10 DAYS TRIP FROM TANGIER TO MARRAKECH VIA DESERT.
Day 1: TANGIER TO CHEFCHAOUEN ( The blue city ).
10 days trip from Tangier to Marrakech via Desert. Arrive in Tangier and pick up at the port or airport. Departure to Chefchaouen the Moroccan blue city, stop in Tetuán, the Spanish city, arrival in Chefchaouen. We will visit the city of Chauen. We will walk through its streets and among its old blue and white houses, and we will also contemplate its panoramic view from the Spanish mosque. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: TOUR FROM BLUE CITY – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES.
Leaving for Fes. Stop along the way at the UNESCO protected Volubilis ruins—the Roman’s farthest reach in Africa. Wander the complex, exploring merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many mosaics in situ. Continue on to the smaller, less busy version of Fes, Meknes, for an introduction to a historic imperial city. The two main points of interest are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.
Continue on to Fes. With its impressively large old medina, Fes is a city worth getting lost in. Before venturing into the medina, take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Overnight in the Riad.
Day 3: EXPLORING THE IMPERIAL CITY OF FES.
Fes is the oldest Morocco imperial, (Meknes, Marrakech, and Rabat are the others) and perhaps the most interesting to explore. A UNESCO-protected site, the city hasn’t undergone much colonial development, leaving you to experience its medieval charm. Fes consists of two old medina quarters, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid (a slightly newer part of the city). Meet your guide to help you navigate the narrow and maze-like ancient streets of the medinas, starting in Fes el Bali.
Note the Spanish and Tunisian influenced architecture as you pass the variety of souks (markets) offering spices, leather goods, and pewter. Known for its tanneries and the acrid smell associated with them, visit the popular Chouara Tannery and climb to the roof of a nearby shop for a better view of the goings-on. Visit the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and admire the zellij tilework before checking out one of the oldest, still operating universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 ACE). Find the Mellah (old Jewish quarter) in Fes el Jdid for another encompassing view of the city.
Day 4: FES – IFRANE – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – SAHARA DESERT.
Today our journey south, over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. You will see families of wild macaque monkeys in the trees and by the side of the road as you head to Midelt. Next, travel over the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and into the Ziz Valley dotted with oases and palm tree clusters. Notice the many ksars, fortified houses merchants built to protect their wares (gold, salt, and spices).
Near Erfoud, you will start to see the early signs of the Sahara sand dunes. Never stationary, the dunes travel as the winds shift. If you’re lucky, you may come across a nomadic Berber family and have the chance to drink tea together. Visit Erfoud and discover how the fossil-rich rock of its mines is transformed into decorative and practical objects. Continue on to the extensive sea of sand dunes of Erg Chebbi Sahara desert.
Outside of Merzouga prepare for a camel ride through the dunes, arriving at the camp just before sunset. Climb up the nearest sand dune to watch the colorful display as the sun sets behind the colossal dunes. Return to camp for dinner in the open air and an evening by the campfire enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals under a blanket of stars. Overnight in a beautiful Berber tent.
Day 5: SAHARA DESERT – RISSANI – TODRA GORGES – ROSE VALLEY – OUARZAZATE.
We will leave the dunes behind and stop in the market town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate.
Continue on to Todra gorges. This Sahara town offers awesome views of neighboring towns hugging the length of the extensive river oasis. The Todra Gorge. 984 feet (300 m) high and carved by the Todra River through red limestone, here you can enjoy a leisurely walk in and around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below. Continue to Dades valley today’s final destination. Overnight in the Riad.
Day 6: DADES VALLEY – ROSE VALLEY – OUARZAZATE.
Travel through the Ouarzazate. Stop in Kela’a M’gouna to admire the rose bushes bordering plots of farmland. Visit a rose collective to see the process of converting rose petals into rose water and oil. Continue west to stop in Skoura valley to visit the famous Kasbah of Amridil, then drive to Ouarzazate and discover how its nearby regions have been featured in movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Join a movie studio tour and visit the Musée du Cinema to learn more about the filmmaking process and history of the area. Overnight in the Riad.
Settle into your accommodation in the old town, before wandering the near-empty alleys and passageways in the late afternoon. Climb up to the old Granary—an excellent vantage point to see the kasbah and surrounding area. Game of Thrones fans may want to trek down to the river to see the gates featured in the popular HBO series. Long after the day crowds have left, enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the valley.
Day 7: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – HIGH ATLAS – MARRAKECH.
Travel to nearby Aït Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the old ksar dates from the 11th century when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route, half an hour hiking visit.
Leave Aït Benhaddou behind to begin the ascent over the High Atlas mountains. Near the top, stretch your legs for a great panoramic view of the mountains. Stop in Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn, as well as sample, how olives are processed for various uses. As you descend the High Atlas, you will notice a dramatic change in the climate and landscape. Soon you will be in Marrakech. Overnight in the Riad.
In the early evening, the main square—and busiest square in all of Africa!—Jemaa el-Fna, comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, a catch-all of entertainment! If you want to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and enjoy a cup of mint tea and a meal.
Day 8: MARRAKECH GUIDED TOUR.
Exploring day, Marrakech has always been a thriving city dating back to the Berber Empire (1062 ACE). Meet your guide for a half-day tour, starting with browsing the stalls of Souk el Attarin (spices), Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths), and Souk Smata (slippers). Visit Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers’ souk) and visit the Koutoubia Mosque, along the way note the open spaces that extend off of some alleys.
The hard-to-miss Mosque’s 253 feet (77 m) minaret is the tallest tower built in Marrakech. Relax in the adjoining gardens, before carrying on to Ben Youssef Madrasa. Built in the 16th century, this madrasa once housed students of the nearby mosque. Admire the Moroccan artisanship: carved cedar, stucco plaster, and zellij tiling. Visit the Marrakech Museum or the Museum of Moroccan Arts for more examples of traditional art and woodwork. South of Jemaa el-Fna is the Kasbah area with several worthwhile sights: the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Mellah.
Day 9: TRAVEL TO ESSAOUIRA ( MOGADOR ).
After breakfast in your riad, we travel to Morocco’s west coast following a route that takes you over vast rolling plains. Along the way, pass through an argan tree forest, endemic to this part of the world. You may even see goats dining on the argan fruit, up in the tree branches. Visit an argan cooperative to learn how argan oil is extracted from the tree and what it’s used for in the food and cosmetic industries.
Arrive in the port city of laid-back Essaouira, a nice contrast to frenetic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day as you choose. Walk the Skala de la Kasbah along the coast. Designed by European engineers, old brass cannons line the walls and offer viewing access over the Atlantic. Explore the UNESCO-protected medina before making your way to the windswept beach. Jimi Hendrix fans may want to take a short taxi ride to Diabat at the end of Essaouira’s beach where he reportedly spent some time. Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 10: TRAVEL BACK TO MARRAKECH.
Travel back to Marrakech and transfer to the Airport.
DESTINATION Tangier & desert & Essaouira & Marrakech
DEPARTURE LOCATION Port / Airport / Hotel in Tangier
PRICE Depends on the number of travelers
10 DAYS TRIP FROM TANGIER TO MARRAKECH VIA DESERT INCLUDED:
- Private tour, there will be no more people in the group.
- Pick up at the hotel, riad, airport or wherever you want.
- Transportation in Toyota Landcruiser 4 × 4 minibus.
- Spanish-speaking driver.
- 9 nights accommodation in rooms (3 nights with dinner and breakfast and 6 nights only breakfast).
- Fuel, tolls, and all associated expenses.
- Local guide in Fez and Marrakech.
- Camel ride to reach the camp (one camel per person).
- 1 Night in half board in the desert camp of Erg Chebbi.
10 DAYS TRIP FROM TANGIER TO MARRAKECH VIA DESERT NO INCLUDED:
- Lunch and drinks.
- Dinners in Chefchaouen, Marrakech and Fez.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Experience Fes Morocco imperial city and the Sahara Desert in 10 days tour.
- Explore Fes, the country’s cultural capital, stopping at souks, tanneries, madrasas, and mosques.
- Ride camels in the Sahara desert in an unforgettable experience.
- Spend an exceptional overnight in desert camp.
- Visit and explore the world heritage UNESCO Kasbahs.
- Half an hour trekking in Todra Gorges and Ait ben haddou.
- Adventure 4×4 tour in the Sahara Desert.
