12 days Casablanca desert tour

Upon arrival at Mohammed V International Airport, meet your driver/guide for transfer to your hotel.

Start your exploration with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, known for its stunning oceanfront location and intricate Moroccan craftsmanship.

Stroll along the Corniche Ain Diab, a scenic coastal promenade lined with cafes and beaches.

Explore the Old Medina, where you can browse traditional markets.

Visit Rick’s Café, inspired by the famous movie Casablanca (optional).

Overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast, depart for Rabat, the capital of Morocco (1-hour drive).

Visit:

• Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a historical site dedicated to Morocco’s royal family.
• Kasbah of the Udayas, a picturesque fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
• Royal Palace of Rabat (exterior visit).
• Continue to Chefchaouen (4-hour drive), stopping for panoramic views along the Rif Mountains.
• Explore the blue-washed medina, wander through its narrow alleyways, and visit Plaza Uta el-Hammam.
• Hike to the Spanish Mosque for an unforgettable sunset over the blue city.

Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Depart for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO site known for its mosaics, basilica, and triumphal arch. Continue to Meknes, an imperial city, to visit:

• Bab Mansour, Morocco’s most beautiful gate.
• Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, resting place of one of Morocco’s greatest rulers.
• Royal Stables, built to house thousands of royal horses.

Arrive in Fes in the evening. Overnight in a riad in Fes.

Enjoy a full-day tour of Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital:

• Fes el-Bali, the world’s largest medieval medina (UNESCO site).
• Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest university in the world.
• Chouara Tanneries, where leather is dyed in large pits using traditional techniques.
• Bou Inania Madrasa, an Islamic school with beautiful tilework.
• Nejjarine Museum, showcasing Moroccan crafts.

Visit a panoramic viewpoint for a stunning view over the medina at Borj Nord. Overnight in Fes.

Depart for the Sahara Desert, passing through:

• Ifrane, a European-style town known as “Little Switzerland.”
• Azrou Cedar Forest, home to wild Barbary macaques.
• Midelt, a town nestled between the High Atlas and Middle Atlas Mountains.
• Ziz Valley, famous for its vast date palm oases.

Arrive in Merzouga, where you’ll ride camels into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a desert sunset, followed by dinner and live Berber music at a luxury desert camp. Overnight in a private tent in the Sahara Desert.

Wake up early for a stunning sunrise over the dunes. Return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4, then drive to:

• Rissani, home to a famous traditional market.
• Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon with 300-meter-high cliffs, perfect for short hikes.
• Dades Valley, known for its “Monkey Fingers” rock formations.

Overnight in a hotel in the Dades Gorges.

Continue through the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, where you’ll visit:

• Taourirt Kasbah, an ancient fortress.
• Atlas Film Studios, where Hollywood movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed.

Explore the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village used as a filming location for many movies. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening.  Overnight in a riad in Marrakech.

Explore Marrakech with a local guide:

• Bahia Palace, a lavish palace with intricate mosaics.
• Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s largest mosque.
• Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, full of storytellers, snake charmers, and food stalls.
• Majorelle Garden, designed by Yves Saint Laurent.

Free evening to explore. Overnight in Marrakech.

Drive to Essaouira, stopping at an Argan oil cooperative.

Explore:

• UNESCO-listed medina with vibrant souks.
• Skala de la Ville, an old fortress with ocean views.
• Essaouira’s fishing port, known for fresh seafood.
• Essaouira Beach, known for windsurfing and camel rides.

Overnight in Essaouira.

Drive along the Atlantic coast, stopping at:

• Safi, famous for pottery.
• Oualidia, known for its lagoon and oysters.
• El Jadida, a former Portuguese colony with historic fortifications.

Arrive in Casablanca by evening.

Overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Visit the Rabat Zoo

The Jardin Zoologique de Rabat is home to over 150 species of African animals, including:

• Lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos
• The famous Barbary lion, once native to Morocco
• Savanna, rainforest, and desert habitats
• Enjoy a relaxing walk through the zoo and have lunch at the on-site café.

Return to Casablanca in the evening.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.