"Discover the beauty of Morocco"

Discover Morocco

Visit the cities where Moroccan kings used to live and discover the spectacular landscapes of the lush green valleys and red dunes… 


Discover the most famous destinations for history, nature and culture.

 

This trip starts in Casablanca, home of the unforgettable Mosque of Hassan II, the third biggest mosque in the world.

We spend the next few days by exploring the Imperial Cities and sites in the northern part of Morocco: Rabat, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes. All are fascinating in their own right, and also offer an interesting insight into the historical and religious background of the country – in particular the Roman and Islamic roots.

Later we will discover the beauty of Middle Atlas as we drive it through towards Marrakech. On the way we spend a night near Bin el-Ouidane and have breakfast with a Berber family.

Before we reach the ‘Red city’, we stop at the beautiful Ouzoud Waterfalls, the highest (110m) waterfall in Morocco.

After exploring Marrakech and crossing the High Atlas mountains via the famous Tizi n’Tichka road we spend couple of days by discovering Dades and Roses Valleys which give us the opportunity to mix with friendly and welcoming Berber people, celebrate the Rose Festival with the locals (one weekend in May) or dance to the rhythmic sounds of Berber drums.

In the Sahara we will visit Merzouga where you will have the chance to ride a camel or walk over the sand dunes. Both are essential part of a genuine Saharan experience!

On the way back to Marrakech we will also discover the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge with its thousand-foot-high vertical walls and Ait Benhaddou, the world heritage site where famous Hollywood movies were shot.

We finish our trip in Marrakech, home city of the famous Djemaa el-Fna, the square of vibrant atmosphere and colourful open-air shows. 

 

Next departure: as requested

 

Extension possibility:

Essaouira Extension (RTESX) 

 

Similar tours:

Best of Morocco (RTBES)

Highlights of Morocco (RTHIG)

From North to South (RTN2S)

Mountains and Dunes Adventure (RTMDA)

 

This tour is the combination of our: 

Imperial Cities (RTIMP) and Roses and Dunes (RTROS) tours



Itinerary
  1. Arrive in Casablanca
  2. Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes
  3. Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
  4. Explore Fes
  5. Fes – Bin el-Ouidane
  6. Bin el-Ouidane – Marrakech
  7. Explore Marrakech
  8. Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Boutaghrar
  9. Explore Roses Valley
  10. Explore Roses Valley  
  11. Boutaghrar – Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga
  12. Explore Erg Chebbi
  13. Erg Chebbi – Tazzarine – N’kob – Ourzazate
  14. Ourzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech
  15. Leave Marrakech

 


Day 1 / Arrive in Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca – the economic capital of Morocco – anytime and meet your guide in the hotel.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: -

 

Day 2 / Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes

Before leaving for Rabat we visit Mosque Hassan II, the third largest mosque in the world, the landmark of Casablanca.

Then we continue with a short drive (roughly 1.5h) to Rabat, the governmental capital of Morocco and have a city tour including the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan tower, as well as the Oudaya Kasbah. Later – after lunch – we continue to Meknes for overnight.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 3 / Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

In the morning we have a short orientation by bus to know where the sights are in Meknes. Later you will be free to discover the town’s main important sights (such as the granary, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and Bab Mansour) by your own rhythm.

After lunch we leave towards Fes passing by Volubilis (roman ruins) where we make a visit.

Lodging: riad

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 4 / Explore Fes

In the morning we visit the oldest living Medina in the world: the souqs (markets), the gateway of the Royal Palace, the Karaouiyine Mosque (dating from the 9th century) and the University. We also visit the tomb of the city founder, Moulay Idriss II.

After having lunch in one of the traditional restaurants in the Medina, we continue our tour to visit one of the city’s famous tanneries, the el-Nejjarine Fountain and the ceramic production school. On the way back to the hotel, we stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Lodging: riad (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 5 / Fes – Bin el-Ouidane

After breakfast we start our long journey (500 km) in the Middle Atlas. We drive through picturesque landscapes and we stop couple of times to admire the stunning view of the Middle Atlas Mountains. We spend the night in a gîte near to Bin el-Ouidane Dam

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 6 / Bin el-Ouidane – Marrakech

We will have a traditional Moroccan breakfast with a Berber family in Azilal. After breakfast we continue our tour and we visit beautiful Ouzoud Waterfalls, the highest (110m) waterfall in Morocco.

In the afternoon we head for the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech. The city is famous for its bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques and it is a great place to buy some souvenirs as well.

In the evening we can visit the heart of Marrakech (the Djemaa el-Fna) again and have a dinner in one of its food stalls. The square – with its snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats – is a place of night-time entertainment for both tourists and local people.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 7 / Explore Marrakech

In the morning in order to soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city, we have a guided tour to sample some of the popular sights of Marrakech including the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque (from outside). The tour is finishing up in the well-known open-air central square, the Djemaa el-Fna.

The afternoon is a free to explore Marrakech by yourself. We advise to visit the Badia Palace or the museum Dar Si Said or spend some time in the labyrinthine souqs (markets) looking for souvenirs. You can also take a half-hour Calèche ride (a green horse-drawn carriage) to the Majorelle Garden. This peaceful garden decorated all over in blue was built by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter who fell in love with Morocco and later was bought by Yves Saint-Laurent. You can finish the day by relaxing in a hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath.

Lodging: hotel (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 8 / Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Boutaghrar

We drive over the Haouz plain to the High Atlas Mountains and cross over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260 m). During our drive towards Ouarzazate (Moroccan Hollywood) we will have an unforgettable view of panoramic landscape with pine trees, oak forests and several beautiful Berber villages.

After lunch we pass the Skoura oasis and Kalaa M’gouna, the centre of Roses Valley to reach Boutaghrar, the village where we spend the next three nights.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 9 / Explore Roses Valley

Today we do some light walking in the heart of the beautiful Roses Valley. This region is known for producing products of the roses emerging around the fields of cereals. We also cross many Berber villages with their magnificent architecture and we can admire the beautiful nature of the High Atlas Mountains.

If you come in early May you have a good chance to celebrate the Rose Festival with the locals and dance to the rhythmic drumming sounds or folk music of different regions of Morocco.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut) (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 3-4 hours

 

Day 10 / Explore Roses Valley

Today we do more walking in the heart of the Roses Valley.

During our stay in the valley we will have opportunity to mix with friendly and welcoming Berber people, to learn more about their everyday life and ladies can have a traditional Henna painting from the local women.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut) (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 3-4 hours

 

Day 11 / Boutaghrar – Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga

In the morning we pass the ‘Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs’ (Dades Valley) and head towards the magnificent Todra Gorge where we stop for a short walk. Later on – after a short drive – we stop again for a gentle walk in the Palmerie of Tinghir.

In the afternoon we gradually approach the spectacular site of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi where we spend the night in an auberge at the edge of the sand sea.

Lodging: auberge (guest house)

Provision: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 12 / Explore Erg Chebbi

There is time today to explore the largest sand sea in Morocco by camel trek, do some optional activities or just to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famous for its pink dunes that have a spectacular rose colour at sunset.

In the afternoon we set on our camels to reach the camp among the dunes where – after admiring the breathtaking sunset – we spend the night.

Lodging: nomad camp (simple Bedouin camp)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 13 / Erg Chebbi – Tazzarine – N’kob – Ourzazate

Early morning we can climb up the dunes to watch the sun rising up, then we set back on our camels and ride back to the auberge to have breakfast and to take a shower.

Later we head towards Ouarzazate via pass Alnif, Tazzarine and N’knob, the centre of the Henna region and we drive along the Draa Valley and Saghro range before we reach our hotel in the city of Moroccan Hollywood.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 14 / Ourzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

In the morning a short drive takes us to the well-preserved Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the most spectacular sights in the Atlas Mountains, famous for being the location for several Hollywood films, including ‘The Gladiator’ and Lawrence of Arabia.

In Marrakech we have enough time to sample some more sights, look for souvenirs or just hang around and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ‘Red city’.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 15 / Leave Marrakech

End of trip and we say goodbye. Have a nice flight back to home.

Please note that we are able to organise a post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days.

Lodging: -

Provision: breakfast

 

  • In the beginning and end of the season (i.e. April and November) there can be still snow in some places in the mountains and therefore we might need to modify the program and/or itinerary of the trip.
  • In gîtes (mountain huts) there is shared accommodation and shared facilities (shower and toilet) are available.
  • In the Sahara there is not much water available and we will have a certain amount of water for cooking and personal use, so please do not expect shower in the nomad camp.
  • As in some places we walk in river beds, do not forget to take water resistant shoes or sandals with you.

 

Services Included

 

  • All transport within Morocco, except from and to the airport:
    • comfortable minibus, Four-Wheel Drive vehicles (4WD) or taxi (depending on the size of the group)
    • walking (2 days)
    • camels (in the Sahara)
  • All accommodations: hotels/riads, gîte (mountain hut), auberge (guest house), nomad camp
  • All breakfasts, three lunches, six dinners (14B, 3L, 6D)
  • Professional tour leader and local staff during the whole trip:
    • Berber mountain guide certified by Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism to give you interesting information about the places you visit, the history and the culture of the country
    • a devoted team of experienced drivers, local guides and camel drivers
  • City tours/Programs: Mosque Hassan II, Volubilis, Fes tour (full day), Marrakech tour (half-day)

 

Services Not Included

 

  • Flight ticket to and from Morocco
  • Airport transfer (available for extra charge)
  • Insurance covering all your adventure activities (obligatory, please bring a copy with you)
  • Meals – except breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners (allow EUR 10 to 15 for each meal)
  • Soft drinks and personal purchases all over the trip
  • Entrance fee to monuments (except city tours/programs) and optional activities (e.g. hammam)
  • Tipping local staff (tour guide, local guides, driver, camel drivers) – not obligatory, only if you are satisfied

 

Food/Provision

 

  • All breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners are included
  • All other meals and drinks (e.g. water) will be for your expenses. Your guide will help you to discover the local restaurants
  • Please inform us of any dietary, vegetarian or special meal requirements at the time of reservation

 

For further information please check ‘General trip info’.

 

For a suit-tailored offer, booking or more information please fill in the below form or send us an e-mail with the details.

 

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Please give a valid e-mail address that you check on a regular basis as we will use it for answering your request.

 

Thanks for your interest. 


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Highlights included

  • Casablanca, Imperial cities (Rabat, Fes, Meknes, Marrakech), roman ruins (Volubilis), the Middle Atlas (Bin el-Ouidane), High Atlas (Tizi n’Tichka, Dades Valley, Roses Valley), the Sahara, Ait Benhaddou

Adventures

  • Culture, history, nature, city tours, camel riding (optional), local people, nomad camp, hammam (optional)

Grade

  • Easy

Transport during the tour

  • Minibus, 4WD or taxi
  • Walking (2 days)
  • Camels (optional)

Accommodation

  • Hotel/riad: 8 nights
  • Gîte (mountain hut): 4 nights
  • Auberge (guest house): 1 night
  • Nomad camp: 1 night

Meals included

  • All (14) breakfasts
  • 3 lunches
  • 6 dinners

Notes

  • Runs from April to November