Saadian Pavilion Menara in Marrakech, Morocco

Icons of Sahara: An Immersive Luxury Tour to Egypt and Morocco

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Egypt, Morocco

Places Visited

Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech...

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Suggested Duration

13 Days

Morocco and Egypt, countries separated by the Sahara, bring a colorful history of civilizations of elegance and enchantment. One is bustling and bright, created by the artisans and arouse every single one of your senses. The other is desolate and imposing, ancient relics a majestic showcase of power and early mastery. Their legacies may lay in different eras, but Egypt and Morocco both celebrate the diaphanous beauty of desert civilization and this handcrafted luxury tour to Egypt and Morocco...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Explore the different styles found in Morocco’s four imperial cities as artisans shape  design in Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech
  • Uncover the secrets of the world’s largest walled city – Fes – where tanneries hide in labyrinthine souks and the sheer concentration of sights can be baffling
  • Take a journey through the Atlas Mountains, a stark landscape on the edge of the Sahara, stopping at traditional Berber villages on route
  • Immerse your senses in Marrakech, the sounds and smells of the souks accompanied by a cooking class and a hot air balloon ride above the desert
  • Wander through the breathtaking remains of ancient Memphis and stand before the great Pyramids of Giza
  • Sail on the River Nile near Aswan in a traditional felucca boat bringing a relaxed afternoon surrounded by a desert oasis
  • Spend days cruising down the River Nile, an experience that’s indelibly tranquil yet dotted with exquisite temples from the old Egyptian kingdoms
  • Delve into one of the world’s great open-air museums in Luxor and take time to discover both sides of the river, from the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank to the epic temples of Luxor and Karnak on the East Bank

Detailed Description

The Sahara Desert cuts a dramatic imprint across North Africa, the red and yellow expanses clearly visible from space. To the east lies Egypt, home of the most remarkable ancient civilization. To the west is Morocco, built much later but with the same dedication to unique style. On the surface, there is little that connects these two great countries, but you will be intrigued as you delve into them both. Religion is one shared aspect, and you will visit some wonderfully elegant mosques and old Islamic neighborhoods. The main comparable is the need for innovation, a need pressed upon all inhabitants of the desert. In Egypt, the style was to conquer leaving an imposing legacy behind as temples and pyramids rise like phantoms from the sand. In Morocco, the style was dictated by the artists, their legacy being the wonderful sensual experience found everywhere you turn.

Inimitable and immersive, this handcrafted tour combines the highlights of these two countries on either side of the Sahara. Daily flight connections between Casablanca and Cairo are your connection across the desert, with private guides leading the experience as soon as you touch down. Spend your first week in Morocco, visiting all four of the imperial cities. The following week spent in Egypt encompasses the major highlights from the time of the kings and pharaohs, including Giza, Luxor and the temples along the River Nile.

Rabat is an introduction to boutique styles, easily reached after landing in Casablanca. The next day, you will journey to Meknes, exploring its elegance and charm before traveling beneath an ancient gate, into the world’s largest walled city. Spend several nights here in Fes, a home of craft and culture, and a city that delights all of the senses. The Atlas Mountains rise dramatically from the Sahara, and hidden amongst their folds are small Berber villages that provide a contrasting experience. Once settled into several nights in the Pearl of the South, Marrakech, you will find the nuance in an atmosphere that is as colorful as it is vibrant. A cooking class and hot air balloon ride are just part of your experience here.

Fly across the Sahara and spend the next evening looking over the pyramids, your hotel expertly situated for accessing these famous monuments. They are not the only icons here and a day in Memphis and Giza showcase a majestic old world still standing proudly amid the desert’s desolation. For the first week of your tour, there is a lot to see and take in, so a luxury River Nile cruise is a tranquil antidote as you travel from Aswan to Luxor while passing some remarkably remote and preserved temples. Then the world wonders of the open-air museum take over, from the tombs in the Valley of the Kings to the avenue of sculpted sphinxes and then the mesmeric temples of Luxor and Karnak, a fitting epilogue to the delights of the desert.  Click here for more ideas for traveling in Egypt available on Zicasso.

Starting Price

$13,515 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.88 stars based on 1076 reviews.

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