Itinerary Morocco Culture tour, 11 days
Day 1: Casablanca-Rabat
We will pick you up from the airport and make a quick visit to the city. Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco; we will visit the Hassan II mosque. This is the largest mosque in Africa and decorated with beautiful tiling. After that we stroll through the medina and Mohammed V Square with its central fountain. Then we drive to Rabat.
Day 2: Rabat-Chefchaouen
After breakfast, we will explore Rabat; we will visit the administrative capital of Morocco and residence of the king. We will visit the Hassan Tower. The minaret of this mosque has never been finished but is the symbol of this city. We also visit the Kasbah des Ouiduias.Then in the afternoon we make our way across the Rif Mountains to the stunning town of Chefchaouen.
Day 3: Chefchaouen
After breakfast in your riad we will start our day to explore a very different culture and lifestyle then you will see in others cities of Morocco. The city of Chefchaouen is nestled in the Riff Mountains, and it is famous for its Andalusia character and for its extraordinary light and color. The old town medina’s houses are all tinted in white and blue colors. It is wonderful to walk through the old town and walking through these colors. It is a peaceful place and it will feel like you are walking in the sky. We will spend the day exploring the city, visit the great Place Utah el-Hamam. A wonderful place in the medina with cafes and restaurants. And visit the Ras el-ma, where the city’s fresh water springs from the mountain.
Day 4: Chefchaouen-Volubilis-Meknes-Fès
In morning we will departure to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. This partly excavated Berber and Roman city is on UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will explore the breathtaking archaeological ruins of the roman city, this ruins are an example for the different kinds of civilizations that made of Morocco their home and are still present in cultural traditions. Then we stop in the sacred town of Moulay Idriss I, the burial town of the founder of the first Moroccan kingdom, and is a historic mosque and its famous place. Then we continue our road to the medina of Meknes, the walls of this medina are grant. It is home of the splendid mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. We will explore Bab lekhmiss, then they Jewish quarter called El Mellah and the Sahrij Swani. This is one of the prestigious Historic Monuments of Meknes. This artificial lake is also impressive by its size, about 148.75 m2 by 319 m2. The lake was used to store food and water for the ‘’black Army’’ of the sultan Moulay Ismael. We can visit the mausoleum of the sultan and admire the Arab-Andalusian style, and Place El-Hedime [Square of Ruins] which links the medina and the Kasbah.
When we spend time relaxing in this charming Moroccan city. In the end of the afternoon we drive to Fès where you will spend the night.
Day 5: Fès
After breakfast we will guide you through the medina, one of the world’s largest walled-in cities. In the south west wall of the medieval Medina is a beautiful looking entry, the Bab Bou Jeloud. It gives excess to narrow streets that are lined up with little stores that sell fresh fruits, spices, woven Berber carpets etc. This medina is very large, it is about 3 km. And therefore one of the largest medina´s of the world. We will visit the El Qaraouiyyin Mosque, the place Nejjarine and the tanneries. At the tanneries you can watch locals work on skins of goat, lamp, camel and cow, in small clay pits.
Day 6: Fès-Ifran-Azrou-Midelt-Erfoud-Merzouga
After breakfast in Riad, we drive south to Ifrane and Azrou through the Middle Atlas Mountains. On the way we will stop at the cedar forests, hopefully we’ll see the Barbarian Apes in their natural habitat. Then we drive through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt. Which is in the Middle Atlas and is called “the apple capital”. We drive along the magnificent Ziz Valley oasis carved through volcanic rock. The Middle- Atlas offers some beautiful views. When we approach Erraichida you’ll see the scenery is changing to a dessert environment. And we’ll continue our journey to Erfoud, Rissani and we end our drive in Merzouga. Here we reach our hotel and watch the sun setting over the vast expanse of rolling desert dunes. Spend the night at hotel.
Day 7: Merzouga
After the breakfast we get on the road to discover the region of Merzouga. We start in Khamlia. Here we visit the Gnaoua people, originally slaves brought from Mali. You'll get the opportunity to listen to their Gnawa music and learn about their culture and lifestyle. With the 4x4 car we will discover the nomad's lifestyle. We will visit local nomad families who live in tents around the Erg Chebbi dunes. .After this we bring you to your accommodation where you can relax until the end of the afternoon, then take a camel ride to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes. These are the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The camel trek to the camp takes about 90 minutes *. Here, in the middle of the desert you will see one of the most beautiful sunset in your lifetime and after that you'll see thousands of stars in the sky. You will spend the night in a camp (Berber nomad tents) where you have dinner and life music in the middle of the Sahara. The tents are equipped with mattresses, blankets, and cushions.
Day 8: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges-Ouarzazate
Before the sunrise, you will wake up for climb the sand for take some fantastic photos opportunities , and then make our way back to the hotel on the camel. In the hotel you’ll have a lovely breakfast and you can take a shower. Then, we will drive to Risani, old Sijilmasa center of ancient caravans from the Sahara. After we drive through Erfoud, which is known by fossils preparation. On the way to the Todra Gorges we pass the palm trees groves. In the Todra Gorge you will have some time to walk by yourself and interact with the local people. Afterwards, we head to Boumalne Dades, then to the Dades Gorges where you will have time to see its rock formations “human bodies, fingers of monkeys “. After a stroll through the impressive Dades Gorge, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate passing by the valley of the Roses. This valley provides some of the most spectacular scenery of the south, this is where a large part of Morocco’s rose and rose water production occurs. We continue along the road of thousand Kasbah to the oasis of Skoura to visit the Kasbah of Amredil. Our trip continues to the city of Ouarzazate, a city of vibrant culture and artistic traditions. You will spend the night in the Hotel.
Day 9: Ouarzazate-Ait BenHaddou-Marrakech
After breakfast, you can explore the town of Ouarzazate. This city is famous for the big Kasbahs, but also has the biggest film studio in the world (Atlas studios). Here you can visit Cinema Museum or studio’s cinema and Kasbah Taouirirt. Then we continue our road that will take us to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, this is the largest Kasbah in Morocco, now a UNESCO matrimonial historical site and still home to some Glaoui family members. We will visit this Kasbah. Then we drive through the Atlas Mountains will show you fantastic views and lead you through Berber villages. Then we’ll drive back over the winding Tizi-n-Tichka pass back to Marrakech. We will bring you back to your hotel in the early evening.
Day 10: Marrakech
For the city tour of Marrakech you are going with the local guide he will taking you through the winding streets, bustling souks, and the focal point of the city – the great Djemâa-el-Fna where there are snake charmers, monkeys, musicians and food. This square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 2001. The souks of Marrakech are busy. There is much to see, taste and smell. After this you can visit Jardin Majorelle. A beautiful garden created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle and then taking care off by Yves Saint Laurent until his death. This peaceful spot in the ville nouvelle contains botanic and exotic plants brought from all over the world, with dominating indigo blue to paint the wall. Explore this mystical city at your leisure, and relax with our optional activity.
Day 11: Airport Transfer
On this day our services we will bring you to the airport for your onward flight.