Classic Morocco

Welcome to Morocco and the great city of Casablanca. Once you arrive at Casablanca, you will be transferred to the hotel in a private cab. Day to meet your group leader and fellow travellers, rest and relax. Today, there are no activities scheduled, but time permitting, we can visit the Villa des Arts – this gorgeous gallery dates back to the 1930s and holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art.

Other places to visit in Casablanca include the Museum of Judaism, Hassan II Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world), and Habous Quarter (New Medina). For dinner, we could visit the Corniche (Casablanca’s beach promenade with views of the Atlantic).

Overnight: Casablanca

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to the city of Fes, often called the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Drive through the rolling hills and on the way stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Volubilis, Morocco’s most famous Roman archaeological site, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkably well-preserved ruins, mosaics, and grand Roman architecture.

It was once a thriving city on the edge of the Roman Empire and remains one of the most impressive Roman sites in all of North Africa.

Take a 1.5 – 2 hour guided tour of Volubilis and listen to a local guide explain life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. See the Arch of Caracalla, Capitol, Basilica, stunning mosaics (House of Orpheus, House of Dionysus), Decumanus Maximus, and Public Baths (Thermae).

After lunch, continue to Fes and arrive by late afternoon. Evening free to explore, rest, or try some authentic Moroccan Tagine.

Overnight: Fes

Today, you’ll discover the city of Fes. The spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco – Fes, is a feast for the senses. Join an expert local guide and head into Fes el Bali – arguably the world’s most fascinating Old City. The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Walk along the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods.

Filled with dye pits and traditional stalls loaded with fruits, herbs, and soups, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Visit the Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), Borj Neffara Viewpoint, Bou Inania Madrasa, and Al-Attarine Madrasa, built by the Marinid sultan Uthman II Abu Said in 1323-5. Functioning as a religious school, this is one of several such schools located within the medina.

After lunch, you’ll then explore the tanneries and the Fondouk Nejjarine – a beautifully restored 18th-century inn with a courtyard. Stop for a refreshing mint tea at a local café and take in the views of the bustling medina. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening. For anyone interested, dinner with a local family can be arranged for an authentic experience of Moroccan lifestyle and food.

Overnight: Fes

After breakfast, hit the road again and drive through ever-changing scenery, from barren mountainsides to fertile valleys, on the journey to Merzouga. Stop for coffee in Ifrane in the Atlas Mountains along the way. Take in the views over Ziz Valley and stop for lunch in Midelt – a town in the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountain ranges. Reach Merzouga and check into our desert camp for the night. In the late afternoon, take a camel ride deep into the dunes to watch the sunset.

Learn to tie a turban to keep the desert sun off your face and add a little flair to photos.

This evening, indulge in a traditional dinner, then gather around a campfire under the stars near your camp. Listen to stories about life in this region and, perhaps, some traditional music on the drums.

Dinner and overnight in Merzouga Desert Camp.

Rise and shine nice and early this morning and climb one of the dunes to watch the sunrise over the Sahara. After breakfast, drive to Dades Valley, stopping at Todra Gorge on the way. See the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. Your adventure continues via Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco.

After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as ‘monkey toes’. After lunch, head out on a leisurely walk through the Todra Valley with your leader.

You’ll walk through shaded palm groves and local farms – thanks to the abundance of water here, there are orchards of almost every variety! Think apples, pears, plums, apricots, quinces, pomegranates, figs, almonds, and peaches as well as tomatoes, mint, squash, carrots, turnips, beans and grapes. All these plantations belong to locals whom you’ll meet along the way, learning how they take care of the land using traditional irrigation techniques. Evening is free to relax.

Overnight: Tingir (Dades Valley)

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Ait Benhaddou. Sitting on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, this is one of Morocco’s most iconic sites and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you think you recognise the place, you probably do, as the town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones, and Gladiator.

On the way, we stop at Skoura Oasis – A beautifully restored 17th-century kasbah with exhibits showing traditional Berber life. Here we visit local rose or olive oil cooperatives and learn how local produce is harvested and processed. Later, we reach Ouarzazate and visit Atlas Film Studios (Tour sets from Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy), explore Taourirt Kasbah (A UNESCO-listed fortress-palace with intricate interiors and great photo ops), and the Cinema Museum.

After lunch at Ouarzazate we head to Aït Benhaddou – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic ksars (fortified villages) in Morocco. Check into the hotel and rest and later walk through the ancient Ksar, climb to the granary on top (for panoramic views of the ksar and Ounila River valley), visit traditional artisan and local bread making shops and take beautiful photos at sunset (The ksar glows at sunset — perfect for striking images).

Overnight: Aït Benhaddou

After breakfast, head to Marrakesh travelling via Tichka Pass, the highest pass in Morocco at 2260 meters. Stop for photos as you go over the Atlas Mountains and admire the breathtaking views of the Tichka Pass and the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages dotted along the valleys. Arrive in Marrakesh for lunch and later check into the hotel. Late afternoon, explore the Medina (Old City), do shopping in the Souks, or even experience a traditional Hammam. Evening visit the Jemaa el-Fna Square.

Jemaa el-Fna is the vibrant, chaotic, and utterly mesmerizing main square in the heart of Marrakesh’s old city (Medina). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the city’s cultural and social hub—and a must-see for every traveler. The square transforms into a giant open-air restaurant by evening with dozens of food stalls offering grilled meats, tagines, couscous, escargots, and fresh bread. The air is filled with drumming, storytelling, music, and smoke from the grills. It’s a sensory overload—in the best way.

After dinner at the Jemaa el-Fna, head back to the hotel.

Overnight: Marrakesh

After breakfast, we explore Marrakesh more, walking around the Souks and Medina, visiting the Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs (Hidden for centuries, these royal tombs showcase stunning marble and zellige tilework from the 16th century). After lunch, head to Casablanca and arrive by evening. Evening is free to explore on your own.

Overnight: Casablanca

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. End of tour.