Casablanca Round Trip: Luxury Escape To The Sahara – 12 Days

Morocco, welcome! After landing in Casablanca you will be picked up at the airport by your driver and driven to Rabat. After checking into your luxurious accommodations, you will be able to explore the city with your driver.

After you have sated your appetite, go for lunch at a place that is delicious. Rabat is Morocco’s capital and home of the royal family. It exudes imperial glamour, with relics from empires past, as well as modern eateries that specialize in fine dining. You can take advantage of the Atlantic’s amazing bounty if you are looking for traditional cuisine. You’ll find delicious, fresh delights in the medina like creamy sea urchins and briny oysters. No matter what your taste buds are, your driver can give you great recommendations for the best places to eat your first meal.

Enjoy lunch at the Oudaya neighborhood, which is a blue-painted area perched high above the Atlantic Ocean. The crown jewel of this enclave is the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Take a stroll around the lush Andalucian Gardens, or simply walk to the ramparts for a spectacular sunset.

Tonight, you can enjoy Rabat’s vibrant culinary scene. There are many good Moroccan restaurants in the city. But if you want something more international, the New City embassy quarter (just inland of the medina), has some of the finest French and Italian cuisines in the country.

Driving time: 2 Hours

Today, it’s all about royal vibes. You’ll spend more time in Rabat before heading out to explore other imperial cities.

Begin your regal road trip by visiting the Hassan Tower Monument, one of Almohad’s most impressive buildings. The curious landmark known as Hassan Tower, the Hassan Tower was once a minaret for a mosque built in 12th century. It was a complex construction project that was abandoned. The red sandstone tower stands at 145 feet (44m) and contains about 200 columns.

After exploring the ruins, visit the Mausoleum Of Mohamed V. This is a great place to get a taste of the intricate tilework and mosaics that can be found throughout the land.

Stop by Meknes on your way out to Rabat. This historic town has a smaller medina than what you will find when you reach Fes. Shopkeepers here are friendly and open-minded, so you can really take your time and explore the many souks full of spices, slippers and other treasures. Your driver will make sure you make the most out of your time here by taking you to the scenic Ville Imperiale area. You can find a variety of palaces, gardens and architectural sites depending on your time.

Next stop: Morocco’s oldest city, Moulay Idriss. From a distance, it looks like a sitting camel. The city is considered a holy place by many. It was established in the 8th Century by Moulay Idriss I of Morocco, the first major Islamic ruler. You can learn more about the Idrisid Dynasty and visit the emerald green minaret — the only round minaret anywhere in the country. You will be assisted by your driver to find a wonderful place to have lunch in the charming hilltop town.

Continue the royal treatment with a journey through the centuries in Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the best-preserved ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. This sprawling complex includes examples of merchant houses (and their clever heating systems), intact mosaics and temples, as well as other architectural treasures. Your English-speaking guide will take you on a private tour that is tailored to your needs if you are inspired to explore deeper and wish to prolong your stay.

When you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, you’ll end your day in Fes at a luxuriously-appointed five-star riad. Your accommodation is a oasis in the imperial capital. It will have a central courtyard that you can relax and cool down. Depending on where you are staying, it may also include a hammam on ground floor. You can also enjoy a relaxing massage at one of Fes’s spas in the evening if you prefer a more personalized spa experience.

No matter where you decide to relax and unwind after a long day, there is always a great dinner to round out your epic adventure. You have two options: you can relax in your riad, or go to one of the best restaurants in the city. Your driver and your experts will help pick the right restaurant for you.

Driving time: 4 Hours

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet with you to begin your day in the Fes Medina. This UNESCO-protected medina is filled with narrow alleyways and roads that are donkey-width. Fes’s native-born guide will tell you stories and take you to hidden corners of the medina. You will also be able to see the beauty of Fes’s palaces and madrasas. You will get to know Fes like a local. Ask your guide for suggestions on lunch.

Fes is the center of Moroccan arts and crafts. You will 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 will visit tanneries or mosaic workshops.

Afternoon, you will return to your riad for some relaxation. Then, you’ll be able to relax in the authentic Moroccan hammam. The hammam’s history and traditions will be explained to you. You will then enjoy a relaxing experience in one of Fes’s most sought-after spa experiences. Many hammams offer a range of services, including baths and massages. They also have extensive treatment menus that use local products such as argan oil.

Morocco is located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. Moroccan cuisine is known for its unique ability to blend the flavors from these three regions into something delicious, fresh, and dynamic. A private lesson in traditional Moroccan cooking is a great way to unwind for the day.

Enjoy a relaxing morning, with breakfast at the riad and some relaxation. You might also want to take a walk around the area. The five-hour cooking class will begin with a trip to the nearby souk to buy produce.

You’ll be learning about Moroccan traditional cooking techniques and creating amazing memories as you prepare a traditional four-course meal. Enjoy your delicious meals once you return from your trip after class.

You can spend the rest of your day relaxing at your riad or exploring more of Fes. You can cook dinner by yourself tonight. Your driver, specialist and cooking teacher will be able to recommend great restaurants in the area.

Create your tour

Get up early today to answer the call of the Sahara. You’ll need to cover a lot of ground, but the reward will be worth it.

After an early breakfast, your road trip will begin by crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains via the town of Azrou. The majestic Cedre Gouaud Forest is where Barbary Macaque monkey troops can be found lounging in old cedar trees next to the road. Stop for lunch at Midelt on a high desert plateau. Midelt, despite its harsh terrain, is called Morocco’s « Apple City », because of its fruitful orchards. Moulouya River water provides year-round water for agriculture.

You’ll be crossing a variety of terrains including narrow canyon passes, wide valleys, and steep mountain ranges as the day progresses. Your driver will drive you through the Ziz Valley. This is an important branch of the Saharan Trading Route. Look out of the window to see the ksars fortified houses that merchants built to guard the gold, salt and spices that were passed along this route.

You’ll soon see the first signs of Saharan sand dunes after you have crossed through the amazing Ziz Gorge. These wind-blown sand formations can be seen in constant motion and often encroach on farms, roads and buildings. This area also has an ancient water mining method, which is a clever way to move water from mountains to farmland. Pay attention to the nomadic shepherds of the area and their tents as you travel.

You will also pass Erfoud a busy market town, known for its fossils and dates found in hillside mines. Stop by a local artisan group if you wish to learn more about the fossils in the area and how they are transformed into a variety of products. You will soon see the huge dunes of Erg Chebbi in the distance. The vast sand sea is 13 miles long (35 km) and some dunes rise to more than 650 feet (200m).

You can stop by the iconic Merzouga to take a break before you head out on your journey to your desert camp. You’ll be trekking across the Sahara today for an unforgettable experience in North African luxury. For a breathtaking ride across the Sahara as the sun sets, you’ll mount a camel and enjoy the unobstructed view of the landscape (you can see Algeria in the distance).

You’ll be able to see the moon as it reflects off the sand at night, which will guide you and your camel to the unique accommodation you have chosen for the night, a camp set at the foot the Erg Chebbi dunes. You’ll feel like royalty in your luxuriously-appointed glamping tent. You can enjoy delicious Berber cuisine prepared by local Berber chefs and relax by the fire, where you will be entertained by live music. Before you go to bed, take a moment to gaze up at the stars from your romantic spot.

Driving time: 9 Hours

Arrange your tour to Morocco

Begin organizing your trip to Morocco by conversing with a local expert

Create your tour

You’ll get sunrise views over the dunes if you are an early riser. After breakfast, you’ll be able to enjoy the campfire before heading back across the desert towards Merzouga.

After meeting your driver, you will begin the 3.5-hour journey to Tinghir. This oasis city is located at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Before you set out across the plains, stop in the desert community Rissani. It is a great place to walk around the traditional market where many animals can be bought and sold. While you are here, make sure to stop at the « donkey parking area ».

You’ll be able to enjoy an unforgettable journey through Morocco once you get on the road. You will travel through an empty, remote land bordering the Sahara. You will see vast, expansive views with high mountains, desert plains, and plateaus around. The landscape is wild and majestic, giving it a feeling of wildness. You’ll pass forests of Acacias with umbrella-shaped leaves that have survived in harsh environments. To see local fossil workshops, you can also break up your trip by stopping in Alnif.

The lush Tinghir is a place to enjoy the changes in the landscape. There’s a weekly farmers’ market in town, where you can find local farmers selling figs, dates and wheat. They also live in the area’s Ksars (fortified villages). Enjoy a tasty lunch, then take some time to relax and explore the scenic area before you continue.

Today’s road trip takes you through a narrow green valley until you reach the vertical Todra Gorge. Explore the canyon’s rustic trails. Then rewind your way down into the Todra oasis, where you will spend the night in a beautifully-appointed Kasbah, a fortified hilltop town featuring mud bricks and furnished with the finest local products and fossils.

Enjoy luxury and then go out to dinner at one of the many innovative restaurants in the valley. You can explore the oasis after you’re done with your meal, as locals are friendly.

Today, you will travel along the ancient trade routes that link Tinghir with Ouarzazate and through the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs. You’ll see many fortified towns along the route. If you feel inspired to stop and take photos, please do so wherever you like!

Your first stop will be the town of Boumalne Ddes. This is an oasis town located at the mouth of Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs. You can also visit the Dades Gorge if you turn to the north. This dramatic area is made up of rusty and mauve-striped mountain ranges. Below is an oasis of fig, olive, and almond orchards, dotted with crumbling Kasbahs, Berber villages, and covered with lush, irrigated vegetation. Ask your driver about lunch options in Boumalne Dados.

You can travel south from Boumalne Dades through the Valley of Roses. This is the heart of Moroccan rose oil production. The scent of roses perfumed Provence Roses is a springtime highlight.

You can end your day in Ouarzazate. This town is well-known for its participation in the Moroccan film industry. You will find more to Ouarzazate then movies. Just a short drive away is the iconic Ksar of Ait Benhaddou. The site is believed to have been established in the 11th century, when it was a prominent spot along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakech and Ouarzazate.

Tonight, you will retire to your kasbah on a dry riverbed near Ait Benhaddou. You might be tempted to leave your luxurious accommodations and go for a nighttime walk. The valley glows with the light from the moon, which is why you may want to take a break from your luxury accommodations. It is a sight that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Driving time: 3 Hours

Today, you’ll cross the High Atlas Mountains which separate Ouarzazate and Marrakech. You’ll be able to trade the tranquility of the desert in exchange for one of the most lively cities in Morocco. Ait Benhaddou may be worth another visit in the morning light before leaving the Sahara.

Through the majestic Tizi n-Tichka pass, you’ll make your way to the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll have stunning views of Marrakech and the mountains from the top. To the west, Mount Toubkal isNorth Africa’s highest peak. You’ll notice dramatic changes in the climate and landscape as you descend the slopes to the north. Crossing deep valleys will bring you to abundant almond and walnut orchards.

After arriving in Marrakech you will check into your luxury riad. This is the ideal place to relax after your trip. Perhaps you want to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon in a more leisurely pace, sipping fresh mint tea by the pool or under a jasmine tree. You can still go out at night if you feel the urge to, and you will be able to see the main square of the medina, the Jemaa el Fna, which is alive with performers, snake charmers as well as food stalls, food stalls, and other activities.

You can walk the square and find amazing street food vendors. Or you can watch from afar as you eat: many cafes surround the square, where you can enjoy the action while enjoying a delicious meal. You can also visit the new city to discover Marrakech’s modern cuisine scene. You’ll have an unforgettable meal in the Red City, Morocco’s culinary capital.

Driving time: 4 Hours

Meet your private guide and take a tour of Marrakech’s old city after breakfast. You will find lively souks along with maze-like alleyways as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Displays of Djellabas and brightly colored Babouches, intricately-pierced lamps, conical mounds full of exotic spices, as well as the bustling medina atmosphere, will be sure to dazzle you. Your knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide will share the history and tales of the Medina and Souk neighborhoods in the Red City. Your guide will have great suggestions for where to eat lunch.

You’ll continue your private tour in the afternoon, visiting places such as the Bahia, El Badii Palaces and the Saadian Tombs. The Majorelle Gardens is another landmark garden, built by Jacques Majorelle over forty years and later occupied by Yves Saint Laurent. You can stroll through tranquil water gardens covering two-and-a-half acres, visit Morocco’s only museum devoted entirely to Berber culture and art, and then explore Yves Saint Laurent’s gallery within this urban oasis.

Marrakech is located where the High Atlas Mountains meet a vast plain. You can’t get a better view of these strikingly different landscapes than by taking a hot-air balloon ride above the Red City at dawn.

This morning, you will receive a wake-up call at dawn. You will then travel through the darkness to the mountains and board the hot air balloon. As the sun rises over the highest mountains of North Africa, it will illuminate the city below. Before you fly, have a delicious and picturesque Berber breakfast.

The rest of the day is yours to use however you wish. You can take a cooking class with one the city’s culinary experts, explore by yourself, or go to a market for additional shopping. Your driver will take you to any place you wish in the city. Your specialist can arrange additional private tours and bespoke experiences.

Tonight, you can either enjoy dinner at your luxury riad or go out to one the great restaurants in the city.

Today you’ll leave early to reach Casablanca by the coast route. Along the way, you’ll visit two fortified Portuguese cities. Your first stop will be El Jadida where you’ll visit the haunting Portuguese Cistern. You can also visit the Church of the Assumption and the ramparts.

Next, Azemour is next. This has inspired many Moroccan artists over time, some of which have chosen to reside here. Despite its proximity to Casablanca’s cosmopolitan art scene, life here is still very traditional. The crumbling 16th-century medina, wedged between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River), and the ocean provides plenty of artistic inspiration.

Take advantage of the Atlantic’s bounty while you travel and enjoy a traditional fish meal. You can have your driver take you to the authentic fish markets in the area. These unassuming food stalls offer the best grilled and fried seafood. You can buy fish at the market, and then have it cooked by the grillmasters for a small charge. Many of these food stalls also offer fish for purchase.

After arriving in Casablanca, check in to your hotel. Next, explore Casablanca’s most popular neighborhoods. You can start your exploration in Maarif where you will find the French-style eponymous marketplace. Ain Diab is a prime beachfront neighborhood that boasts the Morocco Mall and miles upon miles of walking trails. People love to watch the waterfront (or Corniche) when the whole city is out on promenade just before sunset.

Driving time: 5 Hours

Morocco is over. You may be able, depending on your departure time, to visit Casablanca last-minute or have tea in one of the traditional cafes.