Grand Tour Discover Morocco from Casablanca

10 DAYS

The magnificent Hassan II mosque in Casablanca

Day 1: Casablanca - Rabat

Depending on your arrival, our driver we will pick up you at your accommodation in Casablanca, where you will visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest outside Mecca. Afterwards, we will leave for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Here, you'll see the Hassan Tower, the Oudaya Kasbah before checking in to your riad at the heart of the medina. Overnight in our hotel/riad.

Day 2 : Rabat - Volubulis - Meknes - Fes

After breakfast in your riad, you'll start the day travelling to Meknes, another significant imperial city, known as the "Ismaili" capital of Morocco. In Meknes you'll see the famous gate Bab Mansour, the Sahrij Souani Bassin and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. After lunch, your journey continues to Volubilis, the well preserved site of Roman ruins, dating to 25 BC. Afterwards, you'll continue to Fes via the foothills of the Rif mountains arriving there in the late afternoon. Overnight in our hotel/riad.

A misterious view of the Volubilis ruins

Day 3 : Explore Fes

After breakfast in your riad, you'll start exploring the oldest city in Morocco browsing its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts at the Royal Palace Gate, the Jewish headquarter and the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. We will ensure that you visit all the sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Qaraouine University - the oldest in the world, the Tanneries and the Medersa al-Attarine. After lunch, you'll see the ceramic factory and experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole medina of Fes. Overnight in hotel/riad.

The beautiful interior yard of Al Qaraouine University

Day 4 : Fes - Ifrane - Azrou - Midelt

After breakfast, we'll leave Fes travelling towards Ifrane, a beautiful mountain village, known as "the Switzerland of Morocco". During this journey, you'll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains. Stopping at Azrou - a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest (the largest in Morocco), you may well have the chance to see some Barbary apes. Afterwards, we'll travel through the Tizi-n-Talghamt Pass to Midelt and along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock. Overnight in hotel/riad.

Day 5 : Midelt - Errachidia - Merzouga

After breakfast in your hotel, you'll travel to Merzouga via Errachidia and Erfoud. You'll be travelling via the Ziz Gorge and valley, taking views of the High Atlas plateau, noting how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. Here you'll have lunch and enjoy Berber hospitality. Afterwards, you'll travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arriving at Merzouga in the afternoon, you'll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking in to your hotel.

Day 6 : Merzouga Area - Camel Trek & overnight

After breakfast in the hotel, you can start exploring the area. You'll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle, whilst not far away there’s the lake of Merzouga with its bird populations. You may also want to visit the nomad warehouse, where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. In the afternoon it’s time for your camel trek, guided by an experienced camel man as you set off to explore within the sand sea of Merzouga. Dinner is in front of the tent where you will spend the night.

Camel trek in a bright day in Merzouga

Day 7 : Merzouga - Todra Gorges - Dades valley

Your cameleer will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life, after which you'll camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga admiring the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes, changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in the riad, you'll leave for Rissani, Tinghir and Todra Gorges - the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Lunch in the heart of the gorge precedes a drive through the Dades Valley, where you'll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes”. Overnight in hotel.

Day 8 : Dades Gorge - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

After an early breakfast, you will set off towards the High Atlas Mountains via Ouarzazate. Tucked away in the High Atlas Mountains, it is one of the jewels of Morocco: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. In typical Moroccan fashion, the true treasures must be searched out and discovered usually off the beaten path. In actuality, this setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco including: Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and recently Gladiator. Lunch can be taken at Ait Ben Haddou. In the afternoon, you will head over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Overnight in riad.

The fascinating Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech

Day 9 : Explore Marrakech

After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. You will discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs and many other hidden treasures. After lunch, you will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech. The tour will conclude with an exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. Free evening and dinner night in riad.