8 Day Casablanca Fes Merzouga Marrakech

The road to Fes via the capital Rabat, takes us along a beautiful stretch of farmland where olives, grain, vegetables and grapes are grown. Before arriving in Fes you will visit Meknes and Volubilis. Volubilis is the site of the famous Roman ruins left over from the Roman Empire’s southern-most outpost. Meknes is the site of the first Arab dynasty, created by Moulay Ismail, and includes the Medersa Bou Inania and the Bab Mansour, the gateway to the Moulay Ismail Palace. This leads us into the Sehrij es-Souani, the horse stables and granaries. Upstairs is a rooftop garden and cafe with a great view of the city. Arrive into Fes, check into the hotel.

After breakfast, you will begin your visit of “the oldest living Medina in the world” with a local official tour guide. You will tour the Medina with its “souks” (markets), stopping at the gateway of the Royal Palace, the 9th century Karouine mosque and university. You will also visit the tomb of the city founder, Moulay Idriss II. Lunch will be at one of the traditional restaurants in the old Medina. After lunch you will continue your tour to visit the Najarine Fountain, the old Harem Garden and the Batha Museum. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

In the morning we will go into the mountains, to a region known as Imouzzer, which is blanketed in forests of cedar, juniper and cork oak. The area is well known for its abundant wildlife, and many types of birds, wild boar and Barbary apes may be seen on our scenic drive. The road will then start to climb into the Middle Atlas mountains; the slopes may be dotted with the tents and goat herds of nomadic Berbers who call this rugged region home. After a late lunch in Midelt, we continue along mountain roads overlooking the wide flowing Oued Ziz. Passing kasbahs and palm groves, we continue through the adobe-colored city of Er-Rachidia and in the late afternoon arrive into Merzouga, a small town on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert. Overnight in Merzouga.

After breakfast in the hotel, we will go on a tour around Erg Chebbi, we will visit a house and listen to some gnaoua music, originally from Ghana and Sudan. We will visit some deserted mines, Berber nomads and an oasis of palm trees. Towards lunchtime we return to Merzouga. After lunch and some time to relax, we find the camels who are waiting to take us on an adventure into the sand dunes. We will spend the night in an equipped camp with drum music in the middle of the Sahara; this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise. When we have arrived at the camp, we will climb a high dune to see the sunset. We will spend the night in hotel with thousand of stars, a Berber tent, but sparkling sky (full of stars).

After watching the sunrise, we return on camels to Merzouga. After breakfast and a shower in the hotel, we will start our journey to Dades valley. Crossing the Rissane, Erfoud, a famous town, known with it’s dates. We will then proceed to Tinejdad, the stunning Todra gorges and Dades valley with the sheer coloured rock everywhere.

Leaving Dades Valley after breakfast, driving toward Ouarzazate, Moroccan Hollywood, a backdrop of many famous films, we will visit Cinematographic museum, then to UNESCO protected site of Ait Benhaddou, the most impressive kasbah and well-preserved fortress in Morocco. Many movies were filmed here, such as Gladiator. We will then leave Ait Benhaddou and start heading towards the majestic Atlas Mount. We will cross the High Atlas mountain via the highest road pass in Morocco, Tizi n’Tichka, 2260m high, offering impressive views of valleys, mountains and many nearby Berber villages. We will arrive into Marrakech in the evening.

A day-long tour of Marrakech, visiting the Menara, a pool surrounded by flowerbeds that function as an irrigation system for the surrounding fields. The sightseeing tour will cover several impressive sights: The Koutoubia mosque, Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Palace museum of jewellery. There will be an optional lunch in the Medina, followed by a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech. We will enjoy a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jemaa El Fna square from the terrace of a cafe. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.