Exotic Morocco: The Blue City of Chefchaouen & Sahara Desert Tour
November 16 - 25, 2016 I traveled to Morocco, located in the northwest of the African continent, on a guided tour via Emirates Airlines, flying from Kansai Airport with a stopover in Dubai.
Day 1
Departure from Kansai Airport at 23:35
Flight time to Dubai: 11 hours 10 minutes
Day 2
Arrival in Dubai at 05:45
Time difference (Japan/Dubai): -5 hours
Departure from Dubai at 07:45
Flight time to Casablanca: 8 hours 45 minutes
Arrival in Casablanca at 12:30
Time difference (Dubai/Casablanca): -4 hours
Morocco is located in the northwest of Africa and is officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco. The capital is Rabat, and the population is made up of 65% Arabs and 30% Berbers. Casablanca, the largest city and economic hub, is also famous for being the setting of the classic film Casablanca, which has made the city globally renowned. There have been many other film shoots in Morocco. After visiting the Hassan II Mosque, which stands by the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mohammed V Square, we traveled about 90 km to Rabat, where we stayed overnight.
Day 3
In the morning, we toured Rabat, the second-largest city and capital of Morocco. We visited the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, known as the "Father of the Nation," and the Hassan Tower, before leaving Rabat. There aren’t many other tourist sites, so we headed for Chefchaouen, the blue city, located about 250 km away. After lunch, we visited the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen and enjoyed free time to wander through the Medina (old town). The city’s buildings are all painted blue, creating a mystical and beautiful atmosphere that was perfect for photos. Afterward, we traveled to Fes, Morocco’s oldest imperial city, arriving around 8 p.m. for an overnight stay.
Day 4
Fes is famous for its Medina, the largest maze in the world, and is Morocco’s oldest imperial city. We spent the entire day exploring Fes. First, we took a video from the southern fort overlooking the old city. Then, we visited the Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, the Boujloud Gate, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the leather tanning factory. We also visited a local home, where we were treated to mint tea by an elderly couple. We stayed overnight in Fes.
Day 5
From Fes, we headed about 65 km to the mountain resort town of Ifrane for a 20-minute walk. We then visited the Ziz Valley, located about 140 km away, which has an oasis and small villages. We passed through in the afternoon, so the photos were taken in backlighting. We continued on a 210 km bus ride to Erfoud, where we transferred to 4WD vehicles to head into the western Sahara Desert and the Merzouga Dunes. We stayed at the Auberge Yasmina, a simple guesthouse that felt like a house in the desert. After dinner, we ventured outside to capture the Milky Way over the Sahara. The starry sky was breathtaking, comparable to the Uyuni Salt Flats. After an hour of stargazing, we returned to our rooms. The hotel was basic, with stone-like rooms and a bed, but no hot water for the shower, which was understandable given the desert location.
Day 6
We woke up early to witness the sunrise over the Sahara Desert. Some people took camels, while others walked. If you choose to walk, be cautious with your shoes, as sneakers can get filled with sand. It’s best to wear covers, which are available on Amazon for a low price. Afterward, we returned by 4WD to Erfoud, then took a bus to the Todra Gorge, also known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon, located about 150 km away. Afterward, we traveled to the town of Ouarzazate, arriving around 5 p.m. for an overnight stay.
Day 7
On the way from Ouarzazate to Marrakesh, we stopped at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made of mud-brick buildings. This location is famous for being the filming site of Hollywood movies such as Jewel of the Nile and The Last Temptation. We visited a local family home, where we were invited inside. The house had stone walls, and the floor was like a dirt courtyard with carpets, which kept the house cool. As we continued our journey, rain began to fall, and the optional Fantasia Show was canceled due to the worsening weather. We headed to Marrakesh for the evening. Marrakesh, founded by the Berbers, is a historical city that is a "microcosm of Morocco" and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 8
We spent the entire day exploring Marrakesh. In the morning, we visited the Menara Gardens, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the old city. After lunch, we returned to the hotel for some rest. In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a tea break at a café overlooking Jemaa el-Fna Square. Later, we walked through the bustling food stalls in the square, where we saw high-end dried fruits, souvenirs, meat, fish, and desserts. The lively atmosphere of the street vendors was overwhelming. After dinner, we returned to the hotel to prepare for our departure the next day.
Day 9
We left the hotel at 7:30 a.m. and traveled 240 km back to Casablanca.
Flight from Casablanca at 13:55
Arrival in Dubai at 01:30 (Flight time: 7 hours 35 minutes)
Time difference (Casablanca/Dubai): +4 hours
Departure from Dubai at 03:20
Arrival at Kansai Airport at 17:10
Travel Highlights
Morocco is a land full of exotic charm, blending rich culture and beautiful natural landscapes. The stunning blue streets of Chefchaouen and the mesmerizing starry skies over the Sahara Desert were truly unforgettable experiences. While the roads and tourist sites in Morocco are well-maintained, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected conditions, especially when traveling through desert areas.