Exotic Morocco Tour — Imperial Cities to Sahara Desert 16 Days / 15 Nights

Welcome to Morocco. Transfer from Mohamed V Airport to your accommodation in Casablanca city centre. Time to relax after the long flight from home. Overnight in hotel.

Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca — the largest outside Mecca — and experience the coastal Corniche. Then drive to Rabat, Morocco's capital: the Hassan Tower, the Oudaya Kasbah, and check-in to your Riad in the heart of the Medina. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

After breakfast, road to Chefchaouen, arriving at midday. Explore this unique city with its whitewashed walls and distinctive blue doors — shaped by centuries of Spanish influence. Stroll through the beautiful Medina and meet locals. Overnight in Riad.

Depart via Volubilis (Roman ruins) and Moulay Idriss (holy town), then Meknes: a tour of the Medina including El Hdim square, the imposing Bab El Mansour gate, the Jewish quarter, Royal Granaries and city ramparts. Night in Fes.

A full day in the oldest city in Morocco. Visit the Royal Palace gate, the Mellah (first Jewish quarter ever built in Morocco), Al Qaraouine University (the oldest in the region), the famous Tanneries and the Attarine Museum. After lunch, visit the ceramic factory and enjoy a panoramic view over the whole Medina. In the afternoon, explore La Ville Nouvelle. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

Leave Fes toward Ifrane (Switzerland of Morocco), Azrou and its Barbary apes in the cedar forest, then cross the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt and along the spectacular Ziz Gorges. After lunch, continue via Errachidia, Erfoud and Rissani along the lush Ziz Valley to Merzouga. Arrive in the afternoon — welcome mint tea at the Riad.

Explore the Merzouga area: visit the Gnawa people to experience their music and lifestyle, discover the lake of Merzouga with its diverse bird populations, and browse a nomad wire house for Berber handicrafts at lower prices. In the afternoon, mount your camel for a trek guided by an experienced camel man through the sand sea of Erg Chebbi. Dinner in front of the tent — the camp is equipped with flash-toilets and showers.

Your camel man wakes you early for the best sunrise of your life, then camel-trek back admiring Erg Chebbi's changing light and colours. After breakfast, head via Rissani and Tinghir to the Todra Gorges — the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. Lunch in the gorge, then drive through the Dades Valley past the majestic sand castles and the famous "monkey toes" rock formations. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

Drive through the Dades Valley — the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs — with spectacular photo opportunities at every turn. Stop at Kalaa M'Gouna, the rose city, for rosewater. Visit the well-preserved Kasbah Ameridil in Skoura and hike in the valley. After lunch overlooking the valley, continue to Ouarzazate — the Hollywood of Africa — with its famous film studios (The Mummy, Gladiator, Last Temptation of Christ). Overnight in Riad.

After breakfast, head to Taroudant via Taznakht, stopping at Taliouine to visit the Safran cooperative — if your visit coincides with the harvest, you'll meet Berber women picking saffron in their fields. Arrive at Taroudant in the afternoon to see its impressive ramparts built by the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century and walk through the Medina alleys. Taroudant is often called "the little Marrakech" for its architectural similarities.

After breakfast, head for Essaouira via Agadir, where we stop for lunch on the beautiful beach promenade. The coastal route offers stunning scenery through the Argan oil country — watch for goats climbing Argan trees in search of riper fruit. Your overnight accommodation is in a Riad in the Medina of Essaouira.

A full day in Essaouira — the Jewel of the Atlantic. Visit the Skala Fortress, the working port, the souks with their Thuya wood artisans and the Mellah (Jewish quarter). Known as the City of the Wind, Essaouira attracts surfers from around the world. Its characteristic blue doors and washed walls reflect centuries of history including Portuguese occupation. Lunch with freshly cooked fish at the port. Free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Overnight in Riad.

After breakfast, depart for Marrakech. En route, visit the women's Argan oil co-operative where the precious oil is extracted by hand for culinary, cosmetic and medical use. Several photo stops along the way before arriving in Marrakech. After dinner, enjoy an evening stroll through the famous Djemaa el-Fna square — alive with magicians, storytellers, musicians and snake charmers. Overnight in a Medina Riad.

After breakfast, explore Marrakech — the Red City. See the Saadian Tombs, the Palace of El Bahia and the Ben Youssef Quranic School. Lunch near the square, then in the afternoon visit the Majorelle Gardens and the Koutoubia Tower. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

After breakfast, drive to the village of Asni and Imlil at the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Enjoy scenic views through the gorges of Moulay Brahim and the small Berber village of Imlil with its strong culture. Hike through the villages and experience authentic Berber life. Optional lunch at Kasbah Toubkal, with a breathtaking view of the Toubkal summit — the highest peak in North Africa. Return to Marrakech in the afternoon. Overnight in hotel/Riad.

Spend the morning at leisure — shopping or relaxing in Marrakech — before leaving mid-afternoon to arrive in Casablanca by 4PM. If you have a departing flight or wish to spend more time in Casablanca, we can arrange the departure from Marrakech at your convenience. End of the trip.