Best of Morocco: Grand Tour from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, Fes, Wild Desert, Atlas Mountains, Ending in Marrakech

On your arrival at the airport, you will meet our driver to transfer you to your hotel, to get ready to start your 17 days Morocco grand tour.

Following breakfast in Casablanca which is on the west coast of Morocco and it’s the most modern city that has a trace of French colonies, go for an architectural tour. You can start with the marvelous Hassan II Mosque, which is a challenge of architectural designers and is located on the Cliff , close to the Sea of Atlantic. This mosque can house 25000 within mosque building and 80000 in the outer courtyard This mosque is a rare sight for the non Muslims to get to explore its marbles woods stones carvings and gilded cedars on the ceilings.

Next, we calk along Ain Diab Corniche for marvellous sea scenery. Next, drive to Rabat for a minimal tour where you can start with the gate of the reigning monarch. Visit the stunningly beautiful  Oudayas Kasbah with view to the Atlantic ocean and take a walk around the dusty Hassan Tower and beautiful Challa Gardens, walled by beautiful gates and covered with lovely ornaments that dates back to 1310-1330. Overnight in Rabat for you get to unearth more about the city and architectural marvels that are in place.

For our third day of this Morocco Grand tour, and just after breakfast, we drive to Tangier; this is another city of historical importance and the most colourful. Start your tour with the Kasbah Museum, which is an assemblage of activity memorabilia and artisanal accessories to reveal local history. You will have a stop to discover the Caves of Hercules; this is mainly because it’s actually a natural grotto where one of the most famous labours of Hercules was performed according to the legend.

Then, proceed to Cap Spartel, the most North Western tip of Africa with fantastic views over the merging of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Take a walk through the town’s Medina which boasts of narrow and winding lanes that connect the town’s souks with abundant handicrafts.

End up your day on the spectacular beaches of Tangier, leisurely walking on the beach side and watching the setting sun over the sea if the day ends up in evening. For every tourist, Tangier is a poised to be a city of discovery as the city has history, mythology and coastlines that are unmatchable.

In the morning, leaving from Tangier, we go further to a different area of Morocco for a few hours inspired by the southernmost part in the north of Morocco (Fnidek – M’adiaq). We further proceed to Tetouen city, which is beautiful with the Islamic Andalusian style buildings. Here being in the company of a guide you will be able to visit areas like Fadden square, Jewish mellah and be able to take a walking tour of the city, which was constructed with 16th century walls and the seven gates. And also from outside is possible to observe the structure of the Kasbah initially built in 1286 and reconstructed by Sidi Mendri in the 15th century.

Later, drive to Chefchaouen, being the blue city on driving point amidst the majestic Rif mountain range of Morocco. Truly called as ‘the blue city’, the city of Chefchaouen with its blue and white houses, red roofs and pieces of art in the gateways gives a feeling which is unique and a comparison to the Spanish hills. Soak up the atmosphere of the culturally famous Outa el Hammam square to discover various shops that sell woven products, sweets, and the town’s most famous export: goat cheese. The allayed and archway medina of Chefchaouen invites the travellers to visually feast, as well as to taste the fragrances of the Moroccan air and the honeys of the town. This town has beautiful hills spotted with goat herds, and their fresh cheese round that’s a hit on the wheeled street markets.

In the medina, head to the Kasbah and its walls enclosing the museum of ethnography and exquisite views from the rooftop. The town is small and safe and thus the central square chosen as by far the best place to relax and enjoy the calmness of Chefchaouen. Stay the night in Chefchaouen and let yourself to be enchanted by the town’s atmosphere and the rather peaceful countryside.

Later on this day of our Morocco itinerary 17 days , after taking a two hours’ breakfast and enjoy the rooftop, we proceed with a 40 minutes’ drive to get to Akchour waterfalls-an amazing spot for a walking, hiking, or enjoy delicious traditional lunch by the river. We get back to Chefchaouen in the late afternoon; the rest of day is at your own leisure. enjoying the distinctive ambient of the city.

As it draws near the half an hour before the official time of sunset, assemble back with the driver, and head for the highest point in the city. There, take coffee and this time admire the setting sun over the outstandingly beautiful scenery of Chefchaouen. End the day with an overnight stay in Chefchaouen and enjoy the quietness oozing the beauty of the place.

Precisely after breakfast, leave the hills and advance south crossing the middle of the peninsula to the town of Ouazzane. Cross through beautiful views with cedar, oak and almond trees before arriving at a World Heritage site – Volubilis. While walking on the remnants of this Roman city, one gets a indeed breathtaking view of what seems to be a long highland. Make your way around some of the arches, basilicas and, of course, the superb mosaics which for the most part are still pretty much intact.

After that, continue to Meknes with its giant ramparts, the beautiful Moulay Ismail Mosque, and the stables for thousands of horses, 12 to be exact. Among the places to see do not leave out Bab Mansour, an ancient entrance to the city. On you go further to Fes, you will spend the night, thus taking time to explore the beauty of the city.

Let’s go for a guided tour of Fes with an official local guide and A wonderful day of sightseeing discovering the most significant landmarks of Fes. Two of these attractions include the world oldest university, the Karaouine University, Medrassa Bouanania, and the souks. Get magnificent sights on Idriss 2 Corner and discover Bab Boujloud that is a part of UNESCO heritage site. Check the ancient city walls, Attarine Madrasa, famed Noria of Moulay Hassan, historical and art museum of Dar Batha, leather tanner age and ceramics crafts showrooms. Also, it is recommended to visit the royal palace as well as the Jewry district called El Mellah.

While on your city tour of Fes you have to take time and capture a great time by taking lunch at a restaurant in the city. Our professional guide guarantees tour wonderful as he shares with us information about Fes. Once the tour is over you could head back to your hotel or Riad for the night in Fes.

Today, our 17 Day Morocco tour shell continue as we will have varied terrains of Morocco as we leave the medieval city of Fes behind. It map exposes us to Ifrane, which is popularly known as Morocco’s cleanest city. Also called ‘’ Little Switzerland’’, Ifrane is characterized by the green environment and having a ski resort in Middle Atlas region that extends up to 1665 meters above sea level. Besides, Ifrane has The Brotherhood Private University founded in 1997 by Hassan II, the King of Morocco and styled by his counterpart King Fahd of Saudi Arabia; it offers classes in English as an international university.

Then, lunch will be taken in a Berber village of Zaida before proceeding to Midelt which is at the foot of the eastern High Atlas. Driving through areas inhabited by the Berber people we will have a chance to see palm groves and climb up the Jbel Ayachi Peak of 3747 meters. A succession of tight curves brings the highway down through the pre-Saharan territories and into Errachidia and Erfoud with its triumphant pottery and sensational limestone fossils. Ancient fossils that signify a massive ocean that surrounded the region about 350 million years back remain a tourists’ darling in Erfoud.

Moving on, further, we climb up the reddish sand dunes of Erg Chebbi while having a panoramic view of the giant sand dunes of Merzouga. We end the day with dinner and accommodation in a Hotel/Riad.

Today, let it start with the trip to Errisani town where Mausoleum of Moulay Ai Chrif, the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco in the 17th century is situated. This rather sleepy present day town was once the ancient capital of Tafilalet and was an important caravan halt because of its geographical position, midway between the northern and the southern regions. Today Rissani is still an important market town in this region of Morocco with great activity.

Then, appending another 127kilometers from Errisani we get to the terrific Todgha Gorges situated in the central High Atlas. Here, its dramatic geographical features seem to be inspired from the Grand Canyon with steep cliffs, high terrains, deep valleys and sharp peaks that were overtly carved by the force of water. It has a number of peaks of more than 4000 meters high, but there is a strategic Saghro at the height of 2500 meters and the highest peak Mgoun in the High Atlas in this area 4068 meters high. Its populaces are the inhabitants of the Berber group; thus, there are awesome chances to perform hiking or walking in the spectacular canyons of the region.

Finally, we start our bumpy drive from Todgha Gorges to the Dades Valley passing through fields of green alfalfa, olives, figs, and vineyards. This is followed by the Dades Gorges and appreciating the beautiful Tisdrin road before ending the day in the serenity of the beautiful Dades Valley.

In this exciting process the travel proceeds southwards across the Saghro Mountains range to the localities of N’koub. This road cuts across the recently paved Tizi N’tazzazetre pass, making it an interesting road to manoeuvre on in this relatively secluded part of the country. From Meknès to N’koub the direction is west; the Draa River is crossed at Tansikht with oases and Kasbahs along this river.

Moving on through the largest valley in Morocco, the Draa Valley; heading towards Zagora, the desert beginning. Here your accommodation will be in a lovely Riad and enjoy the feel of the town that is in desert. Staying overnight in zagora will result in a quiet night in desert regions.

For all avid lovers of beautiful countryside scenery after taking breakfast, there is a beautiful drive all the way to the town of Tamgrout with a rich history of the Saadian dynasty; founded in the 16th century. Here, we visit the famous old Koran library and look at ceramics artists of the region that are very famous as well. Moving on in our Morocco grand tour, we go to the next village, the Saharan village of Mhamid. Moving from there, we take off-road to Erg Chegaga as we cover the ruggy road as we expand deeper into the desert. We take a camel ride to climb the high dunes to overlook the spectacular sun casting a saffron orange colour in the large Sahara.

Likewise, at evening the group is offered Moroccan tagine dinner cooked with the organic spices under open tent with foods served on the utensils handmade in Morocco and accompanied by Morocco mint tea. The evening mood is filled with free style Berber nomad music taking our attention to the stars and the sky up above us. For the night we will stay in very comfortable traditional nomad tent that will allow us to enjoy the tranquillity of the deserts landscape.

This is a cultural-tourism trip that is complemented by shifting from urban areas to the naked natural beauty of the Sahara desert in Morocco.

On this exceptional day of your 17 Days Morocco Grand Tour, you will get a one–day unforgettable drive in the desert. In the morning after breakfast, set out for an early 2-hour camel ride through the desert with meal consists of sandwiches and fruits for lunch. More also, make a picnic at a very nice scenic area of the tropical desert to make the atmosphere colourful. Later have tea in a traditional tent of the Nomad family and then get back to the camp. However, one can opt to relax at the camp site or go for nature walk around the camp site. For the more adventure, you can try exciting sand-boarding on the nearby dunes. This day should prove to be a great day of travel and leisure and an opportunity to get to know more of the Sahara, this time up, custom and personal.

Then, join us in a different kind of off-road experience of the desert. First, take a meal and then proceed for a calm ride on the back of a camel in natural surroundings of the desert. They suggested that part of the package involves the ability to ride on a camel for 2 hours during which the camels will be carrying food essentials for a lunch break. Or go with the 4×4 car For instance have a picnic while at the middle of the desert. Subsequently, relax with a tea break in the traditional styled Nomad family tent. Afterward, you can relax in camp, or take a leisurely stroll or an adrenalin rush you will get when sand-boarding on nearby dunes. All in all, this day is a perfect combination of discovery, relaxation, and cultural immersions in the surreal Morocco Sahara.

In the morning, wake up to a beautiful sunrise and panoramic desert horizon from the top of the dunes. Afterwards, we begin our journey back to M’hamid through the off-road trails. Continuing our 17 Days Morocco grand tour, we will then proceed through Zagora and take a scenic drive through the Draa Valley towards Agdez.

Upon arrival, we will visit Tamnougalte Village where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch in a local family house. Additionally, you can take a leisurely 2-hour walk along the palm groves and explore the village. Finally, spend the night amidst the serene palm trees, embracing the tranquillity of this picturesque setting.

After the breakfast, we go for a beautiful drive crossing the rocky mountains of Ait Saouen and Tizi N’tnifift pass to Ouarzazate. Also referred to as the Hollywood of Africa and The Door of the Desert, Ouarzazate is a city in the soft raising plateau stretching south of the High Atlas. Majorly inhabited by the Berber people who have built so many of the magnificent kasbahs and edifices characteristic of the region, one of the most stunning of the kasbahs is the Taourirt Kasbah, which is of the seventeenth century. It has its reputation as the Hollywood of Africa owing to the fact it has been home to many productions like Lawrence of Arabia of 1962, The Living Daylights of 1987, Gladiator of 2000, Babel of 2005 and many more.

Carrying on with our Morocco grand tour, we get to the fortified town of Aït Benhaddou which is an 11th-century fortress like structure built on and along the prehistoric caravan route between the Sahara desert and Marrakesh. Located on the top of the hill on the Ounila River, Aït Benhaddou has beautiful kasbahs; however, they are not immune from storms. Though the majority of dwellers live in a contemporary village across the river, several families inhabit this site listed with the UNESCO. Located in Ouarzazate, this fortress was used as a set in the filming of the cinema classic, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000), and Alexander (2004). Next we visit the picturesque village of Tislday where we have a home-made traditional lunch in local people’s home. After this, a 1 hour relaxing stroll to the marvelous village,then  a 2 hours walk /hike to Ait Ouasis village  where tradition rules the roost will be provided. End the day with another tea at another welcoming local home before moving back to a guest house in Tislday village as you spend the night.

Getting up in the morning, after cup of coffee and possibly having exercised in the morning we drove towards the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizin-Tichka pass which is at a height of 2260m. This scenic route offers to enjoy beautiful views that are accompanied by the Berber’s houses built on the rocky surface.

From time to time, we stop for photographs, for coffee, and for the views that the mountains have to offer. Towards the end of the day, you reach the hotel in Marrakech where you will be sleeping, before dawn breaks, as the city has a lot to offer.in this day you have option to go out for a special dinner in Marrakech or just a normal restaurant around the main square .

Daily at 10am An official local guide will come to pick you up from your Hotel/Riad to begin the morning tour of the old Medina and visiting the souks during business hours. Stroll in the calm and spicy physically Andalusian styled patios of Bahia, new and appreciate the opulent sitting and the sleeping areas of the Bahia Palace, the grand built house of politics of the 1866 original Negro woman turned business tycoon.

On to the next visit is the Marrakech Museum which is housed in another royal palace; here, we see beautiful arts and sculpture. One can visit the Koutoubia Mosque that also has an important minaret; it is known that other distinguished examples, such as the Seville’s La Giralda, were derived from it. The dynamics of the city can also be appreciated in risk-taking secrit garden and Madrasa Ben Youssef . After that for strolling, go back to the Souks and  medina which has small and twisted alleyways to the Jemaa el Fna square. The remaining part of the day is flexible to either keep on with the sight and sound seeing or just waste time at the hotel. For dinner you can; either stay in your hotel, walk within the Jemaa el Fna square or take a special dinner. (Overnight in Marrakech)

Your 17 days Morocco grand tour, will conclude with an airport drop-off at either the Marrakech Menara Airport or the Mohammed Airport in Casablanca.