Destinations: Essaouira, Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Meknès, Volubilis, Fes, M...
Destinations: Ouirgane
Seek adventure on this in-depth tour of Morocco. Ride a four-wheel drive through the Sahara Desert, as the sun sets. Dine under the stars and glamp amid the rose-gold sands of Merzouga, a small town in the Sahara Desert. See the ruins of Volubilis, Marrakech’s souks and visit a bathhouse. In Casablanca, see French and Berber influences in the Hassan II Mosque. Follow the famous ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’ to Ait Benhaddou.
Enjoy the sights and scents of rose plantation-filled valleys as you pass through the mud-brick forts of the Atlas Mountains. Visit the Atlas Studios, where many films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones, were filmed. Visit Essaouira, Africa’s ‘City of the Winds,’ to discover its souks, old medina and historic kasbah. In Meknes, a highlight will be partaking in a private wine tasting at a French-style winery.
Superior Upgrade: Select the Superior Package during checkout for upgraded accommodation in Casablanca, Tangier, Fes and Essaouira.
Destinations: Essaouira, Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Meknès, Volubilis, Fes, M...
Destinations: Ouirgane
Salaam alykum! Welcome to Morocco!
Begin your Moroccan adventure in Casablanca. Once you have arrived at the hotel, enjoy a welcome drink and meet your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. Take the evening to rest and unwind before your Moroccan journey ahead.
Arrival & Transfers:
Please book your flights to arrive at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) by 4pm. Airport transfers are not included for your tour. The hotel is located approximately a 40-minute drive from Mohammed V International Airport (CMN). Check-in on Day 1 is from 3pm.
Today, wake up to a breakfast spread before exploring the city of Casablanca, known by locals as ‘Casa’ and renowned for its well-preserved Moorish and Art Deco architecture. You’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque – one of the largest in the world – partially suspended above the sea and fitted with a retractable roof that opens to sunlight on special days of worship. This architecture pays tribute to the former King of Morocco in intricate detail.
Enjoy a stroll along the Corniche Ain Diab, the city’s seaside promenade, before arriving at the Habous Quarter, renowned for its traditional architecture, colourful shops and artisans.
Travel approximately one hour north to Morocco’s seaside capital, Rabat. Witness the Hassan Tower, a 12th-century minaret built to be the largest of its kind in the Islamic world; see El Mechouar Assaid, the official residence of King Mohammed VI; and wander through the Kasbah of Oudayas, built almost a thousand years ago to defend the city against attack.
In the late afternoon, continue along the coast for approximately three hours until Tangier, where you will enjoy an evening at comfort in your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
After breakfast, set out to discover Tangier on a half-day tour accompanied by your guide. Your first stop will be the Kasbah – a historic fortress of Berber origin, offering views over the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
Next, you will stroll the streets of the medina, the city’s old town. Take in the atmosphere of the souk, selling spices, fabrics and handmade trinkets, and stop by the Great Mosque, one of the city’s most significant religious and historical landmarks.
After exploring the medina, visit Rmilat Park, an oasis in Tangier away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Visit Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, and explore the Caves of Hercules, featuring chambers with stalactites and stalagmites shaped over thousands of years.
Start your day early and drive approximately 90 minutes east to Tétouan, known as the “white dove” of the Mediterranean. Filled with picturesque white-washed buildings, the city features the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, known for its souks and Andalusian-inspired architecture. After exploring the medina, head to the Ethnographic Museum to learn more about the region’s culture, stop by the Kasbah for scenic views and historic landmarks, and visit Place Hassan II lined with shops and cafes.
After taking in Tétouan’s delights, travel approximately 90 minutes south to Morocco’s Blue City, atop the Rif Mountains. Famed for its blue buildings, Chefchaouen was painted in such hues to remind people of the sky and the heavens. Wander the city’s narrow streets and take in the sights of the town’s waterfall, before strolling to the Uta el Hammam main square.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Today, as part of your Chefchaouen experience, you’ll take part in a traditional Goat Cheese Tasting in a local cheese shop or artisanal farm. Learn about the different varieties of these cheeses and their production processes, 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 guide.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast, then depart for the old imperial city of Meknes (approximately three and a half hours).
Start with a visit to the Les Celliers de Meknes, one of the city’s most well-known wineries, where you can indulge in a wine tasting. Accompanied by your guide, stops may include a visit to the Bab Mansour, 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. Since the mausoleum is one of the few spiritual sites in Morocco open to the public, take the chance to appreciate its Islamic design. At Meknes’ central square, Place el Hedim, experience the street markets and the sounds of trade.
Your guide may also accompany you approximately 90 minutes northwest to Volubilis, the well-preserved ruins of a Roman settlement. As you walk through the streets and look at 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, learn about Fes’s medieval history as you explore its alleyways with your guide. See mosaic fountains and pass aromatic food stands offering bowls of harira soups and lamb sausages stuffed with paprika.
Weave through the Fes medina, the city’s old town; its cobbled streets are lined with mosques, minarets and fondouk hotels. 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 intricate tilework and 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 Moroccan pancakes, famous sweet pastries paired with mint tea, comforting Bissara bean soup, olives, goats cheese and other traditional delights.
Continue 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 see 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 change of pace – today you head into the Sahara Desert. Pass through cedar forests and cross the Middle Atlas mountains to the town of Midelt. After a brief stop, descend into the desert to see the magic of Erg Chebbi, one of Morocco’s best ‘Sea of Dunes’.
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 the 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 stars above.
Travel time: Driving – approx. eight hours
Fuel up at breakfast and prepare for another big travel day.
Begin by making the journey toward Todra Gorge. Considered one of Africa’s best canyons, the views over 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 harvest and production of 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 the largest film studio in the world; movies and television filmed here include Prison Break, Gladiator and 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 for its Moroccan mudbrick architecture. The location has popped up as an iconic backdrop for many films and television shows, including Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones.
Later, venture through the High Atlas and on to Marrakech (approximately three hours). Take a walking tour of the Djemaa El Fna, a centuries-old home of snake charmers, conjurers, acrobats and musicians. With many fresh produce stands, this central square is the beating heart of Marrakech.
For dinner, tuck into a 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 through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina of Marrakech. 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 bathhouse and learn about the wood-burning furnace that heats 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.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and depart Marrakech for the coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 2.5 hours). Along the way, visit an argan production facility. Native to Morocco and Algeria, the argan tree produces an oil with a nutty flavour, often used for dipping bread or seasoning couscous, while also valued for its healing properties. 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 its surf breaks, historic medina and palm-lined avenues surrounding the Old Town, Essaouria showcases a blend of Arabic and French influences. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city before dinner in the Riad.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
This morning, enjoy a guided tour through Essaouira’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Historically, the medina has been one of the country’s most important seaports, and in the Old Town, artisans hone their traditional trades. After exploration, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant by the sea.
The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.
With a full day at leisure in Essaouira, the ‘City of the Wind’ is yours. Hire a quad bike for an adrenaline-filled adventure or book a surfing lesson to study how locals thrive on the waves.
Spend the morning at leisure before heading back to Marrakech where you can spend the day as you please.
Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the heart of the medina.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Morocco’s wonders as you prepare for your journey onward.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at any time after breakfast. Please book your flights to depart from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) at any time. Airport transfers are not included for your tour. The hotel is located approximately a 10-minute drive from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).
Booking Summary: After you book, please follow the instructions in your booking summary email and ensure you complete your Traveller Details in full.
Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
Please note, our 7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee and Date Change policy does not apply to Tours
Date Changes
Itinerary Amendments & Changes
Surcharges
Fine Print and package inclusions are accurate at the time of purchase and not subject to change, unless updates or corrections are specifically noted in the latest Fine Print with a timestamp. Please check the Fine Print prior to departure for any updates.
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Accommodation for the duration of your tour is included in the Tour package.
Please note:
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
Please note:
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).
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 NOT included with your tour, please plan accordingly.
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