Explore Morocco: From Imperial Cities to Berber Settlements – 11 Days

Sunset over Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque

Today you will arrive in Casablanca. Your driver will pick you up at the airport. After you’ve landed, your driver will take you to your accommodation. Then, you can relax and recover from the flight. You will be greeted with a delicious welcome dinner. Ask your driver for recommendations.

One of the highest minarets in the entire world is located at the Hassan II Mosque.

Today’s tour will take you to the Hassan II Mosque. This magnificent mosque boasts one of the highest minarets anywhere in the world. It is also a great example of Moroccan architecture. It is richly decorated with marble, wood, and carved stones, as well as having guided ceilings. The mosque is the only one that the public can tour. It’s a unique experience. After the tour, you can eat on your own.

You will meet your guide for a walking tour of the city in the afternoon. This tour will be focused on the Habous medina which was constructed in the 1930s by French. This architecture is the focal point of the tour and was inspired by Art Deco. The evening and dinner are yours after the tour.

Hassan Tower

Today you’ll travel to Rabat and the home of Hassan Tower. Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is home to the Royal Family. One of the most important buildings built from the Almohad Dynasty is the Hassan Tower Monument. It is the minaret of the Mausoleum Mohamed V and an incomplete mosque. It is actually a 12th century project that was abandoned. Today, all that is left is the red sandstone tower at 145 feet with about 200 columns. After the tower exploration, you will have lunch on your own with the help of your driver.

Next, you’ll travel to Sale to take a tour through the historic madrasa. It is rare that many tourists get to see the stunning architecture and Moroccan crafts. You can also visit the Bab Antar or Bab Mellah which are the walls and regions that divide the city.

Tonight you’ll be cooking dinner for yourself. Ask your guide for recommendations.

Meknes

Today you will leave Rabat to travel towards Fes. After breakfast, you’ll head to Meknes. This is your first stop. You can explore the area at your own pace, without worrying about being accosted by aggressive shopkeepers. It is smaller than Fes’ medina. You will be accompanied by your driver through the Ville Imperiale region, which includes gardens, palaces and the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour. Also, you can visit the Mausoleum Of Moulay Ismail and the Royal Stables.

Next, you will move on to Moulay Idriss which from a distance looks almost like a sitting camel. It is the oldest town in Morocco. It was founded in 789 by Moulay Idriss, who fled Mecca due to religious and tribal conflict. Here was also the birthplace of the Idrisid Dynasty. The town boasts the only round minaret of Morocco. You can eat lunch here on your own, or with the help of your driver.

Next, stop at Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Morocco’s most well-preserved Roman ruins. It makes for a pleasant break from driving. With a guide, you can explore the vast complex, which includes large merchant houses with visible heating systems beneath, temples, as well as colorful mosaics that are still in excellent condition.

Today’s journey ends in Fes, Morocco’s fourth imperial city. Here you can unwind and enjoy the evening at your own pace. You are responsible for your dinner. Ask your driver for suggestions.

Create your tour

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet with you to begin your day in the Fes Medina. This UNESCO-protected medieval medina is filled with narrow alleyways and roads that are donkey-width. Your Fes-born-and-bred guide, will tell you stories and take you to hidden corners of the medina. You will also see everyday life, as well as the important Fes madersas or palaces. Your guide will show you Fes like a local. Ask your guide for suggestions on lunch.

Fes is the center of Moroccan arts and crafts. You’ll be able to meet artisans and learn more about their history and significance. To see traditional craft methods in action, visit tanneries or mosaic workshops.

Afternoon, you can return to your riad. Relax for the remainder of the day, or head out to explore the streets of the medina.

Today you will visit Ahinajen, a Berber village in the Middle Atlas Mountains. As the locals do, you will be taken 2 hours by a local pick-up or in a souk van. You will be welcomed by a local family for lunch upon arrival. After lunch, you’ll be taken to the valley to meet and talk with farmers. You will see the family dynamic as women and children traditionally act as shepherds for their livestock. This is a wonderful way to get to know the Atlas Mountains rural lifestyle and interact with local culture. You will return to Sefrou by stopping at Mausoleum Of Sidi Bousghin to enjoy the stunning view of Sefrou, the snow-capped Middle Atlas Mountains, and other nearby attractions.

Dinner will be served on your own in Sefrou or Fes.

Start the day early to prepare for your long journey from Fes and Marrakech. The 8-hour journey will take you through the Middle Atlas Mountains and High Atlas Mountains. You will pass Berber villages along the route. If you wish, you can stop at any of them. Your driver will give you recommendations for where to eat and take you for lunch at Beni­Mellal.

You can enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains before you get caught up in the bustle of Marrakech. You can spend the rest of your afternoon in Marrakech at a slower pace once you arrive. After a long day of traveling, you will be taken to a hammam for relaxation.

The Jemaa El Fna Square center comes alive in the evening with performers, snake charmers and food stalls. You can also enjoy the show from afar at the many cafes that surround the square.

After having breakfast on your second day in Marrakech you will be met by your local tour guide, who will take your group on a tour of the beautiful old medina. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see djellabas and babouches in vibrant colors, as well as intricately pierced lanterns and mounds full of exotic spices. Your guide will share the stories and history of the Medina and Souk sections, all kept within the city’s rose pink walls. Your tour guide will recommend a restaurant for lunch.

Relax after lunch and before you head out for the evening. You will be taking a guided tour of Marrakech Medina around 6 pm. Here you can taste local food and enjoy a full-course meal.

The Ourika Valley morning trip begins early in the morning. You’ll drive to Marrakech and then continue along the valley of Ourika. Here you will pass through several mountain villages. You’ll then continue your tour to Setti Fatma. This popular weekend getaway is loved by many Moroccans for its beautiful cliffs and streams, as well as its green valleys and stunning waterfalls. The region still has a medieval agricultural tradition. You can take photographs of the green terraces and surrounding Atlas Mountains as you walk around the valley. Local guides can accompany you on a hike up to the first waterfall.

Enjoy a traditional meal in a local restaurant after the hike and take some time to enjoy the stunning view of the mountains. You’ll then return to Marrakech at night, where you can have your own time and enjoy dinner.

Today you will depart early to return to Casablanca by the coast route. Along the route, you will stop at two fortified old Portuguese cities.

El Jadida is the first city you’ll 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 art scene, life here is still very traditional. The crumbling 16th century medina is nestled between the Oud Er­Rbia (Mother of Spring River), and the ocean, providing plenty of artistic inspiration.

You will be checked in at your downtown hotel once you arrive in Casablanca. Your guide will pick you up after lunch to take you on a tour of Casablanca that you have not yet visited.

Your final dinner and evening will then be all on your own.

In preparation for your departure flight, you will make the 45-minute journey to Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport after breakfast. Safe travels