tourhq

Explore the world with tourHQ

Currency (USD) tourhq
tourhq
Choose Currency
Back
12-Day Tour Of Imperial Cities, Moroccan Deserts & Hiking The Atlas Mountains

  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Culture, History, Desert

  • Duration

    12 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English

Description

Embark on this 12-day grand tour is a perfect mix of culture and adventure. Start in Casablanca and wander the medinas of Fes and Marrakesh. Explore desert towns, oases, and old kasbahs, ending with two days of hiking in the foothills of the Atlas mountains, and spending an evening with a local family.

Highlights
  • Roam maze-like streets in the medieval medinas of Fes and Marrakesh
  • Explore desert markets, hidden oases, and kasbahs along old caravan routes
  • Hike through the foothills of the High Atlas mountains
  • Enjoy a meal and overnight with a local Berber family
  • Make like Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart and share a drink in Casablanca
  • Day 1: Morning in Casablanca, afternoon in Rabat expand_more
    • Greetings from Casablanca! The Hassan II Mosque should be your only stop while in Casablanca, Morocco's commercial hub. Its 690 feet (210 m) minaret, which is the tallest minaret in the world, is situated in a picturesque location on the ocean. Even though the mosque's exterior and surroundings are impressive, it stands out because it is one of the few mosques in the nation that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. 
    • Join a mosque tour in the morning and be amazed by the exquisite craftsmanship, including the hand-carved stone and wood, the elaborate marble floor details, and the gilded ceilings.
    • Travel up north to Rabat, which served as the capital during the imperial era. Wander the Roman and Islamic ruins while exploring the Chellah Necropolis' medieval fortification. 
    • Enter the old city of Rabat through the majestic door of the Kasbah des Oudaias. Visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens from there to take in the tranquil setting away from the crowds. 
    • Learn about the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the unfinished mosque and the Mohamed V Mausoleum. All that is left of a 12th-century project that was abandoned are the mosque's support structures, including 200 columns and the minaret.
  • Day 2: Meknes, Roman ruins at Volubilis, and Fes expand_more
    • Head east toward Fes after meeting your driver. Visit Meknes, your second imperial city, along the way. Meknes, a more compact version of Fes, offers a more tranquil medina (old quarter) and less pushy shopkeepers. In the Ville Impériale, see the magnificent Bab al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail (Imperial City). 
    • Before visiting Dar Jama, a palace turned museum, stop by the Madrasa Bou Inania, a stunning example of Islamic architecture. 
    • Next, visit Volubilis, the Roman Empire's furthest outpost in Africa, which is a vast complex of admirably preserved Roman ruins and mosaics.
    • Continue east until you reach Fes, the third imperial city. Drive uphill to the Merenid Tombs ruins for a comprehensive view of the medieval city before exploring the medina on foot (the largest urban car-free zone in the world). Around dusk is the ideal time to visit the tombs. As the city lights start to shine, the muezzin's calls to prayer can be heard throughout the valley, adding to the ambience. 
    • After a hearty meal, head back to your traditional riad to unwind for the evening.
  • Day 3: Fes: Exploring the Imperial City and medieval Medina expand_more
    • The smallest amount of colonial development has added to Fes' appeal as the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities and perhaps the most interesting and exciting to explore. Fes is made up of three main points of interest: Fes el Bali (old Fes, the medina, where you will spend the majority of your time), Fes el Jdid ('new' Fes), and the French-inspired Ville Nouvelle. It is the most comprehensive medina in the Arab world. Meet your guide to learning more about Fes's past and present, as well as to get assistance navigating the medina.
    • Start your tour in Fes el Bali at the gate that welcomes you onto Talâa Kebira, Bab Boujeloud. As you walk past the architecture with influences from Spain and Tunisia, discover the goods offered for sale in the souks (markets) and shops. The tanneries in the old Medina are among the most distinctive sights, and Chouara Tannery is no exception. 
    • Then, ascend to the roof of a nearby leather store for a better view of the men at work and the stone pots filled with dye from the 11th century. To the Al-Qarawiyyin Library and Mosque, follow your guide (859 CE). You might be able to sneak a peek inside if you're lucky.
  • Day 4: Fes: Museums, Ceramics and Tile Collective, and gardens expand_more
    • Visit the Batha Museum today. A collection of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts, including carved wood, zellij (mosaic tilework), and regional pottery, can be found at the Museum, which is housed in a 19th-century palace (its highlight). Visit the gardens in the Andalusian style before proceeding to the mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery). Utilize its location to capture a breathtaking panoramic image of the city. 
    • Discover the striking difference in architecture by travelling further south to Ville Nouvelle.
    • Visit a ceramics and tile collective to discover the entire manufacturing process, from sculpting the clay to painting the designs on the products. 
    • Additionally, you can observe the tile craftsmen as they create intricate mosaics by assembling tiny pieces of tile. As you head back in the direction of Fes el Bali, pause at Jnan Sbil (Bou Jeloud Gardens), which is midway between the mellah and Bab Boujeloud. 
    • Spend some time unwinding in the splendour of the gardens, then cool off in the main fountains or by the lake.
  • Day 5: Middle Atlas, Erfoud Fossils, Merzouga and the Sahara Dunes expand_more
    • Early in the morning, depart for Merzouga in the south. You will pass through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains as you make your way up and over the Col du Zad pass, which is 7,146 feet (2,178 m) above sea level. Before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the "apple city") and taking in the nearby Moulouya River, enjoy seeing the local Barbary Macaque monkeys.
    • Enter the Ziz Valley, which is renowned for its hidden oases and clusters of palm trees, by continuing over the Tizi n'Talremt pass. Ksars, or fortified houses, are common along the road and were constructed to safeguard valuables like gold, salt, and spices.
    • Continue to Erfoud, a city famous for fossil mining and a date festival. You can meet some local artisans and learn more about the production process by going to a local collective in this area. Continue to Erg Chebbi, a vast sea of sand dunes that is 13.5 square miles in size (35 square km). The enormous dunes are never still; they constantly move and shift in response to the shifting wind. 
    • Once you arrive in Merzouga, mount your camel and ride through the sand to your camp, which has already been set up for you. 
    • Before heading back to camp for a sumptuous dinner and some downtime by the campfire, hike up a nearby sand dune to watch the sun go down.
  • Day 6: Desert adventures around Merzouga: Rissani market and Todra Gorge expand_more
    • Get up early to see the desert sunrise, then explore the nearby desert villages or engage in some adventurous desert activities like sandboarding or an ATV tour. Experience traditional drumming, music, and dancing in the nearby Saharan village of Khemliya before taking a quick stroll through the community. 
    • After leaving the dunes, stop in the market town of Rissani and enter through its grand gate. It's worth your time to locate the "donkey parking lot," which is known for its livestock auction and will astonish your senses. To Tinghir, keep going. This desert town offers breathtaking views of the nearby settlements that hug the length of the vast river oasis's 48 km/30 mi (30 mi) of palm trees. 
    • Stop at the Todra Gorge, which is your final stop for the day. You can take a leisurely stroll through and around the gorge, which was carved through red limestone and is almost 1000 feet (305 meters) high, and unwind in the cool waters of the shallow river below.
  • Day 7: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, and Aït Benhaddou Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, Morocco expand_more
    • To reach the most well-known Kasbah in Morocco, At Benhaddou, follow the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Travel through the Dades Valley and pause to take in Kela'a M'gouna's manicured rose bushes. 
    • Visit a rose cooperative to observe how rose petals are transformed into rose water and oil. You might want to stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa, before continuing west to see how the nearby areas were depicted in films like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. To learn more about the history of the region and the filmmaking process, take a tour of a movie studio or go to the Musée du Cinema.
    • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of At Benhaddou for the afternoon. The 11th century saw the establishment of the old ksour, which then played a significant role in the trans-Saharan trade route. Set up shop in the historic district and explore the lanes and passageways in the late afternoon after the day's crowds have dispersed. 
    • Climb to the top of the old Granary for a great view of the kasbah and its surroundings. Fans of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones might want to make the journey down to the river to see the gates. Enjoy a peaceful dinner with a view of the valley long after the daytime crowds have dispersed.
  • Day 8: Tizi n'Tichka Pass over the High Atlas to Marrakesh expand_more
    • Leave At Benhaddou in the past and start climbing the High Atlas mountains. The mountain range's highest peak, Mount Toubkal, stands at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Visit an argan oil cooperative in Taddert to discover how the argan nut and fruit are prepared for use (and to sample some products!). The climate and landscape dramatically change as you leave the High Atlas, from the rocks to the foothills to the flat plains. You will soon be a part of Marrakesh's commotion.
    • After a long day of travel, check into your hotel and spend the remaining time however you like. You might want to take a leisurely stroll through the gardens behind the Koutoubia mosque. Jemaa el-Fna Square comes alive in the early evening with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, offering a wide variety of entertainment! Choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and take in a meal and a cup of mint tea if you want to observe the spectacle from a distance.
  • Day 9: Marrakesh: Exploring the Red City expand_more
    • Marrakesh, also known as the "Red City" due to its red sandstone walls and buildings, was once a significant trading center for the tribes of the Atlas Mountains and is still a fascinating former imperial city. Start your exploration of Marrakesh's historic medina at the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside the mosque, but it is still worth visiting to see the 253-foot (77-meter) minaret, which served as an inspiration for the Hassan II minaret in Rabat. To escape the morning heat, visit the fountains and pools in the adjacent garden.
    • Explore the intricate maze of souks, hidden behind regular restaurants and shops, and indulge your senses. You can find a variety of spices, woodwork, and babouche at Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata (traditional Moroccan slippers). For a look at how cloth and yarn are dyed using conventional techniques, visit the Souk des Teinturiers or the dyers' souk. The Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, is a fine example of Moroccan Islamic architecture. Pay attention to the elaborate interior decoration, which includes carved cedar ceilings, plaster sculptures, and zellij tiling.
  • Day 10: Hiking around Amizmiz and the High Atlas mountains expand_more
    • Today, you'll travel south of Marrakesh to the tiny town of Amizmiz in the High Atlas mountain foothills (about one hour south). Before joining your mountain guide for a trek along the winding roads and mule paths in the nearby hills, spend some time exploring the small market in the old town. 
    • Observe the local farmers and shepherds as they tend to their flocks and the surrounding landscape as you hike between small Berber villages. 
    • On their way to or from school, which is typically shared by a few nearby villages, you might even see kids.
    • As you learn how to make homemade bread, stop to have lunch with a local family and gain insight into their way of life. 
    • Continue your hike until the afternoon, then go back to a different Berber home in the area where you will be welcomed for dinner and given room to rest for the evening.
  • Day 11: Amizmiz back to Marrakesh expand_more
    • Explore the Marrakesh Bahia Palace's courtyard. Before bidding your hosts farewell and starting out on the trail, enjoy breakfast with them. Before going back to Marrakesh, continue to explore the local area's landscape and neighbouring towns.
    • When you get to Marrakesh, check out the Saadian Tombs and the area around the kasbah south of Jemaa el-Fna to learn about the 500-year-old craftsmanship that went into their construction. 
    • As you make your way through the mellah to the 19th-century Bahia Palace, stop by the sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace. If you have the time, you might want to visit the Dar Di Said Museum, also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, to see its collections of clothing, jewellery, and Hispano-Moorish decorations made of exquisitely carved cedar wood.
  • Day 12: Return to Casablanca & Departure expand_more
    • Get up early and finish any last-minute gift and souvenir shopping before locating the Almoravid Koubba from the 12th century. The Koubba, the only remaining Almoravid monument, was rediscovered in 1948. 
    • Transfer to Casablanca to catch a flight home. You might want to take a stroll along the Boulevard de la Corniche to Rick's Café, a bar, restaurant, and café inspired by the classic film Casablanca, and grab a bite to eat depending on the specifics of your departure.
What's Included
  • Pick-up & Dropoff at your Hotel or Airport
  • Transport in a private 4×4 car or minibus with A/C Fuel
  • English / Spanish Speaking Driver-Guide
  • 11 Nights Accommodation in hotels/Riads/Camp
  • Camel ride in the Sahara desert ( a Camel Per person)
  • Meals: Dinners, Breakfast
  • Local Guides: Fes, Marrakech
What's Excluded
  • Dinners
  • Tips
Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 20 EUR 2500 Per Person
Child
1 To 20 EUR 2000 Per Person

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2755 / person