9-Day Best of Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech

Morocco awaits with its atmospheric allure. Upon your arrival in Casablanca, a private transfer will be awaiting you at customs, ready to guide you to the nearby city of Rabat. Here, you'll be introduced to the historical architecture and ambiance that define Morocco's charm. Stroll along palm-lined boulevards, listen to the rhythmic waves of the Atlantic coastline, and explore the evocative walled medina. The iconic Hassan Tower, standing at 147 feet, showcases intricate motifs that gracefully drape across its facade, embodying the grand vision of the mosque. Following your exploration of Rabat, you'll be transported to your luxury accommodations in Fes.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Fes

Spend time in the rich cultural mix of the imperial city of Fes, a living testament to Morocco's historical heritage. The bustling marketplace, permeated with the fragrant scents of exotic spices, sets the stage for an exploration. Navigate the narrow lanes and towering buildings of the medina, a thrilling labyrinth waiting to be discovered. Your private guide will curate a personalized tour, leading you to the essence of Fes, from the aroma of freshly baked bread to the sight of children surrounded by Quranic studies in local schools. Meet skilled artisans in their workshops, observing the intricate processes of leather dyeing and lively shoe craftsmanship.

As night falls, enjoy the flavors of mint tea and pastries before setting off on an evening exploration of the city. From the lively jewelry market to the historic Jewish quarter, Fes reveals a different allure under the cover of night.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Fes

Fes - Culture in Fes, Meknes, and Volubilis
In the morning, you will venture through Fes with a guide to sample the city’s traditional cuisine. You may visit a local butcher or sample the salted phyllo pastry, enjoy the aroma of cumin or find spicy potato balls. In Meknes, you can wonder at the massive Bab al-Mansour gate that separates the old medina from the Imperial district. The intricate details of zellige tiles and carvings embody the city’s former grandeur. Continue to the ancient city of Volubilis, where you can find the remains of Roman foundations featured in colorful mosaics and soaring pillars.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Fes

After breakfast your driver takes you south from Fes over the Middle Atlas. You pass Ifrane, a mountain town at 1,650 m, and the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road. After lunch in Midelt the road drops through the Ziz Gorge and follows the palm grove of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud.

In the late afternoon you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and ride a camel to the camp in time for sunset. Dinner and the night are in a luxury desert camp.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp at the Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga

Get up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back for breakfast. The first stop is Rissani, the old trans-Saharan trade town, with the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif and the painted ceilings of the Ksar Oulad Abdelhalim.

The road then goes west through Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, past the kasbahs of the Dades Valley and Skoura to Ouarzazate, and over the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m). It is the longest day on the road, with stops for lunch and photos, and you reach your hotel or riad in Marrakech in the evening.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Marrakech

Marrakech - Explore Cultural Marvels in Marrakech
Marrakech is an essential experience in Morocco, with nearly a millennia of history and culture captured in the maze of the medina’s narrow lanes and the aromatic conical spices on display in the marketplace. Your guide will take you on an in-depth tour beginning with the Koutoubia Mosque, whose foundations date back to the 12th century and stand beneath the remarkable minaret. Traditional craftspeople continue to make shoes, garments, and essential oils. In Djemaa el-Fna Square, you can watch the evening bring the plaza to life with food vendors, storytellers, and musicians.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Marrakech

Set off on a journey to explore the majestic Atlas Mountains, venturing into an authentic local community. Overlooking the steppe and surrounded by mountain peaks, engage in hands-on experiences with your guide. Participate in bread-making sessions, gaining insights into the community's traditions, or explore the art of crafting the perfect Moroccan tagine.

Spend time in the rich storytelling of the local family as they brew mint tea, or visit a ceramics shop to witness the elegant and customary designs unique to the region. Following this enriching mountain experience, return to Marrakech for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Marrakech

Today offers the opportunity to explore Marrakech at your own pace, delving further into the rich mix of monuments that grace the city or, perhaps, revisiting the bustling souk to acquire a tea set or carpet. Consider dedicating time to the Badi Palace, where you can wander among the ruins of Al-Monsour's grand compound, set amidst gardens and reflective pools. The mosaic-tiled floors and the main pavilion stand as remnants of former opulence.

Venture into the Marrakech Museum to discover a curated collection of ceramic work, textiles, and coins that trace the city's historical timeline. Alternatively, appreciate the harmonious blend of Portuguese and North African architectural elements within the museum's structure. Today offers the freedom to tailor your exploration of Marrakech to your specific interests.

Overnight: Hotel or riad in Marrakech

Awaken to the invigorating scents of mint tea, dates, and pastries permeating the dining room during breakfast. As the narrow streets of the medina come to life, lively colors emerge, and the shops open for the day, the fragrance of spices fills the air. Following breakfast, your private transfer will be awaiting you in the hotel lobby, ready to escort you back to Casablanca. You arrive with plenty of time to check in for your flight home.