12 Days from Tangier Desert tour & Imperial cities -

Tangier

12 Days

12 Days from Tangier Desert tour & Imperial cities

Highlights

Discover the medieval labyrinths of Fes and Marrakech.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime sunset over the massive Merzouga dunes while riding a camel.
Explore and learn about the architecture of the Berber communities and fortresses, Kasbahs.
Taste traditional Moroccan cuisine and learn about its culinary secrets.
Wander around Chefchaouen Medina's charming blue streets.
Explore the remnants of the Roman Empire at Volubilis, the Roman Empire's furthest point.
Explore Meknes' stunning gates and stop by the large Royal stables.
Explore Meknes' stunning gates and stop by the large Royal stables.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Tangier – Chafchaouen

Our staff will greet you at the port or airport in Tangier before we set out for Chefchaouen. Known as the “Blue City,” Chefchaouen is among Morocco’s most attractive cities. Take pleasure in strolling around its lively squares and quaint streets. Dinner and a night at a Chefchaouen riad.

Day 2: Explore Chafchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

You’ll have free time after breakfast to explore Chefchaouen more and take a few final pictures of this stunning city. After that, we’ll go for Meknes, traversing the Rif Mountains and taking in the breathtaking scenery as we go. The ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date to the third century BC, will be our first destination. Before moving on to Meknes, Morocco’s fourth imperial city, explore the archaeological site. See the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the royal stables of Hri Souani, and the majestic Bab El Mandour and Bab Lakhmiss gates. Following the visit, we’ll take a car to Morocco’s oldest imperial city, Fez. Arrive to the hotel in Fez to check in for the night.

Day 3: Explore Fes

Experience a complimentary day in Fez, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual center. From its historic monuments to its ancient medina, Fez has a lot to offer visitors. Discover the medina’s winding lanes, stop at the madrasa Ben Youssef, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Saadian tombs. Don’t pass up the chance to see Zellij and the well-known mosaic factory, which are hallmarks of Fez’s workmanship. Spend the night in Fez.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

We will drive through beautiful scenery, rivers, and palm groves as we traverse the Middle and High Atlas Mountains after breakfast. We’ll make stops along the road at Ifrane, sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and Azrou’s cedar forests, which are home to a Barbary monkey colony. We’ll proceed to Midelt and stop for lunch there. After there, the route leads us through the palm groves of the Ziz Valley and the Ziz Gorge before progressively shifting to desert terrain. In the late afternoon, we will reach Merzouga, where you will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel at the base of the dunes.

Day 5: Tisardmin Ouasis – Village Khamlia

We’ll go on an off-road adventure along the tracks used in the Paris-Dakar Rally after breakfast at the hotel. We’ll explore nomadic areas, go to the Merzouga and Tissadmine oasis, and discover the habits and traditions of the locals. We will stop in the village of Khamlia, which is home to a Black population from Mali. There, you can have tea while listening to the sound of castanet drums. Before the camel ride over the desert, head back to the hotel for lunch and some free time. Savor dinner and lodging in a nomadic tent in the desert camp while taking in the stunning sunset over the sand dunes.

Day 6:Merzouga – Rose valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate

We’ll leave for Ouarzazate, also referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” after breakfast. We will go via the Valley of Roses and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs before arriving to Skoura’s palm grove, which is well-known for its numerous kasbahs encircled by palm trees. In the settlement of the same name, we will go to the Kasbah Taourirt, an ancient earthen stronghold. We’ll continue traveling and reach Ouarzazate, where we will spend the night .

Day 7: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou –Marrakech

After breakfast, head for Marrakech. We will stop along the journey at the well-known Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, which UNESCO has designated as a World Heritage Site. It is without a doubt southern Morocco’s best-preserved fortified town. We’ll get to Marrakech in the late afternoon. Accommodations at Riad. Have dinner whenever you want.

Day 8: Explore Marrakech

The visit to Marrakech is the focus of this day. The Saadian Tombs, where the Saadi dynasty’s founders are interred, will be our first stop. We will then tour the Bahia Palace, the old vizier’s residence. We will also go to the magnificent minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, which was constructed by the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century. We will conclude the day at the busy Djemaa el Fna square, which is transformed into a vibrant souk in the morning and presents a spectacular show in the evening. We will continue our journey to the Madrasa Ben Youssef. We will depart from the medieval medina in the afternoon to go to the exquisite Majorelle Gardens. Spend the night in the hotel or at Riad.

Day 9: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat

Following breakfast, we will travel from Marrakech to Casablanca, Morocco’s main city and financial center. We will go to the Hassan II Mosque when we get there, which used to be the biggest mosque in the world and draws visitors from all around Morocco. Following our tour of the mosque, we will take a drive along the Ain Diab Corniche and stop at a restaurant with a view of the Atlantic Ocean for a seafood lunch. After lunch, we will continue on to Rabat, Morocco’s third imperial city and political capital. We will go to Rabat to see the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah Chellah, which houses the royal tombs of the Merinid dynasty. Spend the night in Rabat at the hotel or Riad.

Day 10: Rabat – Asilah

We will continue our exploration of Rabat after breakfast. We’ll go to the Kasbah Oudayas and the Royal Palace. Built by the Almoravids in the 12th century, the Kasbah Oudayas later served as a military camp and ribat with a view of the Bouregreg River’s mouth. Before leaving for Assilah, we will stop in Rabat for lunch. Since the Phoenicians inhabited the city in 1500 BCE, Assilah has had a rich history. We will tour the city, which is renowned for its Portuguese fortifications and influences from the Idrisid dynasty. We will then continue on to Tangier. Spend the night at the guest house or hotel.

Day 11: Asilah – Tangier

This guided tour of Tangier will show you the real spirit of the city. Before moving on to the eastern section of the city, we will begin our walk along the Corniche, the main beach area. From there, you may take pictures of the port and, if the sky is clear, you can even see the Spanish shore. After that, we’ll go to the fabled Caves of Hercules, where the well-known hero is supposed to have lived. Following our exploration of the caves, we will take a tour of the Kasbah, a historic stronghold from the 15th century that serves as a bustling hub for city residents to gather. With its displays, the Archaeological Museum in the Kasbah provides a different kind of experience.