Colors of Morocco

From €975EUR

11 Days

Starts in Marrakech

+212 677 365 421

hello@besttravelmorocco.com

BOOK THIS TOUR

SUMMARY

Tour Overview

Carefully selected hotels, Kasbahs, Riads. Includes one night in a traditional Berber camp

Qualified multi-language guide fluent in English, French, Spanish

Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle(s), mini bus or motor-coach

Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, Skoura, Roses valley, Dades Valley, Todra Canyon, Merzouga, Sahara, Erfoud, Ziz Canyon, Ifran, Fes, Volubilis, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca

INcluded in your tour

Tour Highlights

We have over 20 years of experience crafting a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are our most common itineraries, to be used as starting points in developing yours.

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

We are experts at creating a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are some of our most popular itineraries, and they may be customized to the utmost extent of your imaginations.

Arrival at Marrakech Airport, Afternoon at Your Leisure

Starts in

Starts in

We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca to accompany you to your hotel, where you can relax and settle in. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to take a guided tour of the city or explore at your leisure before having dinner and spending the night.

Marrakech Sightseeing with Official Local Guide

Starts in

Starts in

Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky. In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether its pampering yourself at a local spa with massage or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.

From Marrakech, through the Atlas Mountains, to Ait Ben Haddou

Starts in

Starts in

We will meet you upon your arrival in Marrakech or directly from your accommodation, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city towards the High Atlas Mountains. Through the highest mountain pass in North Africa and across the Glaoua territory, we will pass countless ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries that dot the countryside. From there we continue on to Ouarzazate, a bustling southern city often referred to as "The Hollywood of Morocco" owing to the many famous films shot on location such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as several seasons of the hit show, Game of Thrones. Here, we will stop for lunch and explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah inMorocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many of the films and shows shot on location. As the afternoon sun wanes, we will relax in our hotel overlooking the fort.

From Ouarzazate to the Valley + Todra Gorge

Starts in

Starts in

We will leave the bustling southern city of Ouarzazate in the morning for the Todra Gorge. On the way we will pass the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient kasbahs, some sadly in ruin, stand among the palm trees. From here our route will take us through Kelaa M'gouna, the Valley of Roses, where we will stop to see locally-made cosmetics made from the valley's abundant roses. These products are famous and highly valued throughout Morocco. From there we will go off-road along the Boutaghrar piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to stroll along the banks of the river before continuing to the Todra Gorge. We will stay overnight in the Dades Valley.

Dades Valley to The Sahara + Camel Trek

Starts in

Starts in

Following breakfast we continue our drive along the banks of the Todra valley, where olive, pomegranate, and orange trees flourish, until we reach the Todra Gorge, where we will take some time to wander among the towering rock walls of the narrow corridors. As we descend into the desert plains, the landscape gives way to a vast stony plain that marks the edges of the Sahara. Upon our arrival, we will leave all unnecessary luggage behind in safe rooms at a nearby hotel before mounting our camels and trekking into the towering dunes of the Moroccan Sahara. Here we will have ample free time for you to explore and take in the beauty and vastness of the desert dunes. Once the sun sets, a Moroccan dinner will be served alongside live music around the campfire, after which you are free to explore again - this time in the company of a million stars exploding against the pitch-black sky, and the all-encompassing silence of the Sahara at night.

Offroad Discovery Tour + Tea with Nomads

Starts in

Starts in

At your request, our staff will wake you at the crack of dawn to witness the spectacle of the desert sunrise, the colour of the sand contrasting beautifully with the palette of shadows on the dunes. After waking up to a desert sunrise and having breakfast, we will be able to relax for a couple hours before taking a 4WD off-road tour for an immersive desert experience. We start by meeting some desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life; We will drive along the high plateau of rocky desert with a huge panoramic view of the sea of dunes and varied desert landscapes to the "Ghost Town" of Mifis , an abandoned mining village where they excavate the ancient eye cosmetic of Kohl and quartz, here also you can still spot turtle, trulobites, Ammonites, and orthoceras fossils from the creatures which inhabited this ancient sea millions of years ago; Our discovery continue from Geology to music, to the town of Khamlia Village, sattelled by darker skin Berbers, here we will be able to hear the unique gnawa music from the local people who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal and Sudan via the Salt Route. After enjoying the live show of Gnawa spiritual music and having a home-made Berber pizza lunch, We drive to the nearby seasonal lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of migrant birds. From there we will head to the oasis of Merzouga, the community gardens, then to the nomadic depository; (If it's the souk day; you have the option to visit the authentic market of Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, a medieval Moroccan city that was once the meeting place for the salt and gold trade caravans coming from Timbuktu, Mali. Then a short drive back to our Kasbah where you can relax by the pool, (Here you have the option to do ATVs: quad biking or dunes buggies or 4WD drive back to the camp), where we will be greeted with a mint tea and have some time to relax. In the afternoon we will mount our camels / 4WD and ride into the pink sands of Morocco's highest dunes. We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset. In the evening we will dine on Moroccan cuisine and enjoy traditional live music around the campfire, sit down and chat with locals, or enjoy some drumming lessons.. You will spend the night in warm Berber tents in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the Milky Way spreading across the pitch-black night sky, and maybe even see some shooting stars.

Desert Sunrise, Oases, Monkeys, and the Cultural Capitol of Morocco

Starts in

Starts in

After breakfast, we will retrace our steps through Erfoud to the dramatic Ziz Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surround the Ziz Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco. The region is dotted with deserted kasbahs, palm trees, and mud-brick villages, and is a photographer's paradise. After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. The different landscapes we will cross is unbelievably diverse, ranging from rocky, sun-baked plains to cedar-covered mountains and deep, spectacular canyons. In the hills south of Azrou we might be lucky enough to spot a troupe of the Barbary Apes that still make their home in the local forests. We head onward to Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco. After having crossed the plains we will arrive in the evocative city of Fes, which is the cultural capital of Morocco and one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Our guide will help you find your riad and leave you to settle in for the night.

Fes Sightseeing with Official Local Guide

Starts in

Starts in

Following breakfast at the hotel, our accredited local guide will accompany you on a walking tour of the Fes medina. Step back in time as you wander through the labyrinth of twisting alleyways - donkeys and mules pass through the narrow streets, savour the aromas from the market stalls where countless spices and perfumes are traded, and explore the leather tanneries where men treat leather using century old techniques. We’ll cap the day with dinner at one of the many local restaurants of the medina then settle in for the evening at your hotel.

Fes to Rabat: A Walk Through History

Starts in

Starts in

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast in Fes, we will head to the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili), an open-air museum with remains of altars, sculptural fragments, and colorful mosaics. Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese used it as the feature location for his film "The Last Temptation of Christ". The driver will briefly take you through the city of Moulay Idriss before making a stop in Meknes, or the "Moroccan Versailles", which was founded at the end of the 17th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Some of Meknes' highlights include: Bab Mansour, the 8 meter intricately patterned arch argued to be the most beautiful in Morocco; the Place El Hedim (Square of Ruins), surrounded by arches and protruding towers; and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, reminiscent of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech. Next we will drive to see Koubba el-Khayatine and Habs Qara, an imperial pavilion that once received diplomats coming to negotiate the ransom of Christian prisoners. We will continue to the Dar el Makhzen, the "Palace of Labyrinths", and then to Bassin de l'Aguedal, a water tank built to supply water to the palace and imperial city. Afterwards we will depart to Rabat, where we will spend the night.

3 in 1 day, From Rabat to Marrakech through Casablanca

Starts in

Starts in

After breakfast you will be led through the history of Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah, and then continue to the Hassan Tower, which towers over the Wadi Bou Regreg. The Hassan Tower is a gigantic mosque, emblematic of Rabat and famous for its unfinished minaret where storks make their nests. Next door, we will visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V, decorated with stained glass windows, white marble, and a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading up to an impressive dome. After we finish we will depart for Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, where we will visit the grounds of the Hassan II Great Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments. Afterwards we will return to Marrakech, where we will spend the night.

Marrakech at Your Liesure, Transfer to the Airport

Starts in

Starts in

Marrakech is a sensory-rich city with a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. You may want to try a Moroccan hammam or a spa, try your hand at a local cooking class, or perhaps take a ride on a donkey cart around the city. Whatever it may be, our guide is at your service to help with suggestions, information, and arrangements. As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us, and hope to see you again soon.

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

We have over 20 years of experience crafting a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are our most common itineraries, to be used as starting points in developing yours.

DAY 1: Arrival at Marrakech Airport  → Marrakech at Leisure

We will pick you up directly from the airport where you will see our Best Travel sign, from where we will take you right to your hotel. An optional dinner is available where you would be able to get to know your fellow travelers. (HB)

DAY 2: Marrakech Sightseeing

After a morning at leisure, experience the hustle and bustle of Marrakech on a half-day walking tour. You will visit the dramatic Almohades Koutoubia Minaret and admire the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa. Explore the colorful and aromatic souks of the Marrakech Medina as you wind your way through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways. The tour finishes in the famous UNESCO-listed Djemaa el Fna Square, where you will discover mysterious bazaars selling hand-made rugs, spices, and souvenirs, and see acrobats, snake charmers, and gnawa musicians compete for the attention of the crowd. Later, you will have the option to enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine and entertainment at an extravagant live show. You will experience African folklore dancers, the tray dance, and of course exotic belly dancers as you savor a selection of Moroccan salads, tagines, and couscous. Overnight in Marrakech. (BB)

DAY 3: Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → High Atlas Mountains → Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate

After breakfast in Marrakech we will depart for Ouarzazate through the High Atlas Mountains. Our path will take us over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass at an altitude of 7,415 feet, the highest vehicular pass in Morocco. On the way we will be able to see unforgettable mountain landscapes and various villages typical of northern slopes of the mountains, where corn can be seen ripening in the sun on the packed earth roofs of the stone houses. Once over the mountains we will visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage site and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as “Gladiator” “Indiana Jones” and “Lawrence of Arabia”. From Ait Benhaddou we will continue to Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco, where you will have the option to visit the local film studios, Taourirt Kasbah, and the cinematographic museum. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

DAY 4: Ouarzazate → Skoura Oasis → Roses Valley → Boutaghrar → Dades Valley

We will leave the bustling southern city of Ouarzazate in the morning for the Todra Gorge. On the way we will pass the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient kasbahs, some sadly in ruin, stand among the palm trees. From here our route will take us through Kelaa M'gouna, the Valley of Roses, where we will stop to see locally-made cosmetics made from the valley's abundant roses. These products are famous and highly valued throughout Morocco. From there we will go off-road along the Boutaghrar piste to visit Berber nomads in their caves and join them for a glass of tea. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to stroll along the banks of the river before continuing to the Todra Gorge. We will stay overnight in the Dades Valley.

DAY 5: Dades Valley → Todra Canyon → Rissani → Merzouga  → Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes

We will head to the Todra Gorge on the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs", passing the village of Tinghir on the way. When we arrive in the Todra Gorge, there will be an optional 1-2 hour hike through the villages of this charming area, where we will pass fields cultivated by the local Berber women and have the spectacular peaks of the High Atlas Mountains as a fitting backdrop. Back on the desert road after the Todra Gorge, we will journey to Merzouga via Erfoud and Rissani. In the afternoon we will mount our camels (-if you can’t ride the camel 4X4 is also an option-) and ride out of Merzouga into the pink sands of Morocco's highest dunes. We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset. In the evening we will dine on Moroccan cuisine and enjoy traditional live music around the campfire. You will spend the night in a warm Berber tent in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have been able to see it.

DAY 6: Merzouga Culture and Traditions → Tea with Nomads

If you would like to wake up early so that you can watch the spectacle of sunrise, when the color of the sand contrasts beautifully with the play of shadows on the dunes - after which you might want to try your hand at sand-boarding down them. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we will ride the camels or fun 4X4 off-road drive through the dunes back to the kasbah in Merzouga town before taking a 4WD vehicle To visit the village of Khamlia, the origin of gnawa music. We will have the opportunity to hear it played by the local people, who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route. We will also visit the nearby Dayet Srji Salt Lake, which is the resting point for many kinds of migratory birds including flamingos, and is a bird lover's paradise. Afterwards we will return to Merzouga, where we have selected a charming kasbah hotel on the outskirts of the Erg Chebbi golden sand dunes from where you will be able to relax beside a swimming pool while watching the sunset over the desert.

DAY 7: Merzouga → Erfoud → Ziz Oasis & Canyon → Midelt  → Azrou → Ifran → Fes

After breakfast, we will retrace our steps through Erfoud to the dramatic Ziz Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surround the Ziz Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco. The region is dotted with deserted kasbahs, palm trees, and mud-brick villages, and is a photographer's paradise. After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. The different landscapes we will cross is unbelievably diverse, ranging from rocky, sun-baked plains to cedar-covered mountains and deep, spectacular canyons. In the hills south of Azrou we might be lucky enough to spot a troupe of the Barbary Apes that still make their home in the local forests. We head onward to Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco. After having crossed the plains we will arrive in the evocative city of Fes, which is the cultural capital of Morocco and one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Our guide will help you find your riad and leave you to settle in for the night.

DAY 8: Fes Guided Sightseeing Tour

After having breakfast we will begin our tour of Fes at the Merenid Tombs, before stopping at the Musée des Armes, a fortress that once protected the city. Today it is possible to see a display of 8,000 pieces of artillery from Makina, the arsenal built by Sultan Moulay Hassan. We will enter the Fes el Bali, best described as a sea of rooftops embellished with minarets and domes, with streets much too narrow for cars. Aside from walking, donkeys and mules are still a popular transportation option within the old city's walls. We will make our way to the Karaouine Mosque, one of the oldest in the world, which functioned as the first university in Morocco. After our visit to the mosque we will continue along the streets, passing some of Fes' most important buildings including the Dar al-Magana, a 14th- century water clock, and the Zaouia al-Tijaniyya. We will stop to visit the Ech Cherabliyine Mosque (Mosque of the Slipper-makers) before browsing the souks, selling everything from henna and slippers to jewelry and spices. We will continue into the UNESCO-recognized Fondouk el Nejjarine. Within the fondouk's three floors we will find the Musée de Bois, which displays carved doors from the Bou Inania Madrasa. We will stop for lunch within the medina at one of the fine Moroccan palace-restaurants that serve an extravaganza of mezas (Moroccan tapas) common among the Fassis tradition. After lunch we will visit the Musée Dar Batha to view its collection of pottery, leather-work, wood, books, and 19th-century manuscripts. We will continue onward to the Bab el-Ftouh, the "Gateway of the Aperture", to explore the Andalusian Quarter, a residential part of the medina dotted with monuments. Our final part of the tour will take us into the Fes el-Jdid, a kasbah which functioned as Morocco's administrative center until 1912. We will explore the royal palace and many interesting quarters including the Moulay Abdallah Quarter, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), and a little farther south, the Ville Nouvelle (New Quarter).

DAY 9: Fes → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Meknes → Rabat

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast in Fes, we will head to the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili), an open-air museum with remains of altars, sculptural fragments, and colorful mosaics. Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese used it as the feature location for his film "The Last Temptation of Christ". The driver will briefly take you through the city of Moulay Idriss before making a stop in Meknes, or the "Moroccan Versailles", which was founded at the end of the 17th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Some of Meknes' highlights include: Bab Mansour, the 8 meter intricately patterned arch argued to be the most beautiful in Morocco; the Place El Hedim (Square of Ruins), surrounded by arches and protruding towers; and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, reminiscent of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech. Next we will drive to see Koubba el-Khayatine and Habs Qara, an imperial pavilion that once received diplomats coming to negotiate the ransom of Christian prisoners. We will continue to the Dar el Makhzen, the "Palace of Labyrinths", and then to Bassin de l'Aguedal, a water tank built to supply water to the palace and imperial city. Afterwards we will depart to Rabat, where we will spend the night.

DAY 10: Rabat → Casablanca → Marrakech

After breakfast you will be led through the history of Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah, and then continue to the Hassan Tower, which towers over the Wadi Bou Regreg. The Hassan Tower is a gigantic mosque, emblematic of Rabat and famous for its unfinished minaret where storks make their nests. Next door, we will visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V, decorated with stained glass windows, white marble, and a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading up to an impressive dome. After we finish we will depart for Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, where we will visit the grounds of the Hassan II Great Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments. Afterwards we will return to Marrakech, where we will spend the night.

NB: Alternatively, you can choose to be taken to Casablanca airport if you don’t want to return to Marrakech.

DAY 11: Marrakech at Leisure → Transfer to the Airport

Today we will make as much use of our time as possible, wandering around the souks of Marrakech and finding souvenirs or gifts for friends before we take you to Marrakech Menara airport with plenty of time to catch your departure flight.



More tours you might like

Other Tours

We are experts at creating a Moroccan experience perfectly tailored to our guests needs. These are some of our most popular itineraries, and they may be customized to the utmost extent of your imaginations.

CONTACT US

Email, phone, or snail mail - we've got it all.

+212 677 365 421 (WhatsApp)
+212 661 469 661
hello@besttravelmorocco.com

Angle boulevard Emile Zola et Rue Rethel
7éme Étage N°20
Casablanca 20300 Morocco

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close
Let's start with your name.

Please fill in the details below so that we can get in contact with you about your trip.

What kind of trip will this be?

Please select the option that best describes your trip.

How many people will be joining this tour?

Let us know how many guests we can expect.

When are you looking to travel?

Let us know when we can expect you.

What's your budget?

A rough estimate of your budget helps us give you the best recommendations.

How can we contact you?

Thanks for taking the time to complete this form. Please enter your contact details below and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

Previous
Next step
Thanks! I have received your form submission, I'll get back to you shortly!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form
Book this tour