12-Day Discovery Tour of Morocco from Casablanca

Duration

12 days

Number of people

1+

Part

Casablanca

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General Description

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Tour Highlights

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Itinerary

This 12-day private tour of Morocco is designed for those who want a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the country. Starting in Casablanca, you will follow Morocco’s history and culture through its four imperial cities: Rabat, Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech, each with its own unique charm.

Along the way, you will cross the High Atlas Mountains, explore UNESCO-protected sites such as Aït Benhaddou, and stroll through valleys filled with palm groves and fortified kasbahs. The adventure continues in the heart of the Sahara Desert, where you will ride a camel over golden dunes, enjoy stargazing by the fire, and spend the night in a luxury desert camp.

The tour includes encounters with Berber villages, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas inhabited by monkeys, and the charm of the Moroccan coast before concluding in vibrant Marrakech, leaving you with a deep connection to the history, landscapes, and people of Morocco.

  • Explore the four imperial cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech.
  • Visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, an architectural masterpiece.
  • Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Aït Benhaddou and the medina of Fez.
  • Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the picturesque Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
  • Experience the Sahara Desert with camel treks, 4×4 excursions, and luxury camps.
  • Marvel at the natural beauty of the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley.
  • Visit traditional Berber villages and interact with local families.
  • Observe Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou.
  • Stroll through the souks of Marrakech and the iconic Jemaa el-Fna square.
  • Enjoy a perfect balance between culture, adventure, and relaxation.

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Your Moroccan adventure begins at Casablanca airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a short tour of the city, appreciating the mix of modern architecture and Art Deco charm. Dinner and overnight stay in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca → Marrakech

Start the day with a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world, located on the Atlantic coast. Explore a local cultural museum before enjoying lunch on the Corniche overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, travel south to Marrakech, the famous “Red City.” Upon arrival, check in at the riad and enjoy a free afternoon to soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Day 3: Complete Exploration of Marrakech

Spend the day discovering the treasures of Marrakech with a local guide. Visit the Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan design, and stroll through the labyrinthine souks where artisans sell spices, lamps, and hand-woven textiles. In the afternoon, visit Le Jardin Secret, a restored historic garden featuring Islamic and exotic plants. At dusk, head to Jemaa el-Fna Square, where musicians, acrobats, storytellers, and food vendors create a unique outdoor spectacle.

Day 4: Marrakech → High Atlas → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate

After breakfast, depart for the High Atlas Mountains. The drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass offers panoramic views of rugged peaks and Berber villages. Stop at Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ksar famous for its adobe architecture and appearances in Hollywood films. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” and visit the Kasbah Taourirt before checking in for the night.

Day 5: Ouarzazate → Skoura Oasis → Valley of Roses → Dades Valley

Start the day by visiting the Skoura Oasis, where palm groves are home to the ancient Kasbah Amridil. Drive through the Valley of Roses, known for its fragrant fields and annual rose festival. After lunch in a Berber village, continue to the Dades Valley, home to stunning rock formations and traditional kasbahs. Take a short hike or scenic drive before spending the night in a charming local guesthouse.

Day 6: Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Off-Road Route → Ramlia

Head to the impressive Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise dramatically on both sides of a narrow river canyon. After exploring the gorge, continue through remote desert villages via an off-road route. Pause for a picnic in the shade of desert trees before reaching the isolated Ramlia desert. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over pristine dunes, dinner, and lodging under the stars.

Day 7: Ramlia → Ouzina → Khamlia → Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)

Visit the traditional irrigation systems of Ramlia before heading to Ouzina, where you will meet the locals and learn about their way of life. Continue to Khamlia to enjoy live Gnawa music, a unique tradition of the region with African influences. Arrive in Merzouga, where you will swap the 4×4 for camels and ride across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to your luxury desert camp. Traditional dinner, Berber music, and stargazing by the campfire.

Day 8: Sunrise at Erg Chebbi → Rissani → Erfoud → Ziz Valley → Midelt

Rise early to witness the sunrise over the dunes. Return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 and depart for Rissani, an ancient city at the center of Morocco’s trade routes. Explore its lively market before continuing to Erfoud, known for its fossils and date palms. Drive through the Ziz Valley with its endless palm groves, then ascend to Midelt, a quiet mountain village with cool breezes and spectacular views. Overnight in Midelt.

Day 9: Midelt → Cedar Forest → Ifrane → Fez

Continue north through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in the cedar forests to observe Barbary macaques before arriving in Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its European design and clean streets. Arrive in Fez in the afternoon, with free time to relax or explore the gates of the medina before checking into your riad for the night.

Day 10: Full Day in Fez

Explore Fez el-Bali, the spiritual and intellectual heart of Morocco. Visit Al Quaraouiyine University, Bou Inania Madrasa, Nejjarine Fountain, and the world-famous tanneries. After lunch, discover craft workshops where carpets, ceramics, and brass objects are still produced using traditional methods. End the day with a panoramic view of the city from an ancient fortress.

Day 11: Fez → Meknes → Casablanca

Depart Fez for Meknes, the former imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Visit the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the royal stables, and the medina before continuing on to Casablanca. Enjoy your last night relaxing by the Atlantic Ocean or with a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Departure from Casablanca

Mañana libre en Casablanca antes del traslado al aeropuerto para tu vuelo de regreso. Tu viaje de 12 días por Marruecos concluye con recuerdos inolvidables de desiertos, montañas, medinas y la cálida hospitalidad marroquí.

What's Included in the Tour Price

  • Comfortable and comprehensive services throughout your journey
  • Moroccan private driver, fluent in several languages
  • Accommodation with breakfast and dinner daily, depending on the category selected
  • Authorized local guides in major cultural and historical cities
  • Transfers to and from the airport at the start and end of the tour
  • Camel ride through the Merzouga desert (for desert tours)
  • Night in a desert camp with traditional entertainment (for desert tours)

What is not included in the tour price

  • Lunches during the tour
  • Drinks and refreshments during the trip
  • Personal expenses and optional extras
  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel insurance

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