12-Day Tour through the Heart of Morocco from Casablanca

Day 1: Casablanca Airport Casablanca :

Welcome to Morocco!

Upon arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, look out for the friendly face of your chauffeur waiting for you in the arrivals hall.

After assisting you with your luggage, your private transfer will drive you to your hotel in the city's heart. Don't forget to look out the window and be awed by this majestic city, one of the world’s longest continuously inhabited places.

Once you've checked into the hotel, you can enjoy the rest of the evening at your own pace and leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca Rabat to Chefchaouen:

In the morning you will start your trip to visit the biggest mosque in Casablanca, Hassan 2 Mosque.

After visiting the city of Casablanca, you will go to the capital of Morocco, Rabat. We will start with the Bab Challah, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, one of the main gates of the royal palace, and the Oudaya Kasbah. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Then we drive straight to the blue city of Chefchaouen. Of course, on the way you will pass through many small towns and stop for breaks. Getting Chefchaouen a bit early to have time to walk inside the blue alleys of the medina, take pictures, and experience the local food of the little city. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes:

Today in Chefchaouen You will have free time all the morning to visit the blue city. It is a city located in the Rif Mountains, north-west of Morocco. It is famous for the remarkable buildings of different tones of faded blue of its old town. Leather and weaving workshops line its steep, cobbled alleys. In the shaded central square of Outa el Hammam is the casbah with red walls, fortress and keep of the fifteenth century with ethnographic and artistic exhibitions. The octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque rises not far from there.

Then, after lunch, continue our tour to Volubilis, crossing the Rif Mountains via Wazan and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will discover the Roman ruins and learn about the archeological sites of Moroccan history. After the visit to the ruins, we will shift our way to Fes to your hotel overnight in Fes.

Day 4: Fes City Tour:

After breakfast in your Riad, you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts by visiting the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish quarter, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, built during the 14th century. We will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest, including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest one in the world, the tanneries, and the Moulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will visit the tile cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. Overnight at the same Riad.

Day 5: Fes Ifran Midlet Sahara Desert of Merzouga:

After breakfast, you will leave Fes, traveling towards Merzouga via Midelt and the Ziz Valley. Today you will travel via the Ifrane city, a beautiful mountain village named the Switzerland of Morocco. Here you will also stop at the cedar forest in the middle Atlas Mountains.

After that, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. After lunch in Midelt, you’ll be traveling through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the spectacular Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau and seeing how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the province of the southeast Errachidia city.

Arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea. Then take a camel ride in the dunes of the Sahara Desert of Merzouga to reach the camp where you will have the night.

Day 6: Merzouga Todra Gorges Dades Valley:

Today you will have to wake up very early in the morning to see what may be the best sunrise of your life. You will sit over the dunes of the Sahara of Erg Chebbi to watch a wonderful sunrise. After watching the sunrise, you will go down to the camp for breakfast. Then you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. While enjoying the morning camel ride, you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes—changing with the light as the day progresses.

Once you arrive in the village of Merzouga, you will meet the driver again to continue the tour to Dades.

You will have an optional stop in Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chief, the founder of the Alaouit dynasty, and then you will continue to Arfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the Todra Valley, where you will have lunch.

Once in Todra, you can highlight a half-hour walk to see the gorges calmly, and you will be guided through the palm grove and the Jewish quarter. Todra Gorges is the highest, narrowest gorge in Morocco.

In the evening we will drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes." Overnight accommodation will be in a fancy guest house overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 7: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, and Aït Benhaddou Kasbah:

Travel along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Morocco’s most famous Kasbah, Aït Benhaddou. Pass through the Dades Valley and stop in Kela’a M’gouna to admire the cultivated rosebushes. Visit a rose collective to see the process of converting rose petals into rose water and oil.

As you continue west, you may want to stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa, to discover how its nearby regions have been featured in movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Join a movie studio tour and visit the Musée du Cinema to learn more about the filmmaking process and history of the area.

Spend the afternoon exploring Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old ksour dates from the 11th century, when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route. Settle into your accommodation in the old town, and wander the alleys and passageways in the late afternoon after the day crowds have left. Climb up to the old granary—an excellent vantage point to see the Kasbah and surrounding area. Game of Thrones fans may want to trek down to the river to see the gates featured in the popular HBO series. Long after the day crowds have left, enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the valley.

Day 8: Ait Ben Hadou Tizi N'Tichka Pass over the High Atlas to Marrakech:

Leave Aït Benhaddou behind to begin the ascent over the High Atlas mountains. Spot Mount Toubkal, the mountain range’s highest peak, at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Stop in Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn how the argan nut and fruit are processed for various uses (and try some samples). As you descend the High Atlas, you will notice a dramatic change in the climate and landscape as the rocks change to foothills and into flat plains. Soon you will be a part of the noise and bustle of Marrakech.

After a long day on the road, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you like. In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna Square comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls—a catch-all of entertainment! If you want to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and enjoy a cup of mint tea and a meal.

Day 9: Marrakech Exploring the Red City:

After breakfast in the Riad, you can start exploring Marrakech, "the red city of Morocco." We will ensure that you see the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs, and the Bahia Palace. After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of crafts. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wonder by yourself about the other parts of the city.

Day 10: Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains:

This tour is perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking to experience authentic Berber culture while escaping the city.

Escape the bustling streets of Marrakech and embark on a scenic journey to the stunning Ourika Valley. This full-day tour offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure.

Depart from Marrakech in the morning and enjoy a picturesque drive through the winding roads of the High Atlas Mountains

Visit a Traditional Berber House

Experience the warm hospitality of a Berber family by visiting their home. Learn about their way of life, sip on fresh mint tea and homemade bread in a traditional clay oven.

Explore the Ourika River and Waterfalls, upon arrival in Setti Fatma, the gateway to Ourika Valley, take a guided trek through the valley to admire the cascading waterfalls

Relax and indulge in a delicious Moroccan lunch at a riverside restaurant. Savor traditional dishes such as tagine, couscous, and fresh salads, all while enjoying the tranquil sound of flowing water.

Day 11: Marrakech Essaouira:

After breakfast, you will head down to Essaouira. On the way to Essaouira, you can enjoy the amazing view of goats claiming argan trees, and you can stop to see argan forests and cooperatives of argan oil if you would like that.

Essaouira is a coastal town that provides an excellent opportunity to relax on the beach. Its Medina combines history and culture with modern cafes and restaurants. Essaouira has a long promenade with a large sandy beach, and it is safe to swim. It’s a perfect opportunity to get away from the city rush and enjoy the cooler climate of the coastal town of Essaouira.

Essaouira is an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town. It is built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context. 16th-century Koranic school, and note the ornate detail of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.

Day 1:Essaouira Transfer to the airport of Casablanca or hotel:

Transfer to the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca. The itinerary can be modified as much as you like. Your driver will take you back from Essaouira to Casablanca airport or your hotel in Casablanca if you have more days in Morocco.