Morocco's Sahara Desert and Mysterious Lands Tour

First Evening in Marrakesh

We meet at Istanbul Airport’s International Terminal approximately three hours before our flight. After completing baggage check-in and ticket formalities, we fly to Marakeş, Morocco, on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the city centre in a private vehicle waiting for us at the airport. After checking in, you can spend the rest of the day resting or exploring Marakeş, the Red City. We spend the night at our hotel in Marakeş.

A Day Trip to Essaouira

After breakfast, we depart from Marakeş for Essaouira, a port city on the Atlantic Ocean coast. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essaouira brings together Morocco’s traditional character and the artistic life of the Atlantic coast. Influenced by various cultures throughout its history, the city is also known as Mogador, its name during the Portuguese period.

In this city of blue and white, we visit the Mellah Jewish Quarter, the Portuguese Fortress and the Fishing Harbour with its blue boats. In the old city centre, we see wide streets that intersect at right angles, traditional shops and art workshops. We also visit filming locations for Othello and Game of Thrones to learn about the city’s role in cinema and television. Essaouira’s natural surroundings and historic character have made it a filming location for many productions.

After the tour, we return to Marakeş and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Jardin Majorelle to Ait Benhaddou

After breakfast, we begin our city tour of Marrakesh. Our stops include Koutoubia Minaret and Jemaa el-Fna Square. Busy throughout the day, the square features street performances, snake charmers and open-air restaurants serving traditional food. As we walk through Marrakesh’s historic medina, we observe the city’s traditional way of life, which has continued for centuries. Bringing together different cultures through its location on African trade routes, the city has inspired artists, designers and travellers.

We then visit Jardin Majorelle. Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later associated with Yves Saint Laurent, the garden offers a variety of photo opportunities with its exotic plants, architecture and distinctive colours.

Leaving Marrakesh, we head towards Ouarzazate. Along the way, we see Ait Benhaddou, a filming location for Gladiator, Babel, Alexander, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, The Message and Game of Thrones. With its traditional earthen buildings in natural earth tones, this historic town has long hosted film productions.

We then visit the Atlas Film Studios area. During this visit, we see why Ouarzazate is known as the Hollywood of Africa. After our tour, we check in to our hotel in Ouarzazate, where many famous films have been shot. There is free time to rest for the remainder of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Tinghir to the Sahara

After breakfast, we depart from OUARZAZATE and travel via TINGHIR towards the SAHARA DESERT. Throughout our journey through southern Morocco, we see the region’s changing geography, with desert landscapes and the Atlas Mountains along the way. We explore traditional water channels, Todra Valley and M’Gouna, the City of Roses, learning about the region’s natural features and traditional way of life.

At the end of the day, we arrive at the camp or hotel where we will stay in the Sahara Desert. After settling in, we have time to explore the surroundings and watch the sunset over the dunes. At night, we have an opportunity to observe the stars. We recommend watching the sunrise early in the morning and photographing the Sahara landscape. Dinner and overnight stay at our accommodation in the Sahara Desert.

Through the Atlas Mountains to Fes

After breakfast, we leave the Sahara Desert and set off for Fes. On our journey from the desert landscape to the Atlas Mountains, we stop to photograph the views of the Ziz Valley. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Midelt along the way, then continue towards the Atlas Mountains.

Our next stop is Ifrane, known as Morocco’s Little Switzerland. With architecture reminiscent of European cities, orderly streets and surrounding natural areas, Ifrane looks different from the country’s other cities and is also a major ski resort. After a coffee break here, we continue our journey to Fes. Upon arrival in Fes, we transfer to our hotel, followed by free time. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Fez and the Blue City

After breakfast, we begin exploring Fes, one of Morocco’s cultural capitals. On our city tour, we visit Bab-el Makhzen Gate and the historic Mellah Quarter, which reflect Fes’s royal and Jewish heritage. We then explore the historic medina, known for its narrow, interconnected streets. We examine examples of traditional Moroccan architecture in its madrasas, Karaouine University and Nejjarine Square. In the markets where traditional crafts are still practised, you can take a closer look at Moroccan jewellery and copperwork, and watch traditional production techniques in ceramic workshops. We learn about the city’s craft traditions by observing the leatherworking that continues in its historic tanneries.

After our tour of Fes, we depart for Şafşavan. We walk through Şafşavan, known as the Blue City, to see its blue streets, houses and stairways. After the tour, we provide free time for guests who wish to shop. We then transfer to our hotel in Tanja. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Rabat and Casablanca

After breakfast, we depart for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Located on the banks of the Bou Regreg River, Rabat stands apart from Morocco’s other cities with its extensive green spaces and historic character. During our city tour, we visit important landmarks of the capital, including Kasbah Oudaya, Hasan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

After our visit to Rabat, we head to Casablanca, the country’s economic and commercial capital. The Hollywood film bearing the city’s name captured the atmosphere of World War II and played an important role in making Casablanca known worldwide.

We begin our city tour of Casablanca, one of Morocco’s largest cities and one of Africa’s major port cities. On our panoramic tour, we see Mohammed V Square, Hassan II Mosque, Anfa and Zerktouni Boulevards, and the Corniche along the Atlantic coast. We also see Rick’s Café, which was created to evoke the atmosphere of the film Casablanca. Over time, the venue has become one of the city’s landmarks and a popular stop for film enthusiasts.

After completing our city tour, we check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Return to Istanbul

After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and leave the hotel at the time specified by our guide for the airport transfer. At Casablanca Airport, we complete baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures before departing for Istanbul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul.