Our Classic Morocco Tour (Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Dades, Merzouga, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca) takes you from Casablanca to Marrakech, into the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tichka Pass, through spectacular gorges, valleys and kasbahs, and into the vast Moroccan Sahara for a night under the desert stars. Explore Fes, the most ancient and holy of the Imperial cities, and the attractive capital of Rabat, before ending your tour in Casablanca. See the best of the Imperial cities, Berber countryside, and majestic desert in only 10 days!
Our Classic Morocco Tour can be modified from 8-12 days or more depending on your time and what you would like to see.
DAY 1: Casablanca
Arrive at Mohammed V International Airport where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Casablanca. Overnight in Casablanca.
DAY 2: Casablanca – Marrakech (240kms)
Tour Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital and largest city. Visit Mohammed V Square which lays claim to some of the city’s most impressive architecture, the majestic Hassan II Mosque, the Habbous District, the central market, and the residential districts of Anfa and Ain Diab, famous for their gardens, beaches, terrace cafes and restaurants. Depart for Marrakech in the afternoon. Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY 3: Marrakech
The entire day is devoted to exploring the famous city of Marrakech, the second oldest Imperial city which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travellers. Your tour will include the Menera Gardens, the famous Jardin Majoralle, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, with its 77m high minaret dominating the centre of Marrakech. In the afternoon visit Djemaa El Fna Square, the centre square of the medina which comes alive at night with local storytellers, musicians, entertainers, snake charmers and the scent of delicious food being grilled over hot coals. Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY 4: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate (203kms)
Depart Marrakech for Ouarzazate via the stunning Tichka Pass (2260m) which offers dramatic panoramic views in the heart of the Atlas Mountain chain. On your way visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, used for more films than any other location in Morocco; including, Lawrence of Arabia and The Gladiator. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
DAY 5: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Kelaat M’Gouna – Boumalne Dades (111kms)
Depart Ouarzazate for Dades. Pass through Skoura, a small village on the north side of the road which probably has the most beautiful palm grove in southern Morocco with dozens of inhabited and uninhabited kasbah. This whole region is called The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Drive through Kelaat M’Gouna, where a rose festival is held every May, to the stunning valleys and gorges of Boumalne Dades. Overnight in Boumalne Dades.
DAY 6: Boumalne Dades – Tinghir –Erfoud – Merzouga (251kms)
Depart Boumalne Dades for Merzouga, via Tinghir and Erfoud. In Merzouga, take a camel to explore the Erg Chebbi region of the Sahara desert, and begin your Moroccan desert adventure! Watch the sunset over the majestic Sahara dunes, and spend the night in an oasis in a Berber tent. Overnight in the desert oasis.
*If a camel trek is not really your thing, you can still experience the magic of the dunes by staying in a hotel right at their edge.
DAY 7: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes (466kms)
Wake up in the early morning to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After returning by camel to Merzouga, depart for Fes. On your way take in the small but fascinating towns of Rissani and Erfoud. Continue through Errachidia and the spectacular Ziz Valley, through the Middle Atlas towns of Azrou, an important centre for Berber artisans; the majestic Middle Atlas cedar forests, and Ifrane, the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’. A truly diverse journey! Overnight in Fes.
DAY 8: Fes
Explore Fes, the most ancient and holy of the Imperial cities. Your cultural and historic tour will take you through the 2000 year old living medina; a labyrinth of narrow lanes alive with markets and souks, craftsmen, donkeys and mules transporting their loads. Visit the Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas (Islamic universities), the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque. Finish your tour with a visit to Fes Jdid, and the revered Merenid Tombs for a spectacular panoramic view of Fes. Overnight in Fes.
DAY 9: Fes – Meknes – Rabat (203kms)
Depart Fes. Stop in the Imperial city of Meknes, visiting the medina which is surrounded by a triple thickness of 40km long walls which preserves one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco; the Royal Stables of the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail, and the Jewish Quarter. Continue to the Imperial city of Rabat. Your sightseeing in Rabat will include the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and offering fabulous views, as well as being home to Moroccan artisan galleries. Overnight in Rabat.
DAY 10: Rabat – Casablanca (93kms)
Depart Rabat for Casablanca. Your tour ends in Casablanca.
Suggestions for amending your Classic Morocco Tour:
- Add extra days in Marrakech to explore Marrakech.
- Add a day or overnight trip from Marrakech to the relaxed coastal town of Essaouira.
- Go directly from Ouarzazate to Erfoud (exclude Dades)
- Break the journey from Merzouga to Fes by stopping overnight in Midelt. This will shorten the day’s driving time and allow you to take more time on your journey, maybe taking some time to explore the cedar forests of Ifrane and Azrou. An overnight stop in Midelt is a good option in the warmer months (June-Sept).
- Add extra days in Fes to explore Fes or take a cooking class
- End your Classic Morocco Tour in Fes or Rabat, or return directly to Casablanca from Fes (exclude Rabat)
Contact Us for more information
Fescooking & Morocco Cultural Tours 