Imperial Cities and Desert10 days from Tangier

Day by day

1. Day 01

   Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen

   Airport pick-up in Tangier at the time of your flight’s arrival, holding a sign with the name of our agency Unique Morocco Experience, and the start of the route towards Chefchaouen, a mysterious town founded as a secret place from which to attack the Portuguese settled on the northern coast of the country.

   Entrance to the town was completely forbidden to Europeans until the arrival of Spanish troops in 1920. It is located within a natural biosphere reserve.

   Chefchaouen is a holy city perched on the mountain, with its streets painted in white and blue, a village of wise, kind, and respectful people, offering visitors beautiful urban landscapes in decline, exquisite examples of local craftsmanship, and a peace and serenity that is hard to find today.

   Arrival in Chefchaouen and free afternoon.

   Accommodation in a riad in the medina.

2. Day 02

   Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknés – Fez

   After breakfast, we will have free time to explore the small blue medina of Chefchaouen, surrounded by the Rif mountains. We will stroll through its winding streets, entering through any of its five gates and allowing ourselves to be guided by our senses among its ancient blue and white houses, filled with new scents, colors, and sounds.

   We will continue our route towards Fez, skirting the Mamora forest and detouring about 27 km from Meknes (we will stop to take a walk through its square), where the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis are located. We will have time to admire and walk among the magnificent archaeological remains from the Roman era.

   Finally, we will arrive in Fez, where we will have dinner and spend the night in a riad/hotel.

3. Day 03

   Fez (City Tour)

   Breakfast and guided tour in Fez, the first of the Imperial Cities, whose origins date back to the 8th century. It is also one of the first holy cities of Muslim worship in Morocco and proudly hosts one of the oldest universities in the world.

   Entering the streets of its medina (old city), we will feel as if time has turned back: the guild structure is still present in the work, the narrowness of its streets allows no other means of transport than donkeys, and a constant bustle of people moves through the labyrinthine alleyways, where we will be surprised by neighborhoods like the Andalusian quarter and magnificent mosques and Quranic schools.

   Accommodation in a riad in the medina.

4. Day 04

   Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Monkey Forest – Erfoud – Merzouga

   From Fez, our adventure will begin. We will head towards the Middle Atlas to visit Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Africa. The next town will be Azrou, “the rock,” a Berber town known for its crafts, carpets, and wood carvings.

   Next, we will arrive in Midelt. In the Middle Atlas, you can observe monkeys living freely in the cedar forests. We will continue the journey through the Tizi Talghemt or Camel’s Neck pass, at an altitude of 1,907 meters. The landscape is impressive, with completely bare mountains.

   We will arrive in Errachidia, where the Tafilalet massif develops until the Erfoud palm grove, which offers the best dates in the country. We will continue the route until we reach the large dunes of fine orange sand of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga. We will have free time to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the desert.

   Dinner and accommodation in a hotel facing the dunes.

5. Day 05

   Merzouga – Khamlia – Visit Nomads in the Desert – Rissani – Desert

   After breakfast, we will visit Khamlia, known as the village of “the blacks” because its inhabitants are descendants of the old slave trade from Sudan. They are excellent musicians and have made this art their way of life; we will enjoy a small Gnawa music concert with them.

   We will return to the 4×4 to travel one of the tracks used in the “Paris-Dakar Rally,” visiting the Khol mines and the remains of a French and Berber village. We will make a panoramic stop to contemplate the sand desert that comprises the entire Erg Chebbi.

   We will visit some desert nomads in the process of settling down, with whom we can have tea and learn more about their way of life. After passing through the Hassi Labiad garden, we will head to Rissani, the first imperial city, where we will walk through its large African market. Nomads and people from nearby villages come to this market to sell their goods and buy the items they need.

   After lunch, we will return to the hotel to rest and prepare to venture into the desert.

   We will leave at the hotel what we do not need and mount the dromedaries.

6. Day 06

   Erg Chebbi Desert – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

   In the morning, you can wake up early to witness the sunrise from the top of a large dune and then return to the hotel with the camels.

   After a hearty breakfast and a refreshing shower, we will continue towards Erfoud, famous for its fossil quarries dating back over 380 million years. These fossils are worked by local people to create various objects.

   Next, we will head to the famous Todra Gorges, a favorite spot for climbers and trekking enthusiasts. Here, you will have time to stroll amidst the towering mountain walls and cool off by the river.

   We will then proceed to the Dades Valley, following the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs,” and venture into the Valley of Roses, where locals produce creams, soaps, and the famous rose water from the cultivation of these flowers.

   Dinner and accommodation in a cozy hotel in the mountains along the Dades River.

7. Day 07

   Dades Valley – Boutaghrar Track – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate

   We will head towards the beautiful Dades Gorges, following the river’s course, which will lead us into landscapes filled with strange geological formations, abandoned kasbahs, Berber villages, and lush orchards.

   We will continue towards Ouarzazate, crossing the Valley of Roses via the Boutaghrar track to see the nomads who live in caves and the mountain landscapes. We will reach the Valley of Roses, known for the cultivation of the Damask rose, from which many cosmetic products are made.

   We will pass through the village of Skoura, with its vast palm grove that houses many abandoned ancient kasbahs. Here, you can stroll through the labyrinthine oasis and visit the Amerdil kasbah.

   We will arrive in Ouarzazate, where we will take a panoramic tour of the Taourirt kasbah. Ouarzazate is also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco,” so if you’re interested in cinema, you can visit the film studios where many famous movies have been filmed.

   Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel/riad in Ouarzazate.

8. Day 08

   Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech

   Thirty kilometers from Ouarzazate, we will visit the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO World Heritage site). We will have free time to stroll through the kasbah’s streets and climb to the top to enjoy the beautiful views of the valley.

   We will then continue our journey to the Kasbah Telouet, where you will also have time to walk through the village of Telouet and visit its kasbah. We can have lunch on site if you wish.

   Afterward, we will head towards the red city of Marrakech, traversing t he High Atlas Mountains and crossing the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2,260 meters in altitude). We will make stops as desired to enjoy the spectacular mountain landscapes, with their stone villages in the valleys and on the slopes.

   Arrival in Marrakech and transfer to the hotel where we will spend the night.

9. Day 09

   Marrakech (City Tour)

   After breakfast, we will begin the guided tour of Marrakech, a city famous for its Jemaa el-Fna square, which will occupy much of your time: a blend of unique aromas, sounds, and sensations. The city also offers countless places to explore and enjoy: the Majorelle Gardens, the Menara Gardens, the Saadian Tombs, walks through the medina or the mellah (the old Jewish quarter), the tour of the city walls, and the modern city (Gueliz) with its Western lifestyle.

   Accommodation in a riad in the medina of Marrakech.

10. Day 10

    Marrakech – Airport Marrakech

    Breakfast and free time to continue exploring the city at your own pace. Later, transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.

    End of our services.