DAY 1: TANGER - ARRIVAL

Flight to Tangier on request.

Arrival in Tangier. You will be met at the airport by your guide. Transfer to your accommodation.
Night at hotel in Tangier (DI)

DAY 2: TANGER - RABAT (Train)

Tangier is famous for its medina, an ancient city with narrow streets leading to the port.
After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the Kasbah. With its 13th-century ramparts, this ancient fortress built on the heights of the city offers a splendid view over the bay. You then stroll through the streets of the marsh, like Matisse or Delacroix before you, and let yourself be captivated by the dreamlike atmosphere of this town of whitewashed houses.

In the “Petit Socco” and “Grand Socco” squares, you'll visit the city's emblematic markets: colorful, lively, teeming with stores and street vendors.

In the afternoon, your train journey in Morocco begins on board the modern TGV to Rabat (1h20).
Overnight at hotel in Rabat (PDJ, DI)

DAY 3: RABAT - FES (Train)

After breakfast, your guide takes you on a tour of Morocco's capital. You'll discover the souks of Rabat's medina, and in its kasbah, you'll admire the sumptuous remains of Almohad architecture.
After a stop at the royal palace, you'll discover the 44 m-high Hassan tower (exterior) and the Mohammed V mausoleum, a fine example of modern Islamic architecture. A visit to the Kasbah des Oudayas offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic coast.

At the recently opened Mohammed VI Museum, you'll enjoy an overview of modern and contemporary North African art, before heading off to the Chellah necropolis, a 14th-century Merinid burial site set in a magnificent park.

After lunch, transfer to the station.
3-hour journey on a comfortable, regular train to Fez.
Arrival in Fez later this afternoon.
Overnight at hotel in Fez (PDJ, DI).

DAY 4 - FES

Your guide picks you up after breakfast. You're off to discover Fès-el-Bali, the old city with over 12 centuries of history.

From Borj Sud, the 16th-century “fort of the south”, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the city, before plunging into Morocco's most beautiful UNESCO-listed Medina. You'll discover the Andalusian quarter, the 14th-century Medersas, the bustling souks, watch merchants haggling and craftsmen at work in their workshops.

You'll stop off at the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Potters' Quarter, exploring the many facets of this imperial city, one of the most interesting in Morocco.

In the afternoon, explore Fes at your leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Fes (PDJ, DI)

DAY 5: FES - OUJDA (Train)

In the late morning, you leave Fes for Oujda by train (first class). Your comfortable train passes through the beautiful landscapes of northern Morocco. You pass along the peaks of the Middle Atlas, bordered by lush green fields. The train climbs gradients of up to 1.6%, before entering the desert regions. The Fes - Oujda line has recently been renovated, so you arrive in Oujda, in the east of the country, in 5h30.

Check into your hotel and visit the town. Throughout its history, Oujda has seen many conquerors and plunderers, earning it the nickname “Medina El Haira”, “City of Fear”. It's from here that your special train, the Oriental Express, will depart tomorrow.

Lunch on the Oriental Desert Express in the form of a packed lunch.
Overnight at hotel in Oujda (PDJ, DJ, DI).

DAY 6: OUJDA - BOUARFA (Oriental Express Train)

After an early breakfast, the day is devoted to the desert train from Oujda to Bouarfa: this exceptional journey only takes place 3 or 4 times a year. The Oriental Desert Express crosses the vast steppes of the Orient Valley, and fantastic scenery awaits you on this Oujda - Bouarfa line, built between 1925 and 1931. Here are the stages:

• Beni-Oukil: after its early morning departure from Oujda station, the train stops at the Beni-Oukil crossroads, some fifteen kilometers away. Here, those in charge of the train obtain written authorization to run on this unused stretch of track. The train then heads off into the green lands where agriculture flourishes. You can see for yourself how hard the Moroccans are working to halt desertification. The train then stops at Guenfouda: the station serves a lead mine and factory that is currently being restored.

• Aïn Beni Mathar (ex Berguent): after the Tiouli tunnel built in 1931, the railroad climbs to 1300m. You reach the town of Aïn Beni Mathar, built at an altitude of 925m on high plateaus that are scorching in summer and swept by icy winds in winter. It is a meeting point for the region's Bedouin tribes, the Beni Guil, and a hub for the livestock trade. It's also the site of Africa's first thermo-solar power plant.

• Tendrara: The train continues its journey across the immense desert plateau. You stop at Tendrara, a typical Moroccan village where nomads come to stock up on supplies.

Beyond the stages, the magic of the Oriental Express train is the desert. Your special train traverses a stony landscape, often silted up by the dunes of the Oriental Desert in eastern Morocco. Along its 304 km route, it sometimes stops to wait out a sandstorm, or to allow the engineers to clear the sand from the rails. This makes timetables unpredictable, but transforms this unique journey into an unforgettable experience.

Towards evening, the Oriental Désert Express reaches its terminus and the small town of Bouarfa.
Transfer from the station to the only local 3* hotel by air-conditioned bus.

Overnight at the hotel in Bouarfa (PDJ, hot DJ on board the train, DI at the hotel).

The train runs according to a predefined schedule. However, due to possible track clearing work (sand), the journey may take a little longer. Allow between 10 and 12 hours.

DAY 7: BOUARFA - MERZOUGA (Bus)

After breakfast, departure by bus along the eastern foothills of the High Atlas to Er-Rachidia. Then a beautiful journey through the Ziz Valley, one of the most beautiful oasis valleys in southern Morocco, passing through the great palm groves of Tafilalet to Erfoud.

For lunch en route, you'll taste the local specialty, Medfouna, a type of Berber pizza.
Continue on to Merzouga, where you can see one of Morocco's largest dunes, Erg Chebbi.

Optional: for those who wish, you can ride a camel over the dunes.
Overnight at hotel in Merzouga (DDP, DJ). 

DAY 8: MERZOUGA - TINJDAD - TINGHIR (Bus)

Early wake-up call (optional!) to watch the shadows of sunrise over the desert and dunes.

After breakfast, departure for the vast palm groves of the Tafilalet region. Stopover in Rissani, cradle of the reigning Alaouite dynasty, mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, founder of the dynasty and ancestor of the current King Mohamed VI.

Another stop in Tinjdad, with a visit to its ancient fortified village and the El Khorbat museum, to discover the culture of the inhabitants of southern Morocco.

Arrive in Tinghir, where you can admire the famous palm grove and the deep, winding Todra Gorge. Weather permitting, you can walk to your accommodation. After a short hike through the palm groves, you'll also visit the pretty little mosque and Koranic school at Ikelane, which dates back to the last century and is currently being renovated.
Overnight at hotel in Tinghir (PDJ, DI)

DAY 9: TINGHIR - OUARZAZATE - AIT BEN HADDOU (Bus)

You'll arrive in the Valley of the Roses, with its clay-decorated kasbahs (citadels) and ksour (fortified villages), and stop off at the oasis town of El Kelaa des Mgouna, famous for its rose water. You'll pass through magnificent scenery, especially at the end of spring when the fields are in bloom.
You take the Kasbah route through Skoura, one of Morocco's few remaining inhabited and cultivated palm groves. In the middle of this vast palm oasis stand countless ancient kasbahs, including the Amerhidil Kasbah-Museum. You arrive in Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate is famous for the Taourirt kasbah, former residence of the powerful Berber Glaoui tribe, who once dominated the entire region southeast of Marrakech.
30 km after Ouarzazate, you reach the most beautiful site of the day: the mangificent fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. Surrounded by walls and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it's one of the most beautiful ksars in southern Morocco. Many films have been shot here, including “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Babel”, “Gladiator”, “Jesus of Nazareth” and, more recently, the “Game of Thrones” series. Discover the narrow streets and stone staircases that wind their way through the maze of towers and houses. At the top of the hill, a superb view awaits you.
Overnight at hotel in Ait Ben Haddou (PDJ, DI)

DAY 10: AIT BEN HADDOU - TELOUET - MARRAKECH (Bus)

Beautiful mountain scenery awaits you on the road to Marrakech via the Tischka Pass (2,260m).

Through the picturesque Ounila valley, past typical villages, the road leads to Telouet at an altitude of 1,870m. The village stands on the site of what was once the largest kasbah of the Berber prince El Glaoui.

As you descend to the plain on the north side of the Col de la Tischka, you'll be amazed by the view that stretches far into the valley and the country.
Overnight at hotel in Marrakech (PDJ, DI)

DAY 11: MARRAKECH

An English-speaking guide picks you up for a tour of the “Pearl of the South”: the Koutoubia Mosque (seen from the outside), the Badii Palace, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Medersa and much more...

Afternoon at leisure to lose yourself in the fascinating souks or simply experience the daily atmosphere of the medina (old town).
Overnight at hotel in Marrakech (PDJ, DI)

DAY 12: MARRAKECH - RETURN

Breakfast at the hotel and, depending on departure time, free time at your disposal.
transfer to the airport and return flight.
(PDJ)

NOTE: Please note the time at which your room must be vacated.
Additional night or return flight from Marrakech on request.

The Oriental Desert Express, the desert train

The Oriental Express is a special train with the following composition :
. A locomotive: weighing 120 tonnes and capable of a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Consuming 5lt per kilometer, it can pull a maximum train of 500 tons (DH type, 3600 HP performance).
. An air-conditioned car: this is a 1st class car, with a central corridor (type XRAI I).
. A car with movable windows: the second passenger car is an ordinary car (type B10), with openable windows, enabling passengers to take photos of the countryside (in winter, it is heated).
. The 3rd car (type XRDS) supplies the train with electricity and air-conditioning.

PRICES - MOROCCO TOUR WITH ORIENTAL EXPRESS

• Price in double/twin room : from €2,640 / person
• Single supplement : from €630 / person

ORIENTAL DESERT EXPRESS - CONDITIONS

PRICE INCLUDES

• Transport required during the tour
• English-speaking tour guide
• Half-board accommodation - see program for details (BD = Breakfast, L = Lunch, ID = Dinner)
• Water
• ½ day local guides in : Tangier/Rabat/Fes/Marrakech with entrance to monuments
• Desert train (including lunch)
• 1st class train: Tangier - Rabat / Rabat - Fes / Fes - Oujda
• Picnic lunch Fes - Oujda
• Assistance from Discovery Trains teams.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Plane tickets
• Beverages other than water
• Meals not mentioned
• Personal purchases
• Insurance (offered by the agency)
• Tips