morocco Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Merzouga Desert, Fes, Meknes, Chefchaouen and Casablanca

Day 01: Ouarzazate  – Ait ben haddou – Skoura oasis – Rose valley – Dades

Today we will pick you up in the morning from Ouarzazate. First, we will move  to visit the UNESCO Heritage Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This Ksar or Kasbah is one of the most precious and well-preserved strongholds in Morocco. Built on a hilltop. Kasbah Ait Ben haddou inspired myriad movie makers like Gladiator and Game of Thrones filmed here. The view from the upper heights of the Kasbah is fright-inspiring and worth desiring mount through the sinuous streets. Next, we will continue along the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs, heading into the Skoura oasis. Then continue to visit Rose Valley, the Moroccan roses’ center and products. Where the acres of Persian roses grew. And reaped to breed rose water and creams throughout Morocco and other countries around the world. Our last step on this day will be in Dades. Passing over the prodigious rock creation of Tamnalt Hills, we will explore Dades valley and then move to our hotel.

Overnight in Dades

Day 02: Dades – Todra gorge – Tinjdad – Rissani – Merzouga desert

Today we will meet you in the morning at your hotel in Dades, and after breakfast, we will start making our way to the desert camp, then set onto Todra Gorge, the spectacular gash in the hills that surrounds Tinghir village to see the gigantic rock walls that changed colors when the sun unfolds. These 300 meters cliffs of limestone shaped weirdly and 15 meters separated from each other. We can often meet Nomads in the gorge.

Many deserted Kasbahs, nomad brick villages, and green oases. And then the scenery will change again as we start seeing the first sand dunes from the road. The great sand oasis of Merzouga desert is an amazing area of fine, apricot, colored sand extensions as far as the eye can see. Here we will head off into the vastness of the Sahara dunes on a camel caravan guided by a local guide. The manly camel was a desert life pole over the centuries. And used to ship precious cargoes from Sub-Saharan Africa to the trading ports of the Mediterranean coast. We can ride or walk alongside as we reach the pace of the caravan led by Berber guides and marvel at the awesome spectacle of the desert and the solitude and quietness that comes with it.

As the sun goes down, we will head to our comfort and luxury private desert camp. To enchanted with the mint tea and dates or nuts. The desert camp sits between the golden sand dunes of the Sahara. And gives the impression of being in solitude in the vast African desert. While enjoying the comforts of Saharan camp. We will enjoy a delicious dinner. Prepared by local people and followed by music and a campfire beneath the starry African sky. Nothing compares to the millions of stars, silence, and peacefulness of the Sahara. Later on, we will go to rest in luxury canvas tents. Feeling like stepping back into one of the stories from the Arabian nights.

Overnight in Merzouga - Camp

Day 03: Merzouga desert – Erfoud – Midelt – Azrou – Ifran – Fes

We will start the day early to enjoy the magnificent desert sunrise before we are treated to breakfast. Then we will enjoy a shower and then start our trip to Fez city. On our way to Midelt, where we will break for lunch, we will pass through Ziz Oasis. After Lunch, we will continue through the Middle Atlas. Then we will stop at Azrou to view the Atlas cedar-forested hills that populated with myriad Barbary monkeys. This city well known for its Atlas cedars forest. Next, we will continue to the charming Swiss village of Ifrane city; called Switzerland of Morocco. Late afternoon we will proceed directly to Fes.

Overnight in Fes

Day 04: Fes city tour with an official guide

After breakfast in our Hotel or Riad. We will head into the city to explore the medina of Fes with an official friendly guide. Fes is the cultural capital and one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. We will start our sightseeing with a visit of the Royal palace from the towers of Borj. Then the cemetery Bab Fettouh, the mosaic house for traditional pottery methods used by Fassi artisans. Heading into the medina, passing through the gates and walls into the alleyways beyond transports you back in time.

The streets are just as they were when they were built in the 8th century. We will then pass through Bab Boujloud, the medina entrance to explore the largest famous tanneries in morocco. And the historical monument Idris's II tomb. In addition to the oldest university in the world; Al Qarawayine university. Also, Nejjarine is a place of wooden crafts. And other ancient buildings such as Bou-inania medersa, Al-Karawyn mosque, and then a stroll around al Attarine souk. After that, we close our guided tour with a hammam, or traditional bathhouse to steam away the stresses of life. Later on, we will move to our hotel or riad in the medina.

Overnight in Fes

Day 05: Fes – Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen

Traveling from Fes to the Versailles of Morocco. Meknes, this city is the first capital of Alouit dynasty under the ruler Moulay Idriss I. Our visit in this city will include Bab el Mansour as one of the finest ornamented gates in Morocco. The Mausoleum of king Moulay Ismail in the medina, resting place of admirer and most prolific builder of Meknes. Meknes Haras; the huge stable complex, underground cells which completly used to house the sultan’s army of slaves. Next, we will continue to Volubilis. This former roman ruins outpost is one of the most preserved archaeological places in morocco. And distinct with many mosaics that are still sound for us to behold. Declared as a world heritage place in 1977 by UNESCO and it’s just a short drive to Meknes. Afternoon we will transfer to Chefchaouen.

Overnight in Chefchaouen

Day 06: Chefchaouen – Rabat – Casablanca

Today we will move to explore Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Founded in the 10^th century the by Phoenicians and Romans. Our visit in this city will include a visit the Royal tomb of Mohammed V. And Hassan tower; the major minaret of the spectacular Hassan mosque constructed by Almohad Yacoub El Mansour. We will then head into the city to visit Kasbah Oudaya a colonial heritage Kasbah in the city. In the afternoon, we will move to explore Casablanca for a 1-hour drive.

Later on, our visit in Casablanca will include the most visited sight of Hassan ll mosque. Built and Completed by Bouygues in 1993. And designed by Pinseau. Hassan ll mosque is an incredible architecture and the largest mosque. It has the second tallest minaret at 210 meters in the world after the Algiers grand mosque. Possibility to take a stroll around the corniche row and Atlantic boardwalk. Which shined by many restaurants and enjoy dinner in one of these restaurants.

Overnight in Casablanca

Day 07: Casablanca – Essaouira

Today we will explore Casablanca, this modern city has the largest airport in morocco, our tour in Casablanca will include the visit of Mohamed V square; an Airy square built-in 1916 amid French Colonial buildings, with a statue & pigeon-covered fountain. The most visited sight of Hassan ll mosque, was built & Completed in 1993 by Bouygues, and designed by Pinseau. Hassan ll mosque is an incredible architecture and largest mosque that has a second tallest minaret at 210 meters in the world after the Algiers grand mosque. Next, we will have time for lunch and then we continue the exploration of Casablanca city by heading into the medina to discover the modern culture, here we can make a stroll around the corniche row and Atlantic boardwalk that shined by many restaurants. After the visit of Casablanca, we will transfer to Essaouira.

Overnight in Essaouira

Day 08: Essaoura – Marrakech

Today we will have a stroll around the lively old port - Mogador port - that is full of colour and interest and full of visual surprises, this port was the main trade route round the Cape of Good Hope to Western Europe. It later became a free port, when it had a small international community of merchants. The cosmopolitan mixture of different influences makes it a wonderful place to explore. We will head over the smallest streets of the medina that full of various handicraft Artisans, visit the largest square of Moulay El Hassan.

Next, we will visit the Berber association where the Argan oil fabricates by the local women. Then, we will proceed to discover the workshop that produce the ornate wood of the local conifer. After that, we can have a stroll on the beach to enjoy a fresh fish lunch near the souk (Market). Later on, we will drive to Marrakech where we will finish our 9 days morocco desert tour.

Day 09: Marrakech city tour with an official guide

We will enjoy a guided tour with an official guide. Our journey in Marrakech will include a visit of antique Moroccan architecture. Koutoubia mosque, built in the 12^th century by Caliph Abd al-Mumen with a 77 meters minaret. And the Saadian tomb, Bahia Palace and Badiaa Palace. Then we will continue toward Jama-a el Fna square, the famous world square and the symbol of Marrakech. A charming place with snake charmers, and the tastiest fresh orange juice. Crowding the square to give an exotic impression. Moreover, we will head into the Medina Souk (Market). The main cultural place to explore Morocco's historical culture. With the local artisans and experience the scents of all Moroccan spices.