Description

9-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca: Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & More Embark on a captivating 9-day Morocco tour from Casablanca, exploring the country's rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Begin your journey in Casablanca, where you'll visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, before heading to Rabat, the capital, to explore its beautiful medina and historical landmarks. Next, travel to Fes, one of Morocco’s ancient imperial cities, where you'll wander through its labyrinthine streets, discovering centuries-old madrasas, tanneries, and vibrant souks. From Fes, continue your journey to the charming city of Meknes, with its impressive gates, palaces, and the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis. A highlight of the tour is the Sahara Desert. Experience a thrilling camel trek through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you'll spend a night in a traditional desert camp under the stars, enjoying Berber music and a traditional Moroccan feast. After the desert, journey through the Atlas Mountains and the scenic Dades Valley, known for its dramatic landscapes and ancient kasbahs. The tour also includes a visit to Marrakech, the "Red City," where you'll explore the bustling Djemaa el-Fna square, the stunning Jardin Majorelle, and the intricate beauty of the Bahia Palace. On the final day, return to Casablanca, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and landscapes you've encountered. This 9-day Morocco tour offers the perfect blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion, and natural beauty, ensuring a truly unforgettable adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1

• You will be welcomed by your Driver/Guide in the airport of Casablanca and transfer you to your hotel in Casablanca.
• The driver will wait for you with a sign with the name of our agency Morocco Sahara Desert Travel (MSDT).
• Overnight in the hotel.
• Casablanca Airport to Casablanca city: 1 hour driving.

Day 2

• Dive into the Mosques and Mausoleums of Casablanca After breakfast this morning, head out to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa.
• Marvel at a the mosque's towering minaret, which rises up into the Casablanca sky to a height of 210 meters.
• After your visit, set off for the city of Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
• After about an hour's drive up the Atlantic coastline, you will arrive in this elegant city filled with impressive landmarks.
• First, we'll head to the Chellah, a historic necropolis surrounded by thick fortified walls.
• Our tour then leads us to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a marble masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, which houses the tombs of Moroccan kings and princes.
• We'll also visit a gateway to the royal palace as well as a fascinating area called Oudaya Kasbah.
• Continuing on, we'll arrive in the whitewashed city of Chefchaouen later this afternoon.
• Casablanca to Rabat: 1 hour driving.
• Rabat to Chefchaouen: 4 hours driving.

Day 3

• Self guided walking tour the whole morning in Chefchaouen.
• Discover the Charming Whitewashed Streets of Chefchaouen Spend the morning exploring the picturesque streets of Chefchaouen.
• This exquisite city nestled in a gentle valley in the Rif Mountains is characterized by whitewashed buildings detailed in a myriad of blue shades.
• During your wanderings along cobblestone alleys and stairways painted white, you will encounter weaving studios and leather workshops where skilled artisans carry on their crafting traditions.
• Discover the red walls of the kasbah and a medieval fortress in the peaceful square of Outa el Hamman.
• Look out for the Great Mosque's octagonal minaret that rises over the rooftops.
• After lunch, the journey continues to Fez.
• Chefchaouen to Fes: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Day 4

• After breakfast in your Riad, you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets.
• Our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish quarter, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 14th century.
• We will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest one in the world, the Tanneries and Moulay Idriss mausoleum.
• After lunch, you will visit the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes.
• Overnight at the same Riad.

Day 5

• Travel Along the Stunning Atlas Mountain Range Depart from Fes to travel towards Merzouga via Ifrane city, Midelt and the Ziz valley.
• Ifrane city is a beautiful mountain village, named the Switzerland of Morocco.
• During this journey, discover glimpses of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains.
• Halt at Azrou, a Berber village in the famous cedar forest.
• Here, you will have the opportunity to see the Barbary apes.
• Proceed to Midelt along the magnificent mountains of the Atlas.
• After lunch, journey through the Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the remarkable Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau.
• The scenery reveals hints of the desert as you approach Errachidia city.
• Later, travel along the fantastic Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani.
• By afternoon, you will reach Merzouga.
• Go on a camel ride on the dunes of Merzouga near the Sahara Desert to reach the camp for an overnight stay.
• Fes to Ifrane: 1 hour driving.
• Ifrane to Midelt: 2 hours driving.
• Midelt to Ziz Valley: 2 hours driving.
• Ziz Valley to Sahara Desert: 2 hours driving.

Day 6

• Today you will have to wake up very early in the morning to see what will may be the best sunrise of your life.
• You will set over the Sand Dunes of Sahara of Erg Chebbi to watch wonderful sunrise.
• After watching the sunrise you will go down to the Camp for breakfast.
• Then you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga.
• While enjoying morning camel ride you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses.
• Once you arrive the village of Merzouga, you will meet the driver again to continue the tour to Dades.
• You will have optional stop in Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali chref, the founder of the Alaouit dynasty, and then you will continue to Arfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the Todra valley, where you will have lunch.
• Once in Todra you can highlight a half-hour walk to see the gorges calmly and you will be guided through the palm grove and the Jewish quarter.
• Todra gorges is the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco.
• The Todra River has formed a gorge of enormous vertical walls of great beauty; it is a climber’s paradise and a unique place.
• In the evening we will 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 fancy guest house overlooking the Dades Valley.
• Merzouga to Todra Gorges: 3 hours driving.
• Todra gorges to Dades: 1 hour driving.

Day 7

• After breakfast in your accommodation, you will start travelling through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate and then to Marrakech.
• The road through Dades Valley is called the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip.
• You will stop at Kalaat M’Gouna -the centre of rose’s valley-, where you will have the option to visit the cooperative for the roses, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over.
• Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.
• It is the famous fortified village and It is one of the most well-preserved examples of traditional Moroccan earthen architecture and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since
• Ait Ben Haddou has been a setting for numerous films and television shows, particularly in the fantasy and historical genres.
• Its iconic, ancient look has made it a popular location for filming, with famous appearances in movies such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Babel, and the Game of Thrones series.
• Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains, where you will have the opportunity to explore the process of producing the Argan oil- existing only in morocco – by Berber women in their cooperative, before arriving at your overnight accommodation in Marrakech.
• Overnight at the Hotel / Riad in Marrakech Dades Ait Ben Hadou: 2 hours driving.
• Ait Ben Hadou to Marrakech: 3 hours driving.

Day 8

• Immerse Yourself in Magical Marrakech Marrakech is a bustling city and gateway to the most authentic of Moroccan culture.
• After breakfast in your Riad, you can start exploring the red city of Morocco.
• Prepare to have your senses dazzled and enchanted in the city’s historic Medina.
• The artisanal heritage of the city thrives in the heart of the souks.
• On those ochre-dusted lanes, you’ll be exposed to a Morocco unlike any other.
• You will get to see Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Gardens, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace before sightseeing in the souks and taking in the bustling Jemaa El Fna square, with its many stalls and traders as well as historical sites.

Day 9

• Goodbye, Morocco! All good things must come to an end but we hope you have enjoyed your time exploring the very best that this region of Northern Africa has to offer.
• The rich and unique history, its magnificent natural beauty and the charming people that makes Morocco the country that it is.
• At an arranged time you will be transferred from your hotel to Casablanca International Airport for your international flight back home.
• We hope you have had a memorable trip and wish you pleasant onward travels!