Departure Tour From Fes ...
12 Days Tour Of The Imperial Cities And Great South From Fes
12 Days Tour Of The Imperial Cities And Great South From Fes
Introduction
Tour of the imperial cities, the great Sahara desert and coastal cities from Fes, from the first day you experience the magic of Morocco, you will explore the 4 main imperial cities, the sand dunes of Merzouga, ride camel and sleep in desert nomadic camp, go through the Atlas Mountains, visit the beautiful beaches of Moroco in Essaouira and Agadir, explore the old medina of Marrakech and Fes, enjoy the beautiful gardens of Marrakech. Discover the local culture and traditions of local people.
Highlights
- Explore the main 4 imperial cities of Morocco.
- Stroll the old medinas of Fes and Marrakech.
- Explore the labyrinth markets of Fes and Marrakech during guided tours of city.
- Enjoy the contrast of the landscapes during the tour.
- Ride camels and enjoy a beautiful sunset in sand dunes of Merzouga.
- Spend a night in desert nomadic camp under the starry sky in Sahara.
- Explore the coasts and beaches of morocco.
- Visit the old Portuguese fortress: Essaouira Mogador.
Itinerary of the tour
Day 1 : ARRIVAL IN FEZ
Arrived in Fez, welcome by your guide at the airport and transfer to your Riad, for a night in a riad in half-board.
Meals: D
Day 2 : Guided city tour of Fes
After breakfast at the Riad, you will begin to explore the oldest city of Morocco navigating its small streets and alleys. Our visit begins by visiting the door of the Royal Palace, the Jewish headquarters and the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. You will make sure to visit all sites with historical and cultural interest, including the famous Al Qaraouine University - the oldest in the region, the tanneries and the Attarine Medrassa. After lunch, you'll see the pottery factory and experience a wonderful panoramic view over the entire Medina of Fez. In the afternoon, you will visit the new city "La Ville nouvelle" for a drink or walking around.
Meals: B, D
Day 3 : Fez – Ifran/ visit a nomad family - Azrou-Midelt/home hosted lunch/visit a berber family
After breakfast, you will leave Fez traveling towards Ifrane, a beautiful Mountain village, known as "the Switzerland of Morocco". During this trip you will experience glimpses of the Atlas Mountains mid and high Atlas. Stopping in Azrou - a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest (the largest in Morocco, where you have the opportunity to see some Barbary apes. You stop to enjoy a mint tea with a nomadic family. Then, you continue through the plateau of Middle Atlas which is known as the main grazing area in Morocco. Afterwards, you continue to Zaida village where you stop to enjoy a home hosted meal with the Berber family. You will have a lamb tajine which is the main dish of the Berbers. In the afternoon, you take a walk and explore the nearby village of Berram and take a closer look at local farming life and having tea with a berber family.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4 : Midelt – Erfoud/Enjoy a local food “Medfouna” - Merzouga
After breakfast at the hotel you will travel to Merzouga via Errachidia and Erfoud. You will be able to travel via the Ziz valley, in views of the high Atlas plateau, noting how the scenery changes to reveal desert tracks as they approach the town of Errachidia. You continue to Erfoud where you enjoy the specialty of Sahara Desert known as Medfouna (also called 'Berber pizza'), a traditional bread stuffed with meat, herbs and spices made by the nomadic peoples of the Sahara Desert. This hearty delicacy is a great introduction to the cuisine of the desert region. Arriving to Merzouga, you are welcomed with a glass of mint tea. In the afternoon you take a camel trip, guided by an experienced camel man who take you to explore the Merzouga sea sand. You will enjoy the sunset on your way to the camp. The dinner will be served in the large tent or even outside. After, the camp stuff will play a great music around the camp fire.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 : Merzouga – Dades valley – Ouarzazate
Today, you will get up early in the morning to see what may well be the best sunrise of your life. Then, take a camel ride towards the village of Merzouga. Admiring the unique beauty of the spectacular dunes of Erg Chebbi - changing with the light as the day progresses. This morning you leave the open desert behind and set off for the oasis town of Ouarzazate in our bus. Including stops along the way, the entire transfer will take about eight hours. you'll arrive at the Ksar of El Khorbat and take a walk inside the unique and ancient fortified Ksar (a Berber walled city). You’ll then visit a Berber museum, where you’ll have about an hour to learn about the history, architecture, and daily life of Berbers in this region
In the afternoon, you'll continue via coach for another 4 hours to Ouarzazate, a city built by the French as a garrison outpost in the Sahara. You will take another quick break on the way, and arrive around 5pm to check in to our hotel.
Meals: B, D
Day 6 : Ouarzazate - Taznakht - Taroudant
You start a long day west to the city of Taznakht, before that, a small detour through the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, you cross the Anti-Atlas by the Bachkoum pass and descent to Taliwine capital of Safran, Discovery impressive landscapes of folds and valleys of the Anti-Atlas, you reach the plain of Souss and Taroudant, small town in the south of Morocco.
Meals: B, D
Day 7 : Taroudant - Agadir - Essaouira
Today leave the valleys of the High Atlas Mountains behind and head west to the coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 5 hours). On the way you stop to see one of the women cooperative of Argan Oil based in this region. You learn how to extract the Argan oil and everyone could participate in this process. After that you continue to sea side of Essaouirra. The name Essaouira means image, which is appropriate since it's such a picturesque town. Its charm is undeniable; within the stone ramparts you'll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops. It's still a busy fishing port and its pretty harbor is filled with tiny colorful boats which go out early every morning for the day's catch. As you’ll arrive in the early evening, there won’t be much time to look around today. In the evening perhaps have some dinner with the group, as the local seafood is as fresh as it gets.
Meals: B, D
Day 8 : Essaouira – Marrakech/ food tasting trail
This morning is dedicated to the visit of Essaouira. Enjoy the casual charm, its white houses, its quiet squares, its cozy cafés, its Marina port and its Skala with its bronze cannon alignment, its ancient fishing port, its quality craftsmanship ( wood inlay And the unique, warm atmosphere that prevails in its streets where the inhabitants mingle with tourists and artists from around the world. Late afternoon, you leave for Marrakech (approximately 3 hours) This evening, you head for a food testing. You will test some Moroccan donuts with some tea, some nuts, olives, roasted lamp, you end your testing food at the main and great square of Jemaa el Fna one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech.
Meals: B, D
Day 9 : Guided city tour of Marrakech full day
This morning you'll visit the old part of Marrakech, the Medina, with its palaces, souks and historical heritage as the Medersa Ben Youssef, the Bahia Palace and the Saadien tombs and of course the souks. In the afternoon you'll visit to Jardins Marjorelles where you will have plenty of time to wander the gardens, visit museum, sit in the garden café and have a mint tea, browse the library and gift shop
Meals: B, D
Day 10 : Marrakech- Casablanca- Rabat
After breakfast, you leave Marrakech heading to Casablanca (3 hours). you take a short panoramic tour of Casablanca including: Arab League Square, Mohamed V Square. Then you get close to see the famous and pharaonic work of the Mosque of Hassan II. This mosque was built by the previous king of Morocco Hassan II. After that, you continue to Rabat. you take the guided tour of Rabat. The city is the country's political capital and whose historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012. You enjoy brief panoramic tour of the city. Will see the Royal Palace (from outside) and the Kasbah of the Oudaya, the Mausoleum of Mohammed the fifth and an unfinished Mosque dates back to 12thC known as Hassan Tower
Meals: B, D
Day 11 : Rabat- Meknes/home hosted meal-Volubilis-Fes.
After breakfast, you leave for Meknes. You will discover the charming streets of Meknes’ medina – the old walled section of the city. You drive first to enjoy the panoramic view of the old town, then continue to admire the beautiful gate known as Thursday gate. Afterwards, you explore the granary of Moulay Ismail known as Hri Swani. Then, walk to the shrine of Moulay Ismail who, in the 17th century, turned Meknes from a provincial town to a spectacular Imperial city. Visit Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. This peaceful and spiritual resting place of Sultan Moulay Ismail is one of the few sacred sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Constructed during his lifetime. Toady you will be invited by a local family for a home hosted lunch. After that, you head to Volubilis which was once a provincial Roman capital, a distant outpost of the empire, and the remains make an undeniably impressive sight. Volubilis is the foremost Roman site in Morocco and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. Upon arrival you will take a tour around the ruins with a local guide. After looking around you continue on to Fes for the night (approximately 1.5 hours). Check in to your hotel in late afternoon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12 : Fes departure
Return flight Depending on your schedule, transfer to Fes airport and return flight. Meals: B
Good to Know
Included
- 11 Nights' accommodation in selected hotels and Riad.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver.
- Bottled water during the tour.
- Official guide fees in: Marrakech, Meknes, Fes, Rabat and Volubilis.
- Transport by air-conditioned 4WD or Minivan Fuel included.
- Entrance fees to monuments.
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance