10 Days From Casablanca,Fez, Meknes, Merzouga Desert, Marrakech

10 Days From Casablanca, Fez, Meknes, Merzouga Desert, Marrakech

• Departure from Casablanca.
• Duration: 10 days.

Itinerary:

Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, MoulayIdriss, Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Ifrane National Park, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Rissani, Todra Gorges, Dades Gorges, Valley of the Roses, KelaaM’Gouna, Skoura Oasis, Ouarzazate, Kasbah Taourirt, Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech.

End of tour: Casablanca.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

DAY 1: CASABLANCA – RABAT – MEKNES.

Pick up at the hotel after breakfast. We will start our itinerary with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the only mosque in Morocco that is open to non-Muslims.

Curiosities of the Mosque:

1.- At its top, at night, a laser beam marks the direction of Mecca, with a range of 30 km.
2 .- The mosque has been paid for by all Moroccans by popular subscription.
3 .- Its location (an artificial peninsula on the ocean water) is because Hassan II was inspired by a verse of the Koran that said: “The throne of Allah was on the water.
4.- The Mosque has a large prayer hall for 25,000 worshippers and an esplanade for 80,000 people.
The building has 25 doors of titanium and brass and they are opened by an electrical system.
6.- Inside the prayer hall 76 pillars support a gigantic painted cedar wood ceiling.
The roof of the prayer hall is retractable, it can be opened to let the sun’s rays in, allowing the sky to reflect on the water of the pond in the courtyard.
It has 10,000 square meters of tiles, 67,000 square meters of plaster and 53,000 square meters of precious woods and marbles. Some 2500 people and 10,000 Moroccan craftsmen worked on the construction. The approximate cost of the mosque was about 5494 million dirhams (about 504.85 million euros).

9 .- In its construction have also been used the latest technologies in earthquake resistance.
10 .- The floor is equipped with radiant heating.
11 .- The minaret has a fast elevator that reaches the top in a minute.
The impressive chandeliers in the prayer hall are made of Murano glass and weigh approximately one thousand kilos.
And, with the image of the most dazzling Mosque of all Morocco still in our memory, we will move to Rabat, the capital, which is approximately 90 kilometers from Casablanca and after lunch, we will make a panoramic tour of the Royal Palace and the government district, we will see the Hassan Tower, emblem of the city and visit the mausoleum of Mohammed V.

The Hassan Tower is what remains of the minaret of the Hassan Mosque, a mosque of Almohad origin of the twelfth century. In the esplanade where it is located only the famous minaret of 44 meters high and the columns that mark the 21 naves of what was once the largest prayer hall in the Islamic West. With a floor plan of 183×139 meters it surpassed the Mosque of Cordoba and could comfortably accommodate more than 20,000 worshippers.

In front of the tower stands the Mausoleum of Mohamed V – Hassan II, built in the traditional Moroccan style between 1961 and 1969, beautifully decorated, where imams follow one another day and night reciting the Koran. It houses the remains of the king who achieved the independence of the country in the 50’s of the last century and two of his sons, marble, Atlas hardwoods, tiles, gilded brass and glass form a set worth visiting. The Cedar coffered ceilings and the stained glass windows, commissioned from the prestigious French studio of St-Gobain, stand out above all. Next to the mausoleum there is a small museum dedicated to the history of the Alawite dynasty and a mosque closed to non-Muslims.

Next, we will visit the ruins of ChellahSellah. It is located outside the walls, about 3 km. From Rabat. The complex houses the remains of the Roman city of Sala Colonia. The site was rebuilt in the thirteenth century by the Marinids as a necropolis. In the Muslim part are to highlight the mosque of Abu YusufYacub, of the XIII century, with the minaret in ruins. Behind the minaret is the tomb of Abu El-Hassan, “The Black Sultan” of the fourteenth century, whose exterior is adorned by a beautiful canopy decorated with stalactites and next to the mosque is the tombstone of Chamsed-Duha (“Morning Sun”), a European citizen converted to Islam and wife of Abu El-Hassan. This was the most important of the Marinid sultans and fought to extend his empire throughout the Maghreb. Dethroned by his son Abu Inan, he died in the High Atlas in 1349, it was his son who brought his body to Chellah for burial.

You will find more information in the guide section of the site.

After that, we will return to the road to travel 160 kms towards Meknes, another of the imperial cities of Morocco that we will visit, in detail, the next day in which you will have a guided tour.

We will spend the night in a charming Riad, very well located, so that you can enjoy before dinner a walk in the surroundings and have a first impression of the imperial city of Meknes.

DAY 2: MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – MOULAY IDRISS – FEZ

After breakfast we will pick you up at the place where you are staying for a city tour of Meknes.

Meknes is the French name for the Moroccan city of Meknes. It is a city, in the middle of a green valley, in the north of Morocco located at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains. It is the capital of the region of Meknes-Tafilalet and one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, along with Fez, Rabat and Marrakech. In 1996 it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

The origins of the city date back to the eighth century, with the construction of a Kasbah. In the tenth century settled in the area a Berber tribe, the Meknasa, origin of the name of the city. Meknes experienced its period of splendor in the seventeenth century as the imperial capital of the Alawite Sultan Mulay Ismail (1672-1727). His death marks its decline in favor of another nearby city, Fez.

The Boufekrane River divides the city in two, the old city or medina and the new city or Hamría.

Its architecture combines elements of Muslim and European urban design and planning, which gives the city a unique personality and makes it an example of a 17th century Maghrebi city.

You can consult what to visit in Meknes in the guides section of this page, where you will find detailed information on the historical monuments of interest in the city and more useful tips.

At 33 kms from Meknes, heading northwest, are the archaeological remains of the Roman city of Volubilis, the best preserved and most visited of all Morocco. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1997.

You enter through the southern quarter, where the oil mills are located, the house of Orpheus, with mosaics with scenes of everyday life, dolphins playing with the waves, and mythological images in medallions surrounded by geometric motifs and the Baths of Galien, which lead to the market square and the Capitol, a temple of which remain standing some columns topped with Corinthian capitals and next to which is the Basilica, which served as a stock exchange and courthouse and which remain four rows of columns and three naves, but undoubtedly the most spectacular is the main road, Decumanus Maximus, which ends in the Arch of Triumph of Caracalla, erected in 217 AD. c. The Forum, lined with porticoes and decorated with statues of emperors and notables, is also particularly noteworthy. Some beautiful mosaics that decorated the houses of Volubilis are preserved, such as the aforementioned House of Orpheus and the House of Dionysos, which has a spectacular mosaic of the four seasons.

You have the optional possibility of a guided tour of the archaeological complex.

We will also visit MoulayIdriss, about 5 kms from Volubilis, the holy city. Moulay Idriss is a small village, located between two of the imperial cities of Morocco, Meknes and Fez, but of great importance because this town keeps the essence of the Moroccan sacred traditions. It is declared of cultural interest in the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

We will continue to Fez, where we will stay in a traditional riad and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 3: GUIDED VISIT IN FEZ.

After breakfast, a guided tour of the city and its most emblematic monuments is planned, we will start the visit at the most important gateway of the medina Bab Bou Jeloud and from there we will visit, among other places of interest, the merdersas (or madrassas) Bou Inania and El-Attarine, Kairaoine and Karawiyin Mosque, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, Saffarine Square, the Fountain of Nejjarine, the famous tanneries of Fez and the ceramic cooperative where we will be given an explanation of the traditional Moroccan crafts, the Benimerines or Merinides Tombs and the Royal Palace to see its famous seven doors, but the best way to discover the charms of Fez is to devote the afternoon to stroll through the streets of the Medina Fez-El-Bali, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, a unique place in the world. It is the largest pedestrian area in the world, with more than 300 neighborhoods and 9,000 alleys. We will return to the hotel in the evening.

Again, I recommend you to consult the guide section.

DAY 4: FES – IFRANE – MIDELT – AZROU – MERZOUGA

After breakfast, we will leave in the direction of Merzouga through the Middle Atlas region. We will head to Ifrane, which is called the little Switzerland of Morocco because of the type of buildings with sloping roofs that abound there. It is a residential town of villas, chalets and luxury hotels. The King of Morocco has his winter palace in this town.

It is a very touristy destination, because of the proximity of the ski resort of Michlifen and Ifrane National Park, which formerly inhabited the Atlas lion, now extinct and which has been dedicated a stone sculpture in the city, much photographed by tourists.

We will enjoy the spectacular views of the cedar forests of Ifrane National Park, a magnificent natural monument. It is the largest cedar forest in Morocco and the world, which is why it is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The most famous inhabitant of this forest is the Great Gouraud Cedar, so called because it is the tallest (35 meters) and millennial of the entire region, with an estimated age of 900-100 years. It died years ago due to a processionary plague. We will make a stop to feed the Barbary monkeys.

We will also pass through the beautiful and picturesque Midelt on the route to the Sahara, where we will stop for lunch.

We will end the day in Merzouga, where we will stay in a cozy Riad.

DAY 5: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI – KHAMLIA.

We will start our itinerary today visiting the village of Khamlia.

This village was founded around 1950 by families of the Gnawa ethnic group. The Gnawa are a people originating from Central Africa, mainly Mali, Sudan and Senegal, where we can relax with a mint tea while enjoying a small concert of Gnawa music.

The inhabitants of Khamlia are mostly people of color, descendants of slaves. Music helped them cope with the hardship of a life of slavery. The Gnawa practice hypnotic trance through sub-Saharan roots music accompanied by tribal dances in which they intercede to the protector saints to whom they ask for protection. For this reason, many people in Morocco attribute to them the gift of healing.

Stop at the oasis of Tissardmin and continue to a nomadic settlement where we will learn some secrets of their life and customs. Later stop at a panoramic point where you can see the Erg Chebbi as a whole.

And, we will return to the hotel, where we will leave everything we will not need to go to the desert and change the vehicle for camels to make a tour of the dunes and watch the sunset. Witnessing the transition of the different shades of sunlight on the horizon from the warm golden to the dark blue of the sunset is an unforgettable experience.

The camel ride will take us about an hour and a half and we will continue our immersion in the spirit of nomadic Berber life. We will spend the night in the dunes of Erg Chebbien in a nomadic tent, made with dromedary wool, like those used by nomads in the desert, where you will enjoy a dinner based on typical dishes of Berber cuisine and listen to our music accompanied by the percussive sound of traditional Berber drums in the light of a campfire, all under the dome of stars that is the night sky in the Sahara. If you are one of those who count sheep to sleep, that night you will count stars.

It is difficult to describe what it feels like to be in the desert. The desert is not only a geographical place, it is also an interior space, a minimal, abstract, arid and austere landscape, a place of silence, but only in appearance, because it speaks to your heart.

DAY 6: MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TODRA GORGES – DADES GORGES AND CANYON.

This day we will get up before dawn to see the spectacle of light that is to see the sun rise from the desert dunes, when the sky is tinged with warm colors ranging from red to orange and orange to gold that will shine for the rest of the day.

We will return by camel to the hotel/riad for a shower and breakfast.

And we will set off to Rissani, one of the oldest cities in Morocco and capital of the Alaouite dynasty, crossing the arid yet interesting pre-desert landscapes on the way, we will stop to visit its traditional Souk, the market held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, considered the largest in southern Morocco.

Rissani was an important commercial center of the country during the fourteenth century, there stopped the caravans coming from the Sahel loaded with precious goods, gold, spices and slaves. It is the last commercial stop before entering the desert. One of the most unusual images of this market is the parking of donkeys and is that on market days to Rissani hundreds of people arrive from the surrounding villages and nomadic people to sell or exchange their products and the donkey is the vehicle of transport and load available to them. The charm of the Rissani market is its authenticity, because in this souk there are few tourists and, in that sense allows us to appreciate the rhythm of daily life of most Moroccans, who are not those who live in big cities.

We will cross the valleys of Touroug and Tinejdad to reach the Todra Gorges, one of the strong points of the south, where we will take some time to explore the rocky canyons. The Todra River has formed a gorge of vertical walls of enormous proportions (300 m) and great beauty; The Todra Gorge is a famous climbing site in Morocco but above all, it is a unique place. We will have lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to our hotel in the Dades Gorges.

DAY 7: DADES GORGE – SKOURA – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

After breakfast we will hike through the gorge, stopping at the “monkey’s paws”.

The cliffs of Tamlalt are curious formations of red sandstone in vertical and rounded shape. Seen from a distance and due to their grouped arrangement, they look like paws sculpted into the rock, hence they are known as “monkey paws”. They are one of the great attractions of the Dades Gorges. We will take a detour to see the cave houses of the nomads.

We will continue our journey through the Valley of the Roses, located at the foot of the High Atlas in Morocco, at the confluence with the Dades Valley. The name of the valley responds to the fact that the main crop of the area are roses. Flowering takes place from mid-April to mid-May, the latter month being the one in which the fragrance of the roses is most appreciated. The distillation of essences and the production of perfumes are the most important industry in the area. Flowering lasts from mid-April to mid-May. The rose found in this valley, called rosa damascena, is resistant to cold and drought, and one of the most perfumed and sought-after species in the world. It is believed that this variety of rose was introduced about three hundred years ago in one of the caravans of pilgrims returning from Mecca. It takes one ton of petals to produce one kilogram of rose essence. Harvesting is essentially a female activity and it is a hard activity, harvesting a kilo is a labor that takes more than an hour.

We will pass through the picturesque village of KelaaM’gouna, this place is well known for its “festival of roses” which is held every year in May and also the oasis of Skoura, to reach Ouarzazate.

In Ouarzazate are the most important film studios in Morocco called Atlas Studios, which houses a film museum and the Kasbah Taourirt, which you can visit.

The Kasbah Taourirt, is located on the hill. It is a spectacular village of clay and stone buildings surrounded by large walls, an aspect that makes it one of the most beautiful places in Morocco and a must for all travelers visiting this country.

It is one of the most important kasbah. It is connected to the outside world through a small entrance but inside it houses nearly 300 rooms, arranged along a maze of passages and steps. It was built in the 19th century by the Glaoui clan, a powerful Berber family, thanks to its power and wealth. Thami el Glaoui was known as the Lord of the Atlas and was Bajah of Marrakech between 1912 and 1956. The rooms that can be visited are part of a restoration project carried out with the financial support of UNESCO. There is still a part of the kasbah in ruins, but if you go to the back of the building there are some families living among them. You will be able, if you are interested, to see inside their homes for a small fee.

From here, we will head to Marrakech, but first we will make a stop to visit the most important and famous Kasbah of Morocco, the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Its walls have been the scene of many films, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, Babel, Sahara, the Jewel of the Nile, but also in this fortified city has been filmed that series that is already a worldwide phenomenon; Game of Thrones. Its streets were the streets of Yunkai, where the Khaleesi joined forces with mercenaries to expand her army before going to Westeros. You will enjoy free time to walk around it and climb to the summit to contemplate the views.

The end of the day’s journey will be in Marrakech. We stay in a local hotel/riad near Jamma El Fna square.

I recommend that you go out at night to enjoy the atmosphere of this square, undoubtedly the most important place in the Medina, a meeting place where public life develops day and night of the city and, is that one of the most striking notes of this square is its transformation throughout the day, because the square has no rest, it is always full of life, unique and diverse. Tourists and locals mix here at the same time. The square is surrounded by stores and restaurants. I recommend you to enter one of these bars or restaurants with terrace to appreciate these details. The square was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001 for its atmosphere, activity and people.

During the day in this square you will find fruit juice stalls, spices, flowers, snail stalls, monkey tamers, snake charmers, tooth pullers, henna tattoo artists, healers, water carriers with the typical costume etc.. At the end of the afternoon they disappear, the square is illuminated with hundreds of little lights, all the stalls are replaced by food stalls for dinner, which impregnate the atmosphere with the smells and smoke from the grills. It is then that the square is taken by storm by the most diverse people: street musicians with people dancing around them, storytellers, vendors of lamps and other gadgets, fortune tellers of an uncertain future, the omnipresent tattoo artists and people, many, many people.

DAY 8: MARRAKECH, GUIDED TOUR.

The next 2 days we will stay in Marrakech. This first day of our stay we will have a guided tour in the morning to discover the many facets of the city, we will visit the most beautiful and emblematic places of Marrakech, explore the maze of narrow streets of the Medina, visit the Menara Gardens, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, the impressive Koutubia Mosque with its famous minaret built by the Almohads (non-Muslims are not allowed), the souk of the medina, and also the new part of the city, the Gueliz Quarter, the Majorelle Gardens, etc ….

Afternoon at leisure. We refer you, for complete information, to the “guides” section of the site.

DAY 9: FREE DAY IN MARRAKECH.

DAY 10: MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA

We will pick you up at the agreed time at the hotel/riad where you are staying to take you to Casablanca airport, and this concludes our tour.

We hope you have enjoyed this tour and once again we encourage you to hire our services.

The tour INCLUDES:

– Departure and arrival transfers to your hotel/riad/airport or any other place.
– Transportation throughout the tour in a private high-end air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide.
– Visits detailed in the program.
– One night in desert camp, half board (dinner and breakfast).
– Accommodation in Hotel or Riad, half board (dinner and breakfast).
– Excursion through the desert dunes on dromedary (one dromedary per person), at sunset or sunrise, as circumstances dictate.
– Free time for the visits detailed in the program, as well as stops on request for walks or photos.
– Guided tour in Fez, Meknes and Marrakech.

The tour does NOT include:

– International flights.
– Drinks.
– Tips for visits.
– Half day lunch.
– Entrance fees to museums and historical monuments.
– Everything NOT specified in “the price includes”.