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This tour that will take us all over Morocco has its starting point at Casablanca airport. At the terminal you will be picked up by our English-speaking driver in a private vehicle for an immediate transfer to the center of Casablanca. Without further ado, we will visit its most important monument: the Hassan II Mosque. Besides being a grandiose construction, it is also one of the few in which non-Muslims are allowed to visit. Therefore, if we have the opportunity, we will discover its interior beauty, with an exquisite Islamic decoration and top quality materials.

After that, we will head for Rabat, which is less than 100 km from Casablanca. There you will have free time to discover its most interesting sites, protected under the umbrella of Unesco thanks to its declaration as World Heritage: the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower or the Mausoleum of Mohamed V are some must-see places. Your accommodation will be in a riad in the center, so you will also be very close to the historic medina to explore it at your own pace.

Day 2: Rabat – Chaouen

After breakfast at the riad in Rabat, included in the package, we will leave for one of the most amazing towns in Morocco: Chaouen. To do so, we will travel about 250 km by road, reaching the northernmost point of the route. On arrival, its location between the Rif Mountains will jump to the eye and will announce the irregular orography of the medina, full of slopes and nooks and crannies that give it more charm.

In this small town we will spend two nights, so this first day will serve as a contact point to walk through its picturesque streets, many of them whitewashed and painted blue. During this free walk you can walk at your leisure, reaching the panoramic viewpoints located around the medina. It is also a good opportunity to visit its craft stores, specialized in leather, wool and other traditional materials, or its humble art galleries, home to very original creators. In the evening, you will rest in a riad in the medina.

Day 3: Chaouen

This third day of the tour will begin with breakfast at the riad in Chaouen. And after recharge your batteries, you can go out to discover other places of interest in Chaouen. The tour will also be free, but this day you can spend more time visiting its monuments and tourist attractions. For example, its imposing kasbah, which has been converted into an Ethnographic Museum, or the various gates of the wall, which have stood for several centuries. Its square Uta el Hammam, its main nerve center, will be a good place to start and end your steps. And at the end of the day, you will return to rest in the cozy riad of the medina.

Day 4: Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez

On the fourth day of the circuit we leave Chaouen after breakfast at the riad and begin a route full of cultural attractions. The first of them is Volubilis, the most important Roman archaeological site in Morocco and one of the most spectacular in North Africa. It preserves the remains of a great city of that civilization, something that visitors can understand thanks to the preserved elements: mosaics, columns, arches, urban fabric, etc..

After visiting Volubilis, we arrive at Meknes, which experienced its moment of splendor between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: it was then that it became the capital of the kingdom, under the hand of Sultan Moulay Ismail. And many of its monuments, such as the gates of the wall or the mausoleum of the aforementioned sultan, date back to that time. It is no coincidence, therefore, that it has also been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

And in the last part of the day we will arrive in Fez, one of the most important of all Morocco in terms of tourism. It has many places of interest, which we will discover calmly the next day. Therefore, on this first day you will stroll freely and take a first contact with the city. You will be able to do it quietly on foot, as the riad where you will stay will be located in the medina.

Day 5: Fez

Fez is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Morocco, thanks in large part to its rich past: centuries ago, it was a cultural and spiritual center for the Islamic world, and still retains much of that prestige today. After breakfast at the riad, you will meet our official guide to explore this city, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the morning, you will visit the main sites of the medina, such as its madrasas, including Bou Inania and Attarine. The Karaouine mosque and its university could also be part of the tour, as well as the Nejjarine square and its historic fountain. Its souks and districts of artisans, such as the tanners, will remain close at hand and devoid of secrets thanks to the explanations of our guide.

The afternoon will be free and therefore a good time to add other interesting visits, such as the Golden Gates of the Royal Palace or the Mellah (Jewish quarter). You will also be able to spend your time shopping for handicrafts, which still play a very important role in the local economy. Its quality is, for many, the highest in Morocco. And in the evening, you will return to rest in the riad of the medina.

Day 6: Fez – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert

After several days in the north of the country, it is time to cross the Middle Atlas and travel south, where the Moroccan desert is located. Therefore, you will have an early breakfast at the riad in Fez and get back on the road with our driver and our private vehicle. The first stop will be the town of Ifrane, one of the most unique of all Morocco for its alpine appearance, full of gabled buildings and surrounded by a humid and green landscape. For a reason it is called the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, receiving abundant rain and snow in winter.

Near Ifrane and Azrou is the National Park known as the Monkey or Cedar Forest. Both are abundant here, forming an ecosystem in perfect balance, although not free of threats. In fact, these primates (Barbary macaques) are at risk of extinction and seek shelter under the branches of these centuries-old conifers, very representative of the Moroccan flora.

We will then cross the Middle Atlas and travel through the Ziz Valley, where the river of the same name flows. The landscape changes significantly, becoming more arid, although with large palm groves. With this landscape around us we will travel many kilometers until we reach Erfoud, famous for its dinosaur fossils and prehistoric animals.

And soon after we will reach Merzouga, a small town that gives its name to the surrounding desert. Here we will park the vehicle and get on the back of camels (one per person) for an excursion through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, the largest in Morocco. The goal will be our Berber tent camp, where we will be welcomed with tea, dinner and rest under the spectacular starry blanket of the desert sky.

Day 7: Merzouga Desert – Khamlia – Ouzina

One of the advantages of this 16-day circuit is that, in addition to traveling throughout Morocco, we can devote several days to its main attractions. For example, the desert of Merzouga: after breakfast in the tents camp, we will move in 4×4 through this environment of extreme aridity to reach Khamlia, also known as the ‘village of the blacks’. Here we will meet its inhabitants, descendants of former slaves and guardians of the traditional Gnawa music. This folkloric expression was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, given its uniqueness, as we will discover in a live performance.

After that, we will travel along tracks that are only accessible by adapted vehicles, like ours. We will head for the desert of Ouzina, in the surroundings of this tiny village, far from the major tourist routes but full of charm. We will be greeted with tea by the locals and, after that, we will go to witness one of the greatest spectacles in Morocco: the sunset on the sand dunes. The night will be spent in a desert hotel, where dinner will also be served and there will be another musical performance, in this case of Berber rhythms.

Day 8: Ouzina – Maharch Pass – Draa Valley

If the sunset in the dunes of Ouzina is one of the greatest spectacles in Morocco, the sunrise is no less spectacular. You will see it at the beginning of the eighth day of the route, when you should get up early to enjoy this incomparable sunrise. After that, it will be time for breakfast and shower, and then continue our route through the desert, with dyes of adventure for the places we will leave behind: sand rivers, Berber villages, rocky hamadas ….

In this way we will reach the mountainous massif Jebel Kem Kem, in the surroundings of Alnif. The Maharch Pass will open the gates of the Draa Valley, one of the largest in Morocco, and its famous Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, where the fortresses follow one after another.

In one of these kasbahs, or rather in a ksar (fortified village), we will sleep on this day, so staying in this complex can be considered an experience in itself: it is the ksar of Tamnougalt, built in adobe in the nineteenth century and recently rehabilitated. We will walk through its narrow streets and come into contact with Berber tribes that still inhabit the place. At the end of the day, you will have dinner and sleep in spaces perfectly integrated in the ksar.

Day 9: Draa Valley – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

Breakfast on the ninth day will also be served in the ksar of Tamnougalt, after which we will continue the route through the Draa Valley to link with the Dades Valley. On this road route we will reach a unique environment in Morocco: the Todra Gorges, located in the vicinity of the picturesque village of Tinghir.

These Gorges are a spectacular rocky canyon, with walls that reach 200 meters in some sections and represent a challenge for climbers from all over the world. We will travel through its spaces by car and on foot, which will give us a very complete view of the gorge carved by the humble river Todra for millennia.

The road route will continue through the Dades Valley and in one of its picturesque villages will be located the riad where you will have dinner and spend the ninth night of the circuit.

Day 10: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

Our tenth day will begin, as usual, with breakfast at our accommodation, the riad in the Dades Valley. After that, we will return to the road: our odometer will progress through the landscape of this area, where small villages and kasbahs, as well as palm groves between arid hills and large expanses of hamadas.

The city of reference on this day will be Ouarzazate, considered the gateway to the desert for those coming from Marrakech. In this circuit, it offers two major attractions: on the one hand, the Kasbah of Taourirt, located on the outskirts, which served as a castle-residence of the Lord of the Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. The grandeur of its inhabitants can still be appreciated thanks to the interior decoration of some rooms and the defensive adobe architecture of its exterior. The other place of interest that Ouarzazate offers are its film studios, used to record Hollywood blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia. If the group wishes, you can visit its facilities.

Day 11: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech

At the hotel in Ouarzazate you will have breakfast on the eleventh day and, after that, we will resume our road trip, this time in the direction of the High Atlas Mountains. In them is located another kasbah, Telouet, related to the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. Therefore, it has many details in common with the kasbah of Taourirt already visited.

Very close to Telouet is the port of Tizi n’Tichka, the most common passage to cross the High Atlas. It is located more than 2,200 meters above sea level and, therefore, is ideal to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surroundings: peaks that remain snowy for much of the year and small villages scattered on the slopes of the mountains.

That will also be the landscape that accompanies us for much of the descent on the way to Marrakech. Arrival in the Red City will not take too long, so you can enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. It will serve to get to know its popular atmosphere and its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. This is the city that attracts more tourists from all over Morocco due to its many attractions and therefore the circuit provides two and a half days in it, with three nights of accommodation. In all cases it will be a riad in the medina to have more at hand the monuments, museums and attractions of Marrakech.

Day 12: Marrakech

On the first of two full days in Marrakech, you will enjoy a guided tour, which is the best way to learn the secrets of this fascinating city. It will be in the morning, after breakfast at the riad, and you will visit the main places of the medina: the Jemaa el-Fna square, the Kutubia mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs or the Ben Youssef Madrasa can be some of the stops of the walking tour.

The afternoon, on the other hand, will be free, so you can add the visit to other places of historical-artistic interest. For example, the El Badi Palace, the Marrakech Museum, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum or the Majorelle Gardens, a unique botanical jewel in Morocco. Our guide will advise you on the most interesting places according to your tastes.

Day 13: Marrakech

The thirteenth day of this tour is also entirely dedicated to Marrakech. But this time, the whole day will be free. Therefore, this is the ideal time for activities in this city or its surroundings, such as excursions.

Another interesting option is to spend the day shopping locally, as the trip is coming to an end. The Red City has the largest variety of stores in Morocco, both traditional crafts and new creators and major brands, the latter in neighborhoods such as Gueliz.

Day 14: Marrakech – Essaouira

A tour that aims to cover all of Morocco, as this one, can not forget the Atlantic Coast and a city as suggestive as Essaouira. And that is where our route arrives in its last days. After breakfast at the riad in Marrakech, our driver will pick you up in a private vehicle to head to the city known as ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’. On the way we will stop at an argan oil cooperative, where we will learn how this characteristic product of the country is produced.

Known as Mogador by the Portuguese, who established an important commercial enclave here, Essaouira still preserves important monuments of that time (15th century). For this reason and for the charm of its historic medina, it was awarded the title of World Heritage by Unesco. A defensive front that, given its spectacular nature, also served as a film set for the series Game of Thrones.

During this first day, you can take a first walk through its maritime fortress, the gates of the wall or the small fishing port, as well as ‘lost’ in the narrow streets of the historic center, whose nerve center is the square Moulay Hassan. And in a place of this old town will be located the charming riad where you will spend this and the next night.

Day 15: Essaouira

The penultimate day of this Morocco tour also focuses on Essaouira and at leisure. Breakfast will be served at the riad in the medina and, after that, you can choose how to spend your time this day. The options are varied and our staff will help you choose: water activities on the coast (surfing, kitesurfing, etc.), horse or dromedary rides on the sandy beach or simply a refreshing swim in the ocean waters, among other options. The local folklore is also another attraction of the city, standing as a reference for Gnawa musicians. Therefore, those who have been left wanting to repeat a performance like that of Khamlia, will find here venues for a second time.

Day 16: Essaouira – Marrakech Airport

After 15 days touring all over Morocco, the circuit comes to an end: if the return flight schedules from Marrakech airport allow it, the program foresees breakfast at the riad in Essaouira and the transfer by road, from the door of the accommodation to the door of the terminal, in a journey of just over two and a half hours. After that, it will be time to say goodbye, with the hope that it will be a “see you soon” to repeat experiences and services in other parts of Morocco, with the help of our agency.

TOURIST PACKAGE INCLUDED

•   Pick up and drop off at the airport
•    Comfortable private transportation with air conditioning
•    English speaking driver / tour guide
•    Sandboarding in the desert
•    Camel ride

TOURIST PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

•    Plane tickets
•    Drinks
•    Lunches
•    Tickets

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Upon arrival at Casablanca airport, our staff will be waiting for you at the terminal. An English-speaking driver will pick you up in a private vehicle to start, without further delay, the exploration of Morocco in its entirety.

The first stop will be in Casablanca itself, the largest city in the country. Specifically, the Hassan II Mosque, which is not only the highest mosque in Morocco but also in the entire Islamic world: its minaret is about 200 meters high. But that is not its only interest, far from it: it is one of the few visitable mosques in the country, so we will take the opportunity to enter and learn about this Muslim temple, made of high quality materials such as different marbles and granites.

After visiting this modern architectural jewel, located on an artificial peninsula on the coast of Casablanca, we will leave for our next destination: Rabat. It has been the capital since 1912 and is considered one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco, a name that gives us clues about the monumentality of some of its buildings. For example, the Hassan Tower, erected in the late twelfth century. In that same century, construction began on the Kasbah of the Oudayas, an impregnable walled enclosure from which you will enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city, its coast and the neighboring Salé.

You will be able to discover all this and much more at your own pace, as you will have free time to spend the rest of the day in this city, distinguished as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In this way, you can lose yourself in the medina and its souk, or visit other interesting places outside it, such as the Mohamed VI Museum of Contemporary Art, to name a few examples. And in the evening, you will rest in a comfortable riad in the heart of the city center.

Day 2: Rabat – Chaouen

After breakfast at the riad in Rabat, we will leave early in the morning heading north. The goal is to reach Chaouen with enough time to visit this small town full of charm. We will reach it after a journey of about 4 hours by road, the last stretch of which runs through the Rif Mountains.

Between two of them is Chaouen, also called Chefchaouen or El Aaiún. Its medina, with narrow, steep and twisted streets, exudes a special charm due to the light blue color used to decorate the walls. It also has an interesting kasbah, which today houses an ethnographic museum, and strategic viewpoints from which to admire the town’s hamlet and its green surroundings.

It is also a town where ancient traditions and ways of life survive, as well as a very rich craftsmanship, highlighting its textile productions. On your return from shopping and strolling through the medina, your riad will be close by, as it will be located in the historic center.

Day 3: Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknes- Fez

On the third day of this circuit, after breakfast at the riad, we will leave the Rif Mountains and head south to discover two places as different as interesting, which will help us to understand the diversity and beauty of Morocco as a whole. The first one takes us to the Roman Empire. Specifically, to one of its most important cities in North Africa, in the province called Mauritania Tingitana. We are talking about Volubilis, which is currently an archaeological site of great value, as it preserves colonnades, mosaics, monumental arches and other elements that allow us to understand its importance in the past. For all this it is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Later, we will move on to Meknes, another of the sites recognized by Unesco. It is also considered one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco because it was designated capital in the late seventeenth century by Sultan Moulay Ismail. During the free visit of its historic medina you can admire its mausoleum, the wall and its monumental gates, including Bab Mansour.

In the last part of the day we will arrive in Fez, with time for a free walk. Here you can experience a first contact with this city with a rich past, as well as shopping in its craft shops, recognized inside and outside the country for their quality. And to conclude the day, you will sleep in a riad in the medina that will allow you to be rested for the guided tour the next day.

Day 4: Fez

To know in depth all the secrets and attractions of Fez, it is essential to have the explanations and the help of an official local guide. And that is precisely what we provide on this fourth day of the tour. After breakfast at the riad, you will meet him for a tour in English of the great medina of the city, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Our guide will organize a tour adapted to your preferences and abilities, optimizing your time. Thus, some of the possible places to discover will be the famous madrasas of the city, such as Bou Inania and Attarine. Or the Karaouine Mosque, which houses one of the oldest universities in the world. Or the Nejjarine Square, with its eighteenth-century fountain of the same name. Another of the must-see places in Fez is its tanners’ quarter, which still works the leather as in the old days.

In any case, it will be difficult to cover all the sights of Fez in a single morning, so the free afternoon can be devoted to visit what remains to be seen. The Golden Gates of the Royal Palace or the Jewish quarter (Mellah) can be interesting ideas for this time of the day, as well as the interior visit to museums: Dar Bahta, Borj Nord, Nejjarine, etc. And after a day of intense sightseeing in Fez, you will return to rest at night in the same riad in the center.

Day 5: Fez – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert

The fifth day of this circuit is one of the longest. But precisely for this reason, it is also one of the most attractive for those who intend to discover Morocco in its entirety. And we will start shortly after hitting the road, after breakfast at the riad in Fez.

The first stop will be the small town of Ifrane, unique not only in this circuit but also in the rest of the country: it is located at an altitude of more than 1,700 meters and, due to the numerous precipitations it receives (in the form of snow in winter), its environment is very green and its roofs are gabled. It is not by chance, therefore, that it is known by the name of ‘the Moroccan Switzerland’.

In this mountain environment we will discover another place of great interest: the Ifrane National Park, also called the Monkey Forest. It receives this name because in this protected natural area lives a large population of Barbary macaques, the largest in Morocco. Another attraction of this park is its large green forest mass, colored by its cedars. These trees provide the perfect habitat for the life of these primates, the only species living in freedom north of the Sahara.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert – Khamlia – Paris-Dakar Tracks – Nomads – Merzouga Desert

One of the advantages of this circuit is that the desert of Merzouga will not be a simple place of passage. On the contrary: we will dedicate the entire sixth day to discover its most authentic corners and traditions. First of all, the magic of the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where the dawn projects lights difficult to find anywhere else in the world. After that, breakfast will be served and we will take the camels back to Merzouga. In addition, you will have the possibility to take a shower, in the camp or in a hotel according to the package contracted.

First of all, we will visit Khamlia, which is also called the ‘village of the blacks’ because that is the predominant color of its inhabitants. The explanation lies centuries ago, when the slave trade forcibly brought people from sub-Saharan Africa. The people we will meet on this visit are, therefore, descendants of them. And they have maintained the passion and sensitivity for the music of their ancestors. Specifically, the gnawa genre, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. We will attend a performance in which we will discover their percussion rhythms and mystical dances so characteristic.

With the sound still in our ears we will take our 4×4 to cross one of the most spectacular tracks in this area, usual in the routes of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally. Wrapped in this aura of adventure we will pass through other interesting places, such as kohl mines, abandoned French and Berber villages and a special elevation of the terrain from which you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

In addition, to meet the inhabitants of this area of Morocco in full and in depth, we will have the opportunity to visit a settlement of semi-nomadic people who continue to maintain uses and traditions of yesteryear. They will tell us about their experience of living in the desert and will welcome us with hospitality during our meeting. After that, we will head to the hotel where you will have dinner and spend the night, located in another suggestive corner of the desert of Merzouga.

Day 7: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

On the seventh day of this circuit we will say goodbye to the desert of Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. But, after breakfast at the hotel, we will head to other unique areas of the Moroccan desert. The first stop of this day’s roadtrip will be Rissani, a small but surprising city that houses a beautiful historic medina. Its traditional market full of colorful local products and its picturesque donkey parking are scenes that demonstrate the genuine daily life that still goes on here.

Leaving Rissani behind, we will travel more than 150 km to reach the Todra Gorges: here, the small river of the same name has carved a rocky canyon of whimsical shapes and high walls, famous among climbers from all over the world. But any visitor can admire this natural landscape and walk through the gorge formed after millennia of erosion. A beauty that will be even appreciable from our car, because the road forms implausible curves as it passes through this area.

The twisting turns of the Todra Gorges will take us to the heart of the Dades Valley, which in turn is part of the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs: before our eyes will follow numerous Berber fortresses perched on top of arid hills, as well as palm groves and cultivated areas where the local inhabitants follow their traditional rhythm of life. The same will happen in the nearby Valley of the Roses, where the production of this flower gives numerous jobs to its people and a special color to the environment, especially in the spring season.

The city where we will end the day will be Ouarzazate. Many know it as the Hollywood of Morocco for its prestigious film studios. Scenes from films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and many others were shot here, as we will discover if the expedition wishes and schedules permit. A visit that is on the program is the Kasbah of Taourirt, on the outskirts of the city: residence of Thami El Glaoui, Lord of the Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech, still retains much of its original decoration, both inside and outside. At the end of the day, a hotel with all the comforts will serve dinner and offer you rest for the next day of our tour.

Day 8: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas- Essaouira

The eighth day of this circuit begins with breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate and then we will move to the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, located just 25 km from the city. His visit is more than justified, as it is one of the best examples of traditional defensive architecture of the Berber civilization, being a key stop on the caravan route between Marrakech and Timbuktu. Strolling through its interior and contemplating it from the outside we will understand why it was elected World Heritage by Unesco … and why it serves as a setting in blockbusters like Game of Thrones.

After this visit, we will return to our vehicle to head for the High Atlas Mountains, which we will cross later. But before reaching the top of the pass, we will stop at another kasbah of interest: Telouet. This fortress is closely related to that of Taourirt, in Ouarzazate: although it has also suffered the ravages of time, we can see a similar architectural style inside and outside, as it was also the residence and stronghold of the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui.

Shortly after we will reach the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, at an altitude of more than 2,200 meters, an unbeatable position to contemplate the surroundings: the highest peaks of the High Atlas rise imposing on the horizon and on the slopes of these mountains lie small Berber villages where time seems to have stopped. This is what we will see during our descent, which will be a journey through an environment of great scenic beauty.

This descent takes us directly to Marrakech, but we will not stop there… for the time being, because this circuit of Morocco ends here, several days later. Therefore, we will take the highway that connects this city with Essaouira, popularly known as ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’. We will arrive there in the early afternoon, with enough time to take a first walk through this beautiful city, bathed by the waters of the ocean. In the evening, you will stay in a charming riad, located in the heart of the medina.

Day 9: Essaouira

After breakfast in your riad, you will have a free day in Essaouira. It is one of the few that have this honor in this circuit that covers the whole of Morocco, as it offers more than enough reasons for it. In fact, its historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and it is here that you will find the main monumental attractions of this coastal city, which in the past was a Portuguese colony, under the name of Mogador. This will be easy to understand in places like the imposing fortress of La Scala and the gates of the old wall. It is an environment that evokes the strategic importance of this enclave, which has also hosted the filming of many scenes of the series Game of Thrones. And its fishing port maintains its charm, as well as other spaces and corners of the medina, such as the Clock Tower.

But you can also dedicate part of the day to activities, since the city has space and professionals for it. Many of them take place on the coast. For example, Essaouira is a good place for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as it is a coastline with plenty of wind. Another option is to ride a horse or camel along the sandy beach, an experience always magical thanks to the nobility of these animals and the beauty of the landscape that surrounds the experience. And if what you want is simply a refreshing swim in summer season, this will be the best occasion you will have in this circuit.

Our staff will be able to help or advise you on what to do and how to book any activity in Essaouira. And in the evening, you will repeat your stay in the riad in the medina.

Day 10: Essaouira – Marrakech

On this tenth day we will travel to the city where this tour ends: Marrakech. Before that, you will have breakfast at the riad in Essaouira and then our driver will pick you up to travel by road to the Red City, arriving mid-morning.

That way, you will have almost the whole day free to discover at your own pace the places you consider most important in Marrakech, taking into account that the next day you will also have a full day to know the main tourist city of Morocco in full, in that case by guided tour during the morning. Therefore, you can plan the day according to your preferences, for example to discover interesting monuments such as the El Badi Palace, stroll through charming places like the Majorelle Gardens or get tickets for prestigious museums such as the Marrakech Museum or the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
Of course, you can also take advantage of this day for shopping, taking into account that we will no longer travel to other cities and, therefore, you will not have to carry more with shopping. In this sense, you can visit the more traditional souks of the medina or visit other neighborhoods with more modern stores, such as Gueliz. Whichever option you choose, you will enjoy a refreshing night’s rest in a riad in the historic center.

Day 11: Marrakech

In this tour, Marrakech is the perfect epilogue to almost two weeks of travel. Therefore, we will dedicate the whole morning to discover its charms through a guided tour. Our official guide will be waiting for you to start once you have finished breakfast, which will be served at the riad.

The tour that our guide will have prepared will focus on the historical sites that have contributed to declare this city a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In particular, inside the medina, where the famous Kutubia Mosque, the Ben Youssef Medersa, the Bahia Palace or the Saadian Tombs are located. These are places where all the beauty of Islamic art is displayed, with a dazzling decoration of tiles, marble, cedar wood and other rich materials. There will also be time to discover the souks of the center and also the most popular square of the city: the Jemaa el-Fna Square, which was itself declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The afternoon of this day will be free again, so you will have the opportunity to do something different from the previous day. Or you can simply rest, especially if it is a hammam in the traditional style or with a more modern character, in order to replenish your energy after the many kilometers of this circuit. And at the end of the day, you will return to stay in the riad of the medina, in what will be the last night of the route.

Day 12: Marrakech – Airport

After getting to know Morocco to the fullest, it is time to say goodbye. This last day will start with breakfast at the riad and foresees the transfer to Marrakech airport. Our driver will pick you up at the agreed time and take you in a private vehicle to be on time at the terminal. There we will say goodbye, grateful for the trust placed in us and hoping that you will choose us again for another tourist experience in Morocco.

TOURIST PACKAGE INCLUDED

•   Pick up and drop off at the airport
•    Comfortable private transportation with air conditioning
•    English speaking driver / tour guide
•    Sandboarding in the desert
•    Camel ride

TOURIST PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

•    Plane tickets
•    Drinks
•    Lunches
•    Tickets

The post 12-day tour to Morocco: “Morocco in full”. appeared first on Make Morocco Tours.

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat

For those arriving in Casablanca from another country, our services will start at the airport terminal of this city: our driver will be waiting for you there with a private vehicle for the transfer to the city center. And if you are already in Casablanca, we will arrange any other meeting point that is convenient for you, such as the hotel.

In any case, the first place to visit will be the impressive Hassan II Mosque, located on an artificial peninsula reclaimed from the sea. It has the honor of being one of the tallest temples in the Islamic world: its minaret reaches not inconsiderable figure of 200 meters, approximately. And luckily, we will have the opportunity to visit it inside, since it is one of the few mosques that opens its doors to non-believers.

After visiting the mosque, we will leave for Rabat, located about an hour’s drive from Casablanca. It is the capital of the country and one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco. Its historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site, for such outstanding monuments as the Hassan Tower, from the 12th century, in Almohad style, or the Kasbah of the Oudayas, from the same period. From the latter fortress, you will enjoy spectacular views of the city and the neighboring Salé, located across the river Bu Regreg.

The visit of this interesting city is free, so you will have the opportunity to organize the tour as you wish and with our advice. Other interesting places you can add are the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the souk of the Medina or the Mohamed VI Museum of Modern Art. All of them will be close to the riad where you will spend your first night, as it is located in the center of the city.

Day 2: Rabat – Chaouen

After breakfast at the riad in Rabat, our driver will pick you up to head north. Specifically, to the Rif Mountains, among which Chaouen is located. This town, often called “the blue city”, lives on in the minds of those who visit it because its historic medina is dyed in this characteristic color.

During your stay in Chaouen, you can plan your day at your own pace, as it is free. Among the main suggestions are the kasbah (now the Ethnographic Museum) and the viewpoints with panoramic views of the medina and its surroundings. It will also be worthwhile to get lost in its charming alleys, decorated with flowers, full of craft stores, and dotted with galleries of local artists.

In the evening, you will rest in a riad in the medina and therefore not far from the main square of the city: the square of Uta el-Hammam, around which there are numerous charming stores and stores.

Day 3: Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez

The third day of this trip is full of places of great cultural interest. Therefore, after breakfast at the riad of Chaouen, we will return to our vehicle to go to the first of them: Volubilis, the best preserved archaeological site of Roman times in Morocco. The remains that are still standing show the importance that this city acquired in times of emperors such as Mark Antony or Caracalla: columns of temples, decorative mosaics on pavements, commemorative arches and an urban fabric still visible on the ground. It is no coincidence, therefore, that this great site is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After this chronological journey to the times of the Roman Empire, we will continue our route by road to Meknes. This is another Imperial City with the consideration of World Heritage by Unesco since its historic medina retains much of the appearance that gave the Sultan Moulay Ismail in the late seventeenth century. Walking through its streets it is possible to come across his mausoleum and elements that remind us of its glorious past, such as the gates of the wall, highlighting Bab Mansour.

In the last part of the day, we will continue the route to Fez. Its large medina and its lively popular atmosphere will be the protagonists of the guided tour that will take place the next day, although you can make first contact with them in the last hours of this second day. The location of the riad where you will spend the night is right in the center so that it will be a help for this purpose.

Day 4: Fez

World Heritage Site, Imperial City, and one of the spiritual and cultural centers of the Islamic world. With this letter of introduction, it is easy to understand that Fez deserves to be discovered in depth through a guided tour. Therefore, after breakfast at the riad, you will meet our official local guide and you will visit together the most interesting places in the center.

The route that our guide will have prepared will cover the main attractions of the medina, including the Karaouine Mosque and the University it houses, considered one of the oldest in the world. Or the madrasas, dedicated to studies based on the Koran, such as Bou Inania or Attarine. Or popular places like Nejjarine Square and the homonymous fountain, the famous Tanners’ quarter, or the always lively souks and markets.

The historic center of Fez is so large that it will force you to leave some places of interest for the afternoon, at your leisure. Some attractions that can be scheduled for this time are the Golden Gates of the Royal Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) or museums such as the Borj Nord. And of course, this will also be the ideal time for shopping in the prestigious craft stores of Fez, where they sell objects of great value, such as leather goods, wood, ceramics or metal. Undoubtedly, a day that deserves to be enjoyed until the last moment, before resting again in your riad in the center.

Day 5: Fez – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Erfoud – Desert of Merzouga

The fifth day is one of the longest: After breakfast at the riad in the center of Fez we will head south on a road trip that will reach the heart of the desert. We will leave early and, shortly after starting the route, we will begin to climb the slopes of the Middle Atlas.

Here is precisely Ifrane, known by all as ‘the Moroccan Switzerland’. The reason is none other than its surprising architecture, more typical of the Alps than of these latitudes, with gable roofs. However, its altitude (over 1,700 meters above sea level) and its location between mountains result in a really humid climate, with abundant snowfall in the cold season and an environment where white predominates in winter and green the rest of the year.

Green is also the predominant color in our next stop: Ifrane National Park, next to neighboring Azrou, full of cedars. Many know it as the Monkey Forest because it is home to a large population of Barbary macaques, an endangered species and the only primate naturally present north of the Sahara.

After getting to know this unique habitat, we will continue the route by road through the Middle Atlas. The descent that we will start at this point will take us through the Ziz Valley, in whose lands survive palm groves and farmland, defying the aridity that prevails in the place.

In this way we will arrive at Erfoud, a small town but very famous in the world of paleontology, as important fossils have been discovered here, some of them of dinosaurs. And shortly after we will reach the southernmost town of the route: Merzouga, located more than 650 km from Casablanca, where the trip began.

In Merzouga we will just change means of transport: our vehicle will be parked and we will take a dromedary per person to advance through the magical sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, of an incomparable texture and color. After a quiet ride of a couple of hours, we will arrive at our tent camp, located in the desert. There they will be waiting for us with a Berber tea, as the local tradition dictates, and dinner will also be served. One of the tents, with the classic design used by the nomads of the desert, will be your accommodation, with all the comforts inside. Outside, on the other hand, there will be a spectacular sky full of stars, which shine with strength and cleanliness without equivalent in the rest of the world.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

On this sixth day we leave the desert of Merzouga, but not before enjoying a magical and unique experience: watching the sunrise in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where the lights of dawn bring unique tones and shades in the vast territory of sand dunes that will open in front of our eyes.

After that, breakfast will be taken in the tents camp and we will take our camels to return to Merzouga. Before or after this time there will be time for a shower, either in a hotel in Merzouga or in the camp, depending on the package contracted.

The road here becomes winding, as we will see during the route, but later it will give way to wider spaces typical of the Dades Valley and the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, named after the endless number of Berber fortresses that will come our way during this section. We will also visit the Valley of the Roses, the name given to this flower cultivated for the economic benefit of the local population, who use it to make cosmetic products, organize traditional festivals, and much more.

The goal of this day is Ouarzazate. In this city is the hotel where you will have dinner and spend the night. But before that, if the schedule allows it, we will visit the Taourirt kasbah, located on the outskirts of the city: this Berber fortress was the residence of the Lord of Altas and Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. And for this reason, inside there are spaces with exotic and colorful decorations, in contrast to the adobe exterior. Another possible visit to make depending on the schedule is its famous film studios, which are used in large productions of the seventh art and which have earned it the nickname of ‘Hollywood of Morocco’.

Day 7: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech

The seventh day of this circuit will take us through absolutely contrasting landscapes: from the desert to the high mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. We will start the day with breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate and then visit the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site because it is a fortified complex of great value. The adobe architecture of its buildings and walls are a magnificent example of the expertise of the Berber people when building in perfect harmony with the environment. And its good state of preservation has favored its use as a film set in blockbusters such as Game of Thrones or Lawrence of Arabia, to name a few examples.

After the visit, we will resume the route by road, which shortly after will begin its ascent through the High Atlas Mountains. We will stop at the Kasbah of Telouet, another of the residential fortresses of Thami El Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakech. Therefore, the resemblance with Taourirt will be evident, although with its own peculiarities.

Arriving at the port of Tizi n’Tichka, the panoramic views will be breathtaking: the peaks of the High Atlas stand here as an impassable natural barrier, with snow on its highest peaks for much of the year and small villages scattered on its slopes. From here, the road begins its descent towards Marrakech.

You will reach the Red City in the afternoon, with enough time for a free walk around it. In this first contact, you will appreciate the frenetic pace and the popular atmosphere that reigns in the medina, where your riad will be located.

Day 8: Marrakech

The city of Marrakech was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and is the most visited city in Morocco. For this and many other reasons, it is worth discovering it calmly and with the help of a local guide. This is what you will do after having breakfast at the riad and entering the medina.

During the morning guided tour, some of the places of interest to explore may be the Kutubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa or the Bahia Palace. The Jemaa El-Fna Square is also a must-see, as it was itself declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.

In the afternoon, however, you will have free time to spend at your leisure. Some travelers decide to visit more places of interest, such as its museums or the Majorelle Gardens. Others, on the other hand, set their sights on the souks and local craft stores, always full of quality items. And in the evening, the same charming riad will provide you with a well-deserved rest.

Day 9: Marrakech – Airport

9 days after landing in Casablanca, the trip comes to an end. After breakfast at the accommodation and check-out, it will be assessed if the flight schedule allows a final walk into Marrakech for last-minute shopping. In any case, our driver will pick you up punctually at the agreed time for the transfer to the airport. At the terminal, we will say goodbye with gratitude for the trust placed in us and with the hope of a new meeting to continue exploring other regions of interest in Morocco.

TOURIST PACKAGE INCLUDED

•   Pick up and drop off at the airport
•    Comfortable private transportation with air conditioning
•    English speaking driver/tour guide
•    Sandboarding in the desert
•    Camel ride

TOURIST PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

•    Plane tickets
•    Drinks
•    Lunches
•    Tickets

The post 9-day tour: Casablanca, imperial cities and desert appeared first on Make Morocco Tours.