16-day tour to Morocco: “Morocco in its entirety”
Tour overview
Experience the full beauty and diversity of Morocco on this 16-day grand tour. From coastal cities and imperial capitals to remote desert landscapes and mountain villages, you’ll explore every corner of the country. Visit Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez, the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, and Marrakech. This journey offers deep cultural immersion, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable moments.
Duration: 16 days
Day 1
Casablanca – Rabat
This tour, which will take us across Morocco, begins at Casablanca Airport. Upon arrival at the terminal, our English-speaking driver will pick you up in a private vehicle for a direct transfer to the city center. Without delay, we’ll visit the city’s most important monument: the Hassan II Mosque.
In addition to being a grandiose construction, it is also one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to visit. Therefore, if the opportunity allows, we will explore its interior beauty, featuring exquisite Islamic decoration and top-quality materials.
After that, we’ll head to Rabat, located less than 100 km from Casablanca. There, you’ll have free time to explore its most fascinating sites, which are protected under UNESCO’s World Heritage designation. Must-see landmarks include the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Your accommodation will be in a riad in the city center, placing you within walking distance of the historic medina, which you can explore at your own pace.
Day 2
Rabat – Chaouen
After breakfast at the Riad in Rabat, which is included in the package, we’ll depart for one of the most enchanting towns in Morocco: Chefchaouen. To get there, we’ll travel approximately 250 km by road, reaching the northernmost point of the route.
Upon arrival, its location nestled between the Rif Mountains will immediately catch your eye and hint at the Medina’s irregular layout, full of slopes and hidden corners that add to its charm.
We’ll spend two nights in this small town, so this first day will be a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with it by strolling through its picturesque streets, many of which are whitewashed and painted in shades of blue.
During this free time, you can explore at your own pace, reaching the panoramic viewpoints located around the medina. It’s also a great opportunity to visit local craft shops specializing in leather, wool, and other traditional materials, or to browse modest art galleries that showcase the work of truly original creators.
In the evening, you will rest in a Riad in the Medina.
Day 3
Chaouen
This third day of the tour will begin with breakfast at the riad in Chefchaouen. After recharging your energy, you’ll be free to head out and discover more of the town’s points of interest. The day will also be unstructured, giving you more time to visit its monuments and main tourist attractions.
For example, the imposing kasbah, which has been converted into an ethnographic museum, or the various gates along the city walls, which have stood for several centuries.
Uta el-Hammam Square, the town’s main hub, is a great place to begin and end your strolls. At the end of the day, you’ll return to rest at the cozy riad in the Medina.
Day 4
Chaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
After enjoying breakfast at the riad, we’ll say goodbye to Chefchaouen and set off on a route filled with cultural highlights. The first stop is Volubilis, the most important Roman archaeological site in Morocco and one of the most spectacular in all of North Africa.
It preserves the remains of a great city from that civilization, which visitors can appreciate through its well-preserved elements: mosaics, columns, arches, urban layout, and more.
After visiting Volubilis, we arrive in Meknes, which experienced its heyday between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It was during this period that Meknes became the capital of the kingdom, under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail.
Many of its monuments, such as the city gates and the mausoleum of the aforementioned sultan, date back to that period. It is no coincidence, therefore, that Meknes has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Later in the day, we will arrive in Fez, one of Morocco’s most important cities for tourism. It offers many places of interest, which we will explore at a relaxed pace the following day.
Therefore, on this first day, you will have a free stroll to get your first impression of the city. You can take your time exploring on foot, as the riad where you’ll be staying is located within the Medina.
Day 5
Fez
Fez is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Morocco, largely due to its rich history: centuries ago, it was a cultural and spiritual center of the Islamic world, and it still retains much of that prestige today.
After breakfast at the riad, you will meet our official guide to explore the city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the morning, you will visit the main sites of the medina, including its madrasas such as Bou Inania and Attarine. The Karaouine Mosque and its university may also be part of the tour, along with Nejjarine Square and its historic fountain.
Its souks and artisan districts, such as the tanners’ quarter, will be close at hand and revealed to you through the explanations of our guide.
The afternoon will be free, making it a great opportunity to visit other interesting sites, such as the Golden Gates of the Royal Palace or the Mellah (Jewish quarter). You can also spend time shopping for handicrafts, which continue to play a significant role in the local economy.
Its quality is considered by many to be the highest in Morocco. In the evening, you will return to rest at the riad in the Medina.
Day 6
Fez – Ifrane – Monkey Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert
After several days in the north of the country, it’s time to cross the Middle Atlas and head south toward the Moroccan desert. Therefore, you will have an early breakfast at the riad in Fez before setting off again with our driver in a private vehicle.
The first stop will be the town of Ifrane, one of the most unique places in all of Morocco due to its alpine appearance, characterized by gabled buildings and surrounded by a lush, green landscape. For this reason, it is known as the “Switzerland of Africa,” receiving abundant rain and snow in winter.
Near Ifrane and Azrou lies the National Park known as the Monkey Forest or Cedar Forest. Both monkeys and cedars are abundant here, forming a perfectly balanced ecosystem, though not without threats.
In fact, these primates (Barbary macaques) are at risk of extinction and find shelter beneath the branches of these centuries-old conifers, which are iconic representatives of Moroccan flora.
We will then cross the Middle Atlas and travel through the Ziz Valley, named after the river that flows through it. The landscape changes significantly, becoming more arid but still featuring large palm groves.
Surrounded by this landscape, we will travel many kilometers until we reach Erfoud, famous for its dinosaur fossils and prehistoric animals.
Shortly after, we will arrive in Merzouga, a small town that gives its name to the surrounding desert. Here, we will park the vehicle and ride camels (one per person) for an excursion through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the largest in Morocco.
Our destination will be a Berber tent camp, where we will be welcomed with tea, dinner, and a restful night under the spectacular starry sky of the desert.
Day 7
Merzouga Desert – Khamlia – Ouzina
One of the advantages of this 16-day tour is that, in addition to traveling across Morocco, we can dedicate several days to its main attractions. One such place is the Merzouga desert. After breakfast at the tent camp, we will travel by 4×4 through this extremely arid landscape to reach Khamlia, also known as the “village of the blacks.”
Here, we will meet its inhabitants—descendants of former slaves and guardians of traditional Gnawa music. This folkloric expression has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO due to its uniqueness, something we will experience during a live performance.
After that, we will continue along off-road tracks that are only accessible by specially equipped vehicles like ours. Our destination will be the Ouzina desert, near a tiny village far from the main tourist routes but full of charm.
We will be welcomed with tea by the locals and, afterward, we will head out to witness one of the greatest spectacles in Morocco: the sunset over the sand dunes. The night will be spent in a desert hotel, where dinner will be served and a musical performance of traditional Berber rhythms will take place.
Day 8
Ouzina – Maharch Pass – Draa Valley
If the sunset over the dunes of Ouzina is one of Morocco’s greatest spectacles, the sunrise is no less spectacular. On the morning of the eighth day of the trip, you’ll need to get up early to enjoy this incomparable view.
After that, it will be time for breakfast and a shower, and then we will continue our journey through the desert, carrying with us the colors of adventure from the places we leave behind: sandy rivers, Berber villages, rocky hamadas, etc.
This way, we will reach the Jebel Kem Kem mountain massif near Alnif. The Maharch Pass will open the gateway to the Draa Valley, one of the largest in Morocco, and its famous Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, where fortresses follow one after another.
On this day, we will spend the night in one of these kasbahs, or rather in a ksar (a fortified village), so staying in this complex can be considered an experience in itself. It is the ksar of Tamnougalt, built of adobe in the nineteenth century and recently restored.
We will walk through its narrow streets and come into contact with the Berber tribes that still inhabit the area. At the end of the day, you will have dinner and spend the night in accommodations perfectly integrated into the ksar.
Day 9
Draa Valley – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
Breakfast on the ninth day will also be served at the ksar of Tamnougalt, after which we will continue our journey through the Draa Valley to connect with the Dades Valley.
On this road trip, we will reach a unique natural setting in Morocco: the Todra Gorges, located near the picturesque village of Tinghir.
The Todra Gorges are a spectacular rocky canyon, with walls that reach up to 200 meters in some sections, representing a challenge for climbers from all over the world.
We will explore the area both by car and on foot, giving us a comprehensive view of the gorge carved by the humble Todra River over thousands of years.
The road trip will continue through the Dades Valley, and in one of its picturesque villages you will find the riad where you’ll have dinner and spend the ninth night of the tour.
Day 10
Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Our tenth day will begin, as usual, with breakfast at our accommodation, the Riad in the Dades Valley. After that, we’ll hit the road again, as our odometer takes us through the landscape of this area—where small villages and kasbahs mingle with palm groves nestled between arid hills and vast stretches of hamadas.
The main city for this day will be Ouarzazate, considered the gateway to the desert for travelers coming from Marrakech. On this tour, it offers two major attractions: first, the Kasbah of Taourirt, located on the outskirts, which served as the castle-residence of the Lord of the Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui.
The grandeur of its former inhabitants can still be appreciated thanks to the interior decoration of some rooms and the defensive adobe architecture of its exterior. Another place of interest in Ouarzazate is its film studios, used to shoot Hollywood blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia. If the group wishes, you’ll be able to visit the facilities.
Day 11
Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech
On the next day, you’ll have breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate. After that, we’ll resume our road trip, this time heading towards the High Atlas Mountains. Located there is another kasbah, Telouet, associated with the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. As a result, it shares many details with the Kasbah of Taourirt that you’ve already visited.
Very close to Telouet is the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the most common route to cross the High Atlas. Located more than 2,200 meters above sea level, it’s ideal for enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the surroundings: peaks that remain snowy for much of the year and small villages scattered across the mountain slopes.
This will also be the landscape that accompanies us for much of the descent on the way to Marrakech. Arrival in the Red City won’t take long, so you’ll have the afternoon free to enjoy at your leisure.
It will be an opportunity to experience its vibrant atmosphere and explore its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This city attracts more tourists than any other in Morocco due to its many attractions, so the tour includes two and a half days here, with three nights of accommodation. In all cases, you’ll stay in a riad within the medina to be close to the monuments, museums, and attractions of Marrakech.
Day 12
Marrakech
On the first of two full days in Marrakech, you’ll enjoy a guided tour, which is the best way to discover the secrets of this fascinating city. The tour will take place in the morning, after breakfast at the Riad, and you’ll visit the main sites of the Medina: Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa are some of the stops on the walking tour.
The afternoon will be free, so you can add visits to other places of historical and artistic interest. For example, the El Badi Palace, the Marrakech Museum, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, or the Majorelle Gardens—a unique botanical gem in Morocco. Our guide will advise you on the most interesting places based on your preferences.
Day 13
Marrakech
On the thirteenth day of the tour, the day is entirely dedicated to Marrakech. However, this time the whole day will be free. Therefore, it’s the ideal moment for activities in the city or its surroundings, such as excursions.
Another interesting option is to spend the day shopping locally, especially since the trip is coming to an end. The Red City offers the largest variety of stores in Morocco, including traditional crafts, new designers, and major brands— the latter mainly found in neighborhoods like Gueliz.
Day 14
Marrakech – Essaouira
A tour that aims to cover all of Morocco, like this one, cannot overlook the Atlantic Coast and a city as charming as Essaouira. That’s where our route will arrive in its final days.
After breakfast at the Riad in Marrakech, our driver will pick you up in a private vehicle to head to the city known as ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’.
On the way, we will stop at an argan oil cooperative, where we will learn how this distinctive product of the country is produced.
Known as Mogador by the Portuguese, who established an important commercial enclave here, Essaouira still preserves significant monuments from that time (15th century).
For this reason, and because of the charm of its historic medina, it was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its defensive walls, given their spectacular nature, have also served as a filming location for the series Game of Thrones.
During this first day, you can take an initial walk through its maritime fortress, the gates of the wall, and the small fishing port, as well as ‘lose yourself’ in the narrow streets of the historic center, whose nerve center is Moulay Hassan square.
And somewhere in this old town is the charming riad where you will spend tonight and the next night.
Day 15
Essaouira
The penultimate day of this Morocco tour is also dedicated to Essaouira and is at leisure. Breakfast will be served at the riad in the Medina, and after that, you can choose how to spend your day.
The options are varied, and our staff will help you choose: water activities on the coast (surfing, kitesurfing, etc.), horse or camel rides on the sandy beach, or simply a refreshing swim in the ocean, among other choices.
The local folklore is also a major attraction of the city, known as a hub for Gnawa musicians. Therefore, those who want to experience a performance like that of Khamlia again will find venues here for a second show.
Day 16
Essaouira – Marrakech Airport
After 15 days touring all over Morocco, the circuit comes to an end. If the return flight schedules from Marrakech airport allow it, the program includes breakfast at the riad in Essaouira and a road transfer from the accommodation door to the terminal entrance, in a journey of just over two and a half hours.
After that, it will be time to say goodbye, with the hope that it will be a “see you soon” to enjoy more experiences and services in other parts of Morocco, with the help of our agency.
- Included
- Pick-up & drop off at/from your accommodation/airport
- Transport by private modern vehicle with A/C
- Experienced English-speaking Driver/Guide
- Car Fuel
- 14 nights in a private room in the Riad/Hotel hotel (Dinner & Breakfast)
- Camel Trekking (Camel per person)
- Sunset camel ride
- Hearty dinner and party around the campfire (Berber Drums)
- Overnight at a private tent in Camp (Breakfast & dinner)
- 4×4 transfer from and to the camp (Alternative to Camels)
- Not Included
- Flight tickets
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Entrance to monuments (Optional)
- Tips
