Tailored Moroccan Adeventure from Casablanca in 13 Days
From the bustling markets of Marrakech, to the blue streets of Chefchaouen and the tranquil beauty of the Sahara – our 13 Days Morocco Tour from Casablanca is for those who want it all, and have some time to spend exploring the best of Morocco at a slower pace.
What is Included:
- Transportation/Fuel: 13 days air-conditioned 4WD vehicle or minivan.
- Services of a qualified multilingual local guide / driver.
- Comprehensive sightseeing with guidance.
- 11 nights in well-recommended hotels/kasbahs/riads.
- 1 night in a Berber desert Nomadic luxury camp (private tent).
- Camel ride (one camel per individual).
- Meals as stated – Dinner & breakfast daily (HB)
- Sand-boarding (free and optional -this activity is undertaken at your own risk-).
- Traditional Music live show in desert
What is not included:
- Flights
- Lunch
- Tips, entrance fees,drinks & personal items
Details
From the bustling markets of Marrakech, to the blue streets of Chefchaouen and the tranquil beauty of the Sahara - our 13 Days Morocco Tour from Casablanca is for those who want it all, and have some time to spend exploring the best of Morocco at a slower pace.
We will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, after which we will take a short tour of the city. We will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, one of the Islamic world's greatest monuments, which features the world's tallest minaret and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims.
After our tour we will depart to Rabat, Morocco's diplomatic and administrative capital. We will briefly introduce you to some of the city's most important sights, including the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, before taking you to your riad or hotel to let you settle in. We will spend the night in Rabat.
Overnight at:
Hotel Rihab *4 or similar
After breakfast we will begin our journey towards the mountains, stopping along the way in Asilah; a fortified town from the Portuguese colonial era with 15th-century ramparts and gates, the town is a brief taste of Spain mixed with Moroccan traditions. We will then continue to Chefchaouen, as we ascend into the towering Rif Mountains - a dramatic entrance to the vividly blue-colored town of Chefchaouen, set like a sapphire stone among the jagged mountain peaks.
Once you are settled in the night’s Riad, you will have some time to walk among the blue and white walls of the medina and explore the unique local crafts markets. With a unique aesthetic framed by an unforgettable view among the mountains, Chefchaouen is a one-of-a-kind destination for photographers. In the evening you can enjoy a traditional meal at one of the hotel's three rooftop terraces before relaxing under the crystal-clear Moroccan night-sky.
After breakfast you will have a tour of this striking blue-rinsed, exploring the captivating blue-hued streets of Chefchaouen with a guided half-day sightseeing tour.
Chefchaouen is a quite a small town and your tour guide/driver will provide an overview and guide you through its enchanting blue streets
Dive into the enchanting maze of alleyways and vibrant medina, where every corner reveals a new shade of blue and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Your knowledgeable tour driver/guide will navigate the winding streets, providing insight into the city's rich history and culture as you stroll through its charming streets.
After breakfast, you will set out for the ancient
Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town still features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history.
Afterwards we will continue our journey to Meknes, one of Morocco's greatest imperial cities, often called the "Versailles of Morocco" due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments.
We will take some time to explore the highlights of Meknes, including the Bab Mansour, Sahrij Souani, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a guided tour of the iconic Fes medina. Meet your knowledgeable local guide, who will lead you through the maze-like alleyways of this ancient city. Experience the bustling atmosphere as you encounter traditional forms of transportation like donkeys and mules navigating the narrow streets.
Explore the vibrant souks, where the air is filled with the rich scents of spices and perfumes. Witness the age-old craft of leatherworking at the tanneries, where craftsmen use traditional methods to produce high-quality leather goods. Despite the pungent smell, the leather products crafted here are renowned worldwide and make for excellent souvenirs.
In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the authentic restaurants nestled within the medina. Retire to your hotel for a restful night's sleep, filled with memories of your exploration of Fes.
After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey to Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.
After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.
We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, in a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees, edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can't do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.
We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening at Luxury Berber Camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional berber blues music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.
At your request, our staff will wake you at the crack of dawn to witness the spectacle of the desert sunrise, the colour of the sand contrasting beautifully with the palette of shadows on the dunes. After some light breakfast and tea we will ride the camels back across the desert to the Kasbah to freshen up before our journey back West towards the Todra Gorge, known as "Morocco's Grand Canyon".
We will have lunch here and amble along the valley to take in the view. In some time we arrive at the Dades Gorge, where we watch the sunset's orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.
Dades Valley → Roses Valley → Skoura Oasis → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech
In the morning, we venture off the beaten track into the heart of the high Atlas mountains along the road of thousand kasbahs, stopping for a brief hike above the valley ridge and visiting the Berber troglodyte villages. From there, we continue on to Ouarzazate, a bustling southern city often referred to as "The Hollywood of Morocco" owing to the many famous films shot on location such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as several seasons of the hit show, Game of Thrones.
Next, we will explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous ancient ksar in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many of the films and shows shot on location. We then continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech - a fantastical Arabian Nights city with myriad alleyways, souks, and market stalls.
Marrakech is the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, and has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike; this remarkable city never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers, and we’re sure you’ll love it too. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the vibrant streets at your leisure before settling in for the evening.
Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech's winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky.
In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether it’s pampering yourself at a local hammam or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.
Departing Marrakech after breakfast, we make our way through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees, and argan oil cooperatives to the quaint seaside town of Essaouira. This windswept fishing port with its broad beaches and an ancient walled medina, has long been a popular vacation destination for Moroccans.
Essaouira is also a creative hub where many of the country's wood carvers and artists have made their home, and each year, hosts the Gnaouas Music Festival in the month of June. Stroll along the ramparts and beach as you take in the relaxed vibe of its small but lively medina, or visit the port to savour the catch of the day. We will have dinner in Essaouira and spend the night in a tranquil local hotel.
After breakfast at your riad you will be able to freely explore the maze of alleyways that make up this relaxed seaside port town. Here you'll be able to meet local artists in their studios and browse their artwork, or head to the lively fish market for a savory lunch of fresh grilled fish.
Since it's right on the coast, Essaouira's seafood comes right from the sea, and you can expect the freshest, more sustainable, and widest variety of seafood. You can find a space on the wooden benches and tables alongside the locals and pick your own fish for the grill while enjoying a picturesque view out over the fishing port and the walled medina from the bastion of Skala du Port.
You might decide to go for a walk along the beach at low tide to see the crumbling ruins of the fort of Borj El Barod, or the ruined sultan's palace outside of Diabat, or even to take a boat to the island of Mogador, breeding ground for the rare Eleanora's falcon. If you love watersports, you might even want to try one of the many offered on the popular local beaches, including surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kayaking.
Alternatively, you might prefer to simply sit in one of the many beachside cafes on Place Moulay Hassan, relax, and watch the waves roll in with a coffee or mint tea and a Moroccan pastry. We will once again spend the night in our Essaouira riad.
On this final day of your Moroccan adventure, we will leave Essaouira and journey back to the bustling city of Casablanca, continuing up the coastline through quiet coastal towns to El Jadida where we may pay a visit to the citadel and be able to see the underground cistern. Upon our arrival in Casablanca we will have dinner and spend the night at our hotel.
As we bid you farewell, we will help you with any departure formalities and arrange for your transfers to the airport. Concluding our 14 Days Morocco Tour from Casablanca and hoping you enjoyed your journey with us full of great memories.