13 days : Discover the heart of Morocco, from Casablanca to Marrakech

Salaam Alaikum! welcome to Casablanca the economic city of morocco, is the ideal place to adjust to the culture. Today’s adventure starts with a welcoming meeting. If you arrive early enough, then maybe visit Villa des Arts, an art gallery that dates back to 1930s. This beautiful gallery holds many exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan art. The Museum of Judaism offers a fascinating and unique experience in cultural experiences.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Complimentary Airport Transfer

Optional Activities

• Casablanca – Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) – Free
• Casablanca – Jewish Museum (entrance fees) – MAD50

Meals Included

This day does not include meals.

Additional Information

Only if you arrive on Day 1 and have pre-booked accommodation through us, the arrival transfer will be valid. We may not be able confirm requests made within 14 days of travel if you do not provide flight details.

Many travellers report being offered excursions by locals before their trip begins. This is especially common in the vicinity of hotels used by our agency. We are not affiliated with these guides and cannot guarantee their safety or quality standards. We advise customers to avoid any tour that is not authorized.

Casablanca exploration awaits after breakfast. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, which is the only mosque open to non-Muslims. It can host 25,000 worshippers. You will then travel to Rabat, the capital. Here you will meet a local expert guide. Rabat has a rich history, including hosting Roman settlements, pirates and, most recently, the Moroccan parliament. There are many fine Arab monuments in the city, including some that date back to the Merenid and Almohad dynasties of the 10th-15th centuries, as well as others that are much older. Explore the medina and souks of the city, then visit the Kasbah des Oudaias, a beautiful walled area. Enjoy a glass or two of mint tea with some sweets. Continue your walk to visit Mohamed 5th Mausoleum, and the huge minaret at the Hassan Mosque. After exploring Rabat, you will have time to drive to Meknes, which is the former capital of Morocco. Here, you’ll spend the night.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Rabat – Kasbah des Oudaias
• Rabat – Hassan Tower
• Rabat – Mausoleum Mohammed VI
• Rabat – Mausoleumhassan II

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours

As your leader, explore Meknes’ narrow streets and its elaborately decorated public buildings. The shrine of Moulay ismail is currently closed for renovation. Next, travel to Volubilis nearby, where you will see the remains of an ancient Roman city. They are perched on a high plateau at the edge of the valley. With a local expert guide, you will tour the hilltop ruins and see the intricate mosaics that run along the Decumanus Maximus. Many of these mosaics are still intact. After, you will travel to Chefchaouen (or the « blue city »), which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. Chefchaouen is nestled in a large valley, between two majestic peaks of the Rif Mountains. It has beautiful blue and whitewashed homes, red-tiled roofs and artistic doors. You can take an orientation walk along with your guide through the medina to shop for handicrafts or just sit down at a café and watch the world go by. The local goat cheese is a delicious treat if you feel peckish.

Accommodation

• Riad (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Walking tour from Meknes to Medina
• Chefchaouen – Leader-led orientation walk
• Volubilis – Entrance and Guided Tour

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.

Enjoy a morning free to explore Chefchaouen, and maybe enjoy lunch before you board your minibus for the journey towards Fes. Some believe the living museum of Fes is a product of ancient Greece while others believe it came from the Balkans. The city is a great example of the medieval Arab world and you will soon learn more about it. Check in at your hotel by the afternoon and join your group for a memorable meal of the salty-sweet pastilla, one of the city’s most famous dishes.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

Travel time today is approximately 4 hours.

Create your tour

Today, you’ll discover Fes, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco. It is vibrant, noisy and fascinating, sometimes overwhelming, and a feast for the eyes. Locally known as Fes el Bali (the old city), you will be accompanied by a local expert guide. This is undoubtedly the most intriguing and confusing old city in the world. You will be walking along narrow streets and alleyways as you pass donkeys carrying goods. Also, take a look at the special sections of the souk. It’s easy to picture yourself in the Middle Ages as you stroll through the streets and alleyways filled with historical khans and madrassas, dye pits, and stalls brimming with soups, fruits, and herbs. Spend the day exploring Medersa el Attarine and visiting the tanneries. Fondouk Nejjarine is a beautiful restored 18th-century hotel. For a relaxing evening, return to your hotel by the end of the afternoon.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Fes – Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes – Medersa El Attarine

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Shopping in carefully chosen places is part of today’s experience. Intrepid established a centralised system to receive and distribute payments from recommended suppliers, as the practice of getting kickbacks or commissions for recommending certain shops, services, or activities is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information’s ‘Money Matters section or talk to your leader for more information.

Talk to your leader if you don’t want to shop. It can be difficult to leave the medina and rejoin the group.

You can now leave behind the bustle of the city and embrace the simplicity of High Atlas Mountains. Continue south through beautiful scenery, including cedar and pine forests, barren landscapes, and fertile valleys to reach the small village of Midelt. This market town was originally built to serve as a mining base in the region. It is located at an elevation just over 1500m between the Atlas Mountains and Anti-Atlas Mountains. This is the perfect place to break up the journey towards the Sahara. It also makes a great starting point for a walk through the valley to one the villages. Your leader will decide a route that takes advantage of the stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. The route will be determined by the group and weather conditions. You can wander through apple tree plantations on your way back to your accommodation, where you can relax before heading out to the Sahara tomorrow.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Midelt – Hike

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Driving time today is approximately 3.5 hours.

You will see a variety of scenery as you drive from barren mountainsides into fertile valleys on your journey to Merzouga. This morning’s route takes you to Merzouga. It stops at the Erg Chebbi, which boasts towering dunes that reach 150m in height. This border country feels like a frontier country, as it is located at the end of an unpaved road only 20 kms from the Algerian border. Your gear will be left at the overnight camp near a basic hotel. Then you’ll ride camels to the Sahara Desert edge, taking in spectacular sunsets. Even though the dunes look amazing, the evening light reflects off them beautifully and highlights their colours. Tonight, you’ll camp in traditional style and enjoy delicious local cuisine as you sit around an open flame, listening to lively music, and dancing under the stars.

Accommodation

• Desert camp (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• Sahara Desert – Camel ride

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The camel trek today takes you from your camp at the desert edge to the other side. You can also walk with the camels, or just relax at the camp if you don’t want to ride one.

Tonight’s accommodation will consist of a tent in nomadic design with a kitchen tent and a bathroom tent. You will be provided with blankets and mattresses. However, during winter months (November to March), you might consider bringing your own sleeping bag. It is important to bring fully charged batteries because electricity can be temperamental.

To see the sunrise at Todra Gorge is worth the effort. This massive, 250-metre deep trench forms one of the most spectacular and dramatic natural sights in Morocco. The limestone towers can be accessed via a 45-minute walk along the sheer cliffs. Continue on your journey to M’goun, tonight’s destination. This evening you will be able to experience the Berber lifestyle and customs in M’goun. You will spend the night in a traditional Berber house, called a « gite », which is a charming but simple abode made of mud-bricks.

Accommodation

• Gite (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• Todra Gorge – Leader-led walk

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

Travel time today is approximately 6 hours.

The backcountry of Morocco is untouched and you have all day to explore it. Walking is the best way for you to see the rural lifestyle and natural landscapes. There are many circuits you can choose from. The most popular and longest is the 10-kilometre circuit, which will take approximately 4 hours. You’ll be accompanied by a local guide as you walk the trail. It undulates a little here and there but it’s not too difficult if you are reasonably fit. It is a stunning setting, with the surrounding mountains and the Rose Valley.

Accommodation

• Gite (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• M’goun Valley Guided Half Day Hike

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Today, we leave the M’goun valley and embark on the legendary ‘Road of 1000 Kasbahs’. Skoura Oasis is the first stop, where you’ll find several privately-owned kasbahs. You’ll then visit the Kasbah Ameridhl with its elaborate decorations and mud brick fortifications, before continuing your journey to Ait Benhaddou. Ait Benhaddou, perched on a hilltop, is one of Morocco’s most famous sites. It has remained almost unchanged since the 11th Century. The town is well-known for its many TV and film credits, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the old city, and make your way up the hill to enjoy the view across the surrounding plains. Visit the Tawesna teahouse by the river. This community-run establishment provides income for local women to support their families and children. The women make delicious pastries and tea using ingredients from local cooperatives. They also share their stories with visitors. You can then head to your hotel and spend the night there, or you could relax on the roof terrace and enjoy the sunset over the kasbah.

Accommodation

• 1 Night Stay in a Guesthouse

Includes Activities

• Skoura – Kasbah & Oasis Visit
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking
• Ait Benhaddou – Tawesna Tea Break

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

The total driving time today is approximately 4 hours.

Today, you’ll be driving along the Atlas roads, heading for Marrakech. This ancient city is wrapped in European modernity. You don’t need to rush, the views through the High Atlas Mountain passes are breathtaking and you will be able to stop for photos along the way. You might want to check in at your hotel and then head to Jemaa el Fna square, a large public space that is unique to Marrakech. It transforms into a bustling hub of activity when night falls. Street food bazaars are a great way to meet Moroccan street food stall owners and performers. Henna painters, storytellers, and performers share the square. You can end your day by enjoying a cup mint tea at one of the rooftop restaurants that overlook the square.

Accommodation

• Riad (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.

Meet your guide today for breakfast and a tour of the Old Medina. You will also visit the souks, which are the heartbeat of the city. Bahia Palace is home to tranquil courtyards, filled with orange blossom scents, as well as many chambers and salons. This magnificent mansion was built for an ex-slave who rose to power in the government. You should also visit the Koutoubia Mosque. Its famous minaret, which is the model for other similar structures around the globe, can be found in Seville’s La Giralda. You can then walk through the old medina back to the Jemaa el Fna for a glass of orange juice. You can explore the rest of the day or shop at the bazaar. You might like to visit the tropical gardens created by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter. Or you could explore the ruins at Palais Badi. This palace was once considered one of the finest in the world. You might also like to return to the medina to discover new sights, smells, and gifts every time you step into it. You can watch skilled artisans at work, learn how to haggle, or just take a break from all the hustle and bustle and enjoy a cup of tea or a tajine scented with the scents of Morocco.

Accommodation

• Riad (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Fresh Orange Juice

Optional Activities

• Marrakech – Marjorelle Gardens – MAD70
• Marrakech – Palais Badi – MAD70
• Marrakech – Saadian Tombs MAD70
• Marrakech – Medersa Ben Youssef – MAD40
• Marrakech Museum of Marrakech MAD40

All Meals Included

Breakfast

You can leave your accommodation at any hour, as there are no planned activities after breakfast. You might consider adding an extra night to Marrakech in order to enjoy additional activities such as cooking classes, cycling tours, visiting nearby towns, or visiting a Hammam. We’re happy to arrange additional accommodation for you if you want to spend more time in Marrakech (subject to availability).

Optional Activities

• Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride MAD2050
• Marrakech – Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. – MAD640

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

You would like to customize this itinerary?

Inclusions

Meals

12 breakfasts, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Taxi, Camel

Accommodation

Desert Camp (1 Night), Gite (2 Nights), Riad (3 Nights), Hotel (6 Nights)

Activities included

• Complimentary Airport Transfer
• Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque
• Rabat – Kasbah des Oudaias
• Rabat – Hassan Tower
• Rabat – Mausoleum Mohammed VI
• Rabat – Mausoleumhassan II
• Walking tour from Meknes to Medina
• Chefchaouen – Leader-led orientation walk
• Volubilis – Entrance and Guided Tour
• Fes – Funduq al-Najjarin
• Fes – Medersa El Attarine
• Midelt – Hike
• Sahara Desert – Camel ride
• Todra Gorge – Leader-led walk
• M’goun Valley Guided Half Day Hike
• Skoura – Kasbah & Oasis Visit
• Ait Benhaddou-Leader-led ksar walking
• Ait Benhaddou – Tawesna Tea Break
• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Fresh Orange Juice