Morocco for the New Year

A trip to Morocco for the New Year begins with a drive to one of the nearby European airports and a flight to Marrakech. Marrakech will surprise you because it offers a real Moroccan contrast of colors, the ocher color of the city walls, green palm trees, and colorful flowers. It represented one of the four royal cities and was the capital of the Moroccan dynasties. It was founded by the first king, Yusuf Ibn Tahfin, who built a 12 km long wall with nine gates around the city. We will see some architectural landmarks, including kasbahs from the 12th century and the old city center – the Medina. For dinner, we will eat couscous at the largest market in Jemaa El-Fna, the city’s main commercial attraction. Nowadays, the market is “occupied” by many traders, jugglers, dancers and snake charmers. Hotel accommodation.

In the morning, we go on a two-day trip to Essaouira and leave Marrakech. We drive through the Argan Valley, known for its goats that freely climb the trees. Beautiful and relaxed Essaouira, located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast, is a charming and peaceful alternative to bustling Marrakech. Its characteristic blue and white medina, surrounded by fairy-tale sand-colored walls and magnificent stone entrances, makes it a real treat even for avid photographers. The streets of this city are full of art galleries that exhibit paintings by local artists. Behind the city harbor stretches a kilometer-long beach that offers many possibilities for activities. This city will especially fascinate all fans of movies and series because one of the most popular series of today – “Game of Thrones” was filmed in the former Mogador.

It will be difficult to say goodbye to the pleasant city, but we must slowly return to Marrakesh. Spice up your Moroccan trip for the New Year with a tour of the production of argan oil and the possibility of buying it. We are returning to the beautiful city, which is not for nothing the symbol of Morocco. Streets cramped with brick-colored buildings are too narrow to allow passage into the very center of the city. Winston Churchill, who spent his vacation here, called the city “Paris of the Sahara.” The hustle and bustle of the market is visible at every turn, and it takes very little to try your hand at haggling with Arab traders. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the bustle of the city. Hotel accommodation.

We will go by bus or van over the High Atlas, covered with snow at the end of the year, to the film city of Ouarzazate. A memorable experience will be driving over the picturesque Tizi N’Tichka pass (above 2000 m) and visiting the fortified city of Ait-Benhaddou, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Many films were shot here, from Lawrence of Arabia to Son of God. It is not far from Ouarzazate to the oasis of Skoura, which once served as the most important crossroads of trade routes from East, Central, and North Africa. Today, it is an oasis of peace, relaxation, and an absolute balm after hours spent on Moroccan roads. After walking through the settlement, we will pass along the route of thousands of kasbahs, mud, and wood forts. Many smaller settlements depend on water brought by the Oued Dades River from the High Atlas Mountains. In the afternoon, our destination will be the Todra Gorge, where we will spend the night in a hotel under the mighty walls.

This morning, we will go on a short circular hike above the Todra Canyon to meet real nomads – mountain Berbers. When we rise above the gorge, we will have a fantastic view of the mountains and greenery in the oases. We will then leave the gorge and head east, the landscape becoming drier as we approach the Sahara. We will arrive at the oasis of Merzouga. The landscape here is stunning, calm, and reflected in the red color evoked by the sand. In all-terrain vehicles (optional, with additional charge), you can go on a real Saharan adventure or admire the surroundings of our accommodation on foot. We will welcome the transition into the new year with music and an extraordinary dinner. A trip to Morocco for the New Year will thus experience its peak.

We will wait for an unforgettable sunrise and, at the same time, New Year’s morning on camels on top of the dune and admire how the rising sun changes the color of the desert sand – from gray, yellow, and gold to screaming orange. Then we will follow the hedgehog back to the edge of the desert and then back to the van or buses, depending on the number of passengers, and drive through Erfoud and oases to the gorge of the Ziz river, which cut its course in the mountainous world and then dries in the Sahara sand. We will go to Midelt and walk along the river with a view of the Middle Atlas. The journey through the Middle Atlas will take place through sparsely populated mountain areas where the Berbers, members of an ancient people, still live. We will drive through a diverse landscape past the Berber town of Azrou, which is famous for its arts and crafts workshops and cedar forests. We will spend the night in the mountain town of Ifrane.

We spend the morning hours driving and sightseeing the slopes of the Middle Atlas, and then we go to Fes, one of the most picturesque cities in the country. It was founded in the 9th century. We will move to the Middle Ages in one fell swoop, and thanks to the handmade products made of leather, copper, and ceramics, we will have the feeling of being in a time machine. A unique experience will be getting to know the market’s narrow streets, which is a true paradise for shopping from leather to exotic fragrances. Hotel accommodation.

Not far from Fes is Meknes, the city associated with the life of the powerful Moroccan king Moulay Ismail. We will see Bab El Mansour, considered the most beautiful Moroccan city gate, also called the gate of North Africa. From Meknes, we continue our journey past the Islamic holy city of Moulay Idrissa to the former Roman city of Volubilis, built at the time of Juba II. We will see thermal baths, the Temple of Venus, and more. Part of the ancient city was used by director Martin Scorsese in The Last Temptation of Christ. Return to Fes.

End of program.

*The Morocco program for the New Year may change due to weather conditions, logistics (changed timetable of regular lines), and other reasons. Transportation on regular lines (airline, bus…) can be done without an agency escort.