From Casablanca: Private 10 Days Imperial Cities and Desert Tour

Day 1: Casablanca - Rabat

1. Hassan II Mosque
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   We start with the visit of the spectacular Mosque of Hassan II situated directly at the ocean. A must see for every visitor of Casablanca!
2. Rabat
   3h
   Afterwards we continue to Rabat, capital of Morocco, where we visit the magnificent mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II and enjoy the view of the Tour Hassan and its gardens.

Day 2: Rabat - Meknes – Volubilis - Fes

1. Meknes
   2h
   After breakfast in your Riad we head in direction Meknes, which is famous for its luxurious palaces and beautiful mosques as well as one of the most important souks of Morocco.
2. Volubilis
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Continue the route to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a complex declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with a new museum.
3. Fez
   Pass by
   After the visit, we continue our trip to Fez

Day 3: Explore Fes

1. Fes El-Bali
   7h · Admission ticket not included
   Today we'll spend the whole day exploring the impressive city of Fez with its huge Medina «Fes el-Bali» together with a local guide.
2. Bab Boujloud
   Pass by
   We start the day at Bab Boujloud, one of the gates which lead into the Medina.
3. Bou Inania Medersa
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   In the morning we will visit some of the beautiful ancient buildings like the Medersas of Bou Inania and El-Attarine (Koran schools for religious studies) and the University and Mosque of Karaouine.
4. Museo Nejjarine
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and discover traditional tools, carpets, furniture and musical instruments in a beautifully restaurated caravanserai.
5. Chouara Tannery
   20m · Admission ticket not included
   After lunchbreak in one of the hunderts of restaurants in the medina, we continue our tour to the famous tanneries, where the leather is processed still the same as hunderts of years ago. You can observe the workers from a lookout and they will be glad to explain you the different workings steps if you are willing to bargain for a bag or new belt afterwards. But be aware of the bad smelling of the furs and coloring goods!
6. Royal Palace of Fez
   10m
   Outside the medina lies the Royal Palace with its large plaza lined with palm trees.
7. Fez
   20m
   Last but not least we will drive up a hill to the cementary Bab Fettouh, where we'll enjoy the panoramic view over the white sea of houses of the Medina. Individual dinner in the medina and overnight in Fez.

Day 4: Day trip to Chefchaouen

1. Chefchaouen
   2h
   Enjoy the changeing landscapes along the way on your drive from Fes until you reach the small city of Chefchaouen in the mountains with its blue and white houses, often decorated with colorful flowers. The medina is quite small and you can explore it by yourself without needing a guide.
2. Place Outa el Hammam
   2h
   Enjoy lunch at a rooftop terrace overlooking the main square „Outa el Hammam“, the big mosque and the Kasbah. You will have about 4 hours to explore Chefchaouen, so there is also enough time to spot the local women washing their clothes at the river and see the small waterfalls „R’as el Maa“ or hiking uphill until you reach a very special mosque which was a gift from the Spanish people to the inhabitants of Chefchaouen, but was never used for prayers. The view though from the hill over the medina is incredible!

Day 5: Fez - Ifrane - Midelt - Erfoud - Merzouga

1. Ifrane
   30m
   We start our journey in the morning and head for the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop for a coffee in Ifran, also known as «Switzerland of Morocco» with its chalet like houses.
2. Middle Atlas Mountains
   Pass by
   From here we are heading south through several typical villages and you will have the opportunity to spot nomad families living in their tents along the road.
3. Midelt
   1h
   After lunch in Midelt we continue our drive and enjoy panoramic views crossing the Tizi N' Talghoumt pass.
4. Erfoud
   10m
   In Erfoud, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the valley of the river Ziz lined with thousands of date palms.
5. Merzouga
   12h
   Now we’re almost at the dunes! After arriving in Merzouga, we will enjoy dinner in the desert lodge where we'll spend the night.

Day 6: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi

1. Merzouga Dunes
   2h
   Today will be devoted entirely to enjoy the desert. We'll cross the dunes with our 4x4, visit nomads for tea in their tents, explore an oasis and ride through the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
2. Khamlia
   20m
   Visit the famous village of Khamlia and enjoy its folk music.
3. Merzouga Dunes
   12h
   After arriving back in Merzouga in the late afternoon, you will experience a one hour camel ride to reach the desert camp while the sun sinks down behind the dunes. Enjoy your evening dining in a berber tent, look for shooting stars at the camp fire and sleep in a nomad tent!

Day 7: Merzouga - Todra and Dades Gorges

1. Merzouga Dunes
   2h
   Wake up by the first strays of light to watch the sunrise over the sahara before you enjoy your typical breakfast. We return on the camel's back or 4x4 to the desert lodge.
2. Rissani
   45m
   In Rissani we will have the opportunity to visit the local market with the «donkey parking» and have a look at some fossils outside the city.
3. Todra Gorge
   45m
   After lunch break, we will follow the road along the river to reach the gorges of Todra, where you can take a short but spectacular hike between the up to 300 m high rock walls.
4. Dades Gorges
   12h
   Before arriving at our Riad for the night in the Dades valley, we head to Boumalne Dades where you can make some nice pictures of the special rock formations which look like monkey hands.

Day 8: Dades Gorges - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech

1. Skoura
   Pass by
   Today we will see a lot of different landscapes on our way to Marrakech. Admire the views of the Valley of a thousand Kasbahs and the famous Valley of Roses along the road.
2. Ouarzazate
   1h 30m
   In the desert city Ouarzazate, also known as «Hollywood of Morocco», you can explore the acient Kasbah of Taourirt, which was built in the Glaoui dynasty.
3. Ait Ben Haddou
   1h
   A little outside of Ouarzazate lies Aït Ben Haddou, the fortified clay city with its numerous ksars and kasbahs, where several famous movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia have been shot. This photogenic city is also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Telouet Kasbah
   45m
   Continue through the breathtaking landscape to Telouet. This fortress was occupied by Thami el Glaoui before he was expelled by independence efforts. One section has unfortunately disintegrated into red sand, but you can still visit the beautiful rooms with mosaic tiles and wood carvings.
5. High Atlas Mountains
   Pass by
   After the visit, we pass the High Atlas mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass with scenic views along the road and many opportunities to take photos. Individual dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

Day 9: Explore Marrakech

1. Marrakech
   7h
   Today we’ll spend the hole day in the beautiful red city of Marrakech together with a guide.
2. Bahia Palace
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   In the morning, you’ll visit the famous Palais de Bahia, with its fantastic courtyards and mosaic walls built for Bou Ahmed.
3. Mellah
   30m
   Stroll through the Jewish Quarter and notice the difference in architecture in this district.
4. Saadian Tombs
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the hidden Saadian tombs built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed El Mansour in 1557.
5. Jemaa el-Fnaa
   30m
   You’ll arrive at the Koutoubia mosque and the Djemaa el Fna-square, where you can drink some fresh pressed orange juice while observing the bustle of the snake charmers, henna tatoo artists and water sellers.
6. Jardin Majorelle
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   After lunch in a restaurant overlooking Jemaa el Fna, you’ll visit the beautiful Majorelle Garden. This botanical garden is a quiet oasis and the former home of the famous french designer Yves Saint Laurent. Nowadays, the bright blue villa contains a Berber Museum

Day 10: Marrakech - Casablanca

1. Casablanca
   Pass by
   Drive from Marrakech directly over the highway to Casablanca airport or to your hotel in the city of Casablanca

Pickup details

Please wait in the reception area of your accommodation in Casablanca.
Pick up at Casablanca Hassan V Airport (arrivals) or at Casablanca Port also possible.
Pick ups at AirBnB's/private residences not possible - in this case, your meeting point will be in front of the train station "Casa Voyageur"

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels