10 Days Desert Tour From Casablanca to Imperial Cities

itinirary

Day 1: Arrival at Casablanca

The first leg of your private tour of Morocco begins with a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Casablanca. The tour site visit for today may not take place if you come in the late hours of the day. If time permits, we can stop by a few of Casablanca’s tourist hotspots, including the Hassan II Mosque, the Moroccan Mall, and a nearby beach area.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat to Meknes – Fez

You will see one of Casablanca’s most impeccable sights this morning: the enormous structure known as the Mosque of Hassan II. Indeed, it is one of the few places of worship accessible to non-Muslims. It is primarily over water, with some land included. To reach Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital and first imperial city, continue traveling north from Casablanca along the coast. The Kasbah of Oudaya is a lovely, walled neighborhood that you should explore after taking a stroll through the Medina and souks to begin your trip. Enjoy a complimentary mint tea while admiring views of the Bou Regreg River and the ocean at this hidden gem of a café. Moreover, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the mosque minaret will be seen. Make your way to Meknes, the former capital of Morocco, in the late afternoon. With your guide, you can stroll through the Medina, the former walled section of Meknes. It has a special charm to discover this lesser-known Medina while observing the locals go about their daily lives. Visit the granaries, the Moulay Ismail shrine, and the nearby market, where you can buy fresh produce and treats. You will eventually arrive at the Volubilis ruins. Unquestionably impressive, the ruins were once the provincial capital of the Romans as well as a distant outpost of the empire. An informed local guide will give you a tour of the area while also sharing knowledge and giving you a sense of the once-thriving city that once stood there. Take a picnic lunch of fresh bread, cheese, seasonal fruit, and olives from the market. We will travel on to Fez as our last destination for today.

Day 3: Discover Fez

Today, make your way to Fez el Bali, the city’s old town. One of the premier centers for Islamic and Jewish culture and education during the Middle Ages was Fez. Its mosques enjoy widespread acclaim, and its religious institutions and libraries are legendary. Your guide will tell you tales about the city’s past as you stroll through the narrow lanes and winding streets, past donkeys carrying heavy loads of merchandise, and discover the souk’s specialty areas. Where the sounds of hammering copper, the clucking of chickens, the aroma of spices, and old khans, madrassas, and dye pits can be heard, along with stalls selling fruits, herbs, and soups. The Al-Attarine Madrasa, the tanneries, and the magnificent Funduk Najjarine, a beautifully preserved 18th-century inn, are all worthwhile stops on a day spent exploring the old city.

Day 4: Fez – Middle Atlas – Erfoud – Merzouga

Today, leave the bustle of the city and travel across the magnificent Middle Atlas sights to the oasis town of Erfoud in the desert. Make plans for a long driving day and pack your camera because there will be plenty of stops along the way to take in the constantly changing Moroccan landscape. Along the way, you will pass date palm-lined valleys, olive groves, shepherds tending to their flocks, cedar, pine, and oak forests, as well as glimpses of the High Atlas Mountains. Erfoud offers easy access to the Sahara Desert. The town is crowded with red sand constructions that blend in with the desert surroundings. Taste some fresh dates from the nearby market while you are here. Every year, a festival is held in Erfoud to celebrate the mouthwatering dates. Accommodation is offered in Merzouga.

Day 5: A full Day in Merzouga

This morning will be spent exploring Khamlia, a village that is located beside the dunes of Erg Chebbi. This authentic Saharan village is renowned for its unique dance and music. Today’s lunch will allow you to watch the preparation of the regional specialty dish Medfouna and then consume some for yourself. After that, it is time to travel through the desert on a camel, as the locals do, in order to reach your Feature Stay lodging, a stunning camp tucked away in the Saharan dunes. You can get a true sense of what it is like to live in the desert right here, in this enchanted haven from the modern world. However, despite the remote location, permanent tents come equipped with spacious beds, private bathrooms, and charming, authentic decor. Tonight, you will enjoy a traditional feast and live Gnawa music around an open fire while taking in the extraordinary surroundings of the area.

Special Information

It is possible to be driven to and from the camp if you would prefer, but the camel rides on Days 8 and 9 are a romantic way to see the Sahara. If you would rather skip the camel rides, please let your booking agent know.

Day 6: Golden Desert to Dades Gorges

A camel ride through the desert at sunrise, when the landscape turns an amazing shade of orange, will set the tone for the rest of the day. Drive to Todra Gorge, a sizable trench that rises over 250 meters to create one of Morocco’s most dramatic and breathtaking natural sights, after breakfast. You will take a quick and easy stroll through the gorge to fully enjoy the breathtaking surroundings before hiking among the limestone stacks. Then proceed to the lovely Dades Valley, where you will spend the following two nights. The landscape in this region is unlike anywhere else: broad, lush valleys give way to bizarre, wind-sculpted rock formations. You have a full day to discover the splendor of this largely unexplored Moroccan backcountry, and walking is the best way to do it. There are a few circuits in the area; you can choose to complete one that is 10 kilometers long and will take about 4 hours, but your leader can modify the route based on the group’s preferences. The hike will start after a brief transfer, where you will meet your local guide. Anyone with a basic level of fitness can access the undulating trail, though it can be challenging in some spots. In the neighborhood, stop for tea and visit an Amazigh (Berber) family. Few visitors to Morocco get the chance to experience this kind of insight into the Amazigh way of life. Take advantage of the opportunity to tell stories and learn about family life in the Dades Valley while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains and Rose Valley.

Day 7: Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs is accessible by leaving the Dades Valley. You should start by visiting the privately owned Kasbahs in Skoura Oasis, such as the ornately decorated Kasbah Amridil with its mud-brick walls. Keep going to Ait Ben Haddou, a hilltop area that has not undergone much change since the 11th century. One of Morocco’s most beautiful grand Kasbahs can be found there, and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia are just a few of the many movies and television shows that the website has been featured in. You can meander through the Old Town’s winding streets as you ascend the hill to take in some picturesque views. After that, enjoy a satisfying lunch at Tawesna, a riverside tea house in the neighborhood, which includes freshly baked Amazigh bread, soup, Moroccan sweets, and, of course, some mint tea. Working at this nonprofit allows women to support both themselves and their families. The women take great pride in sharing their experiences and giving guests a true Amazigh experience as they make tea and pastries with organic ingredients they purchase from nearby cooperatives. Leaving Ait Ben Haddou after lunch, take a long, winding drive through the Atlas Mountains. You can take your time and stop for a few photos if you would like due to the breathtaking scenery. Ouirgane is where we are headed today. This charming village offers visitors a distinct and less-traveled base for walking because of its concealed location in the serene High Atlas Mountain foothills. The winter and summer have mild temperatures, and both are enjoyable. A wide variety of birds can be seen nearby, you can take a stroll through the nearby red-earth hills and pine forests, or you can just unwind at a refreshing 1000 meters above sea level with the stunning Jebel Toubkal in the distance. Have a conversation with your leader about some fantastic hiking options for this afternoon.

Day 8: A Full Day in Marrakech

Today, after breakfast, you will meet with a local guide who will help you experience the magic of Marrakech as you embark on a morning tour of the old Medina through the humming souks that are the heart of the city. Discover the numerous salons and chambers that makeup Bahia Palace, as well as the serene courtyards that are scented with orange blossoms. It is forbidden for non-Muslims to enter the Koutoubia Mosque, but the structure’s renowned minaret is a remarkable sight. Follow your original route back to Jemaa el-Fna through the old Medina, stopping along the way to sample some of the amazing freshly squeezed orange juice from a nearby stall. You will undoubtedly agree that this orange juice is among the best you have ever tasted. You can continue your exploration throughout the day. Furthermore, you could go to Le Jardin Secret, a traditional Medina garden with a stunning courtyard, or you could return to the Medina and practice what you are haggling. Your leader will be able to suggest some fantastic local eateries for your farewell dinner on your last night.

Day 9: A Trip to Essaouira

We will have our usual scrumptious and healthy breakfast before heading to Essaouira (Mogador). It is a city in the Atlantic. The historical Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will make a brief stop on the way to Essaouira to tour a women’s cooperative-run Argan factory. Concisely, Argan trees are unique to Morocco and produce oil in addition to being used to make some cosmetic accessories. We keep traveling until we reach Essaouira, where we will explore a historic city with a variety of architectural styles, including Berber and Portuguese. Yuba II, the Berber king of the Kingdom of Mauritania, adored this city. We will take a tour of the Essaouira beach, the port of Scala, Dar Souiri, the cultural center Bab El Marsa, the Mogador Center of Art, mosques with stunning towers like the Bab Marrakech Tower, Bab Sba, and Bab Doukkala, the Dar Sultan Palace, Bayt Dakira, and the Gallery Kasbah, among other places. You will have an incredible day in this wonderful city. There are fish dishes to try, too, without forgetting. After that, we will return to Marrakech to find accommodations.

Day 10: Marrakech to Airport

Following breakfast, your journey ends. You can depart whenever you want; checkout time is typically around noon. The pick-up time will be communicated to you if you have scheduled a private airport transfer. If you want to stay longer and explore Marrakech, you can reserve additional accommodations in advance.