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- Route: Casablanca -> Rabat -> Chefchaouen -> Volubilis -> Meknes -> Fes -> Merzouga Desert -> Dades Gorges -> Ouarzazate -> High Atlas -> Marrakech.
- Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights.
- Pace: Balanced. Covers the North, Middle Atlas, and the Deep South.
Highlights
- Chefchaouen: Walking through the dreamlike blue streets of the "Blue Pearl" in the Rif Mountains.
- Fes Medina: Getting lost in the world's largest living medieval city and visiting the famous Tanneries.
- Sahara Desert: Spending a night under the stars in Merzouga with a camel trek and sunrise.
- Roman History: Exploring the ancient ruins of Volubilis and the Imperial City of Meknes.
- Gorges: Walking through the dramatic Todra and Dades Canyons.
Day 01 :
Arrival in Casablanca – Rabat
- Arrive at Casablanca Airport. Visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world, located right on the ocean).
- Drive to Rabat (1 hour), the administrative capital of Morocco.
- Sightseeing: Visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
- Overnight: Riad in Rabat.
Day 02 :
Rabat – Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
- 08:30 AM: Depart Rabat towards the Rif Mountains.
- 11:30 AM: Stop in the city of Ouazzane for a coffee break.
- 02:00 PM: Arrive in Chefchaouen, famous for its blue-washed streets.
- Afternoon: Free time to explore the picturesque Medina, the Ras El Maa waterfall, and the Spanish Mosque.
- Overnight: Hotel/Riad in Chefchaouen.
Day 03 :
Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
- 09:00 AM: Enjoy a morning photography session in Chefchaouen.
- 11:00 AM: Drive south towards Fes.
- 01:00 PM: Visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO World Heritage site), the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.
- 03:00 PM: Drive to Meknes, the Ismailite capital. See the Bab Mansour gate and the granaries (Heri es-Souani).
- 05:00 PM: Arrive in Fes.
- Overnight: Riad in Fes.
Day 04 :
Guided Tour of Fes
- 09:00 AM: Meet your local guide for a full-day tour of the oldest imperial city.
- Highlights: Visit the famous Chouara Tannery, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), and the Nejjarine Fountain.
- Afternoon: Explore the artisan souks (pottery, leather, brass).
- Overnight: Riad in Fes.
Day 05 :
Fes – Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
- 08:30 AM: Depart Fes towards the Middle Atlas Mountains.
- 10:30 AM: Visit Ifrane ("Little Switzerland") and see the wild Barbary Macaques in the Azrou Cedar Forest.
- 01:00 PM: Lunch in Midelt.
- 03:00 PM: Cross the Tizi n'Haylaj pass and enter the Ziz Valley (palm groves).
- 05:30 PM: Arrive in Merzouga. Meet your camel guide for a sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Evening: Traditional dinner, Berber drums, and sleeping in the desert camp.
- Overnight: Luxury or Standard Desert Camp.
Day 06 :
Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud
- 06:00 AM: Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then return to your hotel for a hot shower and breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: Free time to relax at the hotel pool.
- 02:00 PM: Visit Rissani (the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty) and see its traditional souk. Visit a fossil workshop in Erfoud.
- 04:00 PM: Visit the nomads living in tents to see their lifestyle.
- Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga (facing the dunes).
Day 07 :
Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
- 09:00 AM: Depart Merzouga. Drive through the Tafilalet palm groves.
- 11:30 AM: Arrive at Todra Gorge. A massive canyon popular with rock climbers. You can walk along the river floor.
- 01:00 PM: Lunch in the Gorge.
- 03:00 PM: Drive to the Dades Valley. See the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations.
- 05:30 PM: Walk along the Dades Gorge.
- Overnight: Hotel in Dades.
Day 08 :
Dades – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate
- 09:00 AM: Drive along the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs."
- 10:00 AM: Visit the Valley of Roses and the town of Kalaat M'Gouna (Rose water production).
- 12:00 PM: Visit Skoura Oasis and the Kasbah Amridil.
- 02:00 PM: Lunch in Ouarzazate.
- 03:30 PM: Visit the Kasbah Taourirt.
- Evening: Walk around the town center.
- Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate.
Day 09 :
Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
- 09:00 AM: Drive 30 mins to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO site). Explore this fortress used in movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- 12:00 PM: Begin the ascent of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m).
- 01:00 PM: Lunch at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the mountains.
- 03:00 PM: Stop at an Argan Oil cooperative on the descent.
- 05:30 PM: Arrive in Marrakech.
- Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.
Day 10 :
Guided Tour of Marrakech
- 09:30 AM: Meet your local guide for a historical tour of the "Red City."
- Highlights: Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa.
- Afternoon: Visit the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square (UNESCO Cultural Heritage).
- Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.
Day 11 :
Day Trip (Option A or B)
- Option A: Essaouira Coast. A relaxing day trip to the Atlantic coast to see the Portuguese ramparts, the fishing port, and enjoy fresh seafood.
- Option B: Ourika Valley. A trip into the High Atlas to see waterfalls, visit a Berber village, and hike.
- Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.
Day 12 :
Marrakech – Transfer to Airport
- Enjoy a free morning for last-minute shopping in the souks.
- Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight home.
- Transportation: Air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser or Minivan (including fuel).
- Driver/Guide: Professional English/French-speaking driver for the road trip.
- Local Guides: Professional local guides for Fes, Marrakech, and Volubilis.
- Accommodation: 11 Nights (Hotels, Riads, & 1 Night Desert Camp).
- Meals: Daily Breakfasts + 1 Dinner (at the desert camp).
- Camel Trek: 1-hour camel ride in the Sahara.
- Pick-up/Drop-off: From Casablanca Airport and to Marrakech Airport.
- Lunches & Dinners: (Except the desert camp dinner).
- Drinks: Bottled water, soda, alcohol.
- Entrance Fees: Tickets for monuments and museums not covered by the guide.
- Tips: Gratuities for driver, guides, and hotel staff.
- Flights: International flights.
Is this tour physically demanding?
It involves some walking in the Medinas and hiking in the desert/mountains, but it is moderate. You must be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces.
Is the drive from Casablanca to Chefchaouen long?
It takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, but the scenery is beautiful as you head into the Rif Mountains.
What kind of clothes do I need for Chefchaouen vs. the Desert?
- Chefchaouen: In the mountains, it can be cool/cold in winter.
- Desert: Very hot in the day, very cold at night. Layering is key.
Map
