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Marrakech Grand Tour: Marrakech, Cities, Mountains, & the Desert -10 days
Marrakech Best Tours – Morocco uncovered.
Morocco is a land of contrasts – where Africa meets Europe and the Middle East adds its own flavor. Considered a moderate Islamic state, Morocco opens its doors to everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion or political status. From ancient philosophers and scholars to Bob Marley and Jimmy Hendrix, Morocco has hosted many! If you´re looking for a colorful and diverse experience, this is the place. From the wild markets of Marrakech to the snowy peaks of the Atlas, the silence of the Sahara and pristine beaches of the Atlantic, Morocco is simply amazing. Our Marrakech Grand Tour: Marrakech, Cities, Mountains, & the Desert -10 days journey combines the best of everything – cities, villages, mountain, desert, music, food, shops and the coast, plus opportunities to do community services and some fun adventure activities along the way! Expect plenty of interaction with the friendly Berber tribes’ people of North Africa. Learn their unique drumming, practice the language and taste the delicious food. We´ll fill your week with a lifetime of memories and educational experiences that are second to none.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO MARRAKECH AIRPORT
Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Airport, you will be met by a Morocco Tour Guide representative and transferred to your hotel. While this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time, please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday, and that there will a Welcome Meeting with your leader tonight. We will visit the famous and the biggest Mosque in Africa, Hassan II, which was built between 1987 and 1993. This will be a golden opportunity to see the skilful work of Moroccan artisans, revealing the richness and beauty of their handicraft. Transfer to Marrakech
Notes: Please be aware that some of our travelers in Marrakech are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Morocco Tour Guide trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Premium Tours. These guides are in no way connected to Morocco Tour Guide and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers not to join any tour offered by unauthorized guides. Morocco Tour Guide assesses the safety of all optional excursions offered by our tour leaders. If you would like more information on the excursions available, please contact us before you travel or see the Marrakech Best Tours – Morocco uncovered 10 Days.
Accommodation: RIAD NESMA – RIAD JONA
Tour Highlights :
Meet At Airport and Transfer to Marrakech
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
DAY 2: MARRAKECH EXPLORATION
Enjoy a guided city tour of Marrakech “Paris of the Sahara” as Winston Churchill once described it. Stop first at the Koutoubia Mosque, which is an old monument built under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199). This monument inspired other buildings such as the Giralda in Seville in Spain and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Stop next at the Bahia Palace. This Palace was built in the late 19th century and was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style. Visit Madrasa Ben Youssef after that. This Coranic school is named after the Almoravid Sultan Ali Ibn Yusuf (reigned 1106–1142). Madrasa Ben Youssef is the largest in all of Morocco. Stop next at the Saadian tombs, which is a site that dates back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Continue the tour with the world famous Jema El Fna Square where you will enjoy amazing performance of traditional activities by storytellers, snake charmers, peddlers of traditional medicines. Your last stop is the bustling souks in the Medina.
Tour Highlights:
Guided walking tour Marrakech
Majorel Gardens
Bahia Palace
Souks
Jamaa lfna & Koutoubia
Meals Included : Breakfast /
DAY 3: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Essaouira, which is another charming town in Morocco. Essaouira is a relatively small, easily navigable beach city. Essaouira has got a distinct multicultural feel, resulting from the large Portuguese, French, and Jewish populations that once called it home. Its mild climate and expansive stretches of ocean sand also place it among Morocco’s top beach towns. Essaouira’s walled medina was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2001. Its well-preserved, late-18th-century fortified layout is a prime example of European military architecture in North Africa.
For the visitor, the mellow atmosphere, narrow winding streets lined with colourful shops, whitewashed houses and heavy old wooden doors make it a wonderful place to stroll.
In Essaouira, several small art galleries are found all over the town. Since 1998 Essaouira is getting known by its Gnaoua Festival of World Music, normally it is scheduled in the last week of June. It brings artists from all over the world. Although focused on Gnaoua music, it includes rock, jazz and reggae. In the early 1952 the film director and actor Orson Welles made his movie Othello. Now there is a square named Orson Welles.
Along the half way between Essaouira and Marrakesh you will see enormous Argan tree on both sides of the road. These Argan trees are frequently climbed by goats. Argan oil is produced by several women’s cooperatives and it is used to prepare couscous, salads. Moreover it was traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases before being founded as good enough for cosmetics by Europeans manufacturers. Still stop by one of these cooperatives is worthy to see how Berber women squeezed the Argan fruits between hands to extract this precious oil.
Accommodation : RIAD LA MAISON DU SUD
Tour Highlights :
Optional Traditional Hammam & Massage
Free time to explore
Explore Essaouira on 1 day trip
Meals Included : Breakfast /
DAY 4: ESSAOUIRA – HIGH ATLAS – AIT BEN HADDOU – OUARZAZATE
We will depart after breakfast at 8:00 am from your hotel in Essaouira toward Marrakech, passing Tizi-n-Tichka, 2260 metres high. Enjoy Dramatic landscapes during your Desert journey through the Saharan landscapes of both the Hamada (stone desert) and Erg (dune desert). Our first visits include : High Atlas mountains, discover traditional Berber villages and Terraces, drive up the spectacular Tichka Pass 2260m high, we drive down the valleys to Ait Benhadou via the amazing valley of ounila, discover the pacha glaoui kasbah and the authentic villages of Ounila, ex-caravan route with 100 of kasbah, we arrive to the most spectacular Unesco Site in the southern Morocco, a walk to discover the Kasbah where Gladiator, Game of thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and many other moveies were shot, discover the beautiful berber Archeticture, Lunch in a local restaurant and set off for Ouarzazate Largest saharan center, Moroccan Hollywood, Visit the Cinema Museum, opportunity to shop in a super Market…
Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century.
Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005).
Accommodation: www.darchamaa.com
Tour Highlights :
Visit Ouarzazate
Visit Cinema Museum
Visit Studios
Ait benhaddou Kasbah
Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 5: OUARZAZATE – ROSE VALLEY – TODRA GORGE – SAHARA
After breakfast we will depart Ouarzazate and head towards Skoura, known for its palm trees and authentic berber Kasbahs at Amredil and Ben Moro. We will continue our journey to the spectacular Rose Valley where we will see figs, almond and walnut trees. Passing through the valley of 1000 Kasbahs we will see many Berber villages and Kasbahs, Arrive to Todgha valley, walk in the gardens and throught the canions.
From Todra Gorge we will drive toward sahara desert Erg Echabbi (Merzouga), passing by spectacular landscapes and the volcanic Atlas Mountains of Saghrou in the Anti Atlas. We will pass through the village of Tinejdad before stopping for lunch, we will visit Oasis Museum at Tinjdad valley. we will visit the Khattarat ( underground irrigation channels from 12th Century, buy Scarves fot the sahara and continue to Erfoud, famous for its ‘fossil’ factories, before seeing the beautiful sand dunes appearing as we pass by Erissani. On arriving at Erg Echabbi we will take the camels to the middle of the Sahara Desert where we will spend the night under the stars in Berber tents.
Accommodation: https://bivouac-azawad.com/
Tour Highlights :
Visit Underground Channels
Fossils
Camel Trekking
Overnight Desert Camp
Meals Included Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 6: MERZOUGA DESERT – ZIZ VALLEY – FES
Early in the morning, enjoy sunrise from the dunes of Erg chebbi at 20 km away of Algeria, breakfast in the camp or in the hotel at the dunes line, and camel ride back or walk with the caravan to the hotel at the dunes line for a shower and Breakfast. We drive afterwards across across ziz valley, second largest dates valley of Morocco where locals grow more than 300 types of dates, harvested every October, also called Moroccan dates baskest, enjoy beautiful canions of Ziz valley, lunch in a restaurant before arriving to the Middle Atlas forests, explore the cydar trees where you may encounter wild macaque monekys in the forest drive down to Ifran, a mountanious town also called Moroccan Swizerland, set at 1600m high, known for it ski station and snow during the winter, considere the cleanest city of Morocco, continue to fez, arrive to our riad in the afternoon.
Accommodation : Riad Marjana Fez.
Tour Highlights :
Visit Ziz valley
Macauqe Monkeys Break foto
Ifran
Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 7: SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF FES
Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Then the tour is off to explore the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, one of the best examples of a preserved medieval city. Fes, founded in the 9th century, has been little unchanged since then. A certified guideis available to help you navigate the serpentine souks and its medieval medina, a Unesco world heritage site crammed with narrow,winding streets, tiny squares, colorful honeycomb vats of the tanneries and artisan workshops to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Admire Fez’s Royal Palace and 14th century Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the largest in Morocco. Optional lunch followed by the visit of the Qarawiyyin University the oldest in the world and the sumptuous Nejjarine squareand its beautiful fountain before finishing our tour by climbing the Merenids Tombs, which open onto a stunning panorama of Fes.
Enjoy the guided city tour of Fes. Begin with the entrance to the largest royal palace in Morocco. Continue with a panoramic view of the ancient medina. Enjoy an authentic experience at the traditional ceramic crafts village of Fes after that. Your next stop is Fes El Bali, the ancient town or Medina, which is a medieval part of Fes that has not changed for centuries. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the famous Al-Karaouine mosque, built by Fatima Al Fihria in 857. Al-Karaouine mosque became home to the University of Al-Karaouine, which is the first university in the world and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. The university was built by Fatima Al Fihria in 859, and, since then, it has become one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world. In the medina, visit also a Merdersa, which is a Coranic school. Complete the city tour of Fes with the leather Souq and the oldest Leather Tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries.
Tour Highlights :
Guided walking tour Fes
Fondouk Nejjarine
Mederassa Bou Inania, Tanneries, Jewish Quarter
Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 8: FES – CHEFCHAOUEN BLUE TOWN
Pick up at 9am Start to explore the rif Mountains, arrive to chefchaouen after 3 hours drive through the green hills.
Enjoy a panoramic view of Chefchaouen as you enjoy breakfast with fresh fruits, jams and natural squeezed juices from your hotel’s terrace. After breakfast explore and tour Chefchaouen, the blue-washed town (old medina) by foot along with your guide who will share stories of Chefchaouen’s history.
Start your tour with the kasbah museum in the medina. The kasbah of Chefchaouen belongs to the early 18th century, and was built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail. It is fairly simple without architectural surprises however it is surrounded by gardens on the interior and exterior. Inside the Kasbah, you can visit the ethnographic museum containing antique weapons, musical instruments, and photographs of the old town.
Step onto the museum’s roof and take pictures of a panoramic view of the Hispanic flavored town lined with blue and white washed houses, tiny balconies, tiled roofs and patios embellished with citrus trees. Next, visit the cobbled main square, Plaza Uta el- Hammam and where the striking 15th century Grand Mosque sits. The Mosque and its nearby buildings were built by Jewish refugees, who alongside Muslims escaped the Spanish persecution to Chefchaouen. Until the Spanish arrived in the 1920’s the town remained isolated and with the exception of three western men who snuck in.
After exploring the medina, have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Try fresh goat cheese salad, a local Rif specialty, chicken pastilla or a lamb tajine with prunes. For dessert sit outside by the mulberry trees of Plaza Uta el- Hammam and enjoy local sweets from one of the cafes or browse the small shops famous for selling woven rugs, blankets and woolen goods.
After lunch go for a guided hike in the close-by green hillsides.
Accommodation : http://www.darechchaouen.com/
Tour Highlights :
Free afternoon to explore Chefchaouen
Meals Included : Breakfast / Dinner
DAY 9: CHEFCHAOUEN – RABAT – CASABLANCA
Today, at 9am, we take the road to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. We will visit the Royal Gates built in 1864, and enjoy the charming garden of Challa, surrounded by walls and beautiful defensive gates, built between 1310 and 1330. Later we will stop at Mohamed V Museum built in 1972, and we will visit the tombs of Moroccan kings Mohammed V, who died in 1962, Hassan II who died in 1999, the tomb of Moulay Abdullah the uncle of Mohammed VI and Hassan Tower which was built in 12th century, Before heading to Chefchaouen we will explore Oudaya Kasbah which was built in 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defense against the Spanish army. The roof of the Kasbah allows a stunning view of the surrounding area. You will also get to see the 240 km long Abi-Regrag river , located in western Morocco between Rabat and Sala. We will then drive to Chafchaouen through the cities of Knetra, stopping in Ouazzane, passing by spectacular scenery with cedar, oak and almond trees.
Casablanca is more affectionately known as Casa by the locals. The biggest city in the Maghreb, Casablanca is the heart of Moroccan business. Enjoy Casablanca’s vibrant new town, visit the old medina, lounge at beach clubs, and dine at seafood restaurants along the Corniche.
Take the road to the old medina and pass through Place Mohammed V and the Place des Nations Uniones, focal points of Ville Novuelle.
After lunch visit Hassan II Mosque designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. On Fridays, the Mosque of Hassan II is open to non-Muslims. The Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Anfa quarter.
Accommodation : Hotel Val D’anfa
Tour Highlights :
Rabat City Tour
Casablanca Hassan 2 Mosque, ( Last – inside visit at 3pm)
Meals Included: Breakfast /
DAY 10: AIRPORT TRANSFER
Your Marrakech Grand Tour: Marrakech, Cities, Mountains, & the Desert -10 days trip ends today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around midday and you are free to leave at any time. We will arrange a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time.
Included Activities :
Airport Transfer
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pick Up : Pick up at Marrakech / Drop Off : Drop off Casablanca Airport /
Highlights: Marrakech Grand Tour: Marrakech, Cities, Mountains, & the Desert -10 days
- Morocco’s imperial Cities
- Morocco’s Desert – the Southern Valleys
- The majestic Atlas Mountains
- Northern Morocco and Berber experiences
- The famous Rif Mountains Blue town
- Travel Morocco from North to South
- Berber Oasis Museum visit
Inclusions
9 Nights Hotel Accommodations
Marrakech – 2 Nights
Essaouira – 1 Nights
Sahara Desert Camp – 1 Night
Fez- 2 Nights
Chefchaouen – 1 Nights
Casablanca – 1 Night
Experienced, fun & friendly tour guide
Mini-Van / Land Cruiser / transportation
Inside Passage Visit to Hassan 2 Mosque
Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira Volubilis – Guided Tours with local guides
Daily breakfast
4 Dinners
Visit Historical Monuments – Tickets not included
Visit Oasis Museum – Tickets included
Scenic sightseeing stops
Optional Meknes Winery tour and tasting – Fees not included
NOT INCLUDED
Dinners and All Lunches – Check itinerary for details.
Guide gratuity
Travel Insurance – Recommended.
Monument tickets