9 days from Rabat to Marrakech: Morocco desert tours

9 Days from Rabat to Marrakech via Fes and Sahara Desert

Day 01: Rabat Tour Guide

9 days from Rabat to Marrakech begins with the pick up from the airport of Rabat. Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by one of our team members, and then driven to the centre of Rabat. So, once in the city, we start Rabat city tour. You will enjoy a comfortable sightseeing experience visiting the major historic sites in this green city. 

Additionally, during 9 days from Rabat to Marrakech, we will ensure to cover all the attractions with cultural and historical interests in Rabat. Hence, the Oudaya Kasbah, the Royal Mausoleum, and Hassan Tower are within our schedule in Rabat. Finally, when we have worked up the appetite, lunch will be in a traditional restaurant. After lunch, we check for hotel.

Day 02: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

On the agreed time, we resume 9 days from Rabat to Marrakech leaving to Fes. Thus,the journey will take us via the imperial city of Meknes. Historically speaking, Meknes is dating back to 11th century, and it was built by a local Berber family called Meknasa. So, here we got few landmarks to cover such as: Bab Mansour, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum… 

Despite Meknes, we shift northeast to Volubilis ‘Roman Ruins’. This latter is a UNESCO heritage site worth visiting. Volubilis is an archeological landmark aging to 3rd century BC. Also, the Berber name of the site is ‘Oualili’ which means Nerium oleander plant. For a better understanding, we offer you a local guide to show you around. Late afternoon, the hotel will be the last destination of the day.

Day 03: Explore Fes

Right after having our lovely Moroccan breakfast, we recomence 9 days from Rabat to Marrakech meeting you at the reception . Today is going to be spent exploring Fes. The sightseeing includes the main important places to visit in the old medina of Fes. Along the day, our tour in Fes leads us to the University Al Karawyyin – founded by a woman named Fatima Al Fihri. It is actually oldest degree-granting university in the world.

Moreover, our visit in Fes is taking us also to the exotic Bou Inania Madrasa, the tanneries and the ceramic workshops. Furthermore, we will insist on visiting the basic sites in Fes. However, the medieval city of Fes El Bali “Old Fes” remains complete and unspoiled. Afterwards, our journey offers wonderful photos from the main gate as well as famous souks. In the afternoon you can visit Fes El Jadid “New Fes”. Overnight in a charm riad.

Day 04: Fes – Ifran – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

After breakfast in your riad or Hotel, you will leave Fes and drive towards the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi. During the journey, you will experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Also, stopping at the Cedar Forest, the largest one in Morocco where you will see Barbary macaques. 

After lunch in Midelt, we will continue through the large open high desert, and notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert. Moreover, our trip continues along the luxuriant Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm grove, famous for date cultivation. This area is the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling royal family in Morocco.

Day 05: Explore Sahara Desert

Following the breakfast, we recomence the 9 days from Rabat to Marrakech exploring the surroundings of sahara desert. Rissani is one of the most important points for trading caravans back in time. Whereas in the town, we will have the chance to hang out its ancient market and visit the traditional herb pharmacy.

Later on, we then drive back to Khamlia village where we can have Moroccan Pizza in a local restaurant, then enjoy the Gnawa music. In the afternoon, we get ready for a camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Last and not least, we spend the night in the desert camp enjoying the stars and the moon. Overnight at the desert camp.

Day 06: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Boumalne Dades

Early in the morning, wake up for what might be the best sunrise of your life when the sun outs of the dunes. Frankly, you could not fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast, we will leave for Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in the area. Following lunch, we will drive through Dades Valley enjoying the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Night will be spent in a Hotel in Dades Valley.

Day 07: Dades Valley – Ait Benhadou Kasbah – Marrakech

Have breakfast and get ready to get on the road again. We will depart to Marrakech via the Rose Valley with a stop at the rose distillation unit for rose production process. Next, we continue by the Skoura Palm grove and the road of 1001 Kasbahs until we join Hollywood of Africa, Ouarzazate. Also, it is famous for being the spot of the international movies such as “Gladiator”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “The Mummy”.

Subsquently, we carry on our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. It is a very wonderful fortified city that stands at the edge of a hill separated by Ounila river. Despite, we drive via the Atlas Mountains with fabulous views. We will stop for a cup of coffee and  visit the women argan oil co-operative. Thereafter, we continue to join the red city of Marrakesh.

Day 08: what to see in Marrakech

Take the breakfast and wait for the guide to meet you at the reception. 9 days from Rabat to Marrakech is the best option to discover the main important things in Marrakech. Today will be dedicated to explore the beautiful secrets of Moroccan history and culture of locals.  Hence, we will ensure that you see all the sites with historical and cultural interest. Not only this, but also the Koutoubia Menaret, the beautiful Bahia Palace, and the Ben Youssef Coranic School are among the sites to visit in Marrakech.

Finally, end up the morning walking through the medina alleys – getting a chance to admire all of the different artisans. Also, they will perform their crafts to sell before arriving at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square. Lunch at a restaurant near the square. Free afternoon to walk the medina your own way.

Day 09: Transfer to airport

Upon your flight schedule, we transfer you from the riad to the airport in time for the check-in before the flight. End of our services.

If you have more days and you need a long tour in Morocco, here is the other option:

Travel around Morocco – 16 days highlight Morocco Tour from Rabat – Morocco Vibrant Tours

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