14-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca with Sahara and Essaouira

• Arrive in Morocco's commercial capital and spend the morning exploring the Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the world's tallest minaret. There is space inside for 25,000 worshipers, and the large courtyard can accommodate 80,000 people. Non-Muslims can enter on a guided tour, which is uncommon for mosques, and admire the intricate wood, marble, and stone craftsmanship as well as the basement Hammam. Before continuing north, Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart admirers can eat lunch at Rick's cafe.
• Travel up north to Rabat, which is both the current capital of Morocco and the former imperial city.
• Wander the Roman and Islamic ruins as well as the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis in the centre of Rabat. 
• Go back in time and enter the Kasbah des Oudaias through its imposing door to experience Rabat's historic city centre. 
• Visit the Andalusian Gardens of the 20th century to escape the crowds. 
• Learn about the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the unfinished mosque and the Mohamed V Mausoleum. All that is left of a 12th-century project today are the tower made of red sandstone, which is 145 feet (44 m) tall, and has about 200 columns.

• As the plains give way to mountains, enjoy the scenic drive into the Rif mountains. A short distance from Chefchaoun, the Cascades d'Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour) are a hidden gem that you can hike to for some exercise. 
• You can go all the way or stop halfway to enjoy the natural pools and river cafés. Since the 15th century, Chefchaouen has remained largely unaltered and offers a laid-back atmosphere with some of the friendliest people in the nation. The town's historic medina's blue-washed buildings are now known throughout the world (old quarter). Discover its winding lanes and streets that are tucked away on a hillside between two peaks (chaouen means "horns").
• Discover Plaza Outa el-Hammam, the central square so named because it once had a number of hammams (public baths) surrounding it. Before exploring the many shops selling antiques, find a restaurant or café to grab a bite to eat. Visit the old kasbah fort to see the prison cells, museum, and garden. As dusk falls, climb the path to the white Spanish Mosque to get one last look at Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains (20 to 30-minute walk).

• If you get up early, you might enjoy an hour of peace as you stroll through the streets in the morning. Some tourists arrive in the afternoon, while others depart in the morning. Take advantage of this opportunity to take clear pictures. Many stores don't open until mid-morning, around 10 am or so, so if you need to do any last-minute shopping, plan accordingly. Volubilis, which is located on your route to Fes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. Volubilis was once a vital agricultural centre and a source of wild animals for feasts, celebrations, and sacrifices in the far reaches of the Roman Empire (lions, bears, and elephants). 
• Today, you can wander the vast complex and discover temples, enormous merchant homes with visible heating systems beneath, and a variety of colourful mosaics that are still in decent condition.
• You can have lunch in Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail, which is located not far to the south. Despite the city's size, the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the Medina are the two main attractions. The Medina serves as a good prelude to Fes because it is less crowded, smaller, and has fewer pushy merchants. You can tour the gardens, palaces, Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables in the Ville Impériale neighbourhood. The scattered souks, the Medersa Bou Inania (built-in 1358), and the Dar Jama, an exquisite palace constructed in 1882, are the main attractions of the medina.
• Stop at the Merenid tomb ruins above Fes as you get closer for a beautiful view of the old city and perhaps to hear the call to prayer in the evening. Dinner can be enjoyed while relaxing in your lovely riad in the medina.

• UNESCO-protected With the largest and most complete medina in the Arab world and little change under French rule, Fes still looks much as it did centuries ago. Fes el Bali (old Fes), where you'll spend most of your time, Fes el Jedid (new Fes), and the Ville Nouvelle make up the city's three main districts (designed by the French during the protectorate from 1912-1956).
• Start your two days of exploration with a guided tour of the Medina, where you can discover its history and diverse cultures. When Moulay Idriss II established the city as his capital, he welcomed refugees from Kairouan, Tunisia, and Cordoba, a city in southern Spain (both capitals of western Islam at the time). The city grew organically over the ensuing hundred years, creating the labyrinth you see today, thanks in large part to their skill in architecture and craftsmanship.
• Start at Bab Boujeloud and proceed along Talâa Kebira's main street, which is lined with shops on both sides. Green, the colour of Islam, is inside and blue, the traditional colour of Fes, is on the outside. Compared to Marrakech, the roads are much more congested, winding, and steep, making it nearly impossible to avoid getting lost at least once (part of the experience). 
• Visit souks filled with a wide range of goods, including spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, metal, shoes, scarves, and more. 
• From the balcony of a nearby leather store, you can see the Tanneries Chouara, which are located in the centre of the medina. Little has changed over the years in the process of soaking in pigeon droppings and limestone, then in dye vats, and drying on the hillside. Up to 20,000 worshipers can be accommodated inside the 859-built Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University. There are a few locations where non-Muslims can peek inside and admire the exquisitely decorated interior, but it is only accessible to Muslims. The old student dormitories, or madrasas, of Medersa Bou Inania and Al Attarine Madrasa, are equally impressive. They feature intricate stucco carvings, dark cedar woodwork, and tilework in great detail.
• Visit the Musée Batha, which houses Moroccan arts, on your second day, and spend some time in Fes el Jedid (the "new Fes") to see the Royal Palace (which is not open to the public inside) and the Jewish Mellah. 
• Take a cooking class in the afternoon or stop by a collective of local artisan workshops to find out more about Fes's renowned leatherwork or ceramics.

• Early in the morning, depart for Merzouga in the south. You will pass through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains as you make your way up and over the Col du Zad pass, which is 7,146 feet (2,178 m) above sea level. Before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the "apple city"), take pleasure in the sightings of the local Barbary Macaque monkeys. Enter the Ziz Valley, which is renowned for its hidden oases and clusters of palm trees, by continuing over the Tizi n'Talremt pass. Ksars, or fortified houses, are common along the road and were constructed to safeguard valuables like gold, salt, and spices.
• Continue to Erfoud, a city famous for fossil mining and a date festival. You can meet some local artisans and learn more about the production process by going to a local collective in this area. 
• Proceed to Erg Chebbi, a vast sea of sand dunes that is 13.5 square miles in size (35 square km). The enormous dunes are never still; they constantly move and shift in response to the shifting wind. Once you arrive in Merzouga, mount your camel and ride through the sand to your camp, which has already been set up for you. 
• Before heading back to camp for a sumptuous dinner and some downtime by the campfire, hike up a nearby sand dune to watch the sun go down.

You have the option of staying in a nearby hotel if you'd rather not spend the night in a Bedouin tent.

• Get up early to see the desert sunrise, then explore the nearby desert villages or engage in some adventurous desert activities like sandboarding or an ATV tour. 
• Visit the nearby Saharan village of Khemliya to take part in traditional drumming music and dancing before taking a quick stroll through the community. 
• After leaving the dunes, stop in the market town of Rissani and enter through its grand gate. It's worth your time to find the "donkey parking lot," which is known for its livestock auction and will delight your senses.
• Then, proceed to Tinerhir. This town in the desert offers breathtaking views of nearby cities hugging the length of the vast river oasis (30 miles or 48 km of palm trees). Stop at the Todra Gorge, which is your final stop for the day. 
• You can take a leisurely stroll through and around the gorge, which was carved through red limestone and is almost 1,000 feet (305 meters) high, and unwind in the cool waters of the shallow river below.

• To reach the most well-known Kasbah in Morocco, At Benhaddou, follow the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. As you pass through the Dades Valley, pause to admire the rose gardens in Kelâat M'Gouna. Visit a rose cooperative to observe how rose petals are transformed into rose water and oil. 
• You might want to stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa, before continuing west to see how the nearby areas were depicted in films like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. To learn more about the history of the region and the filmmaking process, take a tour of a movie studio or go to the Musée du Cinema.
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of At Benhaddou for the afternoon. The 11th century saw the establishment of the old ksour, which then played a significant role in the trans-Saharan trade route. Set up shop in the historic district and explore the lanes and passageways in the late afternoon after the day's crowds have dispersed. 
• Climb to the top of the old Granary for a great view of the kasbah and its surroundings. Fans of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones might want to make the journey down to the river to see the gates. Enjoy a peaceful dinner with a view of the valley long after the daytime crowds have dispersed.

• Leave At Benhaddou in the past and start climbing the High Atlas mountains. The mountain range's highest peak, Mount Toubkal, stands at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). 
• Visit an argan oil cooperative in Taddert to discover how the argan nut and fruit are prepared for use (and to sample some products!). The climate and landscape dramatically change as you leave the High Atlas, from the rocks to the foothills to the flat plains. You will soon be a part of Marrakech's commotion.
• After a long day of travel, check into your hotel and spend the remaining time however you like. You might want to take a leisurely stroll through the gardens behind the Koutoubia mosque. Jemaa el-Fna Square comes alive in the early evening with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, offering a wide variety of entertainment! Choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and take in a meal and a cup of mint tea if you want to observe the spectacle from a distance.

• Marrakech is a significant economic hub and is known as the "Red City" due to its 1000-year-old red sandstone city walls and structures. Marrakech was once a significant trading hub for tribes of the Atlas Mountains and has Berber roots as opposed to Arab ones. The souks (markets) are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens to the west and the kasbah (fort or fortification area) with the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. This is how to navigate Marrakech's bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square. The Majorelle Gardens are located in the Ville Nouvelle.
• Take a calèche (French for horse-drawn carriage), which is a unique way to tour the medina (old quarter), and get comfortable with your surroundings. Take note of the fondouks, medieval inns that offered supplies and lodging to merchants and travellers. Today, some of them have been transformed into homes, sizable shopping malls, and open-air workshops. 
• Make your way to the Koutoubia Mosque to escape the heat in its gardens, which are surrounded by palm trees and fountains. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside the mosque, but it is still interesting to see the minaret and foundations, which date to the 12th century.
• Get a taste of 16th-century architecture on your second day by meeting your city guide for a half-day tour and exploring the exquisite details of the Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school. Admire the intricately carved cedar, plaster sculptures, arabesques, Islamic calligraphy, and vibrant zellij produced by traditional Moroccan artisans (mosaic tilework). Visit the prayer hall and stroll through the former dorms, where up to 800 students once resided.
• Spend some time looking through the displays of clothing, antiques, jewellery, and exquisitely carved Hispano-Moorish ornaments at the Dar Di Said Museum (also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts). After that, explore the intricate maze of souks hidden behind regular restaurants and shops while indulging your senses. 
• You can find a variety of spices, woodwork, and babouche at Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers' souk) to observe the dyeing of cloth and leather firsthand.

• After breakfast, travel west to the relaxed beach town of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. You travel through endemic argan forests and across broad, rolling plains along the way. When grass pasture is scarce or unavailable, you might be lucky enough to spot goats munching on argan fruit while grazing in the trees. It is possible to stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative en route to observe how valuable and pricey oil is extracted from the nut.
• Arrive in the charming port city of Essaouira—a welcome change from chaotic Marrakech—and spend the rest of the day as you. 
• Stroll along the coast along the Skala de la Kasbah, the seafront ramparts built in the 18th century. Old brass cannons that line the interior walls and provide access to the Atlantic Ocean were installed by European engineers. 
• Before heading to the deserted beach, explore the UNESCO-protected medina. Fans of Jimi Hendrix might want to take a quick taxi ride to Diabat, which is at the end of Essaouira's beach and is where he is said to have spent some time. 
• Return to Essaouira on foot, where you can eat recently caught seafood and watch the sunset over the ramparts.

• Essaouira is a well-liked kiteboarding destination and is referred to as the "Windy City" due to the strong Alizée trade winds that hit its crescent beach. Before bidding adieu and heading back to Casablanca, spend the morning watching the windsurfers and kiteboarders or, for the more daring, taking a lesson. There will be the option to stop along the way in seaside towns to break up the four to five-hour coastal drive.

• From your lodging, a driver will take you privately to the Casablanca Airport so you can check-in.
• You might want to take a stroll along the Boulevard de la Corniche to Rick's Café, a bar, restaurant, and café inspired by the classic film Casablanca, and grab a bite to eat depending on the specifics of your departure.