Elegant Fas Icons & Grand Sahara Desert Tour - with Air Arabia - Extra Tours Included

Day 1              ISTANBUL

We meet three hours before our flight at the international departures terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Day 2              ISTANBUL – CASABLANCA – MAJORELLE GARDENS – MARRAKECH

After completing luggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight departs with Air Arabia Airlines to Casablanca. Upon arrival at Casablanca airport, we transfer to Marrakech with our private bus. After arriving in Marrakech, we depart for a full-day tour of the Red City. We will see the Koutoubia Minaret, the vibrant Jemaa el-Fnaa square which showcases the colors of Africa, street performances, snake charmers, open-air restaurants, and panoramic city views. Afterwards, we will visit the Bahia Palace decorated with traditional Moroccan tiles. Marrakech has been a favored destination for many European fashion designers, artists, musicians, and explorers since the early 1900s. It also hosts a variety of colors from across Africa due to its importance as a trading hub. The old medina still preserves medieval living traditions. Next, we visit Jardin Majorelle, the hidden garden of Yves Saint Laurent, which is one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture. You will have the chance to see and photograph exotic plants. After the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. **Dinner** and overnight at our hotel.

Route: Casablanca-Marrakech 250 km (3 hours 30 minutes)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: Be sure to try fresh fruit juices at Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

Day 3            MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Essaouira, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Sitting on the Atlantic Ocean coast, Essaouira is a port city blending art and old culture, also known as Mogador in Portuguese. It has been a backdrop for many productions including Orson Welles’ Othello and the popular series Game of Thrones. Our sightseeing tour includes the Jewish Mellah quarter, the Portuguese fortress, the fishing harbor with colorful boats, and the labyrinthine streets of the old town. Afterwards, we transfer back to our hotel in Marrakech for rest and leisure. **Dinner** and overnight at the hotel.

Route: Essaouira-Marrakech 175 km (3 hours)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: You should try fresh seafood and fish.

Shopping Advice: You can purchase famous Moroccan argan oil and cosmetic products based on argan oil.

Day 4            MARRAKECH – FILM STUDIOS – AIT BENHADDOU – OUARZAZATE

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Ouarzazate. Along the way, we will see locations used in many Hollywood movies such as The Call of the Wild, The Nile’s Jewel, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander the Great, Babel, and more recently, the hit TV series Game of Thrones. We will visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Hollywood film studios. We’ll have lunch in Ait Benhaddou, then arrive at our hotel in Ouarzazate, which has hosted many Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Martin Scorsese. **Dinner** and overnight at the hotel.

Route: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate 215 km (4 hours)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: Try lamb tagine and Moroccan salad.

Shopping Advice: You can buy Moroccan ceramics and pottery.

Day 5            OUARZAZATE – TINGHIR – ERFOUD

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Tinghir. The day will be like a journey through the desert and Atlas Mountains, with sights of the desert landscape on one side and the mountains on the other. Along the route, we will see the irrigation channels, the Todra Gorge, and the rose city of M’gouna. We then reach Erfoud and settle into our hotel. Afterward, we depart for the **Sunset in the Sahara Desert** jeep and camel safari tour. We will visit the sand dunes to watch the sunset in the desert. After the sunset, we return to our hotel in Erfoud. **Dinner** and overnight stay at our hotel.

Route: Ouarzazate-Tinghir 175 km (2 hours 30 minutes), Tinghir-Merzouga (Sahara Desert) 200 km (3 hours)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: Try Moroccan-style couscous or Tagine (meat or chicken stew).

Shopping Advice: You can purchase valuable fossils, rose water, rose-scented cosmetics, and traditional Berber carpets.

Day 6            ERFOUD – MIDELT – IFRANE – FEZ

After breakfast at the hotel, we head towards Fez. En route, we will have the chance to photograph the magnificent Ziz Valley. We then stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Midelt. Continuing on, we visit Ifrane, known as Morocco’s Switzerland, with its alpine-style architecture and ski resort. Here, we will take a coffee break before transferring to our hotel in Fez for rest. **Dinner** and overnight at the hotel.

Route: Merzouga (Sahara Desert) - Ifrane 400 km (6 hours), Ifrane-Fez 70 km (1 hour)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: You should try trout in Midelt and apple pie.

Shopping Advice: You can buy leather and ceramic products.

Day 7            FEZ – CHEFCHAOUEN – TANGIER

After breakfast at the hotel, we start exploring the Fez Medina. We will visit the royal palace gate Bab el Makhzen, walk through the Jewish Mellah, explore the narrow streets of the historic Medina, visit Attarine Madrasa, the University of al-Qarawiyyin, Nejjarine Square, and the traditional tanneries by the river. Then, we head to the Blue City, Chefchaouen. After walking through its famous blue alleyways, there will be free time for shopping. We will then transfer to our hotel in Tangier for rest and leisure. **Dinner** and overnight at the hotel.

Route: Fez-Chefchaouen 200 km (3 hours 45 minutes)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: Try local Tagine and blue cheese.

Shopping Advice: You can buy traditional Berber scarves and handicrafts.

Day 8            TANGIER – RABAT – CASABLANCA

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin a city tour of Tangier. Highlights include the Tangier Medina, Ibn Batuta’s Tomb, and panoramic views. Then, we head to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, situated by the Rabat Bou Regreg River, surrounded by a forest of eucalyptus and Portuguese-moustached trees. Since King’s exile return, Rabat has been the capital. We visit Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, and the mausoleum of Mohammed V. Afterwards, we transfer to Casablanca. **Dinner** and overnight at the hotel.

Route: Casablanca-Rabat 90 km (1 hour 30 minutes)

Menu Suggestion for the Day: Try Moroccan mint tea.

Day 9           CASABLANCA – ISTANBUL

After breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we will visit Casablanca. Highlights include Mohammed V Square, the Hassan II Mosque, and the lively Corniche with its promenade. Then, we transfer to the airport for our flight. After customs and check-in procedures, we depart on the scheduled flight with Air Arabia Airlines to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, our tour and services conclude.