This classic 11 day tour highlights the best spots in the country, from visits to the ancient imperial cities to a memorable camel trek through the beautiful dunes of the Sahara Desert. We also offer the option to spend a night in the Old Portuguese Medina of Essaouira.
Day 1: Casablanca
No matter your arrival time, a member of our team will pick you up at the CMN Airport in Casablanca and take care of the transfer to your hotel. For your first night in eclectic Casablanca, we recommend dining at Rick’s Café, a staple of Casablanca’s night life and the famous bar from the 1942 Hollywood movie Casablanca.
Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Fes
Right after breakfast, we will take you on a tour to the Hassan II Mosque, an architectural gem designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. Built to commemorate the former king’s 60th birthday, it is the world’s third largest mosque and boasts the tallest minaret in the world.
After the Hassan 2 Mosque tour, we will start our road trip to Fes. We will stop by Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, where you’ll be able to enjoy a guided visit through some of the country’s most important touristic attractions: The Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah Chellah near Oudaya Gardens. We will then continue our drive to Fes, where you’ll be spending the night.
Day 3: Guided City Tour of Fes
On the third day of our 10-day adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a full day tour of Fes with one of our expert local guides. Fes is a centuries old imperial city. It is the embodiment of the country’s history and its spiritual and religious capital. It has also been declared a World Heritage Site By UNESCO. The city’s numerous monuments’ walls hold thousands of stories and have seen numerous generations live through them. The Jemaa Karaouyine (the first university to be established in the world), The Mederssa Bounania, the old tanneries and artisan quarters, and the fascinating souks are just some of the many places to see. You’ll be staying overnight in Fes for the second time before taking on the fourth day in our itinerary.
Day 4: Fes – Volubilis – Meknes
We will set out in the morning to the 2000-year-old Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO world heritage site featured in the movie “The Last Temptation of Christ”. After visiting the ruins, you’ll enjoy a typical lunch at the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zarhun before going on a guided tour of the Royal City of Meknes. In the evening, we’ll head back to Fes where you’ll be having dinner and staying overnight.
Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Erfoud
We will be leaving early in the morning, and head into the Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll stop by Ifrane, known as Morocco’s “Little Switzerland”. This quaint little town is in the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains and is surrounded by cedar forests filled with Barbary apes. You’ll get the option to have lunch with a Berber family as an introduction to the traditional Moroccan lifestyle, then we’ll continue to Erfoud through the Ziz Valley, famous for its panoramic views and spectacular geography. We’ll be staying overnight in Erfoud.
Day 6: Erfoud – The Sahara Desert – Camel Trek
Right after breakfast, we will head in a very comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle for a desert tour to explore the beauty of the Sahara Desert. This will definitely one of your favorite part of your adventure in Morocco. On the way there, we’ll visit Rissani’s old souk, meet Gnaoui people (the descendants of sub-saharan slaves brought in the 16th century from Senegal and Sudan), and learn more about their beautiful music and lifestyle. In the afternoon, you will meet your local guide for a camel trek at sunset through the golden sand sea of Merzouga. We’ll end the day with a night drum party and dinner at the camp where you’ll be staying the night.
Day 7: Merzouga – Tinrhir – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
After breakfast, you will take the 4x4s and head back to Erfoud, known for its fossils and amazingly delicious fresh dates. The beautiful drive will take you through local villages before you’ll get the opportunity to stop and some of nature’s most spectacular creations: sheer stone cliffs 300 meters high at the Todra Gorge, where you will also have lunch. We’ll continue our drive through the scenic Dades Valley where you’;ll get to witness the breathtaking rock formations known as Monkey Paws. We’ll stay at the Dades Valley for dinner and a good night of sleep.
Day 8: Dades Valley – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
The day starts in the early morning. We’ll drive you through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna (Rose City) and Ouarzazate. Make sure not to forget your camera, because the road along the Valley of Thousand Kasbahs is nothing but dazzling – this will be your opportunity to take some of the best shots of your Moroccan trip. We’ll then continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” where you’ll have the option to visit the Atlas studios and the sprawling Taourirt Kasbah before we stop at the Jewel of Morocco: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a mud-and-brick UNESCO-protected village built in the 11th century. The Kasbah has been the backdrop of many popular Hollywood movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth (for which much of Ait Ben Haddou has been rebuilt), Jewel of the Nile, and Gladiator. The journey will then take you over the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech where you will check in for a good night sleep in a beautiful Riad.
Day 9: Marrakech Guided City Tour
This is the day you’ll be able to discover the Red City. A certified local guide will take you on a tour through Marrakech’s many historical sites: the Menara Gardens, the Koutoubia Minaret (the most prominent minaret in Marrakech and one of the most dazzling masterpieces of Islamic architecture), the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Medrasa (a beautifully decorated Koranic School), and the Bahia Palace. The tour will continue through the Old Medina buried within the imperial walls, the lovely Majorelle and Agdal Gardens, the markets, and the famous Djemaa el Fna Square.
Day 10: Marrakech – Casablanca
You’ll have time in the morning to browse through the souks or walk along the Medina in Marrakech before we set up for Casablanca, where you’ll be staying overnight.
Day 11: Casablanca Depart
Your trip will be coming to an end. You will be escorted to the CMN airport in Casablanca where you’ll head back home with stories and memories of all the unforgettable moments you spent in Morocco with our amazing team.
P.S: These 10 days can be customized to fit into your time frame, interests, budget, travel style and accommodations.
