Best of Morocco

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Casablanca

  Your Morocco tour begins in Casablanca, the lively Atlantic port known for its French colonial architecture and cinematic fame. Arrive at any time, perhaps exploring Marché Central or Place Mohamed V if early, before a 7pm welcome meeting at the hotel with the option to dine out afterwards; airport transfers are available from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, about 45 minutes away.

• Day 2 • Casablanca & Rabat

  Begin with a guided visit to Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, the seventh-largest in the world, dramatically set over the Atlantic and built to hold up to 105,000 worshippers, before travelling south to Morocco’s capital, Rabat. Here, explore the historic centre on foot, visiting the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Kasbah des Oudaias, and the Royal Palace.

• Day 3 • Meknes & Volubilis

  Travel to Meknes to explore its imperial legacy on a guided tour, visiting the Heri es-Souani granaries, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Bab el Khamis, Bab Mansour, and Place el Hedim. Continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis to admire ancient mosaics with a local guide, then journey on to Fes, Morocco’s cultural capital, arriving in time to explore the contrasts between its old and new towns and sample its renowned cuisine.

• Day 4 • The Imperial City of Fes

  Today, we have an entire day to explore Fes. After breakfast, we'll take to the artisan capital with a local guide, starting in Fes el Jadid - known as new Fes, despite dating back to the 13th century. We'll drop by the Royal Palace and marvel at the intricately designed exterior - the palace is not open to the public but remains a must-see on any tour of Fes. We'll also stop by the North Borj viewpoint for a panorama of the city from above. After lunch, we'll swap new for old and head into Fes el Bali - also known as old Fes. We'll wander through the bustling souks and artisan alleys, where quaint doorways and narrow paths reveal weavers, brass workers, coppersmiths and tanners, who've been practicing their trade for generations. We'll also take in the opulent 14th-century Attarin Medersa, one of Morocco's most captivating medieval colleges.

• Day 5 • Middle Atlas & Erfoud

  Depart early from Fes into the Middle Atlas, travelling via Immouzer and Ifrane past Azrou, where Berber communities maintain distinct traditions of music, language, and culture. Continue through sheep-rearing country over the Col du Zad and Tizi Talghemt (Camel Pass), follow the Gorge du Ziz to Er Rachidia, cross the plateau by Meski Oasis’s “Blue Spring,” and end the day in the desert town of Erfoud.

• Day 6 • Merzouga & The Sahara Desert

  Follow the Ziz River to Rissani, ancestral home of the Alaouite dynasty, to visit the founder’s mausoleum and explore traditional fortified ksour before continuing to Merzouga. From here, travel by 4WD into the dunes of Erg Chebbi to a Berber desert camp, where comfortable twin tents await; enjoy mint tea, a Sahara sunset walk, traditional tagine dinner under the stars, and an evening by the campfire, with shared bathroom facilities available.

• Day 7 • The Sahara & Todra Gorge

  This morning, we'll wake up before dawn to watch the sun rise over the Sahara from the tip of the sand dune. After breakfast, we'll leave the desert by camel over the high sand dunes of Merzouga, a true Moroccan experience. Our route today takes us along the southern slopes of the Atlas to Tinerhir, our base for exploring the towering vistas of the Todra Gorge. We'll have a bit of time to explore the area and wander the lush grounds that line the banks of the Todra River, an oasis of date palms, olive groves and fruit orchards.

• Day 8 • Todra Gorge

  An optional moderate-to-challenging hike in Todra Gorge leads to Abdelali viewpoint, with a choice of a 6km return walk or a usually preferred 10km circular route, weather permitting. Starting along the gorge’s narrow floor, the trail follows a mule path climbing around 500 metres to a small pass with sweeping views over the Jebel Sahro range and down into the ochre cliffs below, before descending 550 metres on steep, rocky terrain; sturdy walking boots are essential. Those not wishing to hike can explore the valley floor or relax in a nearby café while Berber women guide their goats through the dramatic gorge.

• Day 9 • Ait Ben Haddou

  This morning, we head west to make a short stop in El Kelaa des M'Gouna. Famous for its roses, the town is blanketed by a landscape of scented blooms each spring, which are harvested in the May during the Festival of Roses. The blossoms are used to make rosewater, which is sold throughout the Islamic world. Driving on through the Dades Valley, we enter the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs, an oasis teeming with towns and kasbahs. You'll notice the buildings become more ornate as we travel further along the valley. This afternoon, we'll visit the fortified Berber settlement of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site widely considered to be one of Morocco's most picturesque spots. You might recognize the commanding crenelated towers from scenes in Jesus of Nazareth and Lawrence of Arabia, which both took advantage of the dramatic setting.

• Day 10 • Ouirgane

  Today we'll begin to head north via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest in Morocco. As we wind our way up, you'll notice the sand and stone landscape give way to the hills and deep gorges of the High Atlas Mountains. On our way to our next point, Ouirgane, we'll stop to visit the local market at Tahanoute and the village of Aguersioual, where we'll experience local life, sharing a mint tea with a Berber family. Depending on our arrival time in Ouirgane, we might have time for a short hike around the town.

• Day 11 • Essaouira

  We have a long drive ahead of us, so we'll be starting early today. Heading west via Marrakech, we'll reach the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the quaint port town, Essaouira. Set inside 15-century Portuguese fortifications, Essaouira is a charming seaside spot to recoup after a busy few days. We'll aim to arrive mid-afternoon and have the rest of the day free to explore.

• Day 12 • Explore Essaouira

  This morning our tour leader will help us get our bearings with a brief orientation before we're free to spend the day as we wish, uncovering the colourful coastal town. A day is just enough time to settle into the relaxed but lively way of life here. Head into the old walled medina and the maze of streets lined with craftsmen selling souvenirs from handmade leather belts to jewellery to wooden boxes inlaid with mother of pearl. Outside of the medina, you can take in the Mellah (the old Jewish Quarter) before sinking your feet into the golden sands of the beach and watching as the fishermen return to shore with their day's catch.

• Day 13 • Marrakech

  We'll leave the coast behind and head back inland to Marrakech, a few hours' drive away. Once we've arrived in the Red City, we'll take a guided tour to see the highlights, from the rose-coloured Koutoubia 'booksellers' Mosque to the Bahia Palace, famous for its decorated stucco walls and marble floors. We'll fuel up with fresh pastries from a traditional bakery before continuing to the medina. Here, we'll explore the labyrinth of spice-scented souks and the stalls of rugs, leather goods and crockery - to have the true Marrakech experience, you have to get stuck in haggling with the traders! Next, we'll drop by a spice shop and sample dates and almonds before navigating our way out of the souks and into the bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square. Take on the crowds and watch street performers up close, or head up to one of the many roof top bars and see the city from above. To finish off the day, there's an optional trip to a traditional Hammam.

• Day 14 • Explore Marrakech

  Today you're free to explore Marrakech at your own pace. Take in local life wandering past vendors selling everything from doughnuts to fabrics, meander through the maze-like markets, where vendors call out to sell their wares, and enjoy the sounds and scents of the souks. Please remember that many of the mosques will be forbidden to non-Muslims and be careful of photographing people. If you are unsure, always ask first.

• Day 15 • Trip ends in Marrakech

  Our tour of Morocco ends at our hotel in Marrakech. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Marrakesh Menara Airport.