10 Days Casablanca to Marrakech by Merzouga

Your private tour of Morocco begins with a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Casablanca. Today’s tour site seeing depends on the time of your arrival. If time permits we can explore a handful of Casablanca’s tourist sites, such as the Hassan II Mosque, Moroccan Mall shopping center and a nearby beach area.

This morning we can complete Casablanca’s tourist sites that time didn’t permit on Day 1. Then after lunch in the city, we’ll drive to Meknes, a former imperial city, surrounded by one of Morocco’s main wine regions. Following a brief stop in Meknes, we will drive to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. You will have time to explore the ruins and mosaics on your own or possibly engage a local guide for a more immersive experience. Then we will continue to Fes where we spend the night at a local riad /hotel.

Today will be devoted to sightseeing Fes, Morocco’s spiritual capital. This will consist of visiting the following places: the Medieval Medina, the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum and the Karaouine Mosque (external visits only). You’ll be offered the choice of having lunch at a traditional restaurant in the heart of Medina then, after a late afternoon visit to the souks and Fes Jdid (New Fes), you’ll be returned to your hotel.

We will drive towards Ifrane today after breakfast. Ifrane is known as ‘the Switzerland of Morocco’. We will continue to Midelt and then we pass along the Ziz Valley to reach the city of Erfoud. Erfoud is very famous for its local fossil products. The option to stop and learn more about the region and fossils is also possible. After Erfoud, we head to the ancient market town of Rissani to explore its souk. Tonight the journey finishes in Merzouga where we stay in the hotel on the edge of the desert dunes.

After breakfast today, we’ll drive to a checkpoint in the Merzouga desert. Upon arrival there we’ll trade in our 4×4 for camels (optional). Then lead by an experienced camel guide, and explore the region of Erg Chebbi. It’ll take around 90 minutes to reach the campsite. Once there, we’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dunes. Then after dark, our dinner will be served around a campfire. This night will be spent in traditional Berber tents under the desert sky.

This morning we’re up early, to catch the sunrise over the dunes, before arriving at a local hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. Then we’ll head through Rissani and Tinghir to Todra Gorge; the highest and narrowest gorge in Morocco. After lunch at the Gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley. We’ll stop to enjoy the view of the geological feature known locally as “Monkey Toes”. Tonight we stay overnight in Dades valley.

Your private tour continues today with a drive towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate, recognized as “the African Hollywood”. Here, we may visit the local film studio and Kasbah (Fortress). We’ll then head to Ait Ben Haddou, to visit the local Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO world heritage site. We’ll continue over the High Atlas Mountains until we reach Marrakech where we’ll spend the night.

Today is fully in Marrakech. You will explore the main attractions and monuments of the city including the famous Jamma el Fna Square, Koutoubia Mosque, the souks, palaces, and museums. We’ll also explore parts of the city such as Gueliz, The Menara Gardens, and the Majorelle Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll get the chance to explore the city at your leisure. Returning to Jamma el Fna Square for dinner at one of the many food stalls, or perhaps a hammam – or both. Before returning to your Marrakech hotel/riad.

Today we’ll have a guided tour of beautiful Essaouira, a historic city on the Atlantic coast with 18th-century ramparts called Skala de la Kasbah and a more relaxed Medina. After this, we return to your Marrakech hotel/riad for the final night.

Today we’ll drive you to Casablanca where your tour ends.