Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca
You'll arrive in Casablanca and head straight to the Hassan II Mosque, where you can actually go inside as a non-Muslim visitor to see the marble work and cedar ceilings. After that, wander through Parc de la Ligue Arabe and check out the Casablanca Cathedral. The Old Medina is next, then you'll walk through the Hobous district to see the markets and Mauresque architecture. By evening, take a stroll along Boulevard de la Corniche.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hassan II Mosque
- Explore Parc de la Ligue Arabe
- Visit Casablanca Cathedral
- Explore Old Medina
- Tour Hobous (new medina) with olive, vegetable, and spice markets
- Stroll Boulevard de la Corniche
Landmarks/POIs Hassan II Mosque Parc de la Ligue Arabe Casablanca Cathedral Old Medina Hobous Boulevard de la Corniche - Day 2
Casablanca to Chefchaouen
Travel north to Rabat for the day. Start at Chellah Necropolis to see the Roman and Islamic ruins, then walk through Kasbah Des Oudaias with its blue and white streets. You'll visit the Andalusian Gardens and see Hassan Tower with Mohamed V's Mausoleum. Later, head north through the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen. Explore the medina's narrow blue streets and visit Plaza Outa el Hammam and the kasbah. End at the abandoned Spanish Mosque to catch the sunset from there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Chellah Necropolis
- Visit Kasbah Des Oudaias
- Visit Andalusian Gardens
- Visit Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V
- Explore Chefchaouen medina
- Visit Chefchaouen kasbah
- Visit abandoned Spanish Mosque for sunset views
Optional Activities
- Meal at Plaza Outa el Hammam
Landmarks/POIs Chellah Necropolis Kasbah Des Oudaias Andalusian Gardens Hassan Tower Mausoleum of Mohamed V Chefchaouen Medina Chefchaouen Kasbah Spanish Mosque - Day 3
Chefchaouen to Fes
Start early to photograph Volubilis, a UNESCO site with Morocco's best Roman ruins. You'll see columns, old homes, temples, and colorful mosaics including the Labors of Hercules. From there, head south to Meknes and walk through Ville Impériale and the medina, stopping at Bab al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue east to Fes, then climb up to the Merenid Tombs for sunset views of the city or visit the Mellah instead. Finish the day back at your traditional riad for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Roman city of Volubilis
- Explore Volubilis ruins and mosaics
- Explore Ville Impériale in Meknes
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Trek to Merenid Tombs for panoramic views or visit Mellah in Fes
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Labors of Hercules Mosaics Ville Impériale Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Merenid Tombs Mellah - Day 4
Fes
You'll spend today exploring Fes with a guide to help navigate the medieval streets of the oldest imperial city and most complete medina in the Arab world. Start at Bab Boujeloud gate and walk Talâa Kebira, checking out souks and shops with Spanish and Tunisian influences. The 11th-century Chouara Tannery is a highlight, and you can climb onto a leather shop roof to see the ancient stone dye pots below. End at the Al-Qarawiyyin Library and Mosque from 859 CE if you're able to get inside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fes el Bali medina
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore souks along Talâa Kebira
- Visit Chouara Tannery
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin Library and Mosque
Landmarks/POIs Fes el Bali Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin Library and Mosque - Day 5
Fes to Merzouga
Head south through the Middle Atlas mountains with cedar forests, passing over Col du Zad. You'll stop in Midelt for lunch near Moulouya River, then drive through Ziz Valley's palm forests while seeing fortified ksars built by merchants. Arrive in Erfoud and visit a local collective to learn about regional fossils. Later, reach Erg Chebbi's dunes, which rise over 600 feet. In Merzouga, you'll meet your camel for a trek to a Bedouin tent, race up a dune for sunset views, then have dinner and stargazing by the campfire.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Middle Atlas mountains and cedar forests
- Stop in Midelt
- Visit local artisan collective in Erfoud
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Sunset viewing from sand dune
- Stay in Bedouin-style tent
Landmarks/POIs Col du Zad Midelt Moulouya River Ziz Valley Tizi n'Talremt Erfoud Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 6
Merzouga to Todra Gorge
You'll start before sunrise and can try sand boarding or choose an ATV tour, dune tour, or relax by the pool in Merzouga. Later, visit the traditional Saharan village of Khemliya, originally from Mali, where you'll hear traditional music and drumming with dancing. Take a light walk around the village's sand-farmed plots. Head to Rissani market to see the live animal auction and donkey parking. Then continue west to Tinerhir to see the large oasis. Stop at Todra Gorge and climb down to the Todra River for a refreshing dip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sand boarding at sunrise
- Visit traditional village of Khemliya
- Experience traditional music and dancing in Khemliya
- Walk around Khemliya village
- Visit Rissani market
- Explore Tinerhir oasis
- Visit Todra Gorge
- Swim in Todra River
Optional Activities
- ATV tour at Erg Chebbi
- Erg Chebbi dune tour
- Poolside lounging in Merzouga
Landmarks/POIs Erg Chebbi Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Todra River - Day 7
Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
Travel west through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing many adobe structures in various states of repair. You'll go through Boumalne Dades to Kela'a M'gouna, where rose-bordered plots produce cosmetic rose water and oils. Continue to Ouarzazate, a popular desert hub and filming location, and join a movie studio tour to see where famous movies were filmed in nearby desert regions. Check out the Musée du Cinema if you're interested. Reach Ait Benhaddou, a fortified UNESCO-protected kasbah in a valley near the Atlas foothills. Climb to the old Granary for valley views and wander the narrow alleys, paying a small fee to enter some old kasbahs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Visit Kela'a M'gouna
- Movie studio tour in Ouarzazate
- Visit Ait Benhaddou kasbah
- Explore Ait Benhaddou alleys and granary
Optional Activities
- Visit Musée du Cinema
- Enter individual kasbahs at Ait Benhaddou (nominal fee)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Boumalne Dades Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate Musée du Cinema Ait Benhaddou - Day 8
Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech
Head northwest and ascend the High Atlas mountains through Tizi n'Tichka pass. Stop near the top for views of Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet/4,167 m), Morocco's highest peak. Visit Taddert to tour an argan oil cooperative and see how nuts become precious oil for health and beauty products. As you descend the north side, you'll notice the landscape change from arid to green. Arrive in Marrakech and settle in. Evening brings you to Jemaa el-Fna square, busy with vendors, musicians, artists, snake charmers, and performers. Get your bearings: souks are north, Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens are west, and the Saadian Tombs and palaces are south. End with a quiet dinner at a café.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through High Atlas mountains and Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Visit Mount Toubkal vista
- Tour argan oil cooperative in Taddert
- Explore Jemaa el-Fna square
Landmarks/POIs Tizi n'Tichka Mount Toubkal Taddert Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Gardens - Day 9
Marrakech
Your guide will help you find Marrakech's hidden medina gems, souks, and shops in this 'Red City' with Berber roots and major economic importance. See the Koutoubia Mosque with its 253-foot minaret. You'll explore the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school and admire its arabesques, calligraphy, and geometric tile work. Escape the afternoon heat at Majorelle Gardens in Ville Nouvelle. Visit the Saadian Tombs from the 1930s discovery, then the 19th-century Bahia Palace with intricate woodwork and painted ceilings. If there's time, check out El Badi Palace and its sunken gardens, then Marrakech's Mellah. Notice the fondouks along alleys, which are ancient trade route inns.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of medina souks and shops
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Visit El Badi Palace and sunken gardens
- Visit Mellah
Landmarks/POIs Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Majorelle Gardens Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace El Badi Palace Mellah - Day 10
Marrakech to Casablanca
Rise early for last-minute shopping in the souks. Visit the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, the only surviving Almoravid monument, rediscovered in 1948. Explore the Marrakech Museum in the 19th-century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace, which has collections of modern and traditional art including Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic pieces. Optionally visit the Dar Si Said Museum for its extensive woodwork collection. After lunch, drive 3.5 hours back to Casablanca. Stop at Rick's Café for a drink, the popular restaurant and bar inspired by the movie. Then head to catch your return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
- Visit Marrakech Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit Museum of Moroccan Arts (Dar Si Said Museum)
- Stop at Rick's Café in Casablanca
Landmarks/POIs Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum Dar Si Said Museum Rick's Café
