12 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH: IMPERIAL CITIES AND SAHARA

The 12-day journey from Marrakech along coastal paths to the stunning Essaouira city. During your camel trekking experience in Merzouga, you will come across authentic fishing cities, the Argan tree, deserted sandy beaches, and rugged cliff faces.

But we will finish our adventure in the magical cities of Marrakech and Chefchaouen, where we will have some relaxing free time.

⇒  Visit the economic city of Morocco, Casablanca

⇒  Visit Rabat

⇒ An overnight in Chefchaouen; the blue city

⇒ Explore Fes and Marrakech with a local guide

⇒ Experience Camel ride in Merzouga Sahara

⇒ Watch the Sunset over the sand dunes

⇒ Do Sand Boarding activity

⇒ Overnight Camping at Merzouga Desert Camp

⇒ Dinner and party around the campfire (Berber Drums)

⇒ Panoramic aspects of Erg Chebbi dunes

⇒ Visit nomad family on the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes

⇒ Spend a night in the middle of the stunning Dades gorges

⇒ Explore the UNESCO World Heritage of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah

⇒  Spectacular views of the Atlas Mountains landscapes

⇒ A day trip to Essaouira

DAY 1: MARRAKECH AIRPORT – HOTEL:

Depending on your arrival at Marrakech airport, our team will be waiting for you to start this amazing 12 days tour with us. The team picks you up at the hotel or riad usually located inside the walled old Medina of Marrakech. Today will be just relaxing after your flight to your second home Morocco.

Overnight in Marrakech.

DAY 2: MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA – RABAT:

After breakfast at your riad, we start our traveling to Casablanca city and then to Rabat via the highway. In 3 hour’s drive, we arrive at the biggest city in Morocco which is Casablanca, a well-known city around the world, famous for its American movie “Casablanca”. We are going to visit the most important sites of this commercial capital, including Hassan’s second mosque, looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, it is the second-biggest mosque in all of Africa and the fifth-biggest all over the world. The mosque is one of few open mosques for non-Muslims to visit.

Have a walk at the Corniche of Casablanca, from where you can get an interesting view of the Hassan II. Looking at the Atlantic Ocean and the movement of the waves is also a good show. As well as the pigeon square or Mohammed V square, where you will enjoy a ton of pigeons flying around you. In addition to the famous Rick’s Cafe, where the American movie took apart.

Eventually, we continue our way to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, and one of the four former imperial cities. Here we will explore, the Udaya Kasbah, a walled neighborhood that dates back to the 12th century by the Almohads dynasty. The Kasbah is still inhabited now, and it is a unique place looking at the Atlantic Ocean with fantastic blue and white walls. More to visit the next day.

Overnight in Rabat.

DAY 3 : RABAT – CHEFCHAOUEN:

After a peaceful night and a tasty Moroccan breakfast at your riad in Rabat, we continue our exploration of this beautiful capital of the kingdom. We are going to visit the huge unfinished Hassan Tower intended to be the largest one together with its minaret throughout the world. Its construction began in 1195 and was commissioned by Ya’qub al-Mansu. Across from this great historical spot is the mausoleum of King Hassan the Fifth, It contains the tombs of the Moroccan king Mohammed V, and his two sons, the late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.

Afterward, we hit the road to Chefchaouen, known as the blue pearl of Morocco. We arrive there around 1 pm and have enough time to discover this beautiful city resting in the middle of the Rif mountains. You check in to our riad and then start strolling in the beautiful blue alleyways of the city. Also, Ras El Ma, an old watering hole, with an entrance to the Medina, is a popular place for both locals and tourists. Furthermore, the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the main square in Chefchaouen, next to it is also the Kasbah ( A walled fortress)…and more.

Overnight in Chefchaouen.

DAY 4 : CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES:

What an amazing feeling to wake up surrounded by blue color everywhere. Our imperial 12 days journey makes its way to Fes through Volubilis and Meknes city today. On the way, we explore Volubilis, founded in the 3rd century B.C, it is a famous well-preserved Roman town, an important site of the Roman Empire, and was graced with many impressive buildings.

After that Meknes city, another imperial city, was Founded in the 11th century. Meknes became the capital of Morocco under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), who created a massive imperial palace complex and endowed the city with extensive fortifications and monumental gates. One of these gates is Bab Mansour, one of the famous and admired sites in the city, which was built in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Also, El Hdim square, similar to the Jamaa el-Fna square in Marrakech, as well as the Sahrij Swani or the Basin of the Norias, was built towards the end of the seventeenth century and was to supply the town with water. Moreover, the new side of the city, where modern buildings exist; such as hotels, restaurants, and big streets.

After lunch at this historical city, we resume our tour to another old imperial city, which is Fes. We arrive here in the afternoon and spend the night in a beautiful riad.

Overnight in Fes.

DAY 5: FES SIGHTSEEING:

After breakfast at your riad, you meet your local guide and the exploration of Fes begins. You start with the Royale Palace, founded back to the foundation of the new Fes.

Then, Mellah, the Jewish quarter, where you see a 17th-century synagogue. Also, The University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded as a mosque, then became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the historic Muslim world.

As well as, Chouara Tannery, the largest and oldest in oldest Medina quarter of the city, is surrounded by leather shops with terraces from where you look down onto the pits.

Furthermore, you will take a walk around the old souks (markets) of Fes and wander between the narrow alleys of the old Medina. Have an amazing lunch in one of the narrow streets in the heart of the old Medina. After that, you drive to the north-highest place in Fes, from where you will have an incredible view of the old Medina. In addition to visiting the Moroccan Pottery and Ceramics with real professional local craftsmen.

Later on, Our team will pick you up back to the riad to spend your second night in Fes.

DAY 6 : FES – IFRANE – MIDELT – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA.

We will be leaving Fes city straightway to Merzouga desert. You first have breakfast at the riad then our adventure for today starts. Our first station to visit is Ifrane city, known as the Swiss of Morocco with orderly red-roofed houses. From here and in about half an hour’s drive we will be at the Ceder forests of Azrou, where Barbary apes live.

Our next stop is Midelt, the mineral mining and apple town lying between the two high and middle Atlas mountains. We have our lunch here, then recommence our way through Tizi N’Tlghamt “Camel pass”, Errachidia, then stopping for a panoramic view of Ziz Valley, we will be driving through to Erfoud, after that to Merzouga desert, where you spend your first night in hotel/riad next to the dunes.

DAY 7: MERZOUGA DESERT SIGHTSEEING:

In the morning around 10 am and after breakfast at the camp. Our driver and guide pick you up by a 4WD for one of the best experiences in the desert. Your visit to the Merzouga area starts from your hotel driving by the high dunes of the desert. Firstly, a panoramic view stops for the Sahara from a high mountain close to the dunes. Then drive to nomad families living next to the Moroccan/Algerian border to learn about their culture and the way they are living in a harsh environment, sitting under their tents while having a cup of tea.

After that, our trip resumes to the M’ifis mascara mountain mine. You explore and have an idea of how workers get mines from the heart of the mountains. From there to Khamlia village, settled by the “black-skinned” people, who are famous for their Gnawa music all around the world. Here you try Berber Pizza, a recommended meal in Morocco this area is famous for. Besides, listening and dancing to Gnawa music played by these friendly people.

Later, we keep up to the Sahara Oasis for a walk inside its almond, palm, and fig trees and different vegetable plants. From there on, we drive you back to the hotel, to get ready to ride the camels to camp on the other side of the desert. Your camel man awaits you next to the dunes to lift you by his camels to the desert camp. The camel ride takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes including an amazing stop for an incredible sunset at the top of a high dune in the middle of the desert. Your camel guide will take several memorable pictures for you along the ride to the camp. Arriving at the well-equipped camp, you will be welcomed with Moroccan tea and some cookies by the camp workers. In an hour, the working staff serve you a delicious dinner, then they make a fire outside the camp under a sky full of stars, where they will be playing Berber and African music, while you enjoy and dance around the fire.

Overnight at the camp.

DAY 8 : MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TOUDRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY:

Life is getting up an hour early to live an hour more, but only on this day in the desert. For witnessing one that may be the best sunrise in your whole life, we always advise you to wake up early. After a tasty breakfast at the camp. There are two optional ways to get back to the village of Merzouga to recommence our trip. Either by camels or by a 4×4 vehicle.

We depart the pretty desert to Rissani town. The closest town to the Erg Chebbi. With the legendary history between the 14th and 18th centuries. You explore the largest Souk/market in the area, mainly the sheep and cattle market.

Then, continue your way to Alnif, then to Toudra Gorge, a place visited all year round by worldwide rock climbers for adventuring. You may be lucky to see them climbing during your visit. A place not far from where nomads still live in caves, they come with their animals “sheep, goats, donkeys” for water, and also take water with them for their home use. After a walk near the freshwater, you hit the road to beautiful Dades, a calm Berber town, with a beautiful green valley filled with fruit trees.

You spend your first night here in a hotel or a riad with dinner included.

DAY 9 : DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – MARRAKECH:

Your 12 days tour still has a lot to reveal. You enjoy your breakfast at your riad, then take the road named “Road of Thousands Kasbahs. From Dades Valley to Ouarzazate, by Kelaat M’gouna, the city of Roeses, and Skoura city. We arrive at Ouarzazate city, referred to as the Hollywood of Africa. Here you explore the Atlas film studio. Then we proceed to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a historical backdrop for several famous movies, including Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Lawrence of Arabia.

We have lunch at this unique spot, then we make our way to Marrakech, and always through the breathtaking landscapes of the Atlas mountains, through Berber villages, and Tizi N’tichka, the highest pass in Morocco. We stop from time to time at any worthy station, for some unforgettable photo shots and, and for admiring the places.

We reach Marrakech around sunset, check into your riad, and have a possible walk to recognize the city a bit before you explore it with a local guide the next day.

DAY 10: MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING:

In the morning around 9h30, your local guide will be waiting for you at the reception of your hotel. Your guide will accompany and show you all the historical sites of the red city Marrakech, including; Jemaa el-Fna Square, one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech founded in the eleventh century, and considered one of the busiest squares in all the world. And Saadian tombs date back to the Saadian dynasty(1578–1603). In addition to Bahia Palace, one of Marrakech’s most impressive buildings it was built at the end of the 19th century, and intended to be the most eye-catching palace of all times. Moreover; the 12th Koutoubia mosque, was the most important and largest worship place at that time.

Later on, you will stroll inside the narrow streets of the old Medina *old city, and visit the colorful Souks/markets. After lunch in one of the restaurants inside the old Medina, you hit the road to the modern area. Where you explore the blue garden of Majorelle and YSL Musume. In addition to Menara garden.

At last, after a long exploratory day, and after making sure that you do not have any other desired place to visit, we pick you up back to your riad. Overnight in Marrakech.

DAY 11: ESSAOUIRA DAY TRIP:

In the morning around 8.00 am. Your 3-hour journey starts at the beautiful Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. On the way, you may get the chance to see the goats climbing Argan trees for Argan seeds, which is an unforgettable thing to see.

Once we get to Essaouira, known as Mogador, you will have enough time to enjoy and discover the charming sights of this pretty secret town; including its ancient historical walls, the beautiful blue-whited square, and the pretty souks (markets), as well as the little alleyways of the ancient Medina. Enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh fish in one of the local restaurants next to the sea. In addition to that having a walk at the beautiful beach of Essaouira.

In the afternoon, we hit the road back to Marrakech city, arrived there around 6 pm. Overnight in Marrakech.

DAY 12 : HOTEL – MARRAKECH MENARA AIRPORT:

    Your 12 days Tour comes to an end, after a lot of adventures during your stay in Morocco. Our team makes sure to transfer you to the Marrakech Menara airport 2 or 3 hours before your departure; so as not to miss your flight back home.

+ Pick up at Marrakech airport.

+ Private trip.

+ Private transportation in an air-conditioned touristic minivan/4WD.

+ Fuel/gas/All car-related expenses.

+ An English-speaking guide during the trip/Well-experienced driver during the trip.

+ All Breakfasts and 3 dinners

+ Overnight in a luxury desert camp(private tents with private bathrooms).

+ Sandboarding in the desert.

+ Camel Trekking in the desert.

+ Drop off at Marrakech airport.

✗ Lunches & Drinks.

✗ Entrance fees to attractions and museums(cheap).

✗ Any other personal expenses.

Note: If you are not enable to find the activities you are looking for, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any questions, requests, recommendations, or changes. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone; we are always ready and willing to arrange an itinerary based on your preferences and needs.