Day 1: TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN
We collect you in your riad or where you indicate, to begin your route. We will pass by the Rif Mountains located in the north of Morocco which are of great botanical interest and are inhabited by Rif Berbers, one of the themes that make this mountain range authentic is that they are dotted with endless villages whose inhabitants are full of life, we will be able to see all the villages and observe just how life is in the mountains for village people. We will arrive at Chefchaouen, Chaouen, Xauen, Chichauen (all names used to refer to a magical town located in the Rif Mountains), nestled between the slopes of two mountains and surrounded by fields that highlight the white of its houses, the indigo blue paint used to repel mosquitoes displays a rich palette of shades, confusing their horizon with the sky. Its narrow streets seem unpredictable, an ideal place for strolling and admiring this wonderful town, one of the more quiet places in Morocco. The medina and the atmosphere in the Square of Uta is one of the most amazing places. Its has a very special attraction because of the colour of the homes, is formed by a maze of narrow streets that many of them cul de sacs, without doubt is a safe place, quiet and where you will feel at home as the inhabitants are very hospitable. Lodging and dinner in a riad.
Day 2: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES
Today and after a good breakfast we say goodbye to Chefchaouen to continue our trip in the direction of Volubilis, we pass along the winding and vertiginous roads of the Rif, this a very interesting mountain range with some landscapes that are unpublicised and offer you an experience you surely will not forget. We arrive in Volubilis that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997, houses the most impressive ruins, some of the best preserved throughout Morocco; we will have an hour and a half long guided tour, although some areas are limited to the public we will be able to move with freedom through the complex. Many of the mosaics are still in good condition; one of the areas worth visiting is the Capitol, the Basilica and the Forum that are built on the highest ramparts. We stop for lunch in the city of Meknes, this Imperial City is very similar to Fes but its Medina is intimate and small, much easier to walk and not get lost, is very traditional, alleys full of life and market stalls selling groceries, restaurants and artisan cooperatives. Despite its small size Meknes does hide sublimely beautiful treasures of an architectural nature, like the Bab Mansour of 1732, the largest gate in Morocco and the whole of Africa and which is the town symbol. Dinner and lodging at the riad.
Day 3: FES
Today we will visit the city of Fes, which still retains all its walls and its entrance gates undamaged and is known as the cultural centre of Morocco and the oldest of Africa. The medina of this city has more than 9400 streets and is the largest pedestrian precinct in the world, walking around Fes is akin to traveling back to a time when the neighbourhoods were divided by guild and you could only go on foot, avoiding donkeys carrying the merchandise.
The interesting points in Fes are:
The Chouwara Tannery, Karaouine Mosque, Bab Boujloud Door, the Royal Palace of Fes, the
Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, Seffarine Square and the madrassas. We will stop for lunch and in the afternoon continue our trip by visiting the tile makers cooperative and finally the ruins of Merenid situated outside the medina where we are sure to enjoy a spectacular view of everything in Fes.
Day 4: FES – IFRANE – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI
Today after a good breakfast we will be crossing the mountains of the Middle Atlas in the direction of Merzouga where the landscape appears inhospitable but is full of life and stories, taking photos is a must as we pass the town of Ifrane known worldwide as the "Switzerland of Morocco" for its alpine style European houses with sloping roofs, not like the traditional architecture of Morocco. Due to its height (1630 metres) it is surrounded by striking nature, particularly the National Park which is worth a stop just to visit one of the more interesting inhabitants, the Barbary monkey that lives in the extensive cedar tree forest. The landscape changes leaving behind trees and becoming more barren, but we will now make a stop in Midelt to eat before our route continues through the Ziz valley, a long stretch of palm trees that seem to disappear on the horizon and following the course of the river there are some 9000 palm trees here. It is indeed a hidden treasure in Morocco. For lovers of nature now comes a real pleasure; to be able to admire the immense mountain and its water erosion that has been produced over years of forceful powerful waters that formerly came from the High Atlas Mountains, the contrasting of the green palm trees and red earth and the small Berber houses typically ochre in colour that are all over the course of this valley and accommodated in a spectacular landscape are not to be missed. Noting that the landscape is changing we go on and little by little the desert sand welcomes us, we see the first small dune as we approach Merzouga, we will arrive at the riad located at the foot of Erg Chebbi where we will have a welcome tea while the camels are prepared to take us to the camp in the desert, during the journey we can take many photographs, as this is an astounding visual experience. At night the desert will take on a very different colour and possibly also become quite cool depending on the time of year you go. To the rhythm of the drums, singing and playing, we are served dinner and the big fireplace will be our company until we sleep, without any worries, after this authentic, magical night under the starry desert sky.
Day 5: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY
You should not miss one of the greatest spectacles in the desert; the dawn, so today we all rise early to contemplate the wonderful sunrise, with changes of colours on the dunes as the sun rises over the horizon. A visual spectacle that you will never forget. After the awaiting camels return us to the riad for a good shower and a traditional Moroccan breakfast, our adventure continues in 4×4, crossing the hamada, a stony desert landscape that is characterised largely by its arid landscape, hard, rocky plateaus and with very little sand, during this part of the trip we will pass by palm trees, dunes and small oases where life takes shape. We will continue by track until reaching Tinerhir; an explosion of greenery which its palm grove provides, an endless green snake between rocky cliffs and that we are surprised to find, with the fast and fresh waters of the river Todra wrapping around the luxuriant vegetation and numerous ksars that surround it. Although Tinerhir has lost its walls, it still preserves numerous traditional houses of adobe which are very well maintained and inhabited.
We will continue toward the Todra Gorge, at more than 100 meters in height, with its houses excavated in the rock, a magical place of vertical rocky walls caused by water and air erosion during centuries, an ideal place for climbers. Surrounded by a low flow river of crystalline water that we can enjoy for a quiet stroll, before we arrive in the middle of the afternoon at the Dades Valley to spend the night.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel under hotel category selected.
Day 6: DADES VALLEY – VALLEY OF THE ROSES – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS – MARRAKESH
We continue today, after a good breakfast, along the interesting Moroccan Route of the 1000 Kasbahs; these magnificent buildings, curious fortified citadels built with adobe, are completely integrated into the landscape and some with high towers and decorated Berber origin walls that occasionally appear as white silhouettes.
The Valley of Roses is an impressive landscape, all of nature in its vibrant state and with its harmonious colours, after we have taken photos, we will continue toward the Skoura palm grove which is home to more than 700,000 palms, standing out as an enclave of greenery and life in this dry, arid plateau, a large concentration of kasbahs is spread throughout this oasis and in its vicinity, this is without doubt a stop that exudes a special beauty and where it may even seem that time has stopped. Following our route we will pass by Ouarzazate towards Ait Benhaddou; the Ksar which enjoys the status of World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO, with some of the best preserved adobe houses, highly ornate and encompassed within a very strong defensive wall reinforced by turrets. It really is miraculous that this spectacular kasbah, built with mud and stones is still standing, high on a hill and surrounded by the desert landscape of the Anti Atlas it is without any doubt one of the most magical places of Morocco. In the afternoon we will continue toward Marrakesh by mountain where we shall enjoy some extraordinary landscapes, the colours that change from oranges to greens, the shoulders of the roads occupied by a multitude of vendors and a landscape truly worthy of view, we will cross the mountain pass Tizi n'Tichka, the highest point of the route, with 2,260 metres of altitude. Arrival in Marrakech at mid-afternoon. Accommodation in a riad.
Day 7: MARRAKESH
Without any doubt a good way to get to know this city is to be immersed in the bustle of the famous Jemaa el Fna square and perceive a leap back in time. Completely different to European civilization, the beautiful city is a sensual mix of seductive, magic surroundings, because with only a stroll through its small alleyways you can fall in love.
We recommend you visit:
Gardens of the Menara; mirror of the Muslim paradise on earth, this peaceful garden is special for walking in and its main charm is located in the central area, around a huge artificial pond, the legend goes that these gardens were used by the sultans for their dating.
The Saadian Tombs, one of the most visited places in Marrakesh, opened to the public in 1917, the year in which they were discovered. In the same garden you can see more than 100 tombs decorated with mosaics, in them are buried the bodies of the servants and warriors of the Saadian Dynasty.
The Bahia Palace is a palace and a set of gardens built with the intention of being the biggest palace of all time and residence of the former Vizier, it includes a courtyard decorated with a central pond and surrounded by rooms.
The Koutoubia, one of the most representative monuments of the city, stands out for its minaret of 69 meters of height, the highest building in the city.
Jemaa El Fna Square will surprise you by its enormous dimensions in spite of being located in the Centre of the medina, a real maze of streets and alleys, it will also surprise you when the square entirely changes scenario; by the day a fabulous souk and by the evening turning into a swarm of food stalls and kiosks where people gather for dinner. Dinner and lodging.
Day 8: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
After breakfast at a convenient time, we will accompany you to the airport, where after the farewell, we will finish our services.
Tour Include :
- Private Transport with A/C
- Driver/guide english speaking
- Fuel
- Hotel (breakfast & dinner included)
- Camel Ride & Night in Sahara Desert
- Camel Per person
- Sandboarding in The Dunes
Not included :
- Flight
- Lunchs
- Drinks
- Monuments tickets
