Moroccan Cities & Nature: Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech & the Sahara - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca, Transfer to Rabat

Welcome to Morocco! A private driver will await your arrival at Casablanca Mohamed V Airport. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque before heading up the coast to the current imperial city of Rabat. 

Upon your arrival, take a guided tour of the Moroccan capital. Walk from the gates of the Royal Palace through the blue streets and alleyways of the Udayas Kasbah (fortress). Then, visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V.

Day 2: Transfer to Chefchaouen & Guided Tour 

Depart the capital and transfer north into the Rif Mountains and to Chefchaouen. Check into your accommodations before starting a guided tour of this charming town. Walk to the top wall of the medina, where you can observe the city in its everyday goings. Wander through the beautiful blue streets of the hillside medina until you reach the main square, Uta El Hammam. 

You will then have a free afternoon to explore on your own. Sip on mint tea in the square, and then visit the 15th-century Kasbah, which houses a museum and garden. The views from its towers are spectacular. Just before sunset, make your way to the Spanish Mosque. Located on a hill above the city, it is one of the best places to watch the day turn to night.

Day 3: Free Day in Chefchaouen, Hike to Cascade d'Akchour

Enjoy a free day to immerse yourself in the colorful mazes of Chefchaouen. When you need a break from wandering the blue streets, head to the main square for a delicious meal or go to Hotel Parador for a drink, which can only be found in specific places in the country. You can also visit Ras El Ma, a small but picturesque waterfall where locals often go to do laundry. 

 

If you want to be more active, head out on an exciting day trip to Cascade d'Akchour. Hike to this large waterfall on a somewhat challenging 10-mile (16 km) trail. Stop for some freshly squeezed orange juice or take a dip in one of the cool pools found along the way. Enjoy the refreshing coolness of the waterfall before returning to Chefchaouen.

Day 4: Transfer to Fes via Volubilis & Meknes

Depart Chefchaouen and head south toward Fes, stopping along the way at the ruins of the Roman outpost of Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the third century BCE and was eventually reclaimed by local Amazigh tribes. After a guided tour of Volubilis, stop for lunch at the nearby sacred city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, home to Idriss I's Tomb. 

Continue to the former capital city of Meknes. Begin in the old medina whose Bab Mansour gate looted marble pillars from Volubilis. Visit the historic Tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail, then see the impressive Agdal Reservoir and Heri es-Souani, a former granary and stable that once housed 12,000 horses. After exploring Meknes, make the short drive to Fes, where you will rest for the night.

Day 5: Guided Tour of Fes

Today after breakfast, meet a local guide for a tour of the exciting city of Fes. Start at the Royal Palace and walk through the old Mellah, or Jewish quarter. From here, head to one of the Borj (towers) for a panoramic view of the entire medina. Next, visit a mosaic house for a demonstration of traditional pottery methods by Fassi artisans.

The tour will then take you into the medina of Fes. Wander around its ancient streets and neighborhoods, seeing its various artisan sections, including the famed tanneries. Pass by important historic monuments like the Tomb of Idriss II and the Al-Qarawaiyin University, the oldest continually operated university in the world. The tour will end after lunch, and you'll have the rest of the day to explore freely.

Day 6: Camel Trek to a Sahara Desert Camp

Get ready for a veritable adventure as you make the long journey to a traditional encampment in the Sahara Desert. On the way, pass through the largest cedar forest in Africa, which is home to Atlas monkeys. Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Midelt, where you will stop for lunch. Continue through the mountain range via the Ziz River Gorge to the large dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Arrive before sunset and hop on a camel to trek into the heart of the dunes. Your destination is a luxury camp in the middle of the Sahara. Settle down and rest, then climb the nearest dune to watch the sun go down and the stars emerge. The night will be filled with food, traditional music, and stargazing.

Day 7: Transfer to Dadès Valley via Todra Gorge

Wake up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Have breakfast at the camp before riding your camel back to the edge of the dunes. From here, your driver will be waiting to take you to the breathtaking Dadès Gorge. Along the way, stop to visit the ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains.  

After this, head to the oasis town of Tinghir, where you will have a guided walk of the palmeraie (palm grove) and mellah. Next, visit the nearby Todra Gorge, walking through the most impressive part of the canyon.  After this, you'll continue to the beautiful Dadès River Valley to rest for the night.

Day 8: Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Immerse yourself in the everyday life in Morocco with a drive to the neighboring Valley of Roses. Visit a local market before arriving at the home of a local family. You'll help prepare a traditional lunch while interacting with your host family and learning the secrets to the country's delectable cuisine.  

Spend the afternoon sharing with locals. Once it's time to say goodbye, you can explore more of the valley or head out to a market to buy items made with rose petals. The flower gives the valley its name and is one of the most economically important products of the region.

Day 9: Transfer to Marrakech via Aït Benhaddou

Take the Road of the 1,000 Kasbahs as you make your way to the city of Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco. Do a quick stop here before driving to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. Explore this impressive ksar, which is known for its spectacular traditional clay architecture.

After the visit, continue through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka path. There will be plenty of stops for tea and panoramic landscapes. At almost 7,000 feet (2,133 m) above sea level, this road is undoubtedly one of Morocco's most impressive places to traverse by car. Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening.

Day 10: Grand Tour of Marrakech

Meet a local city guide today for a grand tour of Marrakech. Visit some of the city's most iconic monuments, such as the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Your guide will escort you through the city's souks (bazaars), where you can take the opportunity to meet various artisans and learn about their craft.

Once the tour ends, enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own. Buy unusual souvenirs in the souks, sit down to a tasty traditional meal in one of Marrakech's fantastic restaurants, or wander the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna Square, where you can watch musicians and snake charmers perform for the crowds.

Day 11: Transfer to Toubkal Refuge via Imlil

This morning, you'll say goodbye to Morocco's most popular city and head toward the valleys of the Toubkal Massif.  Cross the expansive Haouz Plain, and pass through the village of Asni. Here, you'll enter the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil,

 

Walk around the small village or go to its local hammam (public bath) for a relaxing experience. Make sure you're outside when the call to prayer starts, as its powerful sound echoes in the mountains. Head to bed early to prepare for a morning trek to Mount Toubkal.

Day 12: Climb to the Summit of Mount Toubkal, Return to Marrakech

Rise before the sun and begin the long hike to the summit of Mount Toubkal. At 13,667 feet (4,165 m) above sea level, this is the highest peak in North Africa and the second highest in all of Africa. On the way, you'll navigate through boulders and rocks that make this trek rather challenging. Let the spectacular views help you power through.

At the summit, take your time to celebrate your accomplishment by thoroughly taking in the panoramas of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains. Once you're ready to head back, begin the descent to Imlil, where you'll meet your driver to return to Marrakech. Once back in the city, treat yourself to some much-deserved relaxation at a hammam or spa.

Day 13: Transfer to Essaouira, City Tour & Optional Market Experience

Bid Marrakech farewell and head toward the coastal city of Essaouira. On the way,  stop to visit a local argan oil cooperative to see how this rare oil is produced with the help of goats. If you're lucky, you might even get to see these goats climbing the trees to sample argan berries and olives, their favorite snacks. 

 

In Essaouira, you have the option of visiting the wharf with a guide. Pick out your lunch from the fresh catch of the day, selecting from a variety of fish and seafood gathered by local fishers. Take your picks to a local restaurant, where they will grill it up Moroccan style.

Day 14: Free Day in Essaouira

Take advantage of a free day to explore this charming little town. You can head to the wharf to see the blue boats bobbing against the ancient fortress that surrounds the medina. Walk around the labyrinth of streets, buying souvenirs or sipping mint tea while you people watch. 

If you want something more active, go kite or windsurfing, two of the town's most popular activities. As the day turns dark, head to the city ramparts to catch the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean. 

Day 15: Transfer to Casablanca & Depart

This morning after breakfast, prepare for a long drive back to Casablanca. Enjoy the last views of Morocco from the window of your private transport. After about four hours, you'll reach the Casablanca Mohamed V Airport and catch your departing flight home. Safe travels!