Morocco Discovery with Desert
MoroccoArrival
Welcome to Marrakech - Morocco's second largest city! Upon arrival your private driver takes you to the centrally located hotel.
Sightseeing in Marrakesh
After breakfast at the hotel, you set off on an exhilarating sightseeing tour of Marrakech with your guide and driver. During your 5-hour tour, you see the major highlights of the ancient city.
You begin your walking tour in the old quarter of Marrakech where you visit the 19th century Bahia Palace, covered with colorful tile work, and see its eight-hectare gardens with fountains. You then proceed to Saadian Tombs - marble tombs for the Saadian dynasty. Accessible only through a small passage in the Kasbah Mosque, the tombs were neglected until aerial photography exposed them in 1917.
Your next stop is El Badi Palace located nearby and believed to have contained more than 350 opulent rooms, in addition to a large pool, sweeping courtyard, and several gardens. The pieces from the El Badi Palace were used to create a new palace in Meknes, leaving just the shell of the palace behind.
Continue to the souks, the largest you can find in Morocco. We suggest you try haggling as it is an inherent part of Moroccan trading culture. In the afternoon, you venture into the new city and visit the Majorelle Gardens - a magical petite garden estate designed by Jacque Majorelle and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent.
After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and have a trip to Skoura.
Description for connection
The drive itself from Marrakech to Scoura Oasis takes about 4.5 hours, several sightseeing stops are planned on the way.
The first leg of your journey takes you through the famous mountain pass in Morocco - Tizi’n’Tichka, and gives you the opportunity to admire magnificent views of numerous Berber villages, snow-capped mountains, and green valleys.
Next comes the Rose Valley - the region between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert which is the major producer of rose oil and water in the whole country. Traveling in April or early May allows you to see the Rose Valley in all its beauty.
While your journey continues, you reach another UNESCO site - Ait Benhaddou, the unique mud brick city on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains that was often featured in movies, mostly replacing Jerusalem.
And the final highlight of your journey is a charming city of Ouarzazate which is often referred to as the Gates of the Desert and was formerly an important hub for African traders.
Arrival
Upon arrival in Skoura Oasis hotel, you have a check-in and evening at your own leisure.
Departure
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and travel to Merzouga Desert.
Description for connection
The drive itself from Scoura Oasis to Merzouga takes about 5 hours, several sightseeing stops are planned on the way.
On the way, you reach the spectacular gorge of Todra - one of the most breathtaking sights in Morocco. The gorge was carved by the Todra river that formed cliff-sided canyons in the mountains. The final 2000 ft of the gorge are stunning as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track, which is as little as 30 ft wide in areas with sheer and smooth rock walls.
Exploring the Sahara Desert
In the late afternoon, you arrive in Merzouga and start the camel trek* journey through the sand dunes to arrive in the desert camp.
Before the sunset, you arrive at the Berber camp and enjoy a wonderful dinner by the campfire. The desert is probably the best place to gaze at the stars. Take this chance and witness the Milky Way!
Dinner included
Note: Your luggage is transferred to the camp by vehicle. *Camel trek can be replaced with 4X4 drive to the camp. Contact your destination specialist for more information.
Departure
After hearty breakfast at the camp, your driver takes you back Merzouga town and you depart.
Description for connection
The drive itself from Merzouga to Fes takes about 7 hours, several sightseeing stops are planned on the way.
Close to Merzouga, you make a stop and enjoy panoramic views of Ziz Valley which has historically formed a part of a traditional caravan trading route between the settlements of Northern Sahara.
While traveling through the Middle Atlas Mountains, you pass the town of Ifrane often referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco for the surrounding mountainous landscapes and famous ski resorts. Another highlight of the area is Ifrane National Park - the natural reserve abundant with aromatic Atlas Cedar and a home to the largest population of Barbary macaques at this point considered to be endangered species.
Arrival
Today you arrive in the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes. Upon arrival, your private driver takes you to the hotel and the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the city on your own.
Highlights of Fes
Following breakfast, meet your local guide and driver to start a 5-hour city tour.
During the tour, you see the 14th-century gates of the King Palace, the shrine of Moulay Idriss, the Mellah (Jewish quarter), and old Fes Medina with its traditional markets and tanneries.
Together with the guide, you enter the ancient Bou Inania Madrasa founded in 1351 AD.
You then proceed to the Fondouk el-Nejjarine - which was declared a national monument in 1916. Today this building is a home to the Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts.
After the tour, you return to your riad and have the rest of the day at your leisure.
Departure
This is the last day of your Moroccan escape!
Following breakfast and check-out meet with your driver for the departure transfer to Fes airport.
*Note: Departure transfer is included to Fes airport. Should you require a departure transfer to Casablanca or Rabat airport, this service could be provided for an additional fee.
What's included
.jpg)
Reviews
Similar trip ideas
-min_0.jpg)
CasablancaRabatFesMerzougaSkouraMarrakech
CasablancaRabatFesBine el OuidaneMarrakech
CasablancaChefchaouenFesMerzougaSkouraMarrakech
BarcelonaMadridCordobaSevilleMalagaTarifaTangierChefchaouenFesMerzougaSkouraMarrakechCasablancaLisbon
CasablancaFesMerzougaSkouraMarrakechMarrakechCasablancaMarrakechSkouraMerzougaFes