Casablanca to Marrakech Express Cities & Desert Tour 6 Days

On this Private Casablanca to Marrakech Express Desert Tour 6 day you’ll journey to Morocco’s classic destinations, visiting its four imperial cities, its mountains and its desert. Over 4 amazing days you’ll see the stunning Moroccan architecture and palm-lined boulevards of Rabat, the impressive ramparts and monumental gates of Meknes, the craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques of Fes, the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert, the diverse landscapes of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, and the storytellers, snake charmers and henna painters of Marrakech jemaa el Fna. Along the way you’ll discover the 17th century kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou. With each destination having its own unique history, wonders and highlights, this journey through classic Morocco is one unforgettable cultural adventure!

DAY 1 : CASABLANCA – RABAT – MEKNES – FES

DAY 2: FES – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

Meet your Guide at 8am in your Riad, and embark a long driving day, where we will meet different colors of the kingdom by leaving the old Moroccan city of Fes. In the way we will pass through the most modern and clean city in the country Ifran. This Berber name of Ifran means caves and it is nicknamed in Morocco as a little Switzerland since it is a very green town and is a ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco because of its high altitude at 1665 meters. Ifran is very known as well by The Brotherhood private university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English, it is an international university. Lunch will be scheduled in a Berber village called Midelt which is situated on the foothills of the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. From vast plateau we start crossing up those tough mountains which are still settled by a big Berber community. The landscapes here includes palm tree oases at Jbel Ayachi (at 3747 m) before driving down the curves and join the pre-saharan zone passing first by Errachidia.

Stop for the photo in Ziz valley which is the beginning of palm grovesand dates. Erfoud is the capital of Fossils in Morocco so you will have this chance to visit one of the factories where they make beautiful articles out of marble. And right after that we may if time permit, visit the mausoleum of Mouay Ali Chref in Rissani the founder of the actual Alaouite dynasty of Morocco at 17th century. We drive to Erg Chebbi time for a cup of tea and packing for desert camp. Meet up with Camels for camel-ride and head to the dunes to watch the sunset .Overnight in the Berber tent in the middle of the most spectacular dunes of morocco, Highest dunes, spend 1 night the friendly berbers enjoy their music, dance around the fire… dinner in the camp.

Accommodation: Desert Camp

Included Activities

Photography, Wildlife watch ( barbary apes )Camel Trekking, Desert Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 3 – MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES GORGE
Early wake up for the sun rise from the highest dunes, chance to see some wild life. Time for breakfast and shower, last chance to enjoy the dunes, we set off to Rissani to explore the capital of ziz valley, Moroccan 2nd dates basket, famous for Sijilmasa in the old times, a carrefour of Caravans, where Merchants from Tombouctou Trade, Gold, Silver, Ivory, Silk, Slaves, Camels… visit to dates market and drive to arfoud to explore the fossils, then we drive along the stone Sahara, to reach the impressive underground irrigation channels from 12th centure. Stop for mint tea and some drums, then we drive to the most spectacular gorge of Morocco, Todra gorge, enjoy a walk with your guide to explore the irrigation system and traditional farming gardens, a visit to a berber family to learn about carpet, recommended, to knock your socks off, after the berber family co-operative, showing their goods and carepets, great place to shop from mohamed’s family ( situated in the other side of the river near the mosque ) great place to buy genuine berber carpets and souvenirs, then you walk to the gorge, drive back to your hotel in the Tinghir.

Accommodation: Hotel

Included Activities

Photography, walking, Carpets Co-operative

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 4: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH

From the great canyons of Todgha we go along the road of 1000 kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately a lot of them are ruins. We drive up to visit the Dades gorge & valley, and we head to the Berber family for Lunch, cooking course, a walk o discover the valley and spend some time wit the Berbers before we head to visit to one of those kasbahs is scheduled by seeing Amrhidil Kasbah. We pass a town called Boumalen situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. Along this valley another valley called valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival eachend of April. 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). the we continue to Marrakech via

We start our day visiting the fortified city of Aït Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah.

Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004). From this beautiful fortified house we head to Marrakech.

Accommodation: None

Activities:

Visit Ouarzazate

Visit Studios

Ait benhaddou Kasbah

Optional Traditional Hammam

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 :MARRAKECH GUIDED TOUR

Breakfast in the hotel. 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 old medina.

DAY 6 : AIRPORT TRANSFER

Your 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. Transfer to the airport according to your flight details,

Meals Included : Breakfast – Airport Transfer.

Casablanca to Marrakech Express Cities & Desert Tour 6 Days

Casablanca to Marrakech Express Cities & Desert Tour 6 Days, offer fabulous experiences in Morocco´s most attractive zones: from The most vibrant cities and Medinas, Architectural tours, Food and Wine Tours, Roman Ruins archeological sites, Culture of the Berbers, Moroccan History, Luxury hotels and Riads, the High Atlas Mountains; The rural villages of the countryside and the Sahara Desert itself. There is also one very unique stay in the Sahara dunes where we travel in and out by camel and stay in a Bedouin style camp.

We invite you to join a life enhancing journeys visiting Morocco landscapes in comfort on our Casablanca to Marrakech Express Cities & Desert Tour 6 Days– leading to the most charming, historical Medinas and Monuments in Morocco, from Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca, breaking the journey at Fez, Morocco’s most inspiring Medina, travel to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes where we’ll travel on camel back and spend a night under the stars in a Bedouin camp. Consider this a personal reward for your efforts!

Highlights

• – View the stunning contrast of Morocco
• – Deep Introduction to Culture, Nature, Life Philosophy
• – Enjoy authentic Berber’s hospitality
• – Taste delicious traditional Berber food
• – Explore one of Morocco Beautiful deserts
• – Ride in a 4×4 in Sahara & Atlas Mountains
• – Spend three full days seeing the best of what Sahara has to offer

Essential Information:

Why Us?:

– Your hotel Pick-up, so you spend the maximum time exploring real & Authentic, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains, Private tour at your own pace

– Top Rated tour, with 5 star customer feedback and a Excellence reviews from Trip Advisor

– One guide that is with you from the moment you arrive in Morocco until you leave, taking care of your entire trip.

Visited Places

• Rabat & Casablanca
• Fes Medina
• Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
• Ouarzazate
• Dades & Todra gorge & Valley
• Valley of roses & Ziz Valley
• Errissani Traditional Markets
• High Atlas Mountains
• Berber villages
• Sahara Desert
• Atlantic ocean

Travel Experience

• Moroccan Culture & People, Food & History
• Berber Culture
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Sleeping in desert camp

Travel Preparation:

The list below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please contact us or consult your nearest outdoor store.

Clothing & Footwear:

• Comfortable walking clothes that are suitable for layering
• Fleece jacket/warm jumper
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Synthetic/woollen socks
• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Sarong/scarf/loose cotton trousers that can easily be pulled on over shorts to cover shoulders/legs when walking through villages

Equipment:

• Day pack
• Beach towel
• Water bottle/hydration bladder
• Water purification pen/tablets
• Sunglasses
• Head torch
• Camera, memory card and charger
• Spare batteries
• Personal items (including hand sanitiser, lip balm, microfibre towel, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries, wet wipes etc)
• Medicine and copy of doctor’s prescription which states medication and quantity carried
• Personal first aid kit (including blister tape, insect repellant, oral rehydration salts, plasters, tweezers, diarrhoea tablets etc)
• Rubbish bag