12-Day Tour in Morocco from Casablanca

You will start the day by traveling to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. There, you will visit the famous Hassan Tower, an old minaret from the 1100s that was never finished. Next to it is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, where the king who led Morocco to independence is buried. You will also explore the Kasbah of Les Oudayas, an old quarter with white-and-blue houses overlooking the river. Depending on the time, you may visit other nearby attractions as well.

After exploring Rabat, you will head north to Chefchaouen, a city in the Rif Mountains. Founded in the 1400s by people escaping from Spain, this charming city is known for its blue-painted streets. If you arrive early, you can hike up to the Spanish Mosque for a beautiful view of the city at sunset.

In the morning, you will have time to enjoy Chefchaouen on your own, it is small and can be visited in 3 or 4 hours on foot. You will walk through the blue streets, visit the old Kasbah in the center of town, and stop by Ras El Ma, a natural spring where locals come to relax. You can also spend some time in Utat Lhmam Square, a lively spot with cafés and shops—perfect for a slow morning.

Around midday or after lunch, you will leave Chefchaouen and travel to Fes. This city is one of the oldest in Morocco and has been an important place for learning, culture, and trade for over 1,000 years.

Today, you will explore the historic city of Fes with a local guide. Your visit begins at the Royal Palace, where you can admire its stunning golden gates and traditional architecture from the outside. Next, you will head to Borj Nord, a 16th-century fortress that offers great views of the medina and gives you a sense of the city’s layout.

After that, you will dive into the old medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is over 1,200 years old. As you walk through its narrow streets, you will discover the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and still operating today—it is the oldest university in the world. You will also visit the famous leather tanneries, where leather is dyed in large stone pits using natural colors. Another highlight is the Bou Inania Madrasa, a religious school from the 1300s, known for its detailed wood carvings and colorful tiles.

You will have free time on your own after the guided tour with the guide.

After leaving Fes, you will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is in Ifrane, the cleanest city in Morocco. Here, you will see the famous Atlas lion statue. Then, you will visit the cedar forest near Azrou, where monkeys live and often come close to the road. You will have time to take photos.

After lunch, you will pass through the Ziz Valley, a long green valley filled with palm trees and small villages.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Arfoud, a small city known for fossils and date palms. From there, you will continue to Merzouga village, where you will spend the night in a riad near the dunes.

Today, you will fully explore the Merzouga desert, which we believe is the highlight of our 12-day Morocco tour. You will start by visiting Khamlia, a small village known for its Gnawa music. The people here are originally from Sub-Saharan Africa, and they will welcome you with traditional songs and a cup of tea.

After that, you will visit the Mifis mine area, where local people used to work in salt and kohl mines. Then, you will meet a Berber nomad family living in tents in the desert. You will learn about their simple way of life and how they survive in this harsh environment.

In the afternoon, you will return to the edge of the dunes to begin your camel ride. You will cross the golden sands of Erg Chebbi, enjoying the quiet beauty of the desert. Before sunset, you will arrive at the Berber camp, check in, and walk up the dunes to watch the sunset. Then, you will have dinner and listen to traditional music by the fire.

Sunrise over the dunes is an experience you would not want to miss. After breakfast at the camp, we will drive to Rissani, an important stop for desert caravans that came to trade goods from all over Africa. Today, Rissani has one of the biggest markets in the desert area. Local people come here to buy and sell almost everything—fruits, spices, clothes, animals, and more.

Next, we will visit the old underground irrigation system in Fezna. These small tunnels were once used to bring water from the mountains to farms in the desert.

After that, we will visit a Berber women’s cooperative. The women here are very welcoming. They will offer to dress you in traditional Berber clothes for photos and also do free henna designs.

Later, we will drive to the Todra Gorges. These are tall cliffs with a river running between them. You can walk through the narrow path and take photos.

By the end of the day, we will arrive in Dades, where you will spend the night.

Today, we will travel from Dades to Marrakech, passing through many beautiful and interesting places.

After breakfast at the riad in Dades, we will drive through the Rose Valley, an area known for its rose fields and small Berber villages. In spring, local people harvest the roses to make rose products.

Next, we will continue to Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Here, you will visit the famous Atlas Studios, where many movies and TV shows were filmed, such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy.

Not far from Ouarzazate, you will explore the old village of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a beautiful mud-brick ksar that was once a stop for traders crossing the desert. It is also a popular filming location and one of the most famous places in Morocco.

After lunch, we will drive through the High Atlas Mountains. The road is full of amazing views, small villages, and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest mountain road in Morocco.

On the way, we will stop at a women’s cooperative where argan oil is made by hand. You can learn how it’s produced and try some natural products like oil, soap, and cream (optional).

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Marrakech. You will check into your hotel and spend the night in the city.

Today, you will explore the city of Marrakech with a local guide. Your visit starts at the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in the city, built in the 1100s. From there, you will continue to the Bahia Palace, a beautiful home from the 1800s with lovely gardens and decorated rooms.

Next, you will visit the Saadian Tombs, where members of a royal family from the 1500s are buried. These tombs were hidden for a long time and were only found again in 1917.

Afterwards, you will walk through the old market streets of the medina. You will see shops filled with handmade items, spices, clothes, and more. The day ends in Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the heart of the city, where you can enjoy street shows, listen to music, and try some local food. The tour with the guide usually finishes around 4 pm.

Then, our driver will take you to Majorelle Garden, a garden filled with exotic plants, bright blue buildings, and beautiful paths. It was created by a French painter and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent.

You will have some time in the afternoon and evening on your own.

After discovering Marrakech, you will travel to Essaouira, located on the Atlantic coast. This city was built in the 1700s by a Moroccan king with the help of a French architect. It later became an important port for trade between Africa and Europe.

In Essaouira, you can walk along the old sea walls, visit the fishing port, and explore the medina (old town), which is now protected by UNESCO for its history and beauty.

Free time on your own.

You will have a free morning in Essaouira to relax and enjoy the nice weather. You can walk on the beach, visit the medina, or sit at a seaside café. After lunch, we will drive to Casablanca, where you will spend your last night in Morocco.

We will take you to the airport at the right time for your flight. This is the end of our 12-day tour across Morocco.