2 Weeks in Morocco Tour

Arrive in the commercial Capital of Morocco and focus your morning on the Hassan II Mosque, with the tallest minaret in the world. Venture north to the imperial city and present-day capital of Rabat, a bustling city with several sights and a rich history. Explore the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis in the heart of Rabat and wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens and enjoy the break from the crowds. Discover the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the incomplete mosque and Mausoleum of Mohamed V.
Overnight: Rabat| Meals: Dinner included.

After breakfast, enjoy the scenic drive into the Rif mountains as the plains transform into mountains. You can stretch your legs for a few hours with a hike to the Cascades d’Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour)—a hidden gem not far from Chefchaoun; plan half a day for the hike, or go partway and enjoy the natural pools and river cafes. Chefchaouen offers a relaxed atmosphere with some of the friendliest people in the country. Today the town is famous for its blue-washed buildings in its historic medina (old quarter). Explore its narrow streets and alleyways nestled on the hillside below 2 peaks (chaouen means “horns”). Discover Plaza Outa el-Hammam, the main square named for the number of hammams (public baths) which used to encircle it. Visit the old kasbah fort to tour the garden, museum, and old prison cells. As the evening approaches, ascend the trail up to the white Spanish Mosque to enjoy one last view over Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains (20 to 30-minute walk).
Overnight: Chefchaouen | Meals : Buffet breakfast & dinner included.

Rise early and drive to Fes, Volubilis (a UNESCO world heritage site) contains Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins and once stood at the far reaches of the Roman empire as a critical source of agriculture and wild animals for feasts, celebration, and sacrifices (lions, bears, and elephants). A short distance south lies Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail where you can enjoy lunch. While the city is quite large, the 2 main areas of interest are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the Medina, which is a nice warm-up for Fes: it’s smaller, less busy, and shopkeepers are not quite as pushy. In the Ville Impériale area, you can explore gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. As you approach Fes, stop above the city at the ruins of the Merenid tombs, to enjoy a lovely panorama of the old city, and perhaps the evening call to prayer. Settle into your beautiful riad in the medina to enjoy dinner.
Overnight: Fes | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

On your second day visit Musée Batha, home to Moroccan arts and spend some time in Fes el Jedid (“new Fes”), to see the Royal Palace (no visitors inside) and the Jewish Mellah. Spend the afternoon taking a cooking class, or visit a local artisan workshop collective to learn more about leather work or ceramics that are famous in Fes.
Overnight: Fes | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Start your day bright and early and travel south toward Merzouga. Along the way, you will climb up and over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. Enjoy sightings of the local Barbary Macaque monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the “apple city”), relishing the nearby Moulouya River. Continue over the Tizi n’Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley, known for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Along the road, you will see many fortified houses known as ksars—built to protect precious wares, including gold, salt, and spices. Continue on to Erfoud, known for its date festival and fossil mining. Here you can visit a local collective to learn more about the process and meet some local artisans. Continue to Erg Chebbi, an extensive sea of sand dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 square km). Never stationary, the massive dunes shift and travel depending on the changing wind. Upon reaching Merzouga, climb atop your camel to ride through the dunes to your already-prepared-for-you camp. Trek up a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner, relaxing by the campfire.
Overnight: Merzouga| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Wake early to catch a desert sunrise, then visit nearby desert villages or enjoying some desert adventure sports such as sandboarding or an ATV tour. Visit nearby Khemliya, a typical Saharan village, and experience traditional drumming music and dancing before taking a short walk around the village. Continue on to Tinerhir. This desert town offers awesome views of neighboring towns hugging the length of the extensive river oasis (30 miles or 48 km of palm trees). Stop at today’s final destination, the Todra Gorge. Almost 1000 feet (305 m) high and carved by the Todra River through red limestone, here you can enjoy a leisurely walk in and around the gorge and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below.
Overnight: Todra Gorge| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Travel along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Morocco’s most famous, Ait Benhaddou. Pass through the Dades Valley and stop in Kela’a M’gouna to admire the cultivated rose bushes. Visit a rose collective to see the process of converting rose petals into rose water and oil. As you continue west, you may want to stop in Ouarzazate, the movie capital of North Africa to discover how its nearby regions have been featured in movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Spend the afternoon exploring Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Climb up to the old Granary—an excellent vantage point to see the kasbah and surrounding area. Game of Thrones fans may want to trek down to the river to see the gates featured in the popular HBO series. Long after the day crowds have left, enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the valley.
Overnight: Ait Benhaddou | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Leave Ait Benhaddou behind to begin the ascent over the High Atlas mountains. Spot Mount Toubkal, the mountain range’s highest peak, at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Soon you will be a part of the noise and bustle of Marrakech. After a long day on the road, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you like, perhaps enjoying a calm walk through the gardens behind the Koutoubia mosque. In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, a catch-all of entertainment! If you want to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and enjoy a cup of mint tea and a meal.
Overnight: Marrakech | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Orient yourself around Marrakech’s bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square: the souks (markets) are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens to the west and the kasbah (fort or fortification) area with the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. In the Ville Nouvelle, you will find the Majorelle Gardens. For a unique way to tour the medina (old quarter), board a calèche (French for horse-drawn carriage) and begin to adjust to your surroundings. Notice the fondouks—medieval inns that provided merchants and travelers with shelter and supplies. Find your way to the Koutoubia Mosque and take a respite from the heat in its gardens amid fountains and palms. Though the mosque cannot be entered by non-muslims, it’s worth checking out its 12th-century foundations and minaret.
Overnight: Marrakech | Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

On your second day, meet your city guide for a half-day tour and discover the exquisite detail of the Ben Youssef Madrasa school of Islam for a taste of 16th-century architecture. Admire the traditional Moroccan artisanship: carved cedar, sculpted plaster, arabesques, Islamic calligraphy, and colorful zellij (mosaic tilework). Wander the old dorms where up to 800 students once lived and visit the prayer hall. Spend time exploring Dar Di Said Museum (also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts) to see exhibits of clothing, antiques, jewelry, and beautifully carved Hispano-Moorish decorations. Afterward, indulge your senses as you explore the complicated labyrinth of souks, tucked behind ordinary restaurants and shops. Check out Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata for a selection of spices, woodwork, and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers’ souk) to see firsthand how leather hides and cloth are dyed.
Overnight: Marrakech| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

After breakfast, make your way west to the Atlantic coast and to the laid-back beach town of Essaouira. The route along the way takes you over extensive rolling plains and through endemic argan forests. If you’re lucky, you may see goats in the trees grazing on the argan fruit, a sight seen when grass pasture is limited or unavailable. Along the way, there is an option to stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative to see how the precious and expensive oil is extracted from the nut. Arrive in the port city of charming Essaouira, a nice contrast to frenetic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day as you choose. Walk the Skala de la Kasbah (the 18th-century seafront ramparts) along the coast. Designed by European engineers, old brass canons line the walls and offer viewing access over the Atlantic. Explore the UNESCO-protected medina before making your way to the windswept beach. Jimi Hendrix fans may want to take a short taxi ride to Diabat at the end of Essaouira’s beach where he reportedly spent some time. Walk back to Essaouira and enjoy a meal of freshly caught seafood and a sunset over the ramparts.
Overnight: Essaouira| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Known as the “Windy City” for its strong Alizée trade winds that hit its crescent beach, Essaouira is a popular kiteboarding destination. Take the morning to watch the windsurfers and kiteboarders or for the more adventurous, take a lesson, before saying goodbye and returning to Casablanca. There will be the option to break up the four to five-hour coastal drive with stops in seaside towns, along the way.
Overnight: Casablanca| Meals : Buffet Breakfast & dinner included.

Depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to airport for your onward travel arrangements with plenty of tales of Arabian days and nights.
Meals : Buffet Breakfast included.