MOROCCO ITINERARY 6 DAYS SAHARA DESERT AND NORTH

• After breakfast in your accommodation, you depart the spectacular Dades valley, and move on towards Tinghir, where there will be a deviation to a minor road following the river of Todgha Gorge. Contemplate the scenic panoramic views of the old Jewish and Berber mud villages, overlooking the valley. Some time at leisure, to enjoy the immensity of the huge red cliffs of 400 M, where many international rock climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport.

• The Todgha Gorge is recognised worldwide for being one of the most spectacular rocky canyons. No wonder this place has been used for filming many movies due to its magnificent natural setting, one of the most famous movies being the “Mummy”.

• In this area, lives a large community of Berber nomads. Sometimes, you can sight Berber nomad women, who have Berber tattoos on their faces. They may be seen herding their goats to drink water at the river’s edge and collecting their own water which is carried by their mules back to the caves where they live.

• After lunch, you will continue the trip to Erfoud, known as the capital for dates(fruit) and a global entity for fossil stones, famous for amazing fossil beds and Paleozoic Strata, where ancient ‘Trilobite’ fossils are found, 505 – 570 million years old. An intriguing visit to a fossil museum is possible where you will witness some of the ancient specimens.

• Continue travel to the eminent sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and experience the glory of the Sahara Desert. Erg Chebbi is regarded as the gateway to the Grand African Sahara where some dunes are considered the highest in north Africa at 350 M elevation.

• Meet your Camel caravan and the experienced camel man, who will guide your trek to explore the mysterious Sahara sand sea, an alluring and unique trek which will make your Morocco itinerary 6 days desert tour from Marrakech a memorable experience.

• Enjoy a charming sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a Berber desert camp. The evening will include dinner, followed by entertainment around the campfire, listening to traditional Berber drum music, having the experience of a lifetime under the milky way stars. This will captivate your heart and soul, not for a night but forever. “Sand boarding is available in the camp”. (Overnight in Sahara Desert).

• Today, on the 3th day of your Morocco itinerary 6 days desert tour, you will start your journey to Fes, after breakfast and having experienced a memorable night in the spectacular sand sea desert dunes of Sahara.

• Leaving the Sahara, you will drive through Erfoud and make a stop in the impressive Ziz Valley Oasis, the largest oasis in Morocco, consisting of 18 species of date palms, totaling approximately 1 million palm trees and observe a dense canopy of palms between ancient striated cliffs dating back to the Jurassic period.

• Stop in Zayda town for lunch and enjoy a Moroccan tajine or some local fresh barbeque.

• Stop at the largest Cedar forest in Africa, in the Middle Atlas region, altitude 1,278 M, to witness the sublime views of Cork and Cedar forests. You may be able to glimpse and feed the Barbary Macaque Apes in their Cedar forest habitat and hopefully observe their antics. This species of macaque found only in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria along with a small population in Gibraltar.

• Travel to Ifrane known as the Little Switzerland of Morocco and stop for a break to enjoy its marvelous landscapes.

• Here in Ifrane, you will become aware that this magical mountain town is one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco and features in the top 10 cleanest cities of the world. A beautiful place you will admire while on your Morocco itinerary 6 days.

• Ifrane is known for its mountainous terrain, altitudes to 1,664 M, and cold winter temperatures, -24 degrees C, measured in 1935, the lowest temperature in Africa. Skiing is a popular winter sport in Ifrane. it’s charms never cease to amaze its visitors with the calm waves of its lakes, and the waterfalls pouring cold waters into the green valleys.

• Continue your journey to the ancient, vibrant UNESCO listed city of Fes. This city is a north eastern Imperial Moroccan city referred to as The Mecca of the West or The Athens of Africa, also being the country’s capital of knowledge and culture. Fes is renowned for its exciting and colourful Fes El Bali walled Medina, its medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks, old world atmosphere and charm.

• This UNESCO heritage imperial city is the custodian of 13 centuries of Moroccan history. It is the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco, as a result of many mosques, ancient religious schools, historic gardens, fortified walls, gates, palaces, squares and souks, all left by the fingerprints of successive states and races from Berbers, Arabs, Andalusians and Jews. (Overnight in Fes).

After a tasty Moroccan breakfast in your charming Riad, today you will begin a full day Heritage tour of Fes, with your expert Grand Morocco local guide. (Walking tour with some transportation between sites).

• Begin with a visit to the 12th century Bab Boujloud or “blue gate”, to observe its stunning blue and green ceramics.

• Visit the largest royal palace in Morocco, Dar el Makhzen, exhibiting its seven golden doors and marvel at its wonderful golden gate, made of marble, copper and glorious mosaics.

• Stroll through the Mellah or Jewish quarter of old Moroccan Jewish heritage, built near the Royal residence for protection in 1438.

• Experience the panoramic view of the city from Borj Sud, an ancient fortress on a hill, from where you can view the UNESCO listed ancient Medina of Fes.

• Visit the amazing pottery factory and observe how the unique pottery of Fes is made with its intricate mosaics, which adorn half of Morocco.

• Visit the 14th century Madrasa Bou Inania religious school and be delighted by the Marinid architecture.

• Discover the holy school and historic University of Al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest educational institution, i.e. University, as stated by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records. Founded by a woman, Fatima al-Fihir in 859 AD.

• Visit the famous 11th century iconic Chouara tannery, the oldest leather tannery in the world, a must-do while on your Morocco itinerary 6 days.

• Explore the narrow streets lined with shops selling fresh fruits, spices, intricately woven Berber carpets, silk weavers and numerous other art and craft items from Morocco.

• Lunch in an authentic restaurant in the Medina of Fes.

• Visit Madrasa Al-Attarine, Nejjarine Museum, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum (founder of Fes).

• While negotiating the narrow alley-ways, your local guide will instruct you about Moroccan history, culture and the Moroccan Berber way of life, especially around Fes. (Overnight in Fes).

• After breakfast, you travel into the stunning Rif Mountains to the blue pearl city of Chefchaouen and spend time exploring this charming blue washed town which has preserved the Berber, Arab-Andalusian traditions and arts for centuries. En route, you will pass through the Dam Sidi Chahed and the Rif range, stopping to enjoy the landscape, the green countryside, cool air and capture photos of a life time.

• Explore in-depth, the rich cultural heritage and antiquity of this exotic and vibrant town and stroll the blue narrow alleys. A beautiful mountain town you will admire while on your Morocco itinerary 6 days.

• Known as the blue pearl, ranked sixth of the most beautiful cities of the world and is regarded as the prettiest town in Morocco. Chefchaouen is an artsy, blue washed mountain village which was founded in the 15th century and was populated by Jewish and Muslim refugees fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition in 1478.

• You will be enchanted to learn of the rich heritage and visit architectural treasures such as Ras el-Maa, the Kasbah Museum, the Spanish Mosque, Plaza Uta-Hammam and more.

• Chefchaouen was isolated until early 20th century but has preserved a Moorish way of life. This town presents glorious photo opportunities and walking here will make you feel as though moving through a dreamland, an alluring and unique town which will make your Morocco itinerary 6 days a memorable experience.

• The town buildings are painted blue and white, so the entire village appears to be wonderfully drenched in many hues of glorious blue leaving the traveler with a surreal impression.

• (Overnight in Chefchaouen).

• Today, your Morocco itinerary 6 days tour will continue towards the city of Casablanca, Morocco’s economic centre and where you will stop for a guided tour to admire the most iconic landmark of the Kingdom, which is the 5th largest mosque in the world, the Hassan II Mosque.

• This mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and 5th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world’s tallest minaret at 210 M. This coastal modern edifice, was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau and completed in 1993, and building the Mosque was estimated to have cost 585 million Euros. It straddles the land site and the Atlantic Ocean with a capacity of 105,000 worshipers, 25,000 inside & 80,000 in the outer courtyards. Historically, the venture was the ‘brain-child’ of King Hassan II, to honor the memory of his father, the deceased King Mohammed V in 1961.

• The building started in 1986 and completed in 1993 and was the blending of designs, Islamic architecture, Moroccan elements and Moorish influences giving rise to an amazing beautifully decorated structure.

• Its earthern ware floor, the decorated arches, engraved wooden doors and the green tiled roof, will fascinate your curiosity. Lunch in Casablanca, then you will journey on to Marrakech.

• Your amazing Morocco itinerary 6 days journey through part of Morocco will end in Casablanca or Marrakech and you will be transported to your Riad / Hotel or Airport.