Best of Morocco Tour

Welcome to Morocco! Come explore the bustling coastal city of Casablanca. This modern metropolis is home to the Hassan II Mosque, a stunningly beautiful and unique place of worship that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can take tours of this mosque to admire its intricate interior design and learn more about Moroccan culture and history. The Hassan II Mosque is just one example of the many reasons why Casablanca is an exciting and vibrant destination worth exploring.

Head north to the vibrant blue streets of Chefchaouen located in the heart of the Rif Mountains, stopping along the way in Rabat. Explore Chellah Necropolis and its Roman and Islamic ruins. Next, visit Bab Oudaia gate and Kasbah des Oudaias, a 12th-century fortification built during Almohad’s reign. Next, visit Hassan Tower, a minaret of an incomplete mosque, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V.

Carry on north to Chefchaouen for a picturesque view of the town’s blue-hued buildings. This quaint hillside village gets its name from the two peaks rising above it, which translates to “two horns”. Relax in Place Outa el Hammam enjoying a cup of mint tea before exploring colorful wares in the many shops. Next, visit the nearby kasbah (fortification) and discover the 15th-century fortress and dungeon.

Finally, as the day draws to an end, make your way uphill to catch one last glimpse of Chefchaouen as sunset falls behind the mountains.

As you head south toward Fes, your driver will stop along the way so you can stretch your legs and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis. This UNESCO-protected site was founded in the 3rd century BCE and remains incredibly well-preserved.

Next, you’ll stop and explore Meknes. Although it’s smaller than Fes, The city of Meknes is a great place to find calm and relaxation. The shopkeepers here are not as pushy, making it a great place to browse and purchase items at your leisure. While the city is large, the two main areas of interest are the Imperial City and the old Medina. Be sure to check out the grand Bab al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

Continue eastward to Fes. Before venturing into the bustling medina, take the time to drive up the hill to see the ruins of Merenid Tombs for a panoramic view of this medieval city. The best time to visit these tombs is at dusk, when you can hear calls from muezzins across valleys as city lights begin flickering on. Then, return down to your traditional riad for dinner and spend a comfortable evening inside.

Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities and definitely the most interesting and exciting to discover. It is the most complete Medina in the Muslim world and has remained relatively untouched since it was founded over 1000 years ago. Often considered the country’s cultural capital, Fes is made up of three parts: two old Medina sections: Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the modern part: the French colonial-influenced new city.

Your guide will pick you up from your riad and take you on a half-day journey through the narrow streets of the Medina. You’ll learn about the history and culture as you navigate your way through this ancient city. As you enter the main thoroughfare of Talâa Kebira in Fes el Bali, take notice of the Spanish and Andalusian-influenced architecture around you. Then, wind your way past shops and souks until you reach one of the unique sights in Fez – the tanneries. Chouara Tannery is an 11th-century complex consisting of stone pots filled with dye. Here, you will observe Men still use centuries-old techniques to create leather goods. For a better view, climb to the rooftop of a nearby shop.

After you have seen the Al Attarine Madrasa, make your way to one of the most ancient and still-operating universities in the world, which is located next to the mosque. The university was established in 859 CE and it has a beautiful interior that you can glimpse from outside. If you are interested in learning how to cook typical Moroccan dishes, you can join a cooking class before going back to your accommodation for the night.

Start your day out bright and early, and head south towards Merzouga. You’ll climb the Pass of Col du Zad (7,146 feet – 2,178 m) and travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains cedar forests. Keep your eyes peeled for the local Barbary Apes before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the ‘apple city’).

Enjoy a meal with a view of the nearby Moulouya River. Then, continue over the Tizi n’Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley—known for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. As you travel along the road, you’ll see many fortified houses known as ksars. These were built to protect precious wares like gold, salt, and spices.

As you journey on, you’ll come across the town of Erfoud. This is a place known for its date festival and fossil mining. If you’re interested in learning more about the latter, a local collective here would be more than happy to teach you all about it! You’ll also get to meet some friendly artisans along the way.

From Erfoud, your next stop will be at the vast sea of sand dunes known as Erg Chebbi. The 13 square miles (35 square kilometers) of Erg Chebbi dunes are always shifting and moving due to the changing wind direction.

Once you reach Merzouga, it’ll be time to hop on a camel and ride through the dunes until you reach your Sahara desert camp! But before heading back for dinner, make sure to climb one of the nearby sand dunes to watch an unforgettable sunset.

Catch the sunrise over the dunes before testing your sandboarding skills. After breakfast, leave the desert and head to Khamliya to visit a traditional desert village. The inhabitants of the village are Gnaouas originated from Mali.

From here, continue west into the holly town of Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouites Dynasty ruling Morocco until today. Rissani is also a market town. It holds a weekly livestock auction and is home to a “donkey parking lot” worth (hearing) about and experiencing!

Next, make your way to Tinghir before reaching 984 feet (300 m) deep in Todra Gorge. You will have time to explore the gorge and relax in the cool water of the shallow Todra River. As you drive through the Valley of One Thousand and one Kasbahs, you’ll see that though many are now in disrepair, some local families still live there. You may come across nomads herding their camels and goats.

As you head west to Kela’a M’gouna, you’ll find a town known for its Festival des Roses. Here, you can see extensively cultivated farmland bordered with fragrant rose bushes. If you continue west to Ouarzazate, you’ll find a gateway to the Sahara Desert that has become popular due to the film industry. If you join a studio tour, you’ll discover how the nearby desert landscapes have been featured in many films.

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. The Kasbah is believed to date back to the 11th century and was an important trading post along the trans-Saharan caravan trading route between Marrakech and the Sahara desert.

First, you will Follow the narrow alleyways up to the Granary for a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes. From there, ascend the High Atlas Mountains. If the sky is clear, you may spot Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 m) on the horizon.

Take a break at the highest pass on the way to Marrakech -Tizi n’Tichka pass-(7,415 feet or 2,260 m). As you descend the High Atlas, a dramatic change in climate and landscape awaits you. Soon, the noise and clamor of Marrakech will envelop you.

After a day on the road, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna—the busiest square in all of Africa—comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls galore, a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment. If enjoying the spectacle from a distance is more your speed, choose one of many cafés surrounding the square for dinner with an excellent view.

Named for its ruddy sandstone walls and buildings, Marrakech was once a key trading hub for Atlas mountain tribes and continues to be an exhilarating former imperial city.

Start exploring Marrakech’s old medina by visiting the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Though non-muslims cannot enter the mosque, it is worth checking out its 12th-century foundations and towering 77 m (253 ft) minaret. Take in the fountains and pools in the beautiful adjoining garden. Indulge your senses as you explore the labyrinthine souks tucked behind ordinary restaurants and shops.

Next, admire the fine example of Moroccan Islamic architecture of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school. Note the ornate detail of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling. At the end of the day, head to Marrakech airport for your flight home.