The Perfect 2 weeks Travel in Morocco – Desert & imperial cities

Day 1 CASABLANCA -> RABAT

• Upon your arrival at the Casablanca airport, a member of our team will greet you. Before you leave Casablanca for Rabat, if time permits, we’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world built by the former King of Morocco, Hassan ll.

• Your tour of Casablanca also includes a short drive through the Houbous, the Art Deco area of Casablanca.

• Then we’ll leave for Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where you’ll explore the main historical sites of the city including the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah and the Shallah ruins before checking in to your accommodations at Riad Zyo/Riad Kalaa (BB).

 

Day 2 RABAT -> CHEFCHAOUEN

• After breakfast at your riad, we’ll head to the picturesque town of Chefchaouen.

• The drive will take about 5 hours, most of it through the scenic Rif Mountains where will be plenty of photo opportunities.

• Lunch will be in the town of Ouazzan, where Muslims and Jews coexisted for centuries.

• After lunch, we’ll drive to Chefchaouen, known as “the blue city” and check into your riad.

• Overnight at Riad dar Assilah/Dar Chaouen (BB).

 

Day 3 EXPLORING CHEFCHAOUEN

• You’ll have time to leisurely explore this fascinating city and enjoy its charming people and blue buildings.

 

Day 4 CHEFCHAOUEN -> VOLUBILIS -> MEKNES -> FES

• After an early breakfast in your riad, we’ll drive to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes.

• The first stop is Volubilis, a large Roman ruin dating to the 2nd century BC, where you will explore the beautiful mosaics and learn about the Roman occupation and culture in North Africa.

• The next stop is Meknes, which was the capital during the 17th century and one of the Imperial cities of Morocco. We’ll stop for lunch near the medina after seeing some of the historic sights.

• Then we’ll head to Fes and overnight at Riad Yacout/ Riad Ahlam in the heart of the medina.

 

Day 5 EXPLORING FES

• After breakfast in your riad, our local guide will take you on a journey into the oldest medina in Morocco that dates back to the 9th century.

• You’ll explore the narrow winding cobblestone streets of the medina, where donkeys are the main mode of transportation.

• Your tour will include historical sites of the medina, including the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest university in the world started in 851 by a woman (Fatima Fhriya), the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine fountains, the famous (and odiferous) tanneries, as well as the King’s Palace, the Jewish quarter where, if you like, you can visit a synagogue in the Mellah. Lunch will be in the medina.

• The tour ends around 4 p.m. at your accommodations

 

Day 6 FES -> IFRAN -> MIDELT -> MERZOUGA

• In the morning we’ll start our drive towards the desert, with our first stop in Ifran, known as Little Switzerland.

• We’ll continue through the Cedar Forest where, with luck, you could see Barbary apes. Most of the drive will be through the scenic Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley.

• We’ll arrive in the village of Merzouga on the edge of the desert around 5 p.m. and check in to Riad Nezha/Riad Madu (HB).

 

Day 7 EXPLORING THE AREA AND A CAMEL TREK INTO THE SAHARA

• After breakfast, you can explore Merzouga and see how the villagers irrigate their crops in an oasis.

• Then it’s on to the village of Khamlia, known as the home of the “black people” who were brought to Morocco as slaves decades ago.

• You’ll be treated to a performance of their unique Gnawa music and have lunch in the village.

• Return to your riad for a rest before heading out on camels into the Sahara Desert where you will become more than just a tourist.

• You’ll spend the night in tents in our comfortable desert camp, equipped with flush toilets and showers. Dinner will be served under the stars (HB).

 

Day 8 MERZOUGA -> TODRA GORGES -> DADES VALLEY

• In the morning, your camel guide will awaken you to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over the dunes. This experience is considered one of the trip’s highlights.

• After your breakfast in the middle of the Erg Chebbi dunes, you’ll ride your camels back to the village of Merzouga.

• Then it’s off for a drive through the Todra Gorges and Dades Valley.

• Our first stop will be at the city of Erfoud, known as the Paradise of Geology. If you are interested, a tour can be arranged for one of the big fossil factories and showrooms before heading out to the Todra Gorges and Todra Valley.

• Once in the Gorges, you can hike around old kasbahs and then enjoy lunch by the Gorges, considered the highest and narrowest gorges in the country where rock climbers from all over the world come here to test their skills.

• You’ll spend the night at Hotel Xaluca Dades (HB).

 

Day 9 DADES VALLEY -> ROSE VALLEY -> OUARZAZATE

• After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate via the Dades Valley, with its dramatic rock formations and ancient kasbahs, and then on to the Rose Valley, known for its damask roses that are harvested in April.

• Continuing on our journey, we’ll head to Ouarzazat, known as African Hollywood, where you can see the Taourirt Kasbah and tour the movie studios.

• Check into your accommodations at Riad dar Chamaa (HB).

 

Day 10 OUARZAZAT -> AIT BEN HADDO KASBAH -> MARRAKECH

• After breakfast at your riad, we’ll drive to Marrakech via a UNESCO Heritage site, which is the Ait ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco where movies like The Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Jewel of the Nile were filmed.

• Then it’s on to Marrakech through the Tichka Pass, one of the highest mountains in Morocco. Arriving in Marrakech, you’ll spend the night at Riad Maialou/Ksar Anika. BB

 

Day 11 EXPLORING MARRAKECH

• After breakfast, our local guide will take you through some of the historical sites of “The Red City,” including the Bahia Palace, the Saadienne tombs, Jamaa Lafna Square, and Ben Youssef Madrasa. Walking through the souks, you’ll enjoy the sights, sounds, and bright colors of the market. The city tour ends around 3 p.m.

• Then it’s on to the new part of Marrakech and the beautiful Majorelle Gardens, created by Yves St. Laurent, before heading back to your accommodations.

• After sundown, we suggest you walk to Jamaa el Fna, the main square in the old city, that comes alive with snake charmers, storytellers, merchants, and tourists enjoying the sights and sounds of Marrakech.

 

Day 12 DAY TRIP TO ESSAOUIRA

• After breakfast at your riad, you’ll leave for Essaouira and Mogador, the City of Wind where surfers from all over the world come to enjoy their favorite sport.

• Along the way, we’ll drive through the Land of Argan, the only place in the world where Argan trees grow. You can visit one of the women’s cooperatives to see how the argan oil is made, by hand, the old-fashioned way.

• When we arrive in Essaouira you’ll have time to explore this blue and white city on the Atlantic Ocean, where, for centuries, many different cultures lived side-by-side.

• Enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants before we head back to your accommodation in Marrakech, BB

 

Day 13 DEPARTURE

• After your breakfast at your riad, we will take you to the airport where the Best 15 days Morocco tour from Casablanca ends for your departure.