6 Days Desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech via Chefchaouen

The first day of the Sahara desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech 6 days will have an early start with a small tour in Casablanca, where you shall visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. It is one of the 2 mosques in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims, the other one being Tin Mal, situated in a small Berber village. Afterward, we head for Rabat, the political and administrative capital of Morocco, and also a recent declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even though being a relatively new city (12th century), Rabat’s history is long and diversified, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates and more recently the Moroccan parliament. Some of its most representative places are: the Hassan Tower, dominating the skyline with its fascinating stonework; the Great Mosque (entirely rebuilt in the 19th century); the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the tomb of the late king; the Oudayas Kasbah. The day will end by taking the road to Chefchaouen, while admiring the beautiful landscapes provided by the Mamora forest, one of the largest cork oak forests, the fields covered with olive trees groves, and the fertile plains of the Rif Mountains. The night will be spent in a riad/hotel in Chefchaouen, where you shall enjoy a delicious dinner upon arrival.

The Morocco tour shall continue with several hours allocated to visiting the blue city, Chefchaouen, located beneath the peaks of the Rif Mountains. The Blue city is split into an eastern half, the medina, and into a western half, the new part of the city. The old medina is a delightful combination of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture, with red-tiled roofs, bright-blue buildings, and narrow streets. In the heart of the medina, we can encounter Plaza Uta el-Hammam and its restored Kasbah. This area is surrounded by craft stopes, roof-top restaurants, and cafes, and it is the perfect place for relaxation. After wandering on the narrow alleyways with blue-washed walls and stairs, offering yourself a real treat for the senses, we head to Fes, where you shall spend the night in one of the local riads/hotels.

This day is dedicated to sightseeing in the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco, and also the oldest Imperial city of the country. The three parts of Fes are: Fes el Bali (old part of the medina), Fes el Jedid (new part of the medina) and la Ville Nouvelle (the new city). If you opt for a guided tour, our professional guide shall take you through the streets of this Moroccan Imperial city, by presenting you important historical facts and also the impressive architecture. You will see the gate of the Royal Palace Dar el Makhzen; the walled Jewish Quarter (Mellah); Al Quaraouiyine University which is considered to be the oldest in the world; the Chouwara Tannery with its unforgettable views and smell; the Attarine Museum; Najjarine fountains and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit a pottery and mosaic cooperative, where you will see how Fes’ famous cobalt blue pottery is crafted. What is more, a wonderful panoramic view of the entire medina will await you on one of the highest points of the city. The rest of the day will remain at your disposal for free exploration, so for the best experience, lose yourself on the narrow streets of the medina and throughout the souks that will take you back in time. After another outstanding day in your Morocco holiday, you shall spend your second night in this Moroccan jewel called Fes.

The Morocco desert trip to Marrakech will take us down south, passing by the ski resort of Ifrane (the Moroccan Switzerland) built by the French in the 1930’s to resemble a Swiss village and by Azrou, a famous Berber village located in the middle of the largest cedar forest in Morocco and the home of Barbary apes. During this journey you will experience beautiful sceneries of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains and you will also catch a first glimpse of the South’s incredible architecture. After lunch in Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, you shall continue the Morocco desert tour towards the city of Errachidia. What is more, you will travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani, a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees, edged by many Kasbahs (fortified villages). After passing a route that will mark the transition to the desert, we reach Merzouga, where you will be welcomed with the traditional Moroccan mint tea before beginning your camel trekking adventures towards the location where you will spend the night, a camp with Nomadic tents. After crossing the sand dunes at sunset, you shall arrive to the desert camp. Here you will enjoy the delicious traditional Moroccan food, tajine, next to a fire camp, while being entertained by local Berbers playing their drums. You can also climb the dunes while admiring one of the most beautiful night skies.

After breakfast, we head to Tinejdad (“nomad” in Tamazight), a town that took birth back when caravans arrived in this area loaded with gold when five Berber and Saharan tribes crossed paths at this hitching post. While passing through the Tinghir oasis, you will enjoy a walk along the Todra river bank and have lunch in one of the restaurants located in the Todra (Todgha) Canyons. The Todra Gorge is considered to be one of the most enchanting and unique places in the High Atlas. The course of the river has carved out cliff-sided canyons and it’s because of its beauty and the high rock sides that it’s very popular among climbers. Afterward, we will be driving to Dades Valley and arriving at our destination for the day, Dades Gorge, where you will spend the night in a local hotel.

In the final day of the Morocco desert tour, the road takes us through the Valley of Roses and the city of Skoura with its immense palm groves. We shall make a stop in Ouarzazate, known as “The Gate of the Sahara” and due to the presence of a big movie-making set here, it is also known as the Moroccan version of Hollywood. Here you can see the beautiful Taourirt Kasbah and the world’s largest film studio by acreage, Cinema Studio Atlas, in Ouarzazate. What is more, a part of this day is dedicated to visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, which is the location of numerous Hollywood successful movies (Gladiator, Prince of Persia, Game of Thrones, Cleopatra, etc.). We continue the road by crossing the highest pass in Morocco, the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2260 m in altitude), and numerous Berber villages. The 6 days Sahara desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech will end at your hotel/riad along with some amazing memories from your vacation in Morocco.