12-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca to the Sahara

Day 1: Casablanca

After meeting you at the airport, transfer to your hotel and begin exploring Casablanca. This fascinating city is a mixture of sites, feelings, and culture. Outside the Medina, it resembles a European town in the most typical way, but when you cross its gateway into the Medina, you experience the essence of Morocco: its friendly people, the alleys of its souk, and the melodic call to prayer.

We will visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, a magnificent building with spectacular views over the sea. We'll also explore the city's most interesting points, such as the Boulevard de la Corniche, the Park of Nations, and Mohamed V Square.

Day 2: Casablanca → Rabat → Rif Mountains → Chefchaouen

Today, after a nice Moroccan breakfast, we will continue to the city of Rabat, Morocco's current capital. Protected by several walls, the Medina reflects the soul of the ancient city, with its stalls of splendid carpets, brass artisans, and other craftsmen practicing their art under the eyes of travelers.

We will visit key landmarks, including the Royal Palace (exterior view), the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, and the Hassan Tower, among others.

After lunch, we will continue through the Rif Mountains, passing through valleys and Berber villages with breathtaking views. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the Blue City of Chefchaouen, where you will have time to explore the charming streets before spending the night in a lovely riad in the Medina.

Day 3: Chefchaouen → Rif Mountains → Volubilis → Fes

This 12-day Morocco tour gives you ample time in the morning to explore the enchanting Medina of Chefchaouen on foot. You will depart around noon for Fes, traveling through the Rif Mountains and visiting Volubilis, the Roman ruins.

During this visit, you'll have a guided tour of an important Roman-era city in ancient Mauretania, established in the 3rd century B.C. It became an essential outpost of the Roman Empire and is renowned for its impressive architecture.

Finally, we will arrive at Fes. We will stay overnight in a riad in the Medina.

Day 4: Fes Guided Tour

After breakfast in your riad, you will explore Fes, "the Spiritual City of Morocco." You will spend the whole morning exploring the Medina, visiting most sites of cultural and historical interest, including the famous Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, the tanneries, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idris, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the Nejjarine Fountain.

After lunch, we will drive outside the Medina to see the Royal Palace gate, walk through the Jewish quarter, "the Mellah," and visit the pottery cooperative. In the afternoon, we will drive to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the Medina of Fes (Fes el-Bali). Overnight accommodation will be in an authentic riad in the heart of the old Medina.

Day 5: Fes → Middle Atlas Mountains → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, we leave Fes and drive toward the enchanting Middle Atlas Mountains. Our first stop is the charming town of Ifrane, often called the "Switzerland of Morocco" due to its cool temperatures, unique architecture, and historical significance. We will take a short break to explore the town before continuing to the largest cedar forest in Morocco, located near the beautiful city of Azrou. Here, you can observe Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.

As we continue our journey, we will drive through the mountains, passing many Berber villages, including Zaida, where we will stop for lunch. We will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains toward Errachidia, where the lush Valley of Palm Trees appears. This oasis provides a microclimate ideal for growing various fruit trees and vegetables.

Following this, we arrive in Erfoud, the capital of fossils, which abound and tell the story of a past when the sea covered the area. From Erfoud, the asphalt roads give way to Saharan tracks made of adobe as we make our way to the village of Merzouga, the main town in the Sahara Desert. We will spend the night at a hotel close to the dunes, where you will enjoy dinner and breakfast.

Day 6: Merzouga Sahara Desert → Camel Ride → Night in the Desert

Today, after breakfast, we will explore Erg Chebbi more deeply. We will visit the town of Khamlia and discover small villages and inhabited houses in unexpected places far from civilization. We will also visit nomad families who are happy to share their lifestyle with visitors.

Our journey continues as we discover a former mining site associated with French colonial activity, close to the borders between Morocco and Algeria. Then we will return to town, where you can have lunch and enjoy Berber pizza.

In the afternoon, we'll ride on camelback to the camp, pause to watch the sunset over the dunes, and spend the night in the desert camp. Upon arrival at the camp, we'll have traditional Moroccan cuisine, drink delicious local mint tea, and listen to traditional Berber music around a campfire while watching the stars and the rising moon in the amazing Sahara Desert.

Day 7: Merzouga Desert → Todra Gorge → Boumalne Dades

We'll get an early start to catch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, followed by a delicious breakfast at the camp. Afterward, we'll head through Rissani and Tinghir to reach the Todra Gorge, a dramatic gorge where limestone cliffs rise up to around 300 metres. You'll have time to walk along the beautiful canyon and enjoy the breathtaking views.

After lunch at the gorge, we'll continue driving through the Dades Valley, where you can admire the incredible rock formations known locally as "Monkey Toes." We will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a charming hotel or riad overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 8: Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou Kasbah → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech

We will continue our 12-day tour from Casablanca to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Our first stop will be the Rose Valley, where we'll visit a castle in Kelaat M'Gouna. Next, we will drive through the Skoura Oasis, taking a moment to see the historic Kasbah Amridil.

After that, we'll head to Ouarzazate, the cinema city, home to the famous Atlas Film Studios. Here, we'll explore the renowned Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a Berber castle built by the Glaoui family. This stunning location has also served as the backdrop for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.

Following lunch, we will traverse the High Atlas Mountains, passing through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. We'll stop at the highest point, 2,260 metres, to enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains. Afterward, we will visit an Argan Oil Cooperative before continuing our journey to Marrakech, where we will drop you off at your accommodation.

Day 9: Marrakech Sightseeing Tour

Today, you will have a full day sightseeing in Marrakech, one of the imperial cities known for its historical monuments and vibrant culture. Our local guide will meet you at your riad to begin your exploration through the historic center of Marrakech and its narrow streets decorated with Moroccan ceramics and local crafts.

You will visit key historical sites, including the oldest mosque in Marrakech, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, the Menara Gardens, El Badi Palace, Madrasa Ben Youssef, and the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.

In the afternoon, you will visit the beautiful Majorelle Gardens and explore the modern part of Marrakech, Gueliz. You will also have some free time to wander and explore at your own pace. Finally, you will return to your riad for the night.

Day 10: Marrakech → Essaouira

Today, our journey will take us to Essaouira, a coastal city on a small rocky platform that juts into the sea. With its neatly laid-out streets, the Medina of Essaouira has a unique charm that sets it apart from other medinas.

The city's primary industry is fishing, so enjoy the colorful and lively scene of boats returning to port and the opportunity to savor exceptionally fresh fish. Another notable feature of Essaouira is its vast beach, which stretches about 10 kilometers and is known for its soft sand and tranquil atmosphere. This city will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable memories. We will spend the night in a riad within the Medina.

Day 11: Essaouira → El Oualidia → Casablanca

Today, we will go to Casablanca (the economic capital of the country), but before that, we will make a stop in Oualidia, a picturesque resort located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by many lagoons. Its beautiful white sand beach stretches for 3 km. One of its curiosities is the descent of the tide, offering a fantastic spectacle with a sandbar and the ocean as the horizon.

We will continue our route along the coast until reaching El Jadida. This city preserves all its walls and four of the five original bastions. Its fishing port and well-preserved Medina are the city's main attractions, open to the ocean.

We will continue along the coast to visit the Vestiges of the Portuguese. We will arrive in Casablanca in the afternoon and stay in a hotel.

Day 12: Casablanca → Transfer to the Airport

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport, marking the end of your 12-day discovery tour of Morocco.