Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca
You'll arrive in Casablanca and head to your hotel to drop off luggage. Later this afternoon, take a walk along the Boulevard de la Corniche beachfront, which brings you to the Hassan II Mosque. It's worth stopping here as the sunset comes in, and then grab dinner at Rick's Café, where you can soak in the evening atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Boulevard de la Corniche
- Visit Hassan II Mosque exterior and watch sunset
- Dine at Rick's Café
Landmarks/POIs Hassan II Mosque Boulevard de la Corniche - Day 2
Casablanca - Meknes - Fes
Start early with a morning tour of the Hassan II Mosque to see its ornate architectural details up close. From there, you'll travel to Meknes to check out the Imperial City, its gardens and palaces like Bab al-Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. After lunch, head to Volubilis to walk through the UNESCO-protected Roman ruins. Later you'll arrive in Fes and visit the Merenid Tombs for views over the medina before settling into a riad in the old town for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Hassan II Mosque interior
- Explore Ville Impériale (Imperial City) in Meknes including gardens and palaces
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Visit UNESCO-protected Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Visit Merenid Tombs
Landmarks/POIs Hassan II Mosque Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Volubilis Merenid Tombs - Day 3
Fes
Your guide meets you for a half-day walking through Fes's medina quarters. You'll start at Bab Boujeloud gate and head down Taluaa Kebira past shops and souks. The Chouara Tannery is next, where you can see the traditional dye-filled pots and centuries-old leather techniques still in use. Then you'll walk through the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa to see its intricate tilework. If time allows, explore the Mellah in Fes el Jdid and check out Ville Nouvelle to see how the newer architecture contrasts with the old medina.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day guided medina tour with certified guide
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore Talâa Kebira thoroughfare
- Visit Chouara Tannery
- Visit Al Attarine Madrasa
- Visit Mellah (old Jewish quarter) in Fes el Jdid
Optional Activities
- Visit Ville Nouvelle
Landmarks/POIs Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Chouara Tannery Al Attarine Madrasa Mellah - Day 4
Fes to Merzouga
Depart early heading south through the Middle Atlas mountains and cross the Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet. Watch for Barbary Macaque monkeys in the cedar forests as you go. Stop for lunch in Midelt, then cross Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley where hidden oases and palm clusters line the route. You'll see fortified ksars along the way before reaching Erfoud to check out fossils and local artisans. Later head to Erg Chebbi's sand dunes, ride a camel through them to your desert camp, catch the sunset from a nearby dune, and have dinner by the campfire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at desert camp)
Included Activities
- Camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes with camel guide
- Visit local collective in Erfoud to learn about fossil mining and meet artisans
- Sunset viewing from sand dune
Landmarks/POIs Col du Zad Midelt Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi - Day 5
Merzouga - Todra Gorge - Ouarzazate
Catch sunrise and try sandboarding on the dunes before leaving. Head to Khemliya to experience a traditional Saharan village with residents originally from Mali. Then enter the dramatic gate into Rissani market town to see the livestock auction and donkey parking. Continue through Tinerhir and explore the 984-foot-deep Todra Gorge, cooling off in the shallow Todra River afterward. Pass through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs and Kela'a M'gouna with its fragrant rose bushes. Arrive in Ouarzazate by evening for a studio tour showing desert landscapes used in films.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Erg Chebbi
- Visit traditional Saharan village in Khemliya
- Explore Todra Gorge and Todra River
- Studio tour in Ouarzazate
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding at Erg Chebbi
Landmarks/POIs Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate - Day 6
Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
Travel to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating from the 11th century, and walk its narrow streets up to the Granary for landscape views. Ascend the High Atlas mountains where you'll see Mount Toubkal in the distance. Stop near Tizi n'Tichka pass at 7,415 feet for panoramic views. Descend into Marrakech through dramatic changes in climate and landscape. Once at your hotel, explore Jemaa el-Fna in the early evening, Africa's busiest square, where musicians, performers, snake charmers, and food stalls create a lively scene. Grab mint tea or dinner from the surrounding cafés.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ait Benhaddou UNESCO World Heritage site
- Explore Granary at Ait Benhaddou
Optional Activities
- Early evening exploration of Jemaa el-Fna square and surrounding cafés
Landmarks/POIs Ait Benhaddou Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Jemaa el-Fna - Day 7
Marrakech
Explore Marrakech's ancient medina starting with the Koutoubia Mosque and its adjoining gardens. You can view the 12th-century foundations and 253-foot minaret from outside, then walk through the fountains and pools in the garden. Next, navigate through the souks hidden behind restaurants and shops, checking out Souk el Attarin for spices, Souk Chouari for woodwork, and Souk Smata for traditional babouche slippers. Visit Souk des Teinturiers to see cloth and yarn being dyed the traditional way. End at the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school with carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Marrakech's medina with certified guide
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque exterior and Gardens
- Explore Souk el Attarin
- Explore Souk Chouari
- Explore Souk Smata
- Visit Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk)
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Landmarks/POIs Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Souk el Attarin - Day 8
Marrakech - Amizmiz (High Atlas)
Head south to Amizmiz in the High Atlas foothills, about an hour away. Start by exploring the modest market in the old town, then trek with a mountain guide along narrow roads and mule paths through the surrounding hills. You'll hike between small Berber villages, watching local farmers and shepherds work. You may see children heading to or from school that serves multiple nearby villages. Stop for lunch with a local family and learn to make homemade bread. Continue hiking into the afternoon, then you'll be welcomed for dinner at another Berber home where you'll spend the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local Berber family), Dinner (Dinner with local Berber family)
Included Activities
- Mountain guide-led trek through High Atlas hills and Berber villages
- Lunch with local family and homemade bread-making experience
- Dinner and overnight stay with local Berber family
Landmarks/POIs Amizmiz - Day 9
Amizmiz - Marrakech
Continue exploring the local scenery and nearby towns before heading back to Marrakech. Once you arrive, check out the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna and see the Saadian Tombs with their 500-year-old craftsmanship. Wander through the Mellah (Jewish quarter), then explore the sunken gardens at the 17th-century El Badi Palace and tour the 19th-century Bahia Palace. If time allows, visit Dar Di Said Museum to see clothing, antiques, jewelry, and beautifully carved Hispano-Moorish cedar wood pieces.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Visit El Badi Palace and sunken gardens
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Explore Mellah (Jewish quarter)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts)
Landmarks/POIs Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Mellah Dar Di Said Museum - Day 10
Marrakech to Casablanca
Rise early for last-minute gift shopping before visiting the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, the only surviving Almoravid monument that was rediscovered in 1948. Check out the Marrakech Museum housed in the 19th-century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace, which features modern and traditional art including Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic pieces. After lunch, start your roughly 3.5-hour journey back to Casablanca to catch your flight out of Morocco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
- Visit Marrakech Museum
Optional Activities
- Last-minute gift and souvenir shopping
Landmarks/POIs Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum
