Arrival in Marrakech and Hotel Check-In

Marrakech - Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and transported to your hotel or riad in the Medina. Enjoy an overnight stay at your chosen accommodation.

Discovering Marrakech

Medina of Marrakesh - Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel or riad, then embark on an exploration of Marrakech, known as “the red city of Morocco.” Your guide will ensure you visit key historical and cultural sites, including the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the Ben Youssef Coranique school. Experience the vibrant souks, filled with captivating colors and delightful aromas. Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, then visit the Majorelle Gardens and the Koutoubia Tower in the afternoon. Overnight stay at your hotel or riad.

Day Excursion to Essaouira

Essaouira - After breakfast, set off for Essaouira, also known as “Mogador.” En route, observe goats climbing Argan trees in search of food. Visit a women’s cooperative where Argan oil is produced, renowned for its culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal benefits. Arrive in Essaouira around 11 am and begin exploring the city. Visit the Skala Fortress, admire Thuya wood carvings, and stroll through the medina’s alleys to view numerous handicrafts.

Marrakech - Essaouira has a rich history, having been influenced by various civilizations, including the Portuguese, which is evident in its architecture. Despite its small size, it is often referred to as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantic” due to its blue doors and whitewashed walls. The visit includes the Mellah, the Jewish quarter, and the beach. Experience an authentic Moroccan lunch with freshly cooked fish. Enjoy some free time before returning to Marrakech for an overnight stay at your hotel or riad.

Marrakech - Tichka Pass - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Dades Valley

Ait Ben Haddou - After breakfast, travel to Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley via the Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains. Enjoy the scenic drive through the pass, with views of Berber villages and changing landscapes. Stop at the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Morocco’s largest Kasbah, built by Berber chieftain El Glaoui Et-Hami in the late 19th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and still houses Glaoui family members. Have lunch by the Kasbah, then continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa.”

Vallee Des Roses - After lunch, proceed to the Dades Gorge via the “Thousand Kasbahs” road, offering excellent photo opportunities. Visit Kalaat Mgouna, known for its roses and annual festival in May, and explore the Berber Souk. Continue to Bouthaghrar along the Rose Valley, then to the Dades Valley to see the “monkey toes” rock formations. Overnight stay at your hotel or riad.

Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge - Sahara Desert Merzouga

Erg Chebbi Dunes - After breakfast, travel to Merzouga via the Todra Gorge and the towns of Erfoud and Rissani. In Todra Valley, enjoy panoramic views of old Berber villages. At Todra Gorge, walk beneath the 300m high red cliffs, popular with rock climbers. Spend an hour hiking in the valley.

Continue to Erfoud and Rissani for lunch, then head to Merzouga. Enjoy a welcoming mint tea before checking into your hotel or riad for an overnight stay.

Exploring Merzouga Desert Area

Erg Chebbi - After breakfast, embark on a journey to explore the area before a camel trek and overnight stay at a desert camp. Visit the Gnawa people, originally from Sudan, to experience their music and culture. Nearby, visit Merzouga Lake, home to various bird species depending on the season. Explore the authentic Rissani souk, known for caravan trading to Timbuktu. Walk through the souks, viewing vegetables, dates, crafts, and animals.

If time allows, visit the nomad wire house for Berber handicrafts at lower prices than in big cities. In the afternoon, ride a camel through the Merzouga sand sea, enjoying the sunset before dining and staying overnight at the camp.

Merzouga Desert – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou - Fes

Ifrane National Park - Early morning, witness a breathtaking sunrise before a peaceful camel trek back to Merzouga village. Appreciate the unique beauty of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes as the light changes.

After breakfast, travel to Fes via the Ziz Valley and Azrou. Enjoy the stunning landscape through the Ziz Gorges and Tizi n’Talghamt Pass to Midelt. Stop in Zaida for a barbecue and mint tea, then continue to Fes. Visit the Cedar Forest in the Middle Atlas Mountains to see wild Barbarian apes. Arrive in Fes by evening and check into your hotel or riad.

Exploring Fes Old Medina

Medina of Fez - Spend the morning exploring the medina (old city) and its alleys. Begin with a walking tour through narrow streets, visiting the famous old Tanneries, Quaraouine Mosque and University, Attarin Medersa, and Najjarin Fountain.

After lunch at a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the Medina, visit the old Jewish quarter and the Royal Palace gate yard to learn about Jewish history in Morocco. The tour includes a visit to a tile art factory and a panoramic view of the entire Medina of Fes. Overnight stay at your hotel or riad.

Fes – Meknes – Rabat Capital

Volubilis - After breakfast, travel to Rabat via Volubilis and Meknes. Journey through the Rif Mountains and Zgouta foothills. Arrive at Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman site in North Africa dating to 25BC, featuring beautiful mosaics from the 3rd century BC. Learn about Roman culture in Morocco.

Continue to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco, to see the impressive Bab Mansour gate, royal granary, and Sahrij Souani basin. After free time in Lahdim square, proceed to Rabat via the highway. Overnight stay at your hotel or riad.

Departure

Rabat Old Town - After breakfast, you will be driven to Casablanca airport for your departure flight.

• 3 specialty dinners in the Sahara Desert and Todgha Gorge
• Personal driver fluent in your language
• Transport in a safe and comfortable vehicle
• Convenient airport transfer service
• 9-night stay in double room accommodation with daily breakfast
• Dinner included
• Complimentary breakfast
• Camel ride across desert sand dunes
• Guided tours in Marrakech, Volubilis, Fes, Essaouira, and Ait Ben Haddou

• Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Lunch and beverages which can be purchased locally
• Dinner unless otherwise indicated
• Entry ticket to Mosque in Csablanca Entry to Mausoleums Entry to Volubilis…
• Gratuities

This 10-day journey is filled with excitement, beginning in Marrakech, where your stay in a riad marks the initial three nights before launching into an adventure that piques the interest of photographers.

Once you have absorbed all the wonders of Marrakeh and the beautiful coastal city of Essaouira, we will move towards the interior, offering breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. The grand Dades Valley and the celebrated ‘Road of a Thousand Kasbahs’ provide ample chances for photography enthusiasts.

By day six, the scenery changes entirely as you traverse the Sahara Desert on a camel to a campsite for an overnight stay. This precedes a two-night sojourn in the ancient city of Fes, allowing you to experience its unique offerings.

The concluding segment of the tour leads us towards the coast, with intriguing stopovers en route to Rabat for your last night. The following day, we will accompany you to Casablanca for your homeward journey.

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