12 DAY TOUR FROM CASABLANCA

This amazing 12 day tour from Casablanca is one of our most popular tours in Morocco and includes imperial cities, including Marrakech, Fes, Rabat… the Sahara deserts, the valleys and the mountains…

 Our exclusive guided tour begins from Casablanca, from where we travel through the hidden deep valleys and gorges, the Sahara desert, and the Medinas of Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, and Fez. We stay in unique riads and hotels each with its distinctive artwork. We spend a night in a luxury camp under the stars of the magical Sahara desert. This tour includes delicious Moroccan cuisine every day.

Morocco is an adventure itself! We offer unique and memorable experiences and activities to fully appreciate your exploration vacation to Morocco including walks in the valleys and souks to discover and learn about the local traditions and customs. We offer cooking demonstrations where you can be hands on as well as the opportunity to participate in an art show. You will have the opportunity to be hiking, quad-biking, horseriding, off-roading and photography. Morocco Mon Travel can arrange for your favorite activity or interest, no matter what it may be.

ITINERARY

Day 1 : CASABLANCA

Airport pick up and transfer to your Riad. Dinner and overnight

Day 2: CASABLANCA – RABAT

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast we will visit this vibrant city, which is a mixture of sites, feelings and culture; outside the Medina it has the feel of a European city, but when you cross its gateway to the Medina, you feel that you really are in the traditional Morocco, with its warm, friendly people, the alleys of its souk, listening to the call to prayer, which together makes Casablanca a captivating and enchanting city. We will visit the Hassan II Mosque; the second largest in the world, a magnificent building with spectacular views over the sea, as well as the most interesting parts of this city such as the Boulevard de la Corniche, the Park of the United Nations and the Mohamed V Square.

We will continue to the city of Rabat; protected by several walls, The Medina of Rabat reflects the soul of this ancient city, with its many merchants selling splendid carpets, the artisans of metalwork and the many craftsmen who craft their art under the gaze of passers-by. We will visit the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Hassan Tower among other attractions.

Dinner and overnight

Day 3: RABAT – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES

Today we will continue our tour and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis where we will walk amongst the ruins. We will see the ancient artefacts including; the Forum, Basilica, Temple of Jupiter, the Spa, the Arch of Caracalla built in marble in the year 217 and of course the Mosaics. We will continue on to the city of Meknes which is the most modest of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco. Meknes is a contrast to the previous cities with its relaxed pace. We will visit its souks, the El-Hedim Square, the Bab el Mansour Gate. We then continue on to Fez, where we will arrive in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight

Day 4: FEZ – UNESCO HERITAGE SITE

Following a traditional Moroccan breakfast you will have the day free to visit this great city, the oldest, richest, cultural, religious, spiritual and captivating of the four imperial cities of Morocco, with its well preserved architecture. 

The views that define Fez are:

Chouara Tannery: it is the most extensive and best known of the four traditional tanneries that continue to operate in the heart of The Medina of Fez.

Karaouine Mosque: The most important and the largest in Africa with its prestigious architectural complex.

Bab Boujloud; the most significant gate to the Medina, the oldest and most charming in the entire city.

The Royal Palace of the 14th century is one of the largest and most ancient in Morocco, however it is forbidden to enter; its seven gates are spectacular

Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss: A shrine dedicated to Moulay Idriss, The King of Morocco between the years 807 and 828, and one of the founders of the city of Fez.

Seffarine Square: located in the heart of the Medina, where one of the craft of metal working still continues

Madrassas; Old Koranic schools, which sometimes house resident students. Fez has three of them. We like and recommend to see the Medersa Cherratine, which is different from the others because of the contrast between the sumptuos ornaments in the courtyard and the spartan accommodation for the students. This particular madrassa has been classified as historic heritage monument in Morocco since 1917.

Dinner and overnight

Day 5: FEZ – MIDELT – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

Today we leave Fez and travel in the direction of Midelt passing through Ifrane, this is one of the most curious towns in Morocco because of its alpine architecture and European ambience. Ifrane has one of the most famous universities in Morocco and is the preferred destination of wealthier Moroccans. We will also visit the cedar forest of Azrou, famous for its large cedar trees named Gouraud; the largest ancient cedar forest of the region which is home to hundreds of Barbary monkeys. Our route will continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains with its wonderful scenery.

The next stop will be in Azrou (The Rock), surrounded by rolling hills, is a perfect place for walking and enjoying the excellent views of the city. The main interests of Azrou are its cooperatives where women weave carpets and men carve cedar wood. We will continue to Midelt, via the pass of Tizi Talghemt, which means: Neck of the Camel, and at 1907 meters of altitude commands an impressive mountain landscapes. Midelt will be our stop for lunch and  in the afternoon we continue on to Erfoud and Errachidia along the Ziz Valley; a beautiful landscape with red gorges. You will notice the stunning contrast between the green of the valley and the rocky walls falling sharply along the gorges. The combination of the beautiful palm groves in the impressive gorges result in the traveller being in absolute awe. Its exquisite palm groves, the majestic kasbahs  with their 4 towers which were built with adobe, (a mixture of raw earth and packed clay,)and the fortified towns make this a beautiful setting. We will reach Merzouga mid-afternoon.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI – MERZOUGA (90km)

After breakfast, we head out to the Desert, crossing one of the track used in the “Paris-Dakar Rally” to enter the mouth of the great Sahara desert. Here we will meet and learn how the native people live in this area and share a glass of tea with them. We have time to admire the stunning landscapes and contemplate how nature is changing from the mountains to the oasis, and where out of nowhere a small town appears where time seems to have stood still and people lead a simple life amongst the endless horizons of sand and an amazing sense of tranquility. We visit the small town of Khamlia where black Africans have created their village, and survive with their cattle and their lands and enjoy a glass of tea while we listen to the sound of their music. We will pass by the famous mines of Mfis, where the French extracted the Barite mineral; with its spectacular views and proximity to the Algerian border, an area which elicits a wide range of emotions. Finally we will conclude our tour through the desert with a visit to The Tissardmine Oasis where we will stop to see some very ancient sedimentary rocks that contain fossils of plants and animals that once lived in this region. We will arrive at the accommodation to have our lunch.  Mid-afternoon we  mount our camels to take us to the high desert dunes to spend a night under stars. Here, we'll get a taste of the desert's solitude, surrounded by miles and miles of fine sand. Enjoy the sunset in the middle of the golden dunes and spend an unforgettable Berber night enjoying tea and a traditional nomadic dinner.

Dinner and overnight in an unforgettable haima tent.

Day 7: MERZOUGA – RISSANI – ERFOUD – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY

This morning we will get up very early to see the rising of the sun and take some great photos. We ride the camels back to the hotel where you have the opportunity to shower and enjoy breakfast.

Our trip takes us on to Rissani where we stop to visit the bustling market, and to see the exclusive area where  donkeys tether with which the locals transport their various products to sell in the market. This is quite an astonishing sight. We travel on to Erfoud, known for its fossils and minerals. We will visit a workshop where they craft beautiful furniture and many items from these ancient lifeforms. Our journey continues  to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular place. Standing between these rocks is a fabulous experience, its sides are over 300 meters high and the crystalline water of the river runs throughout the year. Its high walls are a paradise for rock climbers and trekkers alike. Our day will end in the Dades Valley.

Dinner and overnight

Day 8: DADES VALLEY – BOUTAGHAR – VALLEY OF THE ROSES – SKOURA – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

Today we will continue our journey visiting the Dades Gorge which offers a variety of landscapes much grander than the Todra Valley; true gorges and spectacular canyons which imerse us into the nature of this country. Here, we can compare the differences of life between the Berbers of the Atlas Mountains and the Nomads of the Desert. It is a spectacular route enriched by a series of forts built in adobe (a mixture of raw earth and packed clay) with crenellated towers and crude bricks, a magnificent landscape in which orange and red tones are created by the mountains and the desert  and the rivers create gorges that are transformed into fertile valleys. The route of a thousand kasbahs is the most attractive; we will pass through Boutaghar, a small town, where some children play in the street while others carry straw on their backs to their homes. In these towns, more distanced from mass tourism, children do not pester you for money … but approach you with curiosity to ask where you are from or what your name is; contact whith the Locals here is a completely unexpected feeling of warmth. We will continue to the Valley of the Roses where its inhabitants cultivate small plots of the botanical species Rosa Damascena, another landscape of contrasts of colours. We will dine in one of the typical restaurants of the area. After lunch, we continue along the valley to reach Ouarzazate and cross the High Atlas to reach Marrakech mid-afternoon. Dinner and overnight 

Day 09: VISITING MARRAKECH WITH LOCAL GUIDE

This morning after breakfast you will have a free day to visit Marrakech, a city that will undoubtedly surprise you. These are some of the interesting sites of this city:

The Menara Gardens; a mirror of the Muslim Paradise on earth, this peaceful garden’s charm is located in the central area around a huge artificial pond, where legend tells that these gardens were used by the sultans for their dating.

The Saadian Tombs; one of the most visited places of Marrakech, were opened to the public in 1917, the same year in which they were discovered. More than a hundred tombs can be seen decorated with mosaics, in which the servants and warriors of the Saadian dynasty are buried.

The Bahia Palace; a palace and gardens built with the intention of being the biggest palace of all time and residence of the former Vizier, it has a wonderful patio decorated with a central basin surrounded by rooms.

The Koutoubia Mosque; one of the symbolic monuments of the city, its 69 metre high minaret makes it the tallest building in the city and a recognisable landmark.

Djemaa El Fna Square; you will be surprised by its enormous dimensions located in the centre of the Medina with a maze of narrow streets and alleyways leading off. You will also be surprised when the square completely changes its scenery by day as a fabulous souk and at night it turns into a swarm of food stalls where people gather to eat.

 Dinner and overnight

Day 10: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA

Our journey continues to the coastal city of Essaouira, located on a small rocky platform by the sea. Essaouira’s Medina is different from other medinas due to the layout of its streets. Its main business is fishing. Don't skip to watch the colourful and lively spectacle of boats returning to the port, and enjoy the fish's unparalleled freshness. Essaouira also has a 10km long fine sandy beach; a heaven for its tranquility. You will remember Essouira forever.

Dinner and overnight in a Riad.

Day 11: ESSAOUIRA – CASABLANCA

Today we will complete tour back and head back to Casablanca. On our way we will stop in Oualidia; a picturesque resort located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by many lagoons, its beautiful white sand beach stretches for about 3 km. One of its attraction is when the tide goes out; you can enjoy a wonderful spectacle of sand bars and the oceanhorizon. It’s a great place for watching migrating birds in spring and autumn. We will continue our tour along the coast until we reach El Jadida. This town has preserved all of its walls and four of the five original bastions. As a fishing port its Medina, as well as the openness to the ocean, are the main attractions of this city. We will continue along the coast to the 16th-century Unesco listed Cité Portugaise and finally arrive in Casablanca  mid-afternoon.

Dinner and overnight.

DAY 12: CASABLANCA

Breakfast and transfer to the airport.