8 Day Imperial Cities, Desert to Coast Tour

Day 1: Casablanca – Fes

You begin this 8 days tour from Casablanca, where we will meet you at the airport or your hotel before driving to Fes. If the time allows, we can make short stops to visit the important sites in Rabat and the Roman ruins in Meknes. Your first night in Morocco will be spent in Fes where you’ll overnight in a traditional Moroccan riad.

Day 2: Exploring Fez

After breakfast, you begin by exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking through the alleys and narrow streets. We will ensure that you visit sites with cultural and historical interest, including the Royal Palace Gate and Jewish Quarter, the Al Qaraouine University, considered the oldest one in the world, the leather tanneries, and the Mulay Idriss Mausoleum. After lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant, you will visit a tile cooperative and see how the intricate mosaics are crafted. Finally, you end your day experiencing a wonderful panoramic view over the whole medina of Fes.

Day 3: Fes – Merzouga. Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi Dunes and Overnight in Desert Camp

Embark on a captivating journey south to Ifrane and Azrou, nestled amidst the majestic Middle Atlas Mountains. Along the way, witness the enchanting sight of Barbary apes in their natural cedar forest habitat. Savor a delightful lunch of traditional Moroccan cuisine in Midelt. Traverse the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass and marvel at the awe-inspiring Ziz Gorge. As you venture deeper, the scenery transforms, hinting at the desert’s embrace as you approach Errachidia. 

Continue through the Ziz Valley, Erfoud, Rissani, and finally, reach the enchanting Merzouga. After a refreshing mint tea, embark on a camel trek (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) into the heart of Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes, renowned as the highest sand dunes in North Africa. Immerse yourself in the spirit of nomadic Berber life, witnessing a breathtaking sunset and embracing the tranquil silence of the Sahara Desert. Indulge in a delectable meal and gather around a crackling fire, captivated by the rhythmic beats of traditional Berber drums.

Day 4: Merzouga – Toudgha Gorges – Dades Valley

If you wake up early, you may experience what may be the best sunrise of your life. As you slowly wend your way back to Merzouga on your camel, you won’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the dunes in the changing with the light. After breakfast and a hot shower, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges. These are the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as ‘monkey toes’. Finally, overnight accommodation will be in a guesthouse overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 5: Dades Valley – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Marrakech

After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, also known as ‘The Way of a Thousand Kasbahs’ towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. The route provides numerous opportunities to take some of your best photos of the trip. Then we drive through the ‘Valley of Roses’ and Skoura Village. Afterward, we continue to Ouarzazate, the ‘Hollywood of Africa’. Lunch is at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest kasbah in Morocco. After exploring this UNESCO heritage site, our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’ Tichka Pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains. We will take time to stop and enjoy the impressive views and visit an argon oil cooperative. Finally, we arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and overnight in a traditional riad in the medina.

Day 6: Marrakech

After breakfast in your riad, we will explore Marrakech, the ‘Red City of Morocco’. We will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. Then after lunch at a restaurant near the square, we will walk through the souk where a treasure trove awaits you. Later, you will have some free time to wander by yourself.

Day 7: Marrakech- Essaouira Day Excursion

Today we drive from Marrakech to the Atlantic Coast to explore the port city and resort of Essaouira. It is rich in historical sites and the medina, which is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts, has UNESCO World Heritage status. In addition, strong ‘Alizée’ trade winds make the city’s crescent beach popular for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.

Day 8: Transfer to Airport

Transfer to the Airport to end your escape to Morocco.