Desert, Mountain, Sea, Oasis and Cities – 12 days

Upon arrival at Casablanca airport, our guide will be waiting for you promptly, with proper identification, to welcome you with all the attention.

In Casablanca, the main attraction is the majestic Hassan II Mosque, built over the sea. It is the only one in the country open to non-Muslims. Impressive in its grandeur, the mosque is the tallest in the world outside of Mecca. During the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to learn in detail about this emblematic and beautiful heritage of Morocco.

You can also explore the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, built by the French in 1954, whose stunning stained glass windows will delight you.

We will then head to Rabat (a journey of just one hour), where you can admire the beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues and generous green spaces.

Rabat is a city that flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries after the expulsion of the Andalusians from the Iberian Peninsula. Surrounded by three walls that reflect the most important phases of its history — the Almohad, Andalusian and Alawite walls — the city is rich in history and architecture. During the visit, your guide will take you along the walls and past the city’s main tourist attractions, such as the iconic Hassan Tower, located on top of an imposing mosque, the opulent tomb of Mohammed V, among other historical monuments.

Chefchaouen, the blue pearl of Morocco

Arriving in Chefchaouen means entering a labyrinth of charming streets that set it apart from other Moroccan medinas, as it has a unique order and organization. All roads lead to Hamman Square, where the largest mosque and meeting place for the locals is located.

With a peaceful medina nestled between the Rif and Middle Atlas mountains, Chefchaouen is renowned for its crafts and delicious goat cheese. Perched, anonymous and discreet between the mountains, the city is extraordinarily picturesque and charming, ideal for those who enjoy exploring a city freely and discovering fascinating details, whether in its culture or architecture. Climb to the top of a hill and enjoy the panoramic view, with its soft and continuous tones bathed in light, absorbing all the serenity of this enchanting setting.

The imperial city of Meknes

Sultan Moulay Ismail dreamed of transforming Meknes into the most splendid city in North Africa. A contemporary of Louis XIV of France, Moulay Ismail maintained relations with the French king and, inspired by the splendor of the European court, sought to imitate the style and grandeur of Versailles. Thus, he became famous, even proposing marriage to the daughter of the French king. The city is even known as the “Versailles of the Maghreb”. During the visit, with the support of our guide, you will be able to explore the most emblematic places of Meknes. In addition, the region is famous for its wine production, especially of French varieties, highly appreciated for their quality.

Roman ruins of Volubilis

Next, we continue to the ruins of Volubilis, an exceptionally well-preserved example of an ancient Roman colonial city. Marking the southern border of the empire, Volubilis was the main Roman administrative centre in Africa outside of Egypt. Here, you can take a guided tour of the area and learn more about the rich history and architectural legacy of this impressive archaeological site.

In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Fes, where you will have time to enjoy the city at its most splendid, bathed in the soft light of dusk. Before calling it a day, we will take a short panoramic tour of the city.

 Fes: um labirinto encantado abrigado do tempo

Portanto, este dia será dedicado à visita desta cidade misteriosa. Com o auxílio de um guia especializado exclusivamente em Fes, poderá mergulhar nos seus recantos, tradições, estórias e histórias.

Fes foi, outrora, a capital de Marrocos e possui influências fatímidas, andaluzas, árabes, berberes e judaicas. A cidade alcançou o seu auge no século XIII, quando se tornou um importante pólo de conhecimento, abrigando uma das mais antigas universidades do mundo.

A Medina de Fes é a maior e mais impressionante de todas as medinas históricas do Norte de África, com as suas ruas labirínticas e secretas, onde o comércio tradicional e curtumes prospera e o couro é ainda trabalhado de acordo com técnicas ancestrais. No decorrer da sua visita, explore as famosas tinturarias de peles “Chouara”, um marco da cidade.

Além disso, poderá visitar os principais pontos de interesse cultural e histórico da cidade. Entre os destaques, encontramos a Universidade Al Quaraouiyine, reconhecida pela UNESCO como a instituição de ensino mais antiga do mundo capaz de emitir diplomas.

Terá também a oportunidade de conhecer diversas escolas corânicas, onde poderá admirar alguns dos melhores exemplos da delicadeza da decoração marroquina.

Termine este dia, fazendo um tour de artesanato e visitando o Palácio Real (pelo exterior) onde irá apreciar as suas sete portas em bronze, adornadas com milhares de pequenos azueljos de cerâmica.

Ifrane

During the trip, we will make a brief stop in Ifrane, a charming town located between the Grand Atlas and the Middle Atlas. This privileged location allows you to admire the lush mountain landscape. Along the way, you may see monkeys and other animals typical of these cedar forests.

Erfoud

On the way, we will also pass through Erfoud. Nearby, there are excavations where today you can find numerous fossils of trilobites, among other primitive species. These discoveries confirm that, in ancient times, the floor of the Sahara Desert was the bottom of an ocean. Here, you will have the opportunity to admire an exhibition of fossils.

Sahara Desert (Merzouga)

At the end of the day, after arriving at the hotel overlooking the Erg Cbebbi dunes, you will be welcomed with warm Moroccan hospitality. After a delicious dinner, enjoy the night in this mystical and magnetic place, surrounded by the immensity of the desert dunes.

Durante o dia, pode aventurar-se em diversas atividades no deserto, desde emocionantes passeios de quadriciclos nas dunas até à participação em ateliers de cozinha marroquina, ou até mesmo interação com os nómadas, embrenhando-se na sua música e tradições, numa imersão cultural única.

Khamlia e Rissani

A próxima paragem será o refúgio dos povos nómadas de Khamlia, uma aldeia remota onde vive o povo Gnawa, orginalmente trazido do Sudão como escravos. Nesta aldeia isolada, poderá apreciar a música vibrante, o estilo de vida, a cultura e as tradições dos Gnawa, descobrindo um lado autêntico e profundo no coração do Saara.

Após essa experiência, terá ainda oportunidade de almoçar com uma família local e partilhar os seus costumes.

Depois, seguimos para Rissani, cidade que já foi capital de Marrocos. Aqui, encontrará um famoso “souk”, onde poderá adquirir variadas peças de artesanato local a preços acessíveis. Pouco explorado pelo turismo de massa, este local preserva a sua autenticidade. Aproveite para provar a tradicional pizza berbere, preparada ainda por métodos ancestrais.

Dunas do Sahara (Erg Chebbi)

Ao fim da tarde, embarque numa viagem de dromedário pelas dunas de Erg Chebbi, num passeio de cerca de uma hora, até chegar à tenda berbere onde passará a noite. As cores do fim de tarde sobre as dunas são um verdadeiro deleite para os amantes de fotografia, oferecendo um espetáculo visual sublime.

À noite, será servido o jantar, seguido de uma apresentação de música tradicional ao vivo ao redor de uma fogueira. A combinação de tambores e guitarras cria uma atmosfera irresistível e envolvente. Por fim, chega então o momento do impressionante e mágico silêncio absoluto do deserto, que convida à introspeção. Sob um céu límpido e repleto de estrelas, viverá, sem dúvida, uma experiência inesquecível.

During the day, you can indulge in a variety of desert activities, from thrilling quad bike rides in the dunes to participating in Moroccan cooking workshops, or even interacting with the nomads, immersing yourself in their music and traditions, for a unique cultural immersion.

Khamlia and Rissani

The next stop will be the nomadic refuge of Khamlia, a remote village home to the Gnawa people, originally brought from Sudan as slaves. In this isolated village, you will be able to enjoy the vibrant music, lifestyle, culture and traditions of the Gnawa, discovering an authentic and profound side to the heart of the Sahara.

After this experience, you will also have the opportunity to have lunch with a local family and share their customs.

We will then head to Rissani, a city that was once the capital of Morocco. Here, you will find a famous souk, where you can buy a variety of local handicrafts at affordable prices. Little explored by mass tourism, this place has preserved its authenticity. Take the opportunity to try the traditional Berber pizza, still prepared using ancestral methods.

Sahara Dunes (Erg Chebbi)

In the late afternoon, embark on a camel ride through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a ride lasting about an hour, until you reach the Berber tent where you will spend the night. The colours of the late afternoon over the dunes are a real delight for photography lovers, offering a sublime visual spectacle.

In the evening, dinner will be served, followed by a live traditional music performance around a campfire. The combination of drums and guitars creates an irresistible and captivating atmosphere. Finally, the moment of the impressive and magical absolute silence of the desert arrives, inviting introspection. Under a clear sky full of stars, you will undoubtedly live an unforgettable experience.

During the trip, we will visit the Todra Gorges, where impressive cliffs reach 300 m in height, separated by a distance of just 15 m. There will be time to enjoy a walk along the river, surrounded by the sumptuousness of this unique rocky landscape.

The Dades Valley, a place of stunning beauty and geological interest

This valley boasts a diversity of landscapes, ranging from arid mountains similar to those of the desert; a fertile valley where you can hear the sounds and smells of nature; mountains where, in winter, you can see snow and several typical Kashbahs, ancient walled villages. You will also be able to see Jbel Saghro, a mountain even more arid than the rest of the range, whose landscape is often compared to the surface of the Moon.

Our journey continues along the high mountain roads of the High Atlas. Take the opportunity to take photos while enjoying the pure air and serenity of this majestic mountainous region.

Ouarzazate is known as the city of the “Gates of the Desert” due to its strategic location between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. In this city you can visit the Kasbah Taouirt, an ancient fortress that houses the palace of Pasha Glaoui, located near the Medina. Also, be sure to explore the renowned film studios (Atlas Studios), where several historical films were filmed, including the iconic Lawrence of Arabia.

Shortly after, we will stop at Ait Benhaddou, a very important site on the route of the ‘Thousand Kasbahs’, which has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. First of all, this place is especially famous for having served as the setting for many Hollywood films, such as The Mummy, Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

On the way to Imlil, if you are interested, we can make some stops such as visiting the craft cooperatives and observing the production, still in an artisanal way, of the famous Moroccan carpets, as well as learning about the manufacture of argan oil, among other products.

Imlil

Imlil é uma vila típica do Atlas, situada a 1760 m de altitude. Aqui, poderá apreciar toda a beleza, sossego e imponência das montanhas. Localizada perto de Marraquexe, Imlil é o destino ideal para quem gosta de atividades ao ar livre e caminhadas, seja a pé ou de mula, pelas montanhas. Entres os picos contíguos à vila, destaca-se o monte Toubkal, o ponto mais alto do Norte de África, com 4167 m de altitude.

Assim, as caminhadas guiadas pelo Atlas incluem um picnic na montanha ou, alternativamente, um almoço na casa de uma família berbere. Nesta experiência, ficará encantado com a hospitalidade local e terá a oportunidade de interagir com os habitantes da região.

Além disso, há diversas paisagens fascinantes que podem ser visitadas a partir de Imlil. Entre elas estão o Lago Takerkoust, pequenas vilas do Atlas berberes e ainda os locais onde os tradicionais tapetes marroquinos são manufaturados.

A meio da tarde, partida para Essaouira.

Essaouira is one of the most charming cities on the Moroccan coast and a multicultural artistic hub that has captivated figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Orson Welles and Bob Marley. With a maritime aroma that constantly invades the corners of its medina, the city is notable for its vibrant urban life, rich culture and gastronomic offer.

Since the time when Carthage was an empire, this coastal area has always been considered one of the best anchorage areas in the North African Atlantic. Its medina, built in the 18th century, is one of the few in the world that actually had an architectural plan. It was at that time that the city was named Essaouira, which literally means “the beautifully designed”. The city is also home to the famous Gnoa Music Festival, an ancient spiritual art of North African Islam. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, we will head to Marrakesh, an imperial city with a vibrant and dynamic hustle and bustle.

During the day, a guide dedicated exclusively to the city of Marrakesh will accompany you, allowing you to enjoy the best the city has to offer. With him, you will explore the city’s rich history and experience the atmosphere of fantasy and surprise that Marrakesh constantly provides.

Among the must-see monuments to visit, the following stand out:

Madrassa Ben Youssef: This Islamic college was built in the 12th century by order of Sultan Ali Ibn Yusuf of Morocco and today functions as a museum. The interiors are wonderfully decorated and the architecture is stunning.

Koutoubia Mosque: This is undoubtedly the most famous and most photographed monument in Marrakesh. The Koutoubia Mosque was built in the 12th century and was the model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat, reflecting the grandeur of Islamic architecture.

Bahia Palace: This beautiful and extravagant 19th-century palace was built to be the finest in Marrakesh. It has a huge garden, a central courtyard and several rooms decorated with the work of artisans who came specifically from the city of Fes to work here.

Saadian Tombs: Built by Ahmad al-Mansur in the 16th century, these tombs and mausoleum house the remains of around 60 members of the Saadian Dynasty, which originated in the Draa River valley in the south of the country. Interestingly, the tombs were only discovered in 1917. Today, they are one of the most visited monuments in Marrakesh.

Palais Dar Bacha (or Musée de Confluences): This wonderful example of Arab architecture has a very special café where you can taste coffees from all over the world in a welcoming atmosphere.

Jama el Fna Square, the liveliest part of the city, classified as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Here you will find various exotic shows, snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, crafts and many stalls selling traditional street food, representing the best specialities of the country.

Majorelle Gardens: This is the only botanical garden in Marrakech. Designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle and owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé since 1980, the garden offers an enchanting experience with exotic flowers from around the world.

Yves Saint Laurent Museum: The museum houses a permanent exhibition, as well as temporary exhibitions, featuring the masterpieces of this famous creator. The building combines modern architecture with traditional touches, creating a culturally rich environment.

La Menara: Located just 2 km from Jemaa el-Fna Square, this garden is therefore the favorite place for Marrakchis, that is, the inhabitants of Marrakech, to take a relaxing Sunday afternoon stroll. These gardens were built in the 12th century, but the current building dates back to the 16th century.

The modern Gueliz neighborhood: This neighborhood stands out for its architecture, which is very well integrated into the spirit of the city, in a harmonious way and with a contemporary vision.

Transfer to the airport, where we say goodbye, wishing you a safe trip back with memories full of good memories and a heart enchanted by this magical country!