Marrakech-Chefchaouen-Sahara Desert Tour
From Marrakech
10 Days
Overview
Discover Morocco’s highlights with this Morocco 10-day private tour beginning and ending in Marrakech. Visit the 3 imperial cities of Marrakech, Rabat and Fes.You’ll wander medieval medinas and souks, marvel at palaces and mosques. Travel along old caravan routes in the desert, and spend the night camping among Saharan dunes and listening to traditional Berber music. Discover old fortified Kasbahs and hidden oases before climbing over the High Atlas mountains back to the bustling Marrakech.
Morocco is calling! Join us for a cultural escape tour from Marrakech to Chefchaouen, where every step is a discovery and every moment is a unique memory. Explore your unforgettable journey through the colors and traditions of Morocco!
Details & Itinerary
Day 1 – Departure From Marrakech
The excitement of your personalized Marrakech to Chefchaouen desert tour begins when you first start planning your trip, even before you land at the Marrakech airport. It will only start to feel real when you walk out of the airport and see your English-speaking driver, your soon-to-be friend, smiling at you. The drivers are part of what makes Morocco Culture Travel different…they are always said to be one of the best parts of the experience because they help you see the real Morocco. Your driver will take you to your hotel. As soon as you feel settled, if time permits, your driver will take you to the Jma El Fna, the main square in Marrakech, it is a piece of the city that you’ll have to see. Your friends will love hearing about the snake charmer you see there, the loud music coming from the square at night, and the tasty, dried fruit that you sampled at the stalls. Dinner of Welcome and 1st overnight in Marrakech.
Day 2 – A Full Day Guided Tour to Explore Marrakech
Welcome to Marrakech! Nicknamed the “Red City” for the natural pigment in the sandstone used to build its walls and buildings, Marrakech has always been a major economic center.
Orient yourself around Marrakech’s main square, Jemaa el-Fna: the souks (el Attarin, Haddadine, and Smata) are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens are to the west, and the kasbah (old fortress or fortification) area home to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. On the southwest corner, you will find the calèches (French for horse-drawn carriage) that offer a unique way to tour the medina (old quarter). In the Ville Nouvelle, you will find the Majorelle Gardens—a perfect spot for respite away from the crowds.
Start your day at the Koutoubia Mosque with its towering minaret. Notice the open spaces and courtyards along many alleyways: these fondouks or caravanserai were once inns used by traders and merchants and their animals. Wander the souks and be sure to visit the Souk des Teinturiers (Dyers’ Souk) to see how workers use traditional methods to dye cloth and wool. Next, visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic School to appreciate the carved cedar ceilings, zellij (intricate tile work), and Islamic calligraphy. Check out the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs or visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace, one of the largest and most luxurious palaces of its day. And if time allows, visit the 17th-century El Badi Palace for comparison (be sure to check out the sunken gardens). Dinner and 2nd Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 3 – Marrakech-Casablanca-Rabat
After your breakfast at your Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech, you will head to Casablanca through the highway and start your Casablanca City Tour. Visit the Hobous, the city’s “New Medina.” Established in the 1930s by the French, it offers charming streets and Art Deco architecture. Later, follow the Boulevard de la Corniche, a scenic promenade along the Atlantic where you can pop into a café or restaurant. Visit El Hank Lighthouse and enjoy views of the Hassan II Mosque from afar before carrying on to the mosque for a guided tour. Casablanca’s premier attraction, the mosque, is the largest in Morocco, with an impressive 689-foot (210-m) tall minaret. Its large complex includes a museum, hammam, a Koranic school, a library, and a prayer room supported by 78 granite and marble pillars. After your tour, Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart fans might like to pop into Rick’s Café for a bite.
From here, continue your private Morocco tour to the imperial city and present-day capital, Rabat. Conclude your day with a dinner and an overnight in Rabat.
Day 4 – Rabat-Kenitra-Souk Larbaa-Rif’s Mountains -Chefchaouen
Start with a visit to the medieval fortification of Chellah Necropolis, enter through the Kasbah des Oudaias, and wander through the Roman and Islamic ruins for a taste of Rabat’s original city center. Enjoy walking in the peaceful white and blue-washed streets of this residential area. Next, visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens for a respite from the crowds. Discover the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the incomplete mosque, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V.
Take in the scenery en route to Chefchaouin as you enter the Rif Mountains. After settling into your hotel.
Day 5 – Chefchaouen-Volubilis -Moulay Idriss Zerhoune-Fez
After breakfast in your hotel / Riad, start exploring Morocco’s famed “blue city.” Wind through the city’s medina and its maze of picturesque streets while appreciating the relaxed atmosphere. From Plaza Uta el-Hammam, peruse nearby souks (markets), grab a bite to eat, and visit the Grand Mosque and Kasbah. Next, explore the Quartier Al Andalous with its houses painted white, green, or blue. Continue up the path for another 30 minutes to enjoy the view from the Spanish Mosque. End your guided tour in Chefchaouen at Ras el Ma Spring. From here, your unforgettable journey will continue towards Volubilis to explore the Roman ruins and find out a lot about its Archeological sites, after that, you will continue your way to Meknes city, one of the most historical 17th-century heritage, where you will have lunch and visit the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail, the granary and the Sahrij Souani used for irrigation and plantation. Afterward, you will continue the road to Fes. Dinner and overnight in your Riad/Hotel.
Day 6 –Special Guided Tour Fez
After breakfast, you will begin your guided tour of the Medina, one of the world’s largest walled cities. You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets, and many other art objects of Morocco. The Kings Palace, the tanneries, and pottery shops are just a few places you will experience. Taste local flavors and connect with friendly locals! For lunch, you will eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch, you will complete the tour and return to your hotel for the evening.
Day 7 – Fes-Ifran-Cedar Forest – Azrou-Merzouga-Erg Chebbi Dunes
An early departure from Fez, you will begin your journey passing through Ifrane, a winter ski resort amazingly built by the French colonization in the 1930’s similar to a Swiss village, you will visit the cedars forest in Azrou and across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Most of the day will be spent on your way through the beautiful forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages.
Later on, you descend towards the Sahara Desert Morocco, halfway, you will stop for lunch in Midelt town, famous for its fossils and rocks, and then you continue towards Merzouga in the Morocco Desert enjoying picturesque views and wide palm oases.
In the afternoon, you will be welcomed with a mint tea before you mount upon camels and guided by an experienced camel-man, to start your safari within the mysterious golden Morocco Desert, where you will spend your first night under the stars in a traditional Berber nomad tent.
Day 8 – Sahara Desert Morocco- Camel Riding-Todra Gorges-Tinghir – Dades Valley
If you like, early in the morning, we will wake you up to watch what may be the best sunrise of your life. You’ll peacefully camel-trek back to your riad. En route, you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight accommodation will be in a fancy hotel overlooking the Dades Valley.
Day 9 – Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Skoura Palm’s Grove – Ouarzazat-Ait Benhaddou Kasbah- Marrakech
After breakfast in the hotel, you will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. then you will enjoy the fertile Rose Valley and the rock formations along the way. We’ll stop at Kalaat M’gouna, “the rose city”, to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Skoura and the bird’s valley; visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area. After some hiking in the valley stops in a restaurant, overlooking the whole valley, for lunch. On to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”, whose geography and beautiful landscapes have attracted many world-class movie producers. Here you may choose to visit the studios, containing props used in movies, you may have already seen, such as The Mummy, Gladiator, and The Last Temptation of Christ. you will travel to Marrakech via the Ait Ben haddou Kasbah. The first stop will be at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. The Kasbah was built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, and now a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through this fascinating valley to Telouet, another Berber Mud castle built by Thami El Glaoui, some of the mosaics are in very good shape and the view from the upper floor is breathtaking. Your journey continues through the majestic Tizi n’tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains to the red city of Marrakech. Farewell dinner and last overnight in Marrakech.
Day 10 – Marrakesh-Flight
After your memorable adventure in the Marrakech to Chefchaouen tour, we’ll take you to Marrakech airport to make your check-in and registration and say goodbye to the sun! Ready for more adventure? Take your next Morocco desert tour from Marrakech!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 –Departure From Marrakech.
Day 2 – A Full Day Guided Tour to Explore Marrakech.
Day 3 – Marrakech-Casablanca-Rabat.
Day 4 – Rabat-Kenitra-Souk Larbaa-Rif’s Mountains -Chefchaouen.
Day 5 – Chefchaouen-Volubilis -Moulay Idriss Zerhoune-Fez.
Day 6 – Special Guided Tour Fez.
Day 7 – Fes-Ifran-Cedar Forest – Azrou-Merzouga-Erg Chebbi Dunes.
Day 8 – Sahara Desert Morocco- Camel Riding-Todra Gorges-Tinghir – Dades Valley.
Day 9 – Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Skoura Palm’s Grove – Ouarzazat-Ait Benhaddou Kasbah- Marrakech.
Day 10 – Marrakesh-Flight.
What’s Included
Planning and quality control by seasoned travel leaders
Knowledgeable Guides (Multi-lingual), special lectures, and insightful meetings
Entrance Fees to Historic Monuments
All Transfers-even individual airport transfers, when required.
Luggage Handling-at all hotels, airport, etc.
Air-Conditioned, comfortable, and luxurious vehicles depending on your choice (4*4, Mini-bus…).
Nights at the top range hotels, Riads, Kasbahs, and Bivouacs.
Elegant Meals (Breakfast daily, and usually either Dinner).
All details are handled by reliable, experienced Tour Leaders.
Outstanding value and convenience.
No hidden add-ons or markup.
What’s Excluded
Lunchs
Tips
Travel insurance charges
Travel Advices
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Best time to visit Morocco
The climate in Morocco varies wildly according to the season and area of travel. In the lowlands, the cooler months from October to April are popular among visitors. This time of year is pleasantly warm to hot (around 30°C) during the day and cool to cold (around 15°C) at night. Winter in the higher regions often brings snow and can therefore get seriously cold, particularly at night. Tourists flock to the coastline from June to September for fun in the sun, with warm mostly rain-free days. Further inland it can get hot and rain is rare, which makes the best times to travel March to June and September to December.
Morocco Culture & Customs
Morocco’s culture has developed over centuries of influence from far and wide. Contemporary Morocco is a fascinating mix of Berber, Mediterranean, Andalucian, and African traditions, which are present in the cuisine, clothing, music, language, customs, and lifestyle. As an Islamic country, most Moroccans are Muslim; however, there are small populations of people who practice Judaism and Christianity. Classic examples of Islamic architecture can be observed all throughout the country and tenets of the Islamic religion are carried out in the customs and lives of the people. The ‘Call to Prayer’ can be heard five times a day, women are expected to dress modestly and alcohol isn’t drunk by most of the population.
Most of Moroccan society can be considered traditional, with respect for elders, connection to family, and giving alms to the poor hallmarks of everyday life for many Moroccans. Hospitality is another important element of society, with warmly welcoming people into your home a time-honored tradition and social responsibility that dates back centuries.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Morocco ?
Much of Morocco’s cuisine revolves around meat, but vegetables are an important staple and a crucial ingredient in many dishes of the Maghreb. Your diet can consist of more than just flatbread and hummus – trust us. Keep an eye out for vegetable-based tagines and couscous, the renowned Zaalouk (a smokey eggplant and tomato salad), vegetable Briouats (triangular-filled pastries), and cinnamon oranges. Vegan options are slightly more limited, as many of the pieces of bread and couscous dishes have butter added to them, but your best bet is to enquire if yours can be made using oil instead. Otherwise, it’s easy to dine well on varied vege offerings in Morocco.
Morocco Tour Add-ons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Morocco Safety & Marrakech safety
Is safe to travel to morocco ? Is marrakech safe ?
Until now,there is no travel warnings for Morocco.
The political and security situation allows the organization of professional and tourist trips to Morocco, provided that you should be vigilant, especially when traveling along the South of the borders with Algeria & Mauritania.
Terrorist risk , Marrakech morocco safety & security
Morocco remains a safe country where tourism can be practiced without difficulty.
There has been no attack in Morocco since that of April 2011 in Marrakech, in the restaurant “Argana” in Jemâa El-Fna, which had cost 17 lives.
However, the Moroccan authorities have taken a series of measures to deal with a persistent terrorist risk, fueled in particular by the threats made by Daech. They regularly communicate the dismantling of terrorist cells.
The “Hadar” (vigilance) system, set up in 2014, was enhanced following the Paris bombings of 13 November 2015.
Theft & Assulats risk
- Avoid walking with jewelery & valuables or carry large amounts of money with you at night in the city centers or peripheral districts, in order to limit the risk of theft. Take preferably a safe transport.
- It is not recommended to walk, a fortiori at night, in places deserted by the public (beachs, public parks, in particular), or those whose bad attendance is notorious locally.
- People traveling their cars alone, especially in the south near the beaches, should avoid parking in isolated areas, day or night, especially near a city due to the risk of assaults or theft. If you do not use the services of a campground, it is advisable to inform the Moroccan local authorities.
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
USA: No – Not required
UK: No – Not required
Australia: No – Not required
Canada: No – Not required
European countries: No – Not required
Singapore: No – Not required
Hong Kong: No – Not required
Thailand: No – Not required
Singapore: No – Not required
Malaysia: No – Not required
South Africa: Yes – in advance (in general, visa processing can take approximately 20 working days)
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of Morocco for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarize yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.
What is the internet access like in Morocco ?
Morocco’s cities have internet access available in internet cafes and hotel lobbies. In some cases, free Wi-Fi can be accessed in public places. Less internet access is available in rural areas, so be prepared to ‘disconnect’ when traveling out of Morocco’s big cities.
Buying a SIM card in Morocco
To avoid roaming charges, it is possible to buy a local SIM card in Morocco. Make sure that your phone is unlocked before you leave home so a local SIM will be compatible. Morocco has three main mobile phone networks – Meditel, Maroc Telecom, and Inwi – all of which have great coverage, which may be less effective in remote areas. 4G is widely available in the main cities and towns of Morocco.
You’ll be able to buy a SIM from a convenience store, or at a newsstand, kiosk, and this will usually set you back around 100 dirhams (around USD 10) for a fair amount of calls and mobile data. Depending on the time you travel, there will be a range of prepaid deals offered by these providers.
Please note that some Moroccan telecommunications companies have blocked the call feature on internet calling apps like Skype and WhatsApp so customers use their local call network. Messaging services on these apps are not blocked. If you’d like to call with apps like this during your time in Morocco, you may need to install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your mobile phone.
Will my mobile phone work in Morocco?
Mobile/cellphone coverage is generally excellent in Morocco’s cities and metropolitan areas, although expect limited coverage in remote, desert, or mountainous areas. If you want to use your mobile phone on the go, your best bet is to buy a local SIM to insert into your unlocked phone for the duration of your stay. Otherwise, global roaming can be activated with your current service provider, but be sure to check the charges associated with this as it can often be very expensive, especially in Morocco.