12-Day Cultural Circuit – Imperial Cities, Desert & North

Marrakech was founded in 1062, has numerous monuments that are World Heritage Sites, and is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco along with Meknes, Fez, and Rabat. It is a city of contrasts. Its bustling streets and labyrinthine souks (traditional markets) contrast with the calm of its riads and the tranquility of its gardens. We will begin our tour of Marrakech with a local guide who will show you the secrets of the second oldest city in Morocco.

WE WILL VISIT:

– The Koutoubia Mosque: The minaret of this famous mosque is the great symbol of Marrakech. It is also the tallest building in the city and can be seen from various points of the capital.

– The Saadian Tombs: There are 3 mausoleums here, and this is where the family of the Saadian dynasty that ruled at the end of the 16th century is buried.

– The Bahia Palace: Built at the end of the 19th century, with the intention of being the largest palace of all time, and also the spectacular Ben Youssef Madrasa.

– We will also enter the Medina and walk through the labyrinthine alleys that make up the famous souk of Marrakech.

– Jemaa el-Fnaa Square: This is the city’s main square, where you can find everything: street food stalls, chic rooftop cafés, game and juice stands, henna artists, snake charmers, musicians, dancers, and much more.

After lunch, we will continue our visit to the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent museum. The tour ends at 5:00 PM. You will have free time in the evening.

After breakfast, we will depart for Ouarzazate. Along the way we will cross the Atlas through the incredible Tizi N’Tichka pass, at 2,260 meters high. Shortly after crossing the High Atlas, we will arrive at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, an incredible fortified city where movies such as Gladiator, Babel, and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. After the visit, we will take the Road of the Thousand Kasbahs towards Skoura where we will stop at the Kasbah of Amridhyle. From here we will head to Kelaat M’gouna, the capital of the Valley of the Roses, a panoramic photo stop. We continue to Dades Valley, where we will spend the night. Dinner and breakfast included.

After breakfast, we will continue our journey towards Tenghir, and we will take a detour to visit the Todra Gorge. There we will see wonderful palm groves. We will then stop for lunch in Tinejdad. Then we will head towards the impressive dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, where we will have tea and can enjoy the pool.

We will leave at the Riad Chebbi the luggage and anything we won’t use in the desert and will set off on a camel caravan for one hour that will take us to the tents in the middle of the dunes. We’ll then climb the dunes to watch the sunset. Dinner in the tents with live music and a campfire where we can stargaze. We’ll reach the camp, which is in a wild oasis, and sleep in camel-hair tents like those used by the nomads of the desert. Dinner and night in tents under a spectacular blanket of stars.

Today will be a full desert day. To start the day, we recommend waking up early to not miss the beautiful sunrise in the desert of Erg Chebbi. After enjoying this unforgettable moment, we will have breakfast and begin the 4×4 adventure in the dunes. We will circle the Erg Chebbi, a stretch of sandy desert home to the Great Dune of Morocco, over 250 meters high. We’ll connect via track with part of the former Paris-Dakar route and the mountains bordering Algeria in the background. Stop at the oasis of Tissardmine where we can find fossil quarries still active in the region. We’ll continue to a nomadic settlement to learn some of the secrets of their life and customs. Later, we’ll stop at a panoramic viewpoint to contemplate the full Erg Chebbi.

We’ll then continue to the village of Khamlia, of Malian origin, where we’ll relax with a cup of tea while enjoying a short concert of spiritual Gnawa music. After lunch, return to the hotel for a rest and enjoy the pool, terraces, and views of the dunes. (Optional) at 4:00 PM in the afternoon, we’ll prepare for an adventurous quad ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes, sunset, etc… Dinner and breakfast at the hotel included.

We’ll wake up early to enjoy the sunrise from the terraces of the hotel, then breakfast and prepare for the journey along a different and desert route. Returning to Ouarzazate, we’ll take a different route passing through the Tafilalet Palm Grove and the town of Rissani (origin of the Alaouite dynasty and former capital of the Alaouite sultans).

We’ll reach Alnif, where we’ll take the road that crosses the Anti-Atlas mountains. Amazed by the shapes and colors of these mountains, we’ll reach Tazarine (an important Berber town), N’kob, and finally the Draa Valley and its astonishing palm grove. In the afternoon we’ll cross the Anti-Atlas via the Tizi Ntnifift pass (1,660 meters) heading toward Ouarzazate, where we’ll spend the night in a Riad/Kasbah. Dinner and breakfast included.

At 9:00 AM, after breakfast, we’ll begin our guided tour of the medina. The medina of Fez was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and is one of the largest walled cities in the world. It was founded in the year 790 AD. We’ll explore its narrow streets full of vendors selling fresh fruit, spices, Berber carpets, and many other Moroccan crafts.

We’ll visit the Royal Palace, the tanneries, the pottery makers, and also the oldest university in the world, founded before Oxford and the Sorbonne. We’ll have lunch in the center of the medina in a traditional restaurant. After lunch, we’ll continue the tour of the medina and return to the hotel around 4:00 PM. Dinner may be at a local restaurant with show. Overnight stay in Fez.

After breakfast at the Riad, our journey begins toward Meknes, one of the country’s imperial cities (founded in the 17th century). We’ll visit Bab El-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Basin, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. We’ll then drive to Volubilis to discover the Roman ruins and learn about the history of Morocco from BC. Afterward, we head to Chefchaouen, crossing the Rif Mountains and a beautiful oak forest. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Breakfast and at 10:00 AM, we begin our guided tour of the blue town.

Located in the only intercontinental natural park, Chefchaouen is a beautiful white and blue city in the mountains. It offers its visitors wonderful landscapes. Here you’ll find local artisanal displays and enjoy a tranquility hard to find elsewhere. Chefchaouen is a place to wander, enjoy, and lose yourself in its fantastic little streets surrounded by blue and white houses, which make it a unique city. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

After breakfast, we head to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Upon arrival, we’ll discover the walls that surround the old part of the city followed by the Kasbah of the Udayas and the impressive Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower, and the country’s administrative palace. Afterward, we depart for Casablanca and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we begin our visit to the famous Hassan II Mosque. Its square minaret with green tiles reaches 200 meters in height and is the second largest in the Muslim world, after Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, the same who designed the Morocco Pavilion at the Universal Expo in Seville.

We may also visit Rick’s Café. Then a peaceful stroll along Casablanca’s beach until lunch. After lunch, we continue to Marrakech, a 3-hour highway drive. Overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast and free time until transfer to the airport. A walk through the medina, shopping, Hammam, Spa, etc. Airport transfer 2 hours before the agreed departure time of your return flight.

End of our service.

We use vehicles such as SUVs and minibuses, ideal for couples, friends, or families of 2 to 7 people. Minibuses are available for groups of 8 or more. All our vehicles are modern and equipped with air conditioning to ensure your comfort during your trip.

– Low season: Free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival.
– Mid-season (long weekends, September, October, March, April, and May): Free cancellation up to 15 days before arrival.
– High season (Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter): Free cancellation up to 30 days before arrival.

The meeting point for this excursion is your accommodation (hotel, riad, or hostel). If it’s an Airbnb, we’ll meet you in front of the door. If you have any questions or need to change accommodations once you arrive, please contact us via WhatsApp or email.

The deposit can be paid by credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or PayPal. The final payment is made directly to the driver on the day of the tour.

Of course! We have vehicles with enough space to carry your luggage.