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If you have two weeks of vacation for your trip to Morocco, this is undoubtedly one of the most interesting proposals in our catalog. Not only because it is a very complete circuit in terms of tourism, but also because we ‘take our foot off the accelerator’ to make the circuit with a more relaxed point: we dedicate full days to the destinations that deserve it and provide free time for leisure activities, a swim in the sea or a little shopping. If you think that something like this fits your idea, take a look at the program and let yourself be seduced by a country full of charms.
tourist attractions of this country. Starting with its Imperial Cities (Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat) and continuing with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Volubilis, Ait Ben Haddou, Tetouan, Essaouira), without forgetting small towns full of charm (Chaouen, Asilah, Rissani). From a natural point of view, the landscapes that will appear before your eyes will be fascinating: the Atlas and Rif mountains, the rocky canyons of the south, the argan fields, the cedar forests…. and of course, the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, in the always fascinating Sahara desert.
Although we design the daily program of this two-week circuit, the pace of the visits is up to you because many of them are free development. You will discover the main cities, except Fez and Marrakech, where official guides will help us in this task. Most importantly, we will leave enough free time in the major destinations along the route, especially in those where the commercial and gastronomic offer is remarkable. So, whether you want to buy luxury items in Marrakech or pieces of refined craftsmanship in Fez or any other city, you will always find the time to do so.
The 14 days and 13 nights of this circuit are distributed as follows, taking into account that all trips are by premium vehicle by road (except for sandy desert trips, by camel):
In Tangier, the initial meeting of the tour will take place: our staff will be waiting for you at the airport (or at the port of Tangier) to start the road trip in a premium vehicle.
On this first day, the trip will be relatively short: about 50 km to Asilah, one of the most beautiful destinations on the Atlantic coast in northern Morocco. Its fortified medina with Portuguese-era walls offers numerous viewpoints to contemplate the sea, and its narrow streets are a beautiful labyrinth where an unparalleled artistic atmosphere reigns. In fact, this city has earned a great prestige in the sector thanks to the cultural festival that is organized in summer and that fills the old town with mural paintings.
Many of these murals are preserved throughout the year, to the admiration of travelers who value creativity in a relaxed atmosphere, as Asilah offers. And that will also be the atmosphere in the riad where you will rest on this first night.
On this second day of the tour, we will remain in the north of Morocco to travel to two charming destinations. The first of these is Tetouan, which preserves a historic medina with buildings full of symbolism, such as the Royal Palace, where the Moroccan king usually spends his summers. Also interesting is the Ensanche, which is the new neighborhood that emerged in the early twentieth century, when this city was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate in this country. It is no coincidence, therefore, that there are certain parallels between this architecture and that of Andalusia.
In Tetouan, the Mediterranean Sea will be just 10 km away in a straight line, but we will drive in the opposite direction: inland, until we enter the Rif Mountains. This is the natural environment in which Chaouen is located, set on a green hillside, providing a striking blue counterpoint: the inhabitants of this village use this color to paint the walls of their houses, in combination with the white of the lime. And the result is most evocative.
Therefore, the tour will stop here for two nights, in a charming riad, which will allow you to savor this picturesque village at your leisure.
The third day of this tour is completely free in Chaouen, so you can organize the day at your own pace: to stroll aimlessly, to visit the ethnographic museum of the kasbah, to visit the viewpoints located in the surroundings, to shop for handicrafts in the stores of the medina … or for any other plan you can think of, with our help. And when night falls, the riad will once again be the peaceful place to rest.
From a hidden village in the Rif to the capital of the kingdom. This is the contrast that you will experience on this fourth day of the tour, since after breakfast we will leave by road to Rabat.
In this city you will discover imposing monuments, both historical and recent, but all of them illustrative of the power of the Alawite monarchy. For example, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, where the king who pushed for the country’s independence in 1956 rests. Or, just opposite, the Hassan Tower, one of the masterpieces of Almohad architecture in the country (11th century). Or even the Kasbah of the Udayas, a large military stronghold that allows a view of the coast and the neighboring Salé, on the other side of the Bu Regreg river.
Wandering through the medina and its stores, visiting first class museums such as the Mohamed VI Contemporary Art Museum or enjoying a premium gastronomic experience are some of the proposals, before going to the riad to rest for the night.
On this fifth day of circuit, we go deep into the history of Morocco visiting two very different places, but equally interesting: Volubilis and Meknes. And at the end of the day, we will arrive in what is considered the ‘cultural capital’ of Morocco: Fez.
Volubilis was an important Roman city in the province of Mauritania Tingitana, which occupied approximately what is now northern Morocco. And fortunately for those who visit this archaeological complex, important vestiges of that city have been preserved: the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter and the Arch of Caracalla are perhaps the most outstanding monuments, but there are many other places that will take us back to the first centuries of our era: mosaics on the pavement, remains of baths, etc.
Meknes, for its part, is still a very lively city, which preserves and proudly displays the buildings of its period of glory: the 17th and 18th centuries, when Sultan Moulay Ismail declared it the capital of the kingdom. Here, in fact, is his mausoleum and the Royal Palace from which he ruled, as well as imposing monuments such as the Bab Mansour gate, which gives access to the walled medina.
After visiting both places, we will continue to Fez to freely enjoy the rest of the day and rest in a riad in the center, waiting to further explore this city the next day.
For its historical importance, for the long list of monuments and for the vibrant life of its medina, a full day in Fez is a must on a 14-day tour of Morocco.
The first part of the day will be dedicated to a guided tour of the most interesting corners of Fez el Bali and Fez el Jedid, which are the names of its old medina and its new medina. The Karaouine mosque, the Bou Inania and Attarine medersas, the Nejjarine square and the mellah, which was the city’s Jewish quarter, are spread throughout the city. In addition, the tanners’ quarter will be a surprising example of the survival of traditional activities in this environment.
In the afternoon, you will have free time to spend as you wish. Visiting a museum is one of the proposals to do at this time, but also go shopping in the souks of the medina, where craftsmanship acquires the category of handmade art, as Fez is the great reference in disciplines such as leather goods, tile or woodwork. And as an epilogue of the day, another night of rest in the riad in the center.
Culture and history give way to the wildest nature, in all its Moroccan variants. After breakfast, we will get back on the road and head for the Middle Atlas Mountains. On the way, we will pass through Ifrane, a mountain town tinged with green (and white in winter) where the buildings with gabled roofs are reminiscent of the Alps.
Very close to it, in the Ifrane National Park, we will see how the Barbary macaque lives, a primate species that has chosen this large forest full of cedars as its natural habitat. Its population is so large that it will not be difficult to observe specimens as we pass by.
Shortly after, we will leave the north face of the Middle Atlas to enter the arid south face of this mountain massif. And the Ziz River Valley will lead us to the gates of the desert. Specifically, to Erfoud, a city where the trade of fossils from the dinosaur era is a very fashionable activity.
The road trip will end this day a little further on, in Merzouga. But the route will not stop there, because a last and fascinating section awaits us: the camel ride through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, inside which is the luxury tent camp where we will spend the night. Upon arrival, we will have a welcome Berber tea and enjoy a typical dinner, accompanied by a cozy fire and a sky full of stars.
The eighth day of this circuit will begin with a magical moment, for which it will be necessary to get up early: if we get up before sunrise, we will contemplate a fascinating dawn over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, staining the sky and the sand hills with a light of a thousand shades.
After that and after breakfast, we will leave the tents camp to return to Merzouga and, from there, start a 4×4 route through the desert. Khamlia will be the first stop, where members of the village’s black community will give us a demonstration of their most valuable treasure: Gnawa music, declared a World Heritage Site.
After this concert, the wildest part of the route will begin, on unpaved sand tracks that will take us through places that were once crowded but are now desolate: sections of the old Paris-Dakar rally, the remains of uninhabited villages and abandoned kohl mines.
This is one of the most striking faces of the desert, and another will follow: that of the nomadic families who, despite the adoption of certain sedentary habits, continue to live like their ancestors. Living with them, with our mediation, will help us to discover their hospitality and their courage to face such adverse circumstances.
After this experience, we will return to Merzouga, stopping to admire the dunes of Erg Chebbi from a strategically high point. Once there, a hotel with a desert atmosphere will offer us dinner and a well-deserved night’s rest.
It is time to leave the desert on this ninth day, and we will do so after visiting the last town of interest in this area: Rissani. Here we will have the opportunity to contemplate scenes unthinkable in other corners of the country or the world. For example, the parking lot where the donkeys are parked, which are still a means of transportation in the town. Its populous market and historical medina will also attract our attention.
Leaving Rissani behind, our vehicle will drive for miles and miles between steep hills, palm oasis, cultivated fields and ruined kasbahs. It is the Dades Valley, and we will cross it in its entirety.
Instead, we will turn off at a certain point to enter the Todra Gorges, which is precisely a tributary of the Dades. This small river has carved out a rocky canyon here that is surprising for its narrowness and height, with points where there is barely room for a small trail and its humble watercourse.
Towards the end of the day and after passing through the so-called Valley of the Roses, we will arrive in Ouarzazate, where the hotel-riad is located, where we will have dinner and sleep tonight.
Ouarzazate, besides being known for its famous film studios (Atlas Studios), makes a place in all travel guides in Morocco for its spectacular kasbah: this castle was not only a fortress but also a residential palace for the family of Thami El Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakech and Sultan of the Atlas. We will admire its adobe architecture, typical of the Berber culture, and its refined interior, at the height of the great Arab palaces.
Less refined but larger and more imposing is the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will move after resuming the march by road. The fact that it was an important stop on the caravan routes led to the fortification of this village, which is still in very good condition today. For this reason and for its amazing silhouette, it is often used to set films and series such as Game of Thrones.
After visiting this unique enclave, the road will start ascending to reach the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m.a.s.l.) and, from there, descend through pleasant valleys to the city of Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will have free time to spend at your leisure, before it is time to rest in the rooms of the riad, located in the center.
The ‘red city’, ‘imperial city’, ‘the pearl of the south’… Many are the nicknames used to describe Marrakech, which is the most visited tourist destination in the country. But only an in-depth tour of its urban center will help to understand its beauty and significance as a whole.
We will be assisted by an official guide of the city, with whom we will make a tour of the medina during the morning. Places like the Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia mosque or the Bahia Palace are some of the highlights of the center. And to these will be added others that also reflect the essence of this great city, capital with Almoravids, Almohads and Saadis.
In the afternoon, you will again have free time, for example for handicraft or luxury shopping, as Marrakech is also the best stocked with international boutiques and stores. Its museums will be at the height (Museum of Marrakech, of Yves Saint-Laurent) and its gardens (Majorelle, Aguedal) will bring a natural counterpoint of the most pleasant. Undoubtedly, many possibilities (and others that we can suggest) before returning to the riad to rest.
There is no more refreshing and enjoyable end to a two-week tour than an Atlantic getaway. Luckily, Marrakech is relatively close to the coast, specifically Essaouira, the other ‘pearl’ of the area, in this case ‘of the Atlantic’. Therefore, on this twelfth day we will head towards it by road.
Along the way, our view will be lost among the argan fields that grow in the region. We will take advantage of this to visit a local cooperative where the oil is produced, learning not only about its precious properties but also about the dedication of its people.
From the arrival in Essaouira, your time will be completely free, so you will be able to organize yourself according to your preferences and energies. If you wish to discover the city, you cannot miss the maritime citadel Skala, nor the fishermen’s port that lies at its feet. But neither the picturesque medina, where you can still trace the steps of the important Jewish community that inhabited the mellah until the mid-twentieth century.
And if you prefer to simply relax and disconnect, the Atlantic coast offers many places to do so. In addition, a nice riad in the center will be your home for these last two nights.
Again, free day in Essaouira, which you can use to discover other places of interest in the city, to enjoy a refreshing swim on the beaches or to practice a sporting activity: surfing and its modalities are some star options, but Essaouira also has golf courses and professionals offering horse or dromedary rides by the sea. At nightfall, you will rest again in the riad in the center.
After two nights in Essaouira and plenty of free time to recharge your batteries, this 14-day Morocco tour comes to an end. Our driver will pick you up at the riad in the city to take you directly to Marrakech Airport and return home. We will say goodbye at the passenger terminal, thus ending two weeks of travel in a country that, from then on, will be your second home. And Chic Morocco, your reliable agency for future tours.
The travel package of this 14-day tour is designed in detail so that its development is comfortable and lives up to the highest expectations:
These other services are outside the circuit package:
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Travel agency and DMC specialized in private and tailor-made trips to Morocco.
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