12 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities Via Merzouga

Itinerary: 12-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech – Transfer to your accommodation

Depending on the time of your flight, a driver or guide from Sahara Desert Excursions will pick you up from the Menara airport in Marrakech. After that, you will be transferred to the Marrakech Medina Riad or Hotel for your first night’s stay.

Day 2: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat

We will start our journey and travel to Rabat via Casablanca, where we will see Hassan II Mosque and take in a broad overview of the city and its various neighborhoods. We will continue our 12-day road trip through Morocco after lunch and arrive in Rabat, the country’s capital. Take a tour of the city that includes a drive around the Royal Palace’s walls and a stop at the mausoleums of Hassan II and Muhammad V, two rulers who collaborated closely with the Jewish community. Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Kasbah des Oudaya and the Old Walled City. Spend the night in a hotel or Riad in Rabat.

Day 3: Rabat – Asilah – Tangier

We are going to begin our journey to the “artists’ refuge,” Asilah, today, where our free time will allow us to find this gem. On the way to Tangier, we will make numerous stops to see Hercules’ Cave and Spartel Cap, which is where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet. You will have some downtime in your Tangier City hotel after this drive.

Day 4: Tangier – Rif Mountains – Tetuan – Chefchaouen

You will travel the Tangier road to Chefchaouen after spending the night there. We will pause en route at Tetuan, also known as the “White Pigeon,” to take in the architectural masterpieces of three distinct periods: Andalusian, early and mid-20th century Spanish, and post-independence. Once we became aware of Tetuan. When we arrive in Chefchaouen, the blue city, you can take a stroll around the Outa-el-Hammam square, the cobblestone medina, and the Tarik Ben Ziad mosque—which was inspired by Seville’s Golden Tower—to explore. Staying overnight will be in Chefchaouen.

Day 5: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

Our 12-day Morocco tour from Marrakech continues via Ouazzane and other Rif villages en route to Volubilis crossing, stopping for a delicious breakfast in the Riad. We will explore the Roman ruins in Volubilis and gain knowledge of Moroccan history there. After that, we will travel to Meknes City, a 17th-century heritage site, where we will eat lunch, explore the ancient walls of the medina, see Bab el Mansour, and take a tour of Moulay Ismail Greenery. Our destination is Fes City, where you will spend the night later in the afternoon.

Day 6: Visit Fes with local guide

During this full-day excursion to Fes today, you will explore Morocco’s cultural city. The world’s oldest university is located in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Fes el Bali, which dates back to the ninth century. When Fes took over Marrakech as the kingdom’s capital during the 13th and 14th centuries, under the Marinid dynasty, it achieved its zenith both economically and culturally. Even though Rabat became Morocco’s political capital in 1919. Fes still holds the title of Artisan Center of the Nation. The medina’s artisan workshops continue to operate today just as they did a century ago, and they play a significant role in the industrial economy of the city. These workshops still carry out trades like blacksmithing, leatherworking, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculpting. This ancient city, with its estimated 9000 narrow passageways and busy streets, is still guarded by its original ramparts.
The following attractions will be on this guided day tour of Fes:
Jewish Mellah
The synagogue of Jews
The Tannery
Silk, wool, and cotton dyers’ market
Zellij Tile Cooperative and Pottery
Qaraouine University
The Fes Royal Palace
The Fes Blue Gate
The Weavers Collective
Fes el Bali’s expansive vista

Day 7: Fes – Atlas Mountains – Ifrane – Azrou – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Sahara desert (Camel Adventure & overnight in desert camp)

We will be traversing the middle Atlas Mountains on our way from Fes to the Sahara desert today. We will make our first stop in “Ifrane,” also referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” before continuing to the Merzouga desert. You can take in the breathtaking views of Ifrane and the forest there. We will then make a stop at “Azrou” to view the monkeys in the cedar forest (Barbary Macaque). We will have time to stop and take roadside photos with the monkeys.
Later, while taking in the views of the Ziz Gorges, we will travel toward the Sahara desert and pass through the “Tizi N’Telghamt pass” to arrive at the city of “Errachidia.” Additionally, there will be free time for us to capture special moments and photos in the expansive “Ziz Valley” views. Our 12-day tour of Morocco continues to Merzouga Erg Chebbi, passing through the Tafilalet Oasis, known for its fossils, museums, and dates, “Aoufous” and “Erfoud.” We are going to visit a nearby fossil craft studio.
Morocco tour for 12 days, we will reach the Merzouga Sahara desert two or three hours before sunset. You will relish an experience of a lifetime. Begin by traversing the Erg Chebbi dunes on camels to arrive at our genuine Berber desert camp, Merzouga. The camel ride experience will last for about 1:30 hours, including a break atop the dune where you can try sandboarding (optional), take in the breathtaking sunset views, and snap some unforgettable photos.
After that, you will proceed to the camp, where you will be greeted with a glass of mint tea and you will allowed to unwind until suppertime. Enjoy the starry sky, shooting stars, campfires, and sharing cultures and histories with nomads while listening to traditional Berber drumming music after supper. After that, slumber in a personal nomad tent in the desert.

Day 8: Merzouga desert – Rissani – Tinjdad – Todra Valley & Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

On our 12-day Morocco itinerary, the next day will rise early to watch a magnificent dawn over Merzouga erg Chebbi. Following breakfast and a shower in the desert camp, we return you to Merzouga Village via 4WD or camel trekking, depending on your preference. We will travel on to Ouarzazate via Rissani and make a stop in Erfoud, which is well-known for its fossilized marbles. There, you can tour the workshop that creates these fossils.
Proceed towards the Todra Gorges, a perfect location for independent exploration and strolling. After lunch, proceed through Roses, Kelaa M’Gouna, on your way home. We proceed along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing by the Skoura palm grove, until we reach Ouarzazate, also referred to as the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where we check into a hotel or Riad.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Imlil

Our day begins in Ouarzazate, where we will stop briefly at the Kasbah of Taourirt before traveling 27 km to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many Hollywood films, such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Gladiator,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Prince of Persia,” and many more, were filmed against this backdrop. The exotic architecture and cultures of Morocco are reflected in the Kasbahs or fortresses.
Following our exploration of the Kasbah, we will travel a little further through the “Ticheka pass” in the High Atlas Mountains to the Berber village of Imlil. This journey through the magnificent Atlas Mountains offers an amazing landscape right in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. Spend the night in a guesthouse amidst the Atlas Mountains.

Day 10: Imlil – Asni – Marrakech

On our 12-day tour of Morocco, you will spend this day exploring the Atlas Mountains. In particular, Imlil is a tiny village nestled in the shadow of Morocco’s tallest peak, Toubkal Mountain. Imlil is the hub for hiring mountain guides and mules because of its distinctive location, connections to numerous Berber villages, and popularity as the beginning point for treks and hikes up Toubkal Mountain.
You will ride mules from Imlil for about forty minutes southward to the Berber village of Aroumd (Armed) (1843m), which is situated in the upper-level foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains. The main trailhead of the village has streams and paths that branch off in all directions, and here is where we will get our lunch, which will be served in a Berber house. You can go for a quick stroll after that. The Berber village of Asni, which is well-known for its weekly market held every Saturday, and the Moulay Brahim Gorges will be visited en route to Marrakech. Get to Marrakech in the afternoon and spend the night in a Riad.

Day 11: Marrakech Guided tour

We will depart from our hotel and spend the entire day in “the beautiful Red City Marrakech” today since it is our exploration day. Initially, Marrakech, Morocco, was a former imperial city. Its name comes from the Berber language and means “Share of God.” It was merely a small farming community before Youssef Ben Tachfine, a Berber king of the Almoravid dynasty, built it; we can visit his grave to discover more about his life story.
In addition, we can visit the Koutoubia Mosque, which boasts an impressive minaret and exquisite decorations, the Saadian Tombs, the magnificent Menara Gardens pool, the Museum of Dar Si Said, which houses a variety of arts and traditions, Bahia Palace, and, lastly, Jemaa El-Fna Plaza, where we can learn about Marrakech’s way of life and subculture. Spend the night in a Riad in the medina of Marrakech.

Day 12: Free Day in Marrakech

During our 12-day trip through Morocco, on the final day, you will have free time in Marrakech after breakfast. Afterward, based on your flight time and location, we will take you to the airport, where our 12-day Morocco tour from Marrakech ends.

Tours from Marrakech.