13 Days From Marrakesh fairytale The trek to the desert and its history

After breakfast you'll heading  to  the hottest desert of our planet - the Sahara. On the way we will stop on top of the the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, the highest in North Africa. The views of the Atlas mountains from an altitude of 2260 meters above sea level are just wonderful!

We get down to the ancient fortified city-ksar, Ait Ben Haddou. Dozens of Hollywood films were shot here - from "The Mummy" and "Gladiator" to "Prince of Persia" and "Alexander". In ancient times, life was seething here, and caravans brought considerable profit to local residents. But trade routes are changing, and once a prosperous city became a ghost - only ten families live here these days. We will explore abandoned houses made of red clay, feeling like the discoverers of Arabian tales and secrets.

Next, we head to the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs - a place famous for its ancient Berber fortresses. We check into a traditional riad hotel.

We continue our journey to the Sahara desert. In the morning we will drive through the Todgha Gorges, admiring the cliffs of the Atlas Mountains, the incredible canyons of red color and the mountain rivers that feed the valleys with groves of the best dates of the country.

We reach the village of Merzouga and settle in a real Berber camp in the middle of the desert. We are in the middle of Erg Chebbi dunes with a height of more than 150 meters, in the heart of the Sahara! We walk along the dunes and enjoy a stunning sunset. For dinner we will have traditional tajine, a stew with vegetables and meat. We spend the evening by the fire, enjoying the sounds of the desert and the infinity of the starry sky above our heads. What an incredible evening!

We wake up very early and climb one of the dunes to see an unforgettable show - sunrise in the desert. We observe how the sun slowly colors the sea of tiny grains of sand in a soft orange color ... What a magical sight! After breakfast, we will take a camel ride along the dunes as the inhabitants of all the deserts of the world still do.

Those interested can try sandboarding and go down from the dunes on the board. After some rest we leave for Marrakesh. We will stop for lunch and a short rest and in the evening arrive in the city and check into a traditional hotel-riad.

After breakfast we go for a walk in the famous Majorelle garden. These plants from around the world were collected by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who acquired this piece of land in 1923. Now this garden belongs to the famous designer Yves Saint Laurent, and it boasts several museums.

Next, we head to the Bahia Palace to admire the famous mosaics and ceramics. Built in 1867 for the great vizier of the Sultan, it was plundered after his death in 1900. For several decades, it stood empty until the governor of the French colony of Morocco restored it to move his residence here. In the evening we go for a walk along Jemaa el Fna Square.

The next day we leave for Casablanca (3 hours on the way). This city became famous all over the world thanks to the 1942 film of the same name. We check into a hotel and head to explore the mosque of Hassan II - the largest mosque in Africa. It accommodates more than 100 thousand visitors!

In the morning we leave for Meknes by train (approximately 3 hours on the way). This city is called the Moroccan Versailles because of the many elegant buildings that have been preserved here fr om the 17-18 centuries, when Meknes was the capital of the whole country. We walk around the old district, and then leave for Volubilis (1.5 hours on the way). In ancient Rome, it was the most southwestern point of the empire! From former times, the town has preserved the magnificent ruins of ancient temples, the Arc de Triomphe, the forum and the aqueduct.

In the afternoon we head to Fes (2 hours on the way), check into a hotel and go for a walk around the old city center. We will definitely see the famous Choura tanneries, wh ere since the 11th century, craftsmen have softened and dyed animal skins. Process takes place in huge clay tanks.

In the morning we walk through the old medina of Fes - a city that is considered the cultural capital of the country. The old district boasts many madrassah - traditional schools open since the 14th century, as well as the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world, University of Al-Karaouine. Classes have been held here since 859. No, we did not forget to add the number!

After lunch we head to Chefchaouen (4 hours on the way). We check into a hotel in the heart of the famous Blue City and go for a walk along the narrow streets between the clay houses of blue color. Even the locals cannot tell where this tradition came from. Some say that Jews were the first in the city to paint their houses blue, when them settled in the town, fleeing from persecution in Nazi Germany. Feels like being in a fairy tale!

In the morning we leave for the Akchur waterfall through the Reef Mountains. There we take a short walk, enjoying the views of the red rocks. On the way back we stop at the observation deck to meet the sunset in a place known for its beautiful views.

The next day after breakfast, we head to the town of Asilah (3 hours on the way). We check into a hotel in the old part of town and go out for a walk. This town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is the place where residents of Moroccan megacities come to relax for the weekend.

In the morning we take the train to Marrakesh. After about 4.5 hours we make a stop in Casablanca to have lunch and take a walk around the city. Then we take the train again, after about 2.5 hours reach Marrakech and check into a hotel. In the evening we head to the famous Jemaa el Fna Square, known as the main trading square in Africa. Even if you do not like shopping, you will appreciate the numerous shows of street musicians, circus performers and acrobats!

Do not forget about souvenirs. Traditional ceramic dishes, argan oil, spices, lamps, Berber rugs and babouches - national leather shoes, are usually brought from Morocco. The next day we fly home.