Tour From Rabat to Marrakech-Cities, Coast, Mountains & The Desert

Day 1 –Landing at Casablanca (CMN)-Welcome to Morocco 

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco, and the great city of Casablanca, the perfect place to acclimatize to the culture. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at the airport, if you arrive with time to spare, then perhaps visit the art deco Villa des Arts, this gorgeous gallery dates back to the 1930s and holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you are looking for a different type of cultural experience, then you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism. After lunch and refreshments, you will visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque and understand why this is considered the ‘diamond’ of the city. Completed in 1993, this architectural masterpiece has a retractable roof, and heated glass floors that look over the Atlantic Ocean, and is one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world. Hassan II Mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Dinner of Welcome and Overnight at your Hotel / Villa in Casablanca.

Day 2 –Rabat to Chefchaouen & Guided Tour

Depart the capital and transfer north into the Rif Mountains and to Chefchaouen. Check into your accommodations before starting a guided tour of this charming town. Walk to the top wall of the medina, where you can observe the city in its everyday goings. Wander through the beautiful blue streets of the hillside medina until you reach the main square, Uta El Hammam. 

You will then have a free afternoon to explore on your own. Sip on mint tea in the square, and then visit the 15th-century Kasbah, which houses a museum and garden. The views from its towers are spectacular. Just before sunset, make your way to the Spanish Mosque. Located on a hill above the city, it is one of the best places to watch the day turn to night.

Day 3 –Free Day in Chefchaouen, Hike to Cascade d’Akchour

Day 4 – Transfer to Fes via Volubilis & Meknes

Depart Chefchaouen and head south toward Fes, stopping along the way at the ruins of the Roman outpost of Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the third century BCE and was eventually reclaimed by local Amazigh tribes. After a guided tour of Volubilis, stop for lunch at the nearby sacred city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, home to Idriss I’s Tomb. 
Continue to the former capital city of Meknes. Begin in the old medina whose Bab Mansour gate looted marble pillars from Volubilis. Visit the historic Tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail, then see the impressive Agdal Reservoir and Heri es-Souani, a former granary and stable that once housed 12,000 horses. After exploring Meknes, make the short drive to Fes, where you will rest for the night.

Day 5 –Guided Tour of Fes

Today after breakfast, meet a local guide for a tour of the exciting city of Fes. Start at the Royal Palace and walk through the old Mellah, or Jewish quarter. From here, head to one of the Borj (towers) for a panoramic view of the entire medina. Next, visit a mosaic house for a demonstration of traditional pottery methods by Fassi artisans.
The tour will then take you into the medina of Fes. Wander around its ancient streets and neighborhoods, seeing its various artisan sections, including the famed tanneries. Pass by important historic monuments like the Tomb of Idriss II and the Al-Qarawaiyin University, the oldest continually operated university in the world. The tour will end after lunch, and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore freely.

Day 6 –Camel Trek to a Sahara Desert Camp

Get ready for a veritable adventure as you make the long journey to a traditional encampment in the Sahara Desert. On the way, pass through the largest cedar forest in Africa, which is home to Atlas monkeys. Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Midelt, where you will stop for lunch. Continue through the mountain range via the Ziz River Gorge to the large dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Arrive before sunset and hop on a camel to trek into the heart of the dunes. Your destination is a luxury camp in the middle of the Sahara. Settle down and rest, then climb the nearest dune to watch the sun go down and the stars emerge. The night will be filled with food, traditional music, and stargazing.

Day 7: Transfer to Dadès Valley via Todra Gorge

Wake up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Have breakfast at the camp before riding your camel back to the edge of the dunes. From here, your driver will be waiting to take you to the breathtaking Dadès Gorge. Along the way, stop to visit the ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains.  
After this, head to the oasis town of Tinghir, where you will have a guided walk of the palmeraie (palm grove) and mellah. Next, visit the nearby Todra Gorge, walking through the most impressive part of the canyon.  After this, you’ll continue to the beautiful Dadès River Valley to rest for the night.

Day 8: Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Immerse yourself in the everyday life in Morocco with a drive to the neighboring Valley of Roses. Visit a local market before arriving at the home of a local family. You’ll help prepare a traditional lunch while interacting with your host family and learning the secrets to the country’s delectable cuisine.  
Spend the afternoon sharing with locals. Once it’s time to say goodbye, you can explore more of the valley or head out to a market to buy items made with rose petals. The flower gives the valley its name and is one of the most economically important products of the region

Day 9: Transfer to Marrakech via Aït Benhaddou

Take the Road of the 1,000 Kasbahs as you make your way to the city of Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco. Do a quick stop here before driving to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. Explore this impressive ksar, which is known for its spectacular traditional clay architecture.
After the visit, continue through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka path. There will be plenty of stops for tea and panoramic landscapes. At almost 7,000 feet (2,133 m) above sea level, this road is undoubtedly one of Morocco’s most impressive places to traverse by car. Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening

Day 10: Grand Tour of Marrakech

Meet a local city guide today for a grand tour of Marrakech. Visit some of the city’s most iconic monuments, such as the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Your guide will escort you through the city’s souks (bazaars), where you can take the opportunity to meet various artisans and learn about their craft.

Once the tour ends, enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own. Buy unusual souvenirs in the souks, sit down to a tasty traditional meal in one of Marrakech’s fantastic restaurants, or wander the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna Square, where you can watch musicians and snake charmers perform for the crowds.

Day 11: Transfer to Toubkal Refuge via Imlil

Day 12: Climb to the Summit of Mount Toubkal, Return to Marrakech

Day 13: Transfer to Essaouira, City Tour & Optional Market Experience

Day 14: Free Day in Essaouira

Day 15: Transfer to Casablanca & Depart