Moroccan Odyssey: From the Sahara to the Imperial Cities

Upon your arrival at Marrakech Airport, you’ll be greeted and escorted to your hotel. Here, you can unwind and get settled. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore the city with a guided tour or venture out on your own before enjoying dinner and a restful night at your hotel.

After breakfast at your Riad, embark on a guided tour led by a professional local guide. Navigate through Marrakech's intricate alleyways, secret gardens, and vibrant souks. Visit the iconic Djemaa el Fna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque dominates the skyline. As evening falls, the square transforms into a lively hub filled with food stalls, entertainers, and musicians. After the tour, you have the rest of the day to relax, pamper yourself at a local spa, or continue exploring the city. Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Marrakech.

We will start our day by picking you up from your accommodation or upon your arrival in Marrakech. Escape the city's hustle and head towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the highest mountain pass in North Africa. Travel through the Glaoua region, passing ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries. Continue to Ouarzazate, often called "The Hollywood of Morocco" due to its frequent use as a film location. After a lunch break, visit the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous backdrop for numerous films and TV shows. As the sun sets, relax at your hotel overlooking the fort.

In the morning, depart Ouarzazate and head towards the Todra Gorge. En route, pass through the Skoura Oasis, where ancient kasbahs stand among the palm trees. Travel through Kelaa M'gouna, the Valley of Roses, known for its locally-made cosmetics and perfumes. Take an off-road detour along the Boutaghrar piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and share a traditional cup of tea. Continue to the Todra Gorge, where you can stroll along the riverbanks before settling in for the night in the Dades Valley.

After breakfast, continue your journey along the Todra Valley, where olive, pomegranate, and orange trees thrive. Arrive at the Todra Gorge and explore its towering rock walls and narrow passageways. Descend into the desert plains, where the landscape gradually shifts to the vast, stony expanse of the Sahara. Upon arrival, store your belongings at a nearby hotel and embark on a camel trek into the towering dunes of the Moroccan Sahara. After sunset, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner with live music around a campfire. Spend the night under the stars in the peaceful desert.

Rise early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the desert dunes. After a refreshing shower and breakfast in your luxury tent, embark on a camel or 4x4 ride back to Merzouga town. Relax for a couple of hours before setting off on a 4WD off-road tour around the dunes. Visit the Merzouga Oasis, Khamlia Village, where you’ll experience Gnawa music, and meet desert nomads in their tents. Explore the Lake of Merzouga and its diverse birdlife, then continue to Rissani, formerly Sijilmassa, the meeting place for salt caravans from Timbuktu. After exploring the souk and enjoying a pizza lunch, return to your Kasbah to relax by the pool, watch the sunset, and enjoy a Moroccan dinner with live music.

After breakfast, retrace your journey through Erfoud to the dramatic Ziz Gorge, surrounded by the largest oasis in Morocco. Travel through diverse landscapes, from rocky plains to cedar-covered mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, with stunning views of the High Atlas peaks, and continue through the cedar forests, possibly spotting Barbary Apes along the way. Arrive in the enchanting city of Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, where your guide will assist you in finding your riad for the night.

Following breakfast at your hotel, join an accredited local guide for a walking tour of the Fes medina. Wander through the ancient alleyways, where donkeys and mules still transport goods, and savor the scents of the spice markets. Visit the leather tanneries, where craftsmen use age-old techniques to treat leather. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant in the medina and settle in for the evening at your hotel.

After breakfast, visit the archaeological site of Volubilis, an open-air museum featuring Roman ruins and colorful mosaics. Continue to the nearby city of Moulay Idriss and then to Meknes, known as the "Moroccan Versailles." Explore Meknes' highlights, including Bab Mansour, Place El Hedim, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Proceed to Rabat, where you’ll spend the night.

After breakfast, explore Rabat, the capital of Morocco, with a visit to the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah and the iconic Hassan Tower. Next, visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a stunning architectural masterpiece. Depart for Casablanca, where you’ll tour the Hassan II Great Mosque, one of the Islamic world’s greatest monuments. Return to Marrakech in the evening for an overnight stay.

On your final day, take the opportunity to experience Marrakech at your own pace. Whether you want to relax at a hammam, take a cooking class, or explore the city by horse-drawn carriage, our guide is available to assist with suggestions and arrangements. As your journey concludes, we’ll help with any departure formalities and arrange your transfer to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to seeing you again.