12 Day Casablanca Desert Adventure.

Upon your arrival at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport, our driver will be waiting for you at the exit, holding a sign with your name. The driver will then transport you to your hotel in Casablanca.

Your journey will begin in the morning as you set out to explore Casablanca's most iconic attraction, the Hassan II Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the city. From there, you will travel to the capital of Morocco, Rabat. During the tour, you will visit several significant sites, including Bab Challah, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, one of the main gates of the royal palace, and the Oudaya Kasbah. A delicious lunch will be served at a local restaurant before heading to the picturesque blue city of Chefchaouen. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop in small towns and take breaks as needed. Upon arrival in Chefchaouen, you will have ample time to explore the charming blue alleys of the medina, capture memorable photographs, and savor the local cuisine. You will spend the night in the hotel.

You'll have an entire morning to explore the charming blue city of Chefchaouen, which is situated in the Rif Mountains in the northwest region of Morocco. The city is renowned for its unique architecture, with buildings of various shades of faded blue in the old town. As you wander through the steep cobbled alleys, you'll come across leather and weaving workshops, adding to the city's charm. In the central square of Outa el Hammam, you'll find the casbah with red walls, fortress, and a keep dating back to the 15th century, which houses ethnographic and artistic exhibitions. Near the square, you'll also spot the octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque. After lunch, you'll continue your journey to Fez.

Today, you will have the opportunity to discover Fes, which is considered the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. The city is vibrant, noisy, fascinating, and can be overwhelming, offering a visual and pungent feast for the senses. Your first stop will be Fes el Bali, the old city, which some consider to be the most fascinating and perplexing old city in the world. During the Middle Ages, Fes was one of the world's most significant centers of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish, with legendary religious institutions and libraries, as well as renowned mosques. As you walk through the winding streets and alleyways, you'll pass by donkeys carrying heavy loads, explore the specialty sections that divide the souk, and encounter historic khans, medresses, and dye-pits, as well as stalls selling fruits, herbs, and soups. The air is filled with the squawk of chickens, the smell of spices, and the sound of copper hammering, making it easy to imagine yourself transported back to the Middle Ages. Spend the day exploring the old city, visiting some of its most iconic sites such as Medresse el Attarine, the tanneries, and the beautifully restored 18th-century inn, Fondouk Nejjarine. Later, return to your hotel in the late afternoon and spend the night in the Hotel/Riad

You will depart from Fez at 8:00 AM and drive for an hour west to reach the Imperial city of Meknes. As you travel across the plain, you'll see vast vineyards that produce high-quality wine, much of which is exported to France. Once you reach Meknes, you'll have up to three hours to explore the town, including the souks, historical sites, and have lunch. During the reign of Moulay Ismail around 1700, Meknes became the capital city of Morocco, and his mausoleum, the Rouah (his stables for over 12,000 horses), and the central pedestrian square in the Medina, Place el-Hedim, are all worth a visit. The souks in Meknes are relatively spacious compared to Fez, making the city a relaxing place to explore.

After lunch, you'll travel 30 km north to the hillside settlement of Moulay Idriss. The town is one of the most important spiritual sites in the country and a place of pilgrimage, as it is the site of the tomb of Moulay Idriss, a prominent Moroccan saint in the late 8th century and a great-grandson of the prophet Mohammed. The town is often overlooked by non-Muslim tourists, but the narrow streets leading to vantage points for views over the valley towards Volubilis are worth a short stop.

Leaving Moulay Idriss, you'll take a short 4 km drive to the World Heritage Site of Volubilis. As you drive, there are several vantage points to take photographs of the town. Volubilis is home to the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, known for its stunning mosaic floors and incredible views of the Rif Mountain foothills, particularly at sunset. A guided tour of the Volubilis site with an official guide (20 dh paid locally) is highly recommended if you are interested in learning the details of the site's history. You'll depart from Volubilis at around 4:30 pm and return to Fez at approximately 6:30 pm.

Begin your day early with a journey south towards Merzouga, where you'll arrive in time for a sunset camel ride in the Sahara dunes. Along the way, you'll pass through the Middle Atlas mountains, climbing up to an elevation of 7,146 feet (2,178 m) over the Col du Zad pass and through cedar forests. Keep an eye out for Barbary macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt, also known as the 'apple city,' and enjoying the nearby Moulouya River. From there, travel over the Tizi n'Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley, which is famous for its hidden oases and clusters of palm trees. As you drive, you'll see many fortified houses known as ksars, built to protect valuable items such as gold, salt, and spices. The next stop is Erfoud, renowned for its date festival and fossil mining. Here, you can visit a local collective to learn more about the process and meet some local artisans.
End the day at Erg Chebbi, an expansive sea of sand dunes covering 13.5 square miles (35 square km). The massive dunes are constantly shifting and moving, depending on the changing wind patterns. Upon reaching Merzouga, hop on a camel and ride through the dunes to reach your pre-prepared camp. Climb a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to the camp for a delicious dinner and relaxing by the campfire.

You will need to wake up very early today to witness what could be the most breathtaking sunrise of your life. You'll head to the Sand Dunes of Sahara in Erg Chebbi to watch the sunrise, and then return to the camp for breakfast. As you peacefully ride your camel back to the village of Merzouga, you'll be able to appreciate the unique beauty of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which change with the light throughout the day. Once you arrive in Merzouga, you'll meet up with the driver again to continue the tour to Dades. You can opt to stop in Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali chref, the founder of the Alaouit dynasty, before heading to Arfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory. Afterward, you'll continue to the Todra valley, where you'll have lunch. In Todra, you can take a half-hour walk to see the stunning gorges at a leisurely pace and be guided through the palm grove and the Jewish quarter. The Todra gorges are the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco, with enormous vertical walls of great beauty, making it a climber's paradise and a unique place.
In the evening, you'll drive through the Dades Valley, where you'll see majestic sand castles and incredible rock formations known as "monkey toes." You'll spend the night in a luxurious guest house with a view overlooking the Dades Valley.

Embark on a journey along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to reach Ait Benhaddou, Morocco's most renowned kasbah. On the way, pass through the Dades Valley, and make a stop in Kela'a M'gouna to admire the cultivated rose bushes. Take a tour of a rose collective to witness the process of transforming rose petals into rose water and oil. Further west, consider making a stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa, to explore how its nearby regions have been featured in famous movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Join a tour of a movie studio and visit the Musée du Cinema to learn more about the filmmaking process and the area's history.

In the afternoon, spend time exploring Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old ksour dates back to the 11th century and used to hold a significant position along the trans-Saharan trade route. Settle into your accommodation in the old town, and stroll through the alleys and passageways in the late afternoon after the day crowds have dispersed. Take a hike up to the old Granary, which offers an excellent vantage point to see the kasbah and the surrounding region. Fans of the popular HBO series, Game of Thrones, may want to trek down to the river to see the gates featured in the show. After the day crowds have left, enjoy a peaceful dinner while overlooking the valley.

Leave Aït Benhaddou behind and begin your ascent over the High Atlas mountains, where you'll catch sight of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the mountain range, standing tall at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Take a break in Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn about how the argan nut and fruit are processed for various uses while sampling some of the products. As you descend the High Atlas, you'll notice a stark change in the climate and landscape, with rocks giving way to foothills and eventually flat plains. Soon, you'll be engulfed in the noise and bustle of Marrakech.

After a long day on the road, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you please. In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna Square comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, offering a variety of entertainment options. If you prefer to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square, where you can relax with a cup of mint tea and a meal.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel/riad, you can begin exploring Marrakech, also known as the "Red City" of Morocco. You'll visit the most significant historical and cultural sites, such as the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the main square, Place Ljamaa Lfna. Following lunch at a restaurant near the square, you'll stroll through the souks and witness hundreds of handicrafts. You'll have some free time in the afternoon to explore other parts of the city on your own.

Marrakech was nicknamed the "Red City" due to its old red sandstone city walls and buildings. It has Berber roots rather than Arab roots and used to be a crucial trading capital for tribes from the Atlas mountains. Jemaa el-Fna Square is the heart of Marrakech, with the souks to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens to the west, and the kasbah area with the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace to the south. In the new city, you'll find the Majorelle Gardens.

Explore the intricate labyrinth of souks hidden behind ordinary restaurants and shops, indulging your senses. Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata are excellent places to find a selection of spices, woodwork, and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit the Souk of Tanneries or the dyers' souk to witness how cloth and yarn are dyed using traditional methods. Admire the beautiful example of Moroccan Islamic architecture of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, and take note of the ornate details of its interior, such as the carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.

Following breakfast, you'll make your way to Essaouira. Along the route, you can take in the awe-inspiring sight of goats climbing argan trees, and you may also stop to see the argan forest and cooperative of argan oil if you desire. Essaouira is a coastal town that offers a fantastic opportunity to unwind on the beach. Its Medina combines history and culture with modern cafes and restaurants. Essaouira boasts a long promenade with a wide sandy beach, and it is safe to swim. It's the perfect chance to escape from the busy city and enjoy the cooler climate of this coastal town. Essaouira is a remarkable example of a late-18th century fortified town that was constructed according to contemporary European military architecture principles in a North African environment. You'll spend the night in a hotel in Essaouira.

You'll be transferred to the airport according to your flight details. The tour itinerary can be modified to your liking.