Magnificent Morocco
Itinerary
This trip includes a self drive section between Fez and Marrakech. The roads are good and you'll be given detailed directions. It's a great way of exploring at your own pace. If you'd prefer not to drive yourself, we can arrange a private car and driver at a supplement. Ask your travel specialist for more details.
Day 1 – Arrival in Casablanca
On arrival in Casablanca, we’ll transfer you to your cosy hotel nestled in the heart of the city. As you step through the doors, you will be welcomed by the typical Moroccan décor and the warm hospitality of the staff. Take the evening to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Casablanca, where bustling markets, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine await your exploration.
Days 2-4 – Beyond the gateways of the Imperial Cities
The following day, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Rabat (around an hour’s drive), where you’ll spend two nights in a traditional riad just a few minutes walk from the old medina. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco and a lot more western than most other Moroccan cities. It’s a pleasant place to begin your Morocco trip and ease into the local way of life. Wandering through the narrow streets of the medina you’re surrounded by ancient city walls, carved wooden doorways, mosques and bathhouses. You’ll have the whole day to spend exploring this imperial city.
After two nights in Rabat, you will then take a train to Meknes. The journey will take around two hours and we’ll book 1st Class tickets for you. In Meknes you’ll stay in one of our cosy riads in the heart of the old city. The impressive walled city of Meknes is smaller, quieter and less busy than Rabat. It’s easy to explore the 20 gateways and 50 palaces of the medina independently. In the labyrinth of the medina you can feast your eyes on the towers of spices, juicy olives, figs and dates.
Day 5 – Historical Treasures: Meknes to Volubilis and onto Fez
After your stay in Meknes you’ll travel by private car to Fez via the ruined Roman city of Volubilis. After a short 45 minute drive you’ll catch your first glimpse of the impressive ruins of the most remote city in the Roman Empire. If you want to learn more about the ruins then guides can be organised on the spot. It’s then another 30 minute drive to Fez, where you’ll stay in a small, simple riad located close to the medina. Walking through the narrow streets of the medina, you can sense medieval Morocco coming to life.
Day 6 – Discover Fez
Today you have the whole day free to discover Fez. Not to be missed is a visit to the city’s famous tanneries where traditional methods of leather tanning have been practiced for centuries. From one of the balconies you can watch how the skins are washed and dyed. We also recommend to immerse yourself in the maze of the medina’s souks where you can haggle for spices, ceramics and leather goods. If you prefer, we can arrange a local guide to help you find your way through the narrow streets, introduce you to some of the local craftsmen and take you for tea with a local family. Ask your travel specialist for more details.
Day 7 – From city to Sahara
After collecting your rental car, you’ll make your way to the desert dunes of the south. It’s an eight hour drive, so best to set off early. The route takes you through pine forests and past the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains. You’ll spend the night in a desert style hotel in Erfoud. The sandstone walls, the refreshing pool and the open spaces give the place a real Sahara atmosphere. On the terrace lit with oil lamps you can enjoy a delicious tagine, couscous or kebab.
Days 8-9 – Caravan Into The Desert Dunes
The next day you drive to Merzouga arriving late afternoon. Here you will climb onto a camel for your desert experience. After half an hour of plodding through the desert you will see a traditional Bedouin tented camp, which is where you will be spending the night. Enjoy the silence, the starry skies and the vastness of the desert while the camel boys prepare your traditional meal. It can cool down considerably in the evening, so it’s advisable to pack a warm sweater.
Getting up early for sunrise over the dunes is highly recommended. Watch how the sun slowly turns the sand red and orange. Back at the camp enjoy a cup of mint tea and as the temperature starts to rise, climb back on your camel and slowly plod out of the desert. Breakfast will be ready for you at the hotel in Merzouga where your car is parked.
If you’ve got the time, we would recommending extending the trip with a night in Merzouga. In our experience it’s nice to have a day of relaxing after a night in the desert, instead of rushing off to the next stop. The Merzouga kasbah we have selected is a peaceful, characterful oasis with a swimming pool and a restaurant serving traditional Berber cuisine.
Days 9-10 – Kasbahs and Date Palms
After breakfast, continue your Moroccan journey to the Dades Valley, you will stay overnight in a simple hotel set just below the Dades Gorge, that has been designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. After a good nights sleep, you will go on a 3 hour trek through the mountains accompanied by a local guide. The trek is suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness, but the trail is rocky so make sure you bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes. The guide will take you up to a viewpoint where you can see the contrast between the red-coloured mountain walls and the green riverbed in the valley.
In the afternoon hop back in your hire car for a three hour drive to Ait Benhaddou. You’ll spend the night directly opposite the famous kasbah. This red mudbrick fortified village seems frozen in time and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you won’t be arriving in Ait Benhaddou until late afternoon, we recommend visiting the kasbah tomorrow morning. Later the next day you’ll drive straight across the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, approximately 5 hours’ drive.
Days 11-12 – Marrakech: Couscous in the Souks
On arrival in Marrakech you will drop off your hire car. You’ll stay in our central hotel, which is ideally located on the edge of the old medina and decorated in traditional Moroccan style. It’s the perfect base to explore the city. It’s just a short walk to the lively Djemaa el Fna Square where fire eaters, mystical storytellers and snake charmers take the stage. If you would prefer a more comfortable stay then there is also the option to upgrade to one of our ‘special stay’ riads. Just let us know if you would like this added to your Travel Plan.
The next morning, you’ll meet your guide and head into the souks to buy ingredients for your own delicious meal. When you’ve filled your bags with ingredients it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking in our Moroccan cooking workshop. You’ll be taught how to prepare a traditional tajine, along with the preparation of couscous, Moroccan salad and other traditional dishes. You’ll then sit down to feast on your first home-made Moroccan meal and be back at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Days 13-14 – Essaouira sea breeze
This morning you’ll make your own way to the coach station in time for the bus to Marrakech. After around three hours, you will arrive in the breezy coastal town famous for it’s fish market and wide sweeping beach. You’ll stay in a traditional, colourful riad within the medina walls and a short walk to the beach. Once you’ve freshened up and settled in you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore this authentic coastal town.
Essaouira has a bustling fishing harbour and it’s great to stroll along the fishing boats, but today’s excursion will give you a real insight into the life of the local fishermen. Your local guide will take you along the city walls, the fortress and through the fishing port, sharing stories of local life and the importance of the sea to Essaouira. You do some shopping for lunch at the vegetable market and then on to the Friture de Poisson: the grilling of the fish by local fishermen in a courtyard. You won’t easily find this place yourself. You’ll have the opportunity to grill your own fish for lunch. It doesn’t get fresher than this!
Day 15 – Departure from Essaouira
Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Essaouira and transferred to Marrakech airport. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive, but we’ll plan your pick-up time so that you’ll get to the airport with plenty of time for check-in. It’s also possible to fly internationally from Essaouira, although flights aren’t as frequent.
Accommodation
