Description
This 10-day adventure through Morocco’s imperial cities from Marrakesh to Essaouira via Fez and Merzouga offers a perfect blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes, creating unforgettable memories.
- Travel with a top rated tour agency on TripAdvisor
- Free cancellation
- Free breakfast all days
- Private group
- Free Airport pick-up & drop-off
10 Days Tour from Marrakech to Essaouira via Chefchaouen, Fez and Merzouga
With this experience, you will get a chance to admire and enjoy the natural beauty of the imperial cities Morocco, besides the desert and, the Atlas Mountains. The tour will take you through the cities of Morocco, old media, Chefchaouen (the blue city), Fez, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, Marrakesh, Atlas mountains and 4 valleys.
Highlights of the tour will include exploring Berber villages, their lifestyle and culture, sand-board, cam ride, free traditional breakfast, traditional lunch (at your own expense), herbal tea, and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
The full itinerary:
- Day 1: Welcome to Marrakech
Upon your arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel. If you have already arrived in Marrakech a few days earlier, we will pick you up from your hotel and start the tour. Overnight stay in Marrakech.
- Day 2 : Casablanca ⇒ Rabat ⇒ Chefchaouen
Marrakech to Casabanca and begin your day with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Casablanca. From there, we travel to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where you’ll explore the Bab Challah, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Oudaya Kasbah. After a local lunch, we drive to the enchanting blue city of Chefchaouen. Enjoy an early arrival to stroll through the picturesque blue alleys, take photos, and savor local cuisine. Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.
- Day 3 : Chefchaouen ⇒ Fez
After breakfast, take some time to wander through the beautiful alleyways of Chefchaouen. Then, we head to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its impressive mosaics and ruins. Next, we visit Meknes, the Ismaili capital, where we see the Bab Al-Mansour, Sahrij Souani basin, Royal Stables, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Finally, we drive to Fez for an overnight stay.
- Day 4 : Fez – A Day of Discovery
Explore the cultural and religious heart of Morocco with a local guide. Start at the Royal Palace gate and move on to the well-preserved medieval Medina, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), Medersa Bouanania, Najjarine Fountain, Tanneries, and the Quaraouin Mosque and University, the oldest in the world. Afterward, explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and enjoy a panoramic view of the Medina from an ancient fortress. Return to your Riad for the night.
- Day 5 : Fez ⇒ Ifrane ⇒ Midelt ⇒ Merzouga (Sahara Desert)
Depart Fez after breakfast, traveling through Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, home to the Barbary apes. Continue through the scenic Midelt, the Tiz Ntalghamt pass, and the spectacular Ziz Gorge. After lunch in Midelt, we travel along the Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views on the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arriving in Merzouga, enjoy a mint tea welcome before embarking on a camel ride to your desert camp in the Sahara. Overnight in a desert camp.
- Day 6: Merzouga ⇒ Todra Gorges ⇒ Dades Valley
Rise early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel. Then, we travel to Rissani, Tinghir, and the Todra Gorges, the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch, drive through the Dades Valley, famous for its sand castles and rock formations known as “monkey toes.” Overnight in a guest house overlooking the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast.
- Day 7: Dades Valley ⇒ Ouarzazate ⇒ Ait Ben Haddou ⇒ Marrakech
After breakfast, journey through the Dades Valley towards Ouarzazate and then Marrakech. Enjoy photo opportunities along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.” Stop at Kalaat M’Gouna, the center of the Rose Valley, to visit a cooperative for rose products. Continue to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, and visit a Berber women’s cooperative producing Argan oil. Arrive in Marrakech for an overnight stay.
- Day 8: Marrakech – Full day guided tour
Discover the historical and cultural treasures of Marrakech. Visit the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. After lunch near the main square, explore the vibrant Souks, filled with handmade crafts. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Marrakech.
- Day 9: Essaouira
Travel to the coastal town of Essaouira. Enjoy the charming port, the historic Medina, and the lively atmosphere.
- Day 10: Essaouira ⇒ Marrakech Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight or drop-off at your hotel in Marrakech if your flight is scheduled for another day.
Accommodation :
comfortable and ideally located in hotels and riads.
Knowing that your accommodation may separate a great holiday from a perfect one, we take ultimate care in choosing each location we host you. Only the truly exceptional in terms of comfort, character, amenities, location and service are suitable to our standards. With a range of premium hotels and authentic accommodation, each of our carefully-selected hotels provide comfortable and air-conditioned rooms, quality breakfasts, relaxing bars and lounges, and impeccable service by a professional and friendly team.
- Casablanca: Oum Palace Hotel & Spa, Kenzi Basma Hotel
- Chefchaouen: Hotel Balcon Bleu, Hotel Tarek
- Fez: Riad Jeanne, Riad Farah
- Merzouga: Camp Nomad Palace, Merzouga Luxury Tented Camp
- Boumalne Dades: Riad Gabsi Du Dades, Panorama dades
- Marrakech: Riad Dar Soukaina, Les Jardins Mandaline
Note: Please note that sometimes we may have to change the hotels to similar ones due to overbooking or logistic operations, but, we keep the same standards and quality of accommodation scoring.
Additional Information
- Camel ride in Sahara Desert of Merzouga.
- A professional driver & Fuel.
- Free time to explore the sites, Breaks for photos,..Etc.
- Private A/C Vehicle, Toyota 4×4.
- Free time to explore the sites, breaks for photos,..Etc.
- Sand-boarding in Merzouga.
What's Included
- English/French/Arabic/Spanish speaking driver.
- Local guide in Marrakech.
- Moroccan breakfast everyday.
- Airport/Hotel Pick-up.
- Airport/Hotel Drop-off.
- Accommodations (hotels & riads).
- Dinner in Merzouga and Dades.
What’s Not Included
- Flights.
- Meals: Drinks. Lunch. Diners. Mineral water.
- Monuments entrance fees.
- Insurance.
- Shopping and souvenirs.
- Tipping.
Anna L. –
This trip was absolutely incredible! Our tour guide was Karim and he was the greatest. I am a mother traveling with my daughter and we travel quite frequently together (always with a tour guide), and Karim was the best we have ever had. He was extremely diligent, kind, and professional. Karim treated us like family, he was very attentive and constantly went above and beyond for us. He introduced us to many welcoming people, aspects of Moroccan culture, and authentic items.