Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca to Rabat
Your journey starts when you arrive in Casablanca. Head straight to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the rare Moroccan mosques where you can enter as a non-Muslim visitor. From there, travel north to Rabat where you'll spend time walking through the medieval ruins at Chellah and the Kasbah des Oudaias old city. The Andalusian Gardens offer a peaceful break in your afternoon, and then you'll check out the Hassan Tower with its 200 supporting columns before settling in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided morning tour of Hassan II Mosque
- Explore Chellah Necropolis with Roman and Islamic ruins
- Visit Kasbah des Oudaias
- Tour Andalusian Gardens
- Visit Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V
Landmarks Hassan II Mosque Chellah Necropolis Kasbah des Oudaias Andalusian Gardens Hassan Tower Mausoleum of Mohamed V 
- Day 2
Rabat to Chefchaouen
Head north early to reach the striking blue city of Chefchaouen nestled in the Rif Mountains. If you're up for it, there's an optional 2 to 3 hour hike through green vegetation to the Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls. Back in Chefchaouen's medina, you'll walk around the blue-hued buildings and stop at Plaza Outa el-Hammam main square. Visit the Grand Mosque and kasbah during the afternoon, then hike up to the abandoned Spanish Mosque to catch sunset views over the city and all those blue buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Chefchaouen medina and historic streets
- Visit Plaza Outa el-Hammam
- Tour Grand Mosque and kasbah
- Tour kasbah garden and museum
Optional Activities
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls (2 to 3 hours through lush vegetation and small pools)
- Browse traditional shops in Plaza Outa el-Hammam
- Ascend to abandoned Spanish Mosque for sunset view (20 to 30 minutes)
Landmarks Cascades d'Akchour Plaza Outa el-Hammam Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen Chefchaouen Kasbah Spanish Mosque 
- Day 3
Meknes - Fes
This morning starts early so you can photograph the quiet streets before heading to Volubilis, a UNESCO-protected Roman ruins site marking the farthest Roman reach into Africa. Next, stop in Meknes, the smaller imperial city, where you'll tour the Ville Impériale, see the Bab al-Mansour gate, and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and Royal Stables. Later you'll continue to Fes, stopping at the Merenid Tombs for panoramic views of the city before checking into your traditional riad for dinner and a good night's rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Volubilis ruins
- Visit Meknes Ville Impériale
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Visit Royal Stables
- Visit Merenid Tombs with city views
- Dinner at riad
Landmarks Volubilis Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables Merenid Tombs 
- Day 4
Fes
You'll spend about half the day with a local guide exploring both Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid medinas. Starting through the Bab Boujeloud gate, you'll walk along Talâa Kebira main thoroughfare and head to the Chouara Tannery to see traditional dye pots and centuries-old techniques up close. After that, admire the intricate zellij tilework at the Al Attarine Madrasa, then explore the Mellah old Jewish quarter and cemetery. If time allows, you can check out the French colonial Ville Nouvelle district before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided half-day medina tour with local guide
- Enter through Bab Boujeloud gate
- Walk Talâa Kebira main thoroughfare
- Visit Chouara Tannery
- View Al Attarine Madrasa zellij tilework
- Explore Mellah old Jewish quarter and cemetery
- Optional visit to Ville Nouvelle
Optional Activities
- Visit Ville Nouvelle district
Landmarks Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Chouara Tannery Al Attarine Madrasa Mellah Fes el Bali Fes el Jdid 
- Day 5
Fes to Merzouga
Leave early and you'll climb over Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet/2,178 meters through cedar forests where you might spot Barbary Macaque monkeys. Stop for lunch in Midelt near the Moulouya River, then continue climbing over Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley with its hidden oases and palm clusters. You'll pass fortified ksars along the way and reach Erfoud to see the date festival and fossil mining sites. By evening, take a camel trek through the Erg Chebbi sand dunes to your prepared camp, watch the sunset from a nearby dune, and relax by the campfire before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Midelt), Dinner (Delicious dinner at desert camp)
Included Activities
- Cross Col du Zad pass
- Trek through cedar forests of Middle Atlas
- Stop in Midelt
- Cross Tizi n'Talremt pass
- Visit Erfoud local collective to learn about fossil mining
- Camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes to desert camp
- Trek to nearby sand dune for sunset viewing
- Dinner at desert camp by campfire
Optional Activities
- View Barbary Macaque monkeys
Landmarks Col du Zad Middle Atlas Mountains Midelt Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt Pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi 
- Day 6
Todra Gorge - Ouarzazate
Catch the sunrise and try sandboarding on the dunes early in the morning. Later, leave the dunes for Khemliya to experience a traditional Saharan village with people originally from Mali. Continue through a dramatic gate into Rissani market town and you'll see the livestock auction and unique donkey parking lot. After that, reach Tinerhir and explore the 984-foot/300-meter-deep Todra Gorge and the cool Todra River. Heading west, travel through Boumalne Dades and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, then stop at Kela'a M'gouna with its fragrant rose bushes before arriving in Ouarzazate for a studio tour showcasing desert landscapes used in films.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing in Merzouga dunes
- Visit Khemliya traditional Saharan village
- Visit Rissani market town
- Explore Todra Gorge
- Explore Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Visit Kela'a M'gouna
- Studio tour in Ouarzazate
Optional Activities
- Rent sandboard to test skills on dunes
- Experience Rissani livestock auction and donkey parking lot
- Relax in Todra River cool water
- Visit Musée du Cinema in Ouarzazate
Landmarks Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Boumalne Dades Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate Musée du Cinema 
- Day 7
Aït Benhaddou - Marrakech
Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site Aït Benhaddou, thought to date from the 11th century along the trans-Saharan trade route. Explore the narrow streets heading up to the Granary for surrounding landscape views. From there, you'll ascend the High Atlas mountain range where Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet/4,165 meters is visible as the highest peak. Stop near Tizi n'Tichka pass at 7,415 feet/2,260 meters for panoramic mountain views, and notice the dramatic climate and landscape change as you descend into Marrakech. Check into your hotel and in the early evening, explore the lively Jemaa el-Fna square or relax at a café with mint tea and a meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Aït Benhaddou UNESCO site
- Climb to Aït Benhaddou Granary for views
- Cross High Atlas mountain range
- Stop at Tizi n'Tichka pass for views
- Explore Jemaa el-Fna square in evening
Optional Activities
- Enjoy mint tea and meal at café surrounding Jemaa el-Fna square
Landmarks Aït Benhaddou Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Jemaa el-Fna 
- Day 8
Marrakech
Start your day exploring Marrakech's ancient medina with a visit to the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. You'll spend time walking through the complicated labyrinth of souks including Souk el Attarin for spices, Souk Chouari for woodwork, Souk Smata for traditional slippers, and Souk des Tenturier to see traditional dyeing methods. Later, admire the fine Moroccan Islamic architecture at the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school featuring carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and intricate zellij tilework throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens
- Explore medina souks including Souk el Attarin
- Explore Souk Chouari
- Explore Souk Smata
- Explore Souk des Tenturier dyers' souk
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Landmarks Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Gardens Souk el Attarin Souk Chouari Souk Smata Souk des Tenturier Ben Youssef Madrasa 
- Day 9
Amizmiz
Venture south of Marrakech to the small town of Amizmiz in the High Atlas foothills, about one hour away. You'll explore the modest market in the old town, then join your mountain guide to trek narrow roads and mule paths through the surrounding hills. Hike between small Berber villages where you'll observe local farmers and shepherds, and pass children heading to school. After stopping for lunch with a local family where you'll learn to make homemade bread, you'll continue hiking into the afternoon before arriving at a local Berber home for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local family, learning to make homemade bread), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Amizmiz market
- Guided trek through narrow roads and mule paths
- Trek between Berber villages
- Lunch with local family including homemade bread making
- Dinner and overnight at local Berber home
Landmarks Amizmiz 
- Day 10
Amizmiz to Marrakech
Have breakfast with your hosts before heading back out on the trail to continue exploring local scenery and nearby towns. When you're ready, return to Marrakech and head to the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna. Visit the Saadian Tombs featuring 500-year-old craftsmanship, explore the sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace, and wander through the mellah. Then tour the 19th-century Bahia Palace, and if you have time, stop by the Dar Di Said Museum for exhibits of clothing, antiques, jewelry, and carved Hispano-Moorish decorations.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with Berber hosts), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast with Berber hosts
- Guided hike through local trails and towns
- Return to Marrakech kasbah area
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Explore El Badi Palace sunken gardens
- Wander through mellah
- Tour Bahia Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts) for exhibits of clothing, antiques, jewelry, and carved Hispano-Moorish cedar decorations
Landmarks Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Dar Di Said Museum - Day 11
Marrakech
Your final morning is yours to complete any last-minute gift and souvenir shopping around the city. Before you depart, visit the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, the only surviving Almoravid monument built during the Almoravid Dynasty and rediscovered in 1948, for a final look at Morocco's architectural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
Optional Activities
- Last-minute gift and souvenir shopping
Landmarks Almoravid Koubba 
