Compare Moroccan Odyssey by National Geographic Expeditions vs 7 Days Tour From Marrakech To Chefchaouen & Fes Via Desert by MPT

Days 1 & 2: U.S./Casablanca, Morocco

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche

Depart on an overnight flight to Casablanca. After time to relax the following morning, meet the group for welcome lunch at La Mer, overlooking the Atlantic ocean. This afternoon, visit the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the world's tallest minaret at 689 feet. Then stroll through the city’s Habous district and the mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace.

Day 3: Casablanca/Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sofitel Marrakech

Drive through the elegant Anfa neighborhood on the way to Marrakech, Morocco's legendary "pearl of the South." Enjoy a poolside lunch at the hotel before exploring the city of Marrakech. See the splendid Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs, and visit Bahia Palace. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; and soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where snake charmers and magicians captivate the passersby. Tonight, gather for a rooftop reception and dinner accompanied by traditional Gnaoua music in the heart of the old medina.

Day 4: Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sofitel Marrakech

Continue exploring the sites of Marrakech today. Meander through the stunning Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, and see an exclusive collection of Berber objects originating from diverse regions of Morocco at the Berber Museum. Explore historic Moroccan architecture with visits to the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Museum of Marrakech, located in the Dar Menebhi Palace. After lunch, venture back to the lively medina with our local guide or explore on your own.

Day 5: Telouet/Aït Benhaddou/Ouarzazate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Le Berbère Palace

Cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tichka Pass, stopping to board 4x4’s for the trip to the Kasbah of Telouet. Once home to the powerful Glaoui clan, the kasbah’s crumbling exterior belies its rich tile and woodwork. After lunch in the village, drive through the Ounina Valley to the ancient fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, and delve into its warren of twisting lanes and shops. Continue to Ouarzazate, a former colonial trading post, now known for its movie studios where films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were shot.

Day 6: Ouarzazate/Boumalne Dades

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Xaluca Dades

Learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Then set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs. Arrive in Boumalne Dades, a small town nestled amid the crags and plateaus of the semidesert landscape. After lunch, head out on a hike in the dramatic Dades Gorge and visit nearby villages.

Day 7: Erfoud/Rissani/Merzouga

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Follow the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Erfoud, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations. In Erfoud, climb into 4x4s for the drive into the desert. Visit the suq in Rissani, a historic camel caravan stop. Later, ride into the dunes on a camel to watch the sun set on the Sahara. Return to our deluxe Berber tented camp to dine under the star-studded sky and enjoy an evening of Berber folk music and tales around the campfire.

Day 8: Merzouga/Fez

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Sahrai

Awaken early for a walk across the sandscape as the rising sun paints the dunes orange and gold. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast, then head north into the high-mountain plains on your way to Fez. Arrive in Fez late this afternoon, and settle into your room at the stunning Hotel Sahrai perched above the city, your home for the next three nights.

Day 9: Fez

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel Sahrai

Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. Visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish Quarter. Delve into the lively medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Discover the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa, characterized by its intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque.

Day 10: Fez/Volubilis and Meknes

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Sahrai

Today you may choose to explore Fez at your own pace or take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a World Heritage site; and Meknes, Morocco’s 17th-century capital. Tonight, toast our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner and reception.

Day 11: Fez/U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, transfer to the Fez airport for your return flight or transfer to Casablanca for flights departing in the afternoon.

Day 1: Marrakesh – Tizi-n-Tichka pass – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge

You’re private the tour kicks off with a view of the Atlas Mountains as we snake through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass to the Unesco World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, famous on the big screen for movies like the Gladiator and the famous HBO series Game of Thrones. We’ll then continue to Ouarzazate to visit Atlas Film Studios and a Kasbah located in the city and later towards the valley of Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses. Then, we’ll drive to Dades Gorges where we spend this night.

Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga desert

Here, we’ll continue our tour by 4×4 and visit to Todra Gorge, a colorful narrow canyon famous for outdoor lovers. Then we’ll drive through the Ziz Valley to reach Erfoud, an oasis town known as the gate to the Sahara desert and recognized for its unique fossils. There we can visit a local factory which produces artisans and house decor made from fossils, there is also a local shop where you may purchase such items as souvenirs. From there we’ll continue to Rissani, where we’ll visit the local souk and then drive towards the desert to reach Merzouga. Arriving at a checkpoint we leave the vehicle and begin our camel ride into the desert dunes, accompanied by experienced guides, arriving at the Merzouga Desert Camp where we’ll stay overnight in Berbere tents. This spectacular night will be rendered unforgettable with a unique and traditional starlit Berbere dinner topped off by tribal music around a desert campfire.

Day 3: Merzouga desert

This day will be spent exploring the Merzouga desert. You’ll get a chance to “do your own thing”, with the option of camel trekking, or exploring via the comfort of a 4×4. We’ll also visit the Khamlia village famous for its traditional music. We simply can’t miss the opportunity of appreciating the sunset behind the dunes of the bewildering Sahara desert. Overnight at a local riad.

Day 4: Merzouga – Midelt – Fes

After fetching an early start to watch the sunrise in the desert, we’ll ride camelback to a nearby local hotel where you’ll get a chance to freshen up. After breakfast, at the hotel, we’ll drive through Rissani and Erfoud until we reach Midelt in the Atlas Mountains. There, we can stop for lunch before driving to Fes where we’ll stay overnight in a local hotel.

Day 5: Fes – Chefchaouen

We’ll start the day exploring the oldest city in Morocco, snaking through its alleys and narrow streets. Fes consists of three distinct parts; Fes el Bali (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) being the oldest of the three with more than 9000 narrow streets and alleys fortified by a large wall, Fes-Jdid “new Fez” (home of the Jewish quarter) and the “Ville Nouvelle”, the newest sector of Fez created during the French occupation. Later in the day, we’ll drive to Chefchaoune .where we’ll spend the night.

Day 6: Chefchaoun – Casablanca

Today we visit the main attractions and monuments of Chefchaoune, before driving to your hotel in Marrakesh.

Day 7: Airport transfer

Today its depends on your flight and we will transfer you to the airport where our service will end.