9 days from Marrakech to Tangier

Day 1: marrakech – high altitudes – Ouarzazate – Valley of roses – Dades Valley.

After breakfast we start our route towards Ouarzazate passing through the high altitudes, crossing the port of Tizi n Tichka making stops to see the magnificent views offered by the mountains of the high, we continue our route to the city of Ouarzazate, city known as the gateway to the desert (Hollywood of Africa) possibility to visit the film studios, where they shot famous films such as gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia jewel of the Nile etc ….

After several stops we head towards the Valley of the roses where we will make a stop to see the valley and the product that is taken from the rose bushes. Finally we will finish our day in the dades valley, accommodation and dinner in riad / hotel next to the dades river.

Day 2: dades gorges- todra gorges- erfoud – erg chebbi desert ( merzouga)

Today will be a special day to experience the Sahara of Merzouga one of the most beautiful places in the country. After breakfast we start our day heading to the gorges of the todra, a canyon of vertical walls that extends from its entrance about 15 km, its highest walls reach approximately 300 m high, its narrowest point being about 10 to 20 meters wide. These gorges open into the lush valleys of the Draa where crops and palm groves intermingle with small villages. Arrival in the area of Merzouga in the afternoon. At sunset camel ride (40 mins approximately) in a sea of dunes of the desert of erg chebbi, arrival at the camp of luxury tents, accommodation and dinner.

Day 3: merzouga desert – nomadic families.

On this day, we have to get up early to enjoy one of the best sunrises of the trip. After watching the sunrise, we will go down to shower and have breakfast. We can choose to return to Merzouga by 4×4 or camel. Upon arrival at the hotel where we will be staying, we will leave our luggage and begin our desert day in a 4×4.

Visit to Khamlia Village 

Our first stop will be in a small village far from the center of Merzouga called Khamlia, an original village of black people from southern Africa. Here, we will enjoy a concert of Berber music with their original instruments and a refreshing mint tea.

Exploring Marble Mines and Panoramic Desert Views 

We will continue our journey to the marble mines and the nearby panoramic viewpoint, which offers an incredible view of the entire Erg Chebbi desert. From the mines, after 5 km of track, we will arrive at a nomad village located about 35 km from the border with Algeria.

Nomad Village Visit 

In the nomad village, we will visit an authentic Berber tent and explore the way of life of the nomads. We will enjoy another tea and a tasty bread made with love, learning about their customs and traditions.

Dakar Track and Free Afternoon 

We will then continue our day by passing through the Dakar track, which was last used in 2004. We will return to our accommodation in Merzouga in the afternoon, where you will have free time.

Optional Activities 

If you wish, you can engage in activities like riding a quad or buggy to see the sunset in the high dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi).

Summary of the Day

• Early wake-up to watch the sunrise over the dunes
• Breakfast and return to Merzouga by 4×4 or camel
• Leave luggage at the hotel
• Desert day in 4×4:
  • Visit Khamlia village and enjoy Berber music
  • Visit marble mines and panoramic desert viewpoint
  • Visit a nomad village and experience their lifestyle
• Pass through the Dakar track
• Return to accommodation in Merzouga, free afternoon
• Optional quad or buggy activity to see the sunset
• Accommodation in a riad at the foot of the dunes

Day 4: MERZOUGA- ERFOUD-ERRCHIDIA-ZIZ VALLEY-MIDELT-BOSIQUE DESEDROS-IFRAN-FEZ.

After a magical night in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, we continue our journey to Fez. Our first stop, after about an hour and a half on the road, will be in the Ziz Valley, one of the largest palm groves in Morocco. Here, we will stretch our legs, have a coffee, and enjoy the magnificent views offered by the valley.

Stop in Midelt 

We continue our route to Midelt, a city known for its apple cultivation, which is the main economic activity of the region. Here, we will stop at the local bus station to enjoy a traditional local lunch.

Cedar Forest and Macaques 

After lunch, we will drive for about two hours before making another stop in the cedar forest (Michelifen). Here, we will see and feed the Barbary macaques, which are native to North Africa and the Gibraltar area.

Ifrane – The Switzerland of Africa 

About 15 km from the cedar forest, we will arrive in Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Africa due to its European-style architecture and the amount of snow it receives. We will make a brief stop of 10-15 minutes to explore the center of this charming city.

Arrival in Fez 

After about an hour’s drive from Ifrane, we will arrive at our destination, Fez. We will check into our riad for accommodation and breakfast.

Summary of the Day

• Departure from Erg Chebbi
• Stretch and coffee break in Ziz Valley
• Continue to Midelt
  • Traditional local lunch at the bus station
• Drive through cedar forest (Michelifen)
  • Feed and observe Barbary macaques
• Brief stop in Ifrane (Switzerland of Africa)
• Arrival in Fez
  • Check into riad for accommodation and breakfast

Day 5: FEZ-VISIT LOCAL-FEZ

After breakfast we will start the visit of the city, the first of the Imperial Cities, its origin dates back to the eighth century. It is also one of the first holy cities of Muslim worship in Morocco and is also proud to host one of the oldest universities in the world. When you enter the streets of its medina (old city) you can feel that time goes backwards: the guild structure is still present at work, 

the narrowness of its streets does not allow other means of transport than mules and a constant tingling of people move through the labyrinthine streets in the middle of which we will be surprised by neighborhoods like the Andalusian and magnificent mosques and Koranic schools. Fez has always been associated with study and religiosity, and remains the spiritual capital of Morocco. After visiting the medina another option is to walk aimlessly through the streets of Fez-Jdid, where you will find the royal palace, the mellah (Jewish quarter) and the oldest mosque in Fez. Overnight in Fez.

Day 6 : FEZ-MEKNES-ROMAN RUINS-CHEFCHAOUEN

Breakfast at the Riad. Early departure this morning towards Meknes,
one of the 4 powerful imperial cities of Morocco. Visit with a local guide. The Medina is smaller and more relaxed than that of Fez. Founded in the 10th century by a Berber tribe, it became the capital of the country in the 17th century. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Still today, it is protected by about forty kilometers of ramparts, where the “Bab al Mansour”, a large gate considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved in the country, stands out. 

The city is home to imposing monuments, including many mosques, hence the name “the city of a hundred minarets”. We will visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail the founder of the city of Meknes, the barn-stable “Heri es Souani” and the subway prison “Habs Qara”. After the visit we will head to Chaouen. On the way we will visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis, the largest Roman archaeological site in Morocco: Triumphal Arch, capitol, house of Bacchus … form this outdoor treasure. After 2 hours of walking through the mountain, we leave the rif. Arrival in Chaouen, night in riad.

Day 7: CHEFCHAOUEN- TETUAN-TANGER

After breakfast time to visit chefchaouen, mysterious village founded as a secret place from which to attack the Portuguese installed on the north coast of the country. The entrance to the village was totally forbidden to Europeans until the arrival of the Spanish troops in 1920. It is located within a natural reserve of the biosphere. Chaouen is a holy city perched on the mountain, its streets painted in white and blue, a village of wise, kind and respectful people, offering the visitor beautiful urban panoramas in decline, precious samples of local crafts and a peace and serenity that today is difficult to find. 

After the visit of the blue city, we will head to Tetouan, we will visit Tetouan, a city known as “the white dove” for its luminosity and the predominant color of its houses. We will visit the Medina, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, where we can appreciate the Andalusian influence as it should be remembered that for years this was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco. Accommodation and breakfast in riad.

Day : 8 TANGER-VISIT OF TANGIER.

After breakfast in riad, we will visit the Caves of Hercules and then, 5 km away, Cape Espartel, where the waters of the Mediterranean Sea converge with the Atlantic Ocean, we will arrive at the medina of Tangier, just after leaving the port, up the “street of the beach” where we find one of the most precious buildings of the colonial era, the “Teatro Cervantes” in a sad state of neglect.

 Then we arrived at the market of the small souk and the square of the great souk, the nerve center of the city that gives us entrance to the medina with its streets full of artisans, bazaars, cafes and street stalls that we walk until we reach the Kasbah, noble and high part of the medina where we taste the traditional cuisine enjoying beautiful views of the Strait, Tangier and its bay. On the way to the Café Hafa where we take mint tea reminiscent of Bowles and others, we visit the Phoenician necropolis and in the evening, overnight in riad.

Day 9: TANGIER – PORT / TANGIER AIRPORT.

After breakfast transfer to the port / airport of Tangier according to your flight schedule, and end of our services.