10-Day Chefchaouen to Sahara to Marrakech - Private Group

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
CASABLANCA, RABAT
2 stops
1
Hassan II Mosque
Arrive in Casablanca and meet your driver outside the airport. Begin with a visit to the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco and the third largest mosque in the world that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Able to accommodate up to 105,000 in prayer, this marvel of modern Moroccan architecture is the work of hundreds of expert craftsmen from around the country, many of them donating their work.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
2
Hassan Tower
Continue on to Rabat (1.5 hour drive), where you will visit the Hassan Tower, which has sat unfinished since 1199. Commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the tower was to be the minaret for the largest mosque in the world. Unfortunately, when the sultan passed away in 1199, the project was abandoned, leaving some partial outer walls, 348 columns, and a minaret only standing half-finished at 140 feet rather than the intended 260 feet. Standing opposite the Hassan Tower is the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of Mohammed V, the current king's grandfather, as well as the king's father, Hassan II, and his uncle, Prince Abdallah. It is considered a masterpiece of Alaouite architecture with its white walls and green tiled roof.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
CHEFCHAOUEN
1 stop
3
Chefchaouen Medina
Travel north to Chefchaouen, nestled high in the lush Rif Mountains. (4.5 hour drive) Dive into the enchanting atmosphere of the idyllic blue-washed medina, a captivating labyrinth of winding alleys that has transformed the once sacred and closed city into the renowned Blue Pearl of Morocco. Today, this vibrant destination beckons travelers from across the globe, offering a visual feast for photographers and artists alike. The mesmerizing blue walls and steps create a picturesque canvas, adorned with the vivid hues of flower pots, cloths, and sacks of pigment found in the bustling souks. Immerse yourself in the kaleidoscope of colors and textures that define this unique cityscape, where every corner reveals a story and every step is a journey through the captivating Blue Pearl of Morocco.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
CHEFCHAOUEN TO FES
1 stop
4
Fez
Spend the morning in Chefchaouen before making the journey back down the mountains to Fes (3.5 hour drive). OPTIONAL: Get an early start to allow time to stop at Volubilis and/or the Imperial City of Meknes (entrance fees may be required).
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
FES DAY TOUR
1 stop
5
Fez
Tour Fes with a private guide. (Walking tour with some transportation between sites.) Begin at the royal palace, with its seven golden doors, and learn about the significance of the intricate decor. Stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, which was built next to the palace to offer protection. Take in the view of the city from Borj Sud, a former fortress and one of the lookouts on a hill where you can see all of Fes laid out, allowing you to spot landmarks otherwise hidden by the skyline-obscuring buildings. Visit a pottery co-op to see how they make the unique Fes pottery, as well as handcrafting the intricate mosaics adorning half of Morocco. Head into the ancient medina and step into a sort of living museum. Stop by the Al-Quaraouiyine University, the oldest degree-granting university still in operation, having been founded in 859CE by a woman. Visit handicraft workshops, such as the silk weavers, the wood carvers, the metal workers, and the famous Fes tannery.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MERZOUGA
1 stop
6
Merzouga Desert
Depart Fes after breakfast and begin your journey south. Make a coffee stop in Ifrane, a small ski resort town that is also known as the Swiss village due to its alpine-style architecture. Visit the wild monkeys in the cedar forests outside of Azrou, where they are happy to be fed but surprisingly well mannered. Stop in Zayda for lunch, enjoying fresh barbecue in one of the many streetside restaurants (lunch not included). Take in the scenery as you cross the Atlas Mountains. View the lush green date and almond trees filling the gorge in Errachidia. Arrive in Merzouga in the evening and check in to your riad in time for dinner
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
SAHARA DESERT
1 stop
7
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Begin the day with an SUV excursion through the Sahara Desert. Visit the Gnawa Village to listen to their entrancing music. The rhythmic, hypnotic music has long been part of their ceremonies, from the time their ancestors were brought to the area as slaves. The music has influenced an entire genre that is performed all across Morocco and has even inspired several music festivals. Hunt for fossils of aquatic critters in the desert. The Sahara was once an ocean 7 million years ago, and there are countless fossils remaining. In the late afternoon, meet your camels for your trek into your desert camp. You will journey through the dunes, and your camel guide will be able to get some great pictures for you as well! Arrive at your camp and enjoy a welcome glass of Moroccan mint tea and Moroccan cookies. Take some time to relax before dinner. After dinner, enjoy live music around the bonfire.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
BOUMALNE DADES, OUARZAZATE
1 stop
8
Dades Gorges
OPTIONAL: Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. Remember it gets cold in the desert overnight, so don't forget your jacket! Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast at the camp. Depart camp via SUV. Meet up with your driver once more, and begin your journey west. Make a stop Tinerhir to see the stunning Todra Gorge, carved from the red rocks of the landscape by a river. Complete your journey to Ouarzazate, with an optional stop in Kalaat M'Gouna, famous for its production of rose water.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
TICHKA PASS, MARRAKECH
2 stops
9
Ait Ben Haddou
Stop at Ait Ben-Haddou, an ancient Ksar that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located along the former trade caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech, the Ksar is now often used as a filming location for movies including The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, and Kingdom of Heaven.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
Tizi n Tichka
Cross the Atlas Mountains via the winding Tichka Pass to reach Marrakech.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
DAY TOUR OF MARRAKECH
1 stop
11
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Tour Marrakech with a private guide. Visit the Koutoubia minaret, the tallest in Marrakech. The minaret is part of the largest mosque in Marrakech, which was completed in 1199. Stop at a Berber Apothecary shop, learning of the medicinal uses of many of the common spices and herbs that are still used across Morocco to treat common illnesses. Tour the Bahia Palace, a late 19th-century palace built for the grand vizier and named for his favorite wife. The rooms, set in a 2-acre garden, include the rooms that housed his harem, an often political position. Explore Jemaa el Fna, the primary square in the medina and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Though now filled with street performers, snake charmers, merchants, and orange juice stalls, when it was created in 1050, it was used for public executions, perhaps leading to its name which can be translated as "assembly of death". Head into the souks surrounding Jemaa el Fna to several workshops, including shoemakers and bakers.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
DEPARTURE
1 stop
12
Casablanca
After breakfast, return to Casablance for your departure flight.
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

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