10 Days tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Merzouga : Tour Starting from Tangier, Desert Tour from Tangier

Introduction :

During this 10 days tour we will start our journey from Tangier towards Tetouan passing through traditional villages. Arriving to Chefchaouen ( the blue city ). After that we will go to Volubilis (the berber Roman ruins), the imperial city of Meknes , having full day in Fes with local guide. crossing through the middle Atlas via Ifrane (the Moroccan Switzerland), Azrou, cedar forest, passing by several towns, Midelt (the capital of apple), Tizi N’Talghomt Pass (1907m) , Valley of palm grove. Erfoud, Rissani, overnight in a berber tents, Merzouga desert, 4×4 around Erg chebbi, landscape, Nomad, camel trekking, Gnawa Music, then we will take another way to Marrakech passing trough Rissani Markt, Todra gorge, dades gorge, Ait ben Haddou arriving Marrakech, Full day in Marrakech with a local guide. having one day to visit Essaouira and coming back.

Program details :

1 Day 1 : Tangier to Chefchaouen

After we met you at the place that we had agreed upon, we will start our trip driving through the Rif mountains and Tetoun city to enjoy the views of the beautiful mountains till we get to Chefchaouan. In fact it’s one of the stunning villages in the feet of Rif mountains. Chefchaouen medina had a Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky arts and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants and cafes where you will spend your night in a nice place to enjoy the breeze and the beauty of the nature.

2 Day 2 : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After your breakfast in the riad, we will start driving towards Volubilis crossing via Wazan and other rif villages. So in Volubilis we will discover the roman ruins and learn about the archeological site of Moroccan history ,after the visit of the ruins we will shift our way to Meknes city, the 17th century heritage where we will stop for lunch and hang around the historical huge walls of the medina , bab el mansour and enjoy a visit of moulay ismail’s shrine. After the visit of Meknes we will drive directly to Fes city where you will spend the night in riad.

3 Day 3 : Full day in Fes

After breakfast in your riad , you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Hence our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish headquarter,the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 16th century. In the first place, e will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region, the Tanneries, the Attarine museum and Mulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will continue your Morocco Tours Tangier, visiting the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes.

4 Day 4 : Fes – Iifrane – Midelt – Ziz valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

In this day we will star our tour to southeast through the middle Atlas via Ifrane “the Moroccan Switzerland” then Azrou where we will have a stop at the famous cedar forest, the largest in Morocco to see and play with Barbary apes. From here we drive further south passing by several towns and you will get the opportunity to view nomads living in tents on the way. then we will stop in Midelt where you will enjoy your lunch. Later on, continuing our drive to Merzouga through the Tizi N’Talghomt Pass (1907m) while enjoying the panoramic views. Also you will have stop for a panoramic view of Aoufous palmeraie along Ziz River. At the end of the day we will continue to the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you will spend the night in Riad or Hotel

5 Day 5 : Merzouga – Erg Chebbi – Camel trekking

After breakfast in your riad, you can take a little exploration of the local area before the start of your camel ride ; You will visit the Gnawa people – originally from Mali, Senegal and Sudan- in their village Khamlia , where you will learn about their music and their lifestyle . later, we will drive in the desert area to meet nomad families to explore their way of life . Today our lunch will be a traditional berber meal (Berber pizza). you will have the option also to visit the old city of Rissani – the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Rissani is surrounded by about 360 ksar (a fortified village with many towers) and has a big souk (an open market), held three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Tombouctou in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths. Drive back to the village of Merzouga. In the afternoon, you will ride your camel, guided by an experienced camel-man to explore what is hidden in the middle of the highest sand dunes in morocco. Dinner will be served in front of the tent where you will spend the night.

6 Day 6 : Merzouga – Toudra gorge – Dades valley

In the morning after seeing sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara and having breakfast we will go back by camels to our Hotel or Riad . Then we’ll drive through Rissani , Alnif , Todra Gorge. There where we will enjoy rock canyon and we will have a traditional Moroccan lunch . We take a short walk through the gorge before arriving at Dades Valley for dinner and accommodation..

7 Day 7 : Dades valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, we will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate. Since the route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs. It provides numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. Later on, we will stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah for lunch, the largest Kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the beginning of the XXth Century, it used to be one of his stops during his long travel from the Sahara to Marrakech., now the kasbah is one of the UNESCO heritage sites. after that we will shift the way to cross high atlas mountains full of panoramic views and attractive Berber villages all along the way till Marrakech . Then overnight in a fancy riad in the medina.

8 Day 8 : Full day in Marrakech

In the morning after having breakfast in the riad , we explore Marrakech ” the red city of Morocco”, we will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest. In the first place, the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace. Then after Lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. On the afternoon, you will have some free time to wonder by yourself the other parts of the city. Spend the night in riad.

9 Day 9 : Day Trip to Essaouira

After breakfast in your riad, you will start traveling to the coastal city of Essaouira, exploring the city. We will ensure to visit the Skala Fortress; see Thuya wood carved by artisans. Then walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of handicrafts. This “City of the Wind” attracts surfers from all over the world. Essaouira knew many civilizations – including the Portuguese occupation. So they affect much of its architecture – however, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls. It is also regarded as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantic”.

So you will also visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil. Here they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Lunch will be done the Moroccan way – fresh fish “cooked in order” at the fish market. Then in the afternoon you will travel back to Marrakech. Finally overnight at your riad.