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12 Day itinerary in Morocco, Africa

Morocco Family Holiday Desert Tour From Casablanca to Ma...

Morocco Desert Tour 12 days grand tour of Morocco From Casablanca will allow you to Explore Morocco's imperial cities, mountains, and desert with this balanced 12-day trip starting in Casablanca and ending in Marrakech. imperial cities, coastal and desert from Casablanca is a must-see tourist tour ... Read More

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Ali

By Ali

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

Tour Leader, Driver as a Guide

starting point

Casablanca

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Visit markets

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Meditation

Historic & cultural landmarks

Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

Food & Drink

Travel with Purpose

Beach & Sea

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Explore the capital of Morocco (Rabat) and its cultural sights

2

Explore and Enjoy the sunset overlooking the "blue city" of Chefchaouen

3

Tour the ancient walled medina of Meknes and the beautiful gates

4

Explore sand dunes, oases, hidden valleys, and old kasbahs in the desert

Itinerary

Standard Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Casablanca – Rabat :

welcome to Morocco ! The Hassan II Mosque should be your first stop in Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital. Its 690 feet (210 m) minaret is the world's tallest minaret, standing in a magnificent site on the ocean. While the facade and surroundings are stunning, what sets this mosque apart is that it is one of the few mosques in the country that allows non-Muslims to visit. Take a morning tour of the mosque and marvel at the superb craftsmanship on display, including hand-carved stone and wood, beautiful marble floor inlay, and gilded ceilings. Venture north to the imperial city, and present-day capital, of Rabat. Explore the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis and wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Enter through the grand door of the Kasbah des Oudaias into Rabat's old city center. From there, visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens and enjoy the serene space away from the crowds. Discover the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the incomplete mosque and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. A 12th-century project that was abandoned. All that remains are the minaret and some 200 columns—support structures for the mosque. Travel north to Rabat, the imperial city and current capital. Explore the Chellah Necropolis' medieval fortifications and browse the Roman and Islamic ruins. Enter Rabat's ancient city center through the Kasbah des Oudaias' magnificent gateway. After that, head to the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens to relax in a tranquil setting away from the crowds. Discover the Hassan Tower, an incomplete mosque's minaret and Mohamed V's Mausoleum. An abandoned project from the 12th century. Only the minaret and over 200 columns remain as the mosque's support elements.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad Sidi Fatah
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad zyo riad rabat
Day 2

place Rabat - The Blue City of Chefchaouen

Head north to the striking blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen, noted for its blue-hued buildings in its medieval medina, has remained mostly undisturbed since the 15th century and offers a peaceful atmosphere with some of the friendliest people in the country . and is known for its blue-hued buildings in its historic medina (old quarter). Explore its narrow streets and alleyways which cling to the northern hillside of the mountains. Explore Plaza Outa el-Hammam, the city's principal square, which was called for the numerous hammams (public baths) that once surrounded it. Before browsing the many shops offering traditional items,Visit the Grand Mosque and the kasbah (ancient fortress ), which has a garden, museum, and even some of the kasbah's old jail cells. , climb the road leading to the abandoned white Spanish Mosque (20 to 30 minutes) for one last look of Chefchaouen.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad Assilah Chaouen
  • Luxury Accommodation: Lina Ryad & Spa
Day 3

place Chefchaouen - Volubilis – Meknes -Fes

Before going to Fes, get up early to take pictures of the empty streets. Stop at the UNESCO-protected Volubilis ruins, which are the Romans' furthest stretch in Africa. exploring merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many mosaics in site. Continue on to Meknes, a smaller, less crowded variant of Fes, for a taste of your second old imperial city. The Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina are the two primary attractions of interest. The Royal Stables, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and the Bab al-Mansour Gate . Travel east to Fes, your third imperial city. Fes is a city worth getting lost in, with its amazingly huge. Before going inside the medina, drive up the hill to see the Merenid Tombs, which are located just north of the city and offer a panoramic view of Fes and the surrounding countryside. After That Drive to your riad (a traditional Moroccan residence with an inner garden), where you may relax for the evening and have a nice meal.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad Sara
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad Salam fes
Day 4

place Exploring Fes – guided tour of the city

Fes is the oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, and it is also the most interesting and entertaining to visit. It has the largest and most complete medina in the Arab world, which has remained essentially unaltered since its foundation over 1000 years ago. Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, two medina quarters, and Ville Nouvelle, a more contemporary, French colonial-influenced section, are often regarded the country's cultural hub. Meet your guide and spend a half-day learning about history and culture while navigating the medinas' winding streets. Start in Fes el Bali at the Bab Boujeloud gate and enter the main thoroughfare of Talâa Kebira. Notice the Spanish and Tunisian influenced architecture as you make your way past shops and souks (markets). Visit the Chouara Tannery and marvel at the many dye-filled stone pots and the men at work still using centuries-old techniques. Next, admire the intricate zellij tilework of the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa before heading over to the Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery) in Fes el Jdid. If there's time, visit Ville Nouvelle to discover the dramatic change in architecture.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad Sara
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad Salam fes
Day 5

place Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – ziz Valley - Merzouga :

After Breakfast start your journey and travel south east toward Merzouga early in the morning.Along the way, you will climb up and over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. . Enjoy sightings of the local Barbary Macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the 'apple city'). Continue over the Tizi n'Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley, known for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Along the road, you will see many fortified houses known as ksars. Continue on to Erfoud, known for its date festival and fossil mining. Here you can visit a local collective to learn more about the process and meet some local artisans. Continue to Erg Chebbi, an extensive sea of sand dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 square km). Never stationary, the massive dunes shift and travel depending on the changing wind. Upon reaching Merzouga, your camel is ready to ride through the dunes to your already-prepared-for you camp. Trek up a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner, campfire.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Layali Desert Camp
  • Luxury Accommodation: Sahara Stars Camp
Day 6

place Merzouga Area And Rissani

After breakfast in the 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. After that, we will drive in desert area where you will have the opportunity to meet the nomad families still living in berber tents and explore their way of life. Today our lunch will be local meal ( berber pezza ) with a local family. 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. In the afternoon we will be back to your hotel in Merzouga .

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Café du Sud
  • Luxury Accommodation: Sunrise Palace Merzouga
Day 7

place Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

Early in the morning your camel guide will wake you up to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards 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 in your riad, you’ll leave for the Dades Valley, visiting Todra Gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch within the valley, you will have an optional hour’s hike through the fields where you will enjoy visiting an old mud village, meet locals and learn about the culture. On through Dades Valley, where you will have the opportunity to see majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be in your hotel overlooking the Dades valley.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Dar Ahlam Dades
  • Luxury Accommodation: Auberge Chez Pierre
Day 8

place Dades Gorges -Boutghrar Rose valley – Skoura - Ouarzazate

After Brekfast it's time to hike the paths that line the cliffs of Dades Valley , nicknamed "the Monkey Fingers." Take in the unparalleled landscape as you walk among rounded ocher rocks. Travelers who enjoy both culture and adventure can journey through the region’s Berber villages. Traditional houses sometimes merge with the rock in these green oases in the middle of the rocky valley. Then we will drive through the beautiful Rose Valley to go off-road to visit the nomads of Boutaghrar before arriving to the valley of Boutghrar .Continue and driving towards Kalaat M'gouna and skoura . The route through Dades Valley is named the road of thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. Head west to Kela'a M'gouna which Each year, it hosts the roses festival as a way of celebrating the wondrous harvest of these blossoms. Around 20,000 people gather around this quaint and charming town to soak up all the festival’s joy and excitement. Stop In Skoura to see Amridil Kasbah Unlike many Kasbahs, Amridil till today is a will minted, still managed by the grand-children of the original builder MHAMED NACIRI EL HASKOURI. Son of Ahmed Bennacer the founder of Zaouia Naciria in Tamgroute. The Kasbah was built in the 17th century as an Islamic school, know in Morocco as Zaouia to teach Koran. Today Amridil is a must-see landmark in Ouarzazate. Continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”. Overnight In Ouarzazate.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Hôtel Riad Amlal
  • Luxury Accommodation: kasbah Yu Palace
Day 9

place Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakesh :

After Breakfast the first stop will be Atlas Film Studio in Ouarzazte i,If you are a fan of moving pictures, then Atlas Film Studio is a must to visit place in Ouarzazate. Some of the big blockbusters have been filmed here. A guided tour is offered. The studio holds different sets, some indoor others out. And it’s always changing for new projects. The studio is still operational, so sometimes you might cross film crews on location. Travel to nearby Aït Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Aït Benhaddou is believed to date from the 11th century during a time when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert. Follow the narrow streets up to the Granary for a view of the surrounding landscapes. From there, ascend the High Atlas mountain range and look out for the highest peak, Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 m). Stop near the top of the Tizi n'Tichka pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 m) to enjoy the views over the mountain range. As you descend the High Atlas, you will notice a dramatic change in the climate and landscape. Soon you will be a part of the noise and clamor of your final imperial city, Marrakech.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad & Spa Bahia Salam
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad Palais des Princesses
Day 10

place Marrakech Guided Tour

After breakfast in the riad, you will start exploring Marrakech “the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see most of the sites with historical and cultural interest – including the famous Jemaa El Fna square, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs; the Palace of Bahia and the Ben Youssef Coranic School. Lunch at a restaurant near the square, then in the afternoon visit the Majorelle Gardens, and have a short visit to the new city of Marrakech. Overnight accommodation will be at the same riad.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad & Spa Bahia Salam
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad Palais des Princesses
Day 11

place Day trip to Essaouira From Marrakech

The hustle and bustle of Marrakech quickly slips away as you travel to and enter into the peace and beauty that is Essaouira. This ancient city on the West Atlantic coast of Africa literally means “wall” in the Berber language, and you’ll soon discover why. Travelers from all over the world come here to experience the very special weather, and explore its diverse and unique history.As we leave Marrakech, we drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees and working farms on the drive to the coast. After a short while, we arrive in Chichaoua, where we can take a short break for a coffee or snack. Once you have had the chance to refuel a bit, we will continue on, soon coming upon our first signs of the Argan trees. These special trees are valued for their nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. The tree, a relic species from the Tertiary age, is extremely well adapted to drought and other environmentally difficult conditions of southwestern Morocco, and because they are now endangered, they are under the protection of UNESCO. After all of your morning travels, you arrive in Essouira, where you have the chance to wander the ancient streets and can imagine what life existed here in the past. The streets have a genuinely Portuguese feel, after they renamed the city in the 16th century and used it as a port city of their own afternoon we comback to Marrakech. Overnight in authentic riad.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Riad & Spa Bahia Salam
  • Luxury Accommodation: Riad Palais des Princesses
Day 12

place Marrakech Airport or Casablanca Airport

After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure flight. Your tour ends at the airport.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Riad Sidi Fatah
  • Riad Assilah Chaouen
  • Riad Sara
  • Layali Desert Camp
  • Hotel Café du Sud
  • Dar Ahlam Dades
  • Hôtel Riad Amlal
  • Riad & Spa Bahia Salam
  • Riad zyo riad rabat
  • Lina Ryad & Spa
  • Riad Salam fes
  • Sahara Stars Camp
  • Sunrise Palace Merzouga
  • Auberge Chez Pierre
  • kasbah Yu Palace
  • Riad Palais des Princesses

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (11)
  • Dinner (4)

Transport expand_less

  • Private Transport by an A/C vehicle is included

Activities expand_less

  • Walk around 30 min in Toudra Gorge
  • Hiking for 2 Hours in Monkey Fingers Dades Valley
  • Walk Around Fes Medina
  • Walk Around Marrakech Medina

Not Included expand_less

  • Flights are not included
  • Entrance feesPersonal expenses
  • Tips and gratuitiesLunches and drinks
  • Anything not mentioned in the program

About Ali

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

Cycling

Hiking

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Yoga

Historic & cultural landmarks

Travel with Purpose

Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

Beach & Sea

Food & Drink

Born to a nomadic family in the region of Merzouga, I pride myself for being one of the country’s foremost and well-respected guides. Armed with a diploma for a mountain guide from the Centre de Formation Aux Metiers Montagne (CFAMM),.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,465.00 USD