13‑Day Classic Morocco Itinerary

Welcome to Morocco! Your adventure begins in Casablanca. After your complimentary arrival transfer, settle into your hotel. In the evening, attend a welcome meeting with your leader to collect insurance details and next-of-kin information. If you arrive early, consider visiting the Art Deco Villa des Arts (free) or the Museum of Judaism.

Please note: Some travellers have reported being approached by unofficial guides offering excursions. We recommend only booking through your leader for safety and quality.

After breakfast, tour the Hassan II Mosque – one of the few religious sites open to non-Muslims. Then drive to Rabat, the capital, for a guided tour of the Kasbah des Oudaias, the Mausoleum Mohammed V, and the Hassan Tower. Enjoy mint tea and local sweets in the kasbah. Continue to Meknes, the former capital, for the night.

Travel time today: approx. 3.5 hours.

Explore Meknes' Old Medina, then drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis for a guided tour of the mosaics and hilltop remains. Continue to Chefchaouen – the stunning blue city in the Rif Mountains. Enjoy a leader-led orientation walk through the medina, with its whitewashed and blue houses. Free time to shop for handicrafts or sample local goats' cheese.

Travel time today: approx. 4.5 hours.

Enjoy a free morning in Chefchaouen, then board your private minibus for the journey to Fes – the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Arrive in the late afternoon and join the group for a traditional dinner of pastilla, the famous salty-sweet pie.

Travel time today: approx. 4 hours.

Dive into the labyrinth of Fes el Bali with an expert local guide. Walk through the twisting alleys, past donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the specialty souks. Visit the Medersa el Attarine, the tanneries, and the beautifully restored Fondouk Nejjarine. Free evening to explore further or relax.

Note: Shopping is ingrained in Moroccan culture; your leader can guide you to carefully selected places. If you're not interested in shopping, please speak to your leader about options.

Leave the city behind and drive south through cedar forests and barren landscapes to Midelt (elev. 1500 m). This market town sits between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges. Take an easy hike through the valley to a local village, wandering through apple orchards with views of the mountains.

Travel time today: approx. 3.5 hours.

Drive to Merzouga and the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. Leave your gear at the camp, then ride camels into the Sahara at sunset. The dunes glow with shifting colours as evening falls. Tonight, sleep in a traditional desert camp under the stars, with music and dancing around a campfire.

If you prefer not to ride, you can walk alongside the camels or relax at camp. A 4WD option is also available.

Wake for sunrise, then drive to the spectacular Todra Gorge – a 250 m high canyon. Take a short walk through the sheer limestone cliffs. Continue to the M'Goun Valley for a traditional Amazigh homestay in a mud-brick gite, where you'll experience local hospitality.

Travel time today: approx. 7 hours.

Explore the untouched beauty of the M'Goun Valley on a 4-hour guided hike (10 km circuit) through Amazigh villages and the Rose Valley. In the afternoon, participate in a traditional henna tattooing session with a local naquasha (expert). Learn about the history and significance of henna, and have your hands adorned with intricate patterns – directly supporting local women and their families.

Drive the Road of 1000 Kasbahs to Skoura Oasis, visiting Kasbah Ameridhl. Continue to Ait Benhaddou – the iconic 11th-century ksar featured in Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Walk through the old town to the hilltop for panoramic views. Visit the community-run Tawesna Teahouse, where local women prepare tea and pastries from cooperative ingredients. Stay overnight in a nearby guesthouse.

Travel time today: approx. 4 hours.

Cross the High Atlas Mountains with scenic photo stops en route to Marrakech. After checking in, head to Djemaa el-Fna – the vibrant main square. By night, it transforms into a hive of performers, storytellers, and food stalls. Enjoy mint tea on a rooftop overlooking the square.

Travel time today: approx. 3.5 hours.

Join a local guide for a morning tour of the Old Medina, including the ornate Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque minaret. Stop for fresh orange juice at Djemaa el-Fna. The rest of the day is free – you may choose to visit Majorelle Gardens, Palais Badi, the Saadian Tombs, or Medersa Ben Youssef (all optional).

After breakfast, your tour ends. You are free to depart at any time. We recommend adding a night or two to explore more – optional activities include a hot air balloon ride or a Tajine cookery class.