A Taste of Morocco - 12 Days Tour

Tour overview

This tour involves a 12-day journey from Casablanca to the Imperial cities (which includes Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat) and also a visit to the desert, the waterfalls, Chefchaouen and the sea.

day 1: arrival in Casablanca & settlement at your hotel (B)

When you have arrived at the Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, you will be met by our representative who will give you a quick briefing of the tour and take you to the hotel where you will stay.

day 2: Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fez (B)

Our day two begins with a journey to Fez. On this trip, we will go past beautiful vast farmlands where the farmers grow vegetables, olives, grapes and grains. Before we get to Fez, we will first visit Meknes and see the Volubilis; the site of the popular Roman ruins which was the Roman Empire's southern outpost. In Meknes, we will visit the location of the first Arab dynasty which was built by Moulay Ismail. You will also see the Bab Mansour and the Medersa Bou Inania which make up the gateway to the palace of Moulay Ismail. Then we move forward to the Hri es-Souani, the granaries and the horses stable. From the granaries, upstairs on the rooftop, there is a garden and a café that presents a great view of the city. Then our day ends with our arrival and booking of your hotel in Fez.

DAY 3: FULL-DAY GUIDED TOUR OF FEZ (B)

After your breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to the oldest Medina in the world, led by our official local tour guide. We will also visit the markets (souks), stop at the Royal Palace’s gate, visit the University, and also the Karouine mosque which dates back to the 9th century. We will then visit the tomb of the founder of the city Moulay Idriss II. Later we will have lunch at any of the local restaurants in the Medina after which our tour continues with a visit to the Najarine Fountain, the Batha Museum and the old Harem Garden then our ends. And as we make our way back to your hotel we will pick a perfect spot for you to have a glimpse of the beautiful view of the city.

Day 4: day trip to Chefchaouen from Fez (B)

Our trip for the day begins at 8 am after breakfast. We will be journeying to Chefchaouen also known as the blue city which is a very popular tourist attraction in Morocco. It is situated northwest of Morocco south of the Mediterranean coastline in the Rif Mountains. This city is popular because of its traditional buildings. You will explore the Medina by strolling through the streets filled with blue and whitewashed walls. You will also get to visit the markets where you will find beautiful local handicrafts. Chefchaouen is a nice place for taking pictures with lots of wonderful views starting from the Rif Mountains. In the afternoon we head back to Fez and reach in the evening, and you can rest in your hotels and prepare for the following day.

DAY 5: Fez - Ifran - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz Valley - Merzouga (B.D)

After your breakfast, we continue the tour with a trip to Merzouga. We will pass through the Atlas Mountains before we get to Merzouga. Before here, we will stop at the Azrou through Ifrane where we will see the wild monkeys in the cedar forest. You will have the chance to take pictures of Morocco’s wilderness.

We will have lunch in Zaida, a small Berber village. Then we continue on our trip passing through the Atlas Mountains and enjoying the view of the landscape of Medilt which will take us to the town of Erfoud; here we will begin to feel the Tafilalet’s Saharan oasis. We then continue to Merzouga where we will spend the night in a hotel close to the dunes.

DAY 6: Explore the desert area and camel trek (B.D)

After your breakfast, we begin our tour of the Sahara desert with a visit to Khamlia, a village in the area known for its accommodation of slaves from Sudan in the past. Not far from here is the Merzouga Lake that is home to many bird species including flamingos. Not far from here is the Berber nomad wire house where you can decide to visit and buy handicrafts for cheaper rates than in the big cities. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to ride a camel guided by a well-experienced camel man and explore Erg Chebbi, the mysterious sand-sea. Here we will spend your night under the stars or in a traditional nomad tent of the Berber people where dinner will be served also.

DAY 7: Merzouga -Rissani - Erfoud - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley (B.D)

We will wake up early to watch the sunrise and see the beauty that it brings when the colour of the dunes combine with the shadows formed. We will then take a cup of tea and ride the camels for some hours. After this, we will shower and have your breakfast in the Kasbah after which we will leave for Rissani, also known as the fortified village. It is located in the Tafilalt region right at the edge of the Ziz Valley. This village is a traditional desert village but you will find the beautiful Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif (the Alawite dynasty’s first ruler dating back to the 17th century). From here we will journey through the astonishing gorges of Todra, and through the Atlas Mountains' eastern slopes to the oasis of Tinerhir (which is occupied by local villages and its green-palms valley). Our drive then continues to the Dades Valley which is also known as the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs where we will spend the night.

Day 8: Dades Valley - Valley of Roses - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech (B)

After your breakfast we will leave for Ouarzazate, passing through Skoura. We will stop shortly, for a special view of the Kasbah of Taourirt and later at the atlas film studios for a photo-taking. After that, we will visit the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah after which we take lunch in the village at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue our tour with a drive to Marrakech through the Tizi N’tichka pass and over the high Atlas Mountains. We will then take you to your hotel in Marrakech.

Day 9: Full-day guided tour of Marrakech (B)

We will carry out a full-day tour of the city starting with a visit to the Menara, a pool surrounded by flowerbeds and also carries out the function of an irrigation system for the fields surrounding it. After this, we will embark on a sightseeing tour to show you beautiful places and the architecture of the city. We will visit the Majorelle Gardens, the Dar Si Said Palace museum of jewelry, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Bahia Palace. We will then have lunch which will be optionally followed by a stroll through the very picturesque souks of Marrakech. Then later, while watching the sunset, we will enjoy a drink from a terrace of any café overlooking the Jamaa El Fna Square. Then we have dinner and our day ends as you retire to our hotel for the night.

Day 10: Day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls (B)

This is a day’s trip from Marrakech to the Ouzoud Waterfalls and back to Marrakech. The tour begins in the morning as we depart from Marrakech to Ouzoud which is 170km from Marrakech. The waterfall is located northeast of the city which is about 110m high surrounded by beautiful landscapes and filled with birds and monkeys. Here, local guides can be hired to assist and guide you on hikes up to the height of 1060m and walks. Then later we head back to Marrakech and drop you at your hotel.

DAY 11: Marrakech - Essaouira (B)

After your breakfast, we drive to Essaouira, a coastal city found southwest of the Moroccan coast. This city has become one of Morocco's well-known coastal towns with its nice beach located south of the town. In this town, you will find a lot of artists and woodcarvers who have made it their home. We will take you to important places in the city and later take you to your hotel.