Trip from Tangier to Marrakech with stops in Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara Desert

Today you will spend the full day exploring the blue city and you will have opportunity to take some nice pictures of blue walls, streets and blue doors in the old Medina. Overnight at the same riad.

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.

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring Fes the “the Sprititual City of Morocco”. You will spend the whole morning exploring the Medina and its alleys; visiting most of the sites with cultural and historical interest - including the famous Al Karaouine Mosque and University (the oldest in the world), the Medrasa Bouanania, the Tanneries and the Najjarine fountain. After lunch, we will drive you outside the Medina to see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Jewish quarter “the Mellah”, and then visit the pottery cooperative. In the afternoon, we will drive you to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight accommodation at the same riad.

After breakfast in your riad, you’ll start travelling southeast to Merzouga via Midelt and Errachidia. Your first stop will be at Ifran, referred to as "the Switzerland of Morocco", and then to Merzouga via Midlet and the Ziz Valley. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas Mountains. Stopping at the famous cedar forest - the largest in Morocco – where you may well sight Barbarian apes. You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Er Rachidia. After lunch in Midelt, your journey continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way. We will drive through welcoming Berber villages to Erfoud. Arriving in Merzouga at the end of the day, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your riad. Dinner included.

After breakfast in the riad you’ll start your explorative journey of the area, starting by a walk in the Oasis in the desert then visiting the gnawa people in Khamlia village originally from Sudan, Mali and Senegal to experience their music and lifestyle. Later , we will drive in the desert area to meet nomad families-living under Berber tents- to explore their way of life . Today our lunch will be a traditional Berber meal (Berber pizza) with a local family. You will also have the option to visit the old city of Rissani - the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty - the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Rissani is surrounded by about 360 ksar (a fortified village with many towers) and has a big souk (an open market), held three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Tombouctou in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and clothes . After that we Drive back to the village of Merzouga. In the afternoon, you will ride your camel, guided by an experienced camel-man to explore what is hidden in the middle of the highest sand dunes in morocco and enjoy the sunset and spend the night at the camp with dinner , drum party and camp fire.

You will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise in your life. appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast, you’ll leave for Tinghir and Todgha gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Here you’ll have the opportunity to walk a little bit along it’s valley. 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 at a nice riad in the heart of the valley.

After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat M'Gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is named the way of thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat M'Gouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Lunch will be at the famous Ait Benhaddou kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. It is recognized by UNESCO as a world patrimony. It is famous as a backdrop for many films, including 'Lawrence of ArabLawrence of Arabia', 'Gladiator'. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains where you can stop also to explore the process of making the Argan oil at the women's cooperatives before arriving to Marrakech where you will spend the night at a nice riad/hotel.

After breakfast in the 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 you can 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 to the airport for your flight anytime you want.