Discover the Grand Tour Morocco in all its splendor” wonders of Morocco during a 16-days expedition. Commence your journey by exploring the dynamic and historic medinas of Marrakesh and Fez, before venturing out to tranquil desert havens and the awe-inspiring Atlas Mountains. Engage with friendly locals, savour traditional sherbet, and submerge yourself in the country’s grand cultural legacy. Watch the footage and delve into the cultural chronicles.
Join us on an enthralling expedition to unearth the exceptional allure and cultural richness of Morocco, where each day carries the promise of adventure and revelation, from vibrant bazaars to serene retreats. let’s start the tour 16-days tour to Morocco: “Morocco in all its splendor” Grand Tour
Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat
This Grand Tour Morocco in all its splendor” wonders of Morocco during this 16-days expedition. will take us all over Morocco and begins at Casablanca airport. Once you have arrived at the terminal, an English-speaking driver will pick you up in a private vehicle for a direct transfer to the centre of Casablanca. Without delay, we will visit the most significant monument, the Hassan II Mosque. It is an exceptional construction and one of the few mosques open to non-Muslim visitors. If we get the chance, we will explore its interior splendour, featuring an exquisite Islamic décor and premium quality materials.
Following that, we shall proceed to Rabat, which is just under 100 km from Casablanca. There, you will have ample time to visit some of its fascinating sites, safeguarded under Unesco’s World Heritage umbrella: the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V are some of the essential locations to see. Your accommodation will be at a riad located in the centre, conveniently near the historic medina for easy exploration at your leisure.
Day 2: Rabat – Chaouen
After breakfast at the riad in Rabat, which is included in the package, we will depart for one of Morocco’s most magnificent towns: Chaouen. To reach there, we will travel approximately 250 km by road, reaching the furthest northern point of the route. Once we arrive, its site between the Rif Mountains will immediately catch our attention and announce the irregular topography of the medina, brimming with slopes and hidden corners that enhance its charm.
During our two-night stay in this charming town, the first day will serve as an introduction to its picturesque streets, many of which are painted white and blue. You will have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll and visit the panoramic viewpoints located around the medina. This is also an ideal time to visit the craft stores specializing in leather, wool, and other traditional materials, or explore the humble art galleries showcasing the work of local creators. In the evening, you can relax at a riad in the medina.
Day 3: Chaouen
On the third day of the tour, you will start with breakfast at the riad in Chaouen. Following this, you can explore other places of interest in Chaouen. Take this opportunity to recharge your batteries and soak up the city’s rich culture. The tour will still be free, but you will have more time to visit monuments and tourist attractions. For instance, the impressive kasbah, now an Ethnographic Museum, or the various gates of the wall that have stood for centuries. Uta el Hammam Square, its primary hub, is an excellent starting and finishing point for your travels. After a day of exploring, relax in the comfortable riad in the medina.
Day 4: Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
On the fourth day of the tour, we depart Chaouen after breakfast at the riad and embark on a route full of cultural attractions. Our first stop is Volubilis, which is the most significant Roman archaeological site in Morocco and one of the grandest in North Africa. The preserved ruins showcase a magnificent city of the civilization, which visitors can comprehend through various elements such as mosaics, columns, arches, urban fabric, and more.
After our visit to Volubilis, we make our way to Meknes, a city that flourished between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when it became the capital of the kingdom under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Numerous stunning monuments, including the wall gates and the mausoleum of the aforementioned Sultan, date back to that time. Hence, unsurprisingly, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.
Towards the end of the day, we shall reach Fez, which is one of the most significant tourist attractions of Morocco. Fez is abundant in places of interest that we will explore peacefully on the following day. Therefore, today, you are free to wander around the city and get to know it better. You may take an unhurried walk around the medina as your riad is located there.
Day 5: Fez
Fez is among the most attractive cities in the whole of Morocco, largely owing to the historical significance of its past. Centuries ago, it acted as a cultural and spiritual focal point for the Islamic world and still upholds much of its prestige to this day. Following your breakfast at the riad, our official guide will meet you to facilitate your exploration of the city, which also enjoys the status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the morning, you will be taken to the central sites of the medina, including its madrasas, notably Bou Inania and Attarine. The tour could encompass visits to landmarks such as the Karaouine mosque and university, the historic Nejjarine square with its fountain, and the nearby souks and artisanal districts–including those of the tanners–all explained in detail by our knowledgeable guide.
The afternoon offers the opportunity to include additional fascinating stops, such as the Golden Gates of the Royal Palace or the Mellah (Jewish quarter). You can also spend your time browsing for handicrafts, which remain an essential sector of the local economy renowned for its exceptional quality. Afterwards, you can retire to the riad within the medina to rest for the night.
Day 6: Fez – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert
After spending a few days in the northern part of the country, it’s time to journey south to where the Moroccan desert lies. That’s why you’ll be having an early breakfast at the riad in Fez and hitting the road with our dedicated driver and our private vehicle. Our journey’s first stop will be in Ifrane, which is one of Morocco’s most unique towns because of its alpine-like appearance, with gabled buildings and a surrounding humid and lush landscape. The region earns its title, the “Switzerland of Africa,” due to its plentiful winter rain and snowfall.
Adjacent to Ifrane and Azrou lies the Monkey or Cedar Forest National Park, where an ecosystem characterized by an ideal equilibrium of organisms thrives amid numerous hazards. At present, the Barbary macaque population is endangered and depends upon the protective branches of Morocco’s iconic, age-old conifers, which are abundant in the region.
We will cross the Middle Atlas and journey through Ziz Valley, where the eponymous river meanders. The terrain transforms notably, becoming more parched, though dotted with sizeable palm groves. We will traverse this landscape for numerous kilometers until we arrive at Erfoud, renowned for its dinosaur fossils and prehistoric creatures.
Shortly thereafter, we will reach Merzouga, a petite village after which the adjacent desert is named. We will park the vehicle and mount camels (one per person) to journey through the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Morocco, the country’s largest. Our ultimate destination is the Berber tent camp where we will receive tea, dinner and rest under the magnificent starlit desert sky.
Day 7: Merzouga Desert – Khamlia – Ouzina
One advantage of this 16-day itinerary is that, besides travelling across Morocco, we can spend several days exploring its main sights. For instance, we will venture out in a 4×4 after breakfast at the desert camp to traverse the arid terrain and reach Khamlia, also referred to as the ‘village of the blacks’. There we will meet its locals, who are descendants of former slaves and keepers of the traditional Gnawa music. This traditional expression received the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity title from Unesco due to its exceptional features, which will be showcased during a live performance.
Subsequently, we will traverse paths that can only be accessed by our specifically modified vehicles. Our destination is the Ouzina desert, situated in the vicinity of the small village, which despite its secluded location, boasts of its enticing aura and is far from the typical tourist destinations. We will receive a warm welcome with tea from the locals upon arrival. Subsequently, we shall witness one of the most magnificent sights in Morocco – the sunset on the sand dunes. We will spend the night in a desert hotel, which will serve dinner while featuring an additional Berber rhythm musical performance.
Day 8: Ouzina – Maharch Pass – Draa Valley
If watching the sunset in the dunes of Ouzina is one of the most breathtaking experiences in Morocco, the sunrise is not any less remarkable. You will witness its beauty at the start of the eighth day of the journey, so it is advisable to wake up early to appreciate this unparalleled spectacle. Following this, it will be time for breakfast and a shower before we head out on our expedition through the desert, with exciting undertones for the destinations we will encounter: sand rivers, Berber villages, rocky hamadas.”
We will travel to the mountainous area of Jebel Kem Kem, near Alnif, to reach the Draa Valley – one of the largest valleys in Morocco. We will access it through the Maharch Pass and follow the famous Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, where fortresses line up one after the other.
On this day, we will be spending the night in one of the kasbahs, or rather in a ksar (fortified village). Staying in this complex can be considered an experience in itself; it is the ksar of Tamnougalt, built in adobe during the nineteenth century and recently rehabilitated. As dusk approaches, we will enjoy dinner and stay in spaces that are perfectly integrated into the ksar.
Day 9: Draa Valley – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
On the ninth day, we will have breakfast served at the ksar of Tamnougalt. Afterwards, we will traverse through the Draa Valley to join with the Dades Valley. During this route, we will arrive in a distinctive Moroccan environment – the Todra Gorges. These gorges, located near the charming village of Tinghir, are a magnificent rocky canyon.
The walls are as high as 200 meters in some sections and pose a challenge for mountaineers from all over the world. We will journey through the area on foot and by car to obtain a comprehensive view of the gorge carved by the modest River Todra over thousands of years.
The roadway will then lead us through the Dades Valley, and one of its picturesque villages will house the riad where you will dine and spend the ninth night of the journey.
Day 10: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Our tenth day will start, as typical, with breakfast at our riad in the Dades Valley accommodation. Afterward, we will continue on the road, driving through the picturesque landscape filled with small villages, kasbahs, palm groves nestled amidst arid hills, and vast expanses of hamadas.
On this day, we will halt at Ouarzazate, which is regarded as the entryway to the desert for those coming from Marrakech. In this route, there are two main sights: firstly, the Taourirt Kasbah on the outskirts which was once the castle and residence of Thami El Glaoui, the Lord of the Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech. The magnificence of its occupants is still evident in the interior decor of certain rooms and the defensive adobe architecture of its exterior. The film studios in Ouarzazate are another noteworthy attraction, having been utilised as the location for numerous Hollywood hits, including Lawrence of Arabia. Should the group be interested, a visit to the facilities can be arranged.
Day 11: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech
On the eleventh day, breakfast will be served at the hotel in Ouarzazate before resuming our road trip towards the High Atlas Mountains. There lies another kasbah, Telouet, associated with the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, which shares many similarities with the previously visited kasbah of Taourirt.
The port of Tizi n’Tichka, the most common route for crossing the High Atlas, is located very close to Telouet. Located over 2,200 metres above sea level, this destination offers an ideal opportunity to appreciate breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding terrain. Observe peaks retaining their snow cover for much of the year, as well as small villages scattered across the mountain slopes.
This will be the scenery accompanying us for much of the descent towards Marrakech. The journey to the Red City is not a lengthy one, affording you ample opportunity to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. It will allow visitors to experience the charming ambiance and rich history of Marrakech, a city designated as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. As one of the most visited destinations in Morocco, the circuit offers two and a half days to explore its many attractions, with accommodation for three nights in a riad located within the medina to provide convenient access to the monuments, museums, and other tourist hotspots of Marrakech.
Day 12: Marrakech
On the first of two full days in Marrakech, a guided tour awaits you. This is the optimal way to unveil the city’s hidden mysteries. The tour commences in the morning, following breakfast at the riad, and includes all the essential locations in the medina. The Jemaa el-Fna square, the Kutubia mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Saadian tombs or the Ben Youssef Madrasa may all feature as stops on this walking tour. Grand Tour Morocco in all its splendor” wonders of Morocco during a 16-days expedition.
The afternoon, however, remains unoccupied, allowing you to explore other sites of historical and artistic significance. You may visit places like the El Badi Palace, Marrakech or Yves Saint Laurent Museum, or the unique botanical wonder of Majorelle Gardens. Our guide will recommend the most intriguing destinations based on your preferences.
Day 13: Marrakech
On the thirteenth day, the tour itinerary allocates a free day to Marrakech, providing ample opportunity for recreational activities in the city or its vicinity, including excursions and local shopping. On the thirteenth day, the tour itinerary allocates a free day to Marrakech, providing ample opportunity for recreational activities in the city or its vicinity, including excursions and local shopping. As the tour draws to a close, take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the Red City’s offerings before heading home. On the thirteenth day, the tour itinerary allocates a free day to Marrakech, providing ample opportunity for recreational activities in the city or its vicinity, including
excursions and local shopping. With diverse stores in neighbourhoods such as Gueliz, Marrakech boasts the largest selection of merchandise in Morocco, from traditional crafts to designer labels.
Day 14: Marrakech – Essaouira
A tour that aims to cover all of Morocco cannot neglect the Atlantic Coast and a city as alluring as Essaouira. This is where our route concludes in its final days. Following breakfast at the riad in Marrakech, our chauffeur will collect you in a private vehicle and head to the city referred to as ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’. During the journey, we will halt at an argan oil cooperative, where we will gain knowledge on the manufacturing of this characteristic product of the country.
Known as Mogador by the Portuguese, who established a significant commercial hub in the area, Essaouira still retains significant landmarks from the 15th century. Thus, on account of its historic medina’s appeal and importance, Unesco granted Essaouira the title of World Heritage. The impressive defensive structure not only functioned as a film location for Game of Thrones, but also served its intended purpose.
On your first day, explore the maritime fortress, gateways of the wall, and quaint fishing port. Get lost in the narrow alleys of the historical centre centred around Moulay Hassan Square. Your accommodation for tonight and tomorrow night is a delightful riad located in one of the old town’s charming areas.
Day 15: Essaouira
On the second-to-last day of your Moroccan tour, your attention will turn to Essaouira, where you will have plenty of leisure time. Breakfast will be served at the riad in the medina, followed by a variety of options for how you can spend the day. In addition to water activities like surfing and kitesurfing, you can also take a horse or dromedary ride on the sandy beach or simply cool off with a refreshing swim in the ocean. Our staff will be on hand to help you choose from these and other wonderful options. The city’s local folklore serves as a captivating draw for tourists, particularly for Gnawa musicians seeking inspiration. Thus, those wishing to relive the magical experience of Khamlia can find many venues available for a repeat performance.
Day 16: Essaouira – Marrakech Airport
After 15 days of touring throughout Morocco, the itinerary concludes with breakfast at the riad in Essaouira, provided the return flight schedules from Marrakech airport allow for it. The journey from the accommodation’s entrance to the terminal door is a transfer by road, lasting just over two and a half hours. Afterwards, it will be time to bid farewell, with the expectation of a future reunion to relive the memories and availing of the services in other regions of Morocco, facilitated by our agency. it’s the end of our tour 16-days tour to Morocco: “Morocco in all its splendor” Grand Tour
Including:
- Pick up and drop off at the airport
- Enjoy a comfortable and air-conditioned private
- Transport, accompanied by an English speaking driver/tour guide
- Experience sandboarding
- in the desert and enjoy riding a camel
Not Including:
- Plane Tickets
- Lunch
- Tickets
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