The Grand Journey of Morocco

Welcome to Morocco! Upon your arrival in Casablanca, our representative is ready at the airport to welcome & transport you to Rabat. You will ll have the remaining of the day to explore this vibrant city, which has been Morocco’s capital since 1956 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.

Begin your journey at the Royal Palace and the ancient Chellah Necropolis, home to both Roman and Islamic ruins. Wander through this historic site, taking in the rich history. Meander through the medina (old town) to discover the iconic Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, featuring an incomplete mosque minaret and approximately 200 columns from the 12th century.

Next, delve into the medina’s storied past, wandering its picturesque streets and stopping by the bustling souks (markets) to explore a variety of local crafts and products, including rugs, spices, slippers, jewelry, and leather goods.

End your day with a visit to the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens, where you can enjoy a tranquil oasis away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Your tour concludes at the grand entrance of the Kasbah des Oudaïas, the gateway out of Rabat’s historic city center.

Today, take a relaxed journey along the picturesque Atlantic Coast, traveling from Rabat to Asilah. Your route will include a stop at the mouth of the Loukkos River, where you can explore ancient Roman and Spanish colonial sites. Begin your exploration at Lixus, a remarkably well-preserved Roman city offering breathtaking views. After your visit to Lixus, cross the river to Larache, a town with a rich Spanish colonial history. Here, enjoy a seafood lunch beneath the arches of the Plaza de España, visit the archaeology museum to delve into the region’s history, and explore the remnants of a once-mighty fortress. This day promises a delightful blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty.

Continuing along the Atlantic Coast, you’ll encounter a continuous stretch of wide, sandy beaches that lead you to Cap Spartel, the northwestern tip of Africa. If the weather is favorable, don’t hesitate to ask your driver to stop wherever you’d like for a swim or some ocean boating.

After leaving Asilah, the first beach you’ll come across is Tahaddart Beach. This beach is particularly suitable for families with small children, and you can even rent paddle boats here, making it a popular spot for Moroccan families on summer vacations. Once you arrive at Cap Spartel, explore Cap Spartel Park, a pine-forested mountain with scenic drives and hiking trails, a picturesque lighthouse, and ocean-view restaurants where you can enjoy lunch. Your next stop should be the Caves of Hercules, which hold a rich history of human use and are said to be the resting place of Hercules during his journey to the Garden of the Hesperides (located in the ruins of Lixus). The cliffs surrounding Achakkar Beach, situated nearby, offer protection and beauty, making it a sought-after destination for swimming.

Finally, you’ll drive to Tangier, which marks the end of your day’s journey.

After breakfast, make your way toward Chefchaouen. On the way, you’ll go through Tetouan, a jewel of a town nestled between the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Tetouan’s ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looks like it has not changed in several centuries.

Continue to Chefchaouen, a visual delight in blue. Walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways—everything is a combination of soft pastel blue and deeper, more bold hues. After checking in at your riad (traditional house with a courtyard), explore the town at your own pace. Watch the world go by at Place Outa el-Hammam, the city’s main square, or walk up the tiny alleyways leading away from the more tourist-oriented areas to find the everyday life of the town.

Head off on a comfortable private transfer to Fez, making a few interesting stops. First, wander through the massive Roman complex at Volubilis, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and colorful mosaics. Next, continue to Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and stroll through its compact medina. Other than the city’s scattered souks, you can also see Marinid-era architecture at the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa and the impressive 19th-century palace of Dar Jamaï.

Your final stop is Fez. Before settling into your traditional riad accommodation, drive up to the Marinid Tombs, a hilltop archeological site where you can enjoy a lovely panorama of the old city. On the hillside below, you may see leather drying in the sun. Then, make your way into the bustling medina and enjoy navigating Fez’ charming streets. Finally, return to your riad for relaxation.

Today, you’ll discover the vibrant and fortified medina of Fez, the cultural capital of Morocco, with the help of a private tour guide. First, you’ll pass through the Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate), a Moorish gate with three arches acting as the old town’s main entrance, and wander into the bustling souk. Next, visit the famous Chouara Tannery and the 9th-century Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, the world’s oldest continuously operating university.

Stop at either Bou Inania Madrasa or Al Attarine Madrasa, two 14th-century schools featuring beautiful Marinid and Moroccan architecture and zellij tiles. Then, wander to some of the other sites of Fes, such as the Mellah (Jewish District and cemetery) and the Dar el Makhzen (Royal Palace of Fes). Or check out a museum, like the Borj Nord, which features a collection of weapons and armor from several eras and incredible roof-top views. When hungry, your guide will lead you to a local eatery to taste dishes such as couscous, shakshuka, maakouda (spiced battered potato cakes), and slow-roasted méchoui lamb.

On the way to Merzouga, stop at a few cultural spots to meet the desert communities of the Sahara. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with nomadic shepherds, stroll through settlements, and, if time allows, enjoy a cup of tea with a local Berber family. As you approach Merzouga, you’ll see the sand waves of Erg Chebbi—an extensive set of dunes covering almost 14 square miles (35 sq km), with some peaks rising over 650 feet (200 m).

Upon arrival, take a short break as you prepare for a camel ride through the dunes. After settling into your tent, climb up the nearest dunes to watch the sunset. Head back to camp for dinner and a night by the campfire, enjoying traditional Berber music and savoring the stars strewn across the unhindered night sky. If modern comfort is more your style, you can always opt for a comfortable hotel or auberge in town instead.

Enjoy a drive through the dunes of Erg Chebbi by Jeep to discover the hidden secrets of the Sahara. Meet with the local nomads, have tea with a local family, then visit the Gnawa House in Khemliya village. Gnawa is a type of traditional spiritual music practiced throughout Morocco and originates from the sub-Saharan region. Popular maâlems (master musicians) are now bringing the genre to the mainstream. After Gnawa House, you can rent a sandboard and test your skills on the dunes before joining a quad ATV tour.

Rise early to be rewarded with a sunrise over the dunes. Then, enjoy breakfast in camp before traveling back across the desert to Merzouga. Once you meet your private driver, begin your journey to Tinghir, an oasis city at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Consider stopping in the desert community of Rissani before setting out across the plains. This town is an excellent place to take a walk around a traditional market, where many animals are bought and sold. Be sure to stop by the “donkey parking lot” while you’re here.

Enjoy the change in landscape when you reach Tinghir. There’s a weekly market in town for local farmers who grow figs, dates, and wheat and live in the area’s ksars. Explore this scenic spot before pressing on. Continue your road trip through a green valley that grows increasingly tighter until you enter the vertical Todra Gorge. Get out and explore the rustic trails winding up and out of the canyon. Travel along ancient trade routes from Tinghir to Ouarzazate through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Along the way, you’ll see many iconic fortified towns. The first significant stop en route will be the town of Boumalne Dadès, an oasis town at the mouth of the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. If you turn north, you can visit the Dadès Gorge, which cuts through a dramatic landscape of rust and mauve-striped mountains. The valley below is an irrigated oasis filled with fig, almond, and olive orchards and dotted with crumbling kasbahs and Berber villages.

After lunch in Boumalne Dadès, head south toward the Valley of Roses, the heart of rose oil production in Morocco. Every spring, the landscape smells heavenly during the harvest of the perfumed Provence rose. End the day in Ouarzazate, a town famous for its involvement in the Moroccan film industry. There is more to Ouarzazate than movies, though, and you’ll drive a short way from town to the iconic ksar of Aït Benhaddou. It’s believed that this site dates back to the 11th century when it held a prominent position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert.

Take the time to explore Aït Benhaddou once more in the morning light, before leaving the Sahara. Wind your way into the High Atlas Mountains through the towering Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Near the top, enjoy incredible panoramic views of the mountains and the plains of Marrakech below. Be on the lookout for Mount Toubkal—North Africa’s highest peak—to the west. As you descend the north-facing slopes, notice the dramatic change in the climate and landscape. You’ll soon begin to cross deep river valleys and see abundant almond and walnut orchards.

Once in Marrakech, check in to your luxury riad, the perfect place to unwind after your travels. Spend the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace and sip a pot of fresh mint tea by the pool or in the shade of a jasmine bush. If you’re inspired to head out in the evening, you’ll be right on time to watch the medina’s main square, Jemaa el-Fna, comes alive with food stalls, snake charmers, and performers. There are many cafés surrounding the square where you can sit and enjoy the activity over a delicious meal, or you could head to the new city to explore Marrakech’s modern food scene.

After breakfast, meet your private local guide who will lead you through the old city of Marrakech. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will come across lively souks and maze-like alleys. You’re sure to be dazzled by displays of djellabas, brightly colored babouches, intricately-pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense hubbub of medina life. Along the way, your knowledgeable and energetic guide will regale you with the history and stories of the Medina, the Souk, and the Mellah neighborhoods of the Red City. Your guide will also have some great recommendations for the best places to grab lunch!

In the afternoon you’ll continue your private tour, exploring places like the Bahia and El Badii Palaces, and the Saadian Tombs. You’ll also see the Majorelle Gardens, an iconic garden retreat built over forty years by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later inhabited by famed designer Yves Saint Laurent. Stroll through two and a half acres of peaceful water gardens, visit Morocco’s only museum dedicated entirely to Berber art and culture, and explore Yves Saint Laurent’s gallery, all within the walls of this urban oasis.

Marrakech sits where the High Atlas Mountains meet an expansive plain. What better way to observe these contrasted landscapes than taking a hot air balloon ride over the Red City at sunrise? You’ll have a pre-dawn wake-up call this morning before transfering in the dark to the mountains and boarding your hot air balloon. Once aloft, watch the sun climb over the highest peaks in North Africa and illuminate the city far below. After your flight, enjoy a delicious and scenic Berber breakfast before you return to Marrakech.

Take the rest of the day to yourself to spend however you like. Take a private cooking class with one of the city’s culinary masters, do some self-guided exploring, or visit a market for some additional shopping. Your private driver can take you to any location you desire in the city, and your specialist can help arrange any other private tours or bespoke experiences that speak to you. Tonight, enjoy dinner back at your luxury riad or head out to one of the city’s great eateries.

Today, you will travel to Essaouira, a town made famous for its excellent surfing beaches and laid-back vibes. The 3-hour drive takes you over extensive, rolling plains. En route, you’ll pass through a unique forest, the only ecosystem where argan trees grow. You’ll visit an association of local women that make argan oil, famed for its excellent health and beauty properties. You may even see goats grazing on the fruits of the argan trees, high in the tree branches. It is quite a sight!

Upon your arrival in Essaouira, walk the impressive seawalls and discover delights in the Old Medina area. Jewish heritage is very present in Essaouira, home to one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Morocco; in addition to its charm and history, the neighborhood is the perfect example of a community of coexistence.

The Essaouira harbor is the commercial heart of town and a must-see destination for foodies curious about the local culinary culture. Every morning, many fishers haul their catches ashore to sell in the nearby bustling market, where customers haggle for the best deals. Enjoy the fruits of their labor at nearby food stalls where you can tuck into incredibly fresh grilled and fried fish. You can order fish straight from the stalls or do as the locals do: buy your fish in the nearby market and commission a grillmaster to cook it for a small fee. Tonight, relax in one of Essaouira’s wonderful luxury riads.

Soak up the sun today on the sands of Essaouira‘s beach. If the Atlantic waters prove too cold for a dip, you can still take advantage of a host of other fun activities here! The shore is also home to some significant landmarks. Walk south along the bay to find a ruined fortress in the sand; when the tide is low, you can climb the structure and wander around! Then venture on to cross the nearby stream and climb the hill, where you’ll discover the wreckage of another, more massive fortress complex. This is an excellent spot for kids—and kids at heart—to explore.

You’ll be chauffeured back to town for lunch, after which the adventures continue. If you’re craving adrenalin, take a surfing or kitesurfing lesson on the beach (wetsuits and gear are provided), or explore from the land: you can arrange a camel ride across the sand or a horseback ride through the coastal forests. After, rest up at your riad and enjoy a glass of Moroccan mint tea as you watch the sunset. Then get your fill of freshly caught seafood expertly prepared by the warm locals here.

Today, you’ll head out early to Casablanca via the coastal route, with some brief, interesting stops in other seaside cities along the way. You’ll first visit Safi, known for its excellent surfing beaches and views of the Atlantic Ocean. The second city you’ll stop at is El Jadida, where you can tour the striking Portuguese cistern. Spend some time walking the ramparts and visiting the Church of the Assumption; after, have lunch here in the city.

Next, stop at Azemour, which has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades, some of whom have chosen to live here. Life in this community is still traditional, despite its proximity to the cosmopolitan art market of Casablanca. Get inspired by the crumbling 16th-century medina, squeezed between the Oued Oum Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the ocean.

Once you arrive in Casablanca, check into your hotel and relax before venturing out into the city for dinner and some evening exploration.

Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, our representative will take you to Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.