Morocco Tour Package

Start your day early and head south toward Merzouga. You'll hike up and over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 meters) through the Middle Atlas mountains' cedar woodlands. Enjoy glimpses of the local Barbary macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the 'apple city') to enjoy the surrounding Moulouya river. Continue across the Tizi n'Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley, which is noted for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Along the way, you'll witness numerous fortified mansions known as ksars, which were designed to protect valuable products such as gold, salt, and spices. Continue to Erfoud, which is noted for its date festival and fossil mining. You can visit a local collective to learn more about the process and meet some of the artists. Continue to Erg Chebbi, a vast sea of sand dunes encompassing 13.5 square miles (35 square kilometers). The huge dunes are never motionless; they fluctuate and travel with the wind! When you arrive in Merzouga, mount your camel and ride through the dunes to your pre-prepared camp. Climb a nearby sand dune to see the sunset before returning to camp for a tasty dinner and relaxation around the campfire.

Catch the sunrise before renting a sandboard and putting your talents to the test. Leave the dunes and visit Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village whose people are originally from Mali. Continue west, passing through a spectacular gate into Rissani. Rissani, a market town, has a cattle auction and has a donkey parking lot, which is worth a visit! Before arriving at the 984-foot (300-meter)-deep Todra Gorge, visit the arid settlement of Tinghir. You'll have time to explore the gorge and unwind in the cool waters of the small Todra River. Travel through the Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs (an ancient castle or fortification). Despite the fact that many kasbahs are in ruin, local families continue to live in them. You may even see nomads herding their livestock. Go west to Kelâat M'Gouna. Known for the Festival des Roses, this area features substantially manicured farmland bordered by fragrant rose bushes. Continue west to Ouarzazate, a prominent filming location and gateway to the Sahara Desert. Join a studio tour and learn how the neighboring desert scenery have been used in numerous films.

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site, should be visited early in the morning. The old ksar (a walled town) is thought to have been built in the 11th century and played a key role in the trans-Saharan commerce. Stop and wander the tiny streets and passages of this traditional mud-brick town. From there, take the meandering road over the High Atlas mountains, taking note of the highest peak, Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 meters). Stop near the summit of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 meters) to enjoy the panorama of the mountain range. Before continuing your journey down the High Atlas and into the changing environment, make a stop at an argan oil cooperative in Taddert to learn about olive processing. After arriving in the Red City of Marrakesh, check into your accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon as you choose. Orient yourself around Marrakesh's main plaza, Jemaa el-Fna, and then explore the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque to the west. The minaret stands 253 feet (77 meters) tall and is easy to spot. Wander the adjoining gardens, which are studded with fountains, pools, flowers, and palm trees and are ideal for a late afternoon promenade while the sun shines on the minaret. Return to Jemaa el-Fna Square to see the vibrant activity: musicians, performers, snake charmers, and hustling booths. Grab a bite to eat or visit a neighboring café and enjoy the show.

Marrakesh, Morocco's second-largest city, may be overwhelming to the senses, and unlike Fes, it has Berber roots rather than Arab. Meet your guide and begin your tour by visiting the stalls of the spice market, Souk el-Attarin or Souk Smata, for slippers, rugs, and leather products. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa School of Islam to see outstanding examples of Moroccan architecture and meticulous craftsmanship. As you travel through Marrakesh's alleys, look for Fondouks, which were medieval inns that served traders with shelter and supplies and have since been turned into houses and shopping centers. Depending on your flight information, you might want to visit a few locations south of Jemaa el-Fna. Consider the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs, the vast courtyard and sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace, or the 19th-century Bahia Palace's beautiful woodwork and painted ceilings. Alternatively, stay closer to Jemaa el-Fna and visit the Almoravid Kouba, the Marrakesh Museum, housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace and housing a collection of sculptures and Moroccan artwork, or the Museum of Moroccan Arts, which is recognized for its enormous woodwork collection. If time allows, take a break at the Majorelle Gardens before heading to the airport for your return trip home.