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9 Days Grand Tour In Morocco From Tangier
- Departure from Tangier.
- Duration: 9 days.
Itinerary:
Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknez, Fes, IFrane National Park, Ziz Gorges, Merzourga, Khamlia, Erg Chebbi Desert, Rissani, Valley of Roses, Todra Gorges, Dades Gorges, Ouarzazate, Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakesh.
End of tour: Marrakech.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
DAY 1: TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN
Arrival in Tangier and pick up at the port or airport of the same city.
Departure to ChefChauen, making a short stop in Tetouan, the Spanish city.
We will arrive in Chaouen, one of the most beautiful cities of the Rif Mountains and Morocco. We will visit the old part of the city. We will stroll through its streets and among its old houses of blue and white, and also contemplate its panoramic views.
The city was founded in 1471 on the site of a small Berber village by Moulay Ali Ben Rachid. Located in an enclave of difficult access that dominated the trade route between Tetouan and Fez and served as a base to curb the entry into influence of the Portuguese from Ceuta.
The city is at the foot of two peaked mountains, the Tisouka (2,050 meters) and Megou (1616 meters high), which rise above the town like two horns. ChefChaouen means “look at the horns” in the Berber language.
During the XV and XVII centuries the city prospered and grew considerably with the arrival of Jews and Moors expelled by the Catholic Monarchs and later. Many of them, Andalusians, who brought with them their architectural forms, which many of us would recognize as the typical white Andalusian village nestled in a mountain range. The characteristic blue color it now has, which was added later, is said to have been an idea of the Sephardim to repel mosquitoes.
The city is built on a small valley, the oldest part of the city grows towards the top of the mountain, and at the highest point are the springs of Ras al-Ma. The center of the city is the square of Uta al-Hammam, in which is the Kasbah and a mosque with a tower with an octagonal base.
Its original population was composed mainly of exiles from al-Andalus, Muslims and Jews, which is why the old part of the city has an appearance very similar to that of the Andalusian villages, with narrow streets of irregular layout and whitewashed houses (often with blue tones).
You can consult the guide section on our website, where we give you a more detailed description of the cultural and tourist attractions of the city.
DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES
We will start the day with a good breakfast and continue our journey We will head towards Fes, bordering the Rif forest until we reach the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis.
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 dedicated to the daily life of dolphins playing with the waves, or Greek mythology, in medallions surrounded by geometric motifs and the Baths of Galien, which lead us to the market square and the Capitol, a temple of which remain standing some columns topped with Corinthian capitals and next to which stands 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 ending in the Arch of Triumph of Caracalla, erected in 217 AD. c. and the Forum, lined with porticoes and decorated with statues of emperors and notables, is also particularly noteworthy. Some precious mosaics that decorated the houses of Volubilis have been preserved, such as the aforementioned mosaic of the House of Orpheus and the House of Dionysus, which has a spectacular mosaic of the four seasons.
You have the optional possibility of a guided tour of the archaeological complex. The guided tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
And we will continue our route to the imperial city of Meknes, in 1996 was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Meknes lives its heyday 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 harmoniously combines elements of Muslim and European urban design and planning, which gives the city a unique personality and makes it an example of a seventeenth-century Maghreb city.
We will visit the Bab El-Mansour gate. It is the largest gateway to Morocco and North Africa and one of the most beautiful in Morocco. In front of it were held the main religious and military events of the city, the El-Hedim Square, which is the real heart of the city and meeting point between the local population and foreign visitors, Dar El-Makhzen or the Water Palace. It was the official palace of Moulay Ismael. The origin of the name is explained by the fact that the water used was extracted from wells about 40 meters deep thanks to a system of waterwheels driven by animals and the barns and former royal stables.
They are part of the Sultan’s palace complex. These granaries are gigantic vaulted subway silos with huge pillars. The thickness of the walls kept the interior at a constant temperature. When they were full, they could feed the population of the city, in case of siege, for three months.
And from Meknes, we will go directly to Fez where we will spend the night.
DAY 3: GUIDED TOUR OF FEZ
Fez is the third most populous city in Morocco, after Casablanca and Rabat and one of the four imperial cities along with Rabat, Marrakech and Meknes. It is the capital of Islam in Morocco, the cultural capital of the country, the oldest imperial capital and the most complete medieval city in the Islamic world, a fascinating and stimulating place that vibrates to the sound of music from another time.
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 merdersa (or madrassas) Bou Inania, El-Attarine, Kairaoine Mosque and Karawiyin, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the Saffarine Square, the Fountain of Nejjarine, the famous tanneries of Fez and the ceramic cooperative where you will be given an explanation of the traditional Moroccan arts, the Benimérines 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.
The necropolis of ChellahSellah, located outside the city walls, about 3 km from the center, 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.
DAY 4: FEZ – IFRANE-VALLEY OF ZIZ- DESERT ERG CHEBBI
Today we will leave Fez in the morning heading south-east to the town of Ifrane, through the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Ifrane, which is called the little Switzerland of Morocco, by the type of buildings with sloping roofs that abound there. It is a residential city 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 Cedar Gouraud, which is the largest (35 meters) and millennial of the entire region, with an estimated age of 900-100 years, died years ago because of a plague of processionary. We will make a stop to visit the Barbary monkeys.
We will follow the course of the Ziz River through the Ziz Valley and make a stop to see the Ziz Gorges, a vast natural area surrounded by canyons, where the reddish earth of this region contrasts with the dense palm grove that extends throughout the valley. These gorges have two artificial entrances, one at the northern end (where the tunnel of the legionnaires is located) and another at the southern end, where you can visit the Hassan Addakhil dam and the artificial lakes of Morocco. The route through the Ziz Valley has become very popular in recent years. On the way to Merzouga we will pass through Erfoud, where you can visit the fossil factory, where you can buy fossils directly extracted from the quarry or extraordinary decorative works made with fossilized marble.
We will continue directly to Merzouga, where we will change the vehicle for camels to make a tour of the desert and watch the sunset. Witnessing the transition of the different shades of sunlight on the horizon of golden dunes, from the warm gold to the dark blue of the night, is an unforgettable experience. The ride will take 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 a nomadic haima, made of dromedary wool, like those used by nomads in the desert, in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where we will spend the night and enjoy a dinner based on typical dishes of Berber cuisine and listen to our music and the tan-tan of the traditional Berber drums by the light of the 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 landscape, naked and abstract, arid and austere and a place of silence, but only in appearance, because it speaks to your heart.
DAY 5: MERZOUGA -KHAMLIA
A special day, we will wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise from the Great Dune.
After breakfast we will leave to go around the Erg Chebbi, an extension of sandy desert where the Great Dune of Morocco is located, over 250 meters high, connecting by track with part of the route followed by the old Paris-Dakar and with the mountains bordering Algeria in the background.
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.
We will make a stop in Khamlia, a village founded around 1950 by families of the Gnawa ethnic group, where we can relax with a tea while enjoying a small concert of Gnawa music.
The Gnawa are a people originating from Central Africa, mainly Mali, Sudan and Senegal, descendants of slaves. Music helped them to cope with the harshness of a slave’s life.
The Gnawa practice hypnotic trance by means of a sub-Saharan roots music that they accompany with dances in which they intercede to the protector saints or marabouts, asking for their help and protection. For this reason, in Morocco many people attribute to them the gift of healing.
Overnight in a hotel or riad in Merzouga, lunch and free afternoon to climb the dunes and enjoy a romantic sunset.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 6: MERZOUGA- TODRA GORGES AND DADES GORGES
After breakfast, we will head to the Todra Gorges, one of the highlights of the South: The Todra Gorges.
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 make a short walk, about half an hour, so that you can appreciate in all its details the rugged beauty of the landscape.
We will have lunch in Todra and continue our journey towards the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of fig trees for the many fig trees present in this valley and pass through Boumalne Dades to make a stop 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 in the rock, hence they are known as ”monkey’s paws”. They are one of the great attractions of the Dades Gorges.
We will stay in a charming riad in the Dades Valley where you will be served a succulent dinner based on local dishes.
DAY 7: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH
Early in the morning we will take the car to go to Ouarzazate. On the way we will pass 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 the roses that occupy hectares of land. 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 of the place. 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 an essentially female activity and it is a hard activity, harvesting a kilo is a labor that takes more than an hour.
We will continue the journey through the so-called road of the Thousand Kasbahs, making a brief stop at the palm grove of Skoura, framed by the imposing massif of M’Goum to the north and the arid chain of JebelSaghro to the south. It is an extensive palm grove with more than 700. 000 palm trees, but what distinguishes Skoura from other palm groves in the south is the large concentration of kasbahs scattered throughout its layout, a rich architectural heritage that, unfortunately, in many cases is crumbling gradually over the years for lack of attention but, despite everything, Skoura is one of those visits that require a leisurely stroll through its interior in a space of great beauty in which time seems to have been suspended and that seems to speak of the splendor of more glorious times.
In the city of Ouarzazate depending on the time of arrival you can make a visit to the most important film studios in Morocco, called Atlas Studios, inside which there is a small film museum or the Kasbah Taourirt.
The Kasbah Taourirt, is a spectacular village of clay and stone with buildings surrounded by large walls, an aspect that makes it one of the most beautiful places in Morocco and a must for all those tourists / travelers visiting this country. It is one of the most important Kasbahs in Morocco. It is connected to the outside world through a small entrance but inside it houses nearly 300 rooms, arranged in a maze of passages and steps. It was built in the 19th century and was owned by the Glaoui clan, a powerful 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 and 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 the ruins. You can, if you are interested, see inside their homes for a small fee.
On the way to Marrakech we will take a detour to visit what is undoubtedly the best known Kasbah in Morocco and almost an iconic image of the country: the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, our next visit, 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 have free time to walk around it. We recommend that you climb to the highest point where you can enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view of the entire region.
The kasbah, also called Ksar, were formerly fortified cities or forts, usually built with adobe, are walled Berber villages, formed by terraced houses, with collective granaries and other structures, such as mosques, stores, baths, ovens, which were intended to defend the houses and crops. They are always located in strategic places to make defense work easier.
And after Ait Ben Haddou, we will leave in the direction of Marrakech, where we will have lunch to regain strength, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260m). On the way, we will enjoy the views over the valleys and the Berber villages.
Although in the collective imagination Morocco appears inextricably associated with the desert, the truth is that the relief of Morocco is mostly mountainous. Mountains occupy more than two thirds of the country’s territory. The Atlas Mountains, which we have been traveling these past few days, act as an immense barrier that separates the arid Saharan Morocco from the Atlantic and Mediterranean Morocco, of exuberant nature and mild climate that collects the humidity of the Atlantic wind, the Gherbi. This transition of landscape and climate can be appreciated very well in this passage through the port of Tizi-n-Tichka.
Already in Marrakech, before retiring to the hotel, you can make a contact with the city of Marrakech, with the medina and the unique Jamaa El Fna Square, the most important place of the Medina, meeting place where the public life of the city develops both day and night and, is that one of the most striking notes of this square is the transformation that is suffering 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 stalls of fruit juices, spices, flowers, snail stalls, monkey tamers, snake charmers, tooth pullers, henna tattoo artists, healers, water carriers with the typical costume etc, but as the day progresses they disappear, the square is illuminated with hundreds of little lights, all the stalls that were there during the day to be replaced by food stalls to dine that permeate the atmosphere of smells and smoke from the grills, the square is taken by storm with people of the most diverse, street musicians with people dancing around them, storytellers, vendors of lamps and other gadgets, fortune tellers, the omnipresent tattoo artists and people, many, many people.
DAY 8: TOUR OF MARRAKECH.
On this our tenth day of travel we will have a guided tour 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 access) which is the symbol and landmark of the city, being the tallest building. Its minaret was the model that was taken as a reference for the construction of the Giralda in Seville and the unfinished Hassan Tower in Rabat. We will visit the souk of the medina and also the new part of the city, the Gueliz Quarter, the Majorelle Gardens, etc ….
DAY 9: MARRAKECH AIRPORT.
At the agreed time, we will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Marrakech Airport for your return home.
Farewell and end of our services.
The tour INCLUDES:
– Arrival and departure transfers from your hotel/riad.
– Transportation throughout the tour in 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 Riyadh, half board, unless otherwise indicated.
– Excursion through the desert dunes on dromedary (one dromedary per person), at sunset or sunrise, as circumstances dictate.
– Free time to walk around the visits detailed in the program, as well as stops on request for walks or photos.
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”.
