Moroccan Sahara Desert and Morocco's Mysterious Lands Tour

We meet at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before our flight. After completing baggage and ticket procedures, we go through passport and boarding checks and fly to Casablanca on a scheduled Türk Hava Yolları flight. Upon arrival in Casablanca, we begin our city tour. One of Morocco’s main cities on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is among the country’s commercial and economic centres. The 1942 film Casablanca also helped make the city known worldwide. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film secured the city a lasting place in cinema history. During the tour, we see V. Muhammed Square, II. Hasan Mosque, one of Morocco’s religious buildings, Anfa and Zerktouni Boulevards in the bustling districts of modern Casablanca, and the Corniche along the Atlantic coast. We also view Rick’s Café from the outside, a venue inspired by the setting in the film Casablanca. After the city tour, we transfer to our hotel. There is free time to settle into our rooms and rest. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Located where the Bou Regreg River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Rabat combines historic heritage with modern city life. Shaped by various civilizations throughout its history, the city remains Morocco’s political and administrative center. During our tour, we see Kasbah Oudaya, the 12th-century Hasan Tower and the Muhammed V Mausoleum, built in memory of Muhammed V, a key figure in Morocco’s independence era. After our tour of Rabat, we set off for Tanja, which holds an important position in northern Morocco between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. On arrival, we explore the Medina, the city’s historic center. We then visit the Tomb of İbn Battuta, the traveler who left Morocco in the 14th century and journeyed across much of the world. After the visits, we transfer to our hotel in Tanja. There is free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Chefchaouen as part of the Morocco’s Colourful Heritage: Chefchaouen Medina and the Historic Treasures of Fez programme. Located in the foothills of the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is known for its blue-painted houses and narrow streets. During our walk through the city’s historic medina, we see streets in shades of blue, traditional houses and small squares. After the visit, we provide free time for guests who wish to have lunch and shop. We then set off for Fez. On arrival, we first see the Bab-el Makhzen gate, an example of Moroccan royal architecture, before walking through Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter. We continue our tour in the historic Medina of Fez. Walking through the narrow streets of the medina, a centre of trade and crafts for centuries, we see Karaouine University, historic madrasas and Nejjarine Square. Our route also takes us through markets selling traditional jewellery and copper goods, as well as workshops producing handmade ceramics. Around the Fez River, we also see the historic tanneries, where leather is still processed using traditional methods.

After breakfast, we leave Fes and head towards the Atlas Mountains. Our first stop is Ifrane, whose architecture and natural surroundings set it apart from other cities in Morocco. Known as Morocco’s Little Switzerland, the city is noted for its high altitude, orderly layout and European-style architecture. We allow a short period of free time in Ifrane, which is also an important destination for skiing during the winter months. We then travel to the town of Midelt in the Atlas Mountains and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Our journey continues towards the Sahara Desert. Watching the landscape change along the way, we arrive at our accommodation or camp in the desert region. After settling in, we take time to watch the sunset over the sand dunes. In the evening, we have the opportunity to watch the stars in the Saharan sky, far from city lights. We suggest that guests who wish to see the sunrise and photograph the scenery wake up early in the morning. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our property in the Sahara Desert.

After breakfast, we leave the Sahara Desert on the Following the Trail of Cinema: Todra Valley, Ait Benhaddou and Atlas Film Studios program, travelling through Tinghir towards Ouarzazate. On this long journey exploring Morocco’s natural and cultural features, we watch the landscape change as we travel from the desert to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we see water channels, Todra Valley and the M’Gouna region, known for rose production. We then arrive at Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s well-known historic settlements. With its traditional mud-brick architecture, this settlement was once an important stop on caravan routes. Productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Alexander, Babel and Game of Thrones have also helped make the settlement known in the film world. Continuing our tour, we see Hollywood Film Studios, closely associated with Morocco’s film industry. The desert and mountain landscapes provide natural filming locations, making Ouarzazate a popular centre for international film and television productions for many years. We then transfer to our hotel in Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we leave Ouarzazate and travel through the Atlas Mountains to Marakeş, one of Morocco’s best-known cities. An important stop on trade routes throughout history, Marakeş also plays an important role in Morocco’s cultural and artistic life. The city’s historic centre, traditional markets and architecture preserve traces of its past. On our city tour, we first see Koutoubia Mosque, one of Marakeş’s landmarks. We then have free time in Jemaa el-Fna Square, one of the city’s lively spots. Next, we see the area around Majorelle Gardens and observe traditional Moroccan life during our tour of the historic Medina district. After learning about argan oil, spices and local products, we have free time for shopping in the markets. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Essaouira on the Atlantic Ocean coast. Along the way, we see argan trees, one of Morocco’s characteristic plants. Essaouira developed as an important port city over the centuries and is known for its historic character, arts scene and urban layout. During our tour of the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we see the Mellah Jewish Quarter, the Portuguese Fortress and the Fishing Port, known for its blue boats. Its streets intersect at right angles, and its Atlantic coastal location sets the city apart from other Moroccan medinas. Essaouira has served as a filming location for various productions, notably Orson Welles’s Othello. In recent years, the filming of some scenes from Game of Thrones here has also increased the city’s international recognition. After our tour, we return to Marrakesh and transfer to our hotel. There is free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and head to our first stop of the day, the Majorelle Gardens. One of Marrakesh’s well-known attractions, the gardens were created by French painter and furniture designer Jacques Majorelle. With its exotic plant species and distinctive architecture, the garden became one of the city’s landmarks. It was later purchased and restored by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Today, it is among the city’s most visited sites. After our visit to the Majorelle Gardens, we transfer to the airport at the time announced by our guide. After completing baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, we depart for Istanbul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our journey, spanning Morocco’s Atlantic coast, historic medinas, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, ends upon our arrival in Istanbul.