Fascinating route through the heart of Morocco

Pick-up at the seaport (or your hotel or riad) in Tangier at the agreed time to leave for Chefchaouen, located in the northwest of the country, in the Rif mountains, that breathes and sleeps in blue, a city reminiscent of Andalusian villages, with its steep alleys and its steps leading skywards. It was founded by Jewish and Muslim refugees who escaped from the Granada of the Andalus and settled in Chefchaouen, taking with them the sorrow of exile from their homeland and bringing their traditions and customs.

The great diversity of colours of the varied products of the bazaars and shops, make a wonderful contrast to the pale blue of the town.

Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Early morning departure from Chefchaouen to head towards the oldest of the Imperial cities; Fez, religious and spiritual capital of Morocco, but before our final destination, we will head to Meknes, not without first passing through the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

In the ruins of Volubilis, you can take the guided tour if you wish to see the countless archaeological remains and monuments, the most important being the forum, a basilica of the second century and the temple of Jupiter, located, according to Roman custom, at the top of the Roman city.

Then we will continue until we reach Meknes, an Imperial city, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, for the uniqueness of an architectural complex of a capital of the Maghreb of the seventeenth century, which combines Islamic and European styles. We will take a walking tour with our own official guide, and once finished, we will head to Fez.

Overnight in Fez

Guided visit of the city of Fez. Imperial city of Morocco, Fez, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the country. We will visit with our own official guide, who will take us into its maze of winding alleys that hug the contours of the bowl it is set in, smells, which appear in a corner to disappear a few meters further, souks that are a melting pot of all imaginable wares, often separated by type, such as the legendary tanners’ quarter – Chouara, Fez is a place to cast yourself back in time.

Afternoon free

Overnight in Fez

Departure from Fez early in the morning. Today we begin this route through Morocco climbing over the mountains of the Middle Atlas, where the town of Ifrane, known as "the Switzerland of Morocco", is located - a mountain settlement with alpine style houses and with a European touch. The route continues through the Ifrane National Park that runs through the forest of Azrou, where imposing cedars, walnut trees and holly oaks abound. Expect to see troupes of wild monkeys, accustomed to people, as they go in search of food. We will then follow the route through the mountain pass of the Middle Atlas (Timahdit), until Zeïda, where we stop for lunch in an excellent local restaurant. Our route then leads us through the fantastic Ziz Valley, an extension of palm groves, which spreads further than the eye can see. Arrival in via the town of Erfoud – gateway to the Sahara. Arrival at Merzouga, and on to the Sahara at Erg Chebbi, where the caravan of dromedaries awaits you, to enter the dunes and marvel at the sunset.

 Overnight in Khaimahs by the Sahara with dinner and breakfast

Early start to enjoy the splendor of the sunrise in the desert. Departure from the Sahara in our 4x4 and a morning stop at Rissani, to see its weekly market, unique in the area, which attracts numerous nomads, and with its peculiar “donkey parking”. We will continue our route through Morocco until we reach the Gorges of Todra, where we will stroll a while by the banks of the river and enjoy the views of the magnificent rocky canyon, a favorite spot for climbers and a favorite tourist destination in Morocco.

We take the road once again, passing through immense palm plantations until we reach Boumalne Dadès. The Gorges of Dadès offer a variety of landscapes of valleys and canyons, dotted with small villages with their plantations of olive and almond trees overshadowed by the geological formation called "The monkey’s fingers".

Overnight, dinner and breakfast in the Gorges of Dadès

After breakfast, we leave behind the Gorges of Dadès heading towards Ouarzazate, film capital.

We will head to the Valley of the Roses, where you can visit the oil and rose water cooperative. The Rose of Damascus rose is used to prepare all cosmetics. Later we resume our route through Morocco along the so-called “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs”, which leads to the Skoura Valley, where you can visit the beautiful Kasbah of Amridil, one of the most scenic in this area and best preserved. The road continues to Ouarzazate – film location capital, where the "Atlas Studios" are based and where movies such as; Gladiator, Asterix and Cleopatra, The Jewel of the Nile, and many other titles were recorded.

Afternoon arrival, overnight, dinner and breakfast in Ouarzazate.

First thing in the morning we visit the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou near Ouarzazate, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where we will enjoy a guided visit.

The route then leads us through the Unila Valley with its Berber villages to the Kasbah Telouet, which we will stop to visit. Here was the site of the great Palace of the Glaoui clan, a jewel of Moorish architecture, built in the 18th century to control the salt caravan routes crossing from Sub-Saharan lands through the Drâa Valley onwards to the imperial cities.

This will leave us a last crossing of the High Atlas and the mountain pass; the Tizi'n Tichka, at 2260 meters, the highest in Morocco, with spectacular views. We will make a last rest stop, have a mint tea or coffee and visit a women's cooperative, where they prepare argan oil and all kinds of cosmetics.

Arrival in Marrakesh and end of our tour services