14 Days Morocco Grand Tour from Casablanca

DAY 01 - Arrival in Casablanca & City Tour → Rabat

Your driver will meet you at Casablanca Airport and take you to your hotel or riad. After checking in and freshening up, we will embark on a half-day city tour of Casablanca highlights. First, you will visit the third-largest mosque in the world, the Hassan II Mosque, overlooking the seafront.

Thereafter, we will leave Casablanca for Rabat. First, Rabat is Morocco's capital, and you will visit the Hassan Tower, an unfinished mosque with beautiful columns. On the other side of the tower, you will encounter the mausoleum of Mohamed V. Then, you will visit Kasbah Oudaya, a lovely medieval fortified dwelling. Finally, your driver will drive you to your riad or hotel in Rabat.

• Drive: Casablanca to Rabat - approx. 116 km (around 2 hours)

DAY 02 - Rabat – Assilah – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, we will explore Chefchaouen. The city is situated between two high mountains, making it an ideal location for exploration and adventure. Chefchaouen was colonized by Spain, which is why you will find a lot of Spanish influence in the Medina. Jewish refugees have been crafting the blue-and-white walls and doors of Medina for a long time.

In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the city on your own. This means you will not have a guided tour, as the town is small and you will not encounter any difficulties in exploring it. Finally, another night will be spent in Chefchaouen at the same hotel.

• Drive: Rabat to Chefchaouen - approx. 250 km (around 4-5 hours)

DAY 03 - Sightseeing Chefchaouen → The Blue City

After breakfast, we will explore Chefchaouen. The city is situated between two high mountains, making it an ideal location for exploration and adventure. Chefchaouen was colonized by Spain, which is why you will find a lot of Spanish influence in the Medina. Moreover, Medina’s blue and white-washed walls and doors have been made by Jewish refugees for a long time.

In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the city on your own. This means you will not have a guided tour, as the town is small and you will not encounter any difficulties in exploring it. Finally, another night will be spent in Chefchaouen at the same hotel.

DAY 04 - Chefchaouen → Roman Ruins of Volubilis → Meknes → Fes

The next morning, we will travel to Fez, passing by Ouazzane. Your first stop will be at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see the most wonderful mosaic pillars and walls, dating to the 3rd century BC. After an escorted tour with your informative guide to learn more about the Roman ruins, we will head to Meknes.

The next morning, we will travel to Fez, passing by Ouazzane. Your first stop will be at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see the most wonderful mosaic pillars and walls, dating to the 3rd century BC. After an escorted tour with your informative guide to learn more about the Roman ruins, we will head to Meknes.

• Drive: Chefchaouen to Fes - approx. 195 km (around 4-5 hours)

DAY 05 - Sightseeing Fes with a Local Guide

After breakfast, we will explore the spiritual city, Fez. Begin your historical and cultural journey by exploring the Ancient Medina, where its intricate labyrinthine alleys will captivate you. Explore the world's oldest school, the renowned University of Al-Qarawiyyin. There is also the Madrassa Bouanania, which plays a significant role in teaching the Quran.

During your sightseeing tour, you will explore the magnificent Chaouara tannery, fountains, local souks, and artisans' area. After lunch, you will have a walk outside the Old Medina to visit the seven Royal Palace gates and Mellah, the Jewish Quarter. Finally, we will see the fortress on the hill to take in the panorama of the Medina. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to the accommodation to spend the night.

DAY 06 - Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Sahara

After breakfast, we will depart from Fez for the Merzouga Desert. In the first place, you will pass through the Middle Atlas Mountains, discovering their Berber villages. Your first stop will be Ifrane, the charming ski resort in Morocco known as “The Little Switzerland.”

Next, we will cross the magnificent cedar forest to see the macaque monkeys leaping upon the trees. Moving southeast, we will stop in Midelt for lunch. Then we will continue our Morocco Grand Tour to the dramatic Ziz Valley and the Tafilalet date palm orchard, offering opportunities to take in panoramic views and capture incredible photos. Passing through Aoufous, Erfoud, and Rissani, we will finally arrive at Merzouga village in the late afternoon, where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea and check into your riad or hotel.

• Drive: Fes to Merzouga Desert - approx. 480 km (around 7-8 hours)

DAY 07 - Merzouga Region → Nomads → Khamlia (Gnaoua Village) → Merzouga Lake → Erg Chebbi → Camel Trek → Desert Camp

The next day, you will start your journey by visiting Khamlia village, whose people originate from Mali. In the first place, you will discover their way of life and their unique Gnaoua music. Then, we will go to the desert, where you will find the traditional way of life—people who live in nomadic tents. You will enjoy a special Berber pizza called Madfouna with them.

Later on this 14-day Morocco tour, you will visit Rissani, a fortified place surrounded by 360 degrees of castles. They also have a traditional open market for selling vegetables and spices. If you'd like, we can help you purchase some products to take as souvenirs.

In the afternoon, we will drive back to Merzouga, then ride our camels for 1.5 hours to the heart of the desert, reaching the high dunes to watch the spectacular sunset. Finally, we will arrive at the camp, where you will have your private tents. Dinner will be served in the desert camp, and you will spend the night there under the magical sky.

DAY 08 - Merzouga Sahara → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley

Wake up early to watch the exquisite sunrise over the high dunes, taking in the views of the sandy Erg Chebbi, then enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then ride the camel or drive back to Merzouga. Then, we'll go to Tinghir and see the Todra Gorges, Morocco's narrowest and tallest. In the first place, you will hike in the valley while discovering the narrow canyons, and you can also enjoy a lunch here.

After lunch, we will drive to the Dades Valley, carved out of the cliff and named “monkey toes.” During the tour, you will pass by the amazing Castle Sands, where you can stop and take pictures. We will spend the night in the Dades Gorges at a wonderful riad overlooking the gorge.

• Drive: Merzouga to Boumalne Dades - approx. 266 km (around 4-5 hours)

DAY 09 - Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Skoura Palm Groves → Ouarzazate

The next day, after breakfast, we will leave the Dades and depart for Kalaat M’gouna. This route to Rose Valley, known as the Path of the Thousand Kasbahs, offers the best opportunities for photography. Then, we will arrive at Rose Valley, the only place in Morocco that extracts natural rose water, used in cosmetics and anti-wrinkle products.

After that, we will head to Skoura Oasis, where we will explore the preserved Ameridil Kasbah, then hike and have lunch in the valley. The view of the valley is breathtaking; you will enjoy being here. Today, we will meet nomadic families who live in caves to explore their lives. Finally, you will continue to Ouarzazate, known as the Moroccan Hollywood. Your overnight stay will be in a beautiful traditional riad in Ouarzazate.

• Drive: Boumalne Dades to Ouarzazate - approx. 140 km (around 3-4 hours)

DAY 10 - Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech

The next morning, we will travel from Ouarzazate to Marrakech. Today on this Casablanca Desert Tour, we will visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Firstly, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and has served as the backdrop for Hollywood movies such as ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia.’

After exploring the kasbah, we will pass through Tizi N’tichka, the highest pass in the Atlas Mountains at 2,260 m. Additionally, we can stop to observe the process of making argan oil. Arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon, your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.

• Drive: Ouarzazate to Marrakech - approx. 194 km (around 4-6 hours)

DAY 11 - Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marrakech

On this day of the grand Morocco tour, you will visit Marrakech, one of Morocco's imperial cities. You will explore the most notable visits, including the Coranic School of Ben Youssef and the Koutoubia Mosque. In addition to the Saadian Tombs, next to the Kasbah Mosque, you will find the tomb of Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour.

Then, you will discover the grand Bahia Palace, with its intricate and fancy decoration, which will fascinate you when you hear the stories about the Sultan and his concubines. Next, visit the French botanical garden, The Majorelle Garden, a beautiful oasis of exotic plants. The Majorelle Garden is an ideal spot to unwind.

After lunch, continue your guided tour in the Ancient Medina, where you will find masterpieces of handicrafts. Finally, finish your city tour by discovering the beguiling Jemaa El Fna, the bustling part of Marrakech, where snake charmers, jugglers, artisans, dancers, and storytellers meet. Overnight will be in Marrakech.

DAY 12 - Marrakech → Essaouira Coastal City

Today, we will travel to the seaside resort of Essaouira. It is a day full of fun, getting away from bustling Marrakech. Just a couple of hours away, you will find yourself in Essaouira. Upon arrival, you will discover why travelers come to this charming city to enjoy its special weather and experience its unique history.

Our trip will take us through lush valleys of orange groves and olive trees. Our first stop will be in Chichaoua, where we will take a break to eat or drink something. Then, we will continue our trip. UNESCO protects the special argan trees, which are essential for their cosmetic and medicinal properties, that you will glimpse along the road. Finally, you will arrive in Essaouira and wander in its ancient streets, which are genuinely Portuguese. You will spend the night in an authentic riad.

• Drive: Marrakech to Essaouira - approx. 182 km (around 3-4 hours)

DAY 13 - Exploring Essaouira Ramparts + Beaches

After breakfast at the riad, you will start your day tour with a visit to the medieval town (Skala Fortress). Overlooking the harbor, these seafront Portuguese ramparts offer a stunning view of the wooden boats painted in vibrant blue colors. You'll discover the city's highlights, including the Old Town, Thuya wood workshops, artisanal workshops, and the Jewish Synagogue.

After lunch with a delicious grilled fish dish in the fish souk, stroll along the sandy Atlantic Ocean, where you can find camels lying on the sand and see kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts playing their favorite sport. Finally, in the afternoon, we will return to our riad, where you will spend the second night.