11-Day Morocco Tour with Sahara Camp and Imperial Cities

1

Day 01

Arrival and First Discoveries in Marrakesh

• Our tour starts in Marrakesh, a city with more nicknames than most.
  • Marrakesh is the fourth-largest city in the country and yet its most popular.
  • It is from Marrakesh that several day trips are made.
• Today's activities will depend on your arrival time.
  • There is much to explore in and around the old town, and it is easy to get lost.
  • Thankfully, however, we have a private tour guide to show us Marrakesh's impressive attractions: palaces, city views, a citadel, garden oases, tanneries, mosques, and much more.
• If you cannot fly directly to Marrakesh, then you will need to take a connecting flight from Casablanca, or we will need to transfer you by land from Casablanca to Marrakesh.

2

Day 02

Ouzoud Falls Hiking and Paddle Boat Adventure

• We make a day trip today to Ouzoud Falls.
  • There, we have a guided hiking tour as well as take a paddle boat ride.
• Ouzoud Falls is the collective name for several tall waterfalls that empty into the El-Abid River gorge.
  • Ouzoud Falls, standing 600 meters tall, is unsurprisingly the most visited site in the region.

3

Day 03

Essaouira Day Trip with Argan Oil and Coastal Heritage

• We make another day trip today, this time heading to Essaouira.
  • En route, we pass by tree-climbing goats - really, no joke! - and stop at a small factory where organic argan oil is produced.
    • This oil is good for skin and hair.
  • Once in Essaouira, we are provided with a guided tour.
    • The partially fortified old town, also known as the medina, has a layout designed by European colonists in the late 18th century.
    • Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina is dotted with bastions, ramparts, art galleries, and lively outdoor markets.
• On a side note, swimming is encouraged only in the summer months, as the water is too cold during the winter and even fall seasons.
• On a final note, CharlieTheTraveler cannot guarantee the tree-climbing goats will be there when you pass by.

4

Day 04

Marrakesh Souks, Street Life, and Architectural Landmarks

• Today is all about exploring Marrakesh.
• Home to around 18 markets, also known as souks, some describe this city as "one giant marketplace."
  • Historically, Marrakesh has served as a marketplace where tribesmen and Berber villagers would buy and sell goods, such as carpets, and find entertainment on the streets.
    • Hundreds of years later, the goods and especially the entertainment are as alive as ever.
• The heart of the city is Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.
  • Expect to see acrobats, drummers, pipe musicians, dancers, storytellers, comedians, and fairground acts.
• No less compelling than these entertainers are the city's architectural attractions.
  • We spend the day visiting them.

5

Day 05

Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate on the Way to the Desert

• Although we relocate from Marrakesh ultimately to a village in the desert, we make two must-visit stops along the way.
• The first stop is the historic and fortified village of Aït Benhaddou.
  • Aït Benhaddou serves as a fine example of Morocco's earthen clay architecture.
  • Several films shot in Morocco have used both Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate as locations.
• The second stop is the town of Ouarzazate.
  • Ouarzazate is a town best known for its film studio called Atlas Studios.
    • Atlas is one of the largest movie studios in the world in terms of land area.
  • We visit a cinema museum that displays many of the studio's props.

6

Day 06

Dadès, Todgha, Rissani, and Luxury Camp in Erg Chebbi

• We are relocating once again.
  • Our desert exploration continues north today.
  • The first destination is Dadès Gorges.
    • They are a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the river.
  • The next destination is Todgha, also known as Todra, Gorges.
  • They are a series of limestone river canyons.
  • En route to our final destination, Erg Chebbi, we stop in the village of Rissani.
  • Rissani is home to a locally famous pizza-like dish called madfouna.
  • Erg Chebbi is where our luxury camp is located.
    • We sleep in a tent.
    • Erg Chebbi is essentially a large sea of red dunes formed by wind-blown sand.
    • After arrival, we go camel riding with a tour guide.
    • Dinner is included on today's tour.
    • Before the night ends, we watch a traditional show with music and fire.
• Important to note: although the camp usually has Wi-Fi and should have electricity, outages do happen from time to time.

7

Day 07

Merzouga, Scenic Stops, and Arrival in Fez

• After breakfast, which is included on today's tour, we go quad riding and reach the nearby village of Merzouga.
• We then relocate to the city of Fez, also spelled Fes.
• Several scenic stops are made along the way, such as Ziz Valley and the Cèdre Gouraud Forest, the latter of which is home to monkeys.
• Fez will for sure stimulate our senses.
• It is the firstborn of Morocco's four royal capitals and arguably the best-preserved medieval city of the Arab world.

8

Day 08

Fez Landmarks and Dinner in a Moroccan Home

• Fez is truly a crossbreed between the Middle Ages and modern times.
  • Today we dive right into the sightseeing.
  • Fortresses, mosques, a tannery, centuries-old brass-working shops, a historic university, city views, souks, and more.
  • Fez is Morocco's second most popular tourist destination after Marrakesh, but it hosts no fewer must-see landmarks.
• Following the tour, we are taken to a native Moroccan's home.
  • There, we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner.
  • The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture, and good company creates an unforgettable experience.

9

Day 09

Chefchaouen, Morocco's Blue Pearl

• Today we relocate to a charming blue village called Chefchaouen.
  • It is nicknamed the "blue pearl of Morocco."
  • The beauty of Chefchaouen's mountainous surroundings is enhanced by the contrast of the brightly painted old town.
  • It is an attractive place for tourists generally and influencers especially.
  • There are so many postcard-perfect locations to take a selfie.
• Among the places we visit is, of course, the main square.
  • It is lined with cafes and is filled to the brim with locals and tourists mingling.

10

Day 10

Casablanca or Tangier According to Your Departure Plans

• Where we relocate today depends on whether you will be leaving the country from Casablanca or from Tangier.
• If the former, then we will visit the giant Hassan II Mosque.
  • Completed in 1993, it is the second-largest functioning mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.
  • Its minaret is the world's second tallest at 210 metres (689 feet).
• If you are departing Morocco tomorrow from Tangier, then we do a city tour.
  • A citadel, ramparts, street shops, public squares, markets, gardens, mosques, and more.

11

Day 11

Departure from Tangier or Casablanca

• Transportation will be arranged for you to reach Tangier's airport or harbor or Casablanca's airport, whichever you prefer.
• Note that there is an additional charge to be dropped off in Tangier.