8 Days Tour Casablanca to Sahara Desert

Overview 8 Days Tour Casablanca to Sahara Desert

Program itinerary 8 Days Tour Casablanca to Sahara Desert

• 1st Day : Arrival Day – Casablanca – Rabat
• 2nd Day : Explore Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
• 3rd Day : Full Day Exploring Fes
• 4th Day : Fes – Ifran – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
• 5th Day : Merzouga – Tinjdad – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
• 6th Day : Dades Valley – Skoura – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech
• 7th Day : Full Day Exploring Marrakech
• 8th Day : Airport Transfer

Program Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival Day – Casablanca – Rabat

Meet & greet upon arrival at the Mohammed V International Airport, then transfer to the city center of Casablanca. You’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque (depending on the time of your flight’s arrival); otherwise, you can learn about this Islamic masterpiece from the outside. Have a drive by the Corniche of Ain Diab before taking the highway to Rabat.

Day 2 – Explore Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

After having breakfast in your Riad/hotel, you’ll make a visit to the best highlights of the city. You’ll begin with the dramatic Oudayas Kasbah that goes back to the 12th century. The Kasbah overlooks the Bou Regreg River, Sale and the Atlantic Ocean. Then, visit the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the adjacent Hassan Tower (this was planned to be the largest Mosque in the Islamic World) during the reign of the Almohads but the Sultan died after 3 years of construction.

You’ll continue on the track through the highway to Meknes. This city is often called the Versailles city due to its beauty, it was built by the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century. Meknes is one the four Moroccan Imperial Cities & is located in one of the most fertile plains in Morocco. You’ll take nice pictures of the Bab Mansour gate with its geometric designs, then stretch your legs at nearby olive market. Drive to the Royal Granaries & stable through the walls of the Royal Palace.

Later, you’ll drive north to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis where you’ll have a guided tour. Continue on the track to Fes, which you’ll get in the evening.

Day 3 – Full Day Exploring Fes

After having breakfast in your Riad/hotel, you’ll spend the day out exploring this mysterious city of Fes with a local tour guide. You’ll drive uphill to enjoy the panoramic view of the Fes el-Bali (oldest Fes), then include a short break at the pottery factory where craftsmanship talks loudly with the beautiful ceramics are being skillfully made by hand.

You’ll include another stop by the Royal Palace Gates for a picture, then stretch your legs through the Mellah (former Jewish Quarter). Now, it’s time to get inside the vibrant old Medina with its labyrinthine alleyways, cafes, museums, Koranic Schools, tanneries, Souks…are just some of the highlights you may come across.

In the late afternoon, your private tour guide will escort you back to your Riad/hotel.

Day 4 – Fes – Ifran – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Early wake up in the morning, you’ll drive south while including a first short break in Ifran (nominated as the 2nd most beautiful city in the world in 2015). Drive through the UNESCO preserved cedar forest that hosts a colony of wild Barbary Apes (it’s possible to see and even feed).

After lunch in Zaida, you’ll continue on the track further south the High Atlas Mountains that stand like an ocean, the Ziz Valley, Erfoud before reaching the vast sand dune field of Erg Chebbi. Have a jounrney on a camel to attend the majestic view of the sunset, return back to the desert camp for dinner before culminating the day with a relaxing sleep in your private en-suite tent or under the stars.

Day 5 – Merzouga – Tinjdad – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

Early wake up to attend the miraculous view of the sunrise atop the sand dune. Have breakfast under the sunlight, then take a refreshing shower before heading west to the Dades Valley.

En route, you’ll include a short break in a local fossil factory in the city of Erfoud. Drive through the palm oasis town of Tinejdad to the Todra Gorge (canyon). The canyon is a high cliff that has attracted mountain climbers from all over the world. It’s also a popular escape among the locals seeking cooler weather in summer. Drive to the Dades Valley that marks the end of today’s journey.

Day 6 – Dades Valley – Skoura – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Marrakech through the Valley of Roses, Skoura, then Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa). This city is a small, but has acquired much popularity worldwide due to the Atlas Film Studios and for the Hollywood Movies that were short in the region.

Continue on the track to the dramatic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been used as a backdrop for making movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia and many others.

After lunch, you’ll head to Marrakech crossing the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. Drive over the Pass of Tizi n’Tichka (2267 m), the views from here are magnificent with Berber Village that built in adobe and stones along the feet of the mountains. You’ll arrive in Marrakech in the evening.

Day 7 – Full Day Exploring Marrakech

Today, you’ll have a full-day private guided tour of Marrakech. Your English speaking tour guide will unveil the mystery of this city. You’ll make a visit to the botanical gardens of Majorelle with the possibility to visit the Saint Laurent Museum. Drive through the Ville Nouvelle to the old Medina where you’ll start you walking tour from the Kotoubia Mosque.

Continue on the track to the Kasbah district with its beautiful Bab (gate) Agnaw, then to the Saadian Tombs that go back to the 16th century. From there, you’ll walk through the Mellah (former Jewish Quarter) to the Bahia Palace (dates back to the 19th century; built by the Sultan’s vizier for his wives and concubines).

Now, it’s time to get into the vibrant Souks that is divided into sections before ending the tour in the focal point of Marrakech, the Jemaa El-Fna Square.

Day 8 – Airport Transfer

Today, it depends on your time flights, it is time to say goodbye to beautiful Morocco. We let you go with the hope that you will surely return someday. We even hope that you had a wonderful journey and made a plethora of memories to cherish.

Price Includes

• A/C & well-maintained 4WD or minivan driven by an expert English speaking driver/guide for 8 days.
• Car fuel and tolls.
• Pick up from your Casablanca hotel/Riad/Villa or meet and greet at the airport.
• Local tour guides in Volubilis, Fes & Marrakech.
• Camel ride journey for the sunset.
• Overnight in the Sahara Desert camp in Erg Chebbi (private ensuite tent) with dinner & breakfast are included.
• 6 nights accommodation as illustrated in the above itinerary.
• Unique Experiences
• Local taxes.

Price Excludes

• Beverages including water.
• Entrance fees to sites and places of attractions
• Lunches on the way.
• Flights.
• Insurance in case of any emergency.
• Tips when appropriate.