8-Day Journey from Casablanca to Marrakech via the Desert

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes
Upon arrival or pick-up at the hotel in Casablanca, the journey begins with a visit to the grand Hassan II Mosque, showcasing Moorish influences in Morocco. Constructed by King Hassan II between 1987 and 1993, it accommodates over 25,000 worshipers inside and 80,000 outside in its vast square. The tour continues to Rabat to explore historical sites like Chellah, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012, offering a stunning blend of Roman and Merinid remains. Visitors can also see the unfinished Hassan Tower and the artistic Mausoleum of Mohamed V. After touring Rabat, the journey proceeds to Meknes, built by Sultan Moulay Ismael in the 18th century, known for its beautiful gates, mosques, and madrasas. Overnight stay in Meknes.

Day 2: Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
After a delightful breakfast, the day starts with a visit to Meknes’ granary, Sahrij Swani, used to store food and water for Sultan Moulay Ismael’s “Black Army.” The mausoleum of the sultan, showcasing Arab-Andalusian style, and the impressive Bab Mansour gate are also on the itinerary. Just 30 km from Meknes, the well-preserved Roman archaeological site of Volubilis, a UNESCO site since 1997, awaits exploration, featuring stunning mosaics, Latin inscriptions, and artistic artifacts. The day’s journey concludes in Fes.

Day 3: Fes Sightseeing
After breakfast, a local guide leads the exploration of Fes’ old medieval medina, the first imperial city, a labyrinth of over 9,000 alleyways, and the intellectual and cultural capital of the kingdom. Visitors mingle with locals in streets filled with vibrant articles and donkeys carrying goods. Fes is renowned for its crafts, using traditional materials. The famous tanneries, where locals work on goat, lamb, camel, and cow skins, are a tour highlight. Guests can savor special Fes cuisine and enjoy a panoramic view from the southern tower of Fes. A visit to the pottery cooperative, where tiles and Moroccan mosaics are crafted, is included. An entertainment dinner show with belly dancers can conclude the Fes tour.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Merzouga Desert
Departing medieval Fes, the journey heads to another part of Morocco, crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains. A short break in Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland,” home to Morocco’s first ski resort, offers stunning mountain and plain landscapes. In Azrou, visitors can see Maggot monkeys, a special species living in cedar woods. A lunch break in Midelt, famous for its annual apple festival, is followed by a drive through the contrasting landscapes of Ziz Valley to reach Arfoud, the gateway to the Sahara, and finally Merzouga.

Day 5: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges – Palm Groves of Skoura Ouarzazate
After breakfast, the journey leaves the Sahara, heading towards the ancient irrigation system still used in the oasis of Eljerf, with a stop in Tinjidad. Lunch is enjoyed in the Toudra Valley, one of Morocco’s oldest caravan trading routes and the birthplace of the first Moroccan silver currency. The valley, with its 15 km of date palms, ends in spectacular gorges, popular for rock climbing and picnics. The journey continues through the Dades Valley, known for its astonishing rock formations shaped by millions of years of erosion. The route passes through the Rose Valley, the only place in Morocco where Damascus roses are harvested for products like rose water and rose oil, ideal for skin treatment and anti-aging. Overnight stay in Ouarzazate.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech
The morning begins with visits to two sites in this cinematic city: Taourirte Kasbah, a true representation of Berber architecture made of clay and straw, and the cinema studio. Upon arrival in Ait Ben Haddou village, a walk through this ancient village is planned. This historic site, featured in films like “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Jesus of Nazareth,” and “Gladiator,” is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. The journey continues to the grand Telouet Kasbah, a stronghold fort built by the Lord of the Atlas, Thami Pasha, and a caravan trading center. The route travels north through the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m), a spectacular road of red mountains and Berber villages, leading to Marrakech.

Day 7: Marrakech Sightseeing
A local guide leads the city tour of Marrakech, starting with the Bahia Palace, built by Bahmad, Grand Vizier of Marrakech, featuring incredible mosaics and stucco, and stories of four wives and 24 concubines. The extraordinary architecture of the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis from the 17th century, is also visited. The famous souks of Marrakech offer a sensory delight with their diverse smells, colors, and items, showcasing the vastness of Marrakech’s markets. The peaceful Jardin Majorelle, located in the Ville Nouvelle, features botanical and exotic plants from around the world, with walls painted in a dominant indigo blue. The tour concludes at the bustling Jamaa Elfana square, filled with snake charmers, monkeys, food stalls, and musicians, making it the most lively square in Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech – Casablanca
When ready, a transfer to either Marrakech or Casablanca airport marks the end of the 8-day journey through Morocco’s imperial cities.

• Private transportation
• Breakfast

• Lunch
• Tea and coffee
• Alcoholic beverages
• Carbonated beverages
• Bottled water

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.