Marrakech Highlights: 10 Days Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour

Duration

10 DAYS

Star in

Marrakesh

End in

Marrakesh

Pickup

Airport/accommodation

OVERVIEW OF 10 DAYS MOROCCAN CITIES TOUR

The highlights of this trip are 10 days of the Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech, including the Red City of Marrakech where you will start and end your adventure into the Desert. You will travel through the city of Casablanca where you can visit the Mosque of Hassan II, the only mosque permitted to visit for non-Muslims.

Next destination will be the capital of Morocco Rabat where you can visit the Ouadayas Kasbah and Hassan Tower before settling into your hotel. Head to Nord to the blue city of Chefchaouen, known for its blue-washed buildings and old medina before heading to the south to visit the old medina of Fez and its winding and narrow streets.

Continue to the southeast to Erg Chebbi dunes to hop on a camel and sleep under the starry sky before heading back to Marrakech through Toudra gorges, Toudra Valley and Dades, the immense kasbah of Ait Benhaddou valleys and over the high Atlas mountain through the pass of Tizi N’Tichka.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Hassan II Mosque and the world’s tallest minaret.
  •  Explore the imperial city of Rabat – Fes – Marrakech
  •  Wander the bleu-washed streets the bleu city of Chefchaouen
  •  Enjoy your Stay in the Desert and beautiful sunset and sunrise over the Sand dunes
  •  Explore the Medival Ait Benhaddou Kasbah and The beautiful Telouet  Kasbah.
  •  Meet the locals and know more about their daily life and their culture.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 Arrivals at Marrakech Airport

Welcome to Morocco! Welcome to the Red City Of Marrakech.
Upon Arrival, your driver-guide will be waiting at the exit of the airport  with a card, that has your name on it, afterward you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 02 Marrakech: Explore Marrakech Sights and Historical landmarks and Majorelle Garden

Far From the old Medina of Fes, Marrakech has more Amazigh (Berber) than Arab historical roots.

Marrakech!  Nicknamed the red city, has always been a major economic center of the Berber Atlas Mountain Tribes. Starting off your day by visiting Morocco's top tourist attractions in Marrakech.

Marrakech's main square, Jemaa el Fna is a square and Marketplace in the medina of Marrakech (old city), both locals and tourists and it remains the main square of Marrakech, afternoon the square comes a life with musicians and storytellers. Next visit the Bahia palace, which is a 19th-century structure with rooms beautifully decorated with stuccos, paintings, and mosaics, as well as a number of gardens. The Saadian Tombs are an ancient royal necropolis in Marrakech located inside the royal kasbah on the southern side of the kasbah mosque

Orient yourself to the west where you can find the Koutoubia mosque and its beautiful garden, the mosque was built in the 12th century, and its minaret is still the tallest building in Marrakech standing at 70 meters. Visit the Madrasa Ben Youssef an Islamic school from the 16th century to see its beautiful tile work, and carved cedar ceiling...

End your visit to the new city where you will find Majorelle Garden, which is a one-hectare artist-landmarks garden and botanical Garden in the Nouvelle Ville, starting in 1923, the french orientalist artist Jacque Majorelle work on it for nearly four years, and it includes a villa designed by the French artist.

Day 03 Hassan Mosque in Casablanca and the capital of Morocco Rabat

Morning departure toward Rabat, the capital of Morocco, located on the Atlantic coast. Before ending your day in Rabat, discover one of Casablanca’s top attractions: the Hassan II Mosque. Its 690-foot (210-meter) minaret is the highest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world.

The mosque’s interior and surroundings are truly stunning, making it unique and one of the few mosques in the country that non-Muslims are allowed to visit.

End your afternoon in Rabat by exploring the Kasbah of the Oudayas, built in the 12th century to overlook the Bou Regreg River. It served as a military base for the Almohad dynasty, led by Sultan Abdelmoumen and Yaakoub al Mansour.

Explore the Andalusian Gardens, built in the 20th century during the French occupation. The gardens offer a peaceful escape from the crowds.

Finally, visit the Hassan Tower, an unfinished mosque built in the 12th century. Although never completed, around 200 columns remain, along with the red stone tower standing 44 meters (145 feet) high.

End the day in Rabat and settle into your accommodation.

Day 04 The blue city Chefchaouen over the Rif Mountain

Leaving Rabat behind after your Breakfast in Riad and continue our trip to the stunning Blue-washed town of Chefchaouen is your Destination, upon arrival settle into your hotel and you will have a free day to discover the washed-bleu building city of chefchaouen. Visit the Outa Hamam square named after several hamamas which used to surround the square.

Visit the kasbah (old Fortress )which served as a permanent military base including a curtain wall flanked by 11 Towers, including the main towers more recent in the 16th century.

the kasbah includes a museum and garden, and while you explore the kasbah you can find prison cells that form some part of the kasbah. the grand mosque is not allowed for non-muslim but it is worth visiting due to the view from outside. Before sunset, head east along the washed-bleu streets and upstairs to the Spanish mosque to admire the view panoramic of chefchaouen for the last time as the sun set behind the mountains.

Day 05 Volubilis ( Roman Ruins ) and Meknes and the spiritual and cultural city of Fes

Early Morning is the best chance to wander empty streets to snap beautiful pictures of bleu washed-streets before your breakfast.

Say goodbye to Chefchaouen and head south to a UNESCO world heritage Roman Ruins Volubilis .

Roman Ruins (Volubilis)are one of the Moroccan best preserved  Roman Ruins, located on a fertile plain surrounded by wheat fields.

It was built before the Christian Era when the territory was part of the berber kingdom of Mauretania.is believed that 20.000 people inhabited the 42-hectare walled city, and their wealth was made from olive production. While traveling to Fes, stop in Meknes to explore Bab Mansour Gate, The 1732-completed gate is notable not just for its size but also for its original green and white zellij tiles, marble columns, and Quranic inscriptions along the top. The royal Granaries, also known as Heri es-Souani , is stable for 12.000 horses and the same time is a store for an excessive amount of grain. Although the Lisbon earthquake caused the roof collapse in the 18th century. The afternoon continues on to the city of Fes to spend the night in a lovely riad in the old Medina of Fes.

Day 06 Explore Fes and its medieval Medina

Meet your guide and spend a half day learning about the history and culture of Fes. it considers the oldest imperial city in Morocco and its medina is one of the largest urban car-free in the world , in addition, Medina of Fes is listed as UNESCO world heritage SITE.  The Medina of Fes has two old medinas quarter, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid , the nouvelle Ville was built during the french colonial era.

Wander Fes el Bali was built in the 8th century and the 11th-century chouara tannery, the largest and busiest medieval tanneries and the world's oldest tannery processes leather from sheep .cows, goats, and other similar animals. The next stop is al Quarawyin university and its mosque (which was built in 859AD) by Tunisian-born Fatima al-fihri and is not the oldest institution but also the first university to be founded by a woman. Admire the intricately crafted woodwork and tile as you visit the Al Attarine Madrasa.

Visit the Mellah quarter (Jewish neighborhood and Fes el Jdid dates from the 13th century. afternoon back to your Riad.

Day 07 Venture into Desert over Middle Atlas and High Atlas - Azrou Barbary Apes in Cedar Forest - Ziz Valley - Desert Camp and Camel Treks

Start your day bright and venture into the Sahara Desert Of Merzouga.

Our trip takes us first through the Switzerland city of Ifrane, nearby cedar-covered extinct volcanic craters, and alpine ski routes, as well Ifrane is the home of the private university of Al Khawayn built in 1995 and based on the American university system. The next stop is the dense forest of Azrou is home to the Barbary apes. Make your South and Drive over the col of Tizi N'Zad pass (2178 meters -7146 feet) through the cedar trees in the atlas mountains Range.  As we get to Midelt which is located between Middle Atlas Mountains and the high atlas mountains, the scenery is colored by the apricot trees, walnut, and plum trees.  Climb up and over the pass of Tizi N'Tlghemet (1990 meters - 6233 Feet) and into the Ziz Valley very known for its hidden oasis and palm trees grove. continue through Aoufous and Erfoud, you will see many Ksour very known in the south of Morocco as fortified houses. Drive through Erfoud, known for Fossil and Festival of dates before to get to the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi, a vast Sea of Sand dunes that is 13 square miles (35 square Km), once you arrive in the Sahara Desert, hop on your Camel to cross the sand dunes on the way to your Berber camp, before you get the camp you will stop on the way to see the sunset and try to find high dune and reach the top and there is nothing but sand while the sun goes down, there is no place you would rather be.

getting after the sunset to the camp for a  dinner, and Music  by the campfire.

Day 08 Dades Valley and Toudra Gorges through Lushes Oasis and Sahara Villages and Ksours

Get up to catch the sunrise, there is no best thing like it, Continue to the city of Rissani which used to serve as a Caravan trading point till a century ago.

Stop in Rissani to visit the local Market (if its a day Market), the locals come three times a week to shop for all their needs, In fact, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, local people come to sell and buy different products including dates, fruits, and much more. Make your way to Tinghir through local Ksour and traditional villages. we will go off from the main way to explore the spectacular Toudra gorges Before you will have time time to snap some beautiful pictures of Toudra valley and its Palm grove, an outstanding village just behind the river.

The Toudra Gorges are very known for the lover of rock climbing and lie only 15 km from the city of Tinghir.

We will be back in Atlas Mountain as we leave Tinghir as it was an important center for the Berber tribe and travel to Dades Valley where you will spend the night.

Day 09 Marrakech over High Atlas Mountains – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate and Ait benhaddou Kasbah

Your venture toward Marrakech continues through the Rose Valley and the Hollywood of Morocco. It is time to leave the Dades Valley and travel along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, where local families still live in traditional kasbahs.

The journey first takes you to the Rose Valley and the immense palm grove of Skoura. Kelaat M’gouna is well known for its annual Rose Festival, which takes place during the first weeks of May. If you are lucky to travel through the valley during the Damask rose harvest, you will see farmlands and riverbanks beautifully embellished in pink.

Continue west toward Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco. Time permitting, visit the Atlas Movie Studios (optional), where many Hollywood films were shot.

About half an hour later, turn off the main road to reach Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This mud-and-straw structure dates back to the 11th century, during the Almoravid period, and once served as an important trading center for trans-Saharan caravans.

Lose yourself wandering through the mud-brick alleyways and passageways of this traditional village. You may climb to the top of the kasbah to admire panoramic views of the kasbah itself and the surrounding area.

From there, continue toward Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 meters / 7,414 feet). Descend the winding road of the Tichka Pass, watching the landscape gradually change as you approach the Red City of Marrakech.

Day 10 Fligh Home From Marrakech Airport

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer from your hotel to Marrakech Airport.

Included/Excluded

  • Private transportation in an air-conditioned 4×4 Toyota Prado TX, including all fuel.
  • Pick-up and drop-off directly from your riad or hotel in Marrakech.
  • Professional Berber and nomad driver-guide fluent in English .
  • 7 nights in a hotel or riad on a ( breakfast), in rooms with private bathrooms.
  • 2 nights in a hotel or riad on a ( breakfast And Dinner ), in rooms with private bathrooms.
  • One night in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi featuring a private bathroom with toilet and shower.
  • Everyday breakfast provided, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
  • Luggage assistance throughout the tour and at all accommodation points.
  • Traditional Berber drumming and musical entertainment.
  • Free time to explore key sites, such as Kasbah Ait Benhaddou , with opportunities for walking and photography.
  • Flexibility to request stops along the route whenever desired.
  • Guided tours of the Medinas of Marrakech and Fes with a certified English-speaking local guide.
  • Camel (dromedary) excursion in the desert.
  • Exclusive, private services (no other guests will be added to the group).
  • Guided camel ride; sandboarding can also be arranged directly with the camp team.
  • International and domestic flights.
  • Lunches
  • Beverages.
  • Entrance fees to monuments and attractions.
  • Tips and personal expenses.
  • Dinner : Marrakech , Rabat , Chefchaouen , Fez
  • Any services not explicitly listed under "Included" in the Price.

Tour Map

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