Highlights of Morocco 15 days, Casablanca to Marrakech

FROM $1423 Departing April and May 2023 Departures

If you want to hit Morocco’s highlights, this is your adventure. Wander through kasbahs, spice markets, and cities pulsing with energy on this comprehensive trip. Climb onto a camel and explore the edge of the Sahara before admiring the views from the heights of the Atlas Mountains. Experience the energy of imperial cities as you explore souks stuffed with exotic wares. Then take a moment to appreciate this amazing adventure as you spend a night in a mountain gîte.

Itinerary

Day 1Casablanca

Arrive at any time.

Please note that this tour does not spend any time in Casablanca.

You may wish to come a day early in order to explore Casablanca, and take some time to see its medina, beachfront, and classic examples of Art Deco architecture.

Be sure to also visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Entrance is only permitted via guided tours, which operate from Saturday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 15:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 10:00, and 15:00. These times are subject to change (particularly around Ramadan), please double check times with your hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the mosque.

A general note about this tour: it has a very fast-paced itinerary, which covers a lot of ground. This is great as it allows us to see a huge amount in the time available, but it also means some early starts, some long drives in the minivan, and less free time than many other G Adventures tours.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting – Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don’t forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Campanile Casablanca (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Casablanca/Chefchaouen

Stop in Tangier for a guided tour of the medina before continuing on to Chefchaouen for the evening.

Depart in the morning for Tangier. Take a guided tour of city sites, including the medina, kasbah, Grand Socco (a bustling square at the entrance to the medina) and Petit Socco, a little square in the medina perfect for people-watching and mint tea-drinking. In the afternoon, continue on to Chefchaouen.

Private Vehicle
Casablanca – Tangier5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Tangier Guided Tour
Tangier2h-3h

Explore the city and learn more about this melting pot. With culture, cuisine and language coming from North Africa, Spain, Portugal, and France, this bustling port city is unique and fascinating. Visit the Kasbah, grand souk, petit souk, and the old medina. Marvel at the panoramic views of Gibraltar, Tarifa, and the meeting point between Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Private Vehicle
Tangier – Chefchaouen2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Madrid (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 3Chefchaouen

Enjoy a free day in Chefchaouen to explore. The city, whitewashed in different shades of blue, is spectacular on its own but with the surrounding mountains, it’s a sight to behold. At sunset, opt to visit the Spanish Mosque for a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Take in the view from the mountains by pre-booking the Rif Valley Mountains Hike when booking your tour.

Free Time
ChefchaouenFull Day

Nature or culture — why choose? Explore everything on your must-experience list during free time.

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Optional Activities – Day 3Hide

Rif Valley Mountains Hike
Er Rif3h-4h

67USD per person

Lace-up your hiking boots, and trek through the scenic Rif Mountains – the perfect natural playground for adventure seekers. Hike along lush mountains, passing small waterfalls and streams en route to the Spanish Mosque for spectacular panoramic views of Chefchaouen. Continue on through the mountains, passing plantations and stopping for a traditional lunch at a local gîte. Once you reach the piste, jump in a jeep and head back to the main road to meet your driver.

Accommodation

Hotel Madrid (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 4Chefchaouen/Fès

Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch before taking a guided tour of the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continue on to Fès.

Continue through the rolling hills to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a guided tour of the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After, continue to the imperial city of Fès, one of Morocco’s most interesting cities. Enjoy free time this evening.

Private Vehicle
Chefchaouen – Meknès4h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your G for Good Moment: Mhaya Village Community Lunch

Enjoy a G Adventures-supported traditional lunch that benefits rural Moroccan women and children. This G Adventures lunch program provides access to education opportunities and healthcare services. The proceeds from this lunch program help support vocational training for rural women, allowing them to support their families and children. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked Moroccan meal and meet some of the women that are part of this program.

Private Vehicle
Meknès – Volubilis45m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Volubilis Guided Tour
Volubilis1h-2h

Listen to a certified local guide explain life in the Roman Empire at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the impressive, well-preserved Roman ruins. Peer into old bathhouses, marvel at the still-present mosaic floors, and gaze up at towering marble pillars. Hear stories about life in this Roman city that will leave you in awe of just how far their empire stretched.

Private Vehicle
Volubilis – Fès2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

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Optional Activities – Day 4Show

Accommodation

Hotel Mounia (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5Fès

Explore the labyrinth of streets within the famous Fès medina with a local guide. Take in a view of one of the ancient tanneries from above and marvel at the myriad of colour and processes.

The Fès medina is the world’s largest living medieval medina and a UNESCO site. Explore the artisan quarters, sample treats from the carts, and view Fès’ famous leather tannery from above.

Only certified local guides are allowed to act as guides in the medina, so your CEO cannot go with you to the medina during free time.

Fès Medina Guided Tour
Fès

Follow a local guide through the Fès medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets lying within 365 hectares. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century; there are 350 mosques in the medina that are still in use today.

Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Explore the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. Visit the mausoleum and the Al Qarawiyin University.

A highlight of the tour is the view of the famous Fès tannery from the balcony of a leather shop, where you can observe the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides. Take some time to shop for leather goods before returning to your hotel.

Free Time
FèsAfternoon

Get lost in the medina or explore the new city. The choice is yours.

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Optional Activities – Day 5Show

Accommodation

Hotel Mounia (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 6Fès/Merzouga

Enjoy a long, but beautiful, travel day across the unique landscapes of Morocco to get to the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

Travel through the diverse landscapes that make Morocco so unique. Pass through cedar and pine forests, keeping an eye out for Barbary apes. Pass over the Middle Atlas Mountains through the pre-desert countryside with its deep gorges filled with a splendid oasis of green palm groves. Arrive at the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

Spend the night in a desert auberge (simple hotel), located right on the edge of the dunes. Have a local-style dinner and spend the night.

Some rooms may have shared bathroom facilities.

Private Vehicle
Fès – Merzouga10h-11h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Auberge Les Dunes D´Or (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast | Dinner

Day 7Merzouga

Explore the sand dunes by foot or opt to take a 4×4 excursion around the dunes. In the late afternoon, enjoy a camel ride to watch the sunset before returning to your hotel for an evening of entertainment.

Spend the cool morning exploring the undulating golden sand of the dunes, discovering the surrounding communities on a land cruiser desert excursions. You can pre-book this optional excursion when booking your tour.

In the 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 flare to photos.

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

Camel Ride
Merzouga

Hold on and enjoy a ride on this even-toed ungulate, also known as the desert horse. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount and other handy camel-related safety tips.

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Optional Activities – Day 7Hide

Merzouga Land Cruiser Desert Excursion
Merzouga3h-4h

700MAD per person

View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a land cruiser excursion. You’ll be driven around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in land cruiser cars, taking in the views of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Pass a kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa — played by members of the community — as you enjoy a cup of mint tea with the locals.

Accommodation

Auberge Les Dunes D´Or (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast | Dinner

Day 8Merzouga/Todra Gorge

Rise early to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, continue through a stone desert to the stunning Todra Gorge. Wedged between massive cliff walls, the gorge is filled with a green oasis of palm trees. This serene spot is great for hiking, relaxing on the edge of the river or sampling some local Amazigh delicacies.

 

Private Vehicle
Merzouga – Todra Gorge3h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Amazir (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 9Todra Gorge/Aït Ben Haddou

Visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to participate in a tagine cooking class for an intro to Moroccan cuisine.

Travel along the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs” to the thriving town of Ouarzazate for a lunch stop. This town is home to Atlas Film Studios, where many films have been shot over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.

Continue on to the fascinating and beautiful Aït Ben Haddou, a wonderful example of a kasbah.

In the evening there may be the chance for an optional cooking class. Learn the secrets of how to make the perfect tagine and then sample your skills for dinner.

Private Vehicle
Todra Gorge – Aït Ben Haddou4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour
Aït Ben Haddou2h-3h

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Of all the remaining kasbahs in Morocco, the walls and interior of this area are the most intact. The kasbah still houses a few families, but many now live in the adjacent village. Like many of the earthen built fortresses in Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou has been used in many film and television productions like Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones.

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Optional Activities – Day 9Hide

Tagine Cooking Demonstration
Aït Ben Haddou

120MAD per person

Learn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Learn about the tagine itself (a clay pot) and different ingredients and spices. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.

Accommodation

La Rose du Sable (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 10Ait Benhaddou / High Atlas Mountains

Enjoy a hike to the village of Aroumd (Aremd), at the base of the High Atlas Mountains. Let a mule carry the bags up to this mountain hideaway and hike alongside. Enjoy views of Mt Toubkal from the mountain gîte before a home-cooked dinner.

Leave the pre-desert country for the magnificent High Atlas Mountain landscape, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m. Head into the splendid Toubkal National Park, passing through small villages on winding mountain roads, arriving at the village of Imlil.

With our main luggage transported by mule, embark on the 1 hour hike from Imlil to the little village of Aroumd (Aremd), arriving at our simple mountain gîte for the night.

Enjoy a homemade dinner of local produce in the cozy salon. Settle in and enjoy the tranquility, fantastic views, and clean mountain air of this magical region.

Accommodation is multi-share, up to six beds in each room. Bedding is provided, but you will need to bring a sleeping bag for additional warmth if travelling between November and April. You will also need to bring your own towel. Bathroom facilities are shared.

Private Vehicle
Aït Ben Haddou – Imlil5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Local Living Moment: Mountain Gîte Stay with Traditional Moroccan Meal

After a short hike uphill, arrive at a cozy mountain gîte where we will spend the night. Breath in fresh mountain air while taking in amazing views of the surrounding Atlas Mountains before sitting down to a traditional, homemade dinner made with local produce.

Hiking
Imlil – Aroumd (Aremd)1h

While the hike to the gîte is uphill, it is achievable by anyone of average fitness. Take it at a slow pace!

Accommodation

Auberge Tafraout Armed (or similar)
Inn

Meals included:

 Breakfast | Dinner

Day 11High Atlas Mountains / Essaouira

Hike back to Imlil and transfer to the coastal town of Essaouira. The day is free for exploration.

After breakfast, take a scenic hike back down the mountain to meet the van in Imlil and head to the coastal town of Essaouira, arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish.

Browse the many shops for leather, jewellery, lamps or trinkets. Watch the brightly painted ships bring their catch into the busy harbour or take a stroll along the long, sandy beach. This is the perfect place to enjoy some local seafood and unwind.

Walking
Aroumd (Aremd) – Imlil1h

Lace up your shoes and get to the next stop under your own power.

Private Vehicle
Imlil – Essaouira

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
EssaouiraAfternoon

Essaouira is a funky, Portguese-flavoured, hippie, coastal village. Get crazy.

Accommodation

Riad Nakhla (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 12Essaouira

Enjoy a free day exploring this coastal port town any way you like.

Want to soothe aching muscles? Pre-book the Traditional Hammam Experience when booking your tour.

Free Time
EssaouiraFull Day

Don’t waste a minute — get going and explore this seaside city.

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Optional Activities – Day 12Show

Accommodation

Riad Nakhla (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 13Essaouira/Marrakech

Drive to Marrakech for a medina tour with a local guide. Opt to visit Djemaa el Fna Square in the evening to see the gathering of musicians and street performers.

Journey to Marrakech. After arriving in the “Red City,” join a certified city guide for a tour of the Marrakech medina. Visit the historical Koutoubia Minaret and gardens, Bahia Palace, the Mellah, and the Saadian Tombs.

Later, opt to discover the secrets of this amazing, ancient city. Relax at one of the tea houses around the square, watching the hustle and bustle from a shady spot.

End the day like a local with an optional group dinner in the famous food stalls of Djemaa el Fna.

Private Vehicle
Essaouira – Marrakech3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Marrakech Medina Guided Tour
Marrakech

Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. Shop to your heart’s content in the souk and search out spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or the famous Moroccan lanterns. Visit the Saadian Tombs – a complex of sepulchers and mausoleums that house the remains of Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahb. The tombs were sealed off until their re-discovery in 1917. Tour the grounds of the Bahia Palace, marvelling at the intricate decoration, and experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

Accommodation

Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 14Marrakech

Enjoy a final free day to explore.

Opt to get up early and catch the sunrise over Marrakech by pre-booking the Hot Air Balloon excursion.

Another great place to start your day of exploring is Djemaa el Fna square, in the heart of the medina. The square changes its offerings throughout the day. Finish up your souvenir shopping or wander the new part of the city for a taste of the modern.

Your Discover Moment
MarrakechFull Day

There’s plenty to see and do in Marrakech, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like practice your barter skills with a local merchant, get lost in the medina, and explore the gardens of Jardin Majorelle. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

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Optional Activities – Day 14Show

Accommodation

Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 15Marrakech

Depart at any time.

 

Meals included:

 Breakfast