Authentic Morocco Luxury Desert Tour 16 days

Authentic Morocco Luxury Desert Tour 16 days Overview:

Embark on our 16-day Authentic Morocco Luxury Desert Tour, starting from Casablanca Airport. Begin your journey by exploring Rabat, the capital, where you’ll visit the iconic Hassan II Mosque and other historic landmarks. Then, head to Chefchaouen, renowned for its striking blue-and-white architecture, followed by a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes, home to a magnificent royal palace.

Next, immerse yourself in the ancient medina of Fes, famous for its rich history and exquisite handicrafts. Continue through the dramatic Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll experience camel rides and spend a night under the stars in a luxury desert camp (tent).

Explore the stunning Todra and Dades Gorges, with their breathtaking valleys and kasbahs, before heading to Ouarzazate, the famed “Hollywood of Africa.” Visit the picturesque Rose Valley and Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Finally, reach Marrakech, where you’ll enjoy a full-day city tour, exploring its historic sites and vibrant souks. Enjoy a day of leisure, a relaxing Hammam experience, and conclude your journey with a visit to Essaouira, a coastal town brimming with charm and cultural richness, completing this unforgettable Moroccan adventure.

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

DAY 1: Casablanca Airport – Rabat Overnight

Authentic Morocco Luxury Desert Tour 16 days, Morocco Travel Imperial Cities & Morocco desert tours from Marrakesh. Our tour will begin at Mohamed V airport in Casablanca. 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. After the visit, we will make our way 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 the 12th century.

DAY 2: Rabat – Chefchaouen

Before heading to Chefchaouen we will explore Oudaya Kasbah which was built in the 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defence 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 Khnetra and Sidi Kasim, stopping in Ouazzane, passing by spectacular scenery with cedar, oak and almond trees.

Before heading to Chefchaouen we will explore Oudaya Kasbah which was built in the 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defence against the Spanish army.

DAY 3: Chefchaouen City Tour Guide

Chefchaouen is a spectacular city located between three mountains, the highest, called Chef, which means ‘the head’, is 2050 metres high, the second, called Cha, is 1800 metres high and the third, Aouen, is 1600 metres high. In the Berber language, it is called Chefchaouen which translates as “Horns”.

Since 2010 it has been one of the UNESCO’s preserved international monuments. The houses are blue and white, with narrow streets, which you will have the opportunity to walk around.

DAY 4: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes

After breakfast we will depart at 9:00 am and journey northeast towards Meknes. We will have a break for lunch close to Ouazzane before arriving at Volubilis, the largest Roman ruins in Morocco, adorned for beautiful mosaics. This historical place will take you back to the Roman period. 

We will visit the mausoleum of Moulay Driss Zerhoune, in the centre of Meknes, before making our way to our hotel where we will overnight and have dinner.

DAY 5: Meknes – Fes

We will begin our day with a visit to the granary at Sahrige Swani, which was used to store provisions for the army.

We will also visit the royal palace and Moulay Ismail mausoleum. We will enter into the medina via the largest gates, Bab Mansour, built in 1732, passing the square of Saht Lhdim (a smaller version of Jamaa el Fna square).

We will then drive to Fes where we will overnight with dinner in a hotel.

DAY 6: Fes City Tour Guide

After breakfast, we will visit the Royal Palace Gate (Seven Gates), where you will have a beautiful panoramic view of the medina, from the southern tower.

We will then discover Fes’ handicrafts and the art of pottery making, view marvelous mosaics and hear tales of times gone by. We will explore together the old Medina; walking through the small alleyways (more than nine thousand).

It is a great opportunity to see the Koranic school of Elmadrasa Elboananiya or Madrasa Echaratine which make Fes the intellectual and cultural capital of the kingdom. A great way to discover Fes will be with a delicious dinner, enjoying local music and belly dancing.

DAY 7: Fes Relaxing Day

A free day to explore Fes by yourselves.

DAY 8: Fes – Ifran – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Erg Chebbi Merzouga

Fes desert Tours and Camel treks. After breakfast, we will continue our way across the Atlas Mountains passing by Ifrane; a famous European-style ski resort and city.

We will then make our way to Azrou, where we will see the forest of cedar trees, inhabited by Magot monkeys. We will drive to Midelt, for lunch, where each June the festival of apples takes place. After lunch, we will cross Ziz Valley, which is characterised by date and palm trees.

We will stop at the famous dam of Hassan Addakhil built during the French protectorate. We will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 9: Erg Chebbi Merzouga – Khamlia – Rissani – Erg Chebbi Desert With Camel Ride And Overnight In Private Tent

After breakfast we will head further into the Sahara desert and discover the charm of the dunes, making our way to Khamlia to see and enjoy the Gnaoua music.

We will stop for lunch and take a camel ride to enjoy the sunset over the sand dunes. The night will be spent in the middle of Sahara desert sleeping in a Berber tent.

DAY 10: Erg Chebbi – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Gorge

We will get up early to watch the sunrise before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After that, we will continue our way passing to a traditional system of underground irrigation in the south-east of Morocco known as Elkhatarat.

We will have lunch in either Touroug or Tinjdad and get to see the now dormant anti-Atlas volcanoes.

We will visit Todra Gorge where we will enjoy a short walk between the cliffs before heading to Dades Gorge, where we will spend the night.

DAY 11: Dades Gorge – (Off Road 15 Km) Rose Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate

after breakfast we head to the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs, passing by green fields, fig, walnut, almond and pomegranate trees, and on to the colorful Rose Valley, famous for its rose water which is used in beauty products.

The locals celebrate the Rose Festival here each year. The Damask rose was brought to this area by Berbers on their way back from a pilgrimage.

We will stop at Amridil Kasbah, built in the 17th Century, before crossing the palm tree grove of Skoura, arriving in Ouarzazate, where we will overnight in a hotel with dinner.

After a full and enriching day, you can unwind and relax in a traditional hammam or enjoy the calm atmosphere of a cool, shaded riad.

DAY 12: Ouarzazate – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Ouarzazate is a beautiful city located in the south-east of Morocco, known as the Hollywood of Africa. We will stop here for a while before continuing to Ait Ben Haddou village, where we will explore the famous Kasbah preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1987.

The films ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ were filmed here. We will take around 40 minutes walk around the village, before continuing our journey across the gorgeous Ounila Valley to reach Telouet Kasbah.

Afterwards, we will continue our way across the stunning High Atlas (Tizi-n-Tichka, 2260 metres high), to the city of Marrakech.

DAY 13: Marrakech Full Day City Tour Guide

You will be with a local guide who will escort you around this beautiful city, visiting historical monuments: the gorgeous Bahia palace built in the 19th century, the 17th-century Saadian tombs, the Koranic School of Ben Youssef, and the Koutoubia mosque built in the 12th century.

You will also visit the famous Souks; a great place for shopping where you can buy presents for your family, friends or yourselves.

You will have free time to enjoy a mint tea or coffee in one of the restaurants or cafes where you can get amazing panoramic views of Jamaa El Fna square.

DAY 14: Marrakech You Will Enjoy Hammam

A free day to explore Marrakech by yourselves. Visit the new city of Gueliz, treat yourself to a Hammam and spa, or visit the beautiful Majorelle Gardens built by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, and Menara Gardens built in the 12th century.

DAY 15: Marrakesh – Essaouira

Day Tour from Marrakesh to Essaouira, also known as Mogador, is a small city on the Atlantic coast. We will explore the old Medina, visit the port and the handicraft and jewelry quarter.

Essaouira is a wonderful place to visit, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, 170 km from Marrakech. It is located on the Atlantic Coast and is known for the Gnaoua festival that takes place every year, for three days during the first week of June. There are approximately 500 Berber families living in Essaouira now. During the 15th century, Essaouira was occupied by the Portuguese, who established trading here.

Essaouira is a beautiful place where you can enjoy walking along the beach, and exploring the old Medina. With visits to the port, handicrafts complex, Moroccan Jewelers and the market this is a great place to buy souvenirs. For wonderful panoramic views then Skalla, close to the sea, is the place to be. Enjoy a delicious fish lunch in a local restaurant.

DAY 16: Essaouira – Marrakech Or Casablanca Airport Transfer To Marrakech Or Casablanca Airport.

Included

Not Included

Route itinerary