Seven days from Casablanca to Marrakech — an extended version of the 6-day itinerary, with an additional day that allows a more relaxed pace in the first part of the journey. The main difference is that Day 1 is dedicated to visiting the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the imperial city of Rabat, while Chefchaouen is explored in full on Day 2. The following days continue through Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, the Merzouga Desert, and the southern regions before arriving in Marrakech.
Welcome to Morocco. The tour begins with pick-up from Mohammed V International Airport. The first stop is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world: its minaret is the second tallest on the planet, and its intricate details of mosaic, carved marble, and cedar wood are of extraordinary beauty. From there we travel to Rabat, the capital of the country, to explore the Hassan Tower — the unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque — and the Kasbah of the Udayas, whose whitewashed walls with blue accents and views over the Atlantic Ocean make it a truly exceptional place. Arrival at the hotel in Rabat in the late afternoon.
Note: If you arrive at the airport at night, we will take you directly to your hotel in Casablanca to rest before starting the tour the next day.
Overnight in a hotel or riad in Rabat.
Breakfast and departure towards Chefchaouen, the mountain town nestled in the Rif massif, where streets, facades, and steps are painted in endless shades of blue. The drive from Rabat takes around four hours and crosses rolling hills and small rural villages. Upon arrival, check in at your riad and the rest of the day is completely free to explore the medina at your own pace: artisan souks, the Kasbah, Uta el-Hammam square, and narrow alleys where every turn offers a different photo opportunity. Dinner can be enjoyed in one of the medina’s restaurants while experiencing the calm atmosphere of this unique city.
Overnight in a riad in Chefchaouen.
Breakfast followed by a scenic drive through Rif Berber villages before arriving at Volubilis, the ancient Roman city whose 3rd-century ruins remain remarkably well preserved. The colorful mosaics, the Arch of Caracalla, and the temples of Jupiter and Minerva tell the story of a city that once housed more than twenty thousand inhabitants. We continue to Meknes, the imperial city built in the 17th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail with the ambition of rivaling Versailles. Bab el Mansour is one of the most impressive monumental gates in the Islamic world; the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, with its fountains and peaceful interior, is one of the country’s most respected sacred sites. Lunch in Meknes and arrival in Fes by evening.
Overnight in a riad in Fes.
A local expert guide takes you through the medina of Fes — one of the most fascinating and best-preserved medieval cities in the world. The day begins at the golden gate of the Royal Palace and continues through the UNESCO-listed medina. Key highlights include the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and considered the oldest continuously operating university in the world; the Al Attarine Madrasa with its exquisite mosaics and wood carvings; Nejjarine Fountain in the carpenters’ square; and the Chouara Tanneries, where leather is still produced using ancient methods in colorful dye vats viewed from surrounding terraces. We also visit the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, and climb an old fortress for a panoramic view over the sea of rooftops in the medina.
Overnight in a riad in Fes.
Breakfast and early departure south. First stop in Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco” due to its alpine architecture and clean mountain environment. We cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and stop in a cedar forest where Barbary macaques — native to this region — move freely among the trees. Lunch along the route. We continue through the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and the Ziz Valley, where vast palm groves stretch as far as the eye can see. Arrival in Merzouga by late afternoon. Camels are waiting. The trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes takes place at sunset as the sand changes color from gold to deep orange. Welcome tea at the luxury camp, private tent with bathroom, dinner, and an evening around the fire with traditional Berber drumming.
Overnight in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga.
Early wake-up to witness sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes — one of the most unforgettable moments of the journey. Breakfast and return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4. If the day falls on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, we visit the traditional Rissani market, an authentic souk where spices, textiles, pottery, and livestock are traded. We then continue to Tinghir viewpoint over its vast palm oasis before entering the Todra Gorge: a dramatic limestone canyon with 300-meter-high cliffs where light changes throughout the day. A short walk in this impressive natural corridor. In the afternoon we reach the Dades Gorges, known for their “monkey fingers” rock formations and winding road climbing through the canyon.
Overnight in a hotel in the Dades Gorges.
Final day. After breakfast, departure to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” and gateway to the Sahara. Optional visit to Atlas Studios, one of the world’s largest film studios where Gladiator, The Mummy, and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. Then we continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar of earthen towers featured in major films and TV productions. Lunch nearby. The afternoon drive crosses the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with panoramic stops along the way, before arriving in Marrakech by the end of the day.
End of the 7-day itinerary in Morocco from Casablanca.
IMPORTANT NOTES
