Tangier To Marrakech Via Desert Fes Highlight Morocco Tour historical and culture north

This morning after breakfast, we will travel to the nearby city Meknes, the third Imperial city of Morocco. Meknes is known as “The Versailles of Morocco,” for its elaborately decorated gateways. We will visit the Bab El Khamis and Bab El Mansour, two of the most beautiful gateways, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Later on, we will head to the village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, a place of pilgrimage for Moroccans. We will stop here for lunch. Afterward we will explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city dates from the third century BC and is amazingly well preserved, including several mosaics. After this visit, we will continue our drive toward Fes where you will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including bed and breakfast.  

After breakfast in your riad, we will drive to Chefchaouen via the city of Asilah. Most of the drive will be by the coast. Our first stop will be in Asilah, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city. Asilah is known for it annual festival for the art – most of the walls of the Medina is painted by various famous artists from all over the world. Your visit includes the Skalla fortress, where you will experience a wonderful view of the Medina and the ocean. If time permits, you will have a drive through Tanger to get a feel of the city. Afterwards you will continue over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Overnight at your Moroccan authentic riad includes Bed and Breakfast.  

After breakfast we will leave Fez toward Merzouga passing through Ifran, known as the Switzerland of Morocco for its architecture and climate. You will be enchanted by the cedar forests of Azrou and its friendly monkeys. We will stop for lunch at Midelt and afterwards continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains and past the nomads that live there. The views are both spectacular and varied; thick forests, volcanic rock, soaring cliffs and valleys of palm trees. In the town of Erfoud, we will visit an amazing fossil factory and learn how they excavate, polish, and shape Trilobites, Orthoceras, Ammonites, and other fossils into beautiful objects. We will continue on to Merzouga .Bed, breakfast and dinner in your riad.  

In the morning after breakfast, your excursion will start from the tents taking you through the sand-sea dunes near the Algerian border where you will have a chance to take photos and see the black volcanic rocks. We will also have the opportunity to meet a nomad family and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. We will pass close to tiny Berber villages, like Tamrdanite, before we reach Khamlia. In the tiny desert village of Khamlia, we will be treated to a performance of Gnawa music, a spiritual and hypnotic form of music that has been played for centuries by the black people who live here.

Set your alarm to wake up early this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the dunes! It is a moment not to be missed. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious breakfast before we continue our adventure by car to the city of Rissani, the former capital of the Alawite Sultans. Rissani was once an important market for caravans traveling the sub-Saharan region, and it is still an impressive market to visit today. We will take a walk through the local market and traditional souk.

After breakfast, we will begin our journey through the valley of Dades, enjoying its beautiful vistas. Next, we will take you for a drive over the wonderful Pist Mil Kasbah, accessible only by 4×4, passing by quaint Berber villages, such as Boutghrar. You will have the opportunity to meet some Berber nomads who live in the caves there. We then continue to El Kelaa M’gouna (the Valley of Roses), where roses are grown and processed into perfumes, oils, and lotions, and where you will have a break for lunch. We will head to Ourzazate by crossing the beautiful palm grove oasis in Skoura, where you will see many exotic Kasbahs, such as the Amerhidil Kasbah. When we reach Ourzazate, you will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including dinner and breakfast.  

After your breakfast, we will depart for Marrakech. Our first stop will be at the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next we will visit Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in the world and host to such famous films and television shows as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, The Man Who Would Be King, Vikings, Game of Thrones, and Aladdin, as well as several James Bond and Jason Bourne movies. After a break for lunch, we will drive through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass which offers superb views of the High Atlas Mountains and small Berber villages. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.  

Today, after breakfast you will have a full day to tour and discover Marrakech, the famous Red City. Your guide will take you to the most beautiful palaces and monuments of Marrakech, including the 19th century Bahia Palace, the 16th century Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Majorelle Gardens. You will have lunch in the Medina and also have an opportunity to visit the famous Souks, where the merchants sell everything from leather and carpets to spices and jewelry. Jemaa el-Fnaa is perhaps the most famous town square on earth. From ancient times until today, tradesmen, snake charmers, acrobats, magicians, mystics, musicians, and monkey trainers have populated this UNESCO World Heritage site. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.  

This morning after breakfast, we will leave the imperial city of Marrakech for the coastal city of Essaouira, famous for its beautiful fortress, the Gnaoua Music Festival and international windsurfing competitions. Essaouira is renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, since the powerful trade winds blow almost constantly onto the protected, waveless bay. Essaouira is also a center of Argan oil production. It has become a tourist attraction due to the tree-climbing goats who are unique to the region, as Argan trees are the only type the goats climb. With its animated port, colorful marketplace and history of artists seeking inspiration, Essaouira is full of life, full of light, and full of magic. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.  

After breakfast we will drive you out of Essaouira about 20 Km to one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in Morocco called “Sidi Kaouki” to enjoy a half day of swimming and relaxing. We will have a delicious seaside lunch there and later on we will drive back to Marrakech. Overnight with bed and breakfast in your Riad.  

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport at your flight time.