10 Days From Marrakech Desert & Imperial Cities

Your pickup time will be 8 AM this morning as we journey out of Marrakech to Boumalne Dades. We will drive east of Marrakech past small suburban towns to the High Atlas Mountains. A few stops will be made to take photos, enjoy the panoramic views, stretch your legs and enjoy some refreshments. These stops are typically around 15 minutes but we can shorten or length this time depending on your need or interest in the location. 

Our first stop will be at Aït Barka (1h drive from Marrakech), which is situated at the beginning of the Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 1500m. Will then drive uphill on curvy roads to the famous Tizi N'tichka pass (1.5h drive from Aït Barka). We will stop at the top which is an elevation of 2600m to take in the scenery, take pictures and enjoy refreshments before driving to Kasbah Telouet (1 hour drive from Tizi N'tichka). You will tour Kasbah Telouet (30 min) with a local guide who will explain the Kasbah’s significance and history as it is situated along the former route of the caravans and was occupied by the El Glaoui family. 

We will then make our way to the UNESCO listed landmark Aït Ben Haddou (1h drive from Kasbah Telouet) where you will tour this Berber fortified village with a local guide (1h). Aït Ben Haddou is known as a set for major Hollywood epics such as Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. 

We will then break for lunch. Your driver will offer restaurant recommendations however you may choose where you’d like to go. 

After lunch, we will continue on 1000 Kasbahs road to Skoura Oasis and Klaa Mgouna (1.5h drive from Ouarzazate). Klaa Mgouna is the capital of the valley of the roses and is famous for its rose water artisanal distillation factories. If interested, a tour of the distillation factory can be arranged. 

Our last leg of the journey will take us to Boumalne Dades (30 min drive from Kelaa Mgouna) where we will follow the Dades River on a tiny road passing by different fortified kasbahs located on the side of the road to Dades Canyons. We will make a stop to see a unique landscape of eroded sandstone formations called the Monkey Fingers before arriving at your hotel late in the afternoon.

Meals included: breakfast | dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel Panorama

After breakfast, we will depart at 9:30am from your riad. We will drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to the oasis of Tinghir, where we will deviate to a minor road to drive along the river to Todgha where we will stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees. We will then continue to Todgha Gorges (1.5h drive from Boumalne Dades). The Todgha Gorges is a series of deep cliff-sided river canyons. We will stop by a Berber house where traditional Moroccan tribal rugs are made and sold. These rugs are also called Berber rugs as they are made by different Berber tribes across North Africa and the Sahara. 

We will make a stop to see the khettaras (15 min mini-tour with local guide), which is a 300 km network of irrigation channels that continued to function from the late 14th century until the early 1970s. We will then drive to Erfoud (2h 15 min drive). Erfoud is a small oasis town known for its precious and unique fossils. Here, you have the option of visiting a fossil filled marble workshop. As Erfoud is surrounded by the beauty of the Sahara desert, it served as a film location for popular movies such as Prince of Persia and the Mummy. .

Our last leg of today’s journey will be to Merzouga (45 min drive). Upon arrival in Merzouga, we will transfer to camels to complete our journey to tonight’s luxury desert camp in the afternoon. The camel trek is approximately 1.5 hours and is during sunset as we believe this is the best way to take in the sunset over the dunes. Travellers also have the option to ride to the camp via an air conditioned and fully-covered 4x4. A traditional Berber dinner awaits you at the camp. 

Meals included: breakfast | dinner

Accommodation: Luxury Camp Under Stars

This morning, you have the option to enjoy a sunrise camel trek (departure at 6:45 am). The duration of the trek is your choice however we recommend that you are back with sufficient time for breakfast. We will depart from the camp at 10 am this morning via 4x4. Our first stop will be to visit a nomadic family in their tent followed by the Mifis mine. We will then travel to Khamila, a Gnawa village. Black Africans from the Gnawa tribe originated from sub-Saharan countries and were forcibly moved across the Sahara as part of the slave trade. Gnawa music originates from their shackled chains as they crossed the desert, signing to the clanking of their chains. Here, you will listen to some Gnawa music and have lunch. 

We will then continue to Erg Chebbi to discover the vastness of the Sahara dunes where we will walk in the dunes. We will then make our way back to the camp for a second night under the stars. In the evening back at the camp, you’ll learn from your Berber hosts about life in the dunes and Berber culture. After a traditional Moroccan meal, you’ll listen to live Gnawa music with drums and castanents around a bonfire under the stars. The minimal light pollution and clear night skies of the Sahara desert allows for excellent stargazing conditions. The Milky Way Galaxy and shooting stars are often visible. Your nomadic hosts will teach you about celestial navigation and how to identify constellations. 

Meals included: breakfast | lunch | dinner

Accommodation: Luxury Camp Under Stars

After breakfast, we will depart from the camp at 9 am for today’s scenic drive to Fez. We will cross the Ziz Valley through Errachidia which is the capital of the Tafilalet region. In the Ziz Valley, we will make 3 stops: (1) for pictures in the Atlas mountains, (2) visit the dense canopy of palms nestled between ancient cliffs and (3) at the oasis. We will then continue our journey to Midelt where we will stop for lunch (recommended lunch spot is at Hotel Taddart). We will then continue to the Middle Atlas Mountains with its Cedar Forests and Berber towns of Azrou (drive by as this town is known for its barbary macaque), Imouzzer (stop for pictures in the mountains) and Ifrane (stop for garden visit). Irfane is fondly referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco and is a famous destination among locals for its ski resorts. We will visit the gardens in Irfane before making our way to Fez. You will arrive at your riad in the early afternoon. 

Meals Included: breakfast | dinner

Accommodation: Riad Jane

After breakfast, your local guide will meet you at 10 am to show you Fez. Fez is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and is divided into three sections and you will tour each part - the original old town, Fes el-Bali; Fes el-Jedid, built in the 13th century; and the contemporary Ville Nouvelle quarter. The old town or the medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest car free urban area in the world and is recognized as one of the best preserved historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world. It is made up of many maze-like narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices and many artisanal objects of Morocco. 

Your tour will also include the following notable stops: 

• Medersa Bou Inania, an architecturally renown theological college
• Al-Attarine Madrasa, the school of perfumers. 
• Palais Royal Dar El Makhzen
• Chaouwara Tannery, the oldest and largest of the traditional tanneries in Fez’s leather souk dating back to the midevil times
• Ain Nokbi, the pottery district to see how Fez’s unique pottery and tiles are made

Your guide will offer recommendations for lunch spots and we will break for lunch in the medina at your desired time. You will have the evening for rest and relaxation or to continue exploring Fez. 

Meals Included: breakfast | dinner

Accommodation: Riad Jane

We will depart at 10 AM today after breakfast to make our way to Chefchaouen. The drive is scenic as we will wind through the Atlas mountains. We will make a few stops along the way for refreshments and to take in the scenery. We will stop for lunch en route to Chefchaouen before arriving at your hotel by mid-afternoon. You will have the rest of the day for rest and relaxation or to explore the town. 

Meals included: breakfast | dinner

Accommodation: Cassa Hassan

After breakfast we make a visit to the blue city and continue our way to the capital of Morocco.

It depends at what time we arrive in Rabat challah, we make a visit to the Kasbah of Rabat and the Mosque of Mohamed 5.

We will make our way to Casablanca. 

Driving to Casablanca visit the Hassan II Mosque and some of the city’s other attractions including the old medina and the Corniche of Ain el Diab.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Kenzi Basma

After breakfast, we will depart at 9am to make our way to Marrakech.

After 2h30 driving from Casablanca we will start the first leg of our discovery of Marrakech’s palaces, gardens and other notable sites with a local guide. Your guide will share the history and significance of each place with you. Please note that your tour guide will speak English and is certified by the Ministry of Tourism. This guide will continue until the early afternoon (1-1:30pm), before breaking for lunch. Your guide will offer restaurant recommendations in the medina for lunch or you may choose a lunch spot yourself. 

• Medina
• Bahia Palace
• Koutoubia Mosque
• Dar Si Said
• Souks 
• Majorelle Gardens
• Saadien’s Tombs
• Jemaa El Fna Square
• Museum of Marrakech
• Menara Gardens

* Please note that the admission fees for all of the above sites are included in your tour price. Any additional museums or locations will be at your own expense. 

You will be able to enjoy any number of the following optional activities. Please let us know which ones you would like to include in your itinerary. 

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

Watch the sunrise over the red dust, palm groves and majestic open landscapes of Marrakech from a hot air balloon. Refuel with an authentic Berber breakfast in a Moroccan tent or if you choose to take a private hot air balloon ride, breakfast will be served in the basket of the balloon.

Departure: 05:00

Duration: 1 hour balloon ride

Cost: 200 EUR or 400 EUR per person private air balloon

Quad Bike or Buggy Ride in the Agafay Desert

Explore the Agafay desert and its dune-shaped hills and exceptional views of the Atlas mountains while experiencing the thrill of the open air on a quad bike or buggy. You will be provided with all of the necessary equipment and will receive a lesson before starting your adventure. 

Duration: 2 hours 

Cost: 60 EUR per person

Cooking Class

You will learn how to make traditional dishes that you can enjoy again and again. We will use fresh local ingredients and follow the instructions of a Moroccan cook to prepare a traditional dish. You will be able to enjoy your creation at the end. 

Duration: 3 hours 

Cost: 60 EUR per person

Traditional Hammam & Massage

Visit a hammam, a traditional Moroccan bath house. Begin with a dry or hot room to prepare your skin and body, followed by a hot steam room. Enjoy a body scrub and massage followed by a traditional mint tea. 

Cost: 80 EUR per person

Massage duration: 1 hour

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Riad dar soukaina