Day 1 : Tangier – Fez
Pick up in Tangier in the morning and drive to Fez, one of the four Imperial Cities. Free time for the visit. Fez is the religious and cultural center of Morocco. Its university, famous for the study of Arabic and the Muslim religion, is a point of passage for many Moroccan students. It is the first university in the world, even before Oxford or Bologna, and has the most valuable library in Africa. Its medina is the oldest and largest inhabited medieval city in the world, consisting of no less than 9,400 narrow streets. Within it are grouped the guilds, whom you will see working in an artisanal way, as if time had stopped. Blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, glassmakers, potters, spinners, goldsmiths, tailors, perfumers, shoemakers, and above all, tanners. It is impressive to see them with water up to their waists in small basins with natural dyes, stepping on the leather pieces to dye them in bright colors. Inside the Medina you can visit the new area or Fès el-Jdid (where the Mellah or Jewish quarter is located) and the old area, Fez el-Bali. The city is completed by the so-called Ville Nouvelle (New Town) French area in the northwest and outside the walls.
Day 2 : Fez – Erfoud – Desert Merzouga
We will leave for the desert crossing several villages among which Ifrane, also known as the Moroccan Switzerland for the architecture of its buildings. Located at 1,630 meters above sea level, it has the only two ski resorts in the Middle Atlas. City founded by the French in the 1920s for their vacations, since then it has maintained its reputation as a place of affluent tourism and young university students. Do not forget to take a picture with his “the lion of the Atlas”, sculpted in stone by a prisoner of the Second World War. Continue the journey through the Ziz Valley, with its more than 18,000 palm trees, which flood the route with vegetation to the desert Erfoud, “the gateway to the desert”. Currently famous for its work with fossils, we will visit a factory where they will explain the origin of these animals over 350 million years old and we can witness how they treat the stones in a long work of washing, polishing and carving, to create accessories or pieces for the home. Finally we will continue to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you can rest until the next day.
Day 3 : Merzouga – Excursion 4X4 in Erg Chebbi Dunes – Merzouga
In the 4×4 we will take an unforgettable ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the sand desert. On the way we can photograph natural oasis, mingle with dromedaries that come to a solitary watering place, let ourselves be invited to tea by a nomadic family and discover wells and palm groves. We will enjoy a traditional meal in the village of Khamelia, after a short concert of Gwana music, which originated with sub-Saharan slaves and serves as inspiration for rhythms such as jazz. Back at the hotel, camels will be waiting for you to share an hour and a half between the dunes and contemplate the colors of an incomparable sunset. In the shelter of the Great Dune you will enjoy a Berber dinner and drum music in a nomad tent camp, where you will spend the night under the stars of Africa.
Day 4 : Merzouga – Rissani – Midelt
We will wake up before dawn to contemplate the sunrise and the brightness of the Sahara sky. Back on your camels we will return to the hotel for shower and breakfast and start our way to Rissani. In this city we can mingle with the locals in the streets of the souk considered the most authentic and largest in the south of the country, where you can buy handicrafts, food and livestock. We will continue our way stopping in Maadid, to visit its kasbah, a typical example of Ksurian adobe architecture. We end the day in a comfortable hotel in Midelt, leaving the desert behind.
Day 5 : Midelt – Tangier
Departure to Tangier, and if there is time left until the departure of your ship, we will visit the Caves of Hercules. According to legend, Hercules rested in this cave after having separated Europe from Africa. Discovered in 1878, it is one of the most visited places in northern Morocco for its archaeological value and spectacular views of the Atlantic. Transfer to the port. Farewell and end of our services.
What’s Included:
- Private tour in 4×4 vehicle / minibus with A/C.
- Driver
- Fuel
- Room in hotel / riad with bathroom (breakfast and dinner included)
What’s Not Included:
- Flight
- Lunches
- Drinks
NOTE: If the itineraries we offer does not match what you are looking for, please contact us and we will prepare the trip to your needs and requirements.