Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca to Rabat
Your private driver picks you up at the airport in Casablanca, then heads to Hassan II Mosque where you'll tour the interior and see one of the tallest minarets around. After grabbing lunch, you'll drive to Rabat to walk through Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V before checking into your riad for the evening.
- Start point
- Rabat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Morocco (HOTEL)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hassan II Mosque with interior tour
- Tour Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Casablanca (on own)
- Dinner in Rabat (on own with driver recommendations)
Landmarks Hassan II Mosque Hassan Tower Mausoleum of Mohamed V - Day 2
Rabat to Chefchaouen
You travel to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains and settle into a traditional riad. The rest of the day is yours to wander at your own pace. The blue-painted medina is everywhere around you, with Place Outa el Hammam worth checking out. You can browse wool garments and handcrafted items in local shops, then sit down with traditional Maqlouba coffee and watch how the town goes about its day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore the medina of Chefchaouen at own pace
- Visit Place Outa el Hammam (main square)
- Browse shops for handcrafted wool garments, woven blankets, cedarwood furniture, and artisanal work
- Order and enjoy traditional Maqlouba (upside-down) coffee
Landmarks Place Outa el Hammam Chefchaouen Medina - Day 3
Chefchaouen
This morning you wake early to catch sunrise from the Spanish mosque overlooking the mountains, then spend time walking through the quiet blue town before everything opens up. By late morning you'll join a guided hike into the Rif Mountains toward Cascades d'Akchour waterfall, passing through cedar forests and spotting smaller waterfalls along the way. The route takes you through God's Bridge natural rock formation. After returning to town, you'll explore the medina and market at a more relaxed pace, ending with a calm evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike in the Rif Mountains to Cascades d'Akchour
- Hike to God's Bridge natural rock formation
- Visit the medina and market in Chefchaouen
Optional Activities
- Watch sunrise from the Spanish mosque
- Explore the blue town early before shops open
- Refreshing dip in waterfall (weather dependent)
- Buy fresh fruit at the market
- People watch from the market area
Landmarks Spanish Mosque Cascades d'Akchour God's Bridge Rif Mountains - Day 4
Volubilis - Moulay Idriss - Meknes - Fez
You head out early from Chefchaouen with time to see more of the medina. Next you'll visit Volubilis, a UNESCO site with Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins including merchant homes, temples, and mosaics. From there, you'll stop in Moulay Idriss, the country's first Islamic capital known for its distinctive round minaret. Then you'll explore the prosperous city of Meknes, checking out its imperial area with gardens, palaces, and historic gates before arriving in Fez for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Volubilis UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman ruins
- Explore Moulay Idriss historic city
- Tour Meknes Ville Impériale area including gardens, palaces, Bab al-Mansour gate, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and Royal Stables
Optional Activities
- Watch sunrise from Spanish mosque before departure
- Relax and people watch at Place Outa el-Hammam café in morning
- Hire a local guide at Volubilis (available on own)
- Lunch in Moulay Idriss or Meknes
- Explore Fez medina at own pace in late afternoon/evening
Landmarks Volubilis Moulay Idriss Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables (Meknes) Fez Medina - Day 5
Fez
After breakfast you meet a local guide born and raised in Fez for a walk through the UNESCO-protected medina. You'll discover hidden corners, observe how people actually live, and hear local stories about madrasas and palaces. The guide takes you to tanneries and mosaic workshops to see traditional crafting methods still being used today. You'll head back to your riad to relax, then later enjoy a guided visit to a traditional hammam for some relaxation before your evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided medina tour of Fez with local guide
- Visit tanneries to observe traditional crafting methods
- Visit mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafting methods
- Guided visit to local hammam (traditional public bath)
Optional Activities
- Ask guide for lunch recommendations
- Afternoon relaxation at riad
- Additional evening exploration
Landmarks Fez Medina Fez Tanneries - Day 6
Fez to Sefrou and return to Fez
After breakfast your guide meets you for a day trip to Sefrou, a walled town about 17 miles southeast of Fez in the Middle Atlas Mountains. You'll learn about its history as a Roman market and caravan stopping point. The Craft Center of Sefrou shows you artisans working with wood, ceramics, rugs, and silk. You'll also hear about the UNESCO-recognized cherry festival held here every early June. Later you'll drive back to Fez in time for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided day tour of Sefrou
- Visit Craft Center of Sefrou (Ensemble Artisanal de Sefrou) to observe artisans working with wood, ceramics, rug weaving, and silk
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Fez (on own with guide recommendations)
Landmarks Sefrou Craft Center of Sefrou (Ensemble Artisanal de Sefrou) - Day 7
Fez to Sahara Desert (Merzouga)
You depart early for a long day crossing through mountains and desert to reach the Sahara. The route takes you through the Middle Atlas via Azrou's cedar forests where Barbary Macaque monkeys live in ancient trees. You'll stop in Midelt on the high desert plateau, then follow the scenic Ziz Valley, an ancient Saharan trade route, through dramatic mountain ranges and canyon passes. Along the way you see fortified houses called ksars and learn about ancient water 'mining' methods. Near Erfoud you visit a local artisan collective to see how fossils are worked. Your day ends at a desert camp near Merzouga where you'll ride camels at sunset and listen to traditional Berber music by the fire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at desert camp with traditional Berber music by the fire)
Included Activities
- Visit Cèdre Gouraud Forest to observe Barbary Macaque monkeys in cedar trees
- Stop in Midelt (high desert plateau town)
- Drive through Ziz Valley (ancient Saharan Trade Route)
- Visit Erfoud fossil artisan collective to learn about fossils and stone transformation
- Camel ride to desert camp near Merzouga
- Dinner at desert camp
- Traditional Berber music by the fire at camp
Optional Activities
- Climb dunes to watch sunset
- Observe starry night sky at camp
Landmarks Cèdre Gouraud Forest Midelt Ziz Valley Ziz Gorge Erfoud Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 8
Tinghir - Dades Gorge
If you're an early riser, you can watch sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes, otherwise breakfast waits at camp. You'll ride camels out of the dunes then begin driving through remote Saharan borderlands. In Rissani you'll check out the traditional market with its unique 'donkey parking lot'. The drive takes you through desert plains, high mountains, and rugged plateaus with acacia forests adapted to the climate. After stopping in the oasis city of Tinghir for lunch, you have the option of a 40-minute trip to Toudgha Gorge. You'll end the day in Dades Gorge with its dramatic red and mauve-striped mountains, staying overnight in a Berber village.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at camp), Lunch (Lunch in Tinghir), Dinner
Included Activities
- Camel ride out of Erg Chebbi
- Visit Rissani traditional market
- Lunch in Tinghir
Optional Activities
- Watch sunrise over the dunes before breakfast
- Walk around Rissani traditional market
- Visit Rissani 'donkey parking lot'
- Stop in village of Alnif to see local fossil workshops
- 40-minute excursion to Toudgha (Todra) Gorge for hiking and bouldering
- Explore epic scenery of Dades Gorge in the evening
Landmarks Rissani Tinghir Toudgha Gorge Todra Gorge Dades Gorge Alnif Aït Youl Aït Arbi Aït Oudinar Aït Ouffi Aït Toukhsine - Day 9
Dades Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
You wake early to see the beautiful desert mountain scenery, have breakfast, then head toward Marrakesh through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. You'll pass fortified forts where chiefs and landowners once lived and see people farming using traditional methods. Nomads herding animals move across the landscape. You can see the El Mansour reservoir that supplies water for domestic use, farming, and hydroelectricity. Later you'll visit Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 11th century, then stay nearby for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Visit Aït Benhaddou UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Activities
- Explore Aït Benhaddou on arrival or early morning next day
- View El Mansour reservoir
Landmarks Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs El Mansour Reservoir Ouarzazate Aït Benhaddou - Day 10
Ait Benhaddou to Marrakesh
You cross the High Atlas Mountains separating the desert from Marrakesh. If interested, you can revisit Ait Benhaddou in morning light before leaving Ouarzazate. The drive winds up the dry desert slopes through Tizi-n-Tichka pass with panoramic views of the mountain range and plains. Looking west, you might spot Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest mountain. As you descend the north-facing slopes, the climate and landscape change dramatically with deep river valleys and almond and walnut orchards becoming more common. You'll arrive in Marrakesh and spend the afternoon taking things slower before the medina's main square comes alive later in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka pass
- Travel through contrasting landscapes of desert slopes and lush valleys
Optional Activities
- Revisit Aït Benhaddou in morning light (if missed previous day)
- Observe panoramic mountain views from Tizi-n-Tichka pass
- Spot Mount Toubkal from the pass
- Explore Jemaa el Fna square in early evening
- Dine at cafés surrounding Jemaa el Fna while enjoying entertainment
Landmarks Tizi-n-Tichka Pass Mount Toubkal Jemaa el Fna - Day 11
Marrakesh
After breakfast you meet a local guide for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site medina. You'll walk through lively souks and maze-like alleys finding djellabas, colorful babouches, intricately pierced lanterns, and exotic spices. Your guide shares the history and stories of different neighborhoods. In the afternoon you continue to Bahia and El Badii Palaces, Majorelle Gardens, and Saadien Tombs. You'll head back to your hotel to relax, then head out to Jemaa El Fnaa as the evening comes alive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Marrakesh medina UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore souks and medina alleys
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Visit El Badii Palace
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
- Visit Saadien Tombs
Optional Activities
- Ask guide for lunch recommendations (most top Moroccan chefs are from Marrakesh)
- Try street food in the medina
- Explore Jemaa El Fnaa in evening
Landmarks Marrakesh Medina Bahia Palace El Badii Palace Majorelle Gardens Saadien Tombs Jemaa El Fnaa - Day 12
Marrakesh to Casablanca
Early morning departure from Marrakesh to Casablanca takes the coastal route, stopping at two historic Portuguese fortified cities. You'll explore El Jadida and its Portuguese cistern, ramparts, and Church of the Assumption. From there you continue to Azemour, a charming town that has inspired Moroccan artists for decades. You check into your downtown Casablanca hotel, then join a guided tour to catch any sites you missed and explore the city before your final evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit El Jadida Portuguese cistern
- Tour El Jadida ramparts
- Visit Church of the Assumption in El Jadida
- Visit Azemour
Optional Activities
- Walk through Azemour's 16th-century medina
- Visit sites missed upon arrival in Casablanca
- Explore Casablanca on final evening
Landmarks El Jadida Portuguese Cistern (El Jadida) Church of the Assumption (El Jadida) Azemour Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) - Day 13
Casablanca to Departure
After breakfast you travel 45 minutes to Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport for your departure. You leave with colorful and historic memories of your time in Morocco.
- End point
- Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco (hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport
