Morocco desert tour from tangier 15 days14 nights
Tour route : Tangier – Chefchaouen – Fez – Erfoud – Ouarzazate – Marrakech – Essaouira – Rabat- Casablanca
Highlights :
Morocco world Heritage sites to cover : Rabat – Voulibilis – Fez – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech – Essaouira. Sahara Tented Camps, High Atlas Mountains
Day 1: Tangier/Tetouan/Chefchaouen
Greetings and assistance upon arrival at Tangier Medina Port. While in Tangier you will visit the Kasbah and the Medina plus other sights of interest.
After we will drive through the Rif mountains towards Chefchaouen or the white-blue washed town as we call it. On the way we will stop at Tetouan for a short visit to the archeological museum there then wind our way through the mountains to Chefchaouen.
Day 2: Chefchaouen-Meknes-Fez
After breakfast, we will have a visit to the Medina of Chaouen and you will depart for the Imperial City of Meknes, also known as”the Moroccan Versailles”. Meknes, with its monumental gates and city walls, was founded at the end of the 17th century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail. The highlights will include Bab el Mansour (perhaps the finest gateway in Africa), “Dar Jamai” Museum, the old Medina, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, old granaries and stables. Lunch will be at Palais M’nebhi in Meknes. After lunch, you will depart for the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Sightseeing of the Ruins of Volubilis. Departure and drive to Fes for your overnight at the Riad.
Day 3: Fes
After breakfast, the entire day will be devoted to sightseeing the city of Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Step back six centuries into the medieval Medina with its narrow and cobbled streets filled with ancient mosques, towering green glazed minarets and crumbling fondouks. Narrow openings into private worlds reveal architecture of peaceful courtyards filled with carved cedar, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles and delicately carved stucco ornaments. Suggested lunch will be at Palais Terrab, a beautiful Arab palace. After lunch, we will visit the Attarine and Abou Anania Medersas, the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque. In the afternoon, we will visit the countless souks, the famous tanneries and Fes Jdid. Overnight at the Riad.
Day 4: Fes
This is your free day at leisure to explore the arts and culture of Fes. Your experienced driver/guide will be at your disposal to assist you with today’s adventures. Overnight at the Riad.
Day 5: Fes / Erfoud / Merzouga
After an early breakfast, departure to Erfoud through the scenic, wooded Middle Atlas Mountains region. Stop in Azrou to visit a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperative. Lunch will be at the Ayachi Hotel before continuing to Midelt (an important mining center) and the Ziz River through a series of fortified villages characterized by fascinating southern architecture. Arrival in Merzouga. Dinner and overnight under the tents.
Day 6 : Merzouga / Erfoud / Ouarzazate
Early morning wake-up to view the awe inspiring sunrise off the Merzouga dunes followed by an 1 hour camel ride. After breakfast, you will travel to Ouarzazate via the Todra gorges. Lunch in Todra at the Yasmina restaurant. Possible visit (if there is no production event) to the movie studio where scenes from Bertulucci’s “The Sheltering Sky”, Spielberg’s “Gladiators”, “The Last temptation of Christ”, and “Lawrence of Arabia” were filmed in and around the area renowned for its Berber ceramic work and fine carpet making. If time permits, you will see the Tifoultout and Taourirt Kasbahs. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Ouarzazate / Marrakesh
After breakfast, departure to the Ait Ben Haddou village where you will visit the ruins of this ancient Kasbah. Lunch at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou before we continue via the Tiz-In-Tichka pass (7,415 ft / 2,260 m) and Taddert to Marrakesh for a 4-night stay at Riad La Maison Arabe. Dinner and overnight stay at Riad.
Day 8: Marrakesh
Sightseeing of Marrakesh nicknamed “The Pearl of the South,”featuring a visit to the 16th century Saadian Tombs, “Dar Si Said”Museum of Moroccan Arts, the fragrant Menara Gardens, the Koutoubia Minaret and the magnificent Bahia Palace with its extraordinary tiles, opulent courtyard sand fountains. After lunch on your own, you will visit of the Djemmaa-el-Fna Square where fortune-tellers, acrobats, vendors, snake charmers and magicians put on a never-ending show.Riad
Day 9: Marrakesh
Sightseeing of the private gardens of Yves Saint Laurent and the private Islamic Art Museum. Drive along the city ramparts dividing the town into the oldest and the newest parts of Marrakesh. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish with your guide/driver at your disposal.
Day 10: Marrakesh / Ourika Valley / Marrakesh
Excursion to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Nestled on the main road in Ait Ourir, the Ourika Valley is a beautiful, charming, hospitable and peaceful Berber village where you can take a short hike in the cooler mountain air. You will encounter beautiful isolated villages clinging to hillsides with plots of cultivated land lying along the river valley. Lunch in the Valley. Return to
Day 11: Marrakesh / Essaouira
After breakfast, you will depart for the romantic seaside town of Essaouira. After arrival and check-in, a sightseeing tour of the city will feature Essaouira’s typical Portuguese harbor portraying influences of both Moorish and Portuguese design. Highlights will include the fishing harbor and the Skala(the Battery)
Day 12/13: Essaouira
Full days at leisure with your guide/driver at your disposal.
Day 14: Essaouira / Casablanca
After breakfast, the morning is free to spend at your leisure before departure to Casablanca via El Jadida with a stop at El Oualidia where you will stop for lunch. Continuation along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to reach El Jadida where you will be given a quick orientation tour. After arrival in Casablanca, you will check-in and spend the night at the hotel. Overnight.
Day 15: Casablanca Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport for your return flight. Assistance with the boarding formalities.
Reservations :
If you decide to travel with us, we welcome you with open arms in the Moroccan tradition! Please contact us via the contact form stating your desired dates. We’re waiting for you to take advantage of our great experience!.