Discover Morocco in Depth

Arrival Note: Welcome to Casablanca! Upon landing at the Mohammed V International Airport, you will be greeted by the Atlantic Ocean breeze and the hospitality of our guide. Please board our deluxe car prepared for you with a private chauffeur, and catch a glimpse of the white city of Casablanca on the way to our handpicked seaview hotel.

Downtown Casablanca Sightseeing: Check into the hotel and take a short break, and our guide will then lead you to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the city’s landmark with its high-rising minaret by the Atlantic coast. Next, spend some time taking in the exhibitions in the Museum of Moroccan Judaism. Later, follow the guide on a walking tour around the Old Medina Market, visiting the Sacred Heart Cathedral (exterior), Square of Mohammed V, and Habous Souk, which is known as the New Medina of Casablanca. Finally, our guide will escort you back to the hotel before dark.

► Tips:
1. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism closes at 2:00 pm on Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday. We’ll take pictures outside if we happen to encounter a closure.
2. You can take a walk along The Corniche near the hotel and have dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
3. If you’re interested, you can go by yourself to the Rick’s Cafe, a replica of the scenes from the classic movie ‘Casablanca’.

Accommodation: Club Val D'anfa Hotel

Enjoy a 1.5-hour ride by private car to Rabat for a full-day guided tour. We’ll visit the Royal Palace of Rabat from outside, and spend the next hour perusing the Mausoleum of Mohamed V with our guide’s detailed explanation about the history of the Moroccan King and his ancestors. Take a look at the nearby Hassan Tower before lunch, and then head to the seaside to visit the Kasbah of the Udayas (2 hours), where you could admire the architecture of the military fortress built in the 12th century and overlook the Rabat Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, we will plunge into the bustling Rabat Medina in the city center. Weaving in and out of the crisscrossing narrow lanes flanked by dizzying grocery stores, you’ll marvel at this great place for shopping. Our guide will then accompany you to check into a distinctive riad near the medina and also the seafront. Living in a typical riad is necessary to take in the complete Moroccan experience.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad Kalaa

Morning Trip to Asilah: After a 2.5-hour smooth ride north along the Atlantic coastline, we will arrive at Asilah, an off-the-beaten-track destination. Visit Asilah Medina and appreciate the creative graffiti walls in this artistic town. We also won’t miss the Grand Mosque of Asilah, Raissouni Palace, Alqamra Tower, and the ancient walls and towers by the sea. There are some good paella restaurants near the Asilah Beach that you can have lunch by yourself.

Afternoon Trip to Tangier: Later, we will continue to drive 40 minutes to Tangier, Morocco's northernmost port city, connected to Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar. Upon arrival, we will first visit the famous Cape Spartel and the fantastic Hercules Caves below. Dating back 4,000 years, the Hercules Caves have a legendary opening which looks like a map of Africa when viewed from the sea. Our guide, who is very good at framing and taking pictures, will help you get a satisfying silhouette portrait in the cave. Next, we’ll drive to the Old Medina of Tangier for a walking tour of the Grand Socco, Tomb of Ibn Battouta, and Kasbah Museum. As the sun sets, let’s ascend the towering Tangier Kasbah by the sea, overlooking the magnificent Strait of Gibraltar. You can even see the Spanish land opposite on a clear day. This evening, we’ve picked for you a special riad near the medina, with sea views from the rooftop terrace.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad Mokhtar

In the morning, we will drive 1.5 hours to Tetouan, an important World Heritage site. We will visit the Tetouan Mellah and the Medina of Tetouan. The old medina is intact, with its architectural style heavily influenced by Spain. The stunning array of small white houses built against the Jebel Dersa earns Tetouan the name of a ‘White Mountain City’. Next, continue the 1.5-hour ride to Chechaouen, a fairy-tale mountain town with blue houses on every corner.

After checking into a beautiful riad hotel and having lunch, we will start a walking tour around the Chefchaouen Medina:
► Walking Time: 2 to 3 hours
► Route: Bab EL Ain → Callejon El Asri → Place Outa el Hammam & Kasbah → Kasbah Museum → Grand Mosque → Ras El Maa Waterfall → Spanish Mosque (panoramic views & sunset).

► Tips:
1. If you like to take photos, you can rent a Moroccan abaya there, or bring your own yellow dresses, which would make for a great photo shoot as you walk through the alleys full of blue buildings.
2. Do not tease or feed the stray cats to avoid injury.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Dar Echchaouen Maison & Riad

After breakfast, we will drive an hour to Akchour. Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to hike through the dense jungle and streams of the Rif Mountains to the Akchour Waterfalls. Continue hiking afterwards, and the route beyond the falls is a little tricky, but our guide knows the place very well and will show you the route, so just focus on enjoying yourself. At noon, we will reach the God's Bridge, where you can swim and enjoy the jaw-dropping beautiful views. Take a break, have lunch with mint tea, and then hike back to the Akchour Village. The whole hike takes about 5 hours. Finally, take our private car back to Chechaouen. If there is still time, you can wander around the old town and take photos by yourself.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dar Echchaouen Maison & Riad

Morning Transfer to Volubilis: 164 km; 3 hours. After breakfast, we will first drive to Volubilis, home to the ancient Roman Ruins of Volubilis, a little-known World Heritage site in Morocco. Following the footsteps of our historically knowledgeable guide, you can see the scale and functional design of this 2,000-year-old site, and the ancient Roman life seems to come to life. Next, visit the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun before heading to Meknes.

Afternoon Visit to Meknes: After lunch, we’ll drive 50 minutes to Meknes, and check into the riad. The guide will take you on a 2-hour walking tour of the bustling Medina of Meknes, visiting the Bab Mansour, El Hedim Square, Dar Jamai Museum, Bou Inania Medersa, and Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. When we climb to the rooftop of the Bou Inania Medersa and look out over the medina with many monuments, mosques, palaces and pavilions, you will know why Meknes is called the ‘City of a Hundred Minarets’. Finally, we’ll head out of town for a visit to the Royal Stables before returning to the riad.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad Yacout

★ Top Wine Tasting Experience at Chateau Roslane: This morning, we will explore the Meknes wine region of Morocco and its rich wines. Drive half an hour to the Chateau Roslane, and enter one of Morocco's oldest wine regions between the Rif and the Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll first appreciate the green vineyards, visit the cellars to learn how the wines are made, and then taste the wines to learn about the different flavors. We will arrange a traditional Moroccan lunch especially for you at the chateau’s outdoor restaurant.

Walking Tour of Fez: After the lunch break, we will drive 1 hour to Fez and check into our handpicked riad in the medina. Then we’ll explore the bustling Medina of Fez with our feet, and we’ll go this way:
Bab Boujloud → Bou Inania Madrasa → Dar al-Magana → Dar Batha Museum → Rue Talaa Kebira → Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts → Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II → Mosque and University Kairaouine (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin) → Attarine Madrasa → Chouara Tannery → Place Seffarine

Let’s walk through the narrow flagstone alleys, pick up favorite handicrafts at the lively souk, and delve into Islamic and Arab culture at the mosques and museums. The most impressive in the old town is necessarily the Chouara Tannery, for not only the visual shock, but also the olfactory torture. Why? Come here and find it out in person!

★ Travel different: ‘smelly’ tour to Chouara Tannery
We offer our guests the privilege of going up to the viewing platform from the best vantage point. From the top of the roof, you will get a panoramic view of the tannery, lined with hundreds of dye vats and busy workers to make you admire the ancient manual tanning techniques. However, don't stay too long because you will be overwhelmed by the smell of the vats, which contain a solution to soften the leather and contain special natural ingredients such as cow urine and pigeon droppings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Riad Marjana Suites & Spa

★ Moroccan Cuisine Cooking Class in Fez: This morning we will arrange a special experience for you, a Moroccan cooking class. Start with a guided tour of a traditional souk in the Medina to pick out all the ingredients for your dishes. Then head to a local professional chef class to learn how to make Moroccan dishes like the most famous Tagine. The chef will guide you through chopping, preparing, cooking, seasoning, and presenting techniques. At noon, enjoy your homemade dishes, salads and other goodies for lunch here.

Afternoon Sightseeing: Follow the guide to go outside the old town to visit the Jnan Sbil Gardens, Ibn Danan Synagogue, Royal Palace of Fez (exterior), and Mellah (historic Jewish quarter). Finally, we’ll go up to the Borj Sud (Southern Tower) for panoramic city views and sunset. In the evening, return to our comfortable and elegant riad.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Riad Marjana Suites & Spa

Travel Route of Today: Fez - Ifrane - Azrou Cedar Forest - Midelt - Errachidia - Erfoud - Merzouga
It’s a long drive to Merzouga, so we need to start early. We will leave at 8:00 am and drive through Ifrane, stopping for 15 minutes to take pictures, continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains, and stop at the Azrou Cedar Forest for half an hour to see the cute Barbary apes. Have lunch in Midelt, and then we will drive past Errachidia and Erfoud in the afternoon, and finally reach Merzouga, which is widely regarded as the most popular base for visiting Sahara, the world's largest hot desert.

★ Travel different: Sahara Desert Camp
Take our 4x4 vehicle to venture into the Sahara Desert, enjoy the scenery of the rolling Erg Chebbi Dunes, and ride a camel (1 hour) to watch the splendid sunset. Arrive at the campsite and enjoy a sumptuous desert dinner followed by a bonfire and a live drum show with local features. Stargaze, and sleep in a Berber tent.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Golden Camp & Oasis

Get up early and appreciate the breathtaking sunrise over the desert. Have breakfast and take a shower in the tent, and then we will drive west to the deserts and gorges. First, take a 40-minute drive to Rissani Market, where the lively trading atmosphere will give you a real sense of local life. Continue to drive 2.5 hours to the Todra Gorge in Tinghir for a visit (1 to 2 hours). The gorge features 300-meter-high cliffs on both sides and a clear stream in the middle. Next, continue our journey to another beautiful gorge, the Dades Gorge, with red cliffs and zigzagging mountain roads. Make a quick photo stop at the Roses Valley (Kelaat M’Gouna), and then continue on to Ouarzazate and check into the riad.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad Dar Chamaa

Ouarzazate, with its unique landscape and antique fortresses of clay mud, has been the shooting location of many famous movies. Start the morning with a visit to the Atlas Corporation Studio (1 hour), where you can find the scenes from many classic blockbusters, including The Four Feathers, The Mummy, Cleopatra, The Jewel of the Nile, and Gladiator. Next, we will drive to Ait Benhaddou for a visit (1 hour). Once a medieval rural fortification on the route from the Sahara to Marrakech, it is now a famous World Heritage site and film set for Gladiator, Cleopatra and Game of Thrones. Our guide who is good at photography will help you take great pictures of the same scenes in the movies.

Afterwards, we’ll drive northwest past the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, High Atlas Mountains, and Marrakech, and finally reach Essaouira on the west coast of Morocco. Check into our well-selected seaview hotel, and you can watch the sunset on the hotel’s private beach.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa

Enjoy a free morning at the Essaouira Beach. You can swim in the sea or sunbathe on the beach. Try water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding at your own expense.

► Optional Tour: Surf Lesson (Morning) in Essaouira
This is an excellent 2-hour course with great value. We have a professional surf instructor to teach you basic surf safety knowledge and skills. You don’t have to worry about it even if you're zero-based. We will provide surfboard, leash, wetsuit, and photo service during the course.
Tip: If you are an intermediate or advanced surfer, you can bring your own gear or rent it on site and enjoy surfing on your own within the course area.

After lunch, our guide will lead you to visit the Essaouira Port and Medina of Essaouira. When you see the City Walls and Essaouira Ramparts along the coast, you will know how powerful the city was during the Portuguese colonial period. In the late afternoon, accept our guide's invitation to experience the special local activity of horseback riding on the beach (1 hour) and watching the sunset.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa

In the morning, enjoy a 2.5-hour comfortable ride by our private car to Marrakech. Check into the hotel, have lunch, and then start our guided tour of downtown Marrakech.

Our first stop will be the Koutoubia Mosque, a landmark in the old city with its soaring opulent minaret visible in the distance. Next, head to the Bahia Palace, built in the late 19th century. From the elaborate mosaics, tall carved arches, and fountains and gardens, it is easy to imagine the luxurious life of the Moroccan aristocracy. After that, we will visit the Saadian Tombs and the 600-year-old Ben Yousself Medersa, North Africa’s largest Koranic academy. At the end of the day, we will spend some time exploring the fabulous souks at the Jemaa el-Fna.

★ What makes us different: Food Tour at Jemaa el-Fna Night Market
Jemaa el-Fna is a microcosm of the city, showcasing Marrakech’s abundance of food, crafts, entertainment, and diverse folk culture. As night approaches, the market becomes more and more bustling, with enthusiastic vendors, hard-working performers, and endless smoky barbecue stalls. Our guide, who knows well the local paths and gourmet places, will take you to the most authentic food stalls and sample 4 or 5 authentic Moroccan snacks, such as tagine, couscous, fish chermoula, kebabs, and mint tea.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Riad Nesma Suites & Spa

Today we will have a full day trip to the Imlil Village to visit the traditional Berber villages nearby and discover the wild and beautiful scenery of the High Atlas Mountains. After breakfast, we will depart from Marrakech, and pass Tahnaouet, Moulay Brahim Gorge, and Asni. If it's a Saturday, we can visit Asni's lively local market. Continue driving for 1.5 hours and we’ll arrive at the Imlil Village, from where we will arrange for you to ride a mule up the hill to the Berber village of Aroumd. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch in a Berber home.

After lunch, you can take a hike around the perimeter and admire the picturesque natural views of High Atlas, the highest mountain range in North Africa.

★ Special Experience: Moroccan Hammam
We’ll drive back to Marrakech before dark, and our guide will escort you to Les Bains d’Orient to experience the Hammam, a traditional Moroccan bath, which is not only a cleansing method but also a relaxing therapy. During the 1 to 2 hours’ service, you will enjoy steaming, bubble bath, scrubbing, and massage to eliminate the fatigue of the journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Riad Nesma Suites & Spa

On the last day, we will visit the Jardin Majorelle - Yves Saint Laurent Mansion and the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum as the perfect end to this 15 days private Morocco tour.

Departure Note: Depending on the departure airport and time of your flight, our driver will escort you to the Marrakech Menara Airport or Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. It is recommended that you book an evening departure flight to allow enough time for transfer.

Meals: Breakfast

► Tip: If you would like to explore other Morocco itineraries or extend your trip to other African or European destinations, please feel free to contact our travel consultants.