12-Day Morocco Tour from Casablanca

Your 12-day Morocco journey begins with pickup from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, your hotel or a preferred meeting point in the city. Meet your professional driver and travel toward central Casablanca. After checking in or leaving your luggage at the hotel, begin with an introduction to Morocco’s largest city. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Hassan II Mosque, an impressive architectural landmark overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The exterior esplanade and coastal setting offer a memorable first view of Casablanca. You may also spend time along the Corniche, walk beside the ocean or enjoy your first Moroccan meal in the city. The remainder of the evening is free to rest after your journey. Overnight: Casablanca

After breakfast, leave Casablanca and travel toward Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital. Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, a historic quarter overlooking the Bou Regreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, two of Rabat’s most important landmarks. After the visit, continue north through changing landscapes toward the Rif Mountains. Arrive in Chefchaouen during the afternoon or early evening. After checking in, take a relaxed walk through the blue-painted streets, small squares and hillside passages of the medina. Approximate driving time: 5 to 6 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Chefchaouen

Begin the morning with additional time in Chefchaouen. Walk through the medina, visit Outa El Hammam Square and enjoy the atmosphere of this mountain town before continuing south. The next stop is Volubilis, one of Morocco’s most important archaeological sites. Walk among Roman columns, ancient houses and preserved mosaic floors while learning about the site’s historical importance. Continue to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. Depending on the available time, stop near Bab Mansour, Place El Hedim and sections of the historic city walls. In the late afternoon, travel to Fes and check into your accommodation. Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Fes

Spend the day walking through Fes with a local guide. Enter the historic medina and follow its narrow lanes through traditional neighbourhoods, artisan workshops, food markets and religious buildings. The visit may include the Bou Inania Madrasa, the exterior of Al Quaraouiyine, traditional fountains, historic caravanserais and panoramic views of the city’s famous tanneries. Your guide will provide context about the city’s architecture, craftsmanship and daily life while helping you navigate one of the world’s most intricate old towns. After the guided visit, return to your accommodation or spend the evening at your own pace. Overnight: Fes

Leave Fes in the morning and travel toward the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, a peaceful mountain town known for its tidy streets, alpine-style buildings and cool climate. Continue toward the cedar forests near Azrou. Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in this region, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The road continues through mountain landscapes and traditional towns before reaching Midelt, where a lunch stop can be arranged. After lunch, cross the Tizi n’Talghomt Pass and descend toward the Ziz Valley. Stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking palm groves, villages and oasis settlements. Continue through Errachidia and Erfoud before arriving in Merzouga in the late afternoon or evening. Check into your accommodation near the Erg Chebbi dunes and enjoy a quiet evening beside the Sahara. Approximate driving time: 7 to 8 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Merzouga

After breakfast, spend the day around Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Travel by four-wheel-drive vehicle through desert tracks and visit different landscapes surrounding the dunes. Depending on local conditions, the excursion may include seasonal settlements, panoramic viewpoints and a visit with nomadic families. Continue to Khamlia, a village known for its musical traditions. Spend time listening to local music and learning about the community’s cultural heritage. Return to Merzouga and prepare for the desert camp experience. In the late afternoon, meet your camel caravan and ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sunlight changes over the sand. Arrive at the camp, settle into your tent and enjoy dinner. The evening usually includes traditional Amazigh music around the fire. Spend the night beneath the desert sky. Overnight: Sahara desert camp near Merzouga

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast, return to Merzouga by camel or four-wheel-drive vehicle, where your driver will be waiting. Continue toward Rissani, a traditional market town known for its historic role in regional trade. A short visit may be arranged depending on the day and available time. The route continues through desert towns, palm groves and rocky landscapes before reaching Tinghir and Todra Gorge. Walk beneath the high limestone cliffs and spend time near the river. Lunch can be arranged in the area. In the afternoon, continue toward the Dades Valley, passing traditional villages, kasbahs and unusual rock formations. Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Dades Valley

After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue through the landscapes of southern Morocco. Travel through Kalaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses before continuing toward Ouarzazate. Depending on the schedule, stop near Taourirt Kasbah or visit one of the film studios associated with productions made in the region. Continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a historic fortified village known for its earthen architecture. Walk through the ksar and admire the surrounding valley. After lunch, cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Several stops can be made for mountain views and photographs. Arrive in Marrakech during the late afternoon or evening. Approximate driving time: 6 to 7 hours, excluding visits and meal stops Overnight: Marrakech

Meet your local guide after breakfast and begin a full-day visit of Marrakech. The itinerary may include Bahia Palace, the exterior of the Koutoubia Mosque, traditional neighbourhoods and the narrow shopping streets of the medina. Walk through the souks, where artisans work with leather, metal, wood, textiles and spices. Continue toward Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central square that changes throughout the day as food stalls, musicians and performers arrive. Majorelle Garden may also be included when requested, subject to ticket availability and advance reservation. The remainder of the afternoon or evening is free. Overnight: Marrakech

Leave Marrakech after breakfast and travel west toward the Atlantic coast. The route passes through rural landscapes and argan-growing regions before reaching Essaouira. After checking into your accommodation, begin with a relaxed walk through the medina. Visit the fishing port, sea walls and streets filled with artisan workshops, small galleries and local shops. You may enjoy lunch near the port, walk along the beach or spend the afternoon beside the ocean. Approximate driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours Overnight: Essaouira

Enjoy a free day in Essaouira and experience the coastal city at your own pace. You may return to the medina, browse artisan workshops, visit galleries or spend time around the fishing port. The beach offers opportunities for walking, horseback riding, surfing and other optional activities, depending on weather conditions and personal preference. You may also choose a quiet café, enjoy fresh seafood or simply relax beside the Atlantic Ocean before the final part of the journey. Overnight: Essaouira

After breakfast, leave Essaouira and begin the return journey toward Casablanca. Travel along the Atlantic side of Morocco, with rest and meal stops arranged according to the schedule. If your departure flight is scheduled for this day, you will be transferred directly to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport with sufficient time for check-in. If your flight departs later or on another date, drop-off can be arranged at your Casablanca hotel or another preferred location in the city. Approximate driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours, excluding stops