8 Days from Casablanca to Marrakech via Desert

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes
Upon your arrival or pick-up at your hotel in Casablanca, we will visit the grand Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Casablanca. This mosque, built by King Hassan II between 1987 and 1993, introduces you to Moorish influences in Morocco. It can accommodate over 25,000 worshipers inside and 80,000 outside in its vast square. We then travel to Rabat to explore historical sites like Chellah, an archaeological site listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 2012, where you can see a stunning blend of Roman and Merinid remains. You’ll also visit the unfinished mosque Tower Hassan and the artistic mausoleum of Mohamed V. After touring Rabat, we move on 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, we start our visit to Meknes with the granary Sahrij Swani, used to store food and water for Sultan Moulay Ismael’s ‘black army.’ We will visit the sultan’s mausoleum and admire the Arab-Andalusian style. We will also see the impressive gate of Bab Mansour. Just 30 km from Meknes, we discover Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman archaeological site listed by UNESCO in 1997, featuring astonishing mosaics, numerous Latin inscriptions, and artistic materials. Our journey today concludes in Fes.

Day 3: Fes Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will meet our local guide in Fes to explore the old medieval medina, the first imperial city, a labyrinth of over 9,000 alleyways, and the intellectual and cultural capital of the kingdom. You’ll mingle with locals in streets filled with various goods, colors, and donkeys carrying items. Fes is renowned for its crafts, made using traditional materials. The tanneries, famous in Fes, are a highlight, where you can watch locals working on goat, lamb, camel, and cow skins in small pits. You will also savor some special dishes of Fes cuisine. Enjoy a panoramic view from the southern tower of Fes and visit the pottery cooperative where tiles and Moroccan mosaics are made. You may also opt for an entertaining dinner show with belly dancers to conclude your tour of Fes.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Merzouga Desert
We leave medieval Fes and head to another part of Morocco, crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains. We stop briefly in Ifrane, known as ‘Little Switzerland,’ home to Morocco’s first ski resort. You’ll be surrounded by stunning mountain and plain landscapes. In Azrou, you’ll encounter a special species of native monkeys living in cedar woods, known as Maggot monkeys. We will have a lunch break in Midelt, famous for its annual apple festival. The landscape dramatically changes as we drive through Ziz Valley to reach Arfoud, the gateway to the Sahara, and then on to Merzouga.

Day 5: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges – Palm Groves of Skoura Ouarzazate
After breakfast, we leave the Sahara and head towards the ancient irrigation system still used in the oasis of Eljerf, with a break in Tinjidad. We will have lunch in the Toudra Valley, one of Morocco’s oldest valleys known for caravan trading and the first Moroccan silver currency. This beautiful 15 km valley of date palms ends with spectacular gorges, popular for rock climbing and picnics. We continue to Dades Valley, known for its astonishing rock formations shaped by millions of years of erosion. We pass through Rose Valley, the only place in Morocco where Damascus roses are harvested to produce rose water and rose oil, excellent for skin treatment and anti-wrinkle products. Overnight stay in Ouarzazate.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech
The next morning, we visit two sites in this cinematic city: Taourirte Kasbah, a true example of Berber architecture made of clay and straw, and the cinema studio. Upon arrival in Ait Ben Haddou village, we will walk through this ancient village, famous for movies like ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ and ‘Gladiator.’ It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. We then head to the grand Telouet Kasbah, a stronghold built by the Lord of the Atlas, Thami Pasha, and a trading center for caravans. We travel north through the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m), a spectacular road with red mountains and Berber villages, to Marrakech.

Day 7: Marrakech Sightseeing
For the city tour of Marrakech, you will be accompanied by a local guide. You will visit Bahia Palace, built by Bahmad, the Grand Vizier of Marrakech, featuring incredible mosaics and stucco, and hear intriguing stories about his four wives and 24 concubines. You’ll admire the extraordinary architecture of the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis from the 17th century. Enjoy the vibrant souks of Marrakech, filled with various smells, colors, and items. Visit the peaceful Jardin Majorelle in the Ville Nouvelle, home to botanical and exotic plants from around the world, with walls painted in a striking indigo blue. Your tour concludes at the bustling Jamaa Elfana square, filled with snake charmers, monkeys, food stalls, and musicians, making it the most animated square in Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech – Casablanca
When you are ready, you will be transferred to either Marrakech or Casablanca airport, marking the end of your 8-day tour of Morocco’s imperial cities.

Points of Interest

• Casablanca

• Private transportation
• Breakfast

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