N.B
The desert is an experience to be lived not merely described
OVERVIEW
During this tour, you will visit the following places: Tangier, Volubilis, Meknes, Fez, Ifran, Azrou, Ziz Valley,Errachidia, Arfoud, Rissani, Merzouga, Todgha Gorges, Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech
This 10-day tour will take you from the imperial Tangier through the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco’s deserts, mountains, and valleys, ending in the vibrant city of Marrakech. You’ll also experience Amazigh culture, camel trekking, desert camping, and historical palaces. And another surprises await you. Our journey will continue exploring the vibrant Tinghir Gorges and visiting Dades Valley, where we will immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere and discover some things different. And before we conclude this adventure by heading to Marrakech, our journey will take us through the picturesque landscapes of the High Atlas mountains, making for the perfect end to this interesting experience.
Why You Should Take This Tour?
- To discover the cultures and history of Amazigh tribes
- An unforgettable desert experience with camel trekking and dunes camping
- Picturesque landscapes-mountains, valleys, oases, forests
- Visit historical monuments
1st Day : TANGIER– RIF MOUNTAINS – CHEFCHAOUEN
Your Moroccan adventure begins in the vibrant port city of Tangier, a place where Europe almost embraces Africa . After a quick breakfast in the most beautiful places overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, our journey towards the Rif Mountains will begin.
Driving through winding mountain roads, you will admire the picturesque scenery-rugged peaks, forested hills, charming Amazigh villages tucked into ravines. The trip is scenic and peaceful, a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Morocco early in the trip. After about 2-3 hours, we will arrive in the town of Chefchaouen or the blue jewel, which is located in the heart of the countryside. We will spend the most beautiful moments in this clean and quiet townafter the afternoon we will try to walk around the maze-like City, we will take pictures in its blue alleys and we will visit artisan shops. We will spend our first night in the city of Chefchaouen
3rd Day : CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FEZ
After breakfast, we will head to the city of Fez, famous for its ancient history .The Romanian Volubilis is considered protected by UNESCO. The first stop we will make at due to its heavy place in the Moroccan heritage
The city of Volubilis is located on the slopes of Mount Zerhoun, 28 kilometers from the city of Meknes. Volubilis is named after the Amazigh word Volubilis, which symbolizes the colorful lily flower, a plant that is widely spread in this region. The Roman city of Volubilis is known for its white marble columns, and its temple is proud of the shadow of the triumphal arch erected. It is considered among Morocco’s most visited archaeological sites and has an area of 18 hectares. After that, we continue to Meknes, a city dating back to the eleventh century AD that was founded by the Almoravids, and was taken by the Sultan Moulay Ismaïl as his capital in the 17th century. Among the places we will visit in this city is the charming walled Old Town, which is distinguished by the famous Bab al-Mansour gate. We will also visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, a sacred site dedicated to the famous Sultan Moulay Ismail, the founder of the Alawite dynasty. After lunch, we will head to Fez, where we will spend a delightful night in a beautiful Riad .
5th Day : FEZ - IFRANE - AZROU - MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS - MERZOUGA
We will leave Fez early in the morning and drive into the Middle Atlas Mountains towards the city of Ifran, a small town known as “Little Switzerland” because it looks like a European village. In Ifran, we will take photos of the famous Lion Stone, which is a large rock carved in The Shape of a lion. After that, we will relax in a small cafe-and enjoy a warm coffee before continuing our journey to Azrou. In Azrou, we will walk among the trees of the cedar forest, where we can see tall old trees, and we will enjoy moments with Barbary macaques, playful monkeys that live in the wild. You will also have the opportunity to see one of the trees, called Guru cedar, which is more than 900 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in the region. As we move further into the mountains, we will pass through Amazigh villages, where people live in simple houses made of clay and stone. Along the way, we will stop at a high viewpoint to enjoy the amazing view of the Ziz Valley, a long green oasis full of palm trees in the middle of dry land.
In the middle of the day, we will arrive in the small town of middle oparis, a city famous for growing apples. Here, we will stop for lunch before continuing our journey. After lunch, the landscape will change, we will see more desert lands. We will bypass numerous palm trees and small villages as we approach Merzouga. Before sunset, we will reach the huge ERG shebbi dunes in the Sahara Desert. Here, we will leave our car and ride a camel in the desert. As we travel, we will see the sky turn into beautiful colors like orange, red, and gold. At night, we will arrive at our desert camp, where we will sleep in comfortable tents. We will enjoy delicious Moroccan tagine for dinner, listen to Berber music, watch the bright stars in the night sky. Surrounded by a quiet desert.
6th Day : EXPLORING THE DESERT – VISIT NOMADS – CAMEL TREKKING– DESERT CAMP
We will start our tour early in the morning, leaving the hotel to watch the picturesque sunrise over the Merzouga desert before arriving at the desert camp. As the first daylight to color the dunes, we will enjoy the calm beauty of the desert. Once we arrive at the camp, we will spend the day exploring the desert and experiencing the Bedouin way of life. We will visit a local Berber family, learn about their traditions, and share a tea ceremony while listening to their fascinating stories. In the village of Khmaleya, we will enjoy the rhythms of Gnaoua music and discover the simplicity of desert life. Later, we will ride camels through the stunning dunes of Erg Chebbi, stopping at the highest points to admire the endless golden landscape. Back in the desert camp, we will enjoy a delicious Moroccan meal, relax around the campfire with traditional Berber music, and watch the sunset paint the sky in warm colors. For those looking for adventure, we can try quad biking, sand boarding, or a four-by-four desert tour. As night falls, we will sleep in comfortable tents or under the open sky, surrounded by the quiet silence of the desert. The next morning, we will wake up early to experience another magical sunrise before returning to the hotel, carrying unforgettable memories of this unique desert journey.
7th Day : MERZOUGA - RISSANI - ARFOUD - TODGHA GORGES - DADES VALLEY
We begin our day in Merzouga, witnessing a breathtaking desert sunrise before heading to Rissani, a historic caravan town where we explore the bustling local market (on market days), visit the ancient ruins of Sijilmassa, and savor the famous Berber dish, Madfouna. Continuing to Erfoud, renowned for its fossil excavations and marble workshops, we visit a museum or fossil workshop to discover ancient marine relics, and if time permits, stop by the local date market. From there, we journey to the awe-inspiring Todgha Gorges, where towering canyon walls create the perfect backdrop for a scenic picnic, a refreshing mint tea break, or even some light rock climbing. As the adventure unfolds, we travel through dramatic landscapes toward the Dades Valley, pausing to admire the striking Monkey Fingers rock formations and navigating the legendary winding road of the Dades Gorge, a paradise for photographers. We end the day at a charming guesthouse, indulging in a traditional Amazigh dinner and unwinding under a mesmerizing star-lit mountain sky, bringing a day of adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery to a perfect close.
8th Day :DADES VALLEY – ROSES VALLEY – SKOURA – OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we head to Kalaa Magouna via Dades valley to explore the picturesque valley of roses. If you visit in May, you will come across the vibrant annual Rose Festival, where locals showcase a variety of local Rose-based products, including perfumes, rose water, essential oils and decorative items.
After lunch, we will drive towards the Skoura area through palm groves, stopping temporarily to enjoy the historic Amridil Kasbah before continuing to Ouarzazate. Immediately upon arrival, we will visit the famous film studios and the magnificent Taourirt Kasbah. As we will set off from the city of Ouarzazate towards the city of Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains, as we will enjoy the picturesque landscapes and cultural exploration of Berber villages. After about three hours, we will reach the Red City, where we will explore the lively city of Marrakech, famous for its bustling souks, historic city, and renowned landmarks such as the Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Park, and Jemaa El Fna. After we’ll head straight to the airport to say goodbye to the kingdom of Morocco, but the spirit of this journey will stay with us forever.
9th Day: Exploring the Magic of Marrakech
This day is dedicated to discovering the treasures of the enchanting city of Marrakech, which combines ancient history with vibrant life. We begin our day by visiting Al Bahia Palace, one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in the city, where we wander through its corridors decorated with ancient Andalusian decorations, and learn about its history dating back to the nineteenth century. Next, we move on to the Saadian Tombs, which houses the tombs of the rulers of the Saadian state, where the unique geometric motifs and inscriptions reflect the splendor of Islamic art, including the Badi Palace built by the Ahmed of Al-Mansour Al-Dhahabi. After this historical tour, we head to the Jardin Majorelle, where we take a moment to relax in a serene atmosphere filled with vibrant colors and rare plants. Then, we visit the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum to explore his creative works in the world of fashion and learn about the influence of Moroccan culture on his iconic designs. In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through the souks of the old city, where we’ll enjoy a unique shopping experience in the narrow, bustling alleyways. We’ll enjoy the fragrance of spices, handmade leather goods, traditional carpets and souvenirs that reflect the spirit of the city. As evening approaches, we will head to one of the traditional restaurants overlooking the city from the top of the roof, where we will enjoy the enchanting sunset while having an authentic Moroccan dinner, including dishes such as tagine and couscous, with a cup of Moroccan mint tea. After a day full of adventures and experiences, we return to the residence in Marrakech to rest and prepare for the next day.
