Overview 11 Days Private Tour Tangier
11 Days Private Tour Tangier to Merzouga desert. Sightseeing tour for explore Merzouga Desert in guided desert Tour from Tangier with expert English-speaking driver.
Program itinerary 11 Days Private Tour Tangier
- 1st Day : Arrival in Tangier – Chefchaouen
- 2nd Day : Sightseeing tour of Chefchaouen
- 3rd Day : Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
- 4th Day : Tour of the city of Fez with local guide
- 5th Day : Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga
- 6th Day : Desert Sightseeing – Rissani – Nomads
- 7th Day : Merzouga – Todraa Gorges – Dades Gorges
- 8th Day : Dades Gorges – Valley of Roses – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
- 9th Day : Tour of the city of Marrakech with local guide
- 10th Day : Day trip to Essaouira
- 11th Day : Marrakech
Program Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tangier – Chefchaouen
Meet on arrival and drive to where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. The northernmost cape of Africa, Cape Spartel, is a dramatic and fertile point, and was known by the Greeks and Romans as the “Cape of the Vineyards”. A few kilometers along the coast, The Caves of Hercules are something like a symbol of Tangier, with its strange window to the sea, in the form of a map of Africa. The name, like the legendary foundation of Hercules of Tangier, is pure fantasy, but the caves, 16 km from the city and on the Atlantic coast, make this an attractive excursion. Our itinerary continues through the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen via Tetouan. We will spend the night in a Riad in the Medina of the blue city (walled city).
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Chefchaouen
After breakfast in your Riad, you can start exploring the Medina of Chefchaouen; a beautiful unique city with its white walls and blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, this city was occupied by Spain and the influences of Spanish civilization and architecture can still be seen. You will also have the opportunity to meet locals and walk through this beautiful Medina. We will give you as much time as possible to walk through this small and relaxed “Pueblo Azul” painted in blue tones. Lunch in one of the cafes in the Central Plaza. Overnight at our Hotel / Riad.
Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
After spending two nights in the blue city of Chefchaouen, we will drive along the Rif Mountains via Ouazane, with a short stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis (free time to walk and explore). Our journey will take us to the famous imperial city of Meknes to discover the highlights of it, starting with the Bab al Mansour Gate, the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Sahrej Souani granaries and the prison that was built to house Christian sailors captured at sea by Moulay Ismail (1672-1727). After a Moroccan meal at the top of one of the Medina terraces, we will drive towards Meknes, the ancient ruins and mosaics (free time for walking), the local guide is optional. We will continue our route towards Fez to spend the night in a Riad in the Medina.
Day 4: Tour of the city of Fez with local guide
After breakfast, a local guide from Fez will accompany you on your journey to explore the oldest imperial city in Moroccan history, our visit will include, weather permitting: Medersa (Koranic school), Attarin or Bou-Inania. Quaraouiyine Mosque, founded by Fatima Bint al-Fihria in the 9th century A.D. Fountain and museum of Nejjarine. Bab Boujloud, the blue and green door. Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II. Chouwara tanneries and have the feeling of having taken a step back in time. The water clock dating from the 14th century A.D. Souks. Traditional ceramics and Merenid Tombs. You will have the afternoon free to relax or enjoy the streets of the old medina. Overnight stay in a Riad.
Day 5: Ifrane – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga
Pick up at 8 am at your hotel or Riad, transfer to Ifrane (Moroccan Switzerland) our first stop to enjoy the city with its completely European style. Along the route we will cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas where you can often see Barbary macaques, while enjoying the contrasts of the landscapes, we will stop at Midelt, famous for its apple trees, to eat at a local restaurant or do some shopping (vegetables and fruits) and have a picnic by a river.
Our journey will continue towards the gorges of the Ziz valley, with its procession of palm trees, while we will pass through many typical Berber villages that arrive in the town of Erfoud to visit a local fossil craft workshop. Continuing with the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, incredibly beautiful extension of undulating dunes, also known as the Dunes of Merzouga. Dinner and overnight in a charming Auberge. (desert camp).
Day 6: Desert Sightseeing – Rissani – Nomads
In the morning we will visit the village of Khamlia, famous for its Gnawa music, originally from the great African Sahara. We will visit some deserted mines and share a mint tea with the Berber nomads in an oasis of palm trees. We will drive through the black desert (Hamada) and the roads of the DAKAR Rally. Then we will go to Rissani, where you can walk through the most authentic and traditional souk of Morocco, and the largest in southern Morocco.
Here you can buy all kinds of handicrafts, food and animals. Market days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. We will eat madfouna (Berber stuffed pizza) in the house of a local family. We will return to the sand dunes of Merzouga in the afternoon, where we will ride camels for the night in a camp equipped with music in the middle of the Sahara. This is a great opportunity to take beautiful sunset and sunrise photos. At this time, we will explore the secrets of the Sahara and its unlimited horizons.
Day 7: Merzouga – Todraa Gorges – Dades Gorges
You can get up early to enjoy the first rays of sunshine over the desert. Enjoy your breakfast at the camp and get on your camel back to the hostel to meet your driver. The itinerary will take us to the Todra Gorges to enjoy the wonderful views of their canyons as we walk through them. We will continue our way through Berber villages and palm groves, stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant. We will cross the administrative town of Boumalen to reach the Dades Gorges, where our journey will end in a charming hotel.
Day 8: Dades Gorges – Valley of Roses – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Today, after breakfast, we will drive along Kelaa Mgouna (Valley of Roses) where the highly perfumed roses bloom in the hedges during April and May, when we can buy a bouquet of roses. Then we will continue to Ouarzazate, known for its film studios, which house many international film productions and is also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”.
We follow the route along the Ounila Valley and just 40 km from the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, we will see the Kasbah of Telouet, an ancient caravan route from the Sahara over the Atlas mountains to Marrakech. It was the seat of power of the Glaoui family, King Moulay Hassan gave them the political power of Morocco south of the High Atlas Mountains. The Glaoui were almost as powerful as the sultan himself. You can still visit the palace, but it is increasingly damaged and is slowly collapsing. In 2010, work was underway to restore the property. If you get the chance on Thursday, visit a traditional souk of the Atlas village. Lunch in the Atlas Mountains. We cross the Tizi-n-Tichka again to arrive in Marrakech late afternoon / early evening. We will spend the night in a Riad in the Medina of Marrakech.
Day 9: Tour of the city of Marrakech with local guide
The city tour includes the following key sites, weather permitting, based on a half-day or full-day excursion. Souks. Jewish Quarter (Mellah). Bahia Palace. Minaret and gardens of the Koutoubia. Saadian tombs. Ben Youssef Koranic School. Boticario (Berber pharmacy of spices, herbs and oils). Majorelle Gardens with a beautiful museum of costumes and jewelry Amazigh (Berber). Half day free to enjoy the night in Jamaa el Fna square. Overnight at the Riad.
Day 10: Day trip to Essaouira
Departure from Marrakech early in the morning (8 a.m.) to cover a distance of 160 km and 2:30h. by car from Marrakech. Essaouira is a small coastal town with the most fascinating features of the Atlantic coast: walls that divide the old town into several districts. It surprises with its straight streets, designed by a Frenchman. After visiting the port with its bronze cannon, stroll through the medina and souks to explore the carpentry shops dedicated to cedar sculpture. You can enjoy a lunch made from seafood. The argan tree craftsmanship is unique in this region. Enjoy the benefits of this day trip to refresh yourself and explore the Medina of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Essaouira is a very charming and colourful city, located on the Atlantic coast. About two and a half hours from Marrakech. It is an ideal place for those who want to relax, have contact with people or experience the authenticity of the ancient Portuguese city of Mogador. On this one-day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira you will have the pleasure and opportunity to visit and discover a women’s cooperative. That makes the wonderful argan oil. A guided visit to the Skala du Port, the municipal market, the Mellah (Jewish quarter). The Medina jewellery souks and a handicraft complex. Return to Marrakech in the afternoon. Overnight in a Riad in the Medina.
Day 11: Marrakech
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport and departure. End of our services.
End of our 11 Days Private Tour Tangier trip.