13-day morocco tour to explore the imperial cities and the desert

day 1 : arrival at casablnca airport – rabat

Welcome to Morocco! Welcome to Casablanca where you will meet your private driver and escorted to your hotel. The driver will provide a brief overview of your Morocco tour.than drive to Continue on to the old imperial city of Rabat. Check in at the hotel for the overnight

day 2 : rabat - chefchaoun

After breakfast, we explore the administrative capital Rabat. We will see the unfinished mosque tower of Hassan dated back to the 12th century. You will also visit the mausoleum of Mohamed V, built by King Hassan II and dedicated to his father, Mohamed V, for honoring him as the father of the independence. You will visit the 12th century Kasbah of Oudaya with its beautiful white and blue buildings with a fantastic view over the Atlantic beach and Bouragrag River. We will continue the trip to the the blue washed town of Chefchaouen, a picturesque town nestled in the Rif Mountains. You will enjoy a walking tour through the rambling medina where streets, doors and buildings are painted in brilliant blues.This city has a powerful charm that you really can feel in the main square, in the cobblestone medina. Sit on the terrace of a cafe and take in the view of the grand mosque whose octagonal minaret is inspired by that of the Torre de Oro in Seville. This Andalousian architecture can be found in the Kasbah and its gardens, at the center of the medina. Its walls and its 11 crenellated towers, of which one used to be a dungeon, house an interesting ethnographic museum.The colorful souks are decorated with their traditionally dressed inhabitants boasting their straw hats.Overnight with at the hotel.

day 3 : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes.

Depart after having breakfast to Fes. In the road, you will visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and then continuing to Meknes, the modern imperial city, for visiting the old Medina, which is surrounded by a large line of wall.

At the end of day, head straight to your accommodation in Fes, where you will spend the night.

overnight in a riad in fes medina

day 4 : Guided Tour Of Fes.

The whole day is dedicated to visit the city of Fes, the oldest imperial city in Morocco founded in the eighth century by Moulay Idriss II.

This guided tour will start by visiting the old Medina ,a UNESCO world Heritage site, and exploring the Medina’s narrow streets lined with local shops and stalls. The exploration of the old Medina's cultural and historical sightseeing include Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Ennajarine Fountain, Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and Al-Qarawiyyine university – the oldest continually operating university in the world.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will experience the panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes before taking a brief visit to the new part “Fez Al-Jadid”. Then Check in at a hotel or riad in the evening.

overnight in fes

day 5 : Fes – Azrou – Merzouga.

In the morning you leave the subtle of fes and drive along through the middle Atlas mountains; crossing Cedar forests which are very known all over the world. Cedar is much wanted by woodworkers and is used for different purposes.

The drive will continue towards Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, and Azrou, the typical Zayan middle Atlas Berber village.

The drive will end in the desert after passing ZiZ valley and city of Erfoud, usually by taking a rocky road to reach Merzouga.Spend the night in a hotel and have enough rest for the long next day.

dinner included

day 6 : Merzouga – Erg Chebbi – Merzouga.

The day shall be divided into different parts, starting with black-skinned people village called ”khamlia” with whom you are going to drink mint tea and enjoy their Gnawa music. Afterwards, you will visit the desert lake before heading towards the city of Rissani (tafilalet), the most important oasis in southeast Moroccan desert where fortified villages are surrounded by palm groves. Late in afternoon, drive back to the hotel.

The night includes sunset ride on camels, Berber music and staying the night in a Berber tent in the middle of Erg chebbi’s golden dunes. A night full of adventures and pleasure.

dinner included

day 7 : Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges.

Early morning, wake up for the spectacular sunrise and camels riding. return to the hotel for taking a shower and having breakfast. Then drive through a series of Berber villages on the way to Todra Gorges. After lunch in that impessive mountainous place, the journey will continue to Dades Valley.

By nightfall you shall get to a raid or Kasbah.

dinner included

day 8 : Dades Gorges – Roses Valley – Ouarzazate.

On the way to Ourazazate, a series of fields and palm groves make picturesque views, such as Kalaat M’gouna rose valley and Skoura’s old kasbah. The oases have hundreds of Kasbahs ruins of all shapes and beautifully surrounded by nature. When you get to Ouarzazate, the night will be passed in a raid.

dinner included

day 9 : Ait Ben-Haddou – Marrakech

From Ouarzazate drive towards Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified Kasbah built hundreds of years ago and reflects the great Berber earthen architecture. It is the place where many movies were shot. Admire the view of caravan roads and the faraway peaks of the High Atlas Mountain chain awaiting you. Enjoy the Kasbah ruins which still embody the ancient Berber civilization.

You will keep on driving across the high Atlas mountains via Tichka pass (2,260 m.a.s.l), stopping at panoramic views, then continue driving to marrakech free evening in marrakech

overnight in marrakech

day 10 : Marrakech guided city tour

The whole day is devoted for a guided tour: Bahia and Badi Palaces, Saadian Tombs, Menara basin and many other hidden treasures are all to be discovered.

After enjoying lunch in one of the finest restaurants of the city, the attractive centre of Marrakech is the next destination where the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the Square Jamaa el-Fna wonderfully come alive at night.

overnight in marrakech

day 11 : marrakech - essaouira

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll head to Essaouira. You will have the opportunity to see the Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. You may also see local goats perched in the trees feeding on the fruit and leaves. At the women's Co-operative of Argan Oil, there will be an opportunity to learn about the wide ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines. After several stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Essaouira. You’ll visit the Skala Fortress, the port, the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walking through the alleys of the medina and past the hundreds of handicrafts. Essaouira is a melting pot of locals and foreigners who came and stayed have created a laid back, atmospheric and intriguing resort. Windsurfers love Essaouira, clean waters and it’s the Atlantic Trade winds that have ensured the large-scale operators stay out and the character stays in. Check in and

overnight at the hotel or Riad.

day 12 : essaouira – Casablanca

After breakfast departure north of Essaouira . We continue the journey via the town of Oualidia known for Oysters to the coastal port city of El Jadida, which was strongly influenced by the Portuguese, visit its citadel, walls, impressive tank and another defense structure that were left behind when the Portuguese left in the 18th century. Inside the walls Old Portuguese mansions with pilasters and wrought iron balconies, mosques and churches built next to each other. Arrive to Casablanca. Check in and overnight with breakfast at the hotel.

day 13 : departure day

Transfer to Casablanca international airport for your return flight with plenty of tales of Arabian and Berber days and nights.