Rondreis door Marokko – geschiedenis & cultuur – vanuit Tanger – 9 dagen

After we meet you at the place that we had agreed upon, we will start our trip driving through the Rif mountains and Tetouan city to enjoy the views of the beautiful mountains till we get to Chefchaouan. In fact it's one of the stunning villages in the feet of Rif mountains. Chefchaouen medina has a Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky arts and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants and cafes where you will spend your night in a nice place to enjoy the breeze and the beauty of nature.

After your breakfast in the riad, we will start driving towards Volubilis crossing via Wazan and other rif villages. So in Volubilis we will discover the roman ruins and learn about the archeological site of Moroccan history ,after the visit of the ruins we will shift our way to Meknes city, the 17th century heritage where we will stop for lunch and hang around the historical huge walls of the medina , bab el mansour and enjoy a visit of moulay ismail's shrine. After the visit of Meknes we will drive directly to Fes city where you will spend the night in riad.

After breakfast in your riad , you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Hence our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish headquarter,the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 16th century. In the first place, we will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Karaouine University, the oldest in the region, the Tanneries, the Attarine museum and Mulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will continue your Morocco Tours Tangier, visiting the tiles cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes.

Driving on the road from Fes, passing the Middle Atlas mountains and through the cedar forests well known all over the world. Cedar was already used from the Phoenician times and Roman time for woodcraft, essences and Building even ancient Marine boats. We pass through Ifran, a Moroccan Swiss style of town andAzrou, a typical Zayan Middle Atlas Berber village. We will cross the valley of Ziz and Ziz gorges on the way to the Oriental Sahara Town of Erfoud. From Erfoud wewe will take a rock desert trail to Merzouga. Camel riding at sunset and staying over in the Berber tent in the heart of the dunes. Dinner and night will be in the luxury camp. 

Take an optional sunrise camel ride along the golden sand dunes in Merzouga. Then return to Erfoud for breakfast before driving to Tinghir via Rissani and Tin- jdad. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts all above the Todra Gorge, a 300m wall, carved deep into the High Atlas Mountains, then transferred to Kelaat M'Gouna along the Dades Valley. Kelaat M'Gouna is a large village, which is famous for cultivating roses, so expect to find many fine, rose-infused products there. Transfer to Ouarzazate, also known as "Morocco's Hol- lywood," for dinner and overnight.

Begin a city tour of Ouarzazate with the Taourirt and Ti- foultout Kasbah, which are considered to be among the most beautiful kasbahs in Morocco. Next, visit the film studios where some of the most famous desert land- scapes were and are still being shot. Continue on to the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic land- scape immortalized in such films as Lawrence of Ara- bia, Gladiator, and Alexander. Leave Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent Tizi N Tichka pass to Marrakech overnight.

Take a full day guided city tour of Marrakech, be- ginning with the world-famous Jemaa el Fna Square, which houses an array of food, snake charmers, local musicians, and fortune-tellers. Next, visit the Koutoubia Minaret, Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs, lunch at the hotel, afternoon tour of the medina . Dinner at a local restaurant and Overnight in the hotel.

We will leave from Marrakech at 8 in the morning and drive for about 170 km, passing vast landscapes dotted with sheep and goats grazing on argan trees (which only grow in the wild and on which the goats climb to eat berries) and the occasional small village. If you wish, it is possible to stop for an argan oil tasting where the argan oil is extracted by a small cooperative run completely by women. This oil is very famous for its uses in cooking and especially in cosmetics.

A few kilometers further away, there is a panoramic view of Essaouira, a small blue and white town on the beautiful Atlantic Coast. Once you arrive in the port, you are free to discover its charm at your leisure. You can have a stroll along the quays which are full of life, where you can watch fishing boats coming back to the port, fishermen unloading their daily catch, and all the activities linked with the work of fishermen. You can feast on a cornucopia of freshly caught seafood options in a local restaurant overlooking the sea.

The visit to the town is pleasant and the sights varied, from the ramparts to the Medina. In Medina you will see a number of local artists and lots of craft shops, many of them exhibiting craft objects made of thuya wood. Marquetry remains the speciality of Essaouira (but be aware that the wood is rare and comes with sustainability issues).

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the Marrakech airport for your return flight.