11 Days Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Exploring

ITINERARY:

1st day: Arrival to Casablanca.

Arrival to the airport, welcomed by a travels morocco staff and be transferred to the hotel.
Depending on arrival time possibility to visit the Mosque of Hassan II, Overnight at Hotel

2nd day : Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen

After the Breakfast, we will start our journey by heading to Rabat. Visit Rabat – the capital of Morocco – you will see the Hassan Tower and walk the Oudaya Kasbah before we departure to the Pearle of the north Chefchaouen “the blue city of Morocco”. Situated at the footstep of two higher mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful unique city, with its white washed walls and blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain; therefore there is much influence from the Spanish civilisation and Moorish architecture.
Accommodation and breakfast on the Riad

3rd day : Chefchaouen – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes .

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis. After a couple of hours drive, you will get to Volubilis, the well preserved Roman empire dating to 225 BC, where you will see the most beautiful Mosaics in Morocco dating back to 3rd century BC. Here you will have a guided tour of the site and learn a lot about the Roman Empire. After that we travel to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. In Meknes we see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail; the granary and the Sahrij Souani, used for Water supplying, irrigation and plantation. Later we continue our way to reach the cultural capital of Morocco Fes.

4th day : Fes – Fes.

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring Fes the “the Spiritual City of Morocco”. You will spend the whole morning exploring the Medina and its alleys; visiting most of the sites with cultural and historical interest – including the famous Al Karaouine Mosque and University (the oldest in the world), the Madrasa Bouanania, the Tanneries and the Najjarine fountain. After lunch, we will drive you outside the Medina to see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, and then visit the pottery cooperative. In the afternoon, we will drive you to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes.
Overnight accommodation at your Riad

5th day : Fes – Ifran – Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga .

After breakfast in your riad, you’ll start travelling southeast to Sahara Desert via Midelt and Errachidia. Your first stop will be at Ifran, referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco”, and then to Sahara Desert via Midlet and the Ziz Valley. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at the famous cedar forest – the largest in Morocco – where you may well sight Barbarian apes. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. After lunch in Midelt, your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way. We will drive through welcoming Berber villages to Erfoud City, and then Rissani, to reach Sahara at the end of the day.
Accommodation, dinner and Breakfast in your hotel.

6th day : Merzouga – Merzouga

After breakfast in your hotel you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their Music and lifestyle.
You may also visit the Souk of Rissani depending in which day you are on the area (shopping Days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday ) , a traditional town which was the origin of the Ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Mali. By afternoon you will start your guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man to explore Within the Sand Sea of Sahara Desert, and the best Sunset over the dunes . Overnight at our desert starry camp

7th day :Merzouga – Todra gorge – Boumalen dades

Early in the morning The staff of the camp will wake you up to watch what well may be the best Sunrise of your life. Afterwards you will trek back to the village of Merzouga, en route you Couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – Changing with the light as the day progresses. After coming back with camels you’ll leave to Dades Valley, visiting Todra Gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After That you will have an optional hour’s hike through the fields of palm trees then Later to go through Dades Valley, where you will have the opportunity to see majestic Sandcastles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”.
Overnight accommodation in a hotel.

8th day :Dades – Rose valley – Skoura  – Ouarzazate

After breakfast in the hotel we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing Numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaa Mgouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Skoura palm groove visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area. After lunch, you will have some time for hiking within the valley and then continue to Ouarzazate – “the Hollywood of Africa”– whose geography and beautiful landscapes have attracted many world class movie producers.

Overnight accommodation in Riad/Hotel

9th Day : Ouarzazate – Ait ben haddou – Marrakech .

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Marrakech via the largest Kasbah in Morocco, and then over the Atlas Mountains. Your first stop will be at the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by one of the last Berber chieftain El Glaoui Et-Hami in the late 19th century, it is now a UNESCO heritage site, which today still houses many Glaoui family members.
Journeying on through the Ounilla valley to Kasbah Telouet, you will enjoy the panoramic views and the scenic moon-like landscape with the contrast of the Berber villages and the Atlas Mountains. Today you will also visit the Kasbah Telouet, an area that was known for the trading caravans led by T-Hami El Glaoui ancestors during the end of the 19th century.
Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass 2260m over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech.

10th day : Marrakech –  Marrakech .

After breakfast in the riad , you can start exploring Marrakech “the Red City of Morocco”.
Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, including the famous Jemaa El Fna Square , the Saadian tombs; the Palaces of Bahia, and the Ben Youssef Coranic school, see the Koutoubia tower and its gardens. The rest of the day is free in own.

11th day : Marrakech – Airport .

At the suitable time, transfer to the airport and end of our services.

Services included:

• Private tour of your group
• Driving Guide all day long.
• 4×4 truck transportation & fuel.
• Accommodations, Dinner & Breakfast except in Fes and Marrakech which is in Bed and breakfast.
• The camel ride to cross and discover the dunes to where the camp is.
• The Tents (a camp) in the middle of the dunes
• the city tour guide in Fes and Marrakech.
• Airport-Hotel-Airport shuttles.

Not included:

• Airplane tickets,
• Lunch costs,
• Drinks,
• Museum bills, Tips.
• Anything not mentioned in the “included”