Morocco Tour

Across Desert Routes and Rugged Mountain Trails

Welcome to Casablanca! Upon arrival, you will meet our representative and be transferred to your hotel.

Casablanca is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and is home to approximately 3.3 million people, making it the largest city in Morocco and the country’s economic hub.

After refreshing, we will embark on a half-day guided tour of the city. We will visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, built with a substantial budget. Next, we will explore the Museum of Moroccan Jewry. Following that, we will head to Mohammed V Square, the administrative center of the city, and enjoy a drive along the city’s long and impressive promenade.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast, we will depart for a journey of about an hour and a half (85 km) to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, which has a population of approximately 577,000. This is the third-largest city in Morocco, situated on the Atlantic coast along the Bou Regreg River. The city is divided into two main areas: the new city and the old city (medina), where the “Mellah” – the neighborhood where the Jewish community lived – is located.

Upon arrival, we will go on a guided tour of the city. We will visit the Royal Palace Square, the mausoleum where Kings Mohammed V and his son, King Hassan II, are buried, and the remains of the huge Hassan Tower mosque. Next, we will visit the picturesque Kasbah of Oudayas from the 12th century, built on a cliff, which offers a view of the city of Salé and the Bou Regreg River. After that, we will continue to the modern city to see the Parliament building.

We will then drive for about two hours (150 km) to Meknes. This is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco (the others are Fes, Marrakech, and Rabat), which saw a construction boom during the reign of one of Morocco’s greatest rulers, Moulay Ismail, who envied Louis XIV and imitated his achievements. Even before the Arabs conquered Meknes, there were Jews living there. A prestigious Jewish community flourished in this city, producing generations of important rabbis. The Jewish residents of the city suffered during the Almohad period, leading many Jews to leave for Spain. Once the persecutions subsided, they returned.
The community reached its peak during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. He surrounded himself with Jewish ministers and brought the nagid Abraham Amiran and Rabbi Moshe ben Attar, the “first Jewish foreign minister,” into his circle. He was the one who signed an agreement with England in 1721. Abraham Amiran was also the architect of the rapprochement between Morocco and Portugal.

Upon arrival, we will embark on a guided tour of the city. We will visit the impressive Bab El Mansour gate, adorned with colorful tiles, built by Moulay Ismail during the time of Louis XIV. We will continue to the market surrounding the Royal Palace and then to a large plaza that offers a fitting perspective of the palace. The palace, inspired by Versailles, is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has given the city the nickname “Versailles of Morocco.” The city once housed a prestigious Jewish community, remnants of which can be seen in the Great Synagogue and the Talmud Torah.

After that, we will drive for about an hour (64 km) to Fes, considered the oldest preserved imperial city in the world. Fes is the second-largest city in Morocco, with a population of about 2 million. Its central location has made it one of the country’s most powerful cities. Fes has three districts: the old city (Fes el-Bali), which will be the focus of our tour tomorrow, the new city established in the 13th century, which houses the Royal Palace, and to the south, the Mellah and the modern city.

We will arrive at the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in Fes.

After breakfast, we will embark on a guided tour of the city.
We will visit the “Mellah,” the quarter where the Jews of Morocco, descendants of those expelled from Spain, once resided. Next, we will head to the Royal Palace’s courtyard, featuring the entrance facade with seven monumental bronze doors adorned with stunning engravings. We will then continue straight into the medina, the old city of Fez—visiting here is like stepping into a time machine back to the medieval period. This city is over 1,200 years old, surrounded by walls with 14 gates, and at its center lies the Kairouan Mosque. The medina is divided into 187 quarters and contains about 9,400 narrow streets and alleys.

In Fez, you’ll find an endless collection of markets connected to a large, colorful souk, where you can shop for clothes, shoes, bags, mosaics, ceramics, Moroccan carpets, sweets, and much more. The bustling market is composed of numerous smaller souks, such as the wool souk, dye souk, date souks, and, of course, the famous tannery district, recognizable by its distinct and pungent aroma. You will have the opportunity to glimpse artisans preserving traditional crafts, such as blacksmiths, tanners, woodworkers, and more. All of these experiences undoubtedly create a unique sensory adventure.
We will stroll through the winding alleys of the old city, visit the impressive Bou Jeloud gate—one of the main entrances to the medina, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and of course the vibrant souks, giving us a glimpse into a fading world.

After the tour, we will return to the hotel.
Overnight in Fez.

After breakfast, we will embark on a long journey of approximately 9 hours to Merzouga, the base for exploring the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes, located near this desert town. Gradually, the scenery will transform into arid landscapes until we reach Merzouga.

Along the way, we will pass through Ifrane, a ski resort town situated at an altitude of 1,665 meters above sea level, often referred to as “Little Switzerland.” Next, we will stop in the small town of Azrou. The landscapes will then shift to more desert-like terrains. In the town of Midelt, we can take a short break at one of the local restaurants or cafes. Following this, we will continue our journey through additional desert towns and the impressive Ziz Valley—a lush oasis filled with date palms and fruit trees.

In the afternoon, we will take a short jeep ride towards the enormous sand dunes, the tallest in Morocco, reaching heights of 150 meters and appearing as if they were plucked straight from a painting.

As the sun sets, we will embark on a short camel trek through the stunning dunes.

In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Berber dinner in the camp.
Overnight in tents amidst the dunes.

Early in the morning, we will awaken to a breathtaking sunrise as the sand changes colors from gold to red.

Afterward, we will board the jeeps and return to Merzouga. From there, we will embark on a drive of approximately 5.5 hours (368 km) to Ouarzazate, which evolved from a French military outpost to a provincial town known as the “movie capital” of Morocco, where many films have been shot. In the 1970s, the film industry in Morocco gained momentum, and numerous films were produced here, including Gladiator, Water and Love, The King and I, The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Persia, Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Mummy. The city is primarily inhabited by Berbers and has a population of around 100,000 people. At the center of the city stands the Taourirt Kasbah, a symbol of the city.

On our way to Ouarzazate, we will stop to visit the Todra Gorge, located near the town of Tinghir. You may have heard of Todra from the song “In Our Village of Todra” by the band Natural Selection. The entrance to the gorge, at the last part of the river valley, will leave a lasting impression due to the towering cliffs that rise up to 300 meters, formed during the last ice age with the melting of glaciers.
Upon arrival at the gorge, you will enjoy a leisurely self-guided walk.

We will then continue our journey with a drive of about 2.5 hours (115 km) to Ouarzazate, passing through the most beautiful valley in Morocco—the Dades Valley—where stunning landscapes await. It seems as though nature has sculpted the landscape beautifully, and the erosive forces have created breathtaking scenes in the red rocks of the area. Due to the numerous kasbahs scattered throughout the valley, it has earned the nickname “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.”

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Ouarzazate.

After breakfast, we will visit the impressive Atlas Film Studios, the Taourirt Kasbah, and the artisans’ center for traditional crafts (guided tour included).
Next, we will take a short drive of about half an hour (30 km) to one of the best-preserved kasbahs—Aït Benhaddou—for a self-guided tour. Significant funding has flowed into this area thanks to the film industry. The village located at the foot of the kasbah has also been restored to serve as suitable scenery for films shot here, such as The English Patient, The Ten Commandments, and Lawrence of Arabia. The village is situated near the Ouarzazate riverbed, along which trade caravans traveled between the Sahara and Marrakech. Here, you will find closely built earth houses, and the kasbah is surrounded by a high wall with watchtowers at its corners. Aït Benhaddou was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 (self-guided).

After our visit, we will continue with a drive of approximately 3.5 hours (185 km) to Marrakech, traveling along a scenic desert road that passes through the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260 m). This road is considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco.
Upon arrival in Marrakech—the most colorful city in Morocco and the historical and cultural heart of the country—we will find a vibrant city with around one million residents, located to the southwest at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The city is divided into two areas: the old city (the medina) and the new city, renowned for its colorful alleys and markets, and it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Marrakech.

In the evening, it is recommended to visit the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, where an experience awaits that feels like it has been taken from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights.

After breakfast, we will meet our guide in the hotel lobby and set off for a day of exploration in Marrakech.

We’ll begin our tour at the Koutoubia Mosque, established in the late 12th century and regarded as the largest and most impressive mosque in Marrakech. The mosque’s towering, intricately decorated minaret can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Next, we will visit the Bahia Palace, built in the 19th century by the grand vizier of the sultan. This splendid, ornately decorated palace was constructed in traditional Andalusian style and features pavilions and inner courtyards surrounded by marble fountains, columns, and beautiful gardens.

We’ll continue to the mellah, where the Jewish community resided, and visit the ancient “Al-Azama” synagogue, built in 1492 by Jews fleeing Spain.
Next, we’ll head to the beautifully manicured Majorelle Gardens, created by French artist Jacques Majorelle and later purchased by renowned designer Yves Saint Laurent after his death. The gardens are characterized by vibrant colors and an impressive array of fountains and unique plants, such as cacti and bamboo, which create a serene and unique atmosphere. We will also visit the museum dedicated to Saint Laurent’s work, located near the gardens.

We’ll then explore the medina, home to the endless colorful souk, wandering through the market’s winding alleys where you’ll find just about anything your heart desires: lamps, carpets, fabrics, decorated plates and bowls, tagine pots, leather goods, jewelry, spices, and much more. We will ascend to the second floor of one of the cafes to enjoy a view of the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, one of the central cultural hubs and symbols of the city. You can also include a visit to a traditional apothecary where you’ll learn about the healing herbs used for centuries.
Overnight in Marrakech.

In the evening, if you’re interested, we can arrange seats for you at the “Fantasia Ali” show—a traditional Berber folklore performance that combines dancing, singing, acrobatics on horseback, and gunfire displays.

After breakfast, we will embark on a day tour to the stunning Ourika Valley, located about 60 km from Marrakech (including a guide). The Ourika Valley is a lush, unspoiled oasis nestled at the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Along the way to the valley, we will pass through orchards, streams, grassy meadows, and traditional Berber villages from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Upon arrival in the valley, we will visit a traditional Berber home and learn about the lifestyle of the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco. This unique cultural experience offers insight into their daily lives and customs.

Next, we will enjoy a circular hiking trail through the valley, where the breathtaking mountainous scenery will captivate us. In spring, we may even catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas. After a day filled with adventure and natural beauty, we will return to Marrakech.
Overnight in Marrakech.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Marrakech.
In the evening, depending on your flight schedule, we will have a transfer to the airport for your flight back home.