Destinations: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Todra Gorge, Kelaat M'Gouna, ...
Destinations: Ouirgane
Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Meknès, Volubilis, Fes, Midelt, Merzouga, Sahara D...
Ancient kasbahs, spice-filled souks and the Sea of Dunes – seek adventure in the sands of North Africa on this extraordinary tour of Morocco’s highlights. Cross the Sahara Desert and dine under an ocean of stars during an unforgettable night amid the rose-gold sands of Merzouga. Unearth the Berber-Roman ruins of Volubilis, then blend into the crowded souks of Marrakech and visit a traditional Moroccan bathhouse.
In Casablanca, witness Morocco’s unique blend of French and Berber influence, apparent in the intricate architecture of Hassan II Mosque. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of medieval Fes and travel the legendary ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’ on your way to Ait Benhaddou, then lose yourself in myriad hues of blue in spectacular Chefchaouen.
With the help of your expert guide, tours of Morocco’s most lively cities and comfortable transport throughout, you’ll see it all and more. Along the route, take in the sights and smells of valleys drenched in rose plantations as you weave through the mud-brick forts of the Atlas mountain range before visiting world-famous Atlas Studios, home to countless film and television sets, including those of Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia. Become spellbound by the seaside town of Essaouira – Africa’s ‘City of the Winds’ – as you explore its bustling souks, magnificent old medina and historic kasbah. With a private wine tasting at a French-style winery and plenty of time to kick back and savour Essaouira’s roaring coastal spirit, there’s no finer way to round off your adventures in Morocco.
Superior Upgrade: Select the Superior Package during checkout for upgraded accommodation in Casablanca, Tangier, Fes and Essaouira.
Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Meknès, Volubilis, Fes, Midelt, Merzouga, Sahara D...
Destinations: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Todra Gorge, Kelaat M'Gouna, ...
Destinations: Ouirgane
Salaam alykum! Welcome to Morocco!
Begin your Moroccan adventure with a meet-and-greet at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN). From the airport, your guide will assist you as you transfer directly to your hotel in the vibrant city of Casablanca. Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and meet your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. Take the evening to rest and unwind before your Moroccan journey ahead.
Today, wake up to a breakfast spread before you set out with your guide to explore the city of Casablanca, known by locals as ‘Casa’ and renowned for its well-preserved Moorish and Art Deco architecture. Stops include the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque – one of the largest in the world – and indisputably one of the most beautiful. Partially suspended above the sea and fitted with an enormous retractable roof that opens to beaming sunlight on special days of worship, this feat of architecture – with its hand-carved stone and detailed marble floor – pays tribute to the former King of Morocco in painstaking detail.
Enjoy a stroll along the Corniche Ain Diab, the city’s picturesque seaside promenade, before arriving at the Habous Quarter, renowned for traditional architecture, colour-filled shops and fine artisans.
After catching Casablanca’s highlights, travel approximately one hour north to Morocco’s seaside capital, Rabat. Your tour continues here: witness the awe-inspiring Hassan Tower, a massive 12th-century minaret built to be the largest of its kind in the Islamic world; see El Mechouar Assaid, Morocco’s Royal Palace, the official residence of King Mohammed VI; and wander through the Kasbah of Oudayas, built almost a millennia ago to defend the city against attack. The surrounding neighbourhood, with alleyways splashed in bright blue and white, is now a spellbinding residential area teeming with lush gardens and picturesque alleyways. It’s a wonderful place to stop at a local cafe for mint tea, coffee and a light bite.
In the late afternoon, continue along the coast for approximately three hours until Tangier, where you will enjoy an evening in your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
After breakfast, set out to discover the captivating city of Tangier on a half-day tour accompanied by your knowledgeable guide. Your first stop will be the Kasbah – a historic fortress of Berber origin – offering serene views over the city and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea.
Next, you will stroll through the winding streets of the medina – the city’s charming old town – as you marvel at traditional architecture and soak up the unique blend of old and new influences along the way. Take in the lively atmosphere of the souk, selling spices, fabrics and handmade trinkets and be sure to stop by the Great Mosque, one of the city’s most significant religious and historical landmarks.
After exploring the medina, take a leisurely stroll through Rmilat Park, a serene oasis in the heart of Tangier away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Venture to the Cap Spartel, a picturesque cape where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet, and discover the majestic Caves of Hercules, where you can wonder at impressive chambers with stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years.
Start your day early and drive approximately one and a half hours east to Tétouan, known as the ‘white dove’ of the Mediterranean. Teeming with picturesque white-washed buildings and rich cultural heritage, the city is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, boasting more vibrant souks and captivating Andalusian-inspired architecture. When you’ve had your fill of the medina, visit the Ethnographic Museum and delve into the region’s cultural heritage, stop by the Kasbah for idyllic views and historic landmarks and visit the Place Hassan II main square for charming shops and cafes.
After taking in Tétouan’s delights, travel approximately one and a half hours south to Morocco’s Blue City, nestled atop the Rif Mountains. Famed for its enchanting azure-blue streets and buildings, Chefchaouen was painted in such hues to remind people of the sky and the heavens. Wander the city’s narrow streets lined with leather and weaving workshops and an array of historical monuments, and take in the sights of the town’s waterfall with the ruins of an old mosque as the backdrop. Stroll to the Uta el Hammam main square and marvel at the red-walled Kasbah – a 15th-century fortress and dungeon displaying ethnographic and art exhibits.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Today, as part of your Chefchaouen experience, you will have the opportunity to take part in a traditional goat cheese tasting in a local cheese shop or artisanal farm. Learn about the different varieties of these unique cheeses, their production processes and the varied flavours they offer. With the assistance of a local expert, you will have the chance to truly appreciate the nuances of each product, from the creamy freshness of young chèvre to the complex flavours of aged goat cheese, pairing the cheeses with fresh bread, dried fruits and honey.
For panoramic views of Chefchaouen and its blue-tinted landscape, hike up to the Spanish Mosque with your trusted guide. From this vantage point, you can admire the breathtaking vistas of the city and surrounding mountains on your last day in this mesmerising city.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast, then meet with your guide to depart for the old imperial city of Meknes (approximately three and a half hours).
Upon arrival in the city, you will start with a visit to the acclaimed Les Celliers de Meknes, one of the city’s most well-known wineries, where you can indulge in a wine tasting before exploring all the city has to offer. Accompanied by your guide, stops may include a visit to the Bab Mansour, a monumental gate and the entrance to the imperial city, admired for its intricate decoration. Then, see the final resting place of Mouley Ismail, Morocco’s longest-reigning sultan. As the mausoleum is one of few spiritual places within Morocco with areas open to the public, seize this opportunity to admire its representation of intricate Islamic design. At Meknes’ central square, Place el Hedim, observe the bustling street markets and hear the din of trade.
Your guide may also accompany you approximately 90 minutes northwest to Volubilis, the well-preserved ruins of a once-prosperous Roman settlement. As you walk through the streets and admire traditional Roman mosaics, gain insight into the Roman citizens who lived there; the city fell to local tribesmen in approximately 285 AD and was never reclaimed.
Transfer to your hotel in Fes and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
After breakfast, immerse yourself in Fes’s medieval history and imperial grandeur as you explore its twisting alleyways with your guide. Gaze upon mesmerising mosaic fountains and breathe in alluring spices as you pass aromatic food stands offering bowls of earthy harira soups and lamb sausages stuffed with paprika.
Walk back through time as you weave through the Fes medina, the city’s old town; its cobbled streets are lined with ancient mosques, soaring minarets and historic fondouk hotels. Peek into peaceful courtyards and marvel at the brightly coloured tiling. You’ll stop at Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, one of the world’s oldest universities, and Bou Inania Madrasa, a historic Islamic learning centre featuring mesmerising tilework and intricate carvings.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Today, you will have the opportunity to join a walking tour to sample Fes’s street food. Sample different variations of Moroccan pancakes, from spongy and light Baghrir and Meloui to Harsha – a kind of crepe made from semolina. Savour Morocco’s famous sweet pastries paired with a classic mint tea as you wind through the city’s vibrant alleyways and try a comforting Bissara bean soup, olives, goats cheese and other traditional delights.
From touring Fes’s tasty food corners, continue on to explore the artisanal heritage of the city. Visit the famous Chouara Tannery to learn about the ancient craft of leather-tanning and wander through the Mellah, the city’s historic Jewish district, to gain a glimpse of the city’s rich Judaica.
Enjoy the evening at leisure and unwind from a busy day of exploration.
Depart Fes and travel to Merzouga for a dramatic change of pace – today you head deep into the Sahara. Pass through scenic cedar forests and cross the Middle Atlas mountains to the town of Midelt. After a brief stop, descend into the vast desert wilderness and become spellbound by the magic of Erg Chebbi, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ‘Sea of Dunes’.
The village of Merzouga feels wonderfully isolated, as if the modern world has left it behind; legend has it the settlement was once a lush oasis before being punished by God. Historically, it has been a vital trading post for spice-laden caravans making the trek southward to Timbuktu.
Arrive at your traditional desert camp, then mount a camel – or a four-wheel drive – and set off for the fringes of the Sahara to experience sunset and the changing colours of the sands. Enjoy a traditional Berber meal by the campfire with your group, complete with the tribal folk music of your hosts and gaze up at the vast shroud of dazzling stars above that cloak the sky like diamonds.
Travel time: Driving – approx. eight hours
Fuel up at breakfast and prepare for another large travelling day.
Begin by making the journey toward Todra Gorge. Considered one of Africa’s most spectacular canyons, the views over lush palm groves at the gorge’s floor are breathtaking.
Drive through the Valley of Roses and pass Kelaat M’Gouna, where thousands of Berbers travel for the annual Rose Festival. This springtime celebration honours the fragrant harvest and production of treasured rose water with parades and dancing. Continue to the city of Ouarzazate, nicknamed the ‘door to the desert’ and home to the world-famous Atlas Studios. Measured by acreage, Atlas is indisputably the largest film studio in the world; movies and television filmed here include Prison Break, Gladiator and the 1999 smash hit The Mummy.
Check into your hotel in Ouarzazate and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Continue to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified village (or kasr) renowned as being a perfect example of authentic Moroccan mudbrick architecture. In its millennia-long existence, it has served as trading post, fortress and actor – the location has popped up as an iconic backdrop for countless films and television shows, including Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones.
Later, venture through the High Atlas and on to the city of Marrakech (approximately three hours). Take a walking tour of the energetic Djemaa El Fna, a centuries-old home of snake charmers, conjurers, acrobats and musicians. With a stunning array of fresh produce stands, vending juices squeezed to order from a rainbow of organically grown fruit and vibrant street life, this central square is the beating heart of Marrakech.
With your appetite suitably whet, tuck into a sumptuous, Moroccan feast at a local restaurant in the heart of the old medina.
Travel time: Driving – three and a half hours
After breakfast, join your guide to meander through the powder-pink ramparts of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina of Marrakech. Lose yourself in the maze of bustling bazaars that flank the streets of Old Town and haggle for a colourful souvenir from one of the open-air souks.
Step inside a traditional bakery, where artisans have spent hundreds of years mastering the art of breadmaking, frying buttery msemmen flatbread and hearty pastilla. Visit a traditional Moroccan bath house and learn about the wood-burning furnace that heats the heart of all traditional hammams. You’ll also gain entry into the colonial-inspired Bahia Palace, which housed sultans and the French government until the late 20th century.
Spend the evening at leisure – sip mint tea under the stars or get out to experience the city’s electrifying nightlife.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and depart Marrakech for the charming coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 2.5 hours). On the way, stop by a production facility of argan – the tree, indigenous to Morocco and Algeria, produces oil with a nutty, slightly toasted flavour, most often used to dip bread or flavour couscous, though it is widely esteemed for its healing properties, too. Your visit is followed by a guided tour of one of the only wineries in Morocco dedicated to producing grapes from the Rhone Valley, followed by lunch and a private wine tasting.
Renowned for excellent surf, a historic medina and palm-lined avenues surrounding the fortified Old Town, Essaouria showcases a delightful blend of Arabic and French influences. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city before an evening at the Riad.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
This morning, enjoy a guided tour through Essaouira’s storied medina, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and a superb example of a fortified North African town. Historically, the medina has been one of the country’s most important seaports, and in the Old Town, artisans and craftspeople hone their traditional trades – peruse the stalls of fragrant spice merchants and glittering jewellers before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant by the sea.
The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure – sample the port’s legendary seafood, wander through the city’s dazzling collection of boutiques and art galleries or indulge with a visit to a local hammam.
With a full day at leisure in beautiful Essaouira, the treasures of the city are open to you. Head to the stables and explore the forest, dunes and coast by horseback or hire a quadbike for a more adrenaline-filled alternative. Essaouira, called the ‘City of the Wind,’ is considered to have some of the best surfing in Africa; if you’re keen, book a surfing lesson and study how locals thrive on the waves.
Spend the morning at leisure before heading back to Marrakech where you can spend your last day as you please – wander through colourful souks in search of unique treasures or lounge by the pool with a good book, the choice is yours.
Enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant in the heart of the medina.
Travel time: Driving – three hours
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Morocco’s wonders as you transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for your journey onward.
Travelling through Morocco is like watching a movie montage of spectacular locations, but nothing can prepare you for the sheer magnificence of Erg Chebbi, the Sahara Desert’s Sea of Dunes. Spend a magical evening among rose-coloured sands in the tiny trading village of Merzouga, where you’ll enjoy a luxury glamping experience beneath the desert’s blue-black blanket of stars. Matched by a traditional Berber campfire feast – with folkloric singing and music – it’s a night that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Just three hours from Marrakech, you’ll find yourself in an unlikely setting and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Here, the mountains stretch for miles, olive and argan trees grow in abundance and the villages are home to the long-standing traditions of Morocco’s indigenous tribes. Enjoy a guided tour of Atlas Studios – a massive collection of film sets seen in hits like Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia – before seeking out the World Heritage-listed Ait Benhaddou, Hollywood’s favourite mudbrick fortress for all things desert-epic.
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Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
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Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation
Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation. If you choose to change, change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes’.
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with the hotel.
Please contact the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Transfers
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Travel Insurance
Passports & Visas
Traveller Details
Tour Pace
Travel Styles
Health and Fitness Acknowledgement:
Your tour begins at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) and ends at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), with return airport transfers.
Retun flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Please book your flights to arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) by 3pm on Day 1 and depart from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) after 11am on Day 17 (or day 20 on the extension tour).
Return airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive at your starting location on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website, Visas Direct, to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa, please let us know and we will be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Time zone: GMT+1
Telephone: +212
Currency: Moroccan dirham (DH)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: Arabic
Climate: Tropical climate with temperatures reaching as high as 35 degrees and as low as 5 degrees in the Sahara. Summers are dry rather than humid with a cooler climate in the mountains. During winter, the country enjoys an average temperature of 21 degrees.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Optional experiences