Morocco Explored 17 Days

If you want to explore Morocco, then this Morocco Explored Tour is for you. This tour takes you on a circuit around Morocco from City of Casablanca to the Imperial City of Marrakech. Morocco Explored includes a mix of cities, mountains, desert and ocean. It takes you from North to South, from bustling medinas to the beach and gives you the opportunity to experience the many and varied sides of this beautiful country. Morocco Explored is the tour for you if you’re looking for variety.

Highlights of Morocco Explored

•  The ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis
• The 9000 streets of the Fes medina
•  The amazing blue of Chefchaouen
•  The magic of the Sahara
•  The amazing Todra Gorge
•  The fascinating Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO World Heritage site
•  The tranquility and natural beauty of Imlil
•  The sweeping bay of Essaouira
•  The mystical atmosphere of Jemaa El Fna in Marrakech

Day 1 Casablanca

Arrive Casablanca to begin your Morocco Explored adventure and transfer to your hotel. Prepare for your 6 pm welcome meeting.

Day 2 Casablanca to Tangier

Breakfast this morning before you head off to Tangier. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Moroccan countryside. On the way we stop at Cap Spartel where we see the coast of Europe as we are at the closest point between the two continents. The place where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet. We also visit the Caves of Hercules before continuing our journey to the Mediterranean port of Tangier.
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Day 3 Tangier

This morning you will have a tour of the medina and surrounding areas with a local guide. Explore the streets of the medina and the many places of interest, understand the history of the area and catch a glimpse of the city from the coast. In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore further, maybe people watch from the Grand Cafe in Petit Socco or maybe some last-minute souvenir shopping before you leave.
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Morocco Explored Optional extra Tetouan:

Explore even more of Morocco with this little extra. It takes you to the nearby city of Tetouan, a captivating city in the northern region of Morocco, which exudes a blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and architectural beauty. Here you meet a local guide and explore the well-preserved medina, the interesting architecture and the spectacular views across the city to the sea. Lunch is included.

Morocco Explored Optional extra Asilah:

This little extra takes you to the charming coastal town of Asilah, famous for its street art and white medina walls. Stroll through the streets of this picturesque gem that captures the essence of Mediterranean beauty and Moroccan culture. Encircled by 15th-century Portuguese walls, Asilah’s pristine white buildings adorned with colorful murals create a unique and vibrant ambiance.

Asilah’s tranquil beaches and azure waters offer a relaxing escape, while its bustling medina showcases traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and lively souks.

NOTE: The timing of the medina tour can be adjusted if you opt for either or both of the extra tours

Day 4 Tangier to Chefchaouen

We leave Tangier this morning and enjoy a drive through the countryside to Akchour. We drive through the majestic Rif mountains to the town of Akchour where we hike to the waterfalls of Akchour or Gods Bridge along the river. (Destination dependent on the river conditions) We head on to Chefchaouen where you can explore the narrow winding alleys of the medina and take advantage of the unique light and beautiful blue and white buildings to capture some amazing pictures.
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Day 5 Chefchaouen

Free time to explore on your own in the medina. Later in the afternoon we hike to the Spanish mosque high above the city for spectacular views of the sun setting behind the mountains.
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Day 6 Chefchaouen via Volubilis to Fes

We leave the beautiful city of Chefchaouen today and head on to Fes. On the way we explore Volubilis, here we meet a local guide for a tour around the oldest Roman ruins in Morocco, dating back to 25AD.

Next stop along the way the association of Elmhaiya to experience the work of this amazing community foundation who serve you traditional Moroccan food with all the accompaniments. The foundation does some amazing work with local families providing training for local women and English lessons amongst other things. Learn to write your name in Arabic before continuing on to Fes, the oldest city in Morocco.
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Morocco Explored Optional extra Family dinner:

Take dinner with a Moroccan family, you’ll experience a traditional family meal with Moroccan soup and pastilla, along with some traditional music and dancing. Henna is also available.

Morocco Explored Optional extra Moroccan Evening:

Experience a magical Moroccan evening filled with cultural delights! Gather in a beautiful old riad for a sumptuous banquet, savoring the rich flavors of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Belly dancers sway gracefully, enthralling the crowd with their rhythmic movements.

A talented magician weaves his magic puzzling everyone with his tricks. The air is filled with the rhythm of traditional Moroccan music, creating an unforgettable experience that lingers in hearts and minds long after the night ends.

NOTE: these extras are interchangeable for the 2 nights we are in Fes.

Day 7 Fes

This morning it’s time to explore Fes, the royal palace, the Jewish Mellah and the panoramic view of the medina from the highest point. We watch ceramic artisans at work in a ceramic factory before exploring some of the 9000 streets of the medina with a local guide.

He will make sure you get just a little bit lost…. We experience the sights and sounds of the old medina including the oldest tanneries in Morocco, soak up the atmosphere of the local market and marvel at the Madrassa and the oldest university in Morocco.
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Day 8 Fes to Merzouga

Today you will leave Fes early for a long but beautiful drive (9-10 hrs.) to the magical Sahara, crossing the unique and varied landscapes that make up Morocco. You will pass through the alpine town of Ifrane and hopefully catch a glimpse of the Barbary apes in the cedar forests of Azrou (the apes are wild animals and so sightings are not guaranteed).

You’ll make plenty of stops on the way including a picnic lunch in a beautiful oasis outside Midelt. This evening we eat in the hotel and experience a traditional Moroccan evening of dancing and drumming around a campfire.
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Day 9 Merzouga

You have free time after breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel at 12pm and store our bags (don’t forget to prepare your overnight bag for the camp!) Take advantage of the pools and relax until it’s time to leave for the camp.

After a relaxing afternoon our camels are ready to take us into the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi, sit back and enjoy the ride. This is an experience not to be missed and have that camera ready to take some amazing shots of the changing light as the sun sets behind the dunes.
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Morocco Explored Optional extra Quad bikes/Dune buggies:

An amazing, guided ride into the dunes on quad bikes or dune buggies. Ready for non stop action and an epic adventure? Explore the Sahara on a fun and exhilarating off road adventure. Discover the beauty of the desert on this self drive trip.

Morocco Explored Optional extra 4*4 Desert Excursion:

View the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert on a 4×4 excursion. Drive to the top of a dune and take in the view of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Visit local Berbers living in the area, learning about their way of life and sharing in some mint tea in one of the homes, check out the fossil sites and the traditional kohl mines.

Day 10 Merzouga to Tinghir

After breakfast we say goodbye to the beautiful Sahara and continue our journey through the desert to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, an oasis of green wedged between massive cliff walls. This spot is great for hiking or just taking in the immenseness of the gorge.
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Day 11 Tinghir via Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou

Travel the route of 1000 kasbahs to Ouarzazate for lunch passing the Atlas film studio along the way where many famous films have been shot including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Sample the wares of the Berber pharmacy before continuing on to Ait Ben Haddou a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On our way we visit Skoura and the stunning kasbah of Amerildil where our guide takes us back in time in one of the best preserved sites on the route of 1,000 Kasbahs.
In the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou we find the community carpet weavers making traditional Berber carpets and spectacular views from the top where after making the climb we’ll watch the sun go down.
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Morocco Explored Optional extra: cooking class:

Learn to cook authentic Moroccan tagine in Ait Ben Haddou. Learn about the uses of herbs and spices and cook a typical Moroccan meal with an expert. You’ll learn how to whip up a tagine from scratch, using ingredients from the famous Marrakech souks. Discover homegrown ingredients, such as spices, olives, and vegetables. The best part of it all? You get to devour your tagine after you’ve made it!

Day 12 Ait Ben Haddou to Imlil

Today we leave Ait Ben Haddou and continue our journey through Morocco on the roads of the High Atlas Mountains, driving across the Tizi N Tichka pass at a height of 2260 metres, arriving in the village of Imlil. Enjoy the views and the fresh mountain air before arriving at this small mountain gite where we spend a relaxing evening and sample the local cuisine.
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Day 13 Imlil to Essaouira

Leave the tranquility of the Auberge before continuing your journey to Essaouira. After check in to your hotel you have free time to explore the many shops in the medina, watch the bustling harbour as the painted fishing boats make their way back with their catch or stroll along the miles of sandy beaches. Take a horse, camel or quad bike if you prefer not to walk.
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Day 14 Essaouira

Another free day to continue where you left off yesterday or maybe book a visit to the local Hammam if you haven’t tried this already it’s welcome relaxation after a busy schedule. Sample the fish dishes in the harbour restaurants or sneak a quick cup of coffee in one of the many cafes.
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Day 15 Essaouira to Marrakech

Today we say goodbye to the coastal town of Essaouira and head for our final destination Marrakech.

After checking in to your traditional Moroccan hotel we meet our local guide who will show you the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian Tombs and the bustling medina. After dark check out the Jemaa El Fna Square when it comes to life with performers from magicians to musicians and restaurants pop up out of nowhere.
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Day 16 Marrakech

Free time today to check out more of the “Red City” browse the medina shops and souk for souvenirs or check out the more modern side of the city. Visit Les Jardins de Majorelle, Musee de Marrakesh or the El Badi as you wish.
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Day 17 Marrakech

You’ve reached the end of your Morocco Explored adventure with us. Depart for home. You can extend your stay if you’d like to explore more of Morocco. We can help with onward travel, accommodation or advice. If you need anything just let us know.

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