GRAND MARRAKECH DESERT TOUR IN 13-DAY

DAY 1: Arrive in MARRAKECH

If you arrive early, you will have a day for a tour of Marrakech, an imperial city with charming architecture and souks: the Bahia Palace, the Menard Gardens and the Majorelle Gardens. Continue on to the famous Jemaa El Fna Square, the heart of the medina with its snake charmer, jugglers and acrobats, as well as the souks. Dinner and folklore show at the old palace in the medina. Overnight stay.

2 DAY: MARRAKEH, AIT BEN HADDU, Ouarzazate

Drive to Ouarzazate via the High Atlas, over the Tizin’Tichka Pass at an altitude of 2260m. Stop at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 17th century and the subject of numerous film shoots. Photo stop at the Tinfultun Kasbah. Visit to Taourirt kasbah.

3 DAY: OUARZAZATE, TODRA GORE, ERFOUD, MERZOUGA

Departure to the Tinghir plateau along the Dades valley, to Skoura and El Kelaa, the city of roses. Exploration of the Yorf palm grove, then the Todra gorge with its cliffs over 300m high. Arrival in Erfoud and departure by off-road vehicle to the huge dunes of Merzouga to admire the sunset and discover an unusual and unexpected landscape. Nomadic bivouac with Berber food and overnight stay in comfortable tents (2 people per tent, all equipped with beds on legs, pillows, sheets and blankets, shower and toilet in common area).

4 day: MERZOUGA, MIDELT, FES

Departure to Errachidia via the magnificent and grandiose palm grove of the Ziz valley, then through the village of Tizin’ Talhemt. Drive to Fez via Ifrane and the High Atlas. Setting up for two nights in Fez. Dinner and accommodation.

5 day: to visit Fez: 

old town with the Andalusian quarter of the medina, the Koranic school, the religious university “Karajuin” and the Nejarin fountain. Visit to Medersa Bou Ananias, remains from the Merinid period. Visit to the Royal Palace (outside). Dinner and overnight stay.

6 Day: FES, MEKNES, VOLUBILIS

A visit to Meknes, nicknamed ‘the Moroccan Versailles’: its gates, El hedim Square. Then discovery of Moulay Idriss and the Roman town of Volubilis. Dinner and overnight stay in Meknes.

Day 7: MEKNES, CHEFCHAOUEN, TETUAN, TANGER

Drive to Chefchaouen, the most beautiful town in the Reef with tiled roofs and cobbled streets on the hillside. Drive to Tetouan, a Spanish-style town with a 13th-century medina. Continue to Tangier via the coastal road. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca

Discovering Tangier. A visit to the small and large Souq, inside and outside the city walls respectively, important witnesses of the city’s historical past: the small souq, the cultural centre of the city, and the large souq of Tangier with its many shops, traditional street vendors and animation. Visit to the Kasbah. Continuation to Rabat. Visit to the capital of the Kingdom of Kherif and the second largest city in the country. A visit to the city walls, Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Kasbah of Oudaya. Dinner and overnight stay in Casablanca.

Day9: CASABLANCA, EL JADIDA, OUALIDIA, ESSAOUIRA

Introduction to Casablanca: guided tour to the Hassan II Mosque, a religious and cultural site built over the sea, dominated by a 210-metre high minaret, the highest in the world. Continue along the coastal road with magnificent views of the sea and lagoons. Stop in El Jadida, the ‘Moroccan Deauville’. Visit a Portuguese cistern. Stop in Oualidia, a small seaside resort and fishing port. Panoramic visit to Safi, an important fishing port and former Portuguese town. This period includes the Sea Castle, a 16th century fortress, the remains of the cathedral and Kehla, enclosing within its fortified walls the white palace, seat of the Makhzen. Visit to the potters’ quarter. Accommodation for two nights in Essaouira. Dinner. Overnight stay in Essaouira.

DAY10: ESSAOUIRA

Morning dedicated to old Mogador. A bird’s eye view of Essaouira: fortified city, old Portuguese batteries, port and fish market, city walls, souks and artisan quarter. The afternoon is free for personal discovery.

Day 11: ESSAUIRA, TAROUDANT, AGADIR

Take the coastal road to Taroudant, the rich valley of Sousse and visit ‘little Marrakech’ with its crenellated ramparts, lush gardens and handicrafts. Continue on to Agadir, the country’s main seaside resort. View the city and its endless sandy beach from the top of the hill where the ruins of the Kasbah stand. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 12: AGADIR, MARRAKECH

Visit to the ruins of the Kasbah, left over from the terrible earthquake of the last century. Return to Marrakech. Discovery of palm grove and 18km of ramparts surrounding the ochre city. Arrangement for two nights in Marrakech. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13: Free day at hotel for rest

Optional breakfas and fantasy show (to be booked and paid locally). Dinner and overnight stay. Or, we can drop you off at the airport.