9-Day Desert Tour from Tangier

Day 1: Tangier – Rabat 

After arriving at the port of Tangier, where you will be met by our driver, you will drive to Rabat via Larache to visit the ancient city, which was the first port on the Atlantic coast. On arrival in Rabat you will visit the Kasbah des Oudayas, ‘the heart of Moroccan military history’. The Kasbah owes its name to the Bedouin tribe who lived in Morocco in the 13th century. Our tour continues with a visit to Hassan’s Tower, his mausoleum, and the beautiful Chella Gardens, a favorite habitat for many bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fez

Departure to Fez: The road to Fez passes by extensive farmland where olive trees, grains, vegetables, and grapes are grown. You will visit Meknes and Volubilis before arriving in Fez. In Volubilis, a remnant of the Roman Empire in Morocco, you will find Roman ruins. Meknes is the seat of the first Arab dynasty founded by Moulay Ismail. We will visit Medersa Bou Anania and Bab Mansour, the entrance to the palace of Moulay Ismail. We conclude our visit with a drink on the roof of a cafe with a garden and a magnificent view of the city. Arrival in Fez in the evening, dinner and overnight stay in a hotel or riad of your choice.

Day 3: Fez (guided tour)

After breakfast, start your tour of the ‘oldest medina in the world’ with an official local guide. You will visit the medina with its souks (markets), and stop at the gates of the Royal Palace, the University, and the Karouin Mosque, which dates back to the 9th century. You will also visit the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, the founder of the city. Lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in the Old Medina. After lunch, you will continue your tour and visit the Najarin Fountain and the old Bata Museum. On the way back to the hotel, enjoy a panoramic view of the city, have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 4: Fez – Ifrane – Erfoud – Merzouga desert

Depart from your hotel in Fez to Erfoud via Ifrane, then to Azrou where you can see monkeys in the forest, then to Midelt for lunch. From there you will continue to the Ziz Valley and Erfoud, where you will visit a fossil mine and travel to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Your guide will lead you on a camel across the dunes to the camp. You will admire the sunset over the dunes. Dinner by the campfire and overnight stay in Berber tents.

Day 5: Merzouga – Rissani – Touroug – Todra gorge – Dades gorge

After breakfast in the bivouac, a camel ride at the foot of the dunes, and departure for Rissani, visit the great marshal Tafilalt, continue to Erfoud and Touroug, lunch in the Todra Gorge. Then continue to the Dades gorges. Here you will be able to take beautiful pictures of the valley and stay overnight in a hotel.

Day 6: Dades Gorge – Kelaa Mgouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait ben Haddou – Marrakech

We leave the Dades Gorge and follow the valley to Kelaa Mgouna, where we visit a rose-growing cooperative. We continue to Skoura where we visit the Kasbah of Amridil and from there to Ouarzazate with a stop in front of the Kasbah of Taourirt and the film studios. We will visit the Kasbah at Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide and then continue on to Marrakech. We will cross the high mountains of Atlas. You will be transferred to your hotel in Marrakech.

Day 7: Excursion to the Imlil Valley

After breakfast, we will embark on an excursion into the valley and mountains of the High Atlas. The Berber village of Imlil, 65km from Marrakech, is the starting point for the hike to Toubkal Peak at 4167m. You’ll take a walk to explore the Berber villages in this beautiful valley and have lunch on the terrace with magnificent views of the High Atlas. Return to Marrakech at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay in your riad.

Day 8: Guided tour of Marrakech

After breakfast, your local guide will lead a guided tour of the historic sites of the medina. You will visit the Baddi and Bahia palaces, Saddi tombs, Ben Yousef School, Qutoubiya, and Menara Gardens. Dinner and overnight stay by the window in one of the riads.

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to Marrakech airport depending on flight schedules.