Marrakech-Chefchaouen-Sahara Desert Tour

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.

This enriching journey offers the perfect balance between cultural immersion, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable moments, making it one of the most comprehensive options for a Marrakech to Chefchaouen desert tour experience.

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!