7 days to the desert, Chefchaouen, and Marrakech

7 days to the desert, Chefchaouen, and Marrakech

In this route, you’ll have the opportunity to visit two of the most visited cities due to their significant cultural heritage. Additionally, this location gives us the chance to cross the beautiful Atlas Mountains and venture into the depths of the Sahara Desert, where you’ll encounter the impressive dunes of Merzouga and even sleep in the desert in traditional Bedouin tents under the spectacular starry sky.

Itinerary

DAY 1: TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN

Arrival at Tangier port/airport and pick-up by our staff. Departure to Chefchaouen.

Arrival in Chefchaouen, transfer to your hotel, and free time to explore its streets, old houses painted in blue and white, and panoramic views. Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.

DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN – FEZ

After breakfast, we depart for Fez, bordering the Rif Mountains until we reach Fez. This afternoon is reserved for a guided tour of the city. A full day dedicated to exploring the intellectual city of the kingdom. There are numerous monuments to visit: Medersas (Quranic schools), Chahrij, Bouinania Attarin, Souks, Fes El-Jedid, the Karaouine Mosque (the first university in the world). Free time in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Fez.

DAY 3: FEZ – IFRANE – CEDAR FOREST – MERZOUGA DESERT

From Fez, we head towards the Middle Atlas, stopping in Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Africa. The next stop is Azrou, passing through the national park known for its cedar trees where you can find famous monkeys in the area. Next, we will go through the Ziz Valley, which will lead us to Erfoud, known for its fossils. Arrival in the desert where we will exchange our 4×4 for camels. We will take a pleasant 1-hour camel ride through the dunes to the camp of Berber tents, in the heart of the desert, where we will be greeted according to Sahara tradition with Berber tea. Spend the night in tents under the desert stars.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT – TODRA GORGES – DADES VALLEY

Today, it’s a must to wake up early to see the sunrise from the top of the dunes. After breakfast, we will continue our journey towards Todra Gorges. Its incredible landscapes will leave us speechless! Our day will end in the fascinating natural setting of the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in the Dades Valley.

DAY 5: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH

After breakfast, we will pass through the Valley of Roses and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs until we reach Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco. We will visit the Taourirt Kasbah and then, after a 25 km drive, we will visit the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for being the setting of many award-winning films. We will then continue our journey through the High Atlas Mountains (2,260m altitude) until we reach Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at the hotel. Free time to explore the city. Overnight stay in Marrakech.

DAY 6: EXPLORE MARRAKECH

After breakfast, we have a guided tour of Marrakech: Starting with the Koutoubia Minaret (S: XIII), sister to the Giralda of Seville, it is currently the beacon and spiritual center of Marrakech. We will then visit the Saadian Tombs (S: XVI) where its central vault of Carrara marble stands out. We will subsequently visit the Bahia Palace (S: XVI), an example of aristocratic life in Muslim medieval times, where its ambassador’s hall stands out, with its cedar wood ceiling. On foot, we head to the “Jemaa el F’naa Square” declared a World Heritage Site (the visit starts around 09:00 and ends at 13:00). Free time in the afternoon. Overnight stay at the Marrakech hotel.

DAY 7: TRANSFER TO MARRAKECH AIRPORT

At the agreed time, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. END OF OUR SERVICES AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP BACK.

NOTE: AN EXTRA DAY CAN BE ADDED TO THIS ITINERARY, TO SPEND TWO NIGHTS IN THE DESERT FOR AN EXPERIENCE OF GETTING TO KNOW THE NOMADS LIVING IN THE DESERT AND DOING MORE ACTIVITIES. THE PACKAGE CAN BE QUOTED IN DIFFERENT OPTIONS, HOTEL CATEGORIES FROM STANDARD TO LUXURY, GROUP TRAVEL WITH MORE PEOPLE, OR PRIVATE.