Casablanca to Marrakech in 12 Days via Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara Desert

Today you will have a morning guided tour to explore the main highlights in Casablanca then have some free time in the Afternoon. Overnight at the same hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel We will drive to Rabat ( the capital of Morocco ) where you will see Hassan Tower,Mohammed V Mausoleum and Oudaya Kasbah . After that we will continue to Chefchaouen . You’ll get there at the end of the afternoon and check in to your hotel or riad.

Today you will have a morning guided tour to explore the blue city then have free time in the afternoon . Overnight at the same hotel.

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis. After a couple of hours drive, you will get to Volubilis, the well preserved Roman empire dating to 225 BC, where you will see the most beautiful Mosaics in Morocco dating back to 3rd century BC.. After that we travel to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. In Meknes we see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail; the granary and the Sahrij Souani, used for irrigation and plantation. Your visit also includes the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. We then continue via the highway to Fes. Overnight accommodation at a nice riad in the Medina.

Breakfast in your hotel or riad, and then start an explorative journey of the Medina where you will visit the many hidden treasures that only the inhabitants of the place know about. Fes served as the capital of Morocco for more than 350 years and is home to the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest operating university in the world. Your guided tour will take you to Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine Fountains and the Tanneries. After lunch you will also view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famous Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, where you will have the option to visit one of the few living synagogues in Morocco. Your tour of Fes includes a short visit to the famous ceramic factory, and then you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. In the afternoon we will visit the new city for a drink. Overnight accommodation at your hotel or riad.

After breakfast in your hotel or riad, you will leave towards the southeast following the Caravan roads to Merzouga. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at the Cedar forest, the largest one in Morocco, over the Middle Atlas Mountains– where you may well sight Barbarian apes. After lunch in Midelt, you will continue through the large open high desert, and notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. Your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, famous for date cultivation. This area is the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty - the current ruling royal family in Morocco. You’ll arrive at Merzouga at the end of the afternoon – to be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your hotel or riad.

After breakfast in the hotel or riad, you will start an explorative journey of the area. You’ll visit the Gnawa people - originally slaves brought from Sudan -to experience their music and lifestyle. Not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations. You may also visit the souk in Rissani , a traditional town which was the origin of the ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Timbuctou in Mali. Here you will see a lot of men hooded and women veiled. Back to the village of Merzouga for some rest, in the afternoon you will ride your camel, guided by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand-sea of Merzouga. Overnight will be at our desert camp, where you will have your dinner. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with western bathrooms.

Early in the morning, your camel guide will wake you up to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. After breakfast at the camp you will trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes - changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast , you’ll leave for Tinghir, and Todra gorges - the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as "monkey toes". Overnight accommodation will be in a hotel or riad.

After breakfast in the hotel or riad, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat Mgouna, "the rose city", to purchase rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your hotel or riad accommodation in Marrakech.

After breakfast in the hotel or riad, you will enjoy a morning guided tour of Marrakech "the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see all the sites with historical and cultural interest, including the Koutoubia Menaret; the Saadian tombs; the beautiful Palace of Bahia and the Ben Youssef Coranic School. Finally, end the morning by walking through the medina alleys -getting a chance to admire all of the different artisans performing their crafts before arriving at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square. Lunch at a restaurant near the square, and then in the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, and have a short tour at Gueliz -the new city of Marrakech. After that you will have free time to walk through the square entertained by magicians, story-tellers, tooth-pullers and food sellers. Overnight accommodation will be in your hotel or riad as above.

Today we will drive you to Marrakech or Casablanca airport for your flight anytime you want.