MARRAKECH to MARRAKECH (9 days) Moroccan Circuit
MARRAKECH to MARRAKECH (9 days) Moroccan Circuit
9 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech, Morocco
Visiting: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Atlas Mountains, Todra Gorge, Ouarzazate
Tour operator:
Tour code:
520
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
5-85
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 9-day Moroccan adventure from Marrakech to Marrakech, exploring the rich cultural tapestry and stunning landscapes of Morocco. This tour takes you through the bustling medinas of Fes, the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Experience the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, the dramatic Todra Gorge, and the vast Erg Chebbi Saharan sand dunes. Enjoy a camel trek and an unforgettable night in a traditional Berber desert camp. With guided tours, comfortable 3-4 star accommodations, and a mix of transport including minivans, 4x4s, and camels, this adventure promises an immersive and authentic Moroccan experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Marrakech, Transfer To Hotel
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Marrakech hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Morocco! We will meet you on your arrival in Marrakech airport and transfer you to the hotel. Your time is then free to relax by the hotel pool, or explore Marrakech a little independently if you arrive early. We will then have a welcome meeting with the tour guide at 6.00pm where you will meet your fellow travellers. If you arrive late and miss this meeting then we will make the introductions again tomorrow morning. Dinner is included in the hotel tonight.
Day 2 : To Casablanca, Optional Hassan Ii Mosque Visit
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation Name: Casablanca hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We will leave Marrakech this morning and drive to Casablanca, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean (approx. 3.5hrs). After arriving and having lunch, there is an optional visit to the Hassan II Mosque. This is the largest mosque in Morocco, with the world's tallest minaret (210 metres), and is also the only mosque we know of in Morocco that allows non-muslims to visit. Combined with its spectacular location with the sea waves lapping up against it, this is a highly recommended visit. (Note - visits into the mosque are not allowed during Ramadan). You'll then have some free time to explore the city centre on your own before we have a meeting at 6pm for dinner and to meet fellow travellers joining this tour in Casablanca.
Day 3 : Rabat, Meknes & Volubilis
Location: Rabat
Accommodation Name: Fes hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today is the capital of Morocco, Rabat. Strategically located on the Atlantic coast, Rabat was formed way back in the third century BC and we'll visit the Oudaia Kasbah in the oldest part of the city today. We'll also be able to see Rabat's most famous landmark, the Hassan's Tower, as well as the Royal Palace. Next stop is the Berber walled Imperial City of Meknes, a former capital of Morocco. The ramparts rise up to 40m tall, and inside them are many beautiful gardens and intricate gateways. Our final visit of the day is then the UNESCO listed Roman site of Volubilis, which dates back to AD40. This is the largest ancient site in Morocco and has many impressive ruins. We finish our day by making the short drive on to Fes.
Day 4 : Full Day Exploring Fes
Location: Fes
Accommodation Name: Fes hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Considered the largest and oldest medieval city in the world by many, Fes is over 1,200 years old and is famous for its busy Medina. Home to 400,000 inhabitants this is packed with narrow winding streets, mosques, souks and is a heady mix of sights, smells and sounds. We'll spend plenty of time exploring the Medina, seeing various palaces and mosques (which non-Muslims will not be able to enter), and many different crafts on sale. Our guided tour will also include the Fes's famous dye-pits and tanneries, as well as a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and pottery. Finally we'll return to our hotel to relax after a long day of walking and exploring. This evening there is the option for a traditional meal inside the city with live Moroccan entertainment including music, belly dancing and magicians.
Day 5 : Atlas Mountains & Sahara Desert Camp
Location: Atlas Mountains
Accommodation Name: Berber camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a long driving day, but packed with spectacular scenery as we cross the Atlas Mountains and head towards the mighty Erg Chebbi sand dunes on the edge of the Sahara Desert. During the summer months we'll aim to find a spot for a relaxing swim on the way. After descending out of the hills and arriving at Merzouga, we will transfer to camels and take a trek in to the vast Sahara Desert dunes in time for the sunset. We'll then return to an authentic Berber camp on the edge of the desert and spend the evening enjoying some local food, music before settling in for a hopefully clear night under the Saharan stars.
Day 6 : Todra Gorge
Location: Todra Gorge
Accommodation Name: Todra Gorge hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll leave the desert sands reluctantly this morning and travel on to the impressive Todra Gorge. With 1,000ft high vertical cliffs surrounding the base of the canyon, the gorge is popular with rock climbers and there is an option to try this during some free time here this afternoon. You can also walk through the Palmerie area or take a hike through the Gorge, enjoying the changing colours of the cliffs as the sun moves across the sky. We will also visit a favourite Berber co-operative today where you can see and buy authentic locally made Berber hand-made rugs, kilims and carpets.
Day 7 : Ouarzazate & Ait Benhaddou
Location: Ouarzazate
Accommodation Name: Ait Benhaddou hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave the gorge this morning and follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs as we make our way past Ouarzazate to Ait Benhaddou. There are several options available today, including a quad biking trip on the desert sands with the Atlas Mountains in the distance, or an optional tour of the world famous film studios just outside Ouarzazate. These have helped create hundreds of famous movies and TV series, inclduing Lawrence of Arabi, The Living Daylights, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Man who would be King, The Mummy, Gladiator, Asterix & Obelisk, Kingdom of Heaven, Kundun, Legionnaire, Hanna, and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, as well as part of the TV series Game of Throne. The main highlight today though is our guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. Sitting on a hill next to the Ouarzazate river, Ait Benhaddou is a fortified city or ksar (a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls), with clay built houses and some great examples of traditional Kasbahs crowding together on the hillside protected by the defensive walls. We'll wind our way up through the winding streets to the fortified granary at the top of the hill which affords great views over the surrounding valley and to the high mountains we'll be crossing tomorrow.
Day 8 : Cross The Atlas Mountains To Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Marrakech hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It is another beautiful morning drive today as we head up and across the High Atlas mountains , en-route stopping at the Tizi N'tichka col, which at 2,260m is the highest pass in North Africa. Snow caps the surrounding peaks for several months of the year, making for spectacular views. After arriving in Marrakech, your afternoon is free or you can book an optional guided tour of the city with our guide. The tour will feature Marrakech's pride and main landmark, the Koutoubia Tower. A companion tower to the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Tower of Hassan in Rabat, it is said that the sultan who built them had the eyes of his architect cut out to prevent him from ever building a more beautiful tower elsewhere. Our tour of course will also take in Marrakech's UNESCO listed medina, which is packed with stalls packed with spices, crafts, and seemingly everything else under the sun. We'll finish at the Djemaa-el-Fna, which is Marrakech's famous large open square. This really comes to life at night with masses of street food stalls, entertainers and local people packing it for the evening. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool, explore the markets further, or do some souvenir shopping, before we meet up for a final group evening meal. You may then wish to head back to the square for a final exciting taste of Moroccan life.
Day 9 : Tour Ends In Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Moroccan tour with us ends after breakfast today and your time is free until you depart. Our guide or the hotel will help you arrange a taxi for the short drive to the airport, or you can add extra days to explore Marrakech further if you wish.
What's Included
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24hr Arrival Airport Transfer Service
A 24-hour arrival airport transfer service is included.
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Accommodation
Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels and 1 night in an authentic Berber Desert Camp is included.
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Transport
Transport in an air-conditioned minivan, minibus, or coach is provided.
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Meals
8 breakfasts and 6 dinners, including a Berber camp dinner, are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours of Rabat, Fes, Volubilis, and Ait Benhaddou are included.
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English Speaking Tour Guide
An English-speaking tour guide, plus a driver, is included.
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Sahara Camel Trek
A Sahara camel trek is included.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.
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Visas
Visas are not included.
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Tipping Kitty
A tipping kitty of USD 55 is not included.
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Tour Guide Tips
Tips for the tour guide are not included.
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Meals Not Indicated
Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.
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Drinks, Snacks, and Personal Expenses
Drinks, snacks, and personal expenses are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities are not included.
More Info
This 9-day Morocco small-group tour uncovers both ancient cities, impressive ruins and busy medinas in the north of the country, and then crosses the Atlas mountains to discover the sand dunes of the Sahara desert. As such we get a real taste for everything that North Africa's most beutiful country has to offer. The tour starts and finishes in Marrakech, perhaps Morocco's most famous and beguiling city. You'll have plenty of time here to explore the medina and see more of this enchanting city. Next you take in three more of Morocco's great Imperial Cities, visiting the capital Rabat, the walled city of Meknes, and the ancient city of Fes with its huge medina, tanneries and dye pits. Other stops in the north of the country include Casablanca on the Atlantic coast, and the extensive UNESCO listed Roman ruins at Volubilis. After a full day in Fes you then head up into and across the Atlas mountains for a scenic drive to the small town of Merzouga, which sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Here youi board camels and take a trek into the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes before spending the night in an authentic Berber desert camp on the edge of the desert. Time in the deep Todra Gorge follows, with the opportunity for a short hike through the canyon and Palmerie area, or to try some rock climbing. Then you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, which you may find familiar as it has appeared in several movies, some of which were also partially filmed in the nearby Atlas studios which you'll also have the opportunity to visit. The tour then ends by crossing North Africa's highest mountain pass, the Tizi n'Tichka, before descending back into Marrakech to finish the tour. Accommodation is in comfortable mid-range hotels and the desert camp, and the tour can also be extended by adding extra nights in Marrakech at either end if you wish. The tour can also be arranged privately if you would rather not join a small group, or if our group dates do not work for you. Please contact us for details.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in shared rooms (between 2 people of the same sex from your trip unless you are a couple). We use basic 3 star hotels along with a night camping in a traditional Berber camp in the Desert. Some hotels even have swimming pools and sun-lounge areas. In some hotels you may be able to upgrade to a single room (at your own expense).
Mode of Transport
Transport is by minivan, 4x4 Land Cruiser and Camel!
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation will be used during the tour?
Transport is by minivan, 4x4 Land Cruiser, and camel.
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What kind of accommodation is provided on this tour?
Accommodation is in shared rooms (between 2 people of the same sex from your trip unless you are a couple). We use basic 3-star hotels along with a night camping in a traditional Berber camp in the desert. Some hotels even have swimming pools and sun-lounge areas. In some hotels, you may be able to upgrade to a single room at your own expense.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners, including a Berber camp dinner.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are several optional activities available, including a visit to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, a traditional meal with live Moroccan entertainment in Fes, rock climbing in Todra Gorge, a quad biking trip on the desert sands near Ouarzazate, and a guided tour of Marrakech.
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What should I bring for the night in the desert?
You should bring some warm clothing and a sleeping bag for the night in the desert, as temperatures can drop significantly in the evenings, especially during winter.
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Is there a welcome meeting at the start of the tour?
Yes, there is a welcome meeting with the tour guide at 6.00pm on the first day where you will meet your fellow travelers. If you arrive late and miss this meeting, introductions will be made again the next morning.
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What is the tipping policy for this tour?
A tipping kitty of USD 55 is required, and tips for the tour guide are also expected.
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What is the policy for airport transfers?
A 24-hour arrival airport transfer service is included in the tour package.
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What kind of activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes guided tours of Rabat, Fes, Volubilis, and Ait Benhaddou, as well as a Sahara camel trek.
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What are the highlights of the tour?
Highlights include the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Rabat Royal Palace, the Imperial walled city of Meknes, UNESCO listed Roman ruins at Volubilis, the Medina, dye-pits and tanneries in Fes, the Atlas Mountains, Erg Chebbi Saharan sand dunes, Todra Gorge, and a camel trek with a night in a Berber desert camp.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Saturday - Sunday
Dec 21, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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