Morocco Off the Beaten Path
Itinerary
Day 1 – Casablanca
Arrive at any time of the day at the airport of Casablanca. Pick up by your driver and guide and transfer to the hotel. Meeting with your guide to discus the trip! Optional visit of the Hassan II mosque if time permits.
Day 2 – Casablanca to Rabat
Start your tour today driving from Casablanca to the imperial city of Rabat, the current capital. Visit Kasbah des Oudayas, the beautiful Chellah and the Tour de Hassan. (1 to 2 hours drive)
Day 3 – Rabat to Chefchaouen
Continue your journey from Rabat to Chefchaouen, a picturesque small town situated in the Rif Mountains. Explore the centre with your guide in the afternoon. (4 to 5 hours drive)
Day 4 – Chefchaouen
Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen. You can also go for an optional hike with your guide in the Rif Mountains surrounding Chefchaouen, or opt for a visit of Homir village and have lunch there with a Rifian family. You will get an idea about their crops and what they cultivate. Back in the afternoon to Chefchaouen
Day 5 – Chefchaouen to Fes
You will leave the Rif Mountains for the Imperial City of Fes. Drive via Roman ruins of Volubilis, Moulay BD Fes 11/10/16 Idriss, and Meknes, where you can visit the old city centre and famous mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Arrive in Fes in the early evening. (6 to 7 hours drive)
Day 6 – Fes
Today you will explore the ancient-old medina of Fes! Your city guide will take you on a city tour around the old medina, through its windy little streets and tanneries, the Quranic school and al-Qarawiyyin mosque.
Day 7 – Fes to Midelt
Drive from Fes to Midelt, the Apple City situated in the heart of the Berber Middle Atlas Mountains. You travel via Azrou and Ifrane with its cedar forests and Berber villages. (4 hours drive)
Day 8 – Midelt to Todgha
Continue from Midelt to the Todgha Gorges, via the remote region of Imilchil. This area is very interesting for its traditional Berber culture and the Berber tribes still living here. Visit and walk of the Todgha canyon in the afternoon. (7 hours drive)
Day 9 – Todgha Gorges to Zagora
Leave Todgha for the Draa valley, you will drive via Alnif and Tazzarine through the heart of the Saghru Mountains, where many nomads still live. Arrive in Zagora in the late afternoon. This small oasis town has an interesting old city centre with crumbling kasbahs and fertile plots of land amid the palm oasis. (5 to 6 hours drive)
Day 10 – Zagora to Erg Chegaga
We leave Zaogra and drive to M’Hamid and further into the Sahara to reach the spectacular dunes of Erg Chegaga. Visit of the Zaouia of Tamegroute and the pottery makers on the way. Enjoy an evening in the desert camp, a camel ride and overnight under the stars amid the Erg Chegaga dunes. (3 hours drive)
Day 11 – Erg Chegaga to Tata
Early rise and shine as you can watch the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chegaga, a beautiful sight! Continue to Foum Zguid and then on to Tata, a small desert town. Relax by the hotel. (5 to 6 hours drive)
Day 12 – Tata to Tafraoute
Leave Tata for Tafraoute, in the Anti Atlas Mountains. You have entered the deep south and will enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Pass by Tata, Irherm and the small Berber hamlets in between as your guide tells you all about Berber life in this region. Visit of an agadir on the way, a fortified and communal granary still being used in this part of the country to store people’s valuables. Arrive in Tafraoute in the late afternoon. (6 to 7 hours drive)
Day 13 – Tafraoute
Enjoy a day of hiking in the Ammeln valley of Tafraoute, with its almond trees and many Berber hamlets to the steep walls of the valley. Enjoy a free afternoon in town, where you can see the traditional production of the famous belgha of Tafraoute (shoes).
Day 14 – Tafraoute to Essaouira
We drive from Tafraoute to the port town of Essaouira, via Agadir and the scenic coastal route. This charming little town has a relaxed vibe and interesting history that will steal your heart! You will have an orientation walk in Essaouira and free time for exploration. (5 to 6 hours drive)
Day 15 – Essaouira
Essaouira is a great town to relax! Known for its fresh seafood and wonderful restaurants, it also has many little bars where the tunes of reggae and sub-Saharan Africa find there way to your table. Optional visit of the silver cooperative and Jewish cemetery.
Day 16 – Essaouira to Marrakech
Leave at any time of the day for Essaouira (2,5 hours drive). Enjoy a free afternoon in Marrakech.
Day 17 – Marrakech
Enjoy a half-day city tour in the morning with your city guide of Marrakech’s historic monuments (Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Jemaa el-Fna square and the Koutoubia mosque). Free afternoon to explore the souks on on our own.
Day 18 – Marrakech (or Casablanca)
Departure day! Transfer at any time of the day to the airport of Marrakech or Casablanca for your flight back home.
Map
Details
Inclusions:
- – Private certified English-speaking guide for total duration of tour;
- – Private certified driver and air-conditioned transportation for total duration of tour;
- – 16 Overnights (standard hotels, possible upgrade to 3 to 4 star boutique hotels);
- – 1 Overnight in a desert camp in Erg Chegaga;
- – All breakfasts, excl. day 1;
- – 7 Dinners;
- – Pick up at the airport of Casablanca on day 1;
- – Transfer to the airport of Marrakech / Casablanca on day 18;
- – City guide in Fes (full-day) and Marrakech (half-day);
- – All activities listed in the itinerary.
Exclusions:
- – Additional meals and drinks not listed;
- – Travel insurance;
- – Optional activities;
- – International flights;
- – Tipping and souvenirs.
