tourhq

Explore the world with tourHQ

Currency (USD) tourhq
tourhq
Choose Currency
Back
11-Day Tour From Casablanca To Marrakesh

  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Culture, History, Desert

  • Duration

    11 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Description

From the blue medina of Chefchoauen to the red dunes of the Sahara, this colourful, 11-day journey through Morocco has it all. The trip begins in Casablanca, home to one of the tallest mosque towers in the world, and then takes you to Fez, with its ancient, well-preserved square and unique tanneries. Enjoy camping under the stars in the Erg Chebbi Dunes, and take in the lively culture in Marrakesh.

Highlights
  • Wander the Chefchaouen medina and its mesmerizing blue-hued surroundings
  • Ride a camel into your luxury Sahara Desert campsite among the dunes
  • Explore the Marrakesh souks, along with the busy Jemaa el Fna square
  • Tour the ancient Fez medina and learn how clothing is dyed in the tanneries
  • Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca, Transfer to Rabat expand_more
    • Greetings from Morocco! When you land in Casablanca, you'll meet your driver outside the terminal. After you have settled into your accommodations, head to Hassan II Mosque, the biggest mosque in Morocco and the third-largest mosque in the world that is open to non-Muslims. This marvel of contemporary Moroccan architecture, which can hold up to 105,000 people in prayer, was created by hundreds of skilled artisans from all over the nation, many of whom donated their labour.
    • The journey then continues to Rabat, where you will see the unfinished Hassan Tower that has been there since 1199. The tower was built at Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-request Mansur's and served as the world's biggest mosque's minaret. Unfortunately, the project was abandoned after Sultan's death in 1199, leaving some incomplete outer walls, 348 columns, and a minaret that only reached 140 feet instead of the intended 260 feet.
    • The Mohammed V Mausoleum, which is located next to the Hassan Tower, houses the graves of the current king's grandfather, Mohammed V, as well as of his father, Hassan II, and his uncle, Prince Abdallah. A masterpiece of Alaouite architecture, it has white walls and a roof with green tiles.
    • After a long and busy first day, take some time to unwind on your own.
  • Day 2: Travel to Chefcahouen expand_more
    • You will travel to Chefchaouen today. Walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways are all painted in a combination of sky-blue pastels and darker, more intense shades, making this tiny city a visual delight in blue. The Rif Mountains' Chefchaouen is a popular destination for tourists seeking a taste of traditional Morocco.
    • Once you have checked into your riad (a traditional Moroccan home), you are free to relax or take your time to explore the town. The main square, Place Outa el Hammam, is a good place to observe daily life. You can find the town's daily life by climbing the narrow, winding alleys away from the touristy areas. Budget-conscious shoppers will love shopping here because they can find handcrafted wool clothing, woven blankets, cedarwood furniture, and other artisanal goods. Order a Maqlouba (upside-down) coffee and sip it while observing the neighbourhood women fetch water and wash their clothes in the spring nearby.
    • Before going to bed for the evening, take time to enjoy dinner alone.
  • Day 3: Travel to Fez expand_more
    • You have time to do a little more exploring in the medina before you leave. If you get up early enough, you can see the sunrise from the Spanish mosque, or you can enjoy a leisurely morning watching the city come to life from a café in Place Outa el-Hammam.
    • You'll stop at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, en route to Fez. The vast complex offers a relaxing break from driving as you can wander around and discover large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and numerous mosaics that have been preserved. If you would like, you can typically hire a guide on your own here; your driver can help you with this.
    • The next stop is Moulay Idriss, which appears to be a sitting camel from a distance. In 789 CE, Moulay Idriss established Moulay Idriss after escaping religious and tribal strife in Mecca. He established the Idrisid dynasty here, making Moulay Idriss the first Islamic capital of Morocco and a location of ongoing cultural significance. The city is also home to Morocco's only round minaret. Either wait until the next stop or eat your lunch now.
    • Meknes, a thriving city, is the final stop before Fez. Its medina is smaller than Fez's, so you can stroll through it at your own pace without being concerned about pushy shop owners. You can see gardens, palaces, the imposing Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables as your driver guides you through the Ville Impériale neighborhood. Be on the lookout for Roman columns concealed in unexpected places because many of these palaces were built using materials taken from Volubilis.
    • Fez, one of Morocco's four imperial cities, is where the day will come to an end. Moulay Idriss I founded Fez, which Moulay Idriss II elevated to the status of the Idrisid dynasty's capital. The late afternoon and early evening will be yours after being driven to your riad in the Fez Medina.
    • The largest car-free urban area in the world, the ancient and unforgettable Fez Medina is a maze of winding alleys that climb up both sides of a steep river valley. When exploring the Fez Medina alone, getting lost is likely, but it can also be liberating! The key to leaving the medina is to be aware of whether you are walking uphill or downhill at all times. Generally, ascending a hill will bring you to the edge of the medina, where you can hail a taxi or more clearly see your destination.
  • Day 4: Day tour of Fez expand_more
    • Talk to a local expert who can assist with planning your trip. With a private tour guide, you will explore Fez today. Despite the fact that you will drive to some places, be prepared to walk a lot. You can anticipate:
    • Learn about the significance of the elaborate decor as you start at the Royal Palace, which has seven golden doors.
    • Wander through the Mellah, or Jewish neighbourhood, which was constructed next to the palace to provide security.
    • Take in the cityscape from Borj Sud, a former fortress that serves as one of the city's layout lookout points. From here, you can identify landmarks that would otherwise be hidden by the city's skyline-obscuring structures.
    • Visit a pottery cooperative to observe the production of distinctive Fez pottery and the intricate mosaics that adorn half of Morocco.
    • Enter the historic medina to enter a sort of living museum. Keep moving and be aware of the donkeys because the Fez medina is very much a local community where people live, work, and go about their daily lives.
    • Visit the Al-Quaraouiyine University, which was founded in 859 CE by a woman and is the oldest degree-granting institution still in existence.
    • You can see why Fez is regarded as Morocco's handicraft capital by visiting craft studios. This can include, among other things, the silk weavers, where exquisitely colorful fabrics are woven from silk fibers of the agave plant, and the renowned Fez tannery, where a variety of animal hides are processed by hand, much as they have been doing for almost a thousand years. They can even alter an item to be delivered to your riad by the end of the day! They also sell leather goods in all colors and styles.
    • You will have lunch at a restaurant that would be simple to walk right past but is actually a hidden gem during your tour of the medina. Take the evening to relax after a tiring day of sightseeing.
  • Day 5: Travel to Merzouga expand_more
    • You will leave Fez and start your journey south after breakfast. You will stop for coffee in Ifrane, a tiny ski resort town also referred to as the "Switzerland of Morocco" because of its alpine-style construction. Then spend some time with the wild monkeys in the cedar forests outside of Azrou; they are surprisingly well-behaved and happy to be fed.
    • Stop in Zayda for lunch in the afternoon, where you can savour the flavorful barbecue at one of the many sidewalk eateries. As you continue travelling, take in the beauty of the Atlas Mountains that surround you. Watch out for the date and almond trees that are lush, green, and covering the gorge in Errachidia.
    • In the evening, you will arrive in Merzouga and check into your riad in time for dinner.
  • Day 6: Sahara Desert Excursion expand_more
    • Take a one-hour quad excursion through the Sahara Desert to start the day. Enjoy the rush of moving quickly through the sands and up the dunes, where you will stop to enjoy a tranquil moment with nothing but sky and sand in sight. To make sure you don't get lost, a trained guide will be with you at all times.
    • Meet your SUV driver when you get back for a longer trip through the Sahara. A family of nomads will welcome you into their winter home for tea. From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert, the nomads moved their flocks of sheep and goats by following the weather.
    • After that, go to the Gnawa Village to enjoy some mesmerizing music. Since the Gnawa ancestors were brought to the region as slaves, hypnotic, rhythmic music has been a part of the desert ceremonies. The music even served as the inspiration for a number of music festivals and influenced an entire genre that is performed all over Morocco. Then you can search the desert for aquatic animal fossils. There are countless fossils that still exist from the Sahara's time as an ocean, 7 million years ago.
    • Meet your camel in the late afternoon and begin the journey to your desert camp. Your camel guide will be able to take some fantastic pictures for you as you travel through the sand dunes. When you get to your camp, a glass of mint tea and some Moroccan cookies will be waiting for you. Before dinner, unwind for a while, and at dusk, enjoy live music around the bonfire.
  • Day 7: Travel to Boumalne Dades expand_more
    • You can get up early to see the sunrise over the sand dunes if you're an early bird. Keep in mind that the desert gets chilly at night, so don't forget your jacket! At the camp, savour a traditional Moroccan breakfast before leaving on a camel (or SUV if one camel ride was enough for you).
    • After that, meet your driver and start travelling west. You'll stop in Boumalne Dades to see the magnificent Todra Gorge, which is a river chiselled out of the region's red rocks.
    • After that, settle into your lodging in Boumalne Dades before going to Rose Valley for a guided hike that can be as easygoing or strenuous as you'd like.
    • In the evening, unwind and enjoy dinner at your riad.
  • Day 8: Travel to Marrashke expand_more
    • You'll travel to Marrakesh in the morning. You can ask to stop in Kalaat M'Gouna, which is well-known for its rose cooperatives and where thousands of pounds of rose petals are harvested annually to be distilled into rose water and rose oil for use in cosmetics if you'd like.
    • Your next stop will be at Ait Benhaddou, an ancient Ksar that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site when you get to Ouarzazate. The Ksar, which was once a stop for trade caravans travelling between the Sahara Desert and Marrakesh, is now frequently used as a backdrop for films like The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, and Kingdom of Heaven.
    • The winding Tichka Pass will take you further across the Atlas Mountains until you reach Marrakesh in the late afternoon. In the evening, go for a stroll after checking into your riad in the medina.
  • Day 9: Day tour of Marrakesh expand_more
    • Prepare for your private guide's Marrakesh tour in the morning. Around town, there is a lot to see and do. To expect: The tallest minaret in Marrakesh is the Koutoubia. No structure may be taller than the Koutoubia's 253 feet inside the city limits. The largest mosque in Marrakesh, which was finished in 1199, includes the minaret.
    • Visit a Berber pharmacy to learn more about the various spices and herbs that are still commonly used in Morocco to treat common ailments. It is much more educational even though it is not as picturesque as the piles of spices you can find in the market.
    • Visit the Bahia Palace, the grand vizier's late 19th-century residence that bears his favourite wife's name. His harem, which frequently held political office, was housed in the rooms, which are located in a 2-acre garden. The main square in the medina and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Jemaa el Fna. Although it is now home to street entertainers, snake charmers, vendors, and orange juice stands, the Assembly of Death, as its name can be translated, was used for public executions when it was first built in 1050. Several workshops, including those of bakers and shoemakers, can be found in the souks that surround Jemaa el Fna.
    • If you'd like, you can spend the afternoon in the souks with the guide, who can help you find what you're looking for by guiding you through the maze of narrow lanes. After your tour is over, take your time and enjoy the evening.
  • Day 10: Free day in Marrakesh expand_more
    • Take advantage of today's free day to explore Marrakech. You might decide to start by going to museums, like the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Berber Museum. You can also take a tour of the 300-species-strong Majorelle Garden.
    • If you want to unwind, treat yourself to a traditional hammam visit, which includes a steam room visit and being scrubbed with an abrasive kessar mitt to remove dead skin. If you enjoy spa treatments, you must do this.
    • You can also take pleasure in touring the busy city, perusing the souks, and taking in the sights from sidewalk cafés. On your last night in Morocco, unwind at Jemaa el Fna in the evening and observe the square come to life.
  • Day 11: Depart from Casablanca expand_more
    • Check out of your Marrakesh hotel after breakfast. You will then transfer to the Casablanca airport to catch your flight home. Due to airport congestion, it is important to arrive three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Until next time, bid Morocco and all of its pristine beauty adieu. 
    • Check out of your Marrakesh hotel after breakfast. You will then transfer to the Casablanca airport to catch your flight home. Due to airport congestion, it is important to arrive three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Until next time, bid Morocco and all of its pristine beauty adieu.
What's Included
  • Pick-up & Dropoff at your Hotel or Airport
  • Transport in a private 4×4 car or minibus with A/C Fuel
  • English / Spanish Speaking Driver-Guide
  • 9 Nights Accommodation in hotels/Riads/Camp
  • Camel ride in the Sahara desert (a Camel Per person)
  • Meals: Dinners, Breakfast
  • Local Guides: Fes, Marrakech
What's Excluded
  • Dinners
  • Tips
Meeting Point

Casablanca, Morocco

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 20 EUR 2200 Per Person
Child
1 To 20 EUR 1800 Per Person

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2429 / person