- Morocco
- tripinginmorocco@gmail.com
- +212 658-173034
After your driver picks you up from the airport, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Hassan II Mosque if you’d like to. Once en route to Chefchaouen, you will take the ocean road toward Rabat, Morocco’s capital city. Along the way, you will pass through small towns nestled in a fertile agricultural region. From Rabat, it will take about 3.5–4 hours to get to Chefchaouen. As you enter the Rif Mountains region, you’ll notice a distinct change in the landscape. The mountains are quite distinct. You may notice that the towns have an Andalusian flair to their architecture, resulting from the Spanish influence. You’ll find Chefchaouen tucked into the Rif Mountains. You’ll stay in a beautiful riad for the night.
You’ll have today to relax and take in the sights of Chefchaouen. The medina of Chefchaouen is filled with handicrafts and easy to navigate on foot. Additionally, you’ll notice that the Berber women in Chefchaouen wear traditional attire that is exclusive to the entire nation. In Chefchaouen, there are two weekly market days (Mondays and Thursdays). This is when people from the surrounding mountain villages come to sell their produce as well as other items. You’ll find crates of produce everywhere, along with the balancing scales of old. There are also various spas that your driver can recommend. Toward evening, you may be interested in walking up the hillside to view the city as the sun goes down. If you do choose to walk up the hillside, get your cameras ready. You can get some really good shots as the city slowly lights up.
After breakfast, you’ll head toward the medieval city of Fes. On the way, you’ll stop at the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. You can roam through the city on your own or have a guide take you. Most people choose to roam on their own, as there is a fair amount of decent signage. Volubilis features the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Volubilis, it’s a short drive to the imperial city of Meknes. After learning about Meknes, it’s on to the amazing medieval city of Fes. You’ll spend the night in a beautiful riad in the medina.
You will have a full day to explore Fes. This includes a private guide through the medina. Only specially certified city guides are allowed to accompany tourists in Fes, this is why your host won’t guide you through the city. Even Moroccans who didn’t grow up in Fes can easily get lost through the maze of winding streets and alleyways. If you are interested in pottery, there is a pottery shop outside the oldest part of the city that has the famous Fesi pottery. You’ll be able to see how the pottery and the mosaics are created and painted. Your night will be spent in the same riad as the night before.
From Fes, you will travel east toward Midelt. You will crisscross the Middle Atlas Mountains, where you may see Barbary Macaques in the forest. The Barbary Macaque, an Old World Monkey Species, is found chiefly in the Atlas and Rif Mountains of Morocco and Algeria. It is near the forest that you will enter the city of Ifrane, home of the world-famous Al Akhawayn University. As you near the city of Midelt, it will seem as if the eastern High Atlas Mountains have risen out of nowhere. Midelt lies on the high plains in between the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas Mountains and is famous for its apples.
Once through Midelt, you will cross the High Atlas Mountains via the N’Talghemt Pass (1,907 m/6,2,56 ft) and then slowly descend into the Ziz Valley, one of the longest valleys in Morocco. Flocks of sheep and goats will be grazing alongside the road and up into the hillsides, and if you look closely enough, you’ll see the Berber shepherds watching over them. Later in the day, you’ll make your entry into the city of Arfoud. Arfoud is the International Capital of Fossils as well as a film site for the recent movies The Mummy and King of Persia. Each year in October, the city hosts the International Date Festival.
After passing through Arfoud, your journey continues off-road to the impressive Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes. About an hour later, you will arrive at the meeting point, where you will board your camels. You will travel by camel approximately an hour out to the desert camp. If you like, you can climb up to a high vantage point to watch the sunset. After dinner, there will be music. Your night will be spent under the stars in a comfortably furnished tent with a private bathroom.
The next morning, after breakfast, you’ll spend the day out in the desert in the SUV. (It is possible to spend the day camel trekking, if you’d prefer.) There are plenty of adventures for your day on the sand. You’ll get to see various areas of the desert and how people in the area live. There will be the opportunity to visit some nomad families, if you’d like. You can also visit the Gnawa Music Association in the village of Khamlia. The Gnawa Music Association is an NGO established to preserve the heritage of those brought from central and west Africa as slaves into the southeastern part of Morocco prior to Morocco’s independence. The traditional way of playing the music that their ancestors left behind is still present. Lunch can be traditional nomad pizza at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, you will arrive at the meeting point, where you will board your camels. You will travel by camel approximately an hour out to the desert camp. If you like, you can climb up to a high vantage point to watch the sunset. After dinner, there will be music. Your night will be spent under the stars in a comfortably furnished tent with a private bathroom.
If you happen to be a morning person, you’ll enjoy watching the sunrise in the dunes. After breakfast, you’ll get into the 4×4 (or board camels, if you prefer) to trek and meet the car.) Once on the road, it’s onto the Dades Valley and Gorges. Just outside the city of Arfoud, you’ll pass by the aquifers. You will also pass through the village of Tinjdad, where there is a Berber museum. The road out of Tinjdad loops through flat land with beautiful landscapes. Upon reaching the Todgha Gorges, you can take a nice stroll through the gorges. Back on the road, you’ll pass through the Berber village of Tinghir. On the eastern edge of the village, you’ll find a lush green oasis full of date palms. Crumbling kasbahs and the abandoned 19th-century Medersa Ikelane lie under the canopy of the oasis. Later in the day, you will arrive in the beautiful Dades Gorges. Your night will be spent at a beautiful inn.
After breakfast, you begin your journey to Marrakech. Shortly after leaving the Dades Gorges, you’ll enter the Valley of the Roses, situated at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. The main village is Kelaat M’Gouna. Shortly thereafter, you will travel through the Skoura Valley, a fertile oasis lined with palm groves, olive trees, and the ruins of kasbahs dating back to the 12th century. Next, you’ll make your way through the city of Ouarzazate, known as Moroccan Hollywood, for the numerous movies filmed in the city. On the other side of Ouarzazate, you’ll stop off at the famous Ait Ben Haddou Ksar. Afterwards, your journey leads you through the scenic High Atlas Mountains, where frequent photo stops are a must. You will slowly descend into Marrakech.
Your host will be on hand to facilitate your exploration of Marrakech. Although cars are not allowed into the deeper areas of the medina during the day, he will drive you to certain points and be there when you emerge out of the medina. There are several other locations that can be reached by car, such as Majorelle Gardens, Palace Badii, Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace, and of course, the souks can
Whatever you decide to do on this day, you’ll have the local. A tour guide and car are available. There’s no need to plan too far ahead; we are quite flexible, and your local tour guide will give suggestions when he knows what your interests are.
You’ll have all day to explore Essaouira and all it has to offer. If you enjoy photography, you’ll want to walk along the ramparts, as there are great shots from there (seen below). If you enjoy markets, much can be found in the medina. We can recommend an excellent spa if interested in total relaxation. If you are interested in authentic argan oil, the driver can take you to a town not too far away, and you can tour the facility and see how it’s made. Note: We are very careful about where we take you for argan. Unfortunately, there are more illegitimate women’s cooperatives than legitimate ones.
Late in the morning, you will need to head to Casablanca for your final night in Morocco.
“Triping in Morocco” is a dynamic and customer-focused travel service that creates unforgettable and immersive Moroccan experiences. The agency customizes itineraries to each traveler’s tastes and interests based on its enthusiasm for cultural discovery and knowledge of Morocco’s various landscapes and rich history. From the busy marketplaces of Marrakech to the tranquil splendor of the Sahara Desert to the ancient charm of Fes and Chefchaouen, “Triping in Morocco” creates genuine and individualized trips. Their professional and educated travel consultants manage every element of your vacation, from comfortable lodgings to fascinating guided tours and local cuisine. When it comes to customer service, “Triping in Morocco” goes above and beyond to provide you a smooth and comfortable trip to Morocco. Expert guiding and customized service from “Triping in Morocco.” Experience Moroccan hospitality and this North African jewel.
Please contact us ASAP for Moroccan trip package details. Our knowledgeable personnel at Triping in Morocco can answer any queries. We can help you plan a customized itinerary. Learn about our tour packages, or choose the perfect destination to make your vacation unforgettable. Contact us We’ll help you organize a memorable vacation to Morocco with stunning landscapes and intriguing local culture.
