9 days DESERT tour FROM MARRAKECH

Welcome to Marrakech Airport! We hope your flight was pleasant. You will be greeted by an IMT driver-guide who will welcome you to the city and safely escort you to your hotel. Here, you can relax and rest. Overnight at a hotel in Marrakech.

After breakfast at your hotel or Riad, we will pick you up at 8:00 AM and head south toward Ouarzazate. Along the way, we will cross the stunning landscapes of the Atlas Mountains via the incredible Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which stands at 2,260 meters.

Midway, we will reach the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most astonishing fortified city, featured in films like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. Continuing our journey, we will arrive in Ouarzazate, where we will visit the Kasbah of Taourirt.

We will then travel along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Skoura, passing through the Valley of the Roses before finally reaching the Dades Gorge, where we will spend the night.

Overnight at a hotel in Dades Valley.

After breakfast, we depart for the Dades Valley and pass through the incredible Todra Gorge, where we will stay until lunchtime.
After recharging, we head to Merzouga, passing through the Jorf palm grove (home to the best dates) and Erfoud, a small village where you can visit a marble workshop.
Upon arrival in Merzouga, we will leave the vehicle and venture into the desert on camelback to reach the camp where we will spend the night. Here, in the silence of the desert, we will enjoy one of the most authentic Moroccan dinners. Overnight in a private tent with a bathroom, shower, and air conditioning.

In the morning, you can climb the sand dunes to admire the sunrise. After breakfast, we return to Merzouga on camelback. We then continue to Erfoud, where you can visit the fossil factory, before heading to Errachidia through the magnificent Ziz Gorge, carved into volcanic rock, and crossing the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass to Midelt.
We proceed to Azrou, where we stop to see the Barbary macaques in the famous Cedar Forest of the Middle Atlas. Next, we visit Ifrane, “the Switzerland of Morocco,” for a stroll to explore the town. Finally, we arrive in Fes, where we spend the night in a riad. Overnight at a riad in Fes.

You will be picked up from your hotel/riad in Fes to begin exploring the following sites with an experienced local guide:

Highlights include:

• Andalusia Mosque: This splendid mosque is easily recognizable by its imposing green and white minaret. Built in the late 9th century by a woman, its wood carvings are exquisite.

• Tanneries Quarter: One of Fes’s main attractions, this is where leather is produced using centuries-old methods. From the elevated platform, you can observe the entire process.

• Medersa El-Attarine: Visit Fes’s most popular attraction, built in 1325. Admire the refined craftsmanship surrounding the madrasa, particularly the stucco and cedar wood carvings on the ceiling.

• Kairaouine Mosque: One of Morocco’s largest religious structures, located in the heart of the medina. The attached university has been a center of Islamic learning in Morocco for over 1,000 years.

• Zaouia Moulay Idriss: The tomb of Moulay Idris is a highly revered shrine. Non-Muslims can only approach as far as the entrance.

• Nejjarine Square: A beautiful fountain sits in this square in the heart of the medina. The Nejjarine Museum of Wood and Carpentry showcases Fes’s renowned woodcarving tradition, displaying exquisite furniture, thrones, and everyday objects.

The tour breaks for lunch at Moroccan restaurants in the medina.

After lunch, continue with a guided exploration of attractions outside Fes. Highlights include:

• Merinid Tombs: This resting place of the Merinid sultans offers spectacular views of the city. The ruins are ideal for admiring the medina below.

• Potter’s Quarter: Discover where the world-famous cobalt-blue glazed ceramics are produced.

In the late afternoon, you will be taken back to your riad.

Leaving Fes behind, you will travel west to the imperial city of Meknes, known for its impressive historical sites and grand architecture. After exploring Meknes, you will continue to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, where you can walk among the well-preserved mosaics and structures that offer a glimpse into Morocco’s Roman past.
The journey then takes you to the enchanting city of Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains. Enjoy a pleasant evening exploring the picturesque streets of this unique and tranquil town. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

After breakfast, we will take you to Morocco’s capital, where you will visit the city’s best sites, such as the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Oudayas overlooking the Atlantic. After lunch, we continue to Casablanca.
Overnight at a hotel in Casablanca.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Nation Square and the magnificent Hassan II Mosque (internal and external visit), the largest mosque in the country and the seventh-largest in the world, with its minaret standing at 210 meters, the tallest in the world. After the visit, we will transport you to Marrakech to begin the historical tour, which includes the Bahia Palace, the Badi Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the famous main square “Djemaa El Fna” with its souks and surrounding artisan quarters, the Koutoubia Minaret, and the local market “Souk.”

Overnight at a hotel in Marrakech.

After breakfast, we will accompany you to Marrakech Airport, marking the end of your 08-day expedition. (Please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight, so departure will be arranged accordingly.)

End of our services.