Morocco 2022: 10-Day Small-Group Cultural Tour from Casablanca with Guided City Tours, Desert Stays, Camel Ride & Jeep Safari
Prepare to unravel the storied wonders of centuries-old ksars, glittering mosaics and carnivalesque bazaars on an unforgettable 10-day small-group tour of Morocco (max. 12 travellers). Home to grand squares, exotic sights, fragrant cuisine and dizzying diversity, Morocco’s extravagant pleasures are simply begging to be explored. From medieval medinas and sand-swept deserts to sprawling modern cities and epic mountain ranges, its rich spiritual and cultural traditions are felt in every detail. Uncover it all while staying in premium accommodation, sharing experiences with a small group of like-minded explorers.
Embrace Casablanca’s European-flavoured urban sophistication, fall instantly in love with the exotic charm of Fez, join the centuries-old trail across the Sahara astride a camel before stirring up the sand on a 4x4 expedition and stroll between the powder-pink carnivalesque medina mazes in Marrakesh. Accompanied by English-speaking, local guides, traverse the breathtaking pleasures by coach, from rocky deserts and forested hills to protected kasbahs and rugged thick sea walls, and everything in between.
- Nine nights of deluxe accommodation, including the Grand Mogador City Center Hotel in Casablanca, Palais Medina & Spa Hotel in Fez and Le Méridien N’Fis in Marrakesh
- Daily breakfast and eight delicious dinners, including a Fantasia Moroccan Dinner and Cultural Show, and dinner at Rick’s Café, inspired by the movie Casablanca
- Guided tour of Fez, including the Bab Bou Jeloud Gate and Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss
- Unforgettable sunrise experience on camelback and a 4x4 safari in Erfoud
- Guided tour of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and almost 1,000-year-old ksar, now used as a Hollywood movie set
- Meet with a local Berber family over homemade tea
- Dive into the labyrinth-like bazaars around Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, Marrakesh
- Visit an argan oil cooperative in one of the only argan oil-producing regions in the world
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
- The services of an expert local travel director
- Hotel taxes and porterage fees
- Tips at hotels and restaurants
- Complimentary Wi-Fi, where possible
- Private airport transfers and air-conditioned transportation throughout
Your journey takes you to: Casablanca — Rabat — Meknes — Fez — Midelt — Erfoud — Tinghir — Ouarzazate — Aït Benhaddou — Marrakesh — Essaouira — Casablanca.
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The Accommodation – A touch of elegance at the crossroads of Africa
After busy days exploring, relax in some of the finest accommodation Morocco has to offer.
You’ll find yourself in the middle of the action at the five-star Grand Mogador City Center Hotel, Casablanca. Ideally located along the coastline, overlooking rooftops and minarets, it’s perfectly situated for enjoying everything this mesmerising city has to offer.
Discover the beauty of Fez in the most luxurious way possible at Palais Medina & Spa Hotel. Set in a five-hectare Andalusian garden, opposite the Fez Borj shopping centre, this elegant hotel offers panoramic views of Jbel Zalagh Hill and the old market.
Experience award-winning architectural design, a prime location and traditional Moroccan touches at Erfoud’s Kasbah Hôtel Xaluca Arfoud. Located among the dunes and palms in a city known as ‘the Door to the Desert’, Kasbah Hôtel Xaluca Arfoud combines tradition with modern amenities, ensuring it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the moment.
Enjoy a stay worthy of a sultan at Le Méridien N’Fis, a stylish respite located in the heart of the Menara District, surrounded by lush gardens.
Find opulence at every turn at Le Berbère Palace, a kasbah-style hotel. An oasis of traditional Moroccan hospitality and Berber materials, crafts and artefacts, this is a superb base to unwind and explore the vastness of the surrounding desert.
Get a taste of boutique luxury staying at Coté Océan Mogador Hotel. Located on the coast of Essaouira, close to the beach, this peaceful retreat offers excellent service and comfort in a prime beachside location.
The Experiences – Historic cities, ancient medinas, crumbling kasbahs and sweeping deserts
Your unforgettable journey through exotic Morocco starts and concludes in Casablanca, where you’ll discover the grand and ornate Hassan II Mosque (the largest mosque in Morocco), the Royal Palace, the United Nations Square and Anfa quarter.
Unfold the charm of the capital of Rabat, and unearth the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis, Bab Mansour Gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the spectacular Hassan II Tower, before reaching the ancient city of Fez — home to the oldest operating university in the world. Here, feast your eyes on the trinkets, spices and authentic Moroccan carpets jostling for space in the old medina, Nejjarine Square and the spice market.
Soak up the varied scenery of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert as you journey to Erfoud, where you’ll enjoy a slow march across the Sahara astride a camel before tearing through the sands in a 4X4 expedition.
Trace the footsteps of the past along the alleyways of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Marrakesh medina, where the air is scented with rich spices and local artisans perform their craft, as you soak up the vibrant street life of this ancient city. Lose yourself in the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, Menara Gardens, Bahia Palace and Koutoubia Minaret — the city’s largest mosque, which dates back to the 12th century — before concluding in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Essaouira Medina, where Spanish cannons still line the battlements.
Your tour starts and ends at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN).
Flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. Please do NOT book your flights until your tour is confirmed.
Please book your flights to arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) by 4pm on Day 1 and depart Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) any time after 11am on Day 10.
Private roundtrip airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only.
Important: Please allow for travelling time. 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 in Casablanca 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 would be more than happy to assist.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements. Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Time zone: GMT +01:00
Telephone: +212
Currency: Moroccan dirham
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.
Day 1: Arrive Casablanca, Morocco
On arrival at Casablanca International Airport (CMN), you will be met and transferred to Grand Mogador City Center Hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the day is at your leisure.
In the afternoon, join your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby. Tonight, you will be given the option to dine on exotic and delicious Moroccan cuisine at an optional group dinner (surcharges apply, approx. US$20-$30 per person excluding drinks. Payable on the night).
Accommodation: Grand Mogador City Center Hotel
Optional dinner: between US$20–30 per person excluding drinks. Payable on the night.
Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fez
After breakfast, visit Mechouar — a small urban municipality of ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace in Casablanca — before driving northeast along the picturesque North Atlantic coastline to Rabat.
Here, unfold the charm of the imperial capital city on a guided walking tour, visiting the kasbah overlooking the Bou Regreg river, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II Tower. Dive deep into the history of this amber-washed landscape at the exceptionally well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis and admire the classic beauty of Meknes depicted at Bab Mansour Gate, before visiting the holy town of Moulay Idriss.
Afterwards, traverse the countryside to the labyrinth of souks in Fez, just in time for dinner at Palais Medina & Spa Hotel.
Accommodation: Palais Medina & Spa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Fez
Much of today will be spent discovering Fez. Unearth the unforgettable cultural highlights on and off the beaten track during a walking tour, before soaking in marvellous sights including the Bab Bou Jeloud Gate, Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, Quaraouiyine Mosque, Najjarine Square and spice market. This evening, savour dinner at Palais Medina & Spa Hotel before enjoying time at leisure.
Accommodation: Palais Medina & Spa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Fez – Midelt – Erfoud
This morning, you will bid farewell to Fez as you transfer to Erfoud.
Cross into the desert on a rewarding drive via the montane cedar woods of the middle Atlas Mountains. En route, be sure to soak in stunning scenery before arriving at an authentic kasbah-hotel.
Accommodation: Kasbah Hôtel Xaluca Arfoud
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Erfoud – Tinghir – Ouarzazate
Rise early for an unforgettable sunrise experience on camelback in the golden sand dunes. After breakfast, experience an off-road adventure like no other on a 4X4 safari.
After, depart to explore the small city of Rissani, on the edge of the Sahara. Here, learn about the founding father of the Alaouite dynasty and the current Moroccan royal family at the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, before visiting the breathtaking natural beauty of Todgha Gorge.
Upon arrival to Ouarzazate, dinner is served at Berbère Palace.
Accommodation: Le Berbère Palace
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Marrakesh
Unearth the 16th-century Aït Benhaddou this morning, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and almost 1,000-year-old ksar that is now an iconic Hollywood set. This spectacular ksar has served as the backdrop for more than 15 productions, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Roam the town with your local guide and hike to the top for a spectacular panoramic view. Then, enjoy homemade tea with a local family for a taste of real Moroccan culture and hospitality.
Afterwards, ascend through the scenic Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass before arriving in Marrakesh in the late afternoon. Tonight, join your group at the Fantasia Moroccan Dinner and Cultural Show. Settle inside a cushion-strewn Berber tent and enjoy a succulent Moroccan dinner serenaded by exotic singers, musicians, dancers and acrobats.
Accommodation: Le Méridien N’Fis
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Fantasia Show
Day 7: Marrakesh
Your day begins with a guided walking tour of Marrakesh, covering the iconic Koutoubia Mosque — home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city — the Saadian Tombs and other cultural sights.
In the afternoon, launch your own cultural expedition into the labyrinth-like bazaars and imperial gardens around Jemaa el-Fna Square. A carnival of snake charmers, soothsayers, acrobats and conjurers, musicians and dizzyingly diverse Moroccan cuisine, this main square hasn’t stopped bustling since its creation in the 11th century. Be sure to have practised your haggling skills in advance!
Accommodation: Le Méridien N’Fis
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Marrakesh – Essaouira
After breakfast, drive west towards the welcoming Atlantic Ocean and the heart-warming coastal beach town of Essaouira, renowned for its surf, palm-lined avenues surrounding the fortified medina and atmospheric fishing port.
En route, visit an argan oil cooperative in one of the only argan oil-producing regions in the world.
Continue to Essaouira. Also known as Mogador, the modern city of Essaouira was not constructed until the late 18th century by Mohammed III. French and Arab influences shine through in this medina’s architecture. Essaouira played a major role in maritime trade, bridging Sub-Saharan Africa with Europe. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city on your own before dinner with the group.
Accommodation: Coté Océan Mogador Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Essaouira – Casablanca
Returning to Casablanca via a coastal route through fields of argan trees, take a tour of the city including the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque, United Nations Square, Anfa residential quarter and a short visit to the medina. This evening, watch a stunning sunset over the ocean at Rick’s Café — a restaurant, bar and café inspired by the bar made famous by the movie Casablanca.
Accommodation: Grand Mogador City Center Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Casablanca
Enjoy one last breakfast with newfound friends, as your 10-day tour comes to an end with a transfer to Casablanca Airport today.
Meals: Breakfast