Morocco 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, ticket and passport formalities, we fly to Marakeş on a scheduled Türk Hava Yolları flight. On arrival at Marakeş Airport, we begin our city tour in the private vehicle waiting for us. Marakeş, one of the distinctive cities of Fas, is also known as the Red City because of its red-toned buildings. During the tour, we see the Koutoubia Minaret, one of the city’s landmarks, then continue to Jemaa el-Fna Square, a centre of social life. Activity in the square varies throughout the day, with street performers, traditional shows, snake charmers and open-air restaurants. After the city tour, we go to our hotel and settle into our rooms. The rest of the day is free time to relax or explore the surrounding area. We have dinner at our hotel and stay there overnight.

After breakfast, we depart for Essaouira. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essaouira developed over the centuries as an important port and trading centre. The city has a strong Portuguese influence in its past and is also referred to in historical sources by its former name, Mogador. During our tour, we see the Mellah Jewish Quarter, the Portuguese Fortress and the fishing port known for its blue boats. Streets intersecting at right angles in the old town give Essaouira an open, airy feel that sets it apart from Morocco’s other historic cities. Essaouira and its surroundings have served as filming locations for various productions, notably Orson Welles’s Othello and the series Game of Thrones. After the tour, we set off back to Marrakesh. Following the transfer to our hotel, you have free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we continue our tour of Marrakesh. An important trading centre in North Africa for centuries, Marrakesh is a meeting point for different cultures, with art and architecture woven into the city’s fabric. Traditional life continues in the historic Medina district. One of our first stops of the day is Jardin Majorelle. Created by French painter and designer Jacques Majorelle, the garden is one of the city’s landmarks, known for its exotic plants, cacti and architecture. Later purchased and restored by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, the garden offers a setting for a walk, with time to take photographs. We then depart for Ouarzazate. Before reaching the city, we visit Ait Benhaddou. This historic settlement, with its traditional mud-brick architecture, was once an important stop on caravan routes. Today, it is known as a filming location for productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Alexander, Babel and Game of Thrones. We then see Atlas Film Studios. The desert and mountain scenery in and around Ouarzazate makes the area well suited to international film productions. After the tours, we transfer to our hotel in Ouarzazate. There is free time at the hotel.

After breakfast, we depart from OUARZAZATE for the Sahara Desert. Travelling via Tinghir, we see views of the Atlas Mountains and the desert. Along the way, we see the Todra Valley and the region’s traditional water channels, and pass through the M’Gouna region, known for rose production. We arrive at our accommodation or camp in the Sahara Desert and settle in. Then we have free time to watch the sunset over the sand dunes. In the evening, we have the opportunity to watch the stars far from city lights. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel. Early the next morning, guests who wish can watch the sunrise over the desert.

After breakfast, we leave the SAHARA DESERT and travel through the Atlas Mountains towards Fes via the Ziz Valley and Midelt. After a photo stop in the Ziz Valley, we reach the town of Midelt and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. We then continue to Ifrane. Located in the Atlas Mountains, Ifrane has a different appearance from other cities in Morocco due to its European-style architecture and high altitude. An important ski resort during the winter months, the city is known as Morocco’s Little Switzerland for these features. After a coffee break in Ifrane, we depart for Fes. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Free time is provided to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we set out on a city tour of Fez. In Fez, one of Morocco’s cultural and historical centres, our first stop is Bab-el Makhzen Gate, one of the entrances to the royal palace. We then walk through the Mellah Jewish Quarter to the historic Medina. As we make our way through the narrow streets, we see Karaouine University, historic madrasas and Nejjarine Square. The markets, where traditional Moroccan crafts are still practised, offer jewellery, copperware, handmade ceramics and various local products. Our tour also includes stops at the historic tanneries near the Fez River, where leather is processed using traditional methods. After our visit to Fez, we depart for Chefchaouen. We walk through the historic medina of this city, located in the foothills of the Rif Mountains and known worldwide for its blue-painted houses. We allow free time in Chefchaouen for guests who wish to shop. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Tanja. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

After breakfast, we depart from TANJA for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Located on the banks of the Bou Regreg River, Rabat brings together historic buildings and modern city life. During the city tour, we see Kasbah Oudaya, Hasan Tower and the V. Muhammed Mausoleum. After our visit to Rabat, we depart for Casablanca. On arrival, we begin our city tour. Located on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca has been an important port city throughout its history and is now one of Morocco’s centres of trade and commerce. Cinema has also played a role in bringing the city international recognition. The film Casablanca, which reflects the atmosphere of World War II, has secured the city’s name a place in world cinema history. During the city tour, we see V. Muhammed Square, II. Hasan Mosque, Anfa and Zerktouni Boulevards, and the Corniche on the Atlantic coast. We also view Rick’s Café, one of Casablanca’s venues associated with cinema, as we pass by. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms. At the time specified by our guide, we leave our hotel for our return to Istanbul. We complete baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures at Casablanca Airport and depart for Istanbul on a scheduled Türk Hava Yolları flight. Our tour, covering various cities in Morocco, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, historic medinas and the Atlantic coast, ends upon arrival at Istanbul Airport.