The Morocco Explorer Tour
Feel the magic of the Middle East on Topdeck’s Moroccan Explorer trip, which starts and ends in the hub of Casablanca. Travel to Rabat, Fes, the
Atlas Mountains and more on this memorable exploration of one of the most diverse countries in North Africa. With an overnight stay in he Sahara Desert and a guided tour of the vibrant medina in Fes and Marrakech.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Casablanca, take a private transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day relaxing and recovering from the long flight. On the way, enjoy the exterior view of the Hassan II Mosque, with the 210-meter-tall minaret towering above the Atlantic Ocean.
Departure to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
Visit the Royal Palace of Rabat upon arrival. Ramble around its French-style landscaped gardens even though the interior remains closed to visitors. Continue to see the Hassan Tower, the minaret of the unfinished mosque. Pay respect at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V on the opposite side and then explore the UNESCO-listed Oudayas Kasbah. The narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses and distinct blue and white walls will bring you back in time and experience the charm of Morocco’s neighborhood.
After breakfast, head out to Meknes which is named ” The versaille of Morocco ” where you will visit the Bab Mansour Gate & Lahdim square. Later continue to visit Morocco’s Berber-Roman ruined city of Volubilis. Wander the expansive complex to admire its beautiful columns and well-preserved mosaics. Not far away is the holy city of Moulay Idriss. When the tour ends, proceed to Fez for the night.
Dedicate today to rambling around the maze-like Medina of Fez, the magical world behind the Blue Gate. Visit the famous Chouara Tannery to discover how to produce leather in an old-fashioned way. See the small madrasa of Al-Attarine, decorated with exquisite Marinid traditional patterns that can be seen throughout its courtyard and floors. Do honor to Moulay Idriss at his Mausoleum. Get an insight into local life while strolling around Nejjarine Square and the Mellah (historic Jewish quarter).
Leave the busy city behind for Erfoud, the gateway to the Sahara. The changing landscape along the way will season your 7-hour road trip. You may pass through a scenic cedar forest, traverse the Middle Atlas Mountain range, and enjoy lunch at the town of Midelt (pay on your own).
Once you arrive, go on a 4X4 tour of the Merzouga desert, where the enormous sand dunes known as Erg Chebbi exist. Have fun with a camel ride and immerse yourself in the golden dunes at sunset. Return to Erfoud for the night after the desert excursion.
Proceed to Ouarzazate by a private vehicle this morning. At Todra Gorge, a lovely stop on the way, admire the red cliffs with an average height of 400 meters. You can even take a short walk at the end of the Todra Gorge to get an impressive view of the massive rock walls. The palm-shaded Oasis of Skoura will provide a nice place to relax on the road trip. Reach your hotel in the late afternoon and have a good rest.
Check out UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou. With its unique architecture and peculiar scenery, this mud city is the movie set of many movies, such as Game of Thrones. Spend some time wandering around and climbing up to the Granary for a grand view of the entire settlement. Drive about 3.5 hours to Marrakech for accommodation after the tour.
Get acquainted with Marrakech, the most popular one of the four imperial cities in Morocco, through 4-hour guided sightseeing. Take an exterior view of the Koutoubia Mosque, followed by the El-Bahia Palace. The guide will lead you through countless rooms and courtyards to take in a beautiful combination of Andalusian and Moorish architecture in the late 19th century. You’ll also visit the Saadian Tombs and the Jardin Majorelle Garden. The afternoon is free to explore further on your own. A break on the rooftop bars or restaurants on the edge of the Jemaa el-Fna, waiting for the market to come alive as the night falls, would be a fantastic way to finish the day.
Bid farewell to Morocco and take a private transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
End of Our Services.
Thank You.
Services
Includes
- Entrance fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Meeting and assistance on arrival or departure and all needed transfers at airport/hotel/station/ferry as per itinerary.
- Sightseeing or activities as listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodation with daily breakfast.
- Private transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing
- Bottled water on sightseeing days
- Service charges: Our offer includes the planning, handling, operational and communication charges & current VAT Taxes.
Important Notes
Check-in after 2:00 pm & Check-out before 12:00 pm. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to room availability and may generate additional full-day room charges. * In some remote or protected areas in Africa, such as Uganda, solar power is the main source of energy which is not suitable for using Air Conditioners at their lodges, and they will provide fans in the room, and in fact, air-cons are not necessary in these National Parks or Reserves.
In case of snowing during November and February in the High Atlas Mountains, we would drive slower than usual to ensure safety. In this case, you may reach Erfoud later than expected. If snow blocks the road, we will stay in Midelt for the night, and head further south the following day. Though mostly clear days, winds are unpredictable in the desert area. And even luxurious tents are not totally sanding-proof on windy days. If you would like to return to the Erfoud hotel for the night, we could arrange it upon the availability of hotel rooms.
Your passport should be valid for a certain period beyond your intended stay in the destination country. The required validity can vary. Six months beyond your planned departure date from the destination country is a common requirement. And ensure you have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps. Visa requirements vary from country to country; please consult your travel consultant for more details if you are unsure whether a visa is required for your trip.
Pick ups in each city or area via private air-conditioned vehicle as listed in the itinerary. Appropriate size vehicles will be used according to the number of your group to ensure you have enough leg room and luggage space. Please be aware that the arrival or departure transfer is based on all members arriving or departing on the same flight, additional cost will be charged when arriving or departing on different flights and separate transfers.
Spring (March – May) and autumn (September – October). Coastal areas such as Essaouira remain pleasantly warm and not too hot in summer (June – August). The Mediterranean north is pleasant in spring and summer.
We arrange an English-speaking driver for the entire trip. Whilst you tour at Fez and Marrakech, we will arrange private English-speaking guides on sites, and your driver will be in charge of driving you from site to site and city to city, of course, your driver is also able to give you general information on Morocco. On your request, we are also able to arrange a private tour guide throughout the entire Morocco trip with a supplement.
Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
There are a couple of long travel days on this trip, particularly the day travelling to the Sahara Desert. Rest stops will be made on the way and you’ll be rewarded with great views on the drive itself.
