Essential Morocco: Express 8-Day Grand Tour
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8 days 7 nights
Specific Tour
Unlimited
English
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat [87 km]
Welcome to Morocco! Arrive at Med V airport in Casablanca and meet your private English-speaking driver for a tour briefing. Explore Casablanca’s stunning architecture, the majestic Hassan II Mosque, and Atlantic-view terrace cafés. Then depart for Rabat for overnight with dinner.
- Visit:Hassan II Mosque & Rabat Capital
- Lunch:Casablanca
- Dinner:Rabat
- Accommodation:3–4★ Hotel in Rabat
Day 2: Rabat » Chefchaouen [252 km]
Drive to the blue-hued Chefchaouen with a lunch stop in Ouazzane. Wander the medina’s vibrant alleys, enjoy sunset views, then dinner and overnight in a charming riad.
- Lunch:Ouazzane
- Visit:Ouazzane Medina
- Dinner:Chefchaouen Square
- Accommodation:3–4★ Hotel in Chefchaouen
Day 3: Chefchaouen » Volubilis » Meknes » Fes [253 km]
Visit the UNESCO site of Volubilis, then continue to Meknes for Bab Mansour gate, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and Heri Es Souani stables. After lunch, proceed onward to Fes.
- Visit:Volubilis & Meknes
- Dinner:At your Riad in Fes
- Accommodation:3–4★ Riad in Fes
Day 4: Fes Sightseeing Tour
Guided walking tour of Fes medina: Royal Palace gate, artisan souks, panoramic tannery viewpoint, Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum, Al Karaouine University, plus a hands-on pottery workshop. Traditional lunch with a Moroccan family.
- Visit:Old Medina of Fes
- Dinner:Restaurant in Old Town
- Accommodation:3–4★ Riad in Fes
Day 5: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Via Ifrane’s Swiss-style village and Azrou cedar forests to Midelt, then cross Ziz Valley’s lush palm groves to Merzouga. Afternoon camel trek at sunset, followed by luxury desert camp with Berber tagine and mint tea.
- Visit:Ifrane & Barbary Monkeys
- Lunch:Restaurant in Midelt
- Dinner:Luxury Desert Camp
- Accommodation:Luxury Desert Camp
Day 6: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate
Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at camp, then journey through palm-lined valleys to Todra Gorge for a scenic walk and lunch. Continue via Rose Valley to Ouarzazate for dinner and overnight.
- Lunch:Restaurant in Tinghir
- Visit:Todra Gorge & Berber Handcraft
- Dinner:Hotel in Ouarzazate
- Accommodation:3–4★ Hotel in Ouarzazate
Day 7: Ouarzazate – Aït ben Haddou – Marrakech
Visit the famed Aït ben Haddou kasbah, then cross the High Atlas via Tizi n Tichka to Marrakech. Evening exploration of Jemaa el-Fnaa square and dinner in its vibrant heart.
- Lunch:Restaurant in Telouet
- Visit:Aït ben Haddou & Argan Cooperative
- Dinner:Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
- Accommodation:3–4★ Riad in Marrakech
Day 8: Marrakech – Casablanca – Airport [190 km]
Guided highlights of Marrakech: Majorelle Gardens, Koutoubia Tower, Saadian Mausoleum, Bahia Palace, and Ben Youssef School. Lunch, then transfer to Casablanca airport for departure. End of services.
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.
Durations
Tour's Location
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