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All Language
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All season
- Route: Tangier -> Chefchaouen -> Volubilis -> Fes -> Merzouga Desert -> Dades Gorges -> Ouarzazate -> Ait Ben Haddou -> Marrakech.
- Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights.
- Pace: Relaxed. Includes a full cultural tour of Fes and a deep immersion in the Sahara Desert.
Highlights
- Chefchaouen: Exploring the magical blue-painted streets of the "Blue Pearl."
- Imperial Cities: Visiting Fes (the cultural heart) and Marrakech (the vibrant commercial hub).
- Roman History: Walking through the ancient ruins of Volubilis.
- Sahara Desert: Spending two days/nights in the Merzouga dunes with a camel trek and a luxury camp experience.
- The Gorges: Visiting the dramatic Todra and Dades Canyons.
- The "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs": Driving through a valley lined with ancient earthen fortresses.
- Ait Ben Haddou: Visiting the most famous Kasbah in the world.
Day 01 :
Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
- Morning: Pick up from Tangier Airport or Port.
- 10:00 AM: Drive towards the Rif Mountains. Stop in Tetouan to see the Hassan II Square or head straight to Chefchaouen.
- 02:00 PM: Arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue-washed city.
- Afternoon: Free time to explore the picturesque streets, the Kasbah museum, and the Ras El Maa waterfall.
- Overnight: Hotel/Riad in Chefchaouen.
Day 02 :
Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
- 09:00 AM: Morning photography session in Chefchaouen.
- 11:30 AM: Drive south to visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO World Heritage site). See the ancient mosaics and Triumphal Arch.
- 02:00 PM: Lunch in Meknes.
- 03:00 PM: Quick tour of Meknes, the Ismailite capital. See the Bab Mansour gate and the Sahrij Souani basin.
- 05:30 PM: Arrive in Fes, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco.
- Overnight: Riad in Fes.
Day 03 :
Guided Tour of Fes
- 09:30 AM: Meet your local guide for a deep dive into the Fes El Bali Medina.
- Highlights:
- The famous Chouara Tannery (leather making).
- The Bou Inania Madrasa (Islamic college).
- The Al-Qarawiyyin University (the oldest university in the world).
- The Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and Royal Palace gates.
- The artisan workshops (pottery, leather, brass).
- Afternoon: Lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the Medina.
- Overnight: Riad in Fes.
Day 04 :
Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
- 08:30 AM: Depart Fes towards the Middle Atlas Mountains.
- 10:30 AM: Visit Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland." Stop in the Cedar Forest of Azrou to see the wild Barbary Macaques (monkeys).
- 01:00 PM: Lunch in Midelt, famous for apples and fossils.
- 03:00 PM: Cross the Tizi n'Haylaj pass and descend into the Ziz Valley. See the extensive palm groves.
- 06:00 PM: Arrive in Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes). Mount your camels for a sunset trek into the desert.
- Evening: Traditional dinner, Berber drums, and stargazing.
- Overnight: Luxury or Standard Desert Camp.
Day 05 :
Merzouga Desert Exploration
- 06:00 AM: Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the golden dunes.
- 07:30 AM: Breakfast and camel ride back to the hotel for a shower.
- 10:00 AM: Full Day Exploration of the Region:
- Visit Khamlia Village, known for its Gnawa spiritual music.
- Visit a Nomad family living in tents to learn about their lifestyle.
- Visit the "Sea of Sand" (off-road area).
- Visit Lake Merzouga (Dayet Srji) to spot flamingos (seasonal).
- Afternoon: Relax at the hotel pool or explore the fossil workshops in Erfoud.
- Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga.
Day 06 :
Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
- 09:00 AM: Depart Merzouga. Stop in Rissani to see the ancient Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif (if open).
- 11:00 AM: Drive to the Todra Gorge. Walk along the river floor flanked by 300m high vertical cliffs.
- 01:00 PM: Lunch in the Gorge.
- 03:00 PM: Drive along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" towards the Dades Valley.
- 05:00 PM: Walk to the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations in the Dades Gorge.
- Overnight: Hotel in Dades.
Day 07 :
Dades – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate
- 08:30 AM: Drive through the Valley of Roses (Boumalne Dades) and stop at the village of Kalaat M'Gouna.
- 10:30 AM: Visit the Skoura Oasis and the Kasbah Amridil, a masterpiece of earthen architecture.
- 01:00 PM: Lunch in Ouarzazate.
- 03:00 PM: Visit the Kasbah Taourirt, a former home of the Pasha of Marrakech.
- 05:00 PM: Visit the Atlas Film Studios (optional), where movies like Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy were filmed.
- Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate.
Day 08 :
Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakech
- 09:00 AM: Drive 30 mins to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO World Heritage site). Explore the Ksar and see filming locations for Game of Thrones and Gladiator.
- 12:00 PM: Begin the ascent of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), the highest pass in North Africa.
- 01:30 PM: Lunch at a panoramic restaurant in the mountains.
- 03:00 PM: Stop at a women-run Argan Oil cooperative on the descent to watch the oil-making process.
- 05:30 PM: Arrive in Marrakech.
- Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.
Day 09 :
Guided Tour of Marrakech
- 09:30 AM: Meet your local guide to explore the "Red City."
- Highlights:
- The Koutoubia Mosque gardens.
- The Bahia Palace (19th-century masterpiece).
- The Saadian Tombs.
- The Ben Youssef Madrasa.
- Lunch in a nice restaurant.
- Afternoon: Navigate the busy Souks (markets) and visit the herbalist shops. End the day at the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square (UNESCO Cultural Heritage).
- Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.
Day 10 :
Departure from Marrakech
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
- Depending on your flight time, do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs (spices, rugs, leather).
- Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight home.
- (Note: If you need to return to Tangier, you can add an extra day for the train or a private driver transfer.)
- Transportation: Air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser or Minivan (including fuel).
- Driver/Guide: Professional English/French-speaking driver.
- Accommodation: 9 Nights (Hotels, Riads, & 1 Night Desert Camp).
- Camel Trek: 1-hour camel ride per person (in/out of desert).
- Local Guides: Official local guides for Fes and Marrakech.
- Meals: Daily Breakfasts + 1 Dinner (at the desert camp).
- Pick-up/Drop-off: From Tangier (Airport/Port) and Drop-off in Marrakech (Airport/Hotel).
- Lunches & Dinners: (Except the desert camp dinner).
- Drinks: Bottled water, soda, alcohol.
- Entrance Fees: Tickets for monuments, museums, and Roman ruins (approx. 100-150 MAD total).
- Tips: Gratuities for driver, local guides, and hotel staff.
- Flights: International flights.
- Return Transfer: If you need to go back to Tangier from Marrakech, this is excluded (can be arranged as a train ticket or private transfer).
How fit do I need to be to do this trek?
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
How much do guides and porters cost?
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
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