Discover a legendary history in Imperial Cities and nomadic traditions in the desert

Itinerary:  Marrakesh – Casablanca – Rabat – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes – Merzouga Desert – Erg Chebbi – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley- Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakesh

• DAY 1: MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA – RABAT

  Today we start with Imperial Cities. At 9 hrs. we pick you up in the Riad or Hotel in Marrakesh and we drive to Casablanca, a city of all ages, with a bustling old medina, Art-Deco buildings, contemporary art galleries and one of Africa’s biggest ports. Visit of Hassan II Mosque. Continue on our way to Rabat, Morocco’s political and administrative capital since 1956. Monuments visit and city sightseeing: the Alcazaba of Oudaias, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan Tower. Overnight and next day breakfast in Riad Kelaa in the heart of the Medina of Rabat.

• DAY 2: RABAT – MEKNES – FES

  We leave the coast and head to Fes. Visit of Volubilis, North Africa best-preserved ancient Roman city located in the foothills of the Mount Zerhoun, UNESCO Heritage Site since 1997. Also, visit in Meknes of Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco’s main pilgrimage points with the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, great-grandson of Muhammad, saint and founder of the first royal dynasty in Morocco. The day ends in Fes, the oldest of the four named Imperial Cities along with Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat located in the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, for being an urban and architectural sample of a seventeenth century Maghreb capital with a harmonious combination of Islamic and European city design and planning. Find out more about Fes places to visit on our blog Morocco Heritage section. Overnight and next day breakfast in Riad Dar Cordoba.

• DAY 3: FES – FES

  After breakfast, we offer an optional guided-tour with an official guide. Fes is made up of three areas: Fes-Bali (old walled medina), Fes-Jdid (new medina and Jewish quarter) and the Ville Nouvelle (modern city). The visit starts from the high part of the Medina and continues descending to the beautiful city founded in the VIII century. End of the day and way back to the Riad. Overnight and next day breakfast in the same Riad.

• DAY 4: FES – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

  After breakfast, departure to the desert driving over the cedar forest, Middle Atlas, Midelt Mountain pass, the lake of Errachidia, and the wonderful views of the Ziz Valley until the city of Erfoud (the desert gate). A stunning sunset will be enjoyed from the top of Borj d’Est hill with a wonderful landscape view of Erfoud. Finally, in the early evening, driving on tracks we will arrive to Merzouga in Erg’ Chebbi dunes. Overnight, dinner and next day breakfast in Auberge du Sud hotel facing the dunes.

• DAY 5: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI

  After breakfast, 4×4 ride by tracks around the dunes being able to visit: the two oasis of Merzouga, nomads in haimas, the village of Khamlia (known as ‘black people’ village), Mifiss mines, desert plateaus, and the Tissardmine oasis. Way back to the hotel around 3 pm. During the afternoon, we will go deeper into de dunes riding dromedaries while enjoying the sunset. After two hours, arrival in a wild oasis in the heart of the dunes. Magical dinner and unforgettable overnight in a nomad tent under the stars in the silence of the desert.

• DAY 6: MERZOUGA – TODRA – DADES VALLEY

  In the early morning, get ahead with the sunrise to gaze at the incredible sun rising spectacle over the sand sea from the Great Dune. Return to the hotel, riding dromedaries. After a shower and a great breakfast we will leave the dunes and head to the spectacular Todra Gorges and then to the Dades Gorges. These are two amazing canyons formed by miles of huge rugged mountains reaching 300 meters high, with narrow gorges of just 2 meters wide. Overnight, dinner and next day breakfast in Auberge Chez Pierre (Dades Valley).

• DAY 7: DADES – SKOURA – OUARZAZATE

  Breakfast and morning departure by tracks to the Valley of Roses up to the magnificent Berber village Boutghrart where we will have some tea with a family. Keep our way by tracks to the Thousand Kasbah route. This stage of the journey is truly authentic and is out of the ordinary. There will be several stops in interesting places: kasbahs, panoramic views, valleys, nomads in caves… Arrival in the village of Skoura where we leave the tracks and keep our way by road to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a beautiful walled medina that served as military defense and where several internationally known movies were filmed, such as Obelix, Gladiator, Sahara… Overnight, dinner and next day breakfast in Riad Dar Chamaa.

• DAY 8: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKESH

  After breakfast, time to visit Ouarzazate: Taourirt Kasbah, Tifoultoute Kasbah and the film industry studios. Afterwards, free time to explore Aït Ben Haddou, the old village and the Kasbah (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the afternoon, journey to Marrakesh driving over the High Atlas Mountains through Tizi N’tichka Mountain pass (2,600 m). Arrival in Marrakesh by 5.30 pm.