Tangier imperial cities & Desert Tour – 16 Days – 15 Nights – From Tangier
Journeys of
Tangier imperial cities & Desert Tour
16 days 15 Nights . Tour from Tangier
Starting from Tangier one of the most beautiful north cities in Morocco to the blue city Chefchaouen and the historical Volubilis, imperial cities of Fes and Meknes, heading to the the quietness of Ifrane and its cedar forest and breathtaking landscapes. Visit Midelt, Erfoud, to Merzouga desert the red big dunes, spend a night in a tent, interesting attractions, the Berber culture, last not least the unique capital city Rabat
Day 1: Arrival to Tangier – Transfer to the hotel.
Arrival to Tangier Airport or port where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Our driver will provide a brief overview of your tour. If time allows, you will explore the main sites of Tangier Cape Spartel and Hercules cave. Check in at the hotel for the overnight with dinner.
Day 2: Tangier – Chefchaouen
After breakfast, we will start our day towards the blue town of Chefchaouen which is a Morocco popular tourist attraction and welcoming town situated in the Rif Mountains just south of the Mediterranean coastline in northwest Morocco. This nice bleu city is known for its traditional buildings. Enjoy a walk to explore the white and blue washed walls of the medina and the markets that offer some unique native handicrafts. Chefchaouen is a fantastic destination for photography with its wonderful views of the Rif Mountains. Overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Explore The Blue Chefchaouen
After breakfast, discover the blue washed narrow alleys of the friendly medina. Visit the walled fortress of the Kasbah contains beautiful gardens, near which is the small museum and art gallery which houses the rich culture of the Rif Mountains. From the rooftop of the Kasbah view a spectacular panorama of the blue and white washed houses, tiled roofs and tiny balconies. After exploring the medina, walk in the nearby hillsides with the wonderful and magnificent waterfalls. The town offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular. Overnight with dinner at the Riad.
Day 4: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
After your breakfast at the hotel, we will continue your magical journey with a scenic drive that will take us from high in the Rif Mountains through the fertile agricultural hills to the Roman Ruins at Volubilis, an open air museum. Volubilis is not as spectacular as the Roman sites on the Mediterranean rim but it is still a relaxed way of envisaging an important part of Moroccan history. We will shift our way to Meknes, the fourth of Morocco’s imperial cities and the 17th century heritage where we will stop for lunch and hang around the historical huge walls of the medina. After launch, we take a glimpse to Bab el Mansour and enjoy a visit of Moulay Ismail’s shrine. After the visit of Meknes we will drive directly to Fes city where you will spend the night.
Day 5: Explore the city of Fes
After breakfast at the Riad or Hotel, you will enjoy a guided tour of the medieval city Fez. This city once was the capital and one of the country’s four imperial cities. Fez comprises three distinct parts, Fez el Bali which is the oldest part surrounded by a big wall, where are more than 9000 narrow streets and allies. Fez-Jdid or the new Fes, home of the Mellah the Jewish quarter and the Ville Nouvelle the newest section of Fez created during the French occupation. Fez el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medina is the largest in the world. Among its narrow streets and allies, the oldest university in the world is located; The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859. This University is still operating nowadays. Overnight with breakfast at the hotel.
Day 6: Fez – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Midelt
Today we Travel towards Ifran, a beautiful mountains village, referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco” and then on to Midelt. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas mountains. At the top, the tour will make a short stop in Azrou, cedar forests – the largest in Morocco – where you may see Barbary apes ( Moroccan Macaque). Crossing the deep forest, the Grand Tour in Morocco continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. It’s an interesting road with a stop for lunch. Spending night in Midelt with dinner.
Day 7: Midelt – Ziz Valley – Errachidia – Erfoud
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive across the rest of the Middle Atlas Mountains range. The contrast of the rich purple soil and the tall evergreens is magnificent. We cross a 6,000-foot pass in the mountains and head further toward the Sahara. This is a fascinating transfer as we witness the varied geologic and ecological zones we travel through. We descend into Erfoud, a small trading village that is the gateway to the vast Sahara Desert.This evening, we’ll enjoy dinner in our hotel.
Day 8: Erfoud – Merzouga Desert
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you will meet driver to start a relaxing day across the barren land to the majestic Sahara sand dunes. We continue the spirit of the nomadic Berber lifestyle. There you will enjoy the sunset and the silence of the Sahara desert. The desert spreads with intensity beyond the horizon. The scent of soft, hot earth surrounds the town. Even the edge of the desert is breathtaking in its scope and surprising beauty. There you will enjoy the sunset and the silence of the Sahara desert. After dinner we gather round the fire and enjoy the desert night with traditional Berber drums. You will then spend the night in deluxe Berber tents with private bathrooms and hot showers.
Early morning wake up to watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the colour of the dunes combines with the play of shadows to make an awesome sight. After breakfast, you will ride the camels back to meet your driver leaving to the fortified village of Rissani in the Tafilalt region. Nestled at the edge of the Ziz Valley, Rissani is a traditional desert village yet houses the impressive Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif. Journey through the impressive Todra Gorges and past the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains to Todra Oasis, with its green valley of palms and local villages, before continuing on a scenic drive through the Dades Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of 1000 Kasbahs to arrive to the city of Ouarzazate. Overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Day 10: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhdaou – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, you will start with a Stop for a panoramic view of the Kasbah of Taourirt then another photo stop near the atlas film studios. After that you will visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and stop for lunch in a local restaurant in the village. In the Afternoon we will drive to Marrakech over the mountains of high Atlas passing through the Tizi N’tichka pass (2260 m in altitude). Arrival to Marrakech for the overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Day 11: Full Day to Visit Marrakech
Today you will have a full-day guided tour of Marrakech. The sightseeing tour will cover several impressive sights: The Koutoubia mosque, Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Palace Museum. Optional lunch will be in the medina followed by a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech. Enjoy a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jemaa El Fna Square from a terrace of a cafe, dinner and night at hotel.
Day 12: Marrakech – Essaouira
After breakfast we’ll head for Essaouira. En route, you will see many Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. You may also see local goats perched in the trees feeding on the fruit and leaves. At the women’s Co-operative of Argan Oil, there will be an opportunity to learn about the wide ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines. After several stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Essaouira. You’ll visit the Skala Fortress, the port, the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walking through the alleys of the medina and past the hundreds of handicrafts. Today you will have lunch in a Moroccan way, bought fishes ‘cooked to order’. The afternoon is free to walk and explore by yourself. Overnight accommodation with dinner at the Riad.
Day 13: Essaouira Relaxing day
Today is at leisure to explore the medina. You will have the opportunity to see the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter and The Medina as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful arts and crafts to be found, including objects carved out of local Thuya wood. You will enjoy a mint tea in one of the local cafés and explore the Atlantic-facing sandy beach. Night with breakfast at the Riad.
Day 14: Essaouira – Casablanca
After breakfast, departure to Casablanca via the picturesque coastal road, stopping in Oualidia for a fish lunch in a local restaurant with sea view. Continue to El jadida, sightseeing in the town includes the famous citadel, built under the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century. Arrival to Casablanca late afternoon. Night with breakfast at the hotel.
Day 15: Casablanca – Rabat – Tangier
After breakfast, drive towards Rabat the main capital. You will enjoy touring Hassan Tower as a 12th Century mosque that was collapsed by Lisbon earthquake. You will have the chance to visit the ornamented mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan II. The building is considered a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture, with its white silhouette, topped by a typical green tiled roof. You will also reach the old Oudayyas Kasbah at the side of Bou Regreg River. This fortification was built as a military defense in the 12th century by the Almohads dynasty. The guided tour will go behind to early ages by visiting the Roman Chellah ruins as a necropolis at the outskirts of Rabat. Afterwards, take the highway towards the northern city of Tangier. Overnight with dinner at the hotel.
Day 16: Tangier – Back to the Airport
Transfer to Tangier Airport or Ferry with great memories of your amazing Morocco journey.
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