Discover Morocco – Independent

Choose your Dates | Starting from US$ 3,100

From US$ 3,100 per person sharing (International airfare not included)

Discover Morocco in style on an adventure from Casablanca to Marrakech through Chefchaouen, Fes, Sahara and Atlas Mountains. Journey into Morocco’s heart through its food, religion, language and culture to better understand this exciting nation and passionate people.

Day 1:  Arrive in Casablanca

A comfortable international flight takes you to Casablanca, Morrocco. Upon arrival, your driver will welcome you and drive with you to your hotel.  Start your Casablanca city tour with a walk around the Hassan II Mosque, then continue to the Ain Diab Corniche for a pleasant stroll along the coast. Go on to the Habous Quarter, the oldest part of Casablanca, which houses the Royal Palace, then continue to Mohammed V Square in the city centre.  Transfer to your hotel for check -in after the tour.  Overnight in Casablanca.

tourists roam streets for shopping in Casa Blanca

Day 2: Casablanca – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, enjoy the scenic drive to Chefchaouen as the flat plains and rolling hills transform into the mountainous landscape of the Rif range.  Chefchaouen translates to “blue pearl,” and it’s indeed a rare, stunning gem. If you love villages that defy gravity with their Lego-like stacked structures on cliffs and hillsides, you’ll adore Chefchaouen with its narrow cobbled streets and passageways. Mostly untouched since the 15th century, Chefchaouen offers a relaxed atmosphere with some of the friendliest people in the country.  Discover Plaza Outa el-Hammam, the main square, and the red-walled Kasbah, a 15th-century fortress and dungeon; the Chefchouen Ethnographic Museum and the octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque that rises nearby.  Enjoy Dinner at the hotel this evening.  Overnight in Chefchauouen.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Fes

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel.  Then hit the road to the Roman Ruins at Volubilis, a UNESCO world heritage site that contains Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins.  Continue on to Fes. Fes is the oldest of the four imperial cities and is considered to have the most complete medina in the Arab world. Relatively untouched since it was founded over 1000 years ago, the haphazard streets provide a sense of what it was like to live during medieval times in Morocco. Transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight.  Enjoy Dinner at the hotel this evening.  Overnight in Fes.

casa blanca streets with bright blue painted steps

Day 4: Fes

Enjoy a guided full day city tour of Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital and home to the largest old Medina in the world.  The city’s numerous monuments have thousands of stories to tell, visit the Jemaa El Karaouyine (the first university to be established in the world), the Mederssa Bounania, the tanneries and artisan quarters and the fascinating souks are just some of the many places to see.  Enjoy Dinner at the hotel this evening.  Overnight in Fes.

Enjoy a guided full day city tour of Fes

Day 5: Fes – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert Camp

Leave Fes with its fantastic history, heading to a totally different part of Morocco.  On the way you will pass through many Berber cities and villages, the first of which are the cities of Ifrane and Azrou.  Ifrane, nicknamed Morocco’s Switzerland, is a very beautiful little town with very charming European style homes and Azrou, a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperatives.  Continue via Midelt, the Ziz River and a series of fortified villages’ en route to Erfoud.  Board your 4×4 vehicle and continue on to Merzouga for your overnight in a luxury desert camp.

Day 6: Merzouga – Tinghir – Ouarzazate

Early morning take an excursion to the golden sand dunes in Merzouga to enjoy a camel ride in the desert and experience a magical sun rise.  Return to the camp for breakfast, before driving back to Erfoud in your 4×4 and board your coach for your drive to Tinghir via Rissani and Tinjdad.  Tinghir is a beautiful and green valley more than 40 km in length. The valley is rich with palm trees, olives, almonds and many other crops. We stop to enjoy a short walk through the valley.  Just north of Tinghir is Todra Gorge, a 300m deep cut wall into the mountains of the High Atlas and one of the rarest landscapes ever.  Continue on to Kelaat M’Gouna along the Dades Valley. Kelaat M’Gouna is a large village, famous for cultivating roses, so expect to find many fine, rose-infused products here.  Your day ends in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s version of Hollywood.

seven camels in a row being led by man in Casa Blanca desert

Day 7: Ourzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

The city tour of Ouarzazate includes a stop at Tourirt Kasbah, considered one of the most beautiful kasbahs in Morocco. You will also visit Tifoultout Kasbah with its remarkable views over the valley.  Visit the cinematographic studios where many great films were and are still being shot.  Continue on to the wonderful fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, the most spectacular fortress village in the south of Morocco and where many great movies such as were Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Jewel of the Nile, The Living Daylights, The Sheltering Sky, Kundun, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander were filmed.  Depart Ait Ben Haddou crossing the High Atlas Mountains via spectacular Tiz-In Tichka pass (2260m) to Marrakech.  Today you will also visit a cooperative run by women in the Atlas Mountains, where the famous argan oil is produced by hand and organic delicacies and beauty products are sold.  On arrival, check into the hotel. Enjoy Dinner at the hotel this evening in Marrakech.

Day 8:  Marrakech

This morning, you will take a tour of Marrakech, the capital of the south. Marrakesh is a charming city with its famous Jemaa El Fna Square with arrays of food stalls, snake charmers, musicians and fortune tellers. The Koutoubia Mosque (12th century), Bahia Palace and the Menara Gardens are just a few of the architectural highlights of the city.  A few hours walk along the narrow streets of the old Medina is also part of the city’s charm.  You will have some free time in the square before you return to the hotel for dinner.  Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 9: Departure from Marrakech

Enjoy a final morning exploring the great city of Marrakech, before transferring to the Marrakech airport for your flight home, with memories of a unique adventure that will last a lifetime!

exploring the great city of Marrakech

Included for this safari:

  • All accommodation based on twin sharing
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout
  • Excellent English speaking leader throughout
  • Local guides in: Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Mgoun & Marrakech
  • Entrance/Admission Fees (where applicable with included activities)
  • Airport transfers

Not included:

  • International airport departure tax
  • Any visas required
  • Services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinks with included lunches and dinners
  • Tips for leaders, guide and driver
  • Expenditure of personal nature
  • Personal Insurance
  • Optional activities

Travel with a purpose on a socially responsible safari.