9 days trip from Rabat to desert, Start from Rabat to Meknes and Fes, discover the Morocain culture. Visit Moroccan Sahara desert discover Erg chebbi dunes at Merzouga. Explore Palm groves, kasbahs and Oasis. Visit Marrakech.
9 days trip from Rabat to desert itinerary
Day 1: Rabat – Meknes – Fez
Meet at the hotel or airport of Rabat. The later is modern, spacious with pleasant gardens. The visit of Rabat includes the Hassan Tower, The façades of the royal palace, the Udaya Fortress. Later on, we move towards Meknes.
Meknes is one of the four Moroccan imperial cities to mention the others: Rabat, Fes and Marrakech.
We tour Meknes visiting the 17 century Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, The royal stables, the beautiful gate of Bab Mansour. Lunch and drive to the next site of Volubilis; a Roman ruins witnessing their presence in Northern Morocco. After a guided visit, we carry on to Fes. Check into the hotel.
Day 2: Fez city tour
Today will be reserved to experience the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes. The city tour is composed of two parts. First you’ll be take by car and make some spectacular pictures of the main gate of the Royal Palace, the Panoramic views of the entire medina and visiting the ceramics quarter where you will see the handmade pottery and intricate items.
The second part, constitute of a walking tour inside the alleys of the medina and exploring life that will takes back centuries ago. Enjoy walk in the busiest streets and talented craftsmen doing their job with joy.
After an active journey, you’ll be taken to the Riad for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Fez – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga
After breakfast, we depart to Merzouga. On the road we cross several Berber towns: Imouzzèr a small town that gives out to Sais plains, then Ifrane a summer resort town in the Middle Atlas Mountains. We drive to Azrou Cedar forest for monkey pictures and then to Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon, we carry on through the High Atlas Mountains and the valley of Ziz. We pass the Town of Errachidia & Erfoud, then we reach Merzouga.
Day 4: Merzouga
Today itinerary reconciles with Fez Merzouga long drive. Time will be devoted to explore Merzouga and its suburbs. We tour the Sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi that stretch in the Sahara desert on 30 km long and 10 km width.
Then we change the minibus with 4Wd (4 people each car), and we start an expedition on off road for the morning. We meet nomad families who take care of their sheeps and camels, and touring the Erg Chebbi dunes. We visit abandoned mine of cobalt and Baritines.. Nearby Merzouga we listen to Gnawa music. We drive back to the hotel where we take our lunch. After relaxing for a while, you prepare to start the camel trekking. You ride your camel to tented Camp Where you will spend an overnight stay.. Meanwhile you enjoy the Berber music with our team and a superb view of the starry sky. Sleep well!
Day5: Merzouga-Todgha gorges- Boumalne Dades
In order to take lovely pictures, you will be awaken before sunrise. Then have breakfast. We depart to Dades Gorges, and stop in Rissani to have a visit of the local Market. Then we cross Erfoud to see the fossils’ preparations in small factories. We move on to Todgha Gorges for lunch. Then we devote some time to walk among the cliffs of Todgha gorges and along the Todgha River where we exchange the heat of the Sahara desert with the cool weather of the Atlas Mountains. We keep moving to Dades Gorges via Boumalne. Overnight and dinner in the hotel.
Day 6: Dades valley – Kelaa Mgouna – Ouarzazate
You’ll take an easy drive to appreciate the beautiful valley of Dades, and enjoy the valley of roses where Assif Mgoun flows down from the high Atlas Mountains.
Later on, you ‘ll be taken to Skouna, a village know for its palm groves where a Kasbah Ameridil is located. Take your time to visit the Kasbah and then Transfer to Ouarzazate. Check into the hotel.
Take your free time to wander in Ouarzazate and visit the city.
Day 7: Ouarzazate – Marrakech
After breakfast, You’ll be taken to Ait Benhadou Village where we visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Benhadou which is declared a world heritage by the UNESCO and where many movies have been shot, to mention a few the Gladiatot, lawrence of Arabia an so on. After lunch we drive the rest of our way to Marrakech via the tichka Pass(2260m). Arrival in Marrakech at the early evening. Check into the hotel.
Day 8: Marrakech sightseeing
Today will be dedicated to explore Marrakech. Historical visit of Marrakech will include Menara garden, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowers and other impressive sights such as the koutoubia Mosque (the twin tower of Giralda in Seville, Spain). The Saadian tombs demonstrate the Moorish architecture with its perfection, The Bahia palace and Madrassa Ibn Youssef. The guide take you to the restaurant for lunch.
Evening drums will draw you to the Djemaa El Fna (main city square). It’s a festival atmosphere, with snake charmers, Berber and Gnoua musicians, and storytellers illuminated by lamplight and wreathed in smoke. Food stalls on the square sell fresh salads, soups, fried fish and chips, chicken and beef kebabs and even boiled snails or sheep’s head. Finish it off with a glass of sweet cinnamon tea.
Day 9: Marrakech – Casablanca airport/Rabat Airport
After breakfast, at the appropriate time we transfer you to Casablanca or Rabat airport for your flight home. Have a safe flight, Farwell! the 9 days trip from Rabat to desert ends.