Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca - Rabat
Start in Casablanca with a morning tour of the Hassan II Mosque, where non-Muslims are actually welcome to enter. After that, head north to Rabat, the capital, to walk through several historic sites. You'll see the medieval Chellah Necropolis, the Kasbah des Oudaias old city, the Andalusian Gardens, and Hassan Tower with the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. The drive between cities takes about an hour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hassan II Mosque
- Visit Chellah Necropolis and Roman and Islamic ruins
- Explore Kasbah des Oudaias old city center
- Visit Andalusian Gardens
- Visit Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V
Landmarks/POIs Hassan II Mosque Chellah Necropolis Kasbah des Oudaias Andalusian Gardens Hassan Tower Mausoleum of Mohamed V - Day 2
Rabat - Chefchaouen
Travel north toward Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains and stop along the way for a 2-3 hour hike. The path takes you through lush vegetation and past small pools to reach the Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls. Later you'll arrive in Chefchaouen and wander the blue-washed medina with its narrow streets, check out Plaza Outa el-Hammam and its shops, see the Grand Mosque and kasbah. End the day by heading up to the abandoned white Spanish Mosque for sunset views over the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls (2-3 hours)
- Explore Chefchaouen medina and narrow streets
- Visit Plaza Outa el-Hammam
- Visit Grand Mosque
- Tour kasbah garden, museum, and old prison cells
- Visit abandoned white Spanish Mosque at sunset
Optional Activities
- Restaurant or café dining in Chefchaouen
Landmarks/POIs Cascades d'Akchour Chefchaouen Medina Plaza Outa el-Hammam Grand Mosque Chefchaouen Kasbah Spanish Mosque - Day 3
Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes
Head south toward Fes with several stops on the way. First, see the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO site from the 3rd century BCE. Then stop in Meknes to walk through its calmer medina, see the grand Bab al-Mansour gate, and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. From there, continue to Fes and go to the Merenid Tombs ruins at dusk for views across the medieval city before settling into your traditional riad for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO site)
- Explore Meknes medina
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Visit Merenid Tombs ruins at dusk
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Merenid Tombs - Day 4
Fes
Spend a half day with a certified guide in Fes's oldest and most complete Arab medina. Start at the Bab Boujeloud gate and walk along Taala Kebira past shops and souks. You'll visit the famous Chouara Tannery with its 11th-century stone dye pots and traditional techniques. See the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin University (founded 859 CE) next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. If interested, there's an optional cooking class in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day guided medina tour with certified guide
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore Taâla Kebira thoroughfare
- Visit Chouara Tannery and leather shop rooftop view
- Visit Al Attarine Madrasa
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University
- View Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque interior glimpses
Optional Activities
- Cooking class - learn to prepare typical Moroccan meal
Landmarks/POIs Bab Boujeloud Taâla Kebira Chouara Tannery Al Attarine Madrasa Al-Qarawiyyin University Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque - Day 5
Fes
Continue exploring Fes today, starting with the Batha Museum, a 19th-century palace with Moroccan arts, crafts, and pottery displayed in Andalusian-style gardens. Walk over to the mellah, the old Jewish quarter, where you'll get nice panoramic city views. Head to Ville Nouvelle to see the dramatic architectural changes, then tour a Ceramics and Tile Collective to watch local artisans working. After that, relax in the Jnan Sbil gardens before heading back to your riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Batha Museum with Moroccan arts and crafts collection
- Explore Andalusian-style gardens at museum
- Walk mellah (old Jewish quarter)
- Explore Ville Nouvelle
- Tour Ceramics and Tile Collective
- Visit Jnan Sbil (Bou Jeloud Gardens)
Landmarks/POIs Batha Museum Mellah Jnan Sbil - Day 6
Fes - Marrakech
Travel west to the coast and then south to Marrakech, with an option to stop again in Meknes, Rabat, or Casablanca to break up the drive. Spend the afternoon at a relaxed pace when you arrive. In the early evening, head to Jemaa el-Fna square to see musicians, performers, snake charmers, and games. Grab food from the stalls and try mint tea at a cafe, then take an evening walk to see the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque before heading to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Experience Jemaa el-Fna square in evening
- View floodlit Koutoubia Mosque
Optional Activities
- Stop in Meknes, Rabat, or Casablanca during drive
- Meal at food stalls at Jemaa el-Fna
- Meal and mint tea at café surrounding Jemaa el-Fna
Landmarks/POIs Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque - Day 7
Marrakech
Explore Marrakech, known for its 1000-year-old red sandstone walls. Start at the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens. Browse the spice market at Souk el-Attarin or Souk Smata for slippers, rugs, and leather goods. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school for its 16th-century architecture and intricate zellij tilework. Notice the fondouks, medieval caravanserais, as you walk through. Optionally see the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, or Bahia Palace before returning to Jemaa el-Fna for a meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Explore Souk el-Attarin spice market
- Explore Souk Smata
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Optional Activities
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Visit El Badi Palace
- Visit Bahia Palace
Landmarks/POIs Koutoubia Mosque Souk el-Attarin Souk Smata Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace - Day 8
Marrakech - Essaouira
Travel west to the Atlantic coast and the beach town of Essaouira. The route passes through rolling plains and endemic argan forests where you might see goats grazing in the argan trees. There's an option to stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative to learn how the expensive oil is extracted. In Essaouira, walk the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts with old brass cannons, explore the UNESCO-protected medina, visit the windswept beach, and have freshly caught seafood for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk Skala de la Kasbah (18th-century seafront ramparts)
- Explore UNESCO-protected medina
- Visit Essaouira beach
Optional Activities
- Stop at Argan Oil Cooperative to learn oil extraction
- Visit Diabat (Jimi Hendrix association)
Landmarks/POIs Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira Medina Essaouira Beach Diabat - Day 9
Essaouira - Casablanca
Spend the morning in Essaouira, the 'Windy City' known for its strong Alize trade winds. Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders on the crescent beach, or sign up for a lesson if you want to try it yourself. Then it's time to say goodbye and return to Casablanca for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders
- Take windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson
Landmarks/POIs Essaouira Beach
