12 Day Tour
Casablanca to Casablanca

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Casablanca

We will begin this adventure at the Casablanca airport where we will meet you and

take you to the hotel for the night.

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Day 2: Casablanca - Rabat

In the morning of the second day we will visit the Hassan II mosque, located on the

shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The mosque itself is the second largest in the world,

and you can admire the intricate tile work and gorgeous craftsmanship. From there

we will drive to Rabat to see the Hassan II tower, the minaret of a mosque that was

started in the 12th century but never finished. It is a beautiful spot for pictures and a

great place to walk around. We will also visit the Oudaya Kasbah, a beautiful spot

with tranquil gardens and extensive history dating back to the 12th century. From

there we will check into your riad in the centre of the medina for some

much-needed rest.

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Day 3: Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Rif Mountains - Fes

After breakfast we will drive to the imperial city of Meknes. We will see Bab Monsour, a huge but elegantly-decorated gate welcoming visitors to the old part of the city. We will also see Sahrij Swani, a large reservoir built by Ismail Moulay in the 17th century to ensure that the kasbah would have enough water in times of siege or drought. We will also visit the Moulay Ismail mausoleum, one of Morocco’s longest-ruling sultans. After lunch, we will drive to Volubilis to explore the Roman ruins which have survived for thousands of years and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there we will drive over the Rif mountains to Fes where

we will stay in a hotel or riad.

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Day 4:  Fes

Today will be spent exploring the city of Fes with a private, local guide who can show you things and tell you stories only the locals know. You will definitely see the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest university in the world, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the Nejjarine fountains, and the world-renowned tanneries. After lunch we can walk around outside the Royal Palace and visit the Jewish quarter or “the Mellah” where you can visit a synagogue if you wish. We can make a quick visit to the ceramic shop, and enjoy some panoramic views of the entire city before returning to your accommodation for the night.

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Day 5: Fes - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz valley - Errachidia - Merzouga

After breakfast today we will drive along the ancient caravan routes toward the desert. We will pass through the cedar forests near Azrou where you may get to see

the famous and friendly Barbary macaques. We will stop in Midelt for lunch, a city so famous for its apple production there is a large apple sculpture in the centre of town! We will continue southeast along Ziz valley where you will see what appears to be a river of

date palm trees that stretch beyond sight. As we move beyond Errachidia you

will notice the landscape becoming less mountainous and more like a desert. We

will arrive in Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara, just in time for the traditional

Moroccan welcome - mint tea. Then we will check into the hotel or riad for the Night.

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Day 6: Merzouga - Rissani - Merzouga

 Today will begin with a hearty breakfast, then we will take some time to explore

Merzouga. We will visit Khamlia village for a live performance of Gnawa music, then

move on to the nearby seasonal lake which, when it is full of water, host many

different species of birds. From there we will travel to nearby Rissani, a traditional

city with a popular souk. After a bit of shopping we will return to Merzouga for

some free time before mounting a camel and trekking to the campsite where you

will enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the dunes, dinner, and music around a campfire

before falling asleep in your tent.

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Day 7: Merzouga - Rissani - Tinghir - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley

After an early rise to see a magical sunrise on the seventh day, we will trek out of

the dunes and back to Merzouga. From there we will drive through Rissani on the

way to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges. We will stop at the base of the canyon for

lunch and to walk along the river that carved through those steep, rocky walls to

create the beautiful site you will enjoy today. Afterwards we will drive on through

Dades Valley to a rock formation called “Monkey toes,” stopping along the way for

any panoramic pictures you may want to take. We will spend the night in a hotel

overlooking Dades valley.

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Day 8: Dades Valley - Ouarzazate 

Today we will drive on through the valley along the “route of a thousand

kasbahs.” That’s not even an exaggeration; there are actually more than a thousand.

Aside from traditional Berber villages and date palms, you will see gorgeous

scenery. Please let us know if you would like to stop to take pictures! We’ll drive on

to Kalaat Mguna, the valley of roses, where we will visit a cooperative that distils

roses into rose water then creates cosmetic products. We will drive on to

Ouarzazate. Along the way we will pass Kasbah Amridil, an 18th century structure in

Skoura which belonged to one of the last Berber chieftains of Morocco. We will spend the night in Ouarzazate. 

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Day 9: Ouarzazate - High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech

 An early breakfast today and a drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou. Centuries ago this fortified city was an important stop for caravans crossing the Sahara on their way to and from Marrakech. Today it is more often used as a backdrop for movies like The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara, or Game of Thrones. After a tour we will continue through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, over the High Atlas Mountains, and into Marrakech. Along the way, you will see some of the most gorgeous views in the world, and of course we will stop for pictures! We will arrive by evening and check into a hotel or riad. 

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Day 10:  Marrakech - Essaouira - Marrakech

Today will be devoted to a day trip to the coastal city of Essaouira (formerly called Mogadore). It has several nicknames. “The City of Wind” because its waves are perfect for surfing, and “The Jewel of the Atlantic” because it is a gorgeous, historic city. You will have some time to explore the town during our lunch break. We will also visit a women’s cooperative to learn their process for making both culinary and cosmetic grade argan oil by hand. We will drive back to Marrakech and spend another night in the hotel or riad. 

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Day 11:  Marrakech

The entire day today will be devoted to exploring the city of Marrakech. You will see places like the Saadian tombs which are stunning examples of Moroccan architecture.

Other sites include the Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Gardens and Bahia Palace before taking some time to wander through the souks of the medina and appreciate the

craftsmanship that goes into the products you see. You will see the square take on a very different character as night falls. It will fill with vendors, snake charmers, magicians,

storytellers, and families who are there to enjoy the entertainment. You will have time to wander the square and enjoy the experience before we return to the riad or hotel for

the night. 

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Day 12:  Casablanca

Today we will drive you to the airport in Casablanca. Our departure time will depend on your flight times, and we will adjust those to meet your needs. We hope you will take with you fond memories of your visit to Morocco!