8 Days Tour From Marrakech to Imperial Cities Via Desert

itinirary

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 tour 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 8 days tour from Casablanca 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 Desert – Rissani – Midelt – Fez

To see the sunrise, we will get an early start so that we can travel to our hotel on a camelback. After having breakfast at the hotel, we will drive past Rissani and Erfoud before stopping for lunch in Midelt, which is located in the Atlas Mountains. After passing through Middle Atlas sights that will awe and excite you, we will then drive to Fez, where our private tour will start another discovery of imperial cities such as Fez, Volubilis, Meknes, Rabat, and Casablanca.

Day 6: Fez Sightseeing

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 7: Fez – Meknes – Rabat – Casablanca

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 Rabat. Morocco’s elegant capital and first imperial city continue traveling north from Meknes. 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. Then we will travel to Casablanca.

Day 8: Casablanca – Marrakech

Before finishing our 8 days tour from 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.