8 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM CASABLANCA

Meet & greet upon arrival in Mohamed V International Airport of Casablanca, or in the train station, then spend the first half-day exploring the landmarks of this large city. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the third largest mosque in the Islamic World with the capacity of holding more than 86000 worshipers. The minaret dominates the horizons of the city with its striking architecture that astonishes every visitor.

Drive by the paved Corniche of Ain Diab before getting to the famous Ricks Cafe where the Casablanca movie was shot. Later, we will get to your hotel where you will spend your first night.

After having breakfast in your hotel in Casablanca, we will drive to the blue-city of Chefchaouen passing by Rabat. The city of Rabat is the administrative and official capital of Morocco being home for the king and the royal family. Visit the dramatic Kasbah of Oudaya, which panoramically overlooks the ever-flowing Bou Regreg River, Sale & the Atlantic Ocean.

Visit the striking Mohammed V mausoleum where the king’s father, uncle & grandfather are buried. The building is fascinating with its white marble from the outside and intricate artworks from the inside. Adjacent to the mausoleum is the impressive Hassan Tower, which was planned to be the largest mosque in the Islamic World back in the 12th century, but the Almohad Sultan died after three years of work leaving the project incomplete.

We will continue on the track to Meknes, which was founded by the late Moulay Ismail in the 17th century. Begin our tour by the impressive Bab Mansour, stretch your legs in the nearby olive market, visit the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, then drive through the high walls of the Royal Palace before getting to the granaries and stables.

Drive to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis where we will have a guided walking tour while learning about the Roman civilisation that settled in the north of Africa. Later, we will resume our drive to Fes where we will spend our second night.

Today, you will spend the day exploring and enjoying the magic of Fes with a local tour guide who knows the city like the back of his/her hand. Drive uphill from where you can enjoy a nice panoramic view of the Fes el-Bali (oldest Fes) while learning about the history behind the foundation of this mysterious city.

Fes el-Bali is listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site and is the largest carfree district in the world. Take memorable by the golden gates of the Royal Palace, then stretch your legs in the adjacent Mellah (former Jewish Quarter) with its bustling Souks.

Now, it’s the time dive in the heart of the Fes el-Bali with its intricate alleyways, bustling cafes, vibrant Souks, unique style of life, and much more. Pass by the Quarawyyine University, which is the oldest university in the world, visit the Chouara Tanneries, Museums, Souks…in the late afternoon, we will escort you back to your Riad.

After having breakfast in your Riad, you will head to the Sahara Desert crossing the lush Middle Atlas Mountains after having a pause for refreshment in Ifrane, the cleanest and Switzerland version town of Morocco. The Middle Atlas is blessed with cedar forests that have protected by the UNESCO hosting a colony of Barbary Apes, which you can spot beside the road. After lunch in Midelt, you continue on the track further south through the Ziz Gorges & palm valley before reaching the dunes of Erg Chebbi that mark the end of today’s journey.

Upon arrival, you will have a camel ride experience while enjoying the breathtaking views of the sunset before getting to our luxury desert camp where you will have a nice meal for dinner. It’s in the desert where the first thing that comes to every visitor’s mind is how outstandingly prevalent silence is forcing the soul to liberate itself from the burdens of life.

Early wake up in the morning to attend the majestic view of the sunrise over the dunes, then get back to the hotel by camel for refreshing breakfast and for taking a shower. Drive to Dades Valley from Erfoud, Tinejdad and Todra Gorges where you will stretch your legs through these impressive canyons that have attracted mountain climbers from all over the world as well as locals seeking cooler when it gets boiling in the summer.

After lunch, continue on the track to the Dades Valley where you will be assisted with luggage and formalities at the hotel. You may want to have a swim at the pool, relax or stretch your legs down to the village of Boumalne Dades.

Today, we will drive through the famous road of one thousand Kasbahs including a short pause at the Valley of Roses known for its annual festival of roses. We will resume our journey to the Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa) famous for its Taorirt Kasbah that is located at the heart of the city and the Atlas Film Studios where many Hollywood Movies were shot such as Cleopatra, the Kingdom of Heaven and many others. Then, to the Ait Benhaddou built over a hill to stand as a watchful eye for the caravans traversing the Sahara from the High Atlas Mountains. Drive to Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m) that we will reach in the late afternoon.

At 09:30 am, you will meet with your professional English speaking tour guide whose knowledge about the most hidden features of Marrakech is outstanding. You will first embark for an interesting sightseeing tour around the Ville Nouvelle of Marrakech that was built by the French when Morocco was under the French rule from 1912 to 1956. You will include a visit to the exotic and botanical gardens of Majorelle that was initially created by Jacques Majorelle and was bought and expanded by Saint Laurent. After that, you will head to the Menara Gardens with its olive grove, pavilion, and lagoon.

Begin your walking tour at the impressive mosque of La Koutoubia that was built in the 12th century by the Almohads with its minaret dominating the horizons of the city. Continue on the track to the Saadian Tombs that was built by the Saadians in the 16th century, then to the beautiful Palace of the Bahia before meandering around the vibrant and traditional Souks (Markets) of Marrakech to end your day tour at the Square of Jemaa El Fna (focal point of Marrakech) in the late afternoon.

After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad in Marrakech, and depending on your flight schedule, we will drive to the Mohammed V International Airport  where we will assist you for your departure. End of Service.