Highlights of Morocco, Casablanca, the Sahara desert and Marrakech

Always dreamt of visiting magical Morocco? Experiencing mysterial places like the souks of Fes and Marrakech? Roam through the blue city of Chefchaouen? Counting stars at night in the Sahara desert?  Listen to the ocean at a picturesque town along the Atlantic coast?

Come and visit Morocco and experience this impressive country in all its diversity! Travel in 14 days through beautiful Morocco with its fascinating places and its friendly people.

Highlights:

• A 14-day trip that will take you along the highlights of Morocco
• Roam around in the souks of Marrakech
• Visit spiritual Fes; with its oldest functioning library and largest pedestrian area in the world
• Spend a night in the Sahara desert, under the stars. And have a camel ride
• Visit impressive Unesco World Heritage – Ait Benhaddou
• Relax at laidback artists’ coast-town Essaouira (movie location for Game of Thrones)
• Be amazed by the beautiful, wild nature at Todra Gorges
• Experience the blue city of Chefchaouen

Private groups:

• Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements and preferred departure dates.

The Morocco Around trip will take you to the highlights of Morocco. From the impressive cities to the gorgeous High Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert, and the relaxing ocean. You will experience it all! We will start in Casablanca, where the famous Hassan II mosque is located. Visit spiritual Fes with its immense pedestrian center and old souks, ride on a camel through the Sahara Desert. At night you can count the stars. Later on, we stop at the impressive Todra Gorge. We wander through UNESCO world heritage Ait Benhaddou (also known from the series Game of Thrones) and enjoy the relaxed coastal town Essaouira. This itinerary is completed with wandering through the old streets of Marrakech, delicious Moroccan food, and Moroccan hospitality. Cities, desert, and beach: Morocco Around will be a trip to remember!

Day 1: Arriving at Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! We will pick you up from the airport with your transport for the trip; an air-conditioned mini-van with a driver. We will bring you to your hotel so you can unpack and refresh yourself. Depending on the time of arrival it might be possible for you to visit the world-famous Hassan II Mosque.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat, and Chefchaouen (the blue city)

After a good night’s sleep, we will drive through the Rif mountains and the Jbela-region in our mini-van to Chefchaouen. We stop to enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon we will arrive at our destination: Chefchaouen. Also known as the ‘blue town’ or Chaouen. It is a city in northwest Morocco. Noted for its buildings in shades of blue. The city was founded in 1471 as a small kasbah (fortress). Time to discover more of picturesque Chefchaouen and its calm atmosphere and fresh air.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – explore the city

Today you have the opportunity to explore the very picturesque and blue city of Chefchouaen. Our guide will tell you all there is to know about this beautiful village and we will roam around through the streets and visit the main square and the holy spring.

Day 4: Via Meknes and Volubilis to Fes

Yallah -as they say in Morocco- Let’s go!  We will drive for about 4 hours in total through the most fertile and cultivated land of Morocco. On our way, we visit the archaeological site of Volubilis. World Heritage-listed Volubilis was once a provincial Roman capital, a distant outpost of the empire, and the remains make an undeniably impressive sight. After visiting Volubilis we will continue to Meknes. Meknes is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. In Meknes, we will visit the old gate and the granary and enjoy a delicious Moroccan lunch.

In the afternoon we will continue our drive on to Fes. Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco; vibrant, noisy, fascinating, and overwhelming – a visual feast for the senses – with a huge, well-preserved medieval old city (medina). Like you are taken back in time and stepped into the tale of 1001 Nights. The World’s oldest library is recently reopened in Fes. This library –founded by a woman- is open for visitors.

Volubilis Roman capital in Morocco

Day 5 – City walk in mystical Fes

Time to explore vibrant Fes. Did you know that the medina of Fes is the largest in the world? This old city center will its small alleys and nothing but pedestrians and mules is truly enchanting. We will spend a full day discovering the oldest Medina in Morocco, together with a city guide. We will walk around and visit the oldest -still-functioning- university in the world. We will visit the quranic school, the tannery, admire how pottery is being handcrafted, and go to the mausoleum of Moulay I Driss and enjoy the panoramic view of Fes.

Fez, Morocco- View of the city from above with traditional leather tanning and drying in the old medina of Fez. Several people are doing various tasks

Day 6 – Visit the Sahara Desert

We will leave the intensity of the city behind for the simplicity and the calmness of the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will have a long ride today of about 8 hours, through the impressive landscapes that Morocco has to offer. The area is populated with wandering nomadic shepherds attending to their flocks. Pass through cedar forests that are home to Barbary apes, North Africa’s only monkey. We will pass along the Moroccan ski resort. Later on, you will see the canyons that were once formed by lava and the land where the tasty dates grow. Of course, we’ll have a regular stop for coffee and lunch, and to admire some of the beautiful views. You will stay at a hotel at the Sahara border.

Day 7 – Moroccan Sahara Desert

Today we will start early. But for a good reason! We will watch the breathtaking sunrise in the Sahara Desert. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you don’t want to miss. The rest of the day will be a relaxing day at the pool of your hotel.

Day 8 – The impressive Todra Gorge

After experiencing the immense Sahara Desert, we will continue our journey to the impressive Todra Gorge. A 300m-deep fault splits the orange limestone into a deep ravine at some points just wide enough for a crystal-clear river and single-file trekkers to squeeze through. We will spend the night in a hotel nearby.

Tinghir.Gardens, palm trees, the city, the hills, moody sky, Morocco North Africa

Day 9 – Ait Benhaddou, the centuries-old caravan stop

We will start the day with a visit to the Todra Gorge. The next stop will be the city of Ouarzazate, for a visit to the old film studios where productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky, and Black Hawk Down were filmed.

Next on to your destination of Ait Benhaddou. Centuries ago, this was an important stop for caravans carrying salt across the Sahara. Today its grand kasbah, a fine example of clay architecture, has been listed as a World Heritage site. Ait Benhaddou is also known as Yunkai in Game of Thrones. We will visit the Kasbah and admire the beautiful view from the top.

Ouarzazate on the edge of the Sahara desert in Morocco. Taken as dawn broke. Famous for its use as a set in many films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Jewel of the Nile, Kingdom of Heaven, Kundun, and Alexander North Africa.

Day 10 – Essaouira – a relaxed beach town

We will ride out of High Atlas Mountains. We will head to the coast; to Essaouira. This laidback artists’ town is a former Portuguese trading colony and was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations. We will arrive in the early evening. You can enjoy a dinner with fresh fish and other delicious Moroccan food. Our stay will be in a riad.

Day 11 – Essaouira a guided city walk and free-time

Rise and shine to do a guided city tour to discover beautiful Essaouira and its rich history. This small city oozes history and cultural heritage. Essaouira is the perfect spot to enjoy the Moroccan atmosphere; with the traditional souks, the small shops, and nice restaurants with delicious fresh fish. A stroll around the harbor is a lively experience; the beautiful blue fisher boats to watch and the fresh fish being sold are quite a picturesque experience. In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy and relax – you can roam the city or relax at the beach.

Or -optional- you can join a local family in the afternoon. You will visit the local market together to buy ingredients and join them at their home to cook and share a delicious traditional, self-prepared Moroccan meal together.

Day 12 – Marrakech, the red city

On to the bustling ‘Red City’; Marrakech. Driving through the land of the argan trees we will be heading to our last stop; Marrakech. In the afternoon you will have free time to wander around yourself. Perhaps you can join the thronging crowds for dinner at the famous Djemaa el Fna square. When night falls on this square it transforms into a hive of activity. Snake-charmers, henna-painters, performers, and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies, including snail soup.

Day 13 – Marrakech, a guided city walk and free-time

In the morning you will have a guided tour by one of the city guides of Marrakech. He will tell you all about the traditional souks, life in the souks, and the handcraft that you will see. I the afternoon you have free time for your last souvenirs and in the evening there is a farewell dinner with the group.

Day 14 – Marrakech

You will have free time in Marrakech and we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Or you have the option to book extra nights and spend some more time in magical Morocco as an extension to your Morocco Around tour. Free purifying water-bottle