11 Days North Tour To Imperial Cities, Desert & Coast From Tangier
Highlights
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Explore Fes, one of the most important cultural cities in Morocco, and discover its extraordinary Medina El He, a UNESCO World Heritage site worth exploring for a few days.
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Embark on an unforgettable adventure and experience the beauty of the Sahara desert in Merzouga, riding camels through the stunning sand dunes and spending a night in a luxury tent.
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Journey through the picturesque Dades and Todra gorges, and if time permits, take an optional trek to explore the stunning landscapes and unique rock formations.
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Visit the famous Ait Benhaddou, a fortified city that has served as the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows, and explore the film studios in Ouarzazate to learn more about Morocco's thriving film industry.
🕰️ Duration : 11 Days / 10 Nights
📍Start From : Tangier
🚗 Departs : All Year Round
🏠 Hotels : 4 & 3 Stars
🛩️ Arrival : Airport (Tangier)
🗓️ Availability : Everyday
Overview
This all-inclusive tour of Morocco offers a comprehensive itinerary from north to south, covering a variety of tourist attractions. The itinerary is full of contrasts, with changing scenery and diverse towns and cities to explore. You will have the opportunity to discover the 'Jewel of the Rif' - Chefchaouen, cross the Central Atlas, and visit the historic imperial cities of Fez and Marrakech. In addition, you will experience the Moroccan desert and explore the beautiful Atlantic city of Essaouira.
What's Included?
*pickup and dropoff at accommodation is included in all our tours*
Price Includes:
✅ Air-conditioned minivan or 4WD Fuel included
✅ Hotel pick-up and drop-off
✅ Professional driver/Driver (Multilingual)
✅ Official art historian guide
✅ Bottled water
✅ You can stop everywhere to take photos
✅ Official art historian guide in: Marrakech, Meknes and Fes
✅ Half-Board accommodations in selected hotels as per itinerary (B= Breakfast, D= Dinner)
✅ Camel Trek in Sahara
✅ Overnight in Desert camp
Price Excludes:
❎ Soft drinks
❎ Lunches
❎ Tips and gratuities
❎ Travel insurance
❎ Optional activities.
❎ Personal expenses on the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tangier / Tetouan / Chefchaouen
Day 2 - Chaouen Romanian Ruins Of Volubilis / Meknes / Fez:
Day 3 - Visit Of The Imperial City Of Fez:
Day 4 - Fez / Ifrane / Azrou And Forest Of Monkeys / Erfoud / Desert Of Merzouga:
Day 5 - Desert Merzouga / Visit Nomads / Desert Of Erg Chebbi
Upon arrival at Tangier port/airport, our staff will collect you for your trip around Morocco. Our first stop will be Tetuan, also known as the "City of Spain," which used to be the capital of the Spanish protectorate. Afterward, we will proceed to Chefchaouen, where you can explore the charming streets, old blue and white houses, and panoramic views. You will then be transferred to your hotel for a night's stay with breakfast in a lovely riad.
Our journey towards Fez will include a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes, which reached its peak under the reign of Sultan Mullai Ismail. You can also visit the famous Mausoleum and Bab Mansur's doors. Finally, we will reach Fez, the imperial city that is a must-visit destination in Morocco. You will have free time to explore the city and stay overnight in a charming riad.
After breakfast, we will take you on a guided tour of Fez to explore the intellectual city of the kingdom. You can visit several monuments, such as Medersas (Koranic schools), Chahrij, Bouinania Attarin, Souks, Fes El-Jedid, and the Karaouine Mosque (the first university in the world). You will have free time to spend the evening in a charming riad.
On day four, we will head towards the Middle Atlas, passing through Ifrane, known as the 'Switzerland of Africa,' for its unique architecture. We will then stop at Azrou, a national park famous for its cedar forests and Berber monkeys. We will then proceed to the Ziz Valley towards Erfoud, known for its fossils. From there, we will arrive at the desert and transfer you to a four-wheel drive vehicle, the classic mode of transport for trips around Morocco. We will walk through the dunes for two hours until we reach your camp, Jaima, in the heart of the desert. As with any other organized trip in Morocco, you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals, in this case, Berbers who will greet you with tea following Saharan tradition. Spend the night in Jaimas under the starry sky in the desert.
Start your day by witnessing the sunrise over the dunes sea, which is one of the most amazing experiences during any organized trip to Morocco. Once you have finished your breakfast, ride your camel back to Merzouga, where you can take a refreshing shower before embarking on a journey to visit Camria, which is also known as the 'Los Negros' village. The villagers have earned this nickname as they are descendants of the old slave traders from Sudan. They are talented musicians and have made music their way of life. Enjoy a small concert of Gnawa music with them. After that, hop on the 4x4 to visit one of the tracks used in the Paris-Dakar Rally, Cole's mines, and the ruins of French and Berber villages. Take a panoramic stop to admire the sandy desert surrounding Erg Chebbi. Visit the sedentary desert nomads and get to know about their lifestyle while enjoying a cup of tea. Finally, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure in the desert.
Day 6 - Merzouga / Erfoud / Todra Gorges / Ouarzazate
Begin your day in Morocco by taking a dromedary ride back to your hotel after having breakfast, where you can enjoy a refreshing shower before heading out. Your first stop is Rissani, which is famous for its rarely visited souks - one of the most authentic markets in southern Morocco. The souk has a dedicated parking lot for donkeys and nomads who come to shop. After exploring Rissani, proceed to the Todra Gorge, renowned for its towering walls that attract climbers from all over the world. Discover the Todra Gorges before continuing your journey to the Dades Gorges, which connects to the Valley of Roses and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Admire the Kasbah located in the heart of this beautiful palm tree valley before heading to Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco, is your next destination where you will visit the Kasbah of Taourirt. If you feel like it, you can also visit the film studio. Finally, transfer to your charming riad hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 9 - Marrakech To Essaouira
Start your day with breakfast, then pick up your private vehicle from the agreed location and begin your journey along the Atlantic coast towards Essaouira, also known as old Mogador. Along the way, you will pass through vast argan forests where argan oil is extracted, and witness its ingenuity in some of the cooperatives that exist. This is one of the most delightful surprises of any organized trip to Morocco. Essaouira is an ancient Portuguese citadel that holds many picturesque places full of history, waiting for you to discover from the moment you arrive. You have a wide range of activities to choose from on the city's beaches, including horseback riding, dromedaries, and quads for touring the beach. If you prefer walking, take an expansive walk along the Atlantic Ocean to the coastal dunes to soak up the sun. You can also indulge in various water sports, such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and jet skiing, all of which are available at a reasonable price. Essaouira is also famous for its fishing port, where you can taste the delicious seafood caught in the nearby waters. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening at our charming riad or a similar accommodation.
Day 7 - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou / Telouet / Marrakech
Following breakfast, head to the Kasbah of Taourirt for a visit. After a 25-kilometer drive, explore the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its appearance in blockbusters such as the Oscar-winning "Lawrence of Arabia," "Babel," and others. Continue your journey by traveling across the harbor of Tichka until you reach the 'red city' of Marrakech. Upon your arrival, you will be taken to your hotel where you can enjoy a free afternoon and evening in our charming riad or a similar accommodation.
Day 8 - Visit To The Red City Of Marrakech
Begin your day with breakfast, followed by a guided tour of Marrakech, where there are numerous monuments to explore. Visit attractions such as the Ben Youssef Madrasa, Bahia Palace, Jemaa el Fna Square, Saadian Tombs, souks, and the Koutoubia mosque. After your tour, enjoy a free afternoon and evening at a charming riad or similar accommodation.
Day 10 - Essaouira / Eljadida / Casablanca
Following breakfast, we will drive along the coastal road of Morocco, passing by the old Portuguese cities, until we reach Casablanca. On the way, we will make a stop in El Jadida to visit the old Portuguese cistern. After lunch, we will continue our journey to Casablanca where we will check in at our accommodation and spend the night.
Day 11 - Casablanca To Airporta
After breakfast, the rest of the day will be free for you to enjoy in Essaouira. At the agreed time, we will provide transportation to the Marrakech airport, marking the end of your trip and our services.
Enjoy the drive
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The drive from Tangier to the Imperial Cities, Desert, and Coast of Morocco offers a scenic journey through diverse landscapes. Starting with the lush greenery of the Rif Mountains, you'll transition to the historical charm of Fez and its surrounding olive groves. Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains, you'll witness cedar forests and stunning waterfalls. Finally, entering the Sahara Desert, you'll be captivated by the vast golden dunes. The drive showcases the beauty and variety of Morocco's landscapes along the way.