The medinas most fascinating ancient ones. The most beautiful corners of the desert (and its most admirable inhabitants). The most breathtaking mountainous landscapes. The fortresses most iconic of Berber architecture. All of this makes up this tour that goes from Fez to the desert and Marrakech to end there 8 days after its start. If you have that period of time at your disposal and want to dedicate it to a unique trip, take note of this proposal that Tenere Tours also organizes in private format.
In Morocco, the term ‘imperial city’ refers to those that were once the kingdom’s capital and, therefore, retain a medina full of history and interest, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. And the two most notable are probably Fez and Marrakech. Both star in full days on this tour, and we will explore them with an expert guide accredited by the Ministry of Tourism. Madrasas, mosques, squares, royal palaces… Both are well served with monuments worthy of admiration.
Nature, in its most varied versions, is also the protagonist of this tour. In some cases, with places where the hand of man is barely noticeable. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are the best example, but the same occurs in the mountains of the High Atlas or in the Todra Gorges, where the majesty of planet Earth shows us how small the human being is in comparison to it… But that is precisely what is so exciting, if discovered firsthand and in such breathtaking places as those on this tour.
If you are looking for tours departing from Fez, this 8-day, 7-night tour is one of the tour with a more complete program. The entire route is by road, in a private vehicle, following the stages detailed below:
This tour starts in Fez and is designed for those who enter Morocco through its airport. Our driver will be at the terminal to meet you upon arrival and make the transfer in a private vehicle to the riad, located in the historic center. After that, there will be free time to use as you wish, depending on the arrival time of the flight and check-in at the accommodation.
Considered the cultural capital of Morocco and its religious city of reference, the historic medina of Fez is well worth an in-depth visit. For this, nothing is better than having an official and expert guide, who will lead you through its most interesting corners. Otherwise, the risk of ‘getting lost’ is real: it is the largest medina in Morocco and one of the largest in the world.
The mosques are only accessible to Muslim believers, but seeing them from the outside is also worthwhile, such as the Andalusian Mosque or the Karaouine Mosque, with one of the oldest universities in the world. The madrasas or medersas are prestigious and beautiful Islamic cultural institutions due to their architecture, such as the Bou Inania. And in general, the squares and neighborhoods of the historic center combine popular life and refined art, such as the Alawite Square in front of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Mellah, or the tanners’ quarter (Chouwara).
The afternoon will be free and that will allow you to visit what is left pending or indulge in one of the favorite activities for those who visit this city: shopping in the souks of the medina. Remember that the crafts of Fez are the most valued in the country, with textile, leather, ceramic, wood, wicker or metal pieces of enormous interest.
After discovering all the secrets of Fez, it is time to hit the road to start the route itself. And before crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains, we will discover the first points of interest, which are most surprising.
This is how Ifrane can be described, a winter tourism town due to its abundant snowfall in winter, at more than 1,700 meters above sea level. The locals call it, in fact, the Moroccan Switzerland, for its constructions that are more reminiscent of the Alps than the Atlas.
The second surprise will be in the Ifrane National Park, renamed the Monkey Forest for the many cedars and Barbary macaques that inhabit it. As we pass, we will surely be able to spot these animals, so accustomed to the human presence but, at the same time, in danger of extinction.
Already on the other side of the Middle Atlas, the descent will lead us through the Ziz Valley and, many kilometers later, will take us through Erfoud. Signs and advertisements for fossils and minerals will remind us that people from all over the world come here interested in these jewels of the local subsoil.
Today’s journey is long and ends in Merzouga, the small town that gives its name to the most photogenic desert in Morocco. But we will discover that the next day, because on this third day you will settle into a pleasant hotel-kasbah.
The Merzouga desert is such an inhospitable territory that the people who inhabit it are worthy of admiration. And even more so if they know how to preserve the traditions that make them live, like their ancestors, in harmony with the environment.
Precisely harmony, a lot of harmony, will be offered to us by the first protagonists of the day: the inhabitants of Khamlia, descendants of sub-Saharan slaves brought on caravan routes. Their greatest baggage did not come in saddlebags, but in their own blood: the tribal rhythms that make up the gnawa music, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We will attend a concert to learn more about this folkloric expression and those who make it possible.
More austere but equally admirable are the nomadic families that inhabit other remote areas of the Merzouga desert. Despite their progressive process of sedentarization, they continue to live according to the customs of yesteryear, linked to grazing and exploiting the few natural resources of the environment. We will live with them for a short period of time, but enough to learn a lot from them and their hospitality.
Between one and the other, the predominant landscape is the stony hammada, with dirt tracks that cross the terrain. We will travel them like the all-terrain vehicles of the Paris-Dakar rally, which had its most spectacular stages here. And despite the apparent monotony, striking corners will stand out, such as old kohl mines or viewpoints with panoramic views over the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Reaching its very core will be the goal at the end of the day: there will be the haima camp where you will have dinner and spend the night. And to achieve this, we will be helped by dromedaries that will form a caravan (one per person) to cross the gentle undulations of fine sand.
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see the desert at its peak moments: the night, for its starry sky, and also the sunset and sunrise, for its magical play of colors, which change every minute. To see the dawn you will have to get up early this day, but the reward is worth the effort.
After breakfast, we will leave the dunes to resume the road route and head towards the Dades Valley. To do this, we will pass through Rissani, a picturesque town with a historic medina. If it coincides with market day, we will also see scenes from another time, such as its donkey parking lot.
Although the aridity of the terrain predominates, the road gradually finds palm groves, cultivated areas and charming villages. In one of them, Tinghir, we will take the detour that will take us to the Todra Gorges. Considered one of the most unique canyons in North Africa, it is composed of very high vertical walls, a boxed stream and a path for those who wish to walk through such a geographical accident.
Back in the main valley, the route will stop further ahead to spend the night and have dinner in a cozy riad.
This section of the Dades Valley and other surrounding valleys are called ‘the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs’, in reference to the many Berber fortresses that are found here. And it will be easy to understand, as we will see some of the most symbolic defensive constructions in the region.
After passing through the Valley of the Roses, we will see the first of them: the kasbah of Taourirt, on the periphery of Ouarzazate. At the time it was the palace and castle of the Glaoui, a powerful lineage that ruled this area of Morocco in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their alliance with the monarchy and with the authorities of the French Protectorate facilitated their rise, which is understood here by the majesty of the adobe structure and the refinement of the interior decoration.
Of a more popular character but equally interesting is the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou: a fortified village, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which captivates for the compactness of its houses, the height of its walls and the uniformity of its constructions, in local red adobe. If you have seen Game of Thrones, you may recognize it as Yunkai, as scenes from the third season were filmed here.
Shortly after Ait Ben Haddou, the road begins to ascend. And it will not stop doing so until it crowns the port in Tizi n’Tichka, at more than 2,200 meters of altitude, from where the panoramic views are privileged, with high mountains and even snow-capped peaks in winter.
But there are still the last kilometers of the day, descending along the road that now leaves behind Berber villages and livestock farms. It is a usual place for the retreat and rest of the citizens of Marrakech, and we will arrive in that city shortly. After check-in at the riad, you will have free time before sleeping.
Many will think that the best is saved for last, and they will have reasons: the city of Marrakech is considered the tourist jewel of the country for its numerous monuments and its varied leisure plans. And that is why the seventh day of the tour takes place completely here.
In the morning, an official guide will help you discover the most iconic corners of Marrakech, inside or outside, depending on each case and availability. We are talking about the Koutoubia Mosque (open only to Muslims), the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa or the Saadian Tombs. The Jemaa el-Fna square is a microcosm at the foot of the medina and will attract the attention of the most curious.
In the afternoon, the program is free, so you can use it to visit museums (Mehdi-Marrakech, Dar Si Said, Yves Saint-Laurent, etc.), shop for crafts in the souks, book leisure and gastronomy experiences or simply rest (Majorelle Garden). The riad tonight will be the same as the day before, in the heart of the medina, so everything will be very close at hand.
After seven very intense days, the program of this tour from Fez to the desert and Marrakech comes to an end. We will agree on when to pick you up to make the transfer in a private vehicle to the Menara Airport. If the plane takes off in the afternoon, the morning can be used for shopping and more visits; and if not, we will meet at the riad as early as you consider. After leaving you at the terminal to take the flight, we will say goodbye until, hopefully, next time for a new tour.
Transportation, accommodation, many diets and guided tours. These are the pillars on which this tour is based, with the included services that you can see below:
The following services are not included. The client must contract them on their own:
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