The Imperial Cities of Morocco Desert Tour  exploring Essaouira , the Sahara desert , Fez , Chefchaouen and the capital of Morocco Rabat

Itinerary Outline

Day 1 – Rabat – Casablanca

Upon your arrival at Rabat Airport you will be welcomed and before departing to Casablanca, we will visit the main historical monuments of Rabat, Kasbah Oudaya and Hassan, then we will hit the road to economical capital of Morocco, Casablanca. Overnight in Casablanca.

Day 2 – Casablanca – El Jadida – Essaouira

After breakfast we will start our day by visiting the main site in Casablanca, Hassan 2 Mosque then a journey will take us along the coastal road to the beautiful city of Essaouira including a visit to El Jadida one of Portuguese former occupied city in Morocco, very interesting places are worth a visit to such as the Portuguese port. Upon your arrival in the early afternoon you will have enough time to explore this marvelous town and enjoy the calmness of its beach and ancient harbor. Overnight in Essaouira.

Day 3 – Essaouira – Marrakesh

After breakfast we will drive to Marrakech  ” the red city ” . At the arrival you will be joined by a local guide who is going to take you on  tour to visit the old Medina, Saadien Tombs, Bahia Palace, Majourelle Gardens and the famous El Fna Square where you can find storytellers and snakes charmers, monkey charmers, Henna Women, also other famous historical sites are to be visited along the visit. Overnight in Marrakesh.

Day 4 – Marrakesh – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Dades Valley

After breakfast depart to Dades via Tizi n Tichka pass which is one of the most beautiful passes in Morocco and which is 2260m above sea level, then we drive to visit Kasbah Telouat the house of the former warlord Thami Glaoui, we continue our way to join the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO world heritage site and which stands in the middle of Ouad el Malh. We drive to the famous city of Ouarzazate or Holly Wood of Africa as some of the famous movies were filmed in it such as “Gladiator”, “The Mummy”, “Prince of Persia”…etc. Then we continue via Skoura Palm grove and the Rose Valley, in which we will pass through the city of Kalaa Magouna, very well known of rose farming and rose productions, we continue to Boumalne Dades. Overnight in Dades gorges.

Day 5 – Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Tinjdad – Erfoud – Merzouga

After breakfast depart to Merzouga via Todra gorges, one of the beautiful rock canyons in the south east of Morocco. As we hit the road to Merzouga the landscape will change dramatically to a more desert like landscape passing through valleys and dry lands to reach join the famous Berber town of Merzouga. Overnight in Merzouga

Day 6 – Merzouga – Khamlia – Berber Families

After breakfast, we will start a journey that will take us behind the almighty dunes of Erg Chebbi, as we make our way inside the golden dunes to visit the surrounding area of Merzouga including a visit to the nomads of the area, and then we will continue our visit to the old mines of Mifiss. We will finish our journey by visiting the black peoples village of Khamlia, to enjoy to Gnawa Traditional music, which dates back to slavery area and which they used to chant in order to subdue the daily sufferings they went through. In the afternoon we will go back to the hotel, to camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and catch the sunset on the road to the camp. Upon your arrival to the camp you will be welcomed with a fresh cup of tea. Dinner will be served under the stars and drums will be played to complete the serenity of a night which you will never forget.

Day 7 – Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Ifrane – Fez

The staff will wake you up so early to watch the most beautiful sunrises , and then you will ride the camels back to the hotel where you will have breakfast and a refreshing shower. After refreshing up we will hit the road back to the red city of Marrakesh, via the ancient and historical town of Rissani, the town from where the current dynasty started to rule Morocco, a walk in its old souk will take you back in time as the herbs sellers long with antique sellers’ line inside it. We continue our way to the cultural capital of Morocco the city of Fes, passing through the green Ziz Valley to attend the panoramic view of one of the biggest oasis in north of Africa, then we continue to pass through the cedar forest and have the chance to see the barbarian apes of the Atlas mountains. As we approach the city of Fes, we will pass through one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco, the city of Ifrane or the Switzerland of Morocco. We hit the road to join the city of Fes. Overnight in Fes.

Day 8 – A Full Day To Explore Fez

After you enjoy your breakfast you will explore with a local guide the biggest city of the country after Casablanca with a population of approximately 1 million.This city is a the former capital and one of the country’s four imperial cities. Fez comprises three distinct parts, Fez el Bali which is the oldest part surrounded by a big wall, where are more than 9000 narrow streets and allies. Fez-Jdid or the new Fes, home of the Mellah the Jewish quarter and the Ville Nouvelle the newest section of Fez created during the French occupation. Fez el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medina is the largest in the world. Among its narrow streets and allies, the oldest university in the world is located; The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859. This University is still operating nowadays. Overnight in a Riad / Hotel

Day 9 – Fez – Chefchaouen

After you enjoy your breakfast we will drive to the north of Morocco through the Rif Mountains, arriving at Chefchaouen, The blue pearl of the north where everything is set dramatically against the mountains. Things to see among many are the blue-tinted houses and cobbled streets with mountainous backdrop which create a photographic setting. Overnight in a riad / hotel.

Day 10 – Chefchouane – Volubilis – Meknes – Rabat

After  breakfast our journey will start towards volubilis via Ouazzan and other rif villages. Volubilis embodies the roman ruins and presents a unique archaeological site of  the Moroccan history, after the visit of the ruins we will shift our way to Meknes city, one of the four imperial cities since the 17th century, where we will hang around the historical huge walls of the medina, bab el mansour. Later on  we continue to Rabat, the capital of Morocco where you will spend the night.

Day 11 – Rabat – Transfer To The Airport