Grand Morocco Tour: Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fez, Marrakesh & More – 13 Days

Your private driver will pick you up at the airport after you arrive in Casablanca. The Hassan II Mosque is where you’ll begin your Moroccan adventure. It boasts one of the highest minarets anywhere in the world. This magnificent building represents the best of Moroccan architecture. It is also the only mosque open to the public that offers interior tours.

After lunch, continue your journey to Rabat to visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum Mohamed V. The minaret, along with about 200 unfinished columns, are all that is left in the area. Tonight you will stay in Rabat and your driver will make recommendations for dinner.

Today you will travel to Chefchaouen. This tiny city is filled with blue. Walls, doors, windows and alleyways are all made of pastels, sky-blue, and richer colors. The Rif Mountains are located in the heart Chefchaouen, making it a popular choice for tourists who desire to feel the old Morocco.

After checking-in at your Riad (a traditional Moroccan home), you are free to explore the town or just relax. Place Outa el Hammam is a great place to see the world pass by. You’ll find everyday life in the town by walking up the maze-like streets away from tourist areas. You can find handcrafted wool garments and blankets, cedarwood furniture and other artisan work here. You can order a maqlouba (upside down coffee) while you watch the women wash their clothes in the nearby spring.

You can enjoy dinner by yourself before you retire for the evening.

Chefchaouen’s bright blue buildings are worth noticing. You should get up early in the morning to catch the sunrise from the nearby Spanish Moque. You can wander the streets of town in relative peace since many shops are closed until 10 a.m.

You’ll then depart on a guided hike through the Rif Mountains. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the forest among the cedar trees, and you can also hike to the Cascades d’Akchour which is a spectacular waterfall sure to take a lot of pictures. There are also smaller waterfalls that you might encounter along the route. Depending on the weather, you may be able to take a refreshing swim. You can also take the steep path to God’s Bridge which is a natural rock formation. You can also follow the canyon to see the bridge from the below.

After returning to Chefchaouen visit the medina, and enjoy the beautiful town. You can take a stroll to the market and buy fresh fruit. Then, people will watch as the locals wear bright-colored traditional attire. You can eat at your own pace, and you will have time to relax before moving on to tomorrow’s tour.

Today you will say goodbye to Chefchaouen, and head south to Fez. You’ll make a stop at the UNESCO-listed Volubilis in Morocco, to see some of the best-preserved Roman ruins. You will find large merchant houses with visible heating systems, temples and well-preserved mosaics as you explore the vast complex. After lunch, you’ll stop in Meknes. This is Morocco’s first Islamic capital, and remains a place of cultural significance. You can enjoy your leisurely exploration of Fes’ smaller medina without having to worry about being harassed by shopkeepers.

You will be taken by your driver through Ville Imperiale. Here you can view gardens, palaces and the magnificent gate of Bab al-Mansour. Also, you will see the Mausoleum to Moulay Ismail and the Royal Stables. These palaces were built with Volubilis materials, so keep an eye out for Roman columns in unlikely places. The day will end in Fes, one the four imperial cities of Morocco. Fes was established by Moulay Idriss I, and became the capital of the Idrisid Dynasty by his successor Moulay Idriss I. Your riad will be located in Fes’ medina. The late afternoon and evening will be yours.

Fes’ historic medina, a maze made up of narrow alleyways that wind their way up steep valleys, is the largest urban area without cars in the world. While you are likely to get lost, this can be liberating. To find your way out of the medina, pay attention to whether you’re walking uphill or downhill. Walking uphill will take you to the edge of the medina, where you can either catch a taxi or see more clearly where you are going.

Create your tour

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet with you to begin your day exploring Fes medina. This medina, which is UNESCO-protected has many narrow alleyways and roads that are donkey-wide. Your Fes-born-and-bred guide, will tell you stories and take you to hidden corners of the medina. You’ll also see daily life in Fes’s madrassassas. Fes is home to many Moroccan arts and crafts. You’ll be able to meet artisans and learn more about their history and the importance of their trades. To see traditional craft methods in action, you’ll be visiting tanneries or mosaic workshops.

Afternoon, relax in your riad. After lunch, visit the Hammam (traditional public bathroom). After a hard day’s walking, this is one of the best ways to relax. You can enjoy the evening alone if you wish to unwind after your soak.

After breakfast, you will embark on a guided tour to Sefrou. Sefrou, a walled city nestled in the Middle Atlas mountain is located 17 miles (27km) southeast from Fes. It was originally a market city in the Roman era. The city also served as a stop for traders traveling from the Mediterranean to reach the Sahara desert. The city was a major Moroccan settlement long before Fes was constructed in the eighth century. While he was building Fes, Moulay Idrisss II lived in Sefrou.

The main industry in the region is agriculture. The mountains are the perfect place to grow fruit trees, particularly cherries. Sefrou is well-known for its cherry festival. It is one of UNESCO’s most important regional celebrations. The French introduced this annual event in 1919, which is now an annual one. It takes place during the cherry harvest in June. This gives locals an opportunity to show off the charms of their area’s arts and crafts to thousands of tourists. The festival’s third day is marked by the Miss Cherry Festival crowning ceremony and the parade of colorful floats.

You can also visit the Craft Center of Sefrou, or Ensemble Artisanal de Sefrou. This stunning complex is located near the old town and houses several workshops where artisans can work in wood, ceramic, and even silk . You’ll have the opportunity to view their work and learn from them. After that, you will return to Fes and have dinner on your own. You can ask your guide for suggestions on a delicious meal.

Sunset over the Sahara Desert

You’ll need to cover a lot of ground in order to reach the Sahara so get started early today. The route will take you through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through the town Azrou with its cedar forests. You can make a short detour to the Cedre Gouraud Forest where you will find Barbary macaques in old cedar trees. Stop for lunch at Midelt on a high desert plateau. Midelt, despite its harsh terrain, is called Morocco’s « Apple City », for its productive orchards.

Continue onwards through a landscape of high mountains, wide valleys and narrow canyon passes. Follow the Ziz Valleyuntil your eyes see many fortified homes ( Ksars), built by merchants to guard the gold, salt and spices that were passed this way. You’ll soon see the first signs of Saharan dunes after crossing the Ziz Gorge. These windblown dunes move in constant motion and often encroach on farms, roads, or buildings. Visit Erfoud a lively market town, known for its fossils and dates. You can also visit an artisan collective to learn more about the different fossils in the area. Also, see how the fossil-rich rocks are transformed into beautiful creations.

You can stop at Merzouga to rest and prepare for your camel ride towards your desert camp. Arrive in time to climb a nearby dunes to see the changing colors of the sun as it moves below the horizon. After dinner, you can return to camp to enjoy a night of traditional Berber music at the fire and the starlit sky.

You can enjoy the desert sunrise from your bed at dawn before you set off on a camelback ride out of Erg Chebbi. After leaving the dunes, continue driving through remote Saharan borderlands, stopping in Rissani to see a traditional desert market. While you’re there, make sure to stop at the « donkey parking area ».

You’ll be able to see the desert plains, high mountains and rugged plateaus as you drive. You can stop at Alnif for a look at local fossil workshops. The oasis city of Tinghir will offer a lunch break. A 40-minute trip can be taken to the Todra Valley, which is a spectacular spot for bouldering and hiking.

Continue on to the Dades Gorge which traverses a stunning landscape of mauve-striped and red mountains. Below is an oasis of olive, fig and almond orchards, dotted with crumbling Kasbahs and Berber villages such as Ait Toukhsine, Ait Oudinar and Ait Youl. The Boumalne Dades will be your home for the night. You can also explore the magnificent scenery that evening.

Today’s route to Marrakesh begins at dawn. The journey begins along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. A kasbah is a fortified « fort », where landowners and chiefs once lived. Many of the kasbahs, which were built from pise mud, are in decline. You will find many farming activities in this region, some still using traditional methods. You will often see nomads while tending to their sheep, goats and camels.

You’ll first see the vital reservoir El Mansour before you arrive at Ouarzazate. It supplies water for domestic and agricultural use as well as generating hydroelectricity. Visit Ouarzazate to see the desert hub and filming site. You’ll then drive to Ait Benhaddou which is Morocco’s most popular kasbah, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old ksar is believed to date back to the 11th century, when it was an important point along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate. The kasbah will be your home for the night.

Today you will cross the High Atlas mountain range that divides Ouarzazate and Marrakesh. Through the Tizi N’Tichka pass, you’ll climb the mountain slopes. Enjoy panoramic views of Marrakesh’s plains and mountain range from the Tizi n’Tichka summit. Keep an eye out for Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest mountain. You’ll see a drastic change in the climate and landscape as you descend the high-altitude slopes to the north. There are deep valleys and plenty of almond and walnut orchards.

You’ll soon leave behind the peace and quiet of the desert and mountains and enter the bustle and bustle of lively Marrakesh. You can enjoy the rest of your afternoon in Marrakesh at a slower pace. The medina’s main square Jemaa El-Fna comes alive in the evening with performers, snake charmers and food stalls. You can enjoy entertainment and a meal at one of the many cafes around the square.

After breakfast, your local tour guide will meet you and take you around Marrakesh’s beautiful old city. You’ll find lively souks and mazelike streets as you travel this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the displays of djellabas and brightly colored Babouches, intricately-pierced lanterns, conical mounds full of exotic spices, as well as the bustling medina. You can have your guide tell you the stories and history of the medina and souk and the mellah neighbourhoods.

Marrakesh is home to many of the most renowned chefs in the country, as well as some of the finest food in the country. Street food is another area you should not miss. Ask your guide to recommend lunch options in Morocco’s capital city.

Your private tour will continue in the afternoon. You’ll visit places such as the Bahia and El Badii Palaces. You’ll be returning to your hotel after your tour to unwind. The red city becomes more alive as the sun sets and the temperature drops. Locals congregate at Jemaa el-Fna. To see Marrakesh’s other side, you can explore the city on your own.

Today you will leave early to travel to Casablanca by the coast route. You’ll stop to visit two fortified Portuguese cities on the way. El Jadida is the first city you will encounter. Here you can tour the stunningly beautiful Portuguese cistern. You can also visit the Church of the Assumption and walk the ramparts.

Next, Azemour is next. This has inspired many Moroccan artists throughout the decades, and some have even chosen to live there. Despite its proximity to Casablanca’s cosmopolitan arts market, life here is still very traditional. The crumbling 16th century medina is nestled between the Oud Er­Rbia (Mother River) and the ocean, providing plenty of artistic inspiration.

You’ll be checking into your downtown hotel once you arrive in Casablanca. Your tour guide will then pick you up from your hotel and take you to any other sites that you missed when you arrived. Enjoy your last evening. Before you leave Casablanca, take some time to enjoy its beauty.

You’ll be driving 45 minutes to Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport for your back flight .