Description
Day 1: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat
Leave Marrakech behind on a Toyota Landcruiser or luxury minibus and head to Casablanca, the economic and business center of Morocco. Upon arrival, you'll visit the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the country’s largest sanctuary. Continue the excursion to Rabat, capital of Morocco. Here, discover Méchouar, the walls that surround the Royal Palace, followed by the Kasbah of the Udayas and the magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V. You'll then be driven to your hotel in Rabat.
Day 2: Rabat – Meknes – Fez
After breakfast, hop back into the car and relax as you're driven to Meknes, one of the most important imperial city in Morocco. This city houses luxury palaces and beautiful mosques, as well as one of the most famous souks. Next, you'll be led to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. Founded in the 3rd century B.C., Volubilis was an important settlement of the Roman Empire. In the evening, you'll head to Fez, where you'll spend the night.
Day 3: Fez
On the third day, you'll spend the whole day exploring the fascinating city of Fez accompanied by a professional English-speaking guide. This is the oldest imperial city of Morocco, established in the eighth century by Idris II of Morocco. You'll also have a chance to discover the city at nighttime, since you'll spend your third night here.
Day 4: Fez – Arzou – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga
Hit the road bright and early and head south. The first stop of the day will be Ifrane, Morocco’s “Little Switzerland”. Then, as you drive through the cedar forests of Arzou, make sure to look out for the Barbary apes who live in these trees. Cross Ziz Valley and its dramatic gorges, visiting the villages of Midelt and Erfoud. From Erfoud, take a dirt road into the desert until you get to the small village of Merzouga in the southeast of Morocco. You'll spend the night in a hotel at the edge of the sandy dunes.
Day 5: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi
Explore the desert for a whole day. Plow through the endless fields of dunes on your 4x4, visit Nomad settlements, marvel at various oasis and admire the dunes of Erg Chebbi, spreading 50 kilometers from north to south. Sitting on the dunes is the charming village of Khamlia, famous for the Gnawa music group which you'll also visit. As the sun sets, climb onto a camel and enjoy a slightly bumpy ride to the Amazigh desert camp, where you'll have a traditional meal and spend the night.
Day 6: Merzouga – Todgha Gorges & Dades
After getting up early to witness an unforgettable sunrise, your camel will take you back to your hotel, where you'll have breakfast and a refreshing shower (depending on the type of camp, your breakfast and shower might be before the camel ride). On day 6, you'll visit the Todgha Gorges, one of the most spectacular canyons in the world. The day tour comes to an end at Dades Valley.
Day 7: Dades Gorges – Skoura – Ouarzazate
Having had breakfast, we'll head into the Dadès Gorge before taking the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs through the Valley of the Roses, where you'll have time to explore the area at your own pace. The next stop will then be at the Skoura palm grove, home to the Kasbah Amridil. You'll then make your way to Ouarzazate where you'll visit Taourirt Kasbah and spend the night.
Day 8: Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakech
On the last day, you'll marvel at the Ksar of Ait Ben-Haddou, a magnificent example of earthern buildings surrounded by a defensive wall, typical of southern Morocco. Climb into your car for the last part of the journey. Cross the Atlas Mountains through Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, 2,260 meters high. Your 8-day trip will come to an end in Marrakech.
Chefchaouen instead of Ouarzazate
If you wish, you can change the night in Ouarzazate for a night in Chefchaouen. This change is subject to an additional charge of € 200 (US$ 208.63) per person.
Accommodation
There are two options, standard (3 stars) and luxury (4 stars):
Standard Hotels:
- Rabat: Dar Aida / Dar Alia / Hotel Malak.
- Fez: Riad Dar Fes Medina / Riad Ghita / Riad Dar Skalli / Hotel Blue Sky.
- Merzouga (first night): Dar Tafouyte / Riad Mamouche.
- Merzouga (second night): Traditional Haima Camp.
- Dades: Hotel Babylon / Kasbah Tifawen / Darh Ahlam / Auberge Panorama.
- Ouarzazate: Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate / Hotel La Perle Du Sud / Hotel Riad Amlal.
- Chefchaouen: Riad Hicham, Dar Meziana, Hotel Ziryab or similar.
Luxury Hotels:
- Rabat: Riad Zyo / Riad Dar El Kebira / Riad Kalaa / Dar Zouhour / Hotel Le Diwan Rabat.
- Fez: Riad Marjana / Riad Cordoba / Riad El Yacout / Hotel Barcelo.
- Merzouga (first night): Riad Azawad / Merzouga Guest House / Dar el Janoub / Riad Madu / Riad Nezha.
- Merzouga (second night): Azawad Luxury Desert Camp.
- Dades: Xaluca Dades / La Perle du dades / Auberge Chez Pierre / Riad Dar Rihana.
- Ouarzazate: Kasbah Dar Chamaa / Riad Tama / Le Petit Riad / Hotel Oscar.
- Chefchaouen: Riad Lina and Spa, Riad Cherifa, Dar Echchaouen, La Petite Chaouen or similar.
Both hotels and tents are double occupancy only, there are no single rooms. You can however ask for a triple room or a family room if you prefer. The standard category rooms have communal showers in the camp, while the superior category rooms have a private bathroom in the haimas and showers in the camp.
Also, please note that air-conditioning in the luxury camps has an additional charge of € 30 (US$ 31.29) per person.
Discounts
Children between 5 and 10 years old have 50% off. Please contact us if you'd like to book this activity with children up to 10 years old.
Tickets not included
This tour doesn't include tickets to the main museums and monuments we'll visit. The approximate cost in euros is as follows:
- Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca): € 12 (US$ 12.51)
- Roman ruins (Volubilis): € 7 (US$ 7.30)
- Madrasa Al-Attarine (Fez): € 2 (US$ 2.08)
- Nejjarine Museum (Fez): € 2 (US$ 2.08)
- Cinema studios (Ouarzazate): € 5 (US$ 5.21)
The total cost of these tickets will come to € 28 (US$ 29.20).
Itinerary Adjustments
Please note that, though we'll go on a scenic tour of Meknes, many of its points of interest are currently closed for renovations.
