13 Days from Marrakech Fairytale the Trek to the Desert and the history
Marrakech, Morocco
Duration
13 days
Tour Type
Overview
Morocco is a North African country on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts known for its Berber,Arab, and European influences. The medina, or historic part, of Marrakesh is a lively site, with its Jemaael-Fna plaza and souks (markets) offering pottery, jewelry, and metal lanterns. The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, is a 12th-century royal fort with a view of the sea.
Highlights
In the Sahara, the most well-known desert in the world, ride camels in a caravan manner.
In charming Casablanca, see the biggest mosque in Africa, which can accommodate 100,000people.
Unwind on the Atlantic Ocean beaches.
Explore the historic areas of the vibrant cities of Chefchaouen, Meknes, and Fes.
Spend the night in a genuine Bedouin tent and experience the sunrise and sunset between the infiniteness of sand and sky. Get lost in time amid the red buildings of ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou, whereseveral Hollywood historical films were filmed.
Included/Exclude
- Accommodation during the entire trip
- All transportation
- Transfers from/to the airport
- Daily Breakfast
- Dinner In Desert
- Professional guiding services.
- Flight to Marrakech and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals)
- Entrance tickets to palaces, museums andother attractions along the route (about €50)
- Food, except as indicated in the program
- Tips
Tour Amenities
Car Parking
Laundry service
Restaurant
Smoking Allowed
Wireless Internet
Tour Plan
Welcome to Morocco, starting your tour from Marrakech, check into a traditional riad hotel in the old city center. These Moroccan houses are built in the shape of a well- all windows facethe internal garden with a fountain, tables and benches. Having breakfast here or drinkingtraditional Moroccan mint tea, away from the bustle of the city, is a pleasure!After a short rest, we head to explore the main shrine of the city - Al-Koutoubia Mosque.Translated from Arabic, the name means "Mosque of book sellers." In ancient times there wasa district around the mosque where books were made and sold. Built in the 12th century, themosque is also known for its 77-meter minaret, which rises above the entire old center.
Next, we head to Saadien's Tombs. This dynasty ruled the country in the 16-17th century. Thetombs of dozens of rulers and members of their families are real works of art made of Italianmarble with unique wooden carvings. In the evening we will discover the main trading squareof Africa, JemaaelFna. It boasts all kinds of shops and goods, but the place is even morefamous for the evening shows of traditional musicians, circus performers and acrobatsMorocco
After breakfast you'll heading to the hottest desert of our planet - the Sahara. On the waywe will stop on top of the the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, the highest in North Africa. The views of theAtlas Mountains from an altitude of 2260 meters above sea level are just wonderful!We get down to the ancient fortified city-ksar, Ait Ben Haddou. Dozens of Hollywood filmswere shot here - from "The Mummy" and "Gladiator" to "Prince of Persia" and "Alexander". Inancient times, life was seething here, and caravans brought considerable profit to localresidents. But trade routes are changing, and once a prosperous city became a ghost – onlyten families live here these days. We will explore abandoned houses made of red clay, feelinglike the discoverers of Arabian tales and secrets.Next, we head to the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs - a place famous for its ancient Berberfortresses. We check into a traditional riad hotel.
We continue our journey to the Sahara desert. In the morning we will drive throughthe Todgha Gorges, admiring the cliffs of the Atlas Mountains, the incredible canyons of redcolor and the mountain rivers that feed the valleys with groves of the best dates of thecountry.We reach the village of Merzouga and settle in a real Berber camp in the middle of the desertWe are in the middle of Erg Chebbi dunes with a height of more than 150 meters, in the heartof the Sahara! We walk along the dunes and enjoy a stunning sunset. For dinner we will havetraditional tajine, a stew with vegetables and meat. We spend the evening by the fire, enjoyingthe sounds of the desert and the infinity of the starry sky above our heads. What anincredible evening!
We wake up very early and climb one of the dunes to see an unforgettable show - sunrise inthe desert. We observe how the sun slowly colors the sea of tiny grains of sand in a softorange color... What a magical sight! After breakfast, we will take a camel ride along thedunes as the inhabitants of all the deserts of the world still do.Those interested can try sandboarding and go down from the dunes on the board. Aftersome rest we leave for Marrakesh. We will stop for lunch and a short rest and in the eveningarrive in the city and check into a traditional hotel-riad.
After breakfast we go for a walk in the famous Majorelle garden. These plants from around theworld were collected by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who acquired this piece of landin 1923. Now this garden belongs to the famous designer Yves Saint Laurent, and it boastsseveral museums.Next, we head to the Bahia Palace to admire the famous mosaics and ceramics. Built in 1867for the great vizier of the Sultan, it was plundered after his death in 1900. For several decades,it stood empty until the governor of the French colony of Morocco restored it to move hisresidence here. In the evening we go for a walk along JemaaelFna Square.
The next day we leave for Casablanca (3 hours on the way). This city became famous all overthe world thanks to the 1942 film of the same name. We check into a hotel and head toexplore the mosque of Hassan II - the largest mosque in Africa. It accommodates more than 100 thousand visitors!
In the morning we leave for Meknes by train (approximately 3 hours on the way). This city iscalled the Moroccan Versailles because of the many elegant buildings that have beenpreserved here from the 17-18 centuries, when Meknes was the capital of the whole country.We walk around the old district, and then leave for Volubilis (1.5 hours on the way). In ancientRome, it was the most southwestern point of the empire! From former times, the town haspreserved the magnificent ruins of ancient temples, the Arc de Triomphe, the forum and theaqueductIn the afternoon we head to Fes (2 hours on the way), check into a hotel and go for a walkaround the old city center. We will definitely see the famous Choura tanneries, where sincethe 11th century, craftsmen have softened and dyed animal skins. Process takes place in hugeclay tanks.
In the morning we walk through the old medina of Fes - a city that is considered de culturalcapital of the country. The old district boasts many madrassah - traditional schools opensince the 14th century, as well as the oldest existing, continually operating higher educationalinstitution in the world, University of Al-Karaouine. Classes have been held here since 859. No,we did not forget to add the number!After lunch we head to Chefchaouen (4 hours on the way). We check into a hotel in the heartof the famous Blue City and go for a walk along the narrow streets between the clay housesof blue color. Even the locals cannot tell where this tradition came from. Some say that Jewswere the first in the city to paint their houses blue, when them settled in the town, fleeingfrom persecution in Nazi Germany. Feels like being in a fairy tale!
In the morning we leave for the Akchur waterfall through the Reef Mountains. There we take ashort walk, enjoying the views of the red rocks. On the way back we stop at the observationdeck to meet the sunset in a place known for its beautiful views.
The next day after breakfast, we head to the town of Asilah (3 hours on the way). We check into a hotel in the old part of town and go out for a walk. This town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is the place where residents of Moroccan megacities come to relax for the weekend.
Exploring Tangier after breakfast, as our morning tour begins with a visit to the HerculesCaves. This morning tour of Tangier will also take you to the Kasbah region near the harbor,the historic Medina with its artisan stores, and a stunning minaret overlooking theMediterranean.Return to your accommodation in the afternoon to relax and enjoy the beach.
In the morning we take the train to Marrakesh. After about 4.5 hours we make a stop inCasablanca to have lunch and take a walk around the city. Then we take the train again, afterabout 2.5 hours reach Marrakech and check into a hotel. In the evening we head to thefamous JemaaelFna Square, known as the main trading square in Africa. Even if you do notlike shopping, you will appreciate the numerous shows of street musicians, circus performersand acrobats!
Traditional ceramic dishes, argan oil, spices, lamps, Berber rugsand babouches - national leather shoes, are usually brought from Morocco.
The next day we fly home.
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