8 Days from Casablanca via Chefchaouen, Marrakech, Desert trip Details

8 Days from Casablanca via Chefchaouen, Marrakech, Desert trip

PROGRAM:

DAY 1: CASABLANCA AIRPORT PICK UP :
 
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Casablanca. Sightseeing includes King Hassan II Mosque which is the most famous sight in Casablanca and a little retreat on the beach.Overnight in a hotel in Casablanca.
 
 
DAY 2 : CASABLANCA - RABAT - ASILAH - CHEFCHAOUEN :
 
After breakfast in your hotel in Rabat - the capital of Morocco - you will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah . 
Then I will drive to Chefchaouen via the city of Asilah. Most of the drive will be by the coast. Our first stop will be in Asilah, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city. Asilah is known for its annual festival for the art - most of the walls of the Medina are painted by various famous artists from all over the world. Your visit includes the Skalla fortress, where you will experience a wonderful view of the Medina and the ocean. If time permits, you will have a drive through Tangier to get a feel of the city. Afterwards you will continue over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Overnight in a traditional Moroccan riad.
 

DAY 3 : CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES - FES :

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring Chefchaouen "The blue city of Morocco". Situated at the footstep of 2 higher mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful unique city, with its white washed walls and blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain; therefore there is much influence from Spanish civilization and Moorish architecture .After that we will drive 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. Here you will have a guided tour of the site and learn a lot about the Roman Empire. After that we traveled 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 fancy riad in the medina.
 
DAY 4 : EXPLORING FES :

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring Fes the "the Spiritual City of Morocco ''. You will spend the whole morning exploring 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 Medersa 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 .
  
DAY 5: FES – AZROU - MIDELT - ZIZ VALLEY - MERZOUGA :

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, and then Rissani, the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty - the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon you will start your guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand sea of Merzouga. Overnight at our desert camp where you will have your dinner. For your convenience, the camp is equipped with flush toilets.

DAY 6: MERZOUGA - TODGHA GORGES - DADES GORGE - SKOURA .

Early in the morning your camel guide will wake you up to watch what may well 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 Todgha 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 Skoura village.
 
DAY 7: SKOURA - OUARZAZATE - AIT BENHADDOU KASBAH - HIGH ATLAS - MARRAKECH.
 
On our way to Ouarzazate, the bustling city of the South, we will stop by Kasbah Amridil, standing in Skoura oasis. On arrival, we explore Ouarzazate including a visit to the film studios and Taourirt Kasbah, the former palace of the Glaoui clan.

After a short drive from Ouarzazate city , we will visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the background to many famous movies including Gladiator. This kasbah is a must see. Cross the mountains and along the Ounila valley, we will drive to the bizarre Kasbah Telouet is one of the most extraordinary sights of the Atlas – fast crumbling into the dark red earth, but still offering, in parts, a peculiar glimpse of the style and melodrama of Moroccan political government and power still within living memory. There's little of aesthetic value – many of the rooms have fallen into complete ruin. After a guided visit, followed by lunch, we head through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260m) to Marrakech . Overnight in a Riad house in Marrakech.

DAY 8 : EXPLORING MARRAKECH .

After breakfast on 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 Koranic 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.
  
DAY 9: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT : Transfer to Airport of casablanca.
Enjoy your last day. You can have some rest in your hotel if you want, or spend your last moment shopping in the souk. When it is time, we will transfer you to Casablanca's airport for your flight back home.

Booking