8-days tour Casablanca
An 8-days tour with plenty of activities and attractions to let you taste the special atmosphere of the beautiful country of Morocco. The most famous highlights are included in this travel. A journey through the High and the Middle Atlas Mountains, through beautiful valleys in the direction of the desert of Erg Chebbi. And of course a visit to Marrakech is not lacking.
Day 1: Casablanca – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
After arriving at Casablanca airport you will be met by us. We leave the airport direction Casablanca and major Hassan II Mosque followed by lunch. After lunch we head to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. We visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, where some of the original mosaics are well preserved. In Meknes, an important royal city in Morocco – known as the capital of Morocco-Ismaili-, we visit the famous Bab Mansour gate, Sahrij Souani Basin and Mulay Ismail Mausoleum. We continue our tour to Fes, through the low hills of the Rif mountains, where, in the late afternoon, we will arrive at our Riad in the heart of the Medina. Overnight and dinner in the Riad.
Day 2: Discover Fes
After breakfast in the Riad we start our journey through Fes,the cultural capital of Morocco. We walk through alleys and small streets. Our visit begins at the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter, the first “Mellah” ever built in Morocco. We assure you that you visit all the cultural and historical sightseeings in Fes, including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest university in the region and of course we go to the world famous tanneries. After lunch we take a look at the mozaic factory and stop for a panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. In the afternoon we have a drink in the new city. Overnight and dinner at our Riad.
Day 3: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Errachidia – Merzouga
After breakfast we leave Fes towards Ifrane, also called “the Switzerland of Morocco’ and then we drive through Azrou and the Ziz valley to Merzouga. During this trip you will enjoy the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas Mountains. We stop in Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest in Morocco-where we might see Barbary monkeys. As we are approaching the city of Errachidia you will notice how the landscape slowly changes and how signs of the desert starts to show. Our journey continues towards Merzouga via the Tizi Ntalghamt pass and along the lush Ziz Valley, occasionally we stop along the way to enjoy the panoramic views. In the late afternoon we arrive in Merzouga, where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking in your accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Riad / Hotel.
Day 4: Merzouga area and camel ride
After breakfast we explore the desert and its surroundings. We visit the Gnawa’s, originally slaves from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. You will have the opportunity to visit a nomad shop where much Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. In the afternoon you will be placed under the supervision of an experienced camel guide to take a camel ride to discover the golden sand dunes of Merzouga. Hopefully you will enjoy a beautiful sunset in the desert. After the tour you will be taken by 4×4 to our Royal oasis Camp. Our luxurious camp is located in the middle of the wilderness of the desert surrounden by sand dunes. You will of course be welcomed with a glass of Berber mint tea, after wich you will be taken to your tent. The tents in our camp have good beds, toilet, sink and shower. Here you will spend the night, dine and enjoy traditional Berber music. All this around a campfire under a wonderful starry sky. If you are lucky, you might even see the Milky way.
Day 5: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges
After the extensive breakfast, you will depart by 4×4 for the rest of your tour. Enjoy the unique beauty of the Sahara desert once more before we stop at the beginnig of the sand dunes. From here we leave for Rissani and Tinghir towards the Todra Gorge- the highest and narrowest gorge in Morocco. After lunch we drive through the Date Valley, where you will see the majestic Kasbah’s and the huge rock formations, called ‘monkey toes’. Overnight and dinner in a hotel in the Date Gorge.
Day 6: Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
First breakfast at the hotel and then we continue our way. We drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through the Dades Valley, is called the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs’ – on the way are plenty of opportunities to make some nice pictures. Today you will have the opportunity to meet Berber nomads in their caves, enjoy the fertile Valley of Roses and the rock formations along the way. We stop at Kalaat M’gouna, the ‘Rose City’, where you can buy rosewater, creams and oils. Continue to Skoura and the Birds Valley and a visit to the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area. After some walking in the valley, we will stop for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the gorge. Then it’s on to Ouarzazate, the ‘Hollywood of Africa ‘. The beautiful scenery in the area have been setting for many famous films. Here, you can choose to visit the studio, with props used in the movies you’ve probably seen like The Mummy, Gladiator and The Last Temptation of Christ. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas mountains, before we arrive in Marrakech for overnight.
Day 7: discovering Marrakech – Essaouira
After breakfast in the Riad, you can start exploring Marrakech “the red city of Morocco.” Your guide will ensure that you’ll get to see the main places of historical and cultural interest, including the Saadien grave, the palaces of El Bahia and El Badi, as well as the Ben Youssef Coranique School. Lunch is at a restaurant near the world famous Jmnaa El Fnaa square and in the afternoon you visit the Majorelle Gardens, Menara and the Koutoubia tower. Then we drive to Essaouira. Overnight at hotel or Riad.
Day 8: Essaouira – transfer to the airport
After breakfast at the hotel or riad, you can discover the medina of Essaouira. You walk through the souks and the famous harbor, where large numbers of Original blue painted fishing boats are moored at the quay. You can’t get fresher fish anywhere better then here. At the end of the afternoon we return to Marrakech, where your tour ends. We will drop you off at a Riad or hotel of your choice. Or, if the flight schedule allows, at the airport of Marrakech for your flight back home.ur choice. Or, if the flight schedule allows, at the airport of Marrakech for your flight back home.