Morocco's Sahara Desert and Mysterious Lands Tour

First Impressions of Marrakesh

We meet at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport approximately three hours before our flight. After completing baggage, ticket and passport procedures, we fly to Marrakesh, Morocco, on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Upon arrival, we board the private vehicle waiting for us at the airport and head to the city centre.

We begin our city tour with the Koutoubia Minaret and Jemaa el-Fna Square, two of Marrakesh’s landmarks. One of Africa’s busiest squares, Jemaa el-Fna is home to street performers, traditional shows, snake charmers and open-air restaurants. The atmosphere in the square changes throughout the day.

After the tour, we head to our hotel. There is free time to settle into our rooms and rest. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

A Day Trip to Essaouira

After breakfast, we spend the day in Essaouira, a city on the Atlantic Ocean coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is known for its architecture reflecting the Portuguese period, its white and blue streets, art galleries and busy port. Known in Portuguese as Mogador, Essaouira has been a meeting place for different cultures throughout its history. This coastal city in Morocco has also been used as a filming location for productions such as Orson Welles’s Othello and Game of Thrones. During our tour, we see the Mellah Jewish Quarter, the Portuguese Fortress and the Fishing Port with its blue fishing boats. We walk along the broad streets of the old town, which intersect at right angles, observing traditional life and the local arts scene. After the tour, we return to Marrakesh. There is free time at our hotel to rest and reflect on the day. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

A Full Day in Marrakesh

After breakfast, we depart for the Marrakesh City Tour. During our visits to Jardin Majorelle and the Medina Markets, we explore Marrakesh’s history, art and shopping culture. Drawing European artists, designers, musicians and travellers since the beginning of the century, Marrakesh is an important centre bringing together Africa’s diverse cultures. In the city’s historic medina, we see traces of traditional life that continue today.

During our visit to Jardin Majorelle, we explore the exotic plant species, architecture and distinctive colours of the garden associated with Yves Saint Laurent. We allow time to explore the garden and take photographs. We then head to the Medina’s markets. We provide free time to browse spices, traditional Moroccan rugs, handcrafted leather goods, ceramics, argan products and local souvenirs in the shops lining the narrow streets. After the free time, we return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Ait Benhaddou and Film Studios

After breakfast, we leave Marrakesh and head towards Ouarzazate, taking in views of the Atlas Mountains along the way. We visit stops that reflect Morocco’s role in the film industry. Before reaching Ouarzazate, we explore Ait Benhaddou, known for its earthen architecture. This historic settlement, which has preserved its regional architecture for centuries, has served as a filming location for Hollywood productions such as The Message, The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander and Babel, as well as the television series Game of Thrones. We then continue to Atlas Film Studios. These studios, where many well-known films have been shot, are one of the reasons Ouarzazate is known as the Hollywood of Africa. After the visit, we transfer to our hotel in Ouarzazate, which has hosted figures such as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Martin Scorsese, as well as numerous film productions. After checking in, we have free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Tinghir to the Sahara

After breakfast, we depart from OUARZAZATE and head towards the Sahara Desert via TINGHIR. Along the way, we see Morocco’s changing geography, the outlines of the Atlas Mountains and desert landscapes. Our route takes us past traditional water channels, the Todra Valley and the M’Gouna region, known as the City of Roses.

At the end of the day, we arrive at our accommodation in the Sahara Desert and settle in. You then have free time to watch the sunset over the dunes. We spend the evening far from city lights, under the starry sky of the Sahara. We recommend watching and photographing the sunrise in the morning. 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. First, we take in the views of the Ziz Valley and stop for photos. We then reach the town of Midelt in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we continue to Ifrane in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. Known as Morocco’s Little Switzerland for its distinctive architecture, Ifrane offers a different setting from typical Moroccan cities, with European-style buildings and major ski resorts. After a short coffee break and a look around, we head to Fes. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel. There is free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Fez and the Blue City

After breakfast, we begin our tour of Fes. First, we see Bab-el Makhzen, the entrance gate to the royal palace, and the surrounding historic Mellah Jewish Quarter. We then walk through the narrow streets of Fes Medina, visiting historic madrasas, Karaouine University, Nejjarine Square, traditional copper and jewellery markets, and ceramic workshops. At the traditional tanneries, we observe the leather production process that has been used for centuries.

After our tour of Fes, we depart for Şafşavan. Known as the Blue City, Şafşavan is where we walk among blue-painted houses, stairways and streets. We have free time to explore the city and take photographs. We then transfer to our hotel in Tanja. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Rabat and Casablanca

After breakfast, we depart from Tanja for Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, as part of the From the Royal Cities to the Heart of the Atlantic: Rabat and Casablanca programme. Located on the banks of the Bou Regreg River, Rabat is known for its historic buildings and green spaces. During our city tour, we visit Kasbah Oudaya, Hasan Tower and the 5. Muhammed Mausoleum.

After exploring Rabat, we continue to Casablanca. Morocco’s economic centre and one of its major port cities, Casablanca owes much of its worldwide recognition to the Hollywood film Casablanca, set during World War II. On our panoramic city tour, we see Muhammed V. Square, Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic coast, Anfa and Zerktouni boulevards, and the Corniche stretching along the seafront. Our tour also includes a stop at Rick’s Café, inspired by the film and now one of the city’s landmarks.

After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. There is free time to rest. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel.

Return to Istanbul

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