15 DAYS FROM CASABLANCA TO MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR

Day 1: Casablanca Med V airport – Transfer to (Hotel)

 Our teamwork will drive you to the hotel after a warm welcome at the airport.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Fes

Our destination will be the current capital of Morocco after leaving Casablanca. In Rabat, you will visit Ouadaya Kasbah. Amorabits built it in the 12th century, and served as a military base, to defend their lands from Spain.

Next, we will have a visit to the Mausoleum Mohamed V. It is composed of the Moroccan king, Mohammed V,  tombs, and his two sons ( The previous king Hassan II and Prince Abdallah). Before we leave Rabat toward Fez, we will visit Hassan Tower. It is a 12th-century still-standing monument. The intention was to build the largest mosque in the world but, it was left as an incomplete mosque when the founder of Hassan tower, Yaakoub Al Mansour, died in 1199. In Fez, you will spend the overnight at the hotel/riad.

Day 3: Fes (Sightseeing Tour with your tour guide, Fes Medina)

The tour continues to explore the cultural and religious city. It is one of the four imperial cities in Morocco. This city is divided into two sections. The first one is Fez El Bali (the ancient city), and Fez El Jadid (the new city). Fez El Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its countless narrow allies. Fez El Jadid is where Mellah, the interesting Jewish quarter. The novel city was founded during the French occupation. In Fez El Bali, Al-Karouine is the first established university in the world according to Guinness record, UNESCO, and many other scholars.

Day 4: Fes – Moulay Driss- Volubilis – Meknes

On the fourth day of the tour, we make our way toward Meknes leaving Fez. On our journey, we will visit Volubilis. It is the most prominent of the Roman Empire In Morocco. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The trip continues to our destination. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the rule of Moulay Ismail in the 17th century.

At Bab Mansour (the biggest door in Africa), we will stop the observe this giant building and take some pictures. It is the entrance into Meknes Medina. The iconic Bab Mansour was built by king Al Mansour Adahbi in 1732. Its marble columns and geometric ornamentation give it a unique decoration.

Day 5: Meknes – Midelt – Ziz valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

After leaving Meknes, a long journey on the road will be waiting for us. On our way, you will enjoy the brilliant Berber villages and the wonderful range of Atlas Mountains landscapes. Ifrane is a city we will travel through.

It is known for its special clean and green environment ( nicknamed Switzerland of Morocco). In winter it is the direction of many Moroccan people to enjoy the snow. It is where the international university Al Akhaouine was by the previous king, Hassan II, in 1997. We will stop at Midelt to have lunch at a local restaurant. Continuing the journey, you will travel along the High Atlas Mountains crossing the fascinating of views of Jbel Ayachi which is 3747m in elevation.

The tour proceeds to the Pre-Saharan area traveling through Errachidia and Erfoud (where the amazing work-shops industry of fossils are located). You spend the night at the hotel after you arrive at Merzouga.

Day 6: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi (Desert Exploration – Camel Trekking for sunset)

Today’s program will be driving over the dunes of the Sahara desert of Erg Chebbi (the largest desert in Morocco). Exploring Erg Chebbi we will share a mint tea with a nomadic family in their tent and observe an interesting lifestyle. Next, we will visit Khamilia village where you’ll have lunch. After a short break, you will ride camelback heading to camp in the middle of the Sahara desert where you will enjoy the mysterious sunset over the dunes. In a tent, you will spend the night gazing at the endless fascinating stars in the sky.

Day 7: Merzouga – Rissani –  Todra gorges

After waking up early and enjoying the fabulous sunrise over the dunes, we will go to explore Rissani, where the largest Souks (traditional markets) in Morocco, and the Mausoleum of Alaouite Dynasty’s founder. Rissani was a town where trading caravans come from different African countries to trade. The next place to visit is Todra Gorges (a series of limestone river canyons). Visitors enjoy hiking in Todgha where there are peaks over 4000m high like Jbel Mgoun ( 4068 m ). They’re the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. The overnight will be spent at a hotel.

Day 8 : Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

On the day number of the trip, you will leave Todra Gorges toward Dades Valley. On your way, you will travel through the Road of Thousand Kasbahs. The Dades Gorges (a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the Dades River) is the next place we will visit. On your journey to Ouarzazate, you will travel along Klaat M’Gouna. It is also called the Valley of Roses. Here, from the beautiful roses, they produce rose water, perfume, soaps, and different cosmetics products. The Festival Harvest of Roses is held every year in May in this area.

Finally, we arrive at Ouarzazate where you’ll be able to visit many prominent kasbahs such as Touarirt Kasbah which was built in the 17th century.

Ouarzazate is considered the Hollywood of Africa it has served as a location to make many movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, you visit the international Cinema Studios.

At the hotel, you will spend the overnight.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Benahddou – Taroudant

The destination will be the Kasbah of  Ait Ben Haddou, which was built in the 11th century by El Glaoui Thami, after leaving the hotel. This magical sandcastle lies over the Ounila River. The vast majority of the town’s occupants currently live in the village on the opposite side of the river. Around five families are as yet living inside this Kasbah. After exploring this area, we will head to Touradant where we will spend the overnight at a hotel.

Day 10: Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira

After leaving Taroudant, we will drive toward Agadir. A very modern city. It is regarded as the capital of Berb city. It lies along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. It has the most significant fishing and business port in Morocco, it is the main sardine port on the planet that exports cobalt, manganese, zinc, and citrus. Additionally, it is an ocean-side hotel with long sandy shorelines. Next, we will drive nearly 200km along the ocean heading to Essaouira. This city has known many civilizations such as the Portuguese who named it Mogado which means “The Wall”.

Day 11: Essaouira (Explore Essaouira at your own pace)

Today is a free day to visit places of your choice. You may love to try, for example, surfing and windsurfing. Essaouira is a top choice for surfers because of continuous wind over the year. You may also want to experience riding camels along the beautiful beaches or quad biking. You will also be to have seafood for lunch at a local restaurant beside the ocean.

Shopping may be a choice of yours. Essaouira is famous for organizing Gnawa Music Festival in June of every year. It is an opportunity for Gnawa musicians coming from different countries to sing and dialogue. Jazz and Reggae have also included music in the festival.

Spending the day chilling at the hotel may be an option of yours, too.

Day 12: Essaouira – Marrakech

Today’s plan will be to travel to Marrakech after driving for 1h and 1/2. On your way, you will enjoy the giant Argan trees on the sides of the road. Argan’s oil is produced and exported to international companies that use it to make cosmetic products. Additionally, it is used for cooking couscous and preparing salads.  women’s cooperatives are the first who extract this oil going through an interesting process.

At the hotel in Marrakech, you will spend the overnight.

Day 13:  Marrakech

In Marrakech, you will be accompanied by a local guide to explore the city which is also called The Red City. It is one of the prominent imperial cities in Morocco.  Like the ancient urban communities, Marrakech contains both an old strengthened city, the Medina, and an advanced city called Gueliz, built during the French occupation.

In Marrakech, you will enjoy the large Souks and the famous square of Jamaa El Fnaa. In this large dynamic square, you will observe storytellers, water-sellers, snake charmers, and Gnawa musicians. The square never sleeps. In fact, the square transforms into an immense outdoor eatery during the night.

You will visit interesting places and Monuments in Marrakech such as Koutoubia Mosque which was built in the 12th century. Through the narrow allies, you will stroll discovering the city, and walk by “Seven Saints”. It’s been said that these seven holy people were the seven men who shone in their epoch as lights of direction due to the favors that Allah (God) gave them. The Sultan has ordered to hold a seasonal Festival of The Seven Men/Saints.

Back to the hotel where you will stay the night.

Day 14: Marrakesh – Explore Marrakesh

After having breakfast, you will continue to explore Marrakech more on the 14th day of the tour. You may go shopping on your own and get familiar with Marrakech’s allies. At the hotel, you will enjoy your last night with special and traditional Moroccan facilities.

Day 15: Marrakesh – Casablanca Med V Airport

At Mohamed’s V international airport, the tour comes to an end after we drive from Marrakech to Casablanca.