DESERT TOUR FROM TANGIER

Duration 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS

Take a trip out of Marrakech and spend the day exploring the Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains and Berber Villages.

Day 1: Tangiers - Fes

You’ll be fast-tracked through the airport, or collected from the Ferry Terminal and welcomed by your friendly host who will handle your luggage and questions before an overview of the city which is the entrance to the Mediterranean, and the gateway to Africa, and lunch. A white city, Tangier is a mix of ancient and modern with an exciting culture so vastly different from that across the Strait of Gibraltar. Over the years the city has attracted eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies and was the home to favorite son and adventurer, Ibn Battouta. Then, off on our scenic drive to Fes. Tonight you are treated as royalty staying in your luxury accommodation, feasting on Moroccan fare and taking in the magic of a city with the oldest and largest Medina of Africa.

 

Day 2: Fes

Sleep soundly on the idea of a day filled with adventure beginning in the Medina. Behind a high wall, hundreds of merchants and craftsmen sell a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns, leather bags, coats and shoes; elaborate kaftans, babouche (leather slippers) carpets, ceramics, bed throws, fabrics, scarves, jewellery, nougat, along with handmade musical instruments. Visiting the Medina, you’ll step back in time, as it was hundreds of years before. We pass through El Bali square, then Bab Boujloud: one of the older important doors, after that, we’ll go straight on to Dar Al Batha: a Moorish building mixed with Modern Art. Our visit continues towards the Madrasa Bou Inania: the old Koranic school where young students once learnt the sacred text from the Quran. Our visit will continue towards the Chouara Tannery (the largest and oldest), then Quaraouine Mosque which was built in the IX century by Fatima El Fihtia. The visit will end at Beffarne Square where we leave the Medina via the Semmarine. Back to your luxury accommodation to relax before dinner.

Day 3: Fez - Merzouga

 

After breakfast, we leave for the South. First stage, Ifrane, exceptional mountain site at 1650 m. All chalets and lodges, and for this reason nicknamed the "Switzerland of Morocco". The goal of the day is Merzouga, in the Sahara Desert. The first village you meet along the way is Azrou, of Berber origin, located in the heart of a natural park of 53,000 acres on a limestone plateau, bordered by forests of cedars and oaks, in the midst of ancient volcanoes. Azrou is also famous for the presence of colonies of monkeys that live in the wild in the forest that surrounds it. We will then take the road that climbs the Middle Atlas to the place of Zad and the town of Midelt at 1488 m above sea level, known as a geological site of special interest. Here you can take a break for lunch. From Midelt the road continues through the spectacular gorges of Ziz until you get to Er-Rachidia. We arrive to Rissani, the gateway to the desert, and from there to Merzouga in the late afternoon. We’ll stop at the hotel just in time for a quick stopover before boarding a camel and reaching the dunes of Erg Chebbi from which you can admire a spectacular sunset. NOTE: Choose between luxury tents or luxury hotels for your accommodation experience. Dine under the stars.

Day 4: Merzouga

Today is all about exploring the Merzouga region. In the desert, you’ll feel the beating heart of Morocco. We begin with sunrise. You’ll agree that sunrises in the desert defy words. Return to your accommodation by camel and feel the pace of life lived by the nomads as it run through your veins. After breakfast we’re off on a 4x4 adventure to the caves where the fossils of the natural desert can be found, then we visit the small and ancient village of Tissrdmin (where many famous stories were filmed for the big screen), taking the road where the Paris Dakar Rally used to run. Moving on, we travel the black volcanic stone roads to take tea with a Touareg family, before arriving at the village of Kamlia, famous for its inhabitants from sub- Saharan Africa and we enjoy their music. We return to our accommodation for rest and more dining under the stars.

Day 5: Merzouga - Ouarzazate

Our day starts with a visit to Rissani, the old Sijilmassa, and the economic capital of Morocco where the caravans departed through the desert and where it still holds a market known in particular for the sale of medicines, donkeys and Berbers. For lunch, you’ll experience directly the hospitality of the locals. A Tuareg family opens the doors of their modest home for us to taste the famed Berber Pizza with its 44 spices. Soon after, we’ll head back to Ouarzazate, this time from a different direction from the first leg, passing through the village of N'Kob and the valley of the Draa. We’ll make a stop for tea and a visit to Agdez. You get to Ouarzazate, at your luxury accommodation. Watch the sun go down. Photograph the colors and peaks of shimmering sand as it forms majestic dunes, constantly changing right before you. Embrace the silence. Reach out and touch the Milky Way (well nearly) and if you want, take a camel ride. Tonight, our dinner is under the stars.

Day 6: Ouarzazate - Marrakech

In Ouarzazate, we’ll visit the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios; the largest and most famous film studios in all of Africa. From here, you can stop at the Oasis of Fint, a few kilometres from Ouarzazate. We then continue on the road of Tizi-n-Tichka stopping for lunch in a small village. We’ll arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Free time to explore on your own. Before dinner at our luxury accommodation.

Day 7: Marrakech

After breakfast we start our tour of Marrakech at the Bahia Palace. From there to the Palace Dar Si-Said: the splendid residence of the brother of the vizier. Near these two buildings you can see the outside of the Mosque El-Mansour, easily recognizable by its tall minaret with turquoise arabesques. Our tour continues with the Saadian Tombs. If you’re interested there’s the opportunity to visit a traditional Moroccan Hamman in the afternoon and / or have a massage with Argan oil. Return to your luxury accommodation and dinner. After dinner, walk to Jamaa el-Fna Square where you’ll find fortune tellers, snake charmers, small music groups, water-carriers, tattooists and stalls of local crafts and specialities to tempt and tease you. Tonight we take drinks at sunset overlooking Marrakech before a special dining experience at a popular Marrakech restaurant and performance of the talented and beautiful belly dancers where you will and overnight in your luxury accommodation.

 

Day 8: Marrakech - Rabat

On our way from Marrakech to Rabat we’ll lunch at renowned Ricks Café in Casablanca. Arriving in Rabat, Morocco's capital, we’ll visit both the old city and the centre of political and administrative Morocco. Rabat is a backdrop of contrasts. First, the Kasbah les Oudaias, occupying the oldest part of the city is the site of the original ribat. It holds commanding views over the river and ocean from its cliff-top perch. Predominately residential, the kasbah is a maze of narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses: most built by Muslim refugees from Spain. We enter through the enormous Almohad Gate of Bab Oudaia, built in 1195. We’ll walk the main street, Rue Jamaa, running through the middle of the kasbah and visit the oldest mosque in Rabat, built in the 12th century and restored in the 18th. We venture on to the Royal Palace (Mechouar), and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower II. Tonight we stay in Rabat dining at our luxury accommodation.

Day 9: Tangier

According to the time of your flight or ferry departure, we return to Tangier. All assistance will be provided for a smooth exit and as we wave you goodbye we hope to see you again.

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