8-Day Morocco Kasbahs & Desert Tour from Casablanca

Day 1: Casablanca → Marrakech (Flexible Timing)

Arrival - Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), your private driver will greet you with a sign displaying your name.

Transfer - Private transfer directly to Marrakech (approximately 3.5 hours drive). Settle into your riad and refresh after your journey.

Evening Options (depending on arrival time): - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Explore the famous Djemaa el-Fna square and experience the lively evening atmosphere with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls. - 8:00 PM: Welcome dinner at your riad or a local restaurant (not included). Try traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Overnight: Riad in Marrakech.

Day 2: Marrakech Comprehensive Guided Tour (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

9:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad, followed by a full day guided tour of Marrakech with a local expert guide.

9:30 AM - Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech's most famous landmark. Admire the 12th-century minaret, a masterpiece of Almohad architecture, and explore the beautiful surrounding gardens (non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque).

10:15 AM - Explore the Bahia Palace, a stunning example of 19th-century Moroccan architecture. Wander through the intricate courtyards, admire the decorated rooms, and learn about the palace's fascinating history.

11:15 AM - Visit the Saadian Tombs, discovered in 1917 after being hidden for centuries. Marvel at the beautifully decorated chambers housing members of the Saadian dynasty.

12:00 PM - Explore the El Badi Palace ruins, once a magnificent 16th-century palace. Climb the towers for panoramic views of the city and the High Atlas Mountains in the distance.

1:00 PM - Lunch break at a restaurant near the souks (not included). Try traditional Marrakchi dishes.

2:30 PM - Walk through the vibrant souks of Marrakech. Explore different sections: the spice market with its exotic aromas, the leather goods quarter, metal workshops, textile stalls, and traditional craft areas.

3:30 PM - Visit the Majorelle Garden, a beautiful botanical garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Admire the exotic plants and the iconic cobalt blue villa.

4:15 PM - End your tour at Djemaa el-Fna square. Experience the lively atmosphere with storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and food stalls preparing for the evening.

5:00 PM - Return to your riad. Evening at leisure to explore more of Marrakech on your own or enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the square (not included).

Day 3: Marrakech → High Atlas → Ait Ben Haddou (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad in Marrakech.

9:00 AM - Depart Marrakech and begin your journey south toward the High Atlas Mountains. Leave the city behind as you enter the dramatic mountain landscape.

10:30 AM - Begin the ascent of the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 meters), the highest mountain pass in North Africa. Stop at scenic viewpoints for photos and to appreciate the dramatic landscape changes.

11:30 AM - Pass through traditional Berber villages clinging to mountainsides. Stop at a viewpoint to see these ancient settlements and learn about Berber mountain life.

12:30 PM - Lunch break at a mountain restaurant with panoramic views (not included). Enjoy traditional Berber cuisine while taking in the spectacular scenery.

2:00 PM - Continue your descent toward the southern side of the Atlas Mountains. Watch as the landscape transforms from lush green mountains to arid, dramatic terrain.

3:30 PM - Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco's most impressive ksars (fortified villages). This iconic location has been featured in numerous films including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia.

4:00 PM - Guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou. Explore the narrow alleys, climb to the granary for panoramic views, and learn about the earthen architecture techniques used in its construction.

5:00 PM - Check into your accommodation near Ait Ben Haddou. Enjoy the sunset views over this ancient fortified village.

7:00 PM - Dinner at your accommodation (included). Relax and prepare for tomorrow's exploration of the kasbah routes.

Day 4: Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your accommodation with views of Ait Ben Haddou.

9:00 AM - Depart Ait Ben Haddou and travel to Ouarzazate, known as the "Door of the Desert" and Morocco's film industry capital.

10:00 AM - Visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, an impressive fortified palace that was once home to the Glaoui family, the former rulers of southern Morocco.

11:00 AM - Visit the Atlas Film Studios, where many famous movies have been filmed. Learn about Morocco's role in international cinema (optional, entrance fee not included).

12:00 PM - Lunch break in Ouarzazate (not included). Enjoy lunch with views of the nearby Atlas Mountains.

1:30 PM - Begin your journey along the famous "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" toward the Dades Valley. This scenic route is lined with ancient fortified homes and dramatic landscapes.

3:00 PM - Stop at the Agdez kasbahs to see these traditional fortified family homes and learn about their role in Moroccan history and architecture.

4:30 PM - Arrive in the Dades Valley, known as the "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs." Check into your hotel overlooking the valley.

5:30 PM - Visit the Dades Gorges viewpoint for photos of the winding road and spectacular canyon views.

6:00 PM - Dinner at your hotel (included). Enjoy the sunset views over the Dades Valley and surrounding mountains.

Day 5: Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Merzouga Desert (7:30 AM - 8:00 PM)

7:30 AM - Early breakfast at your hotel in the Dades Valley.

8:30 AM - Depart Dades Valley and continue your journey toward the Sahara Desert.

10:00 AM - Arrive at the Todra Gorges. Walk through the impressive canyon where crystal-clear water flows between towering limestone cliffs reaching up to 400 meters high. Enjoy the cool shade and perhaps watch local rock climbers.

11:30 AM - Explore the area around the gorges and learn about the geological formation of these spectacular canyons.

12:30 PM - Lunch break at a restaurant near the gorges (not included).

2:00 PM - Continue your journey through the dramatic desert landscape toward Merzouga. Pass through the town of Tinghir and its famous palm groves.

4:00 PM - Arrive in Merzouga at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Check into your desert hotel and prepare for the evening adventure.

5:30 PM - Meet your camel caravan for the highlight of your trip. Begin your 1.5-hour camel trek across the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to reach your desert camp.

7:00 PM - Arrive at your desert camp in the heart of the dunes. Enjoy traditional mint tea and learn about Berber desert life from your guides.

8:00 PM - Dinner at the camp (included) under the stars, followed by evening entertainment around the campfire with traditional Berber music.

9:30 PM - Enjoy the spectacular desert night sky before retiring to your comfortable desert tent.

Day 6: Merzouga → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate (5:30 AM - 6:00 PM)

5:30 AM - Early morning optional activity: Watch the spectacular sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes from your camp or climb the dunes for the best views.

7:00 AM - Breakfast at the desert camp.

8:00 AM - Return by camel to Merzouga village. Freshen up at your desert hotel.

9:30 AM - Depart Merzouga and travel along the famous Draa Valley, known for its vast palm groves stretching over 200 kilometers.

11:00 AM - Stop at viewpoints along the Draa Valley to appreciate the dramatic contrast between the green palm groves and the surrounding desert mountains.

12:30 PM - Lunch break in the Draa Valley town of Zagora or Agdz (not included). Enjoy traditional southern Moroccan cuisine.

2:00 PM - Continue through the Draa Valley, passing through ancient ksour (plural of ksar) and learning about the region's rich history.

4:00 PM - Arrive back in Ouarzazate. Check into your hotel and refresh after the desert journey.

6:00 PM - Dinner at your hotel in Ouarzazate (included). Relax and reflect on your desert adventure.

Day 7: Ouarzazate → Telouet → Marrakech (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your hotel in Ouarzazate.

9:00 AM - Depart Ouarzazate and travel to the remote Telouet Kasbah, one of Morocco's most impressive and least-visited kasbahs.

10:30 AM - Arrive at Telouet Kasbah, once the seat of power for the Glaoui family. Explore this magnificent but crumbling palace and learn about its fascinating history as the center of the Glaoui empire.

12:00 PM - Lunch break at a local restaurant near Telouet (not included). Enjoy traditional Berber mountain cuisine.

1:30 PM - Begin your journey back across the High Atlas Mountains via a different route, offering new perspectives on the dramatic mountain scenery.

3:00 PM - Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass again, stopping at different viewpoints for photos and to appreciate the landscape from the opposite direction.

4:30 PM - Pass through traditional Berber villages and stop at a local cooperative to learn about argan oil production and support local women's cooperatives.

6:00 PM - Arrive back in Marrakech. Check into your riad and relax after your adventurous journey through southern Morocco.

8:00 PM - Farewell dinner at your riad or a local restaurant (not included). Celebrate your journey through Morocco's kasbahs and desert landscapes.

Day 8: Marrakech Departure (Flexible Timing)

Morning - Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your riad in Marrakech.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Free time for last-minute activities. Options include:

• Visit the Marrakech Museum for more insights into Moroccan art and culture
• Explore the Cyber Park (Arset Moulay Abdeslam) for a peaceful green space
• Return to the souks for any final souvenir shopping
• Relax at a traditional hammam (spa) for an authentic Moroccan experience

11:00 AM - Check out from your riad.

Flexible Timing - Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for your departure.

Note: Please allow at least 3 hours before your flight departure time for airport transfer and check-in procedures.