9 Days Essential Morocco Cultural Tour from Casablanca

Overview

Jump into an extraordinary 9-day odyssey through the heart of Morocco, where ancient history meets vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes unfold at every turn.

Your journey begins in Casablanca, where the grandeur of the Hassan II Mosque sets the tone for what lies ahead. From there, wind your way to the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, a picturesque gem nestled in the Rif Mountains, offering a serene escape and stunning photo opportunities.

Continue your exploration through time and tradition as you delve into the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Volubilis, where Roman ruins whisper tales of ancient Africa, and Meknes, with its imperial past and architectural wonders.

The journey then leads to Fes, a city synonymous with labyrinthine medinas and medieval marvels. Lose yourself in its bustling souks, visit the world’s oldest university, and immerse yourself in centuries-old craftsmanship.

Leaving the city behind, traverse the Atlas Mountains, where the landscape shifts from lush valleys to rugged peaks. Descend into the Sahara Desert, where the golden sands stretch endlessly and Berber traditions come to life. Experience the magic of a camel trek at sunset, followed by a night under the starry desert sky in a traditional Bedouin camp.

As your adventure continues, marvel at the sheer cliffs and narrow gorges of Todgha and Dades, where ancient kasbahs and Berber villages cling to the rocky terrain. Journey through cinematic landscapes to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO site and backdrop to numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

Your journey culminates in Marrakech, a city where history meets modernity in a whirl of colors, scents, and sounds. Explore the labyrinthine souks, marvel at architectural masterpieces like Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Djemaa El-Fna, where storytellers, musicians, and artisans converge.

Throughout your voyage, savor the flavors of Moroccan cuisine, from fragrant tagines to sweet mint tea, and experience the warmth and hospitality of Moroccan culture firsthand. This immersive journey promises to leave you spellbound, with memories to cherish long after you bid farewell to this enchanting land.

Highlights 

• Explore North Africa’s largest mosque, with its stunning architecture and the world’s tallest minaret.
• Wander through the picturesque blue streets of Chefchaouen, a unique and photogenic city nestled in the Rif Mountains.
• Dive into the labyrinthine streets of Fes’ UNESCO-protected medina, with its ancient mosques, bustling souks, and historic Madrasas.
• Experience the magic of the Sahara Desert with a camel ride into the dunes of Merzouga, where you can watch the sunset and stay overnight in a Bedouin-style tent.
• Discover Marrakech’s bustling medina, visit Bahia Palace and Saadien’s Tombs, and experience the vibrant Jamaa El Fna square with its lively atmosphere.

Itinerary :

Day 1 : Arrival in Casablanca

It depends on your landing time. After your tour guide/driver has picked you up & dropped you off at your hotel you might like to discover some of Casablanca’s sights. Notably the Hassan II Mosque which is considered to be the largest in north Africa and the third largest in the Islamic world, with its splendid esplanade and its tallest minaret in the world. It is a long reach of marble and emerald zellige rising 210 meters into the sky. Grand and timeless, the Great Mosque is constantly busy, a meeting point for Sunday strolls.

Day 2 : Casablanca / Rabat / Chefchaouen

If time didn’t allow you to visit Casablanca’s sights yesterday you must do it this morning. After we done with Casa the Morocco’s political and administrative capital will be waiting, Rabat may be short on top-drawer tourist attractions, but it compensates with plenty of charm. You will have the opportunity to explore the city in a short sojourn, first through the monumental Hassan tower with the pillared stumps of its mosque being all that remains from the earthquake of 1755. There is also the near-by Mausoleum of the royal family. Head further to north to Chefchaouen with its bright blue, Andalusian-tiled medina, with its grand red-hued Kasbah lording it over the Main square of Outa Hmam.

Day 3 : Chefchaouen / Volubilis / Meknes / Fes

Rise early to snap photos of the people-less streets before leaving for Fes. Stop along the way at the UNESCO protected Volubilis ruins—the Roman’s farthest reach in Africa. Wander the complex, exploring merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many mosaics in situ. Continue on to the smaller, less busy version of Fes, Meknes, for an introduction to your second historic imperial city. The two main points of interest are the Ville Imperial (Imperial City) and the medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.

Continue east to your third imperial city, Fes. With its impressively large (and somewhat confusing) old medina, Fes is a city worth getting lost in.  Before venturing into the medina, drive up the hill to take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Descend the hill and find your way to your riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden) where you can enjoy a delicious meal and relax for the evening.

Day 4 : Fes walk and talk Medina guided Tour

Do not panic the guide will show you the must-see sites. With your private Fes born and bred guide you will have the opportunity to discover the ancient breeding ground for scholars and artisans and the largest Medina of the world. Your will see the America Fondouk, Nejjarines, the Tanneries, the Medersa (Theological college) and Karaouine the first established university in the world. Your guide will shed light on many tales and 1200 years of history of this UNESCO-protected Medina. Optionally, after exploring the Medina, we can drive you to Sefrou for a delicious home-cooked meal at Lalla Fatiha’s place, or you can indulge in a traditional Moroccan Hammam spa experience.

Day 5 : Fes / Ifrane / Merzouga

An early-morning start is recommended for this day. We leave Fes and head southeast towards Merzouga and the gateway into the golden dunes of the Sahara desert. En route we will pass by the cedar forests of Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco, where you might think that you are in the Alps. If we’re lucky we’ll come across the Barbary Macaques on our way to Midelt where we’ll stopover for lunch. After lunch, we’ll drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach the Ziz Valley, which are considered to be among the largest producer of oasis dates in Morocco, then it’s off to Merzouga with the highest dunes in Morocco. You can store any baggage and bring an overnight bag with you. You’ll have the chance to be accompanied by a camel and blue-turban-robed guide into the sandy seas. After hour-long camel ride you will be among the luckiest to watch the sun set over the Sahara dunes and spend a night in a Berber style tent.

Day 6 : Merzouga / Todra Gorge / Boumalne Dades

This morning you’ll wake up with the sun shining on your face to witness, what we hope, is a glorious sunrise amongst the dunes. Watch the light creep slowly down the dunes, as you stay warm and cosy under blankets for an early-breakfast. After an hours camel ride back out of the desert you will depart and head for Erfoud where you can marvel at the million-year-old fossils that the area is famous for. Then heading north for a sublime experience in the Todgha gorges where we’ll explore between the gigantic rock faces. Arriving in Dades gorge, rust-red and mauve mountains. A series of crumbling Kasbahs and Ksours line the valley in the Berber villages to the monkey Finger Mountains. If we get there earlier and you still have some energy to hike a couple of hours we will drop-off our luggage at the hotel and get ready for a hike.

Day 7 : Boumalne Dades / Ouarzazate / Ait Benhaddou / Marrakesh

Depart Dades at 8:00am traversing the valley of roses and daggers straight to the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the backdrop for many Hollywood movie production such as Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many others. You might also like to explore Ouarzazate, home to Taourirt Kasbah and the «Ouallywood» studio. Ending up the memorable Tizi n’Tichka pass via north Africa’s highest peak, the high Atlas Mountains with the Berber villages lined along the road to arrive in Marrakech where you will have the day to explore the cacophony of musicians, snake charmers and vendors in the open-air famed Jamaa El Fnaa square, and the highly recommended sites with your guide.

Day 8 : Marrakesh Walk & Talk  Medina Guided tour

Meet your local guide at your Hotel/Riad or a designated meeting point arranged by your driver. Begin your adventure in the heart of the Red City, navigating the narrow lanes of the Medina, leading to opulent sites, tombs, and religious monuments adorned in marble. Visit the stunning Bahia Palace, and the historic Saadien’s Tombs. Afterward, your driver/tour guide will take you outside the Medina to explore the serene Majorelle Garden, the fascinating Museum Saint Laurent, and the rich Berber Museum. As you traverse Marrakech, you’ll encounter a lively scene of motorcyclists and horse-carts, especially around the bustling Jemaa El-Fnaa square, where nightly carnivals of musicians, acrobats, storytellers, and performers bring the Medina to life.

Day 9 : Marrakech or Casablanca departure

Our journey concludes, and we prefer to say ‘see you again’ rather than ‘goodbye.’ We hope this tour has been one of your most memorable experiences. Whether your flight departs from Marrakech or Casablanca, our driver/tour guide will ensure you arrive at the airport three hours before your flight.

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