Morocco Tour From Casablanca ...
12 Days Authentic Morocco Tour From Casablanca Via The Desert Of Merzouga
12 Days Authentic Morocco Tour From Casablanca Via The Desert Of Merzouga
Introduction
With our dedicated guides, you’ll get to any attention-grabbing view, see what it's like to live the Moroccan style, experience their traditions, and have a taste of their special cuisine recipes. you'll cross pathways with nomads in remote stretches of mountains and desert, be hosted by locals for homemade meals and have a friendly unforgettable conversation with the locals, and discover the beauty of Moroccan ancient buildings, including Casablanca's Hassan II mosque. Along the way, you'll enjoy intimate stays in authentic Riads, Moroccan homes converted into elegant and ornately-tiled hotels with open-air, as well as Andalusian-style courtyards.
At the meantime, you'll benefit from the expertise of our local Trip Leader who will share valuable knowledge and deep insight of the Moroccans’ lives. Moreover, you will get the chance to step on the hills of the mighty Sahara that has so decisively shaped Moroccan culture to its roots. you’ll also camp under its starry skies in tented camp, and even explore its tides by camel tours.
Highlights
- Stroll through the gardens, mosques, palaces and souks of Marrakesh.
- Revel in the views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains.
- Visit the exotic and well preserved kasbah of Ait Benhaddou
- View sunrise over the Sahara on a camel ride.
- Explore the UNESCO-listed medieval city of Fes and Archeological site of Volubilis.
- Explore the blue city of Chefchouen.
- Discover the imperial city of Rabat
- Marvel at the magnificent Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
Itinerary of the tour
Day 1 : Casablanca- Marrakech
Pick up at the airport or indicated place in Casablanca at the agreed time then leave for Marrakech. You can have a first contact with the red city, discovering the Square of Jemaa lafna, where you can enjoy the show that offers, being able to dine in the same place if you wish.
Meals: D
Day 2 : GUIDED CITY TOUR OF MARRAKECH
After breakfast, you start your tour with a local guide by the ramparts of Marrakech in which there are many interesting historical sites in the medina. Koutoubia mosque 12th century that represents the glory and depth history of the city. You will discover the nomadic heritage by visiting Tiskiwin Museum, the beautiful Bahia palace 19th century and the famous souks of Marrakech. You will be amazed of how many different stalls, colors, smells and goods in the souks. It is a great place for shopping some gifts for yourselves and for your beloved ones. After lunch, you will visit to the lovely garden that you will admire, the famous Jardin de Majorelle and the Berber Museum. It is nice to have a cup of mint-tea in one of the terraces in order to end up your journey in the red city, offering a great view over the magical square Jamae Elfana that you always will remember!!! Meals: B, D
Day 3 : Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate – Dades valley.
Departure from Marrakech to the high Atlas crossing the Mountain pass of Tizi n'Tichka, at 2260 meters high, surrounded by stunning views of the mountains and Berber villages scattered along the road. You will stop for lunch at Ait Benhaddou which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, a fortified enclosure inside a walled town that you will surely recognize, since this Citadel has been the scene of such famous films as Gladiator, the game of thrones, the queen of the desert, among many others. After that, you continue to Ouarzazate then to Dades via roses valley. Meals: B, L, D
Day 4 : Dades valley-Todra Gorges - ErfoudI (Enjoy a local food “Madfouna” -drive to Merzouga - Camel Trek in the desert
After breakfast, you drive east of Morocco. You will across different villages of Roses and Dades valleys. You stop to see the beautiful gorge of Todra, a massive trench that rises over 150 meters to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. You will take a walk through this beautiful gorge. Then you drive to Erfoud where you stop to enjoy a local food known as MADFOUNA or MEDFOUNA. Whatever way you want to spell it, either with “e or a,” it still means the same dish which is a pizza with meat stuffing; often called by the visitors “Moroccan Pizza or Amazigh flatbread.” Madfouna in Moroccan language means “Buried” and it is quite similar to Calzone and Sausage Rolls with spicy meat and vegetables tucked between the crusts. You then drive on to the settlement of Merzouga, which lies on the edge of Erg Chebbi, an area of spectacular high dunes that are amongst some of Morocco's most spectacular natural landscapes. Arriving in the afternoon to Merzouga, you are welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your hotel. Meals: B,L,D
Day 5 : Discover the desert of Merzouga/ visit the nomad family and Gnawa village
After breakfast, set off in 4x4 vehicles to visit a local nomad family who lives in this part of Morocco. You will interact with the family members and learn the desert life from them too. After that you will discover the family of Gnawas or Bambara musicians, descendants of the slaves who came from Black Africa, who will delight you with their traditional music. You will see the two oases of Merzouga, the MIFISS mines, the desert plateaus and in the afternoon back to the hotel. You will change the 4×4 for the 8×8 (they are the dromedaries) that will take you to the heart of the desert. You will make a stop to see the sunset. On arrival at the camp, an excellent and refreshing tea awaits you, an exquisite Berber dinner and all this enlivened by the music of the tam-tam (drums). You will enjoy a unique and unforgettable night, thanks to the large number of stars that populate the desert nights. Meals: B, L, D
Day 6 : Merzouga - Erfoud – ziz valley – Midelt/ home hosted lunch- Fes
After being returned to Merzouga you can have breakfast and a shower once in a while. You drive to Erfoud which was the former economic capital of Morocco and the starting point of the caravans in the desert. You will continue through the valley of Ziz dotted with palms to the beginning of the Atlas Mountains. You stop at Zaida for a home hosted lunch. You will be welcomed by a berber family for a delicious food. Then continue to the Middle Atlas with its cedar forests. You might visit on the way a nomadic family and share a tea and interact with them. You will drive to Ifrane, a small European style. You have a break there before you continue your final destination. Fes is the intellectual and historical capital of Morocco, divided into 3 parts: Fes el bali (the old town), Fes Jdid which dates back to 14th century and where the Jewish quarter is located, the new part built during the French protectorate. Fes has a beautiful medina with its doors and its impressive walls, palaces ... Meals: B, L, D
Day 7 : City tour of Fes/home hosted meal
After breakfast, you will have a guided visit at 9:00 Am in the medina of Fez. To begin with the southern tower and the fortress of 16th century face to face with northern one, a panoramic view over the medieval city. You will visit an enjoyable cooperative of pottery. It will enhance your knowledge about the making of Moroccan mosaic “zellige” and the blue pottery of Fez. You will travel in time back to the medieval period of the city where people still work in small narrow streets, several tiny stalls of all kinds of traditional crafts, and donkeys loaded with supplies are going up and down in the streets of the medina. You will feel no sense of direction and time halts for a while. The medina of Fez is rich of its Islamic monuments: the fascinating old mosques, the University of El-Karaouiyine and its libraries. All These elements made Fez the intellectual and cultural capital of the country. To finish the day there is an optional to see Jewish quarter including the Aben Danan Synagogue. Tonight, you will be invited by a local family for a home hosted dinner. You will enjoy the specialty of Fes. Meals: B, D
Day 8: Fes - Volubilis – Chefchouen.
After breakfast, you leave for Volubilis, the archeological site and the capital of the Roman province of Mauritania Tingitana. The detailed mosaics here are still intact and the site gives a good idea of the layout of provincial settlements. You will enjoy the tour of the ancient hilltop ruins and discover the town’s fantastic mosaics along the Decumanus Maximum. Afterwards, you make a three hours’ drive to Chefchouen which is known for its distinctive blue-washed buildings. Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 as a small kasbah (fortress) by Moulay Ali Ibnou Rachid. Many Moriscos and Jews settled here after the Spanish inquisition. So, you might feel like you're in the hills of Spain. After making it to the town in the afternoon, you'll check into your Riad. Then, you'll take a walk through the narrow streets of the surrounding neighborhood. Meals: B
Day 9 : Tour of the Medina, Cooking Lesson and Free Afternoon at leisure.
After breakfast, you take a walking tour of the city with a local guide. You will walk in the Medina and visiting the Kasbat “fortress” then, you leave to meet a local family for a hands-on cooking lesson in the town. You’ll join them in the kitchen to prepare a regional, seasonal meal, like harira, a traditional soup served during the month of Ramadan, or tagine, a slow-cooked savory stew. After that, you’ll return to our hotel. The afternoon is free to explore more the Medina of Chefchouen or Probably take a hike to Spanish mosque for sunset.
Day 10 : Drive to Rabat, City Tour in the Afternoon.
After breakfast, you head to the political capital of Morocco. Once you arrive you check in your hotel and head out for lunch then discover Rabat with a local guide and start the tour of Rabat, Morocco’s political capital; you will discover Rabat’s history and enjoy its beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues and green spaces. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah. The kasbah was built by Moulay Ismaïl from 1672-1727 to protect the city and is enclosed by ramparts dating from the Almohad period. Visit Bab Oudaïa, a monumental gate and example of Almohad. You will visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed the fifth and an unfinished Mosque dates back to 12thC known as Hassan Tower. Afternoon is left free to explore more of the city
Meals: B, D
Day 11 : Rabat - Casablanca
After breakfast, you leave for Casablanca (1h 45mn). You take a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque and understand why this is considered the diamond of the city. This mosque was completed in 1993, this architectural masterpiece has a retractable roof, heated glass floors which look over the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world. this mosque can accommodate 25000 worshippers and is only the religious site opens to no-Muslims. Meals: B, D
Day 12 : Departure Casablanca Airport
After breakfast and at the scheduled time, we will drive to the airport for your return flights. Meals: B
Good to Know
Included
- 11 Nights' accommodation in selected Hotels and Riads.
- Mineral water in the Van.
- comfortable 4WD or Minivan.
- 12 Days of Car services.
- Fuel and all car expanses, taxes and road tolls.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver.
- Professional Local guides in Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, and Marrakech.
- Entrance fees.
Not included
- Tips.
- Soft and alcoholic drinks.
- Travel Insurance.