Grand tour from Casablanca to Chefchaouen via the Sahara 14 days / 13 nights

General

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO CASABLANCA

We will meet you in the airport, transfer to your hotel. Free time. Accommodation, bed and breakfast.

DAY 2: CASABLANCA – CASABLANCA

We start the guided visit of the economic capital of Morocco. See impressive architecture, wander through vibrant markets, and tour the splendid Hassan II Mosque on this beautiful coastal drive. Continue to the New Medina of Casablanca, also known as the Habous Quarter, and admire its attractive Arab-Islamic architecture.

DAY 3: CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast we reach via Marrakech, we have 2 hours driving for discover the red city Marrakech. Its most beautiful buildings and hidden treasures on this 3.5 – hour morning tour. With a local guide, admire top Marrakech attractions including the Koutoubia Mosque with its sublime minaret; and the pavilions, courtyards and perfumed gardens of the Bahia Palace. Hear historical anecdotes from your guide as you explore, and round off your tour with visits to the decorative Saadian Tombs and Tiskiwin Museum, home to a fascinating exhibition on the ancient Saharan caravan routes between Marrakech and Timbuktu. After the visit free time for walk and joing the music in the famous square Jamaa lafna at night. Accommodation in riad. Bed and breakfast.

DAY 4: MARRAKECH – MARRAKECH

Today after breakfast its day for discover Marrakech by yourself; There are few more pleasurable ways to spend time in Marrakech than wandering around the seemingly endless maze of markets in the Medina. The area of the Medina, just north of the Jemaa El Fna, is commercial – at least in its more central areas – with a fibrous network of souks. Beginning on the north edge, the souks comprise alleyway upon alleyway of tiny retail cubicles. The further in you venture the more interesting they become.

The two main routes into their heart are rue Semarine (aka Souk Semarine) and rue Mouassine; the former offers the more full-on blast of bazaar, the latter is a more sedate path leading to choice boutiques. Every section has its own speciality: carpets and textiles; woollen hats and cooked snails; spices and magic supplies; cotton, clothing, kaftans and blankets – and most importantly raffia bags and baskets,which you’ll need to carry all your purchases in.

DAY 5: MARRAKECH – RABAT – FEZ

After breakfast we head via Rabat the capital of Morocco, the monuments of Rabat we will visit them after, we continue directly via Fez. Fez, the oldest medina in north Africa it is also the four imperial cities of Morocco. Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Interesting city, the old Medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrival in Fez, accommodation in a Riad. Free time to relax. Bed One day to discover the cultural capital of Morocco. Many monuments you can visit: Medersas (Koranic schools): Chahrij, Bouinania Attarin. Souks, Fez El-Jedid, Karaouine Mosque (the first university in the world).

DAY 6: FES – CHEFCHAOUEN

The bleu city or like what we call it heir in morocco the perle of the north Chefchaouen is another worldly escape nestled in Morocco’s Rif Mountains. As well as its distinctive palette of blue and white buildings, a striking contrast with the arid setting, this popular tourist town has plenty to offer. Embark on strenuous hillside hikes or idle strolls; bathe in mountain streams or embrace the culinary scene and excellent shopping. Here’s how to tailor a trip to Chefchaouen to four different travel styles. Accommodation in hotel, Bed and breakfast.

DAY 7: CHEFCHAOUEN – CHEFCHAOUEN

In this town which has so many little stories and hidden gems, tour guides can be a blessing, even for those who normally avoid them. Learn about the majestic walls and gates of the town, and admire the small signs of early life here through the flour mill, and the medina’s beautiful natural water spring. It can even be a chance to make a new friend. Taking advice from restaurants is not normally recommended, as they’re usually receiving commission so you’ll likely be shown a very expensive place, but they will truly have insiders’ knowledge about the town: after all, it’s where they live. Accommodation in hotel, bed and breakfast.

DAY 8: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUIBILIS – MEKNES – FES

After earlier breakfast we will reach via the most important historic cities, we head to Volubilis, the ancient Roman city where are the most important archaeological sites in Morocco. In Volubilis free time to visit the area quietly. Possibility of guided tour with local guide to better understand these important ruins. After enjoying the impressive Roman remains we approach Moulay Idriss, one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Morocco. It is a small town where you can meet the most interesting parts of the Medina in under an hour. The third stop is Meknes, the more “humble” of the four imperial cities of Morocco. In Meknes you will have free time for lunch and visit the most important places of the city, step into its souk or enjoy a coffee in the square. In the afternoon, return to Fes to spend the night at the riad.

DAY 9: FEZ – MIDELT- MERZOUGA

Departure to Midelt via Ifrane, also known as the Switzerland of Morocco. Our drive takes us through Azrou cedar forest where we enjoy watching the monkeys indigenous to this region and then continue via the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will follow via the Ziz Valley and its gorges to the town of Errachidia. We will continue to the town of Erfoud, famous for being the capital of fossils. When we arrive in Merzouga we take the camels to the camp for the night in the middle of the dunes under a nomadic tent.

DAY 10: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI

After breakfast we will begin the grand tour of the dunes, passing through many villages in the desert, one of them are the people of Khamlia where you enjoy the music of Gnawa. We then continue via the nomadic desert where people live in their haimas, here you will discover a new sense of life. After the visit of oasis and the gnawa music, free time in the hotel for swim or sit dawn of million stars. Accommodation in hotel, bed and breakfast.

DAY 11: MERZOUGA – FES

After the breakfast we head back to the Ziz valley we cross again the Azrou forest till arrive to the Fes where you will relax after a long way. Accommodation in hotel, bed and breakfast.

DAY 12: FES – RABAT

Around a million people reside in the capital city of Morocco, Rabat. Rabat is one of the imperial cities of Morocco and boasts many enticing historical monuments and extraordinary places of interest. For any traveler exploring Morocco, this city is a great starting point. The city has exotic gardens and interesting museums displaying the Roman ruins. Rabat, with its city gates, magnificent mosques, small back streets, and souks, fascinates any visitor.

DAY 13: RABAT – CASABLANCA

Today you will visit the monuments of Rabat like Mausoleum of Mohammed V – this is one of the most significant monuments in Rabat. It’s here that the creator of independent and contemporary Morocco. Then you will go to the Kasbah of the Udayas – this is the fortification constructed on a mountain, overlooking the ocean. The Kasbah was constructed during the realm of the Almohads. Then you continue to the Medina – this is most attractive street in Rabat. Medinas are typical Moroccan markets and this area is a complete shopper’s paradise. After the medina you go the the roman ruins Chellah – this is a necropolis of the medieval and ancient ruins that’s situated on the outskirts of Rabat. This location is known as the place of the oldest human settlement on the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. The Chellah is considered a great place to take a stroll and enjoy nature. La tour Hassan – this is the 44 meter high minaret standing tall amongst the remains of the Sultan Yacoub Al Mansour mosque that was destroyed in the 18th century by an earthquake. The construction of this minaret commenced in 1195. However it was never completed.