When Arabs talk about “El Magreb el Aqsa”, they mean Morocco, the land where the sun sets. And indeed: nowhere does the red ball sink more romantically – whether over the mountains of the High Atlas, the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara, over the Atlantic Ocean near Essaouira or over the rooftops of Marrakech. But it’s not just these evening moods that will enchant you and your fellow explorers. Immerse yourself in the lively world of the souks and colorful markets, ride a camel into the Sahara and look forward to an “Imazighen whiskey”, a fresh mint tea, at the end of the day. We cross the spectacular Todra and Dades gorges, discover enchanting kasbahs, are initiated into the art of carpet weaving and argan oil production and discover the treasures of all four royal cities. Welcome to your fairytale from 1,001 nights come true!
Here we will be welcomed by our Morocco Sahara Desert driver or tour guide (if s/he included) and taken to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to explore the city on your own. Your tour guide will have tips ready for you.
Distance: 10 km Overnight stay: Hotel Oum Palace***(*) in Casablanca
Exterior tour of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, city tour of Rabat
The capital of Morocco
After breakfast, we visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque (exterior tour), then continue to Rabat in about an hour. In the capital of Morocco, we follow in the footsteps of the old caliphs on a city tour: Through the imposing Bab el Oudaïa gate, we reach the Kasbah des Oudaïa with its enchanting gardens and a small mosque. The Hassan Tower, Rabat’s landmark, and the tomb of Mohammed V are also on our program. Around lunchtime, we leave time for a bite to eat in the medina before driving a good two and a half hours to Fès in the afternoon. In the evening, we will get to know Morocco’s perhaps most beautiful royal city through its cuisine: We invite you to a restaurant for typical Moroccan delicacies.
Distance: 300 km Overnight stay: Riad Mimosa***(*) in Fès
We immerse ourselves in the intellectual and religious center of Morocco. We get our first overview after a short drive from the South Tower – from up here, the city lies at our feet. Our bus then drops us off at the edge of the medina, and from here we are on foot for the time being. We visit the Medersa Bou lnania, the most magnificent Koranic school in the city, and stroll through the Jewish quarter with its handicraft workshops. Time seems to have stood still in the medina of Fès. A maze of winding alleyways, traders transporting their wares on donkey carts, blacksmiths making horseshoes in the traditional way and a variety of spices and other delicacies. We let ourselves be carried away by the smells and sounds! On our tour through the El Jedid and El Bali districts, we discover magnificent palaces and small squares, pass the royal palace and marvel at caravanserais and tanneries. Medieval handicraft techniques are still practiced here, and it is not for nothing that leather from Fès is among the best in the world. We continue our tour in the afternoon by bus in the new town. This is where modern life takes place and we also have time for a coffee on one of the pleasant terraces. When it is no longer so hot, we stroll along the Avenue Hassan II to the Plaza de la Resistencia and take in the hustle and bustle.
Distance: 30 km Overnight stay: Riad Mimosa***(*) in Fès
Sightseeing in Mèknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss, dinner with a Moroccan family
Roman heritage
Today, after a one-hour drive, the royal city of Meknès awaits. We are impressed by its magnificent buildings such as the ancient horse stables and the huge granary. We stroll through the central square El Hedim, from where it is only a few minutes’ walk to what is probably Morocco’s most beautiful gate, the Bab El Mansour. Again and again we come across richly decorated and lovingly tiled mosques and madrasas. (Due to extensive construction work, the historic old town of Meknès is unfortunately not open to the public for an indefinite period of time. If the construction work is not completed by the time of your trip, we will visit the former madrasa Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech as an alternative). We find something aromatic, sweet or simply tasty for lunch before heading to the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in just under an hour in the afternoon. We walk along the remains of a colonnade and marvel at the gigantic floor mosaics. After a short drive, we reach the holiest city in Morocco: Moulay Idriss. The founder of the first Moroccan dynasty is buried here, giving the city this honor. In the late afternoon, we then set off on the approximately two-hour drive back to Fès. Today we are invited to a family home for dinner. Don’t be afraid to take a look inside the kitchen before a traditional dinner awaits us.
Distance: 180 km Overnight stay: Riad Mimosa***(*) in Fès
Full day trip through the High Atlas into the desert
Over the Atlas into the Sahara
The coach is already waiting early in the morning for a long drive through beautiful landscapes that will accompany us through the Atlas into the Sahara. Of course, we will interrupt the journey again and again for stops to enjoy picturesque views. For example, we stop in the region around Ifrane, the only ski resort in Morocco, or after a good four and a half hours’ drive in Midelt, where the only restaurant on the route is located. Here you can really eat typical Moroccan food: roasted meat fresh from the grill and Moroccan salad. We experience lunar-like landscapes in the Atlas Mountains, pass remote little villages and reach the foothills of the Sahara in Merzouga after another four and a half hours in the evening. Our traditional kasbah hotel has a pool – perhaps you fancy a dip in the cool water before we have dinner together. Our Erg Chebbi desert adventure awaits us tomorrow.
Distance: 470 km Overnight stay: Kasbah Hotel Ksar Bicha*** in Merzouga
Camel ride into the desert, free time in the camp, sunset in the Sahara, overnight stay in a tented camp
On camels into the desert
Merzouga – Erg Chebbi/Sahara: Camel ride into the desert, free time in the camp, sunset in the Sahara, overnight stay in the tented camp
After breakfast, we pack everything we need for today and the night in the desert and get on camels to be carried through the desert in the cool of the morning. By the time it gets hot, we have already reached our Bedouin camp. Here we spend the night in the middle of the Sahara in fixed tents with beds for the sake of the experience. Hours of peace and quiet follow in the middle of this fantastic dune landscape: relax in your tent, have tea in the dining tent or read a good book! The peace and quiet is pleasantly interrupted by a freshly prepared Bedouin-style lunch. Towards evening, when it gets cooler, we meet again to enjoy the sunset together from the dunes. When we look out over the seemingly endless expanse of the Sahara in the evening, we are right in the middle of a fairytale from 1,001 nights. Back in the tent, dinner and a campfire are already waiting for us. The sea of stars of the Sahara shines above our heads – what more could an explorer’s heart want!
Route: – Overnight stay: Tented camp in the Sahara
Jeep ride back to Merzouga, Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, visit to the Imazighen Museum, walk through Tinerhir and Todra Gorge
The road of the Kasbahs
We wake up to the sounds of the desert – what a wonderful start to the day! After breakfast, a short jeep ride takes us back to Merzouga. From here, we continue by bus along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to the small oasis town of Tinerhir. After about two and a half hours on the way, we stop in the village of El Khorbat and visit the Imazighen Museum. Even today, many people in Europe still use the word “Berber” to refer to the indigenous peoples of Morocco and North Africa. However, this dates back to ancient times, when all non-Arab people were referred to as “Berbers = barbarians”. The people themselves call themselves “Imazighen”, which means “free people”. We reach Tinerhir in the early afternoon and stretch our legs on a walk (approx. 1 hour, easy) in the nearby palm grove of the oasis. From here, it is only a stone’s throw to the steep rock faces of the Todra Gorge. On a short walk (approx. 0.5 hours, easy), we marvel at the narrowest point and the imposing, reddish glowing rock. We then travel another hour to our hotel in Boumalne Dades, which we reach in the early evening. Cool off with a dip in the pool and enjoy the magnificent view of the Dades Valley!
Distance: 250 km Overnight stay: Kasbah Hotel Tizzarouine*** in Boumalne Dades
Drive through the Dades Valley, lunch with a family
Magnificent Dades Gorge
Past grotesquely shaped reddish boulders, green oasis landscapes and ochre-colored villages, the route leads us along the Dades River into the gorge of the same name. At the most spectacular point of the gorge, wonderful views await us during our photo stop! Even after leaving the gorge, our journey remains varied: countless picturesque kasbahs are on our way, as are green oases with picturesque date palms. We stop for lunch in the oasis of Skoura with a local family who cook for us. In the afternoon, after a good hour’s drive, we reach our accommodation in Ouarzazate.
Distance: 160 km Overnight stay: Riad Amlal***(*) in Ouarzazate
Visit to the Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, visit to the carpet weavers and a saffron factory
Carpets, saffron and Antiatlas
After a hearty breakfast, it is only a few kilometers by bus to the Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, one of the most beautiful fortifications in the country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for numerous historical films. Our tour guide takes us back to the times of the ruling families who lived here. Our journey then continues by coach and we drive over the Anti-Atlas to Taroudant. We interrupt our five-hour drive for two interesting stops: the region around Tazenakht is known worldwide for its carpet weaving. Production takes place in cooperatives where mainly women work, and we look over the shoulders of the craftswomen as they produce the intricate carpets with traditional patterns. In the village of Taliouine, we are right in the middle of saffron country. The special crocus flowers here in spring, from which the saffron threads are painstakingly pulled by hand and sold in the villages. We visit a saffron production plant, where our tour guide can build the bridges. We reach our accommodation near Taroudant in the early evening. Let the day come to a relaxed end.
Distance: 300 km Overnight stay: Riad Hida*** or Domaine Villa Talaa Resort***(*) near Taroudant
Taroudant city tour, stop at the Atlantic beach in Taghazoute, visit to a cooperative for the production of argan oil, walk through Essaouira
Harbor town on the wild Atlantic
A short transfer takes us to Taroudant, then we go on a discovery tour on foot: the town is surrounded by an impressive eight-metre-high wall from the 16th century – we explore it and stroll through the pretty medina with its lively souks. We then continue towards the coast and drive north along the Atlantic. In the small town and surfer’s paradise of Taghazoute, after a good two hours we take a look at the rough sea and get a whiff of the sea air. On the next three-hour drive, we pass the argan trees typical of southern Morocco. Their fruit is the basis for the high-quality argan oil used in cosmetics. It is also produced in women’s cooperatives, and our tour guide is on hand during the visit to help us communicate better. In the afternoon, we reach the relaxed coastal town of Essaouira. We set off on a walk through the alleyways and past restaurants and traders to the harbor. The catch of the day is freshly prepared in the little stalls. Here the seagulls let themselves be carried by the gusts of wind with their typical cries and speculate on fish scraps.
Distance: 260 km Overnight stay: Hotel Wind Palace*** or Riad Maison du Sud*** or Riad Nakhla*** in Essaouira
A day for you
Essaouira : free day
The small town center, the relaxed atmosphere and the proximity to the beach make Essaouira the ideal place for a day off. So you’re spoiled for choice: discover the town on your own, relax on the beautiful beach, watch the fishermen return to shore in the morning, enjoy freshly caught fish or all of the above – this day is yours!
Route: – Overnight stay: Hotel Wind Palace*** or Riad Maison du Sud*** or Riad Nakhla*** in Essaouira
Free time in Essaouira, beach walk near Sidi Kaouki with picnic
Wild, untouched beaches on the Atlantic
We start today in a relaxed manner, as the morning is also at your disposal. Around midday, after a half-hour drive, our destination is Sidi Kaouki, a small fishing village and a paradise for windsurfers. Here we have a picnic on the beach and then hike (approx. 3 hours, easy) along the coast, where we pass wonderfully wild and secluded beaches. Here you can unpack your swimming trunks and plunge into the sea, but beware, the Atlantic can be very cold! We finally reach the small Sidi M’Barek waterfall, where our bus is waiting. It will then take us about three hours to reach Marrakech.
Distance: 180 km Overnight stay: Hotel Les Trois Palmiers*** in Marrakech
City tour in the morning, tea ceremony with a Moroccan family
A fairy tale from 1,001 nights
Marrakech: city tour in the morning, tea ceremony with a Moroccan family
A final highlight of the trip awaits us in Marrakech. A labyrinth of winding alleyways, stately architecture, idyllic gardens and the smells and colors of the Orient. We discover the city on foot this morning: first we visit the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior tour), from whose minaret the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer several times a day, then we visit the historic Saadian tombs and the magnificent El Bahia Palace. During our stroll through the alleyways of the medina, we discover palaces, mosques and madrasas and feel the oriental magic. Our discoveries end around midday at the famous Djemaa el Fna square. Every evening, jugglers and street performers cavort here and show off their skills for a few dirhams. Things are much quieter in the afternoon, but the square is the ideal starting point for your further discoveries: Enjoy a coffee or a snack for lunch on one of the balconies of the surrounding restaurants, wander through the souks again on your own from here or find your way back to the hotel for a lunch break. In the late afternoon, we meet again at Djeema El Fna to be initiated into the secrets of a traditional tea ceremony by a family. Afterwards, you should sample Arabic, Moroccan and African delicacies in one of the many food stalls. Here it becomes clear once again: Marrakech has lost none of its myth and legends that still surround the city today.
Route: – Overnight stay: Hotel Les Trois Palmiers*** in Marrakech
Marrakech to your taste
The day in Marrakech is yours: museum visits, shopping, nice cafés, relaxing in a hammam? Our tip: Don’t miss out on the beautiful Jardin Majorelle, designed by Yves Saint Laurent (tickets are best booked online in advance).
Route: – Overnight stay: Hotel Les Trois Palmiers*** in Marrakech
Depending on your flight time, you still have time for your own discoveries today. A short transfer will then take you to the airport.
Distance: 3 km
On this trip we mainly stay in ***-***(*) accommodation. Some of these are typical local hotels, traditional riads or kasbah hotels. All accommodations are equipped with bath or shower/WC, mostly with air conditioning, some have a swimming pool. During our stay in Erg Chebbi, we sacrifice a little comfort for the sake of the experience – but we are compensated for this by the unforgettable experience when we move into our tents for a night in the middle of the Sahara. The Bedouin tents are equipped with two beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets are provided, shared toilets and washbasins are available.
Morocco smiled at us with its colorful spring meadows in a lovely landscape near Volubilis, its medieval souks in the royal cities of Fez and Marrakech, on through the Atlas Mountains with their snow-capped peaks to the desert. Enjoy with all your senses!
Morocco smiled at us with its colorful spring meadows in a lovely landscape near Volubilis, its medieval souks in the royal cities of Fez and Marrakech, on through the Atlas Mountains with their snow-capped peaks to the desert. Enjoy with all your senses!
Morocco smiled at us with its colorful spring meadows in a lovely landscape near Volubilis, its medieval souks in the royal cities of Fez and Marrakech, on through the Atlas Mountains with their snow-capped peaks to the desert. Enjoy with all your senses!
