DAY 1: CASABLANCA – TRANSFER TO ACCOMMODATION
14 days Morocco Grand tour from Casablanca departure: Welcome to Morocco! Your guide will be awaiting your arrival at the airport. Depending on the time of your arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel or riad accommodation in Casablanca to rest overnight and prepare for the journey ahead.
DAY 2: CASABLANCA – RABAT – LIXUS – ASILAH
After breakfast, we visit Casablanca’s magnificent Mosque of Hassan II (one of the largest mosques in the world) before departing for Morocco’s capital city of Rabat. Popular sites in Rabat include the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Mechouar of the Royal Palace, the ruins of Chellah, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. After exploring the attractions, we will take lunch in the ancient medina before departure. Along the Atlantic coast we will stop for a short walking tour of Larache, a small town of Portuguese origin with a nearby archaeological site at Lixus. In the late afternoon, after enjoying the scenic views of the coastal road we arrive to the pretty seaside town of Asilah. Here you can spend the evening walking by the sea or exploring the colourful town before retiring to your accommodation for rest.
DAY 3: ASILAH – TANGIER – TETOUAN – CHEFCHAOUEN
After breakfast, we will leave the Atlantic coast and head towards the Mediterranean port city of Tangier. You are free to explore Tangier at your leisure, perhaps shopping in the medina, strolling on the beaches, or embracing the relaxed atmosphere of its typical coffeehouses. After hitting the road again we next visit Tetouan – a stunning coastal city between the Rif mountains and the Mediterranean Sea – where we can take lunch in one of the excellent seafood restaurants. In the afternoon we leave the coast and head inland to one of Morocco’s most spectacular cities – Chefchaouen – where accommodation is arranged for the night.
DAY 4: CHEFCHAOUEN
Free day in Chefchaouen: This is one of the highlights of any Moroccan tour! Nicknamed ‘The Blue Pearl’, Chefchaouen is a unique and picturesque city nestled in the Rif mountains with famous blue-rinsed streets. Day excursions to nearby waterfalls or ‘Bridge of God’ (a spectacular natural arch) can also be arranged at request.
DAY 5: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FEZ
After breakfast we continue towards Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania described as “an exceptionally well-preserved example of a large Roman colonial town”. Then we proceed towards the ancient imperial city of Meknes. Once the capital city of Morocco, Meknes is of great cultural significance and has some incredible, well-preserved architecture including the Bab El Mansour and Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Finally, later in the day, we arrive at your traditional guesthouse in Fez where you can dine and relax ready for a big day.
DAY 6: FEZ (CITY TOUR WITH LOCAL GUIDE)
After breakfast, it is time to explore the famous city of Fez. Rich in architectural beauty and of great historic importance, there is lots to see and do in the city. We will guide you on a tour through the most popular sites including the Mosque of the Andalusians, the tanneries and the pottery district before stopping for lunch at a palace in the famous medina (a World Heritage Site). In the afternoon we continue our visit, taking in the Spanish-Moorish buildings, the Madrasas and the Fondouk el-Najjarine.
DAY 7 : FEZ – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA
Today you will get your first glimpse of the desert! After an early breakfast we traverse the Middle Atlas mountains en-route to Midelt, where we stop for lunch. We continue along the dramatic landscape of the Ziz Valley towards the oasis city of Erfoud. Later we arrive at Merzouga where the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi – the largest sand desert in Morocco – stretch out as far as the eye can see. Accommodation for the night is in the historic Kasbah.
DAY 8: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI – MERZOUGA
After breakfast, we start our grand tour through the dunes taking in the two oases of Merzouga, the ‘black village’ of Khamlia (where we can enjoy the traditional dance of the Gnaoua people), the Mfis mining village, and the desert plateau where we can meet the nomadic Berbers. For lunch we will enjoy a traditional Berber pizza. We return to the hotel in the afternoon to begin our two hour camel-trek across the desert to Erg Chebbi, arriving in time to watch the sunset over the shifting dunes. We spend the night beneath the stars in a typical Bedouin encampment where a tajine dinner and traditional entertainment is provided by your welcoming nomad hosts.
DAY 9: MERZOUGA – RISSANI – TODRA GORGE
The wake-up call for sunrise is optional but highly recommended! After a nourishing breakfast, we leave the desert camp and trek back to the Merzouga hotel where we can shower and refresh. We then travel via the desert town of Rissani, Erfoud (a must-visit place for those interested in dinosaur fossils), the historic kasbahs and palm groves of Tinejdad and on to the Tinghir oasis. Finally we arrive to Todra Gorge for dinner and an overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.
DAY 10: TODRA GORGE – DADES GORGE – VALLEY OF ROSES – OUARZAZATE
Following breakfast at the hotel, we set out in the direction of Ouarzazate; the ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ boasting some of the largest film studios in the world. En-route we travel through Kelaa M’Gouna (a city famous for its annual Rose Festival), the stunning Dades Gorge and the Valley of Roses. We will also stop to explore one of Morocco’s grandest kasbahs – the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil – before continuing to Ouarzazate for an evening meal and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH
In the morning, we take some time to visit the many interesting sites of Ouarzazate including the Kasbah of Taourirt and the film studios where many famous movies were made (Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Babel, The Mummy, Prince of Persia to name just a few!). Later, we visit the ksar of Ait Ben-Haddou – another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Moroccos most famous attractions – known for its pisé architecture and dramatic setting. We then continue north, crossing through the scenic mountain passes of the High Atlas. In the late afternoon, we arrive into the vibrant ‘Red City’ of Marrakech where delicious meals and welcome relaxation can be found at your guesthouse accommodation in the Kasbah area.
DAY 12: MARRAKECH (CITY TOUR WITH LOCAL GUIDE)
After a traditional breakfast, you are invited on a guided tour of Morocco’s bustling ‘Pearl of the South’. Your expert local guide will lead you through the famous sights including the Koutoubia mosque, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Gardens. In the afternoon, you will have ample time to soak up the many wonderful sights and sounds of Marrakech’s busy souks before heading to the beating heart and focal point of the city – Jemaa el-Fnaa. Prepare to be amazed!
DAY 13: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA – EL JADIDA – CASABLANCA
Following breakfast, we head west towards Essaouira; a former Portuguese port city on the Atlantic Coast. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely stroll around the sights of the fortified medina (where you can browse the art and handicrafts typical of the area) and the atmospheric harbour area. For lunch, there are many fantastic yet well-priced restaurants offering freshly-caught seafood. We depart north from Essaouira via the coastal road to El Jadida; a former Portuguese Fortified City which has been called “an outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures”. After a short tour and refreshments, we continue north before returning to Casablanca for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 14: CASABLANCA – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
After breakfast, we collect guests from the hotel and reach the airport in good time for departure flights. Our services are complete. Goodbyes are never easy but you leave with friends and cherished memories! “End of our 14 days Morocco Grand tour from Casablanca”.
