* NRV Holiday | Two faces of Morocco, Self-drive

Come discover the many facets of Morocco’s cultures and landscapes at your own pace. Visit Marrakech’s fabulous gardens, palaces and souks; Merzouga’s desert and golden dunes; and Ouarzazate’s cinema and Kasbah city, all while driving your car hire...Learn about the impressive history, fascinating local culture and art, marvel at the diverse landscapes of this incredible country, and take advantage of the opportunities to savour the best traditional Moroccan cuisine during eleven unforgettable days. A truly unforgettable experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market.

Ouarzazate: Explore this popular film-making location, which is also famous for its preserved Kasbahs and for being a perfect start point for discovering the desert.

Merzouga: Take in the glorious sights of its golden dunes.  

Zagora: This desert outpost is the point from which the ancient Saadian dynasty set out to conquer Timbuktu.

Boulmane Dades: This town is a stone’s throw away from the ‘Rose Valley’, where the cultivation of roses is the locals’ main economic activity, creating wondrous rose water, essential oils and beauty products.

Day 1: ARRIVAL MARRAKECH (10km – 30min)

Welcome to Morocco! Once you have collected your car drive to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 2: MARRAKECH

Have breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a visit to the top monuments of Marrakech at your own pace. Admire the magnificent Koutoubia mosque and its 70-metre-high minaret. It dates from the late 12th century when most of northern Africa and the southern Iberian Peninsula were part of the Almohad Empire. Behold the beautiful Bahia Palace with its exceptional cedar and marble decorations. Continue to the walled Medina and stroll through its fascinating maze of alleys and side streets. Browse the souks and head towards the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of Marrakech. Marvel at this bustling hive of activity as the sun sets over this vast space packed with stalls, Gnawa musicians, and a myriad of colourful characters. While at the souk, enjoy a visit to an association of disadvantaged women for human development, where the aim is to help women become more self-sufficient by learning crafts such as embroidery, knitting, weaving, etc. 

Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 3: MARRAKECH – BOUMALNE DADES (315km – 5.5hrs)

Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel. Then depart to Boumalne Dades, located at the edge of a desert plateau. You can visit El Kelaa M’Gouna, a city located in the heart of the fragrant Rose Valley, thus known for its extensive cultivation of roses for cosmetic purposes. Here are grown other local delicacies such as saffron. The location is also famous for celebrating an annual rose festival. Check in to your hotel, have dinner and spend the night. 

Overnight in Boumalne Dades.

Day 4: BOUMALNE DADES – MERZOUGA (255km – 3.5hrs)

After enjoying breakfast, depart for Merzouga to continue your Moroccan odyssey. We suggest making a stop in Rissani to visit a spectacular 17th-century Kasbah before continuing to Erfoud, where you can stroll through its vibrant and colourful souk. Also in Erfoud is the Borj, a fortified tower overhanging the village that offers a magnificent view of the surrounding palm groves and desert. Lastly, continue driving to Merzouga, where you’ll check-in, have dinner and spend the night. Alternatively, you can choose to spend the night in a tented camp in the desert, a once in a lifetime experience (at an additional cost, available as an optional extra). 

Overnight in Merzouga.

Day 5: MERZOUGA – ZAGORA (310km – 4hrs)

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road again to drive towards Zagora, one of the prettiest towns in Southern Morocco. It still preserves many ancient Kasbahs and old fortresses on the foothills of the Anti-Atlas or Lesser Atlas. Check-in and enjoy dinner at the hotel. 

Overnight in Zagora.

Day 6: ZAGORA – OUARZAZATE (165km – 3hrs)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, hop on your car hire and depart towards Ouarzazate. Pass through the winding roads and admire the impressive landscape. Perhaps make a stop at Ait Ben Haddou, one of the famous ksars (castles) of the south, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a preferred filming site for many famous TV shows and films. On arrival in Ouarzazate, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Day 7: OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH (195km – 4hrs)

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and drive to Marrakech. Enjoy the rest of the day in this bustling city. 

Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 8: DEPARTURE MARRAKECH (8km – 20min)

Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Then check out and bid farewell to Morocco as you drive to the airport to catch your return flight.

Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.