8 Days – Sahara Desert And Imperial Cities

Itinerary

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fes

Stop At: Western Sahara, Western Sahara
On the first day of our trip we depart from Casablanca for Fes. The road to Fes takes us along a beautiful stretch of farmlands where olives, grain, vegetables and grapes are grown.Before arriving to Fes, we will visit Meknes and Volubilis. Volubilis is the sight of the famous Roman ruins left from the Roman Empire’s most southern outpost. Meknes is the site of the first Arab dynasty created by Moulay Ismail and has the The Madrasa Bou Inania and the Bab Mansour, the Gateway to Moulay Ismail Palace. This leads us into the Henri es-Souani, the horses stable and granaries. Upstairs is a rooftop garden and cafe with a great view of the city. Arrive into Fes, check into the hotel.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Fes sightseeing

Stop At: Fes, Fes, Fes-Meknes
After breakfast, we will begin our visit of “the oldest living Medina in the world” with a local official tour guide. We will tour the Medina with its “souks” (markets), stopping at the gateway of the Royal Palace, the 9th century Karouine Mosque and University.We will visit also the tomb of the city founder “Moulay Idriss II”. Lunch will be held at one of the traditional restaurants in the old Medina. After lunch we will continue our tour to visit the Nejjarine Fountain, the old Harem Garden and the Batha Museum. On the way back to the hotel, we will stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Fes – Merzouga

Stop At: Merzouga, Merzouga, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
In the morning we will go into the mountains to a region known as Imouzzer, which is blanketed by forests of cedar, juniper and cork oak. The area is well known for having abundant wildlife and we may see many types of birds, wild boar and Barbary apes on our scenic drive. Then the road will start climb into the Middle Atlas Mountains where we may see the slopes dotted by the tents and goat herds of nomadic Berbers who call this rugged region home. After late lunch in Midelt, we continue on mountain roads overlooking the wide flowing Oued Ziz. Passing Kasbahs and palm groves we pass through the adobe colored city of Er-Rachidia and arrive in the late afternoon to Merzouga, city on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert where we will spend the night.

Arrival in Marrakech evening 8 p.m. (approximately).
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Tour around Erg Chebbi by 4×4 – camel ride and night in desert camp

Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
In the morning, we start our tour around the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We will visit a berber house and listen to some Gnawa music; originally from Ghana, and Sudan. We will visit some deserted mines, Berber nomads and oasis of palm trees. For lunch we will head back to Merzouga. After relaxing for a time we will go for the camels that are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. We will spend the night in an equipped camp with drums music in the middle of the Sahara, which is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise. When we arrive to the camp, we climb the high dunes to see the sunset and spend the night in nomad tents.

Arrival in Marrakech evening 8 p.m. (approximately).
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Merzouga – Ouarzazate

Stop At: Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
After watching the sunrise we go back to Merzouga. We will have an opportunity to take a shower and have a lovely breakfast. Then we start our journey back to Ouarzazate. On our way, we visit the Berber shops where you may purchase souvenirs like fossils, carpets, lamps, leather… We arrive Ouarzazate in the afternoon and spend the night in a hotel.
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Stop At: Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Leaving Ouarzazate in the morning we will have another chance to visit Ait Benhaddou for lunch and tour in this world heritage site. This famous 11th century kasbah was used as a backdrop for more than 20 films including famous Gladiator. After lunch we will start our journey back to Marrakech through Tizi-n– Tichka and reach Marrakech in the evening.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Marrakesh

Stop At: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi
A full-day tour of Marrakech. We will visit the Menara, a surrounded pool by flowerbeds that function as an irrigation system for the surrounded fields. The sightseeing tour will cover several impressive sights: The Koutoubia mosque, Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Palace museum of jewellery. Optional lunch will be in the Medina followed by a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech. We will enjoy a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Djemaa El Fna Square from a terrace of a cafe, dinner and night at hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Marrakesh – Casablanca

Stop At: Casablanca, Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat
We will be leaving in the morning and head back to Casablanca where our tour have started.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.