Route of 9 days from Casablanca to Marrakech via Fez discovering the desert of Merzouga in 4×4

Overview:

Combining the best of culture and coastal bliss, this 9 days tour from Casablanca ensures you won’t miss out on any of the key sights – the Imperial Cities: Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, and Meknes. The dunes of the Sahara, ancient ruins.
Note: At Morocco Tours Holiday, we offer private standard, luxury, or mixed (Medium) options. At very competitive prices that depend on the number of travelers and the type of accommodations. Please feel free to contact us anytime.

Day 1:Casablanca—Rabat.

Pick up at the airport or at your hotel in Casablanca. We will visit the Hassan II Mosque on Sidi Boulevard which is the highest temple in the world and the second largest mosque since Mecca. Visit of the city and its main monuments: Alcazaba of the Oudayas, the Royal Sepulchre, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower. Dinner and overnight at the hotel selected by Morocco Holiday Tour.

Day 2: Rabat – Meknés – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss – Fez

On the way to Meknés, we will border the Mamora forest. Arrival in Meknés, located at the foot of the Middle Atlas mountains. This city reached its apogee thanks to Sultan Mulay Ismail.20 km. from Meknes are the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis, the best preserved archaeological site in this area of North Africa. We will also visit the Holy City of Morocco, Moulay Idriss. City perched on a rock, dominates the valley of Oued Erroumane and the plain of Volubilis. We will continue until we reach our destination, Fez. Overnight in a classical riad.

Day 3: Fez

Day tour in Fez to know the city considered as the religious and cultural center of the country, we will walk through its medina (old city) we will feel that time goes backwards: we will walk through its narrow streets that do not allow any other means of transport than donkeys and a constant tingling of people moves through the labyrinthine streets in the middle of which we will be surprised by neighborhoods such as Andalusian and magnificent mosques and Koranic schools. Fez, also famous for the souk of the tanners, you can take part in the artisan procedure of medieval roots, through which they manage to give those vivid colors to the leather. After visiting the medina, another option is to walk aimlessly through the streets of Fez-Jdid, where the royal palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) and the oldest mosque in Fez are located. Overnight in a classical riad.

Day 4 : Fes – Ifrane– Erfoud – Merzouga.

An hour outside of Fes, we will come across Ifran, a remarkable ski town in the Atlas Mountains with chalets and snow-capped peaks that looks incredibly similar to the famed ski regions of Austria and Switzerland. No matter the season, the temperature here cooler than the rest of Morocco, Ifran is very known as well by The Brotherhood private university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Lunch will be scheduled in a Berber village called Midelt. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and join the pre-Saharian zone passing first by Errachidia and Erfoud. Heading up to the red colored sand sea dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga via Rissani, the hometown of the Alaouist dynasty, where Moulay Ali sheriff started to unify Morocco under his red flag in the beginning of the 17th century. From a vast plateau you will get impressed by the huge sand dune of Merzouga appearing from the horizon.in the evening we go on a camel ride about one hour and half to meet one of the most magical sight we will ever seen. Overnight in Berber tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

Day 7: Erg Chebbi Excursion & Camel trekking

After breakfast, you will start an amazing trip alongside the dunes while passing by the oasis and stop to see an old system of irregation which local people still using to irrigate their fields in the oasis, continue to Khamlia village to listen Gnaoua musicians, then short drive will take you to Rissani for a visit to the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif; the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty, and experience the authentic local market, lunch in Rissani and return to the hotel for camel trekking attending the sunset and spend the evening in a desert camp, enjoy a Moroccan dinner, listen to berber music, you can join by drumming and dancing. Overnight in a private Berber tent.

Day 6: Sahara Desert, Todgha Gorges, Dades valley.

. Before breakfast we recommend you wake up early so you cannot miss the spectacular of the sunrise, when the color of the dunes and the play of shadow are awesome. Then taking camel again for going back to the hostel relaxing shower.
Visiting Errisani and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chrif. This silent town was the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Up to now Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a large souk, particularly lively today on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday. It was noted for its leather and goat skin trading in ancient ages.127 km from Errisani the great canyons of Morocco Todgha Gorges are situated beyond the central high Atlas Mountains. The area is populated by Berbers. Here you can enjoy a hike among those fabulous canyons.
From the great canyons of Todgha, We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. At final we will reach dades gorges, where you will spend your night in a traditional Kasba

Day 7 : Dades Gorges – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech.

Another valley called valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its plants. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival each end of April. Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century.Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), 30 km from Ouarzazate there is the fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah.Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.From this beautiful fortified Kasbah, we head to Marrakech via high atlas mountains Tizn Tichka Pass (2200 meter of altitude) During the journey we will enjoy many beautiful scenes of the Berber villages, elevated views of the mountains. finally We get to the magical city of Marrakech where your driver will pick you up to your accommodation.

Day 8: Marrakech City Guided Tour.

Today is a sightseeing day tour of Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known as the “Pearl of the South” to discover the captivating history and rich cultural heritage of this ancient city, you will visit the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque the tallest building in the city, the Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens.
You will explore the souks and the world’s famous Djemaa El Fna place which offers various entertainments (storytellers, water sellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, musicians, orange-juice sellers, open-air barbecue food-stalls. It is optional to have a Fantasia dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9: Marrakech airport.

Transfer to the airport. End of your trip and until next.