Highlights of Morocco

Discover the exotic cities of Morocco, its magnificent nature and secret destinations for history and culture.

 

This trip starts in Casablanca, home of the unforgettable Mosque of Hassan II, the third biggest mosque in the world.

We spend the next few days by exploring the Imperial Cities and sites in the northern part of Morocco: Volubilis, Fes and Meknes. All are fascinating in their own right, and also offer an interesting insight into the historical and religious background of the country – in particular the Roman and Islamic roots.

Later we will discover the beautiful nature of Morocco: the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains are ‘musts’ to see once you are in Morocco. In the Sahara we will visit Merzouga where you will have the chance to ride a camel or walk over the sand dunes. Both are essential part of a genuine Saharan experience! In the Atlas Mountains we will discover the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge with its thousand-foot-high vertical walls and Ait Benhaddou, the world heritage site where famous Hollywood movies were shot. Then we cross the High Atlas via the famous Tizi n’Tichka road which leads to Toubkal, the highest peak (4167m) in North Africa. The summit will be only for a half-day walk from our accommodation, an attractive mountain gîte.

After leaving the High Atlas we drive to Essaouira, the ‘Jewel of the Atlantic’ where we will have enough time to explore this charming city, to do some shopping or to hang around and relax a bit.

We finish our trip in Marrakech, home city of the famous Djemaa el-Fna, the square of vibrant atmosphere and colourful open-air shows. 

 

Next departure: as requested

 

Extension possibility: -

 

Similar tours:

Best of Morocco (RTBES)

Discover Morocco (RTDIS)

From North to South (RTN2S)

Itinerary

 

1. Arrive in Casablanca
2. Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes
3. Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
4. Explore Fes
5. Fes – Merzouga
6. Explore Erg Chebbi
7. Erg Chebbi – Todra Gorge
8. Todra Gorge – Ait Benhaddou
9. Ait Benhaddou – Aroumd
10. Aroumd – Essaouira
11. Explore Essaouira
12. Essaouira – Marrakech
13. Explore Marrakech
14. Leave Marrakech

 

Day 1 / Arrive in Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca – the economic capital of Morocco – anytime and meet your guide in the hotel.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: -

 

Day 2 / Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes

Before leaving for Rabat we visit Mosque Hassan II, the third largest mosque in the world, the landmark of Casablanca..

Then we continue with a short drive (roughly 1.5h) to Rabat, the governmental capital of Morocco and have a city tour including the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan tower, as well as the Oudaya Kasbah. Later – after lunch – we continue to Meknes for overnight.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 3 / Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

In the morning we have a short orientation by bus to know where the sights are in Meknes. Later you will be free to discover the town’s main important sights (such as the granary, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and Bab Mansour) by your own rhythm. After lunch we leave towards Fes passing by Volubilis (roman ruins) where we make a visit.

Lodging: riad

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 4 / Explore Fes

In the morning we visit the oldest living Medina in the world: the souqs (markets), the gateway of the Royal Palace, the Karaouiyine Mosque (dating from the 9th century) and the University. We also visit the tomb of the city founder, Moulay Idriss II.

After having lunch in one of the traditional restaurants in the Medina, we continue our tour to visit one of the city’s famous tanneries, the el-Nejjarine Fountain and the ceramic production school. On the way back to the hotel, we stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Lodging: riad (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 5 / Fes – Merzouga

After breakfast we start our long journey (360 km) over the Middle Atlas. We drive through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada (flat stony desert) and gradually approach the spectacular site of the Golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge on the edge of the Sahara where it is easy to climb up the dunes for sunset or sunrise.

Lodging: auberge (guest house)

Provision: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 6 / Explore Erg Chebbi

There is time today to explore the largest sand sea in Morocco by camel trek, do some optional activities or just to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famous for its pink dunes that have a spectacular rose colour at sunset.

In the afternoon we set on our camels to reach the camp among the dunes where – after admiring the breathtaking sunset – we spend the night.

Lodging: nomad camp (simple Bedouin camp)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 7 / Erg Chebbi – Todra Gorge

Early morning we can climb up the dunes to watch the sun rising up, then we set back on our camels and ride back to the auberge to have breakfast and to take a shower.

Later we head towards the magnificent Todra Gorge (including a short and gentle walk in the Palmerie of Tinghir) and we spent the night in a hotel in the little town of Tinghir.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 8 / Todra Gorge – Ait Benhaddou

Today we drive along the ‘Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs’ (Dades Valley) via Ouarzazate where we stop to visit cinema studios and to have lunch.

A short drive takes us to the well-preserved Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the most spectacular sights in the Atlas Mountains, famous for being the location for several Hollywood films, including ‘The Gladiator’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

Lodging: hotel/kasbah

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 9 / Ait Benhaddou – Aroumd

After breakfast we leave for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape, crossing through the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass which is the highest road passing (2260 m) in Morocco. In the splendid Toubkal National Park the scenery is spectacular and we have great view on the highest peak of North Africa (4167 m). Little walk-up (1h) leads us to Aroumd, one of the most striking villages in the region, and it is the village where many trekkers start to climb the highest peak in North Africa (Toubkal 4167 m).

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 10 / Aroumd – Essaouira

After leaving the gîte we walk back to our bus to drive to the Atlantic Coast. We arrive to Essaouira at around midday and in the afternoon we have a guided tour of the town including the port, the Portuguese fortification and the centuries-old medina.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 11 / Explore Essaouira

Today is free to explore more of this peaceful city, to do some shopping or to walk along the picturesque beach. There are also many pleasant cafes and some outstanding seafood restaurants.

Lodging: hotel (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 12 / Essaouira – Marrakech

After breakfast we head for the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech. The city is famous for its bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques and it is a great place to buy some souvenirs as well.

In the afternoon in order to soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city, we have a guided tour to sample some of the popular sights of Marrakech including the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque (from outside). The tour is finishing up in the well-known open-air central square, the Djemaa el-Fna.

In the evening we can visit the heart of Marrakech (the Djemaa el-Fna) again and have a dinner in one of its food stalls. The square – with its snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats – is a place of night-time entertainment for both tourists and local people.

Lodging: hotel

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 13 / Explore Marrakech

Today is a free day to explore Marrakech by yourself. We advise to visit the Badia Palace or the museum Dar Si Said or spend some time in the labyrinthine souqs (markets) looking for souvenirs. You can also take a half-hour Calèche ride (a green horse-drawn carriage) to the Majorelle Garden. This peaceful garden decorated all over in blue was built by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter who fell in love with Morocco and later was bought by Yves Saint-Laurent. You can finish the day by relaxing in a hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath.

Lodging: hotel (same one as the night before)

Provision: breakfast

 

Day 14 / Leave Marrakech

End of trip and we say goodbye. Have a nice flight back to home.

Please note that we are able to organise a post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days.

Lodging: -

Provision: breakfast

 

• In mountain huts (gîtes) there is shared accommodation and shared facilities (shower and toilet) are available.
• In the Sahara there is not much water available and we will have a certain amount of water for cooking and personal use, so please do not expect shower in the Bedouin camp.

 

Services Included

 

• All transport within Morocco, except from and to the airport:
  • comfortable minibus, Four-Wheel Drive vehicles (4WD) or taxi (depending on the size of the group)
  • camels (in the Sahara)
• All accommodations: hotels/riads, auberge (guest house), gîte (mountain hut), nomad camp
• All breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners (13B, 1L, 3D)
• Professional tour leader and local staff during the whole trip:
  • Berber mountain guide certified by Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism to give you interesting information about the places you visit, the history and the culture of the country
  • a devoted team of experienced drivers, local guides and camel drivers
• City tours/Programs: Mosque Hassan II, Volubilis, Fes tour (full day), Essaouira tour (half-day), Marrakech tour (half-day)

 

Services NOT Included

 

• Flight ticket to and from Morocco
• Airport transfer (available for extra charge)
• Insurance covering all your adventure activities (obligatory, please bring a copy with you)
• Meals – except breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners (allow EUR 10 to 15 for each meal)
• Soft drinks and personal purchases all over the trip
• Entrance fee to monuments (except city tours/programs) and optional activities (e.g. hammam)
• Tipping local staff (tour guide, local guides, driver, camel drivers) – not obligatory, only if you are satisfied

 

Food/Provision

 

• All breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners are included
• All other meals and drinks (e.g. water) will be for your expenses. Your guide will help you to discover the local restaurants
• Please inform us of any dietary, vegetarian or special meal requirements at the time of reservation

 

For further information please check ‘General trip info’.

 

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