Grand Morocco Tour from Casablanca via Imperial Cities & Sahara

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat (B)

Upon your arrival at Casablanca airport, the biggest city in the country, it depends on your flight time. You would be able to go for a visit to the Great Mosque Hassan II where you will meet a fascinating example of Moroccan architecture. It is the largest mosque in the kingdom and the fifth largest mosque in the world. It stands on a promontory looking out on the Atlantic Ocean and has space for 25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s adjoining grounds for a total of 105,000 worshippers present at any given time at the Hassan II mosque. Its minaret is the tallest one in the world at 210 m. after visiting Casablanca we head up to the political one in Rabat.
Rabat. Where we will see the Oudaya Kasbah and its beautiful gardens; This Kasbah Oudaya is located at Abou Regreg river. It was built during the reign of the Almohad dynasty in 1150 AD. The Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan II and Hassan Tower is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat constructed in 1195 AD. The tower was intended to be the largest minaret in the world with the mosque, the royal palace. After we finish our sightseeing tour in Rabat we check into the hotel for the night.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Dar Rihab or similar.

Day 2: Rabat – Chefchaouen the Blue City (B)

Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue-rinsed houses and is very popular for both tourists and Moroccans, particularly in the hot summer months. Explore Chefchaouen, with its winding lanes and narrow alleys which are home to numerous souks offering cuisine and artisan works, such as woolen items, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese; all native to the North and not found anywhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm, or hike in nearby parks.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Hicham or similar.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Fes (B)

After visiting the magical city of Chefchaouen by the late afternoon we continue our journey to Fes and check to our hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Lala Zoubida or similar.

Day 4: Full Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Fes (B)

Whole day Sightseeing Tour with a guide, Fez Medina which was considered Mecca of the west, and Athena of Africa. It is the biggest city in the country after Casablanca with a population of approximately 1 million. This city is a former capital and one of the country’s four imperial cities. Fez comprises three distinct parts, Fez el Bali is the oldest part surrounded by a big wall, where are more than 9000 narrow streets and allies. Fez-Jdid or the new Fes, home of the Mellah the Jewish quarter, and the Ville Nouvelle the newest section of Fez created during the French occupation. Fez el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medina is the largest in the world. Among its narrow streets and allies, the oldest university in the world is located; The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859. This University is still operating nowadays.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Lala Zoubida or similar.

Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Merzouga (B, D)

This is a long driving day, where we will meet different colors of the kingdom by leaving the old Moroccan city of Fes. On the way, we will pass through the most modern and clean city in the country Ifran. This Berber name of Ifran means caves and it is nicknamed in Morocco as a little Switzerland since it is a very green town and is a ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco because of its high altitude at 1665 meters. 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 which is situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From the vast plateau, we start crossing up those tough mountains which are still settled by a big Berber community. The landscapes here include palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and joining the pre-Saharan zone passing first by Errachidia and Erfoud, which is famous for its pottery and the interesting fossil quarries. Fossils are a major industry in Erfoud, some 350 million years ago the region around Erfoud was a part of the huge ocean. 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 at 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 for about one hour and a half to meet one of the most fascinating sights we will ever see, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga. Overnight in Berber-tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp or similar.

Day 6: Merzouga – Risani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley (B, D)

If you wake up early enough, you can see the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the dunes and the play of shadow is awesome. then taking camel again for going back to the hostel shower then departing to see plenty of nomadic black people. We shall stop by a nomadic family to have tea and see what a nomadic life looks like. Let’s discover the nomadic life of Touareg people by visiting Alkhamliya, a village where nothing has been changed through centuries.
Visiting Rissani and the Mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco, Moulay Ali Chrif in the 17th century. This silent town was the ancient capital of Tafilalet and its location as a crossroads between north and south brought the city to an important status of a former major caravan center. Up to now, Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a large souk, particularly lively today on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. It was noted for its leather and goatskin trading in ancient ages.127 km from Rissani the great canyons of Morocco Todgha Gorges are situated beyond the central high Atlas Mountains. Here, the contrasting landscapes remind visitors of Colorado, with its high plateau, its gorges, and great canyons, and its peaks sometimes splintered by erosion. Several peaks in this area exceed 4000 m, with Jbel Saghro 2500 m and Jbel Mgoun at 4068 m being the highest peak in this part of the High Atlas. The area is populated by Berbers. Here you can enjoy a hike among those fabulous canyons.
From the great canyons of Todgha, we go along the road of 1000 Kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately, a lot of them are ruins. A visit to one of those Kasbahs is scheduled by seeing Amridil Kasbah. 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. Along this valley, then visit Todra Gorges and check at the hotel there.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Luxury Riad Dades or similar.

Day 7: Dades Gorges – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech (B)

another valley called the valley of roses appears with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees, and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produce 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, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), 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 buildings for which the area is known. One of those buildings is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in the 17th century. Why this town is nicknamed 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 Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005)
30 km from Ouarzazate there is the fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou, built in the 11th century. Once upon 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 windstorm. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village on the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004).From this beautiful fortified Kasbah.
we head to Marrakech via high atlas mountains Tizen Tichka Pass (2200 meters of altitude) During the journey we will enjoy many beautiful scenes of the Berber villages, elevated views of the mountains.
After enjoying the spectacular mountains we get to the magical city of Marrakech.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Les Oliviers or similar.

Day 8: Half Day Marrakech Guided Sightseeing Tour – Half Day free Time (B)

A half-day guided tour will be scheduled to discover Marrakesh which is known as the “Red City”. Marrakesh is the most important former imperial city in Morocco’s history; it is situated near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountain. Like all the old cities, Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city The Medina, and a very modern city called Gueliz built during the French occupation. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square is full of storytellers, water sellers, dancers, snakes charmers, and musicians. During the night the square turns into a huge open-air restaurant. During our visit, we will see the Bahia Palace, Majorelle garden, tombs of Saadiens Bahia palace Menara garden, and The Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century in

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Les Oliviers or similar.

Day 9: Marrakech – Essaouira (B)

 Departure from Marrakech to Essaouira by the time that fits 2h45 minutes driving from Marrakech to Essaouira – a coastal town providing an excellent opportunity to relax on the beach. The old Medina of Essaouira is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site; it combines history and culture with modern cafes and restaurants.
Essaouira is an exceptional example of a late 18th-century fortified town .built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in North Africa context .since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with European and the rest of the world.
About two hours we will be in the middle of the Argan forest, arriving at the local women’s cooperative tradition of Argan oil. The product that Morocco has an international monopoly. Visit the cooperative that allows you to attend the Manuel extraction of oil by village women.
Continue to Essaouira take photos at the entrance of the city on a panoramic location, overlooking the entire city. Free Visit the remnants of Portuguese port, medina the souks, swimming at the beach, then check to your hotel by end of the day.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Riad Zahia or similar.

Day 10: Essaouira  – Safi – El Oualidia – Jadida (B)

Departure from Essaouira around 11:00 drive through the Atlantic ocean quick stop to visit Safi then continue to El Oualidia short visit to enjoy the quietness of this tow, arrive in El Jadida and visit the Portuguese and local souks of El Jadida finally drop-off at your hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Hotel Centre Ville or similar.

Day 11: El Jadida – Casablanca Airport (B)

Pick-up and drop-off at Casablanca airport It depends on your flight time about one hour and a half driving from El Jadida to Casablanca Airport where your trip is up to end and we hope you a safe flight back hope.