8 DAY : IMPERIAL CITIES & SAHARA

DAY 1 : CASABLANCA – OUALIDYA – ESSAOUIRA
After breakfast, we departure from Casablanca capital city of Morocco to Essaouira the Mogador city. We will have lunch in the way. and then take the last part of the road to Essaouira by the ocean, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hote/Riad in Essaouiral.

DAY 2 : ESSAOUIRA – MARRAKECH
Today after breakfast, you will explore Essaouira your own, visit the port and the old medina of Essaouira which is a world heritage site. After visit of Mogador city we will departure to the red city of Marrakech. On the way to Marrakech we will visit one of the original argan oil cooperative and we may see the goats on the trees as well trying to pick the argan nots. We will arrive Marrakech after 3 hours drive, transfer to your Riad.

DAY 3 : MARRAKECH CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we will welcome you to a local guide takes you on a tour of a wonderful guide through Marrakech. A full guided tour will be identified to discover Marrakech, known as the “Red City”. Marrakech is the most important historical city in the history of Morocco, and is located near the slopes of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Like all old cities, Marrakech and includes both the old fortified city and Medina are very modern called guéliz built during the French occupation and the city. Marrakech has the largest traditional markets (market) in Morocco, and it is also one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, the Jemaa El Fna as well as the koutobia mosque and bahia palace.

DAY 4 : MARRAKECH – ATLAS MOUNTAINS – OUARZAZATE – DADES VALLEY
We will leave the red city of Marrakech at 8am for the Dades Valley. We drive across the High Atlas Mountains crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260 metres of altitude which gives amazing panoramic views. We will have time to enjoy impressive landscapes and Berber villages; also we will enjoy a break for coffee or mint tea in a picturesque location. In the afternoon we will get the chance to visit the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah which is a UNESCO Heritage site and well known as a film set location. This Berber Kasbah which is very important place for international filmmakers where more than 50 movies have been made. It was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt. You can still see the salt pans in the valley. Then we’ll pass through the strategic city of Ouarzazate which is also called Hollywood of Africa. After Ouarzazate we will continue to the Dades Valley through Skoura, Kelaat M´gouna and the Berber villages along the valley. We will spend the night in the Dades Valley.

DAY 5 : DADES GORGE – TODRA GORGE – MERZOUGA
After breakfast we will drive through the valley to see the amazing rock formation known as “the monkey fingers” because of the shapes in the eroded landscape. You will also see the 19th century Kasbah of Ait Youl which is still-standing. We will leave the Dades Valley and continue towards Tinghir and the spectacular Todra Valley where you’ll see panoramic views of the old adobe Berber villages overlooking this valley. In the Gorge we will walk between the 300 m high red cliff walls, where many Rock-climbers come to enjoy the challenges it presents.  We’ll continue on to Erfoud and Rissani where we’ll have lunch before we leave for the Sahara Desert village of Merzouga where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your accommodation.

DAY 6 : MERZOUGA – AZROU – IFRANE – FEZ
Our journey then continues as we will travel to Fez along the magnificent Ziz Gorge which has been carved out of the volcanic rock and through the Tizi n’Talghemt pass to Midelt. We will stop in Zaida to enjoy lunch and refresh with a glass of mint tea. From there we drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains; home to the great cedar forests and the indigenous Barbary monkeys that can be seen in Azrou. They are fun to watch and often steal food from parked cars. Then we drive to Ifrane; known as little Switzerland of Africa, because of its alpine style architecture, we will stop for photos and coffee before we drive the last part to Fez where the tour ends.

DAY 7 : FEZ – MEKNES – CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS
After breakfast in your accommodation we will drive to Chefchaouen passing by Meknes and Volubilis. In Meknes, another significant imperial city in Morocco. Moreover, it is known as the Ismaili capital of Morocco, you will see the famous gate Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Bassin, and the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum. After lunch, your journey continues to the Roman city of Volubilis. There you will get a chance to see the wonderfully preserved original mosaics, Roman road, and city layout. Afterwards, as you travel through the Moroccan countryside. We will pass by the Holy City of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. Then lunch in the way and get to the blue city.

DAY 8 : CHEFCHAOUEN TO CASABLANCA
Today we will transfer you to Casablanca where we started from.

MAP OF TOUR :