10 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities

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Day 1: Discover 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 make up 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 2: Marrakesh – Tizi N’Ticheka Pass – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge

Your private desert tour from Marrakech begins with an overview of the Atlas Mountains as we make our way through the Tizi-n-Ticheka pass to the UNESCO Heritage Site, where numerous movies like Gladiator and the well-known HBO series Game of Thrones have made the heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou well-known. After that, we will travel to Ouarzazate to see the Atlas Film Studios and a Kasbah there. From Marrakech, we will continue our journey to the Valley of Roses, which is renowned for hosting the annual Festival of Roses. You can choose to get a free dinner at the nearby hotel where we will spend the night in Dades Gorge.

Day 3: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert

Here, we will continue our tour by 4×4 and stop at the picturesque, slender Todra Gorge, a favorite destination for adventurers. We will keep going through the Ziz Valley until we get to Erfoud, an oasis town that serves as the entrance to the Sahara desert and is renowned for its distinctive fossils. We can visit a nearby factory there that creates fossil-based artisans and home furnishings. Additionally, there is a neighborhood store where you can buy such trinkets as gifts. Then, after visiting the neighborhood souk in Rissani, we will continue driving toward the desert until we reach Merzouga, where we will spend the night in a nearby Riad.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert

We will spend today touring the Merzouga Desert. You will have the option to “do your own thing,” with the choice of relaxing four-wheel-drive exploration or camel trekking. Additionally, we will go to Khamlia Village, which is well-known for its folk music. We simply must take advantage of the chance to enjoy the sunset behind the bewildering Saharan desert’s dunes. Local music and traditional Berber cuisine will round out our evening as we gather around a campfire.

Day 5: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt

We will pass through Rissani and Erfoud as we travel after breakfast at the hotel. In addition, we will take a brief break in the Oasis of Ziz to explore its enchanted landscape and sample its delicious dates. In Midelt, in the Middle Atlas, we will take a break for lunch. After that, you can either continue your exploration of Midelt at your own pace or check into a nearby hotel for the night.

Day 6: Midelt – Ifrane – Fez

Today we will continue our exploration of Midelt, and after that, we will travel to Azrou, where we will stop to look around a forest resort and perhaps feed the local wild monkeys. The next stop is Ifrane, regarded as Morocco’s most picturesque city. Tourists from various nations view it as the Switzerland of Morocco. Then we will spend the night in a nearby hotel in Fez.

Day 7: Fez guided tour

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 8: Fez – Chefchaouen

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 Chefchaouen. One of the most beautiful cities in the entire world, Chefchaouen is situated in the Rif Mountains and is famous for its buildings that are covered in bright blue hues.

Day 9: Chefchaouen – Rabat – Casablanca

During a guided tour of the Medina this morning, you will find Chefchaouen beneath the blue. Explore the city’s winding streets, quaint plazas, and distinctive doorways to discover what makes it so alluring. In Chefchaouen, goats are in plentiful supply, and this soft, creamy goat’s cheese is some of the best in all of Morocco. Make sure to stop by for a taste. Take advantage of a free afternoon to do more exploring. You could use the time to take more pictures of the city’s blue-hued structures, go shopping for handmade items, or just relax at a café and take in the pleasure of the passing of time. After spending the panoramic moments between the sights of Chefchaouen, we will travel to visit Rabat and Casablanca views.

Day 10: Casablanca – Marrakech

Before finishing our tour in Marrakech, we will visit the main sights and buildings of Casablanca, including the Hassan II Mosque. 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. End of your Desert Tour from Marrakech.