15 days from casablanca
The largest city in Morocco.
Casablanca is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Standing partly over the water, the enormous Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, has a 210m minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.
Popular in Casablanca:
1. Mosque Hassan II.
2. Morocco Mall.
3. Beach Ain Diab Corniche.
4. Old Medina.
5. Habous neighbourhood.
After arriving at the airport in Casablanca, you will meet your driver. To start the tour we will go
to one of the major wonders in Morocco: the Hassan II Mosque, which is the second highest
mosque in the world and a rare example of a mosque that can be visited by non-Muslims in
Morocco. After lunch, we will depart for Rabat, where you can enjoy its beautiful domes,
minarets, wide avenues and green spaces. It consolidates the best of a modern cosmopolitan life
with the lively cultural traditions of Morocco. Rabat was founded in the 14th, with the expulsion
of Andalusians from the Iberian Peninsula. It is surrounded by three walls corresponding to the
most significant stages of its history: the Almohad wall, the Andalusian wall and the Alawite
wall. Your guide will show you these walls and the main attractions of the city, like the Hassan
Tower, situated on top of an imposing mosque, and the opulent tomb of Mohammed V among
many others. After you check in your Hotel/Riad you can take a stroll into the Medina of Rabat.
Night at the Riad.
Rabat – Chefchaouen.
We will leave Rabat and head towards the blue city of Chefchaouen. To arrive in Chefchaouen is
to dive into a labyrinth that is unlike any other Moroccan medina, and yet it has a perfect order
and harmony. All roads lead to Outa-Hammam Square, which holds the largest mosque and
meeting center of its inhabitants. The blue city of Chefchaouen is one of the most charming and
emblematic cities in Morocco. With a calm medina nestled between the Rif Mountains and the
Middle Atlas, Chefchaouen is famous for goat cheese. Suspended and anonymous among the
mountains, the city is extraordinarily picturesque, ideal for those who like to explore a city with
freedom and to take photos, and for those who find delight in the details, in terms of culture or
architecture. Enjoy the view over the city, with its soft and continuous shades bathed in light,
from the top of a hill. Night at the Riad.
Chefchaouen.
Today you have a day trip to Akchour waterfalls. you will explore the Riff and the delights of its
sublime beautiful landscapes the faint light of dawn over Akchour waterfalls in which you will
discover breathtaking scenery and provide a great spot for photographs. Then we keep
discovering the city of Chefchaouen, its harmonious gastronomy and handicrafts workshops. The
best way to visit chefchaouen is to let yourself be lost in its streets and watch life happens.
Appreciate the traditional women’s clothes, blue above with a kilt that resembles blue and red
striped quilt, with a nice straw hat to match. The visit of the blue city includes the view of the
city from the top of a mountain, the washerwoman area near the river.
Chefchaouen – Volubulis – Meknes – Fes.
After breakfast, we will leave for Fes and on the way stop by the imperial city of Meknes. Sultan
Moulay Ismail dreamed of making Meknes the most splendid city in North Africa, hence its
nickname “Versailles of the Maghreb”. Here we will visit the main points of interest. We can
visit the Roman ruins of Volubulis, one of the best-preserved Roman sites of the world. For a
long time, Volubulis was the principal Roman administration center in North Africa outside of
Egypt. Toward the end of the afternoon, we arrive in Fes, where we still have time to see the city
in its splendor, bathed in the soft light of the afternoon and we will take a short panoramic tour of
the city. For dinner, we recommend the Clock Café, which has a very original and diverse menu
with original dishes such as a camel burger, among other Moroccan specialties that are not easily
accessible. This café also has interesting cultural exhibitions: you can hear an ancient Moroccan
tell stories and talk about the Morocco of old, enjoy a cinema night, or have a workshop on
Arabic calligraphy, among others. Night at the Riad.
Fes sightseeing.
We will spend the morning and part of the afternoon visiting the medina de Fes with a local
guide, described by Paul Bowles as “an enchanted labyrinth protected from time”. The local
guide is thoroughly familiar with this city, so that you can discover it thoroughly: its corners,
traditions, stories and history. The labyrinth-like medina de Fes has more than 9000 streets which
create a magical environment between light and shadow. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fes was once the capital of Morocco, and it has Fatimid, Andalusian, Arabic and Jewish
influences. The city reached its peak in the 13th century, and it became the center of knowledge,
with one of the world’s oldest universities. You will be able to visit the most important palaces,
the Jewish quarters, the Madrassa (old school and university from the 13th century) and a
Quranic school. Furthermore, you will visit shops with authentic handicrafts from Fes and its
leather work, where ancient methods are still used…..return to the Riad.
Fes – Azrou – Merzouga.
We will leave in the morning to visit the magical cedar forests of Azrou and Ifran, where you
will be dazzled by its spectacular natural elements. The atmosphere is calm, clear and rich in
nature’s scents. On our journey, we will have a break in Midelt, a small town between the High
and the Middle Atlas, an exceptional location to watch the exuberant mountain landscape.
During our journey, you may see some monkeys and other typical animals in the Cedar forest.
After arriving in Merzouga, you can enjoy traditional Moroccan tea as a welcome sign of
affection. After that it’s time to ride a camel through the desert for about an hour to get to the
camp. After that you can have an unforgettable dinner outdoors, in the desert, under a beautiful
nomad tent where, in ancient times, weddings were celebrated and where the wedding dinner
occurred. After dinner, there will be live traditional music and dancing around fire. Night at the
luxurious desert camp.
Erg Chebbi tour.
Today is dedicated to discover the oriental Sahara desert. We will drive through the desert on a
4×4, visiting the nomads at Erg Chebbi. We will also go to the village of the dark-skinned people
named “Khamlia” and enjoy the original music and folk songs of the Gnawas and visit Rissani,
the last major city of about 40km west of Erg Chebbi. Rissani itself is very interesting old town.
From 8 to 14 century it was a separate kingdom, known as Sijelmassa, prosperous of the caravan
routes and visit market – souk, the interesting thing about this Souk is not a tourist souk, but for
the people living there. 3 times a week is the market with sheep, goats and donkeys. At
lunchtime, you will have Berber Pizza with Avandra Tours family. From there back to Merzouga
Village stay overnight in a hotel overlooking the Erg chebbi sand dunes.
Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley.
After unforgettable night in the desert getting to know its culture, traditions and nature, you will
leave for something completely different: the rocky landscape of the Gorges, the high Atlas and
the green beauty of the Dadès Valley. Explore the Todra Gorge, which is one of the most
spectacular canyons in the world, with towering rock cliffs that reach 300 meters high, each
separated only by 10 to 15 meters, which extend through several kilometers .
Finally you will reach the Dades Valley which is carved for centuries by the Dades River. It is a
perfect destination overlooking the fertile valley below and the panorama of the mountains
beyond. Night in a Kasbah/ ksar. With dinner and breakfast included.
Dades Valley – Ouarzazate.
After breakfast we start the day by 2 to 3 hours hiking in Dades Valley with a local guide,
afterwards we make our way to the palm grove of Ouarzazate, one of the rare palm trees in
Morocco. The whispers of palm trees are powered by the sound of the breeze, the crickets, frogs,
birds and the course of water, the element of nature that creates the life of this little paradise.
You can visit the Kasbah of Tourirt if interested in. Overnight stay in a Ksar/hotel that has a
pool. With dinner and breakfast included.
Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech.
Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou, which are two locations of great historical and cultural
importance in the Atlas mountains. You will feel as if you have travelled in time to see the
landscape and lives of those who dedicated themselves to trade. Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and is the most important ksar in the “Route of the One Thousand Kasbahs”,
a route of small fortifications that allowed the trade caravans to travel between the Sahara Desert
and the city of Marrakesh. It is still inhabited and used as a setting for movies and TV shows
such as “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones” to add authenticity.
Follow the calm and clear high Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, going higher than 2000m, where
the rocky hills remind you of an old western movie. Arrive finally at the marvelous city of
Marrakech. Night at the Riad.
Marrakech sightseeing.
Visit Marrakesh, the red city of Morocco and the cosmopolitan center of the country. The
surprising architecture, the intense sent of spices, the colorful and exotic atmosphere, and the
small corners and secrets in its history make this city the most desired and visited city in
Morocco. During the day, you will be accompanied by a local guide exclusively dedicated to the
city of Marrakech so you can enjoy the best the city has to offer. The attractions that you will
explore are multiple: the Bahia Palace (opulent building from the 19th century), the Ben Youssef
Medersa (old Quoranic school), Majorelle’s gardens and Saadian Tombs, and so many more.
Commerce is chaotic in Marrakech and it’s the city main activity. At night, dine at the Jemaa el
Fna Square, a market under open sky, where the mixture of scents, songs and shows are
engaging and where the most traditional and typical food can be tasted at Moroccan prices. At
the end of your day, return to the Riad.
Marrakech.
After driving all around the country for 11 days, it’s highly recommended to have a full free day
in Marrakech. Night at the Riad.
Marrakech – Essaouira.
After the excitement of Marrakech, we will leave for the fresh and artistic coastal city of
Essaouira. It is one of the loveliest cities in Morocco and also a multicultural artistic center,
which has captivated people like Jimi Hendrix, Orson Welles and Bob Marley. With a fresh
ocean breeze permanently invading all the corners of its medina, the city of Essaouira stands out
for its urban life and culture. Essaouira is also highlighted for its gastronomy based of fresh fish
and in the use of argan oil. Essaouira’s Medina was built in the 18th century. Nowadays the city
is a World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO and is the favorite place for most Moroccan
artists and musicians. The city is also the stage of the famous music festival Gnawa, an old
spiritual art form of North-African Islamism. Night at the Riad.
Essaouira – Casablanca.
Spend the morning walking the Medina of Essaouira, alternatively walk near the beach.
Afternoon drive to Casablanca to pack for your flight next day. Night at the hotel.
Casablanca – Airport.
On the very last day, we drive you to the international airport of Casablanca to catch your flight
back home.