Authentic Morocco Tour: Desert Dream 7N/8D

Day 1: ISTANBUL

We meet at Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s international departure terminal three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, we depart for Casablanca.

Day 2: MARRAKECH

Upon arrival in Casablanca, we meet our guide at the airport and transfer to our private bus, then head to Marrakech. After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a full-day “Red City Marrakech” tour, including Koutoubia Mosque, Jmaa El Fna Square — where we’ll see street performances, snake charmers, and open-air restaurants — and Bahia Palace, adorned with traditional Moroccan tiles. We continue exploring Marrakech’s enchanting atmosphere, a favorite destination since the early 1900s for European designers, artists, musicians, and travelers. In the historic medina, medieval traditions are still preserved. Next, we visit the famous Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Garden) designed by Yves Saint Laurent, featuring unique plants perfect for photography. After the tour, we return to the hotel for free time, dinner, and overnight stay. Guests can optionally attend the Berber Night with dinner and the Fantasia Chez Ali show.

Day 3: ESSAOUIRA

After breakfast, we travel to the coastal town of Essaouira, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where art and culture intertwine. Located on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, served as a filming location for Orson Welles’ Othello and Game of Thrones. Its long sandy beaches host international surfing competitions annually. The Medina, with streets intersecting at right angles, is an excellent example of period urban planning. Highlights include the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), the Portuguese Castle, the fishing port with its blue boats, and the historic bazaar. After the tour, we return to our Marrakech hotel for free time and overnight stay.

Day 4: MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE

After breakfast, we depart for Ouarzazate. On the way, we visit Ait Benhaddou, the filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator, Alexander, Babel, and Game of Thrones. Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, a city that has hosted numerous Hollywood productions and stars such as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Martin Scorsese, we transfer to our hotel and have free time before visiting the Atlas Film Studios. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: OUARZAZATE – TINGHIR – MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, we travel to Tinghir, passing scenic views of the desert on one side and the Atlas Mountains on the other. Stops include the irrigation canals, Todra Valley, and the “City of Roses” M’gouna. We then reach the Merzouga Desert and settle into our camp. Dinner is followed by free time. In the evening, under a star-lit sky, guests can enjoy unforgettable moments. Guests are encouraged to photograph the sunrise in the morning, and those interested can join a camel tour at sunrise or sunset. Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 6: MERZOUGA DESERT – MIDELT – IFRANE – FES

We wake up early to enjoy the desert sunrise. After breakfast and capturing stunning photos, we depart for Ifrane. On the way, we stop in the town of Midelt for lunch at a local restaurant and have the chance to photograph the magnificent Ziz Valley. We continue to Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland of Morocco,” famous for its ski resort and Swiss-style architecture. After a coffee break, we transfer to our hotel in Fes for free time, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 7: FES – CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, we explore Fes Medina, starting at Bab-el Makhzen (the monumental gate of the Royal Palace). We wander the maze-like streets of the historic medina, visiting Attarine Madrasa, Karaouine University, Nejjarine Square, the traditional bazaar selling Moroccan jewelry and copperware, and the tanneries near the Fes River where leather is still processed using traditional methods. Next, we travel to Chefchaouen, the famous Blue City in the Rif Mountains, known for its vividly painted streets, doors, and windows. Guests will have free time to shop and explore the labyrinthine blue streets. At the designated time, we transfer to our hotel in Tangier for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: TANGIER – RABAT

After breakfast, we begin the Tangier tour from the Spanish Quarter and continue through the Medina. Visits include Ibn Battuta Tomb, Petit Socco, and Grand Socco. We then board our bus near Marsa and travel to Rabat, the country’s capital, located on the banks of the Bou Regreg River and surrounded by eucalyptus and cork oak forests. Highlights in Rabat include Kasbah Oudaya, Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Casablanca for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: CASABLANCA

After breakfast and checking out of our rooms, we explore Casablanca, a major industrial city with one of Africa’s largest ports. Highlights include Mohammed V Square, panoramic views of Hassan II Mosque, and the lively Corniche. After the tour, we transfer to the airport. Following baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, we depart on an Air Arabia flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, marking the end of our tour.

Day 2: MARRAKECH

Upon arrival in Casablanca, we meet our guide at the airport and transfer to our private bus, then head to Marrakech. After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a full-day “Red City Marrakech” tour, including Koutoubia Mosque, Jmaa El Fna Square — where we’ll see street performances, snake charmers, and open-air restaurants — and Bahia Palace, adorned with traditional Moroccan tiles. We continue exploring Marrakech’s enchanting atmosphere, a favorite destination since the early 1900s for European designers, artists, musicians, and travelers. In the historic medina, medieval traditions are still preserved. Next, we visit the famous Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Garden) designed by Yves Saint Laurent, featuring unique plants perfect for photography. After the tour, we return to the hotel for free time, dinner, and overnight stay. Guests can optionally attend the Berber Night with dinner and the Fantasia Chez Ali show.

Day 3: ESSAOUIRA

After breakfast, we travel to the coastal town of Essaouira, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where art and culture intertwine. Located on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, served as a filming location for Orson Welles’ Othello and Game of Thrones. Its long sandy beaches host international surfing competitions annually. The Medina, with streets intersecting at right angles, is an excellent example of period urban planning. Highlights include the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), the Portuguese Castle, the fishing port with its blue boats, and the historic bazaar. After the tour, we return to our Marrakech hotel for free time and overnight stay.

Day 4: MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE

After breakfast, we depart for Ouarzazate. On the way, we visit Ait Benhaddou, the filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator, Alexander, Babel, and Game of Thrones. Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, a city that has hosted numerous Hollywood productions and stars such as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Martin Scorsese, we transfer to our hotel and have free time before visiting the Atlas Film Studios. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: OUARZAZATE – TINGHIR – MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, we travel to Tinghir, passing scenic views of the desert on one side and the Atlas Mountains on the other. Stops include the irrigation canals, Todra Valley, and the “City of Roses” M’gouna. We then reach the Merzouga Desert and settle into our camp. Dinner is followed by free time. In the evening, under a star-lit sky, guests can enjoy unforgettable moments. Guests are encouraged to photograph the sunrise in the morning, and those interested can join a camel tour at sunrise or sunset. Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 6: MERZOUGA DESERT – MIDELT – IFRANE – FES

We wake up early to enjoy the desert sunrise. After breakfast and capturing stunning photos, we depart for Ifrane. On the way, we stop in the town of Midelt for lunch at a local restaurant and have the chance to photograph the magnificent Ziz Valley. We continue to Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland of Morocco,” famous for its ski resort and Swiss-style architecture. After a coffee break, we transfer to our hotel in Fes for free time, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 7: FES – CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, we explore Fes Medina, starting at Bab-el Makhzen (the monumental gate of the Royal Palace). We wander the maze-like streets of the historic medina, visiting Attarine Madrasa, Karaouine University, Nejjarine Square, the traditional bazaar selling Moroccan jewelry and copperware, and the tanneries near the Fes River where leather is still processed using traditional methods. Next, we travel to Chefchaouen, the famous Blue City in the Rif Mountains, known for its vividly painted streets, doors, and windows. Guests will have free time to shop and explore the labyrinthine blue streets. At the designated time, we transfer to our hotel in Tangier for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: TANGIER – RABAT

After breakfast, we begin the Tangier tour from the Spanish Quarter and continue through the Medina. Visits include Ibn Battuta Tomb, Petit Socco, and Grand Socco. We then board our bus near Marsa and travel to Rabat, the country’s capital, located on the banks of the Bou Regreg River and surrounded by eucalyptus and cork oak forests. Highlights in Rabat include Kasbah Oudaya, Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Casablanca for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: CASABLANCA

After breakfast and checking out of our rooms, we explore Casablanca, a major industrial city with one of Africa’s largest ports. Highlights include Mohammed V Square, panoramic views of Hassan II Mosque, and the lively Corniche. After the tour, we transfer to the airport. Following baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, we depart on an Air Arabia flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, marking the end of our tour.