11 days from Tangier, with a Berber adventure and Desert

11 Days Tangier To Berber Adventure Desert Tours

Day 1: Pick up in Tangier – Chefchaouen:

11 Days Tangier To Berber Adventure Desert Tours: Pick up by our guide at the agreed hour at the port or airport of Tangier. We set off on our trip towards Chefchaouen, or Chaouen, as some people call it, located in the only intercontinental natural park declared a Natural 

Biosphere Reserve. It is a town hanging from the mountain, white and black coloured, dwelled by wise, kind and respectful people, which delights the visitor with stunning urban spots, astounding samples of local craftwork, and a peacefulness and calmness difficult to find in our days.  Dinner and lodging in Riad.

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss – Fez:

We leave the prosperous world of Chefchaouen and head off to Fez, the first of the imperial cities which can pride itself on hosting one of the most ancient universities in the world. Throughout the way, we’ll visit the ruins of Roman Volubilis, well preserved indeed. 

We’ll also gaze at the landscape of Moulay Idriss, the sacred city where we’ll have lunch and, in the evening, we’ll arrive at Fez to enjoy its twilight while we visit the walls and doors of its Medina, or just have a welcome tea at the Riad’s terrace. Dinner and lodging in Riad.

Day 3: Visit to the Medina and the Monuments of Fez:

After having a tasty breakfast in the Riad, we’ll set off on our guided visit along the new part of the city, where we’ll have a look at the Royal Palace, the Jewish quarter (Mellah), etc. Following, we’ll have the chance to contemplate the whole Medina from the South Tower viewpoint. Afterwards, we’ll keep on walking to the Medina, designated a 

World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You’ll get carried away to long ago centuries by the bustle of the city and its entangled passageways, structured on guilds of potters, dry cleaners, etc. We’ll realise its medieval constitution, as if time had come to a standstill. Dinner and lodging in Riad.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Cèdre Gouraud Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud –  Merzouga Desert:

We set off southwards to cross the Middle Atlas Mountains until Ifrane—also called “the small Moroccan Switzerland” due to its great similarity with that country. One of the animals which used to live here was the Atlas Lion, which, in consequence, has turned into the symbol of the city. It has even been honoured with a statue in the middle of that city. We’ll seize the opportunity to take some photos. 

We’ll cross through the famous cedar forests and admire the Great Cèdre Gouraud, which is the largest millenary cedar in the region and feeds hundreds of Barbary macaques which live there. Lunch in Midelt, from where the sand becomes arid and displays plenty of amazing geologic fomations and deep green valleys such as Ziz Valley. We’ll begin to see the typical clay architecture, palm trees, some distant kasbahs… 

We are knocking on the desert’s doors. One hour after passing through Erfoud, we’ll arrive at the stunning Merzouga Dunes, and after a welcoming tea, we’ll leave our luggage in the rooms before climbing up the first dunes which are next to the hotel. We’ll seize this opportunity to look up at the beautiful sunset. Dinner and lodging in a hotel near the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Day 5: Merzouga – Nomad Families – Camel trip and overnight in Nomad Haimas:

Now we are into the desert and today’s a total Desert Day. After a copious and tasty breakfast, we’ll surround Erg Chebbi, a stretch of the desert where the Great Dune of Morocco of over 250 m of height is located. We’ll connect with part of the former Paris-Dakar route with the edge mountains of Argelia on the horizon. Stopover in the oasis of Tissardmin where we’ll find the quarries of fossils which remain in the region. 

We’ll continue until a nomad settlement where we’ll be shown some of the secrets of their life as well as their customs. Posterior stopover in a viewpoint from where we can watch the whole Erg Chebbi. Arrival at Khamlia, a town from Mali, where we’ll have the chance to relax having some tea while listening to a little concert of gnawa music. 

Return to hotel to set off on a camel tour group to get into the core of the dunes and gaze at an unforgettable sunset. We’ll ride to the campsite, where we’ll lodge in Haimas (tents made up of dromedary hair) equal to those used by the nomads in the desert. Dinner and overnight in Haimas in the core of the desert beneath a stunning canopy of stars.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert – Rissani Market – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley:

“Date with the Dawn,” given that you are into the desert, it is advisable to rise early and go for a walk up to the highest dune around the campsite to enjoy the sunrise and a relaxing scenery which nature provides. We’ll return on camel to Merzouga. After a tasty breakfast, we’ll leave the desert to head off to Rissani, where we’ll visit its market (if and when it is a market day: Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday.) After that, we’ll keep on the road to 

Erfoud, where you’ll have the possibility to visit the marble factory before we go on to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. 1 hour later, we’ll arrive at one of our key points in the High Atlas Mountains: the Todra Gorges. A colossal gorge of huge and amazing vertical walls has resulted from the effect of the current of river Todra, a paradise for mountaineers and a unique place. 

Lunch in the place and a half-hour walk is advisable to watch and utterly enjoy the Gorges. In the evening, we’ll go on towards Dades Valley, also known as the Country of Figs due to the number of fig trees there. We’ll take a break along Boumalne Dades to watch a curious geologic formation known as “the Monkey Fingers.” Dinner and overnight in Dades Gorges.

Day 7: Dades Valley – Valley of the Roses – Boutagrar – Skoura Palm Grove – Ouarzazate:

Afther having breakfast, we’ll have the chance to delight our sight with the best landscapes in Dades Valley. from one of the most suitable places that the mountains offer us. From there, we’ll be able to observe the number of kasbahs as well as their 

picturesqueness. Afterwards, departure towards a road through which several Kasbahs of great interest spread over until reaching the Kasbah of Aït Youl, where we’ll change the course to step into the roads towards the deepest High Atlas Mountains to find stunning landscapes. We’ll visit a nomad family which goes on living in the caves of the Boutagrar Valley, where 

time seems to have stopped. We’ll see mountains, canyons and valleys as well as the caverns where the nomads still live in. Arrival at The Valley of the Roses and stopover in the town of Kelaa M’ gouna. Lunch in town and, in the evening, we’ll have a look at the Skoura palm grove, after which we’ll arrive at Ouarzazate. Dinner and lodging in hotel.

Day 8: Ouarzazate – Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech:

We’ll spend the morning visiting Ouarzazate: kasbah of Taourirt, cinematographic studios, etc. Later, departure towards the fortified town of Ait Ben Haddou, where we’ll look up to its famous Kasbah (recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.) 

In this amazing scenery, some films such as “Gladiator”, “Obélix”, “The Jewel of the Nile”, and “Sahara” has been filmed, with artists such as Penélope Cruz. We’ll have lunch there and set off to Marrakech through the highest point of Tizi N’ Tichka. 

We’ll visit the cooperative of ARGAN Oil, where we’ll be shown how it is produced and we’ll be taught about the endless benefits it has on the human body. Arrival at Marrakech around the 06:00 p.m., free time to have a look at the famous Jemma el Fna Square, and dinner there. Lodging in Riad.

Day 9: Free day in Marrakech:

Spare time to practise haggling in bazaars or to wander around the Medina. Dinner and lodging in Riad.

Day 10: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah:

We leave the red city of Marrakech and head off northwards through Casablanca, where we’ll visit the famous Hassan II Mosque. In the evening, we’ll arrive at Asilah and, after dropping our luggage in the Riad, we’ll go out to see the oldest part of the city and the port. Dinner and lodging in Riad.

Day 11: Asilah – Airport or Port of Tangier:

Breakfast and spare time in the morning until the agreed hour, and airport transfer, where we’ll help you check-in your luggage and find the boarding gate, after which our services will be finished. You must remember it is advisable to arrive at the airport with two spare hours.

Book your Tour in: Merzougadeserttrips.com