Morocco Tours – Explore the Ancient Wonders of Meknes and the Sahara Desert

Morocco Tours

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Wander through old medinas on a Morocco Tours. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and uncover the secrets of Morocco’s glorious dynasties.

Marrakech

Discover the exotic beauty of Morocco with tours that take you to enchanting cities and stunning nature. Trace the influence of the Phoenicians, Romans, Berbers and Arabs in imperial palaces, sacred mosques and ancient adobe fortresses. Venture to jaw-dropping mountain ranges with canyons, gorges and oasis towns and sleep under the stars in the Saharan dunes.

Morocco is a place of extreme contrasts. Embark on an adventure that sees you waking up in the medieval Medina of Marrakech and soaring through the clouds on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. You’ll also explore the traditional architecture of Moroccan maalems (master artisans) in a 19th-century mansion in the Palmeraie and delve into the brilliance of Islamic design in the medina’s vast mosques and ornate tombs.

Visit a local hammam, one of the 5 traditional elements of Moroccan life, to see how this invigorating bath ritual is used as an important form of self-care for both body and soul. Afterwards, sit back in a rooftop bar and enjoy the views of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Rabat

Rabat is a small city, so getting around is easy. The best way to get around is by taxis, which are relatively inexpensive and can be arranged by your hotel. You can also take a grand taxi, which is a large Mercedes that offers shared rides to other cities and tends to overcharge. Alternatively, private companies offer intercity transfers in newer cars with English-speaking drivers.

A modern metropolis with a rich historical tapestry, Rabat is home to a majestic Hassan Tower and serene Andalusian Gardens. This tour explores the capital’s many treasures, from the regal Kasbah des Oudeyas to the Rabat Archaeological Museum and Chellah Roman fort.

This trip is a dream come true for anyone with an intrepid spirit and love of history. Trace the influences of Phoenicians, Romans, Berbers, and Arabs as you stroll through Morocco’s imperial cities and souks, and discover centuries-old artistry in palaces and madrassas. In between, delve into desert oases and red-rock gorges, and camp beneath the Saharan stars. It’s an experience that’ll leave you wanting more.

Meknes

Quieter and less touristy than its grand neighbour Fez, Meknes is an imperial city brimming with Moroccan and Spanish military architecture. Visit the ornate tomb of Moulay Ismail, a former ruler who granted Meknes its status as a capital, and see the city’s impressive gate, Bab el Mansour. Meknes also boasts a surprisingly well-preserved Roman outpost, Volubilis, which you can explore on foot and spot the intricate mosaic tilework.

For a bite to eat, head to Bar Pegale. This is a great spot for grilled meat and fries while enjoying a cold beer. The ambiance is very relaxing with soft background jazz music. The bar also serves delicious pizzas and shrimp tagine. They serve good cocktails and wines as well. It’s a good idea to tip the wait staff here. This is a common practice in Morocco. It’s usually 5-10% of the bill. This helps the servers with a better life and supports them and their families. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. It’s a great place to relax and unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

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Fez

After your visit to Volubilis, head to Meknes, the former capital of Morocco. Here, you’ll explore the city’s old medina through its interesting gate of Bab Mansour that incorporates marble pillars from the Roman ruins of Volubilis. You’ll also see the tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and tour Meknes’ impressive Agdal reservoir and Heri es-Souani.

In the evening, drive to Fez, where you’ll stay in a traditional riad. Here you can visit the famous tanneries where hides and leather are still tanned and dyed using medieval methods. Previous kimkim travelers have remarked that the odor can be strong, but they say it’s well worth it to witness this unique aspect of Fez culture.

You’ll then take a guided tour of the city’s sprawling medina of Fes el Bali. Here you’ll discover architectural gems like the Koutoubia Mosque and El Bahia Palace, stroll through Djemaa el-Fna, where snake charmers and acrobats vie for attention, and tour the Majorelle Garden and its excellent Berber Museum. You’ll also tour the sprawling Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world.

Merzouga

The Sahara Desert is a highlight for many travellers and the village of Merzouga is the main entry point. From here you can take a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes. There are also many tented camps in the area, which offer a more luxurious experience.

A trip to the desert is best done during the day, but a night at a desert camp is a truly magical experience. The sunset is spectacular from the dunes and it’s great to sit back and just watch the sky turn different colours.

The sahara is a very remote place and the people of Merzouga are friendly (although they may try to sell you something). Visit the market in town, which has some interesting Berber products. The town is famous for the Gnawa music group and they often play for guests, so stop by!

Travel Talk Morocco Tours will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Marrakech. Enjoy an optional group dinner and mingle with other fellow travellers.

Todra Gorge

A true highlight of the Atlas Mountains is Todra Gorge or Todgha. It’s a stunning gorge carved out of the rock walls and is a true paradise for climbers. Many tourists and day trippers pass through this gorge on their way to other destinations but it is well worth staying for an overnight here.

You can do a one-day excursion here from Marrakech but it is better to include Todra Gorge as part of a multi-day tour that also includes a visit to the desert of Merzouga, Ait Ben Haddou or the Ouarzazate Rose Valley. The longer tours that include an overnight stay here offer the chance to explore more of the region and get a feel for how local people live and work in this very rural area.

The villagers here are very friendly and will frequently invite you into their homes to make tea and show you around the beautiful traditional buildings. If you have an Epic guide they will be able to help you converse with the villagers in their native language (Tamazight) which creates some wonderful genuine cross-cultural interaction.

Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco is one of those destinations that seems to be rising in popularity fairly swiftly, largely thanks to social media. And with good reason – the country is bursting with unique culture and history, delicious food, and stunning landscapes and cities.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou and Ait-el-Fouad are two of the most impressive sights on this route. The kasbahs were built along the caravan routes from Marrakech to Sahara and are now home to only four families who live within their walls.

You can visit Ait Ben Haddou on a day trip from Marrakech. However, the road is a bumpy, winding one that takes you over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and through the Atlas Mountains to Ait Ben Haddou. It’s not ideal for those who are prone to carsickness or those with children in the car.

Because the village is a living space rather than a tourist attraction, there are no official opening hours for Ait Ben Haddou. However, many of the individual buildings do have their own entry fees.

Essaouira

The waves pounding against the shoreline of Essaouira are a magnet for surfers, but its seaside medina has also enchanted artists for generations. Legend has it that nearby ruins were the inspiration for Hendrix’s “Castles Made of Sand.” The city’s wave-battered walls also graced the opening scene in Orson Welles’ Othello.

The town’s artisanal heritage continues to thrive. Wander through the small shops stocked with everything from inlaid cabinetwork to saffron and argan oil. Then visit the Iconic History Museum, which features beautiful historical artifacts from the city’s past.

This Morocco Tour takes you beyond the famous destinations of the country to uncover the true heart of Morocco. From the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen to the animated medina in Meknes and the Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech, this Premium trip is packed with incredible highlights.

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