Casablanca-Marrakesh 14-day Tour, Morocco

Day 1. Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! An arrival transfer from Casablanca airport is included on Day 1. Be sure to arrive in time for your welcome meeting at 18:00. We are joining the group that departed yesterday from Marrakech and will enjoy dinner together before spending the first night at our hotel.

Overnight in Casablanca (dinner included).

Day 2. Meknes

After breakfast we head straight to Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, where we will spend the morning visiting Oudaya Kasbah, Hassan tower and the Royal Palace. After lunch we will move on to the third of our Imperial cities, Meknes, to enjoy some free time. Overnight in Meknes (breakfast included).

Day 3. Chefchaouen

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a tour of the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the largest ancient site in Morocco. UNESCO-listed, the site was once the city that ruled the entire Roman province of Mauritania. Then we’ll head on to Chefchaouen for a guided tour. High up in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen boasts a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the Kasbah, central mosque and cafes with authentic menus. The busy market is a mix of traditional Moroccan and tourist fare. Overnight in Chefchaouen (breakfast included).

Day 4. Fes

Enjoy some free time in Chefchaouen this morning - spend your time exploring this beautiful city or relax at the hotel. Then we’ll then enjoy a leisurely lunch in Chefchaouen before moving on to Fes in the afternoon. Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a heady mix of aromas, sounds and sights. To navigate, follow one of the five themed tourist circuits. There are plenty of mosques and palaces to visit, but be aware that only Muslims can enter mosques in Morocco. Overnight in Fes (breakfast included).

Day 5. Fes

Today, we embark on a fully guided tour of the city of Fes. Explore the tanneries, souks, potteries, the Medina, and learn the fascinating history of the city. We'll later return to the hotel to get ready for an optional night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town. Overnight in Fes (breakfast included).

Day 6. Midelt

This morning we will visit the Moyen Atlas to stop at Midelt. This is a beautiful alpine area. Surrounded by huge pine trees in a tranquil mountain setting, this is a great spot to cool down and relax after the hustle and bustle of Fes. We will visit a local Berber family to experience a few hours in their way of life. We will enjoy a small hike in the afternoon then spend the night in this mountain location. Overnight in Midelt (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 7. Sahara Berber camp

Excitement is in the air as we head towards the mighty Saharan dunes. En-route we stop for lunch and in the summer we may even have time for a relaxing swim. It will be the time then to head towards the great desert dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga where we start riding our camels and ride into the vast Sahara desert in time for sunset. Then we return to our authentic Berber camp on the edge of the desert to spend the night enjoying local food, music and an amazing night out under the Saharan stars. Overnight in a Berber camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Day 8. Todra Gorge

Leaving the desert, we move on to Todra Gorge. This 1000ft gorge is hemmed in on all sides by vertical limestone cliffs and is called Morocco’s Grand Canyon. We will have a stop at the Berber cooperative where you can see and buy authentic Berber handmade rugs, kilims and carpets. The afternoon can be spent exploring the Gorge, walking through the Palmeraie or trying our optional activity of rock climbing. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colors as the sun slowly moves from the East to the West. Overnight in Todra Gorge (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 9. Ait Benhaddou

We bid a fond farewell to Todra this morning and make our way to Ait Benhaddou, via Ouarzazate. We will stop to buy lunch along the way and have a chance for an optional tour of the film studios in Ouarzazate, famous for movies such as Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights. On a hill along the Ouarzazate River we find Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that boasts great examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. This afternoon we have a guided tour of the famous Kasbah and village. This is where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed once. Overnight in Ait Benhaddou (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 10. Essaouira

Today’s drive is truly stunning as we traverse the high Atlas Mountains on our way to Essaouira. A colorful fishing town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications, where great beaches are located. Relax on the beach or alternatively explore the UNESCO-listed medina with its various souks and woodcarving workshops. Any city gate leads to the medina, so you’re unlikely to get lost. The beach is in front of the medina and there are plenty of cafés with terraces, both ideal for relaxing for a few hours. Blue doors and window frames abound as do the artists' shops – buy a carpet or Thuya wood carving or sit on the beach sipping a mint tea as the sun sets, an antidote to the hustle and bustle of the Imperial cities. Overnight in Essaouira (breakfast included).

Day 11. Essaouira

Today we have the whole day to explore and enjoy the sights and activities of Essaouira. There is an opportunity to do some optional activities. Overnight in Essaouira (breakfast included).

Day 12. Marrakech

We take either our minivan or the public bus from Essaouira this morning and return to explore the final one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities we visit on this tour. Marrakech is set against the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The city’s great pride and landmark is the Koutoubia Tower. No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the city’s UNESCO-listed medina and Djemâa-el-Fna, an extraordinary gathering and marketplace. Overnight in Marrakech (breakfast included).

Day 13. Marrakech

This morning, why not book our optional guided city tour which leaves the afternoon free to explore the city further, relax by the pool and enjoy some of the optional activities. Overnight in Marrakech (breakfast included).

Day 14. Marrakech

Your adventure ends after breakfast (breakfast included). Transfer to the airport.