Overview & Highlights:
- Visit Casablanca and Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa.
- Explore Rabat; Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum and Oudayas Kasbah.
- Visit the quiet town of Asilah.
- Explore the sites of Tangier.
- Visit the beautiful city of Tetouan and its white medina.
- Discover the charming blue-washed Medina of Chefchaouen.
- Visit Volubilis, the site of the old Roman ruins.
- Visit the imperial city of Meknes and its ancient Medina.
- Explore the ancient medina of Fes with a private guide.
- See Moroccan Switzerland, the beautiful city of Ifrane.
- Visit the wild monkeys in the cedar forest.
- Enjoy a luxurious drive along Ziz valley, the largest valley in morocco.
- Explore the Sahara Desert with an SUV excursion.
- Experience camel trekking in the Sahara desert.
- See the stunning Todra and Dades gorges.
- Visit Ouarzazate city, the gate of the Sahara desert and the Hollywood of Africa.
- Discover Aït Ben Haddou Ksar; UNESCO world heritage site.
- Cross the high Atlas Mountains and Tizi-N-Tichka pass (2260m of Altitude).
- Explore Marrakech with professional guide.
- Explore the ancient Medina of Essaouira and its beautiful beaches.
- Visit the Portuguese city, the old fortress within walls in El Jadida.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival – Casablanca.
Upon arrival, we will meet you at the airport and head to your accommodation in Casablanca. There you will take time to relax and recover from your journey.
In Casablanca you will visit the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco and the third largest mosque in the world that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Able to accommodate up to 105,000 people in prayer, this marvel of modern Moroccan architecture is the work of hundreds of expert craftsmen from around the country, many of them donating their work.
Then we drive along the Cornish where you can have also walk, at its end there is Morocco Mall, the largest shopping center in Africa which was opened in December 2011, with an impressive marine aquarium that extends through all floors and presents forty fish species. You can also visit mohamed V plaza and the Rick’s café.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah.
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. Making our journey to Rabat, Morocco’s fourth imperial city, where you will visit the Hassan Tower, which has sat unfinished since 1199. Commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaaqub al-Mansur, the tower was to be the minaret for the largest mosque in the world.
Unfortunately, when the sultan passed away in 1199, the project was abandoned, leaving some partial outer walls, 348 columns, and a minaret only standing half-finished at 140 feet rather than the intended 260 feet. Standing opposite the Hassan Tower is the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of Mohammed V, the current king’s grandfather, as well as the king’s father, Hassan II, and his uncle, Prince Abdullah.
It is considered a masterpiece of Alaouite architecture with its white walls and green tiled roof. Visit also the Kasbah of the Oudayas, which is a small fortified town area of the city, with white and blue houses, a nice Moorish garden and a breath taking view of the opposite city Sale and the Atlantic Ocean. Stop for lunch in a restaurant that serves delicious Moroccan food and seafood.
After quiet stay you will continue through the coast to Asilah, a quiet beautiful town on the Atlantic coast, with well-preserved old walled medina that dates mostly from the Portuguese occupation (15th-16th century) and afterwards. The medina has been heavily restored and its buildings are typically painted white, with occasionally blue or green, in addition to which can be found many of the murals.
Asilah hosts annual music and arts festivals, including a mural-painting festival. The festival is also the occasion for mural painting in which the medina’s houses are painted with new murals every year. It has also a weekly market every Thursday, and due to its proximity to Spain, the cuisine in Asilah is described Ibero-Moroccan with notable delicacies and seafood. There you will spend night in a seaside Hotel.
Overnight in Asilah.
Day 3: Asilah – Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen.
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, we will resume our trip to Tangier, where you will explore its different sites, including the medina, Cap Spartel, and the legendary Cave of Hercules. Legend holds that when Hercules was in need of a place to rest between two of his labors, he swam across the Strait of Gibraltar and ripped the cave from the side of the cliff with his hands.
The opening of the cave that faces the sea is in the shape of Africa. Then head to the medina, where you will see York Castle and the Kasbah Museum. The drive continues to Tetouan, the beautiful city nicknamed the White Dove, lies along the Martil Valley and it’s one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. In 1913, Tetouan became the capital of the Spanish protectorate of Morocco, until 1956 when Morocco regained its full independence.
It is a renowned multicultural center. And its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. It has also been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017. Then in the evening we will travel through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the blue pearl of Morocco.
Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 4: Full day in Chefchaouen.
Today you will have a full day to explore the beautiful town of Chefchaouen, the blue city or the blue pearl of Morocco. That in the late 15th century its population was boosted by a number of Jews and Muslims fleeing southern Spain and remained mostly untouched and isolated until the last century.
You will visit Uta-el-Hammam, the famous square of the medina, where you can see the Grand Mosque and the Kasbah. The Mosque was built by Moulay Mohamed in 1560 and cannot be entered by non-Muslims (but the view from the outside is still nice).
In the Kasbah (old fortification) you can visit a garden, a museum, and some of the old prison cells. Then have walk to explore the charming blue-washed medina with an endless winding maze of picturesque homes and streets. Next head up to the roof for a better view point on the town. In the afternoon take an easy hike to the Spanish Mosque further up the mountain, looking out over Chefchaouen.
Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Day 5: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes.
After breakfast you will check out of your hotel, and make the journey through the Rif Mountains toward Fes. On the way we will make stop to explore Volubilis the site of the ancient Roman ruins dates back to 3 BCE, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania.
The Roman rule began in the 1st century CE, and continued until it fell to the local Berber tribes in 285 CE. The remains of many ancient structures are still being excavated, as well as the triumphal arch still standing. There are several large mosaic floors still fully intact, and they will still reveal vibrant colors when wet.
Not far from Volubilis you will explore the holy town of Moulay Idriss which is famous for being the site of the tomb of Idriss 1st, the first major Islamic ruler of Morocco, after whom the town is named. From there the drive continues to Meknes, one of the four Moroccan imperial cities, which was the capital of Morocco from 1672 to 1727 under sultan Moulay Ismail.
Where you will be able to tour the city and explore its ancient Medina with its square called “Lhdim”. See Bab Mansour, which was built with marble columns token from nearby Volubilis. And stop by the Royal Stables, which once held the sultan’s 12,000 horses, each with its own groom and slave to attend to its every need.
As well as Visiting the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of only three active Moroccan shrines that non-Muslims may enter. In spite of his excesses, Moulay Ismail is fondly remembered for bringing peace and prosperity, and driving out Spanish and British forces. In the late afternoon you will head to Fes where you will spend the night in hotel/Riad.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 6: Fes sightseeing.
After breakfast in your Riad/Hotel, you will meet your private local guide to explore the different sights of the ancient Medina of Fes. Begin your tour with a visit to the royal palace, with its seven golden doors, and learn about the significance of the intricate decor.
Continue and stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, which was built next to the palace to offer protection. And then take in the view of the city from Borj Sud, a former fortress and one of the lookouts on a hill where you can see all of Fes laid out, allowing you to spot landmarks otherwise hidden by the skyline-obscuring buildings.
Visit a pottery cooperative to see how they make the unique Fes pottery, as well as handcrafting the intricate mosaics adorning half of Morocco. Head into the ancient medina and step into a sort of living museum. The Fes medina is very much a local community that lives and works and goes about daily life in the medina.
Stop by the Al-Quaraouiyine University, the oldest degree-granting university still in operation, have been founded in 859CE by a woman. Visit handicraft workshops, where you will see why Fes is considered the handicraft capital of Morocco.
This can include, among other things, the silk weavers, where beautifully colorful fabrics are woven from silk fibers of the agave plant, and the famous Fes tannery, where they process all manner of animal hides by hand, much as they have for nearly 1000 years. During your tour of the medina, you will stop for lunch in a restaurant that would be very easy to walk right past, but is truly a hidden gem. In the late afternoon you will get back to your accommodation.
Overnight in Fes.
Day 7: Fes – Ifrane – Atlas Mountains – Ziz valley – Erfoud – Merzouga desert.
Today we will leave Fes and drive to the special destination, the Sahara desert. Making our journey enjoying the scenic views of the fertile Saiss plain with olive groves as far as the eye can admire, we will pass by Imouzzar, a small beautiful town in the middle atlas which is home of an annually festival of apples.
As we come to pass it we will make a coffee stop in Ifrane, a small ski resort town that is also known as the Swiss village due to its alpine-style architecture. Here you will see yourself transferred to Europe at short notice, in fact here live Austrians, French and wealthy Moroccans, and it’s the most expensive soil in Morocco apart from the big cities.
From there we will drive through the largest cedar forest in Morocco, where you will always find the wild monkeys but they are used to humans and they are happy to be fed, and surprisingly well mannered. The drive continues to Zaida where you will make stop for lunch, enjoying fresh barbecue in one of the many streetside restaurants.
After a quiet stay you will take in the scenery as you cross the Atlas Mountains and enjoying the lush green date and almond trees filling the gorge in Errachidia. Then drive through the luxurious way along Ziz valley, the largest valley in morocco, enjoying panoramic views of the contiguous palm oasis. To Erfoud city, known by its palm trees plantations and fossils expositions.
In the evening we will eventually arrive to the Erg chebbi desert, one of the best Morocco’s highlights, and then check into your hotel on the edge of Erg-chebbi golden dunes before enjoying a traditional dinner.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Day 8: Sahara desert – Nomadic families – Gnawa village – Camel trekking.
In the morning embark on an SUV for an adventure through the Sahara. Our excursion starts with a visit to Hassi labied village and its lush oasis, with palm trees, almonds and olives, which is being watered by an incredible irrigation system for ages and learn about this well-organized system.
Then we will speed through the golden Erg-chebbi dunes, enjoying the panoramic views and taking beautiful pictures. In the middle of Sahara we will make stop for tea with a nomadic family in a tent, their winter home, and see the nomads herd sheep and goats. After quiet stay with nomads, we will drive and hunt for fossils of aquatic critters in the desert.
Because the Sahara was once an ocean 7 million years ago, and there are countless fossils remaining. Next we will visit the Khamlia village, lived by a dark skin people coming from the South African countries from the time their ancestors were brought to the area as slaves.
Stop in Dar Gnawa and listen to their entrancing music. The rhythmic, hypnotic music has long been part of their ceremonies, and has influenced an entire genre that is performed all across Morocco and has even inspired several music festivals. And then you will enjoy lunch with a local family at their home.
In the late afternoon meet your camels for trek into your desert camp, on the way you will enjoy an amazing sunset in the desert before getting to the camp where you will take some time to relax before enjoying a delicious dinner and live Berber music around camp fire under an incredible sky with billions of chining stars.
Overnight in the Sahara desert.
Day 9: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Tinjdad – Todra gorges.
In the morning it is recommended to wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes before taking time to enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast in the camp. And then ride back your camels to the village or maybe embark on an SUV if one camel is enough.
We will make our journey toward Todra gorges, making stop to see the old town of Rissani where you can visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ali-Cherif, the final resting place of the current king’s great grandfather and the founder of the current dynasty. The intricate decor on the entrance gate is reminiscent of the Bab Mansour in Meknes, while the interior courtyard has many flowers and date trees.
There you can also explore the local market, which is much more local-oriented than that of Marrakech. You will find blacksmiths and woodworkers, mountains of olives and spices, and everything from house wares to electronics.
Leaving Rissani and head to Tinjdad passing by the village of Jorf, where you will be amazed by the style of the women covered in deep black, which is an Arabic tribe that is settled here. And then to Tinghir, where an impressive road takes you high above the palm oasis along the mountain into the stunning Todra gorges, the narrowest gorges in morocco, carved from the red rocks of the landscape by a river. There you will have the opportunity to walk in the famous canyon to experience the rocky world. Then drive to your accommodation in the evening.
Overnight in Todra gorges.
Day 10: Todra gorges – Dades valley – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate.
Today we will leave Todra gorges making the journey to Ouarzazate through the road of thousand Kasbahs. We will drive out the gorges enjoying the panoramic views along the Todra valley and Dades valley, making a stop in Kalaat M’Gouna, small beautiful town lies on the rose valley, which is famous for its rose cooperatives, where thousands of pounds of rose petals are harvested each year to be distilled into rose water and rose oil for use in cosmetics.
From there the drive continues to Ouarzazate, the gate of the Sahara desert and also called Hollywood of Africa, where you will have chance see the famous Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate city center. And visit the Atlas studio, the largest film studio in Morocco, where many films such as Game of thrones, Ben Hur and Cleopatra have been filmed. In the evening you will check into your accommodation.
Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 11: Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou – Tizi n Tichka – Marrakech.
After breakfast we will resume our trip to Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains. As we leave Ouarzazate we will drive to Aït Ben Haddou Ksar, the UNESCO world heritage site since 1987, this little old town located in the former route of the caravan trade between the Sahara desert and Marrakech, the Ksar is now often used as a filming location for movies such as The Jewel of the Nile, Mummy, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
Here you will be able to have walk and stroll in the Ksar and its Kasbahs where you will see the amazing traditional Berber architecture of the houses. After quiet stay we will resume our way to Marrakech crossing the high Atlas Mountains where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Berber villages along the way, to the highest point (Tichka pass) that the road can reach with an altitude of 2260m, offering you stunning landscapes as far as the eye can admire. We will eventually arrive to Marrakech in the evening and check into your accommodation.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 12: Marrakech sightseeing.
Today, after breakfast you will start your Marrakech tour with a private guide. You will begin with a visit to the Koutoubia minaret, the tallest in Marrakech. Within the city walls, no building is allowed to be taller than the Koutoubia. The minaret is part of the largest mosque in Marrakech, which was completed in 1199.
Then tour the Bahia Palace, a late 19th-century palace built for the grand vizier and named for his favorite wife. The rooms, set in a 2-acre garden, include the rooms which housed his harem, an often political position. From there you will have walk to explore Jemaa el Fna, the primary square in the medina and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Though now filled with street performers, snake charmers, merchants, and orange juice stalls, when it was created in 1050, it was used for public executions, perhaps leading to its name which can be translated as “assembly of death”.
Head into the souks surrounding Jemaa el Fna and make stop at a Berber Apothecary shop, learning of the medicinal uses of many of the common spices and herbs that are still used across Morocco to treat common illnesses. While it’s not as picturesque as the heaps of spices you find in the market, it is far more informative. Then visit the several workshops including shoemakers and bakers. In the afternoon you will enjoy a traditional lunch in the square before going back to your accommodation.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 13: Marrakech – Essaouira.
After enjoying your breakfast, check out of your hotel. We will make the journey driving for about three hours to the west of Marrakech to the coastal city of Essaouira, which is a popular tourist destination with a white and blue seashore medina.
It has a beautiful stone port area with a lot of crafts/ceramic shops, and stores that sell the Argan oil they make in the area. On the way we could stop in one of several cooperatives of Berber women who make Argan oil, where we will also see the goats that climb the Argan trees besides our way. Before getting to Essaouira we will have stop for a panoramic view of it from the up of a hill.
On the arrival you will spend the day exploring the charming ocean-side medina which is a world heritage site, and stroll in the beach. Visit the harbor and enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the restaurants of the fishing port. In the evening drive to your accommodation.
Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 14: Essaouira – El Jadida.
Today we will make our journey to the north toward El Jadida, driving along the beautiful seashores in the Atlantic coast, passing by Safi and Oualidia, two beautiful coastal towns. We will get to El Jadida. There you will visit the Portuguese city, the old fortress within walls, that at the turn of the millennium, everything was ruins but since UNESCO took over the medina it has been restored to its former glory.
Through the large gate you will enter the fortress, in the main street there is the Catholic Church which is now converted to a theater, and there is also the entrance to the cistern which is definitely worth a visit. Then walk to the port gate, get into the ramparts and in 20 min you can take a tour around the hole fortress. The colorful history of El Jadida became clear especially when you see a church, a synagogue and a mosque at a glance from the north bastion. Then drive to your accommodation.
Overnight in El Jadida.
Day 15: El Jadida – Casablanca – Departure.
In the morning, after breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer to Casablanca airport for your departure flight.