Journey Overview:
the ultimate 12-day, 11-night grand tour of Morocco for a complete and immersive cultural adventure. This comprehensive round-trip journey begins and ends in Casablanca, guiding you through all four of the nation’s imperial cities, north to the enchanting “Blue Pearl” of Chefchaouen, south to the vast Sahara Desert for a two-night stay, and west to the breezy Atlantic coast of Essaouira. With dedicated days for exploring Morocco’s most fascinating cities and landscapes, this tour is a masterpiece of discovery.
Tour Highlights:
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Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Casablanca Your grand tour begins with our pick-up service from the airport, port, or your accommodation in Casablanca. We’ll start with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, an architectural marvel overlooking the Atlantic. After lunch, we’ll explore the city, including the vibrant Casablanca Cornish, before you check into your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen (The Blue City) After breakfast, we drive along the coastline to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Here you will visit the city’s highlights, including the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas. In the afternoon, we head north into the Rif Mountains to the enchanting city of Chefchaouen for your overnight stay.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Chefchaouen Today is dedicated to exploring the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco. Famous for its buildings and alleyways painted in brilliant shades of white and blue, Chefchaouen’s old medina is a photographer’s dream. Stroll through its charming streets, admiring the beautiful blue doors and whitewashed walls. In the afternoon, you can take an optional hike to the Spanish Mosque on a nearby hill for a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city.
Day 4: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes After a final morning stroll in Chefchaouen, we drive to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then continue to the imperial city of Meknes, the Ismaili capital, to visit landmarks like Bab Al-Mansour and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Our day concludes as we arrive in the cultural capital of Fes for an overnight stay in a traditional Riad.
Day 5: Guided Sightseeing Tour of Fes Explore the highlights of Fes with an expert local guide. Your full-day tour will take you into the world’s largest living medieval medina to visit the famous Blue Gate, the Medrasa Bouanania, the Najjarine fountain, the fascinating Tanneries, and the Quaraouine Mosque and University, the oldest university in the world. We will also visit the Jewish quarter and drive to an ancient fortress for a panoramic view of the city.
Day 6: Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Sahara We depart Fes after breakfast, driving south into the Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and the nearby cedar forests to see the wild Barbary macaques. After lunch, our journey continues along the spectacular Ziz Valley. In the late afternoon, we reach the Sahara Desert of Merzouga, where you will switch to camels for a trek across the dunes to enjoy a magnificent sunset before arriving at your luxury desert camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Full Day Exploring the Merzouga Region After watching the desert sunrise, you will return from the camp to meet your driver. Today is dedicated to exploring the incredible Merzouga region by 4×4. We will visit an ancient eyeliner mine, share tea with a nomadic family in their hand-woven tent, visit the wild “flamingos lake,” and travel to Khamlia village to enjoy traditional Gnaoua music and dancing. You’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel at the desert’s edge.
Day 8: Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley After breakfast, we leave the desert to visit Rissani town and its lively souk. We then continue to Erfoud to visit a workshop of fossilized marble. Our journey takes us to the Todra Gorges, where you can walk through the immense, high-cliffed canyon. We then proceed to the Dades Valley, making stops to see the unique “monkey fingers” rock formation and to admire the stunning landscape.
Day 9: Dades Valley → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakesh After breakfast, we travel through the Roses Valley and the palm groves of Skoura to Ouarzazate. The highlight is a visit to the renowned Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, we make the scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, arriving in the vibrant city of Marrakesh for an overnight stay in a riad.
Day 10: Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marrakesh Explore the highlights of Marrakesh with a local guide. Your visit will include the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Quranic Mosque, and a stroll through the largest traditional souk in Morocco. After free time for lunch near the famous Jemaa El-Fna square, you will visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the beautiful Majorelle Garden.
Day 11: Marrakesh → Essaouira Today we drive west to the charming coastal city of Essaouira. Along the way, we’ll stop to see the famous Argan trees, often with goats climbing their branches. Once in Essaouira (formerly Mogador), you can explore the fishing port, the ancient ramparts with their cannons, and the relaxed, artistic old Medina. Overnight stay in Essaouira.
Day 12: Essaouira → Casablanca Airport On the final day of your tour, depending on your flight schedule, we will depart from Essaouira and drive along the scenic coastline back to Casablanca. We will make stops for panoramic views before transferring you to the airport for your departure, bringing your incredible 12-day Morocco tour to a close
