tourhq

Explore the world with tourHQ

Currency (USD) tourhq
tourhq
Choose Currency
Back
11-Day Enchanting Journey From Casablanca To Essaouira

  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Culture, History, Museum

  • Duration

    11 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    Arabic, English, French, Spanish

Description

Embark on an immersive 11-day journey through Morocco, starting in Casablanca, home to the majestic Hassan II Mosque. Next, explore the historic capitals of Rabat and Fes, with their unique architectural wonders and cultural treasures. Then, traverse scenic landscapes to reach the Sahara Desert, where you'll witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets amidst the golden dunes. Continue your adventure by delving into the ancient medinas of Fes and Marrakech, bustling with vibrant markets and rich history. Finally, conclude your unforgettable experience with a visit to the coastal charm of Essaouira before returning to Casablanca for departure.

Highlights
  • Explore bustling medinas in Fes and Marrakech, which are vibrant with markets and rich history
  • Traverse the Sahara Desert for mesmerising sunrises and sunsets among golden dunes
  • Discover the unique architecture and historical sites in Rabat and Fes, Morocco's capitals
  • Relax in Essaouira's coastal charm, enjoying picturesque vistas and a serene atmosphere
  • Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Casablanca expand_more
    • Meeting point depends on your landing time.
    • After your tour guide or driver has picked you up and dropped you off at your hotel, you might like to discover some of Casablanca’s sights.
    • Notably, the Hassan II Mosque, which is considered to be the largest in North Africa and the third largest in the Islamic world, with its splendid esplanade and its tallest minaret in the world.
    • It is a long reach of marble and emerald zellige rising 210 meters into the sky.
    • Grand and timeless, the Great Mosque is constantly busy, a meeting point for Sunday strolls.
  • Day 2: Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat expand_more
    • If time didn’t allow you to visit Casablanca’s sights yesterday, you must do it this morning.
    • After we're done with Casa, Morocco’s political and administrative capital will be waiting. Rabat may be short on top-drawer tourist attractions, but it compensates with plenty of charm.
    • You will have the opportunity to explore the city in a short sojourn, first through the monumental Hassan tower with the pillared stumps of its mosque being all that remains from the earthquake of 1755.
    • There is also the nearby Mausoleum of the royal family.
    • Head further to the north to Chefchaouen with its bright blue, Andalusian-tiled medina, with its grand red-hued Kasbah lording it over the Main square of Outa Hmam.
  • Day 3: Discovering Volubilis and Arrival in Fes expand_more
    • Rise early to snap photos of the people-less streets before leaving for Fes.
    • Stop along the way at the UNESCO protected Volubilis ruins—the Roman's farthest reach in Africa.
    • Wander the complex, exploring merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many mosaics in situ.
    • Continue on to the smaller, less busy version of Fes, Meknes, for an introduction to your second historic imperial city.
    • The two main points of interest are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina.
    • Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.
    • Continue east to your third imperial city, Fes.
    • With its impressively large (and somewhat confusing) old medina, Fes is a city worth getting lost in.
    • Before venturing into the medina, drive up the hill to take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area.
    • Descend the hill and find your way to your riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden) where you can enjoy a delicious meal and relax for the evening.
  • Day 4: Guided Tour of Fes Medina and Local Cuisine Experience expand_more
    • Do not panic; the guide will show you the must-see sites.
    • With your private Fes born and bred guide, you will have the opportunity to discover the ancient breeding ground for scholars and artisans and the largest Medina of the world.
    • You will see the America Fondouk, Nejjarines, the Tanneries, the Medersa (Theological college), and Karaouine, the first established university in the world.
    • Your guide will shed light on many tales and 1200 years of history of this UNESCO-protected Medina.
    • When you finish your visit of the Medina, we will drive you out of Fes to have delicious house-made food in Lalla Fatiha’s place in Sefrou.
  • Day 5: Journey to Merzouga via Ifrane and Todra Gorge expand_more
    • An early-morning start is recommended for this day.
    • We leave the amazing Medina of Fes with its mysteries and secrets of the 9000 alleyways, heading southeast towards Merzouga and the gateway into the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert.
    • En route, we will pass by the cedar forests of Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco, where you might think that you are in the Alps.
    • If we’re lucky, we’ll come across the Barbary Macaques on our way to Midelt where we’ll stopover for lunch.
    • After eating, we drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach the Ziz Valley, which is considered to be among the largest producer oasis dates in Morocco.
    • Then it’s off to Merzouga with its highest dunes in Morocco. You can store any baggage while packing an overnight bag to bring along.
    • You’ll have the chance to be accompanied by a camel and a blue-turban-robed guide into the sandy seas.
    • After an hour-long camel ride, you will be among the luckiest to watch the sun set over the Sahara dunes and spend a night in a Bedouin-style tent.
  • Day 6: Sunrise Camel Trek in Merzouga and Drive to Dades Gorges expand_more
    • This morning, you’ll wake up with the sun shining on your face to witness what we hope is a glorious sunrise among the dunes, meanwhile to watch the light creep slowly down the dunes and pull all the world around you outside their warmth-heavy mound of blankets for an early breakfast.
    • After an hour-ride camel back out of the desert, you will depart and head for Erfoud where you can marvel at the million-year-old fossils that the area is famous for.
    • Then heading north for a sublime experience in the Todgha gorges where we’ll be stuck between the gigantic rock walls.
    • Arriving at Dades gorges, a rust-red and mauve mountains. A series of crumbling Kasbahs and Ksours line the valley in the Berber villages to the monkey Fingers Mountains.
    • If we get there earlier and you still have some energy to hike a couple of hours, we will drop off our luggage at the hotel.
  • Day 7: Exploring Ouarzazate and Arrival in Marrakech expand_more
    • You leave Dades at 8:00 am, traversing the valley of roses and daggers straight to the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the backdrop for many Hollywood movie productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and many others.
    • You might also like to explore Ouarzazate, home to Taourirt Kasbah and the «Ouallywood» studio.
    • Wind up the memorable Tizi n’Tichka pass via north Africa’s highest peak, the High Atlas Mountains, with the Berber villages lined beside the road to arrive at Marrakech.
    • In Marrakech, you will have a day-long opportunity to explore the crazed cacophony of musicians, snake charmers, and vendors in the open-air famed Jamaa El Fnaa square, and the highly recommended sites with your guide.
  • Day 8: Immersive Medina Tour in Marrakech expand_more
    • You leave Dades at 8:00 am, traversing the valley of roses and daggers straight to the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the backdrop for many Hollywood movie productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and many others.
    • You might also like to explore Ouarzazate, home to Taourirt Kasbah and the «Ouallywood» studio.
    • Wind up the memorable Tizi n’Tichka pass via north Africa’s highest peak, the High Atlas Mountains, with the Berber villages lined beside the road to arrive at Marrakech.
    • In Marrakech, you will have a day-long opportunity to explore the crazed cacophony of musicians, snake charmers, and vendors in the open-air famed Jamaa El Fnaa square, and the highly recommended sites with your guide.
  • Day 9: Excursion to Essaouira, the Coastal Gem expand_more
    • After having your breakfast at the Riad, you’ll be picked up by your driver/tour guide around 08:00 am, and you will head to Essaouira.
    • Beside the road, we’ll have the chance to see the tree goats’ phenomenon, before having enough time to explore Jimi Hendrix’s town.
    • You’re free to roam in the city that was once and still a haven for hippie backpackers and Gnawa musicians.
    • You can book a local guide, if not, you can start your visit by the ramparts, a series of forts that were built in the 15th century around the Medina of Mogador.
    • Inside the Medina, you’ll have the chance to visit The Mellah (former Jewish quarter), the Morocco’s 3rd fishing port where you can have a delicious fish meal.
    • For the sports-oriented travelers, Essaouira is a place for some fine wind and kitesurfing schools.
  • Day 10: Visit to El-Jadida and Return to Casablanca expand_more
    • Around 8 am, you’ll head north to the 15th-century Portuguese fortified city of Mazagan, known now as El-Jadida, nicknamed "the Deauville of Morocco."
    • Its Portuguese structures, fortified ramparts, and a system of defense surrounding the Medina which advances out into the sea, all evoke the city’s past history (Listed as World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO), an ancient coastal town impressive testimony of Portuguese architecture.
    • Driving north to Casablanca where you spend your last night in Morocco before leaving.
  • Day 11: Departure from Casablanca expand_more
    • Our trip comes to an end, and we have to say "see you again" instead of "goodbye," and we hope that you spent one of your best and unforgettable tours with us.
What's Included
  • English, French, Spanish-speaking professional driver/tour guide
  • Shuttle from and to the airport
  • Accommodation is organised at all stages of the tour
What's Excluded
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees to historical monuments
  • Additional services
  • Drinks
  • Anything not mentioned in ‘included’
Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Persons
1 To 20 EUR 1919.4 Per Person

This is a private tour
Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2129 / person