Classic Morocco: 10-Day Best-Selling Grand Tour
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10 days
Daily Tour
1 person
English
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca » Rabat [87 km]
Welcome to Morocco! Arrive at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca where you will meet your private English-speaking driver. Enjoy a brief tour briefing, then explore Morocco’s commercial capital: admire the majestic Hassan II Mosque, visit Atlantic-view terrace cafés, and stroll its vibrant boulevards. Later, transfer to Rabat for your first overnight stay.
Day 2: Rabat » Chefchaouen [252 km]
After breakfast, depart for Chefchaouen, the famed “Blue City” in the Rif Mountains. En route, explore Rabat’s royal heritage and continue to Chefchaouen’s photogenic alleys. Wander its whitewashed kasbah, visit the ethnographic museum, and watch sunset from the mountain overlook before retiring to your hotel or riad.
Day 3: Chefchaouen » Volubilis » Meknes » Fes [253 km]
Drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where your certified guide will unveil ancient mosaics and marble pillars. Continue to Meknes for a guided exploration: see Bab Mansour gate, Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum, and the grand Heri Es Souani stables. After lunch, journey onward to Fes for overnight in a traditional riad.
Day 4: Fes Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide
Today, explore the labyrinthine medina of Fes, one of the world’s largest walled cities. Visit the Royal Palace gate, Jewish Mellah quarter, artisan souks, and a panoramic tannery viewpoint. Discover Moulay Idriss II’s Mausoleum, the 9th-century Al Karaouine University, and historic medersas. Return to your riad for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Fes » Ifrane » Azrou » Midelt » Ziz Valley » Merzouga [460 km]
Depart Fes after breakfast and head south. Stop in Ifrane’s Swiss-style village, then visit Azrou’s cedar forests and Barbary monkeys. Continue through Midelt and the lush Ziz Valley palm groves before arriving in Merzouga. Overnight at your kasbah with dinner.
Day 6: Merzouga » Rissani » Erg Chebbi Dunes [45 km]
After breakfast, explore Erg Chebbi dunes by 4×4 or optional ATV. Visit a Bedouin village and the Gnaoua musicians in the “Black Village.” Enjoy a traditional Berber pizza in Rissani before returning to Merzouga for a night in a luxury desert camp with music around the fire.
Day 7: Merzouga » Todra Gorge » Dades Valley [269 km]
Rise early for a Sahara sunrise, then journey along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Todra Gorge. Enjoy a scenic walk among towering pink and grey cliffs before continuing through the dramatic Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight in a kasbah hotel.
Day 8: Dades Valley » Rose Valley » Ouarzazate » Marrakech [326 km]
After breakfast, visit the Valley of Roses at Kelaa M’Gouna, then continue via the Skoura palm oasis to Ouarzazate. Explore the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka pass. Arrive in Marrakech at sunset for your overnight stay.
Day 9: Marrakech City Tour with Local Guide
Discover Marrakech’s highlights: Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and Saadian Tombs. After lunch, experience the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna square—home to food stalls, snake charmers, and musicians—and wander the artisanal souks. Return to your riad for the night.
Day 10: Marrakech » Casablanca Airport [241 km]
After breakfast, transfer by private vehicle from Marrakech to Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca for your return flight, carrying memories of your Arabian and Berber adventure.
Optional Activities
Moroccan Hammam Spa
Experience the traditional cleansing ritual that locals have enjoyed for centuries. The steam room and exfoliating scrub will leave your skin refreshed, while the peaceful atmosphere provides a perfect break from sightseeing.
Arabic Calligraphy
Learn the elegant art of Arabic script from skilled local artists. You'll practice basic strokes and letters while discovering the cultural significance behind this beautiful form of written expression.
Cooking Workshops
Join local cooks in their kitchens to prepare authentic Moroccan dishes using traditional techniques. You'll learn to blend spices, make tagines, and understand the stories behind family recipes passed down through generations.
Ceramic Workshop
Work with clay alongside artisans who've been crafting pottery for decades. You'll try your hand at the potter's wheel and learn traditional glazing techniques used in Moroccan ceramics.
Fes Music Festival (May)
This annual festival brings together musicians from across Morocco and beyond for several days of performances. The event showcases everything from traditional Gnawa music to contemporary North African sounds.
Mosaic Workshop
Create your own piece of zellij tilework using techniques that date back over a thousand years. Local craftsmen will guide you through cutting and arranging the geometric patterns that decorate Morocco's most famous buildings.
Cooking Class
Learn to prepare classic Moroccan meals in a hands-on environment with experienced local chefs. You'll shop for ingredients in the market, master spice combinations, and enjoy the dishes you've created.
Fossil Cooperative
Visit workshops where local artisans transform ancient fossils found in the Atlas Mountains into decorative items. You'll see the careful extraction and polishing process while learning about the region's geological history.
Sand Boarding
Glide down the steep dunes of the Sahara on a board, similar to snowboarding but on sand. It's an exhilarating way to experience the desert landscape and requires no previous experience.
Desert Sunset
Watch the sun set over the Sahara dunes, creating dramatic color changes across the sand. The quiet desert atmosphere and vast sky make this a peaceful moment to reflect on your desert adventure.
Todgha Gorge Hiking
Trek through the narrow canyon walls that rise dramatically from the desert floor. The well-marked trails offer stunning views of the red rock formations and occasional glimpses of traditional Berber villages.
Date Festival (October)
This harvest celebration in the date palm oases features local music, traditional food, and displays of different date varieties. It's a chance to experience rural Moroccan culture during the important harvest season.
Todgha Gorge Climbing & Hiking
Spend half a day exploring the towering limestone cliffs through hiking trails and basic climbing routes. The experience includes visits to caves once used by nomadic Berber families, offering insights into traditional mountain life.
Map
Tour Inclusions
Meals
- All breakfasts
- 3 dinners (Desert, Boumalne Dades, Marrakech Square)
Transport
- Local English-speaking driver
- Pick-up and drop-off at the airport or your preferred location
- Private transport with A/C and fuel costs
Accommodation
- 6 nights in 3- or 4-star hotels
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp
Activities
- Camel trek in the desert
- Local guide in Ait Ben Haddou and Rissani
- Campfire party
Other
- Turban for the desert
- Moroccan SIM card
Booking does not include:
Beverages, lunches, personal spending, tips for guides and driver, travel insurance, or anything not mentioned above.