Imperial cities & Sahara Desert
9 nights
10 DAYS
When
March to June | Sept to Nov
Price
From 1,200 € excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)
Inclusive
Transfer, Guide, Activities, hotel with half-board, dinner
Rabat
Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital, blends history, culture, and modernity. Founded in the 12th century, it boasts stunning landmarks like the Kasbah des Oudaïas, Hassan Tower, and Mohammed V Mausoleum. Overlooking the Atlantic, Rabat offers a relaxed atmosphere, vibrant markets, and a thriving arts scene. Unlike busier cities, it provides an authentic experience with its serene streets and scenic waterfront. Rich in history and charm, Rabat welcomes you to explore its timeless beauty.
Day 1
You will be met by your private driver and transferred to Rabat to begin your Moroccan adventure.
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You’ll spend your first day and night settling in. Swimming beneath banana palms, dining in firelit riads, and indulging in an oh-so-Moroccan hammam treatment in the hotel’s spa.
Fez
Fez, the jewel of Morocco, is a city rich in history and culture, known as the country’s cultural and spiritual capital. Dating back to the 8th century, it is home to one of the world's oldest universities and a hub of art and science. Its narrow streets, ancient walls, and stunning architecture create a unique atmosphere. Fez’s signature cobalt blue ceramics add to its charm. A fusion of tradition and modern life, this city invites you to explore its magic, history, and timeless beauty.
Day 2
Rabat the capital of Morocco short city tour including one of the many Royal Palaces (outside only), Mohammed the V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower and the Chella Necropolis. Pay a visit to the Oudaya Kasbah, which is built on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Depart Rabat and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubulis. This is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. With its triumphal arches, basilicas are among its greatest treasures, However, the stunning mosaic floors, which include Orpheus charming animals with his lyre, nine dolphins signifying good luck remain a favorite. Stop for lunch in a nearby village before we continue to another Imperial city, Fes.
Day 3
Today we will stroll the labyrinthine old quarter, with its 9,000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks. Visit a market of exceeding authenticity. Watch local craftsmen working with bronze and pottery. Next, proceed to the 14th-century Karaouine, the Hispano-Moorish Attarine Madrassa (Koranic school) and Nejjarine Square. You also see the Royal Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter). The Fes Jewish cemetery one of the largest in Morocco where we'll hear stories of some of the city's legendary rabbis buried here. Visit a beautiful Sanctuary which still holds a Torah today. Visit a mosaic co op, to see how the original mosaic tiles of Morocco are made. Stop for lunch mid day in what was once a private home and now a popular restaurant nestled in the Medina. This is a full day of exploring the beautiful city of Fes
Day 4
Bhalil is a town in the north of Morocco. Set on the side of a hill northwest of Sefrou, the village of Bhalil is notable for its unique cave houses located in the old part of the village, and for its eclectically colored homes, linked together by a network of bridges. Bhalil once known for the Jewish community who made handmade buttons for the beautiful khaftans of the wealthy.
Desert Sahara
Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara, is a captivating town in southeastern Morocco, known for its golden dunes, ancient fossils, and rich Berber culture. It’s famous for fossil workshops crafting unique stone artifacts and as a starting point for desert adventures in Merzouga’s vast dunes. The town’s lively market offers fresh dates, a local specialty. With its annual Date Festival and stunning desert landscapes, Erfoud is a perfect blend of history, nature, and adventure.
Day 5
We will begin our journey through the lower Atlas Mountains to our ultimate destination, Sahara Desert. Today we will stop along the way in small villages, such as Ifrane and a quick stop in the Cedar Forest for a short walk. Charming little villages each with it’s each unique personality. We will arrive in Erfoud in the early evening for one night stay in a traditional Berber Ksar.
Day 6
We’ll visit Rissani, home to the date market and Tuareg people, known as the "Blue Men of the Sahara" for their striking blue attire. After lunch, we transfer to SUVs for a one-hour drive to Merzouga’s towering dunes. Enjoy mint tea on arrival, then explore by camel as the sun sets. The night features a traditional meal, live music, and a campfire. Stay in a private luxury tent, relax in the serene dunes, and enjoy sunset camel rides before dinner and drinks.
Toudra Gorges
Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital, blends history, culture, and modernity. Founded in the 12th century, it boasts stunning landmarks like the Kasbah des Oudaïas, Hassan Tower, and Mohammed V Mausoleum. Overlooking the Atlantic, Rabat offers a relaxed atmosphere, vibrant markets, and a thriving arts scene. Unlike busier cities, it provides an authentic experience with its serene streets and scenic waterfront. Rich in history and charm, Rabat welcomes you to explore its timeless beauty.
Day 7
Farewell to the Sahara Tent Camp: Enjoy breakfast and optional sunrise camel ride.*(extra cost) or perhaps morning yoga. Journey overland to Ouarzazate, once a stopping point for African traders traveling to the cities of Morocco and Europe. En route, absorb views of the High Atlas’ southern slopes, intersecting the Dades Valley’s flourishing crops, irrigation canals and palm trees. Travel along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” and make a stop to visit the Todras Gorges before proceeding to Eden Boutique Dades and your delightful oasis of a hotel. Elegance, comfort, and meticulous attention to detail come together in perfect harmony at the first 5-star hotel in the Dades region of Morocco’s High Atlas. At Eden Boutique Hotel, we are dedicated to curating an unforgettable experience for you. Set in the lush green Dades Valley, with its own delightful terraced gardens, it offers a place of repose where all your needs are taken care of. At the same time, it brings connection with the majesty of the High Atlas mountains, and options for adventure in safe hands.
Marrakesh
Back on the road, the route will gradually ascend until reaching an altitude of 2,260 meters above sea level at the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas. We will cross this pass to begin a pleasant descent toward Marrakech. Upon arriving in this ‘red city,’ you will have free time to explore the center before resting for the night in the riad’s rooms.
Day 8
We saw kasbahs with an attractive silhouette, and today we will visit them from the inside to admire the mastery of Berber builders in constructing these fortresses using the humble and scarce materials of their surroundings, especially sand to create adobe.
The Kasbah of Taourirt is located in the very heart of Ouarzazate and is undoubtedly its main monument. This castle-palace belonged to Thami El Glaoui and his family. As the Pasha of Marrakech and Sultan of the Atlas, he spared no expense in decorating the interior rooms and fortifying the exterior walls.
With greater humility but the same defensive purpose, the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou was built about thirty kilometers from Ouarzazate. Here, we will stop just as the caravan routes did in the past—this time to admire this movie-like fortified village, which has indeed been used as a setting for productions like Game of Thrones.
Day 9
You will begin unearthing the secrets of Marrakech, starting in the Medina, the old walled section of town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This thousand-yearold city was long a political, economic and cultural center. Marvel at its architectural jewels, including the soaring Koutoubia minaret. Continue to the The Bahia Palace. The palace was first built by Si Musa, grand vizier under the Alawi sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, in the 1860s. Explore the souks and marketplace with your guide pointing out interesting points along the way. For families with children we keep them engaged and interested with scavenger hunt of items with prizes at the end of the day. Stop for lunch before the afternoon visit of a Berber Pharmacy for all kinds of interesting potions used by the indigenous people of Morocco. You will be surprised what works for modern day ailments. Berber Pharmacy’s are also great place to get Moroccan spices.
Day 10
Breakfast at the hotel, and then you can decide how to spend your free time based on your interests: go shopping in the chic district of Gueliz, visit one of the city's art and crafts museums (such as the Marrakech Museum, the Orientalist Museum, or the Yves Saint Laurent Museum), explore serene gardens (Majorelle, La Mamounia), or enjoy any other activity of your choice.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Seville, where our journey comes to an end.
Program
Day 11
Travel back home