Classic Morocco
- Rabat, Fes, Merzouga, Dades, Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca
- 13 nights / 14 days, Prices start from USD$6000 per person
This tour is a feast for the senses. Explore the colorful and vivacious medinas of Rabat, Fes and Marrakech, staying in luxurious Riads. Explore medieval Arab and Berber cities, golden deserts, and mountain havens.
A kaleIdoscope of colours and cultures.
Top Highlights
- Travel to a magical desert camp by dromedaries and dine under the stars
- Stay at an ornate Moorish-style Riad in the center of bustling and colourful medinas
- Visit traditional Berber villages, experiencing true Berber hospitality and take home the world’s best rose oil
- Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride overlooking the Atlas Mountains
What’s Included
We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:
- Double room accommodations
- Breakfast at hotels
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Full support from your travel designer and on the ground
Best Time to Visit
Morocco’s a land of sunshine, with temperatures that cater to all kinds of travelers. Craving sunshine? Summer’s great, but be aware, desert regions sizzle over 40°C in July and August.
For the perfect balance of warmth and sunshine, spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are magical. Think comfortable temperatures (65°F-82°F or 19°C-28°C), clear skies, and vibrant landscapes. Winter offers a cool escape, with chilly nights in the mountains (but still sunny!), perfect for exploring cultural treasures.
- Average time to visit
- Good time to visit
- Best time to visit
Itinerary
Arrive in Casablanca
Rabat
Begin your journey in Rabat, a city full of masterpieces. Its Kasbah des Oudayas is a majestic fortress embellished by gorgeous gardens. Its walled Chellah is an imposing necropolis full of intricate sculptures. Its musical scene, from Mawazine to Jazz au Chellah and many others, fill its atmosphere with sounds and rhythms from all over the world.
Walk through this bustling capital to reach the grand Hassan Tower, whose unfinished character harkens back to centuries long ago. Venture across the street to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a grand space dedicated to the first official King of Morocco with vaulted ceilings that let in sparkling sunlight.
Explore the rest of the city at your leisure before spending the night in your centrally-located boutique hotel.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Gardenia
Fes
Continue on to Fes, considered to be Morocco’s cultural and religious capital. The city is divided into three districts, and you will be staying in Fes el Bali, the oldest and most fascinating district. After arriving at your ornate, moorish-style quarters, climb up to the rooftop terrace and sip fresh pomegranate juice while you appreciate the activity below. Once you’re settled in, venture out your doors into the Medina and feel like you’re truly stepping back in time.
The Medina is a dense maze of over 9000 alleys, which are plied by donkeys pulling carts (said to be the largest car-free urban area in the world), and narrow passageways leading to beautiful squares, spice-scented food markets, or to a dead end and a gourmet restaurant. The fun is all in the exploration!
To truly capture the soul of Fes, you will enjoy a full day city tour with an expert local guide to explore the best examples of medieval Arab heritage. This will include: the 9th century Karaouine Mosque, the tanneries within the Souks, and the ancient Imperial city of Meknes, said to have remnants of the Sultans Moulay Ismails stables that once housed 12,000 horses!
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Riad in Fes
Merzouga
On route to Merzouga, drive South through Ifrane, Morocco’s version of an Alpine resort, and through the cedar forests where the legendary Barbary apes can still be found!
Upon arriving at your desert hotel, Auberge du Sud, relax around the pool and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
The next morning, visit fossil quarries before making your way by 4WD towards the great Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. After a welcome glass of mint tea, spend time relaxing by the pool and enjoy lunch before climbing onto the waiting dromedaries for your méharée over the dunes to the very photogenic Auberge du Sud Luxury Desert Camp.
Upon arrival, watch the fabulous sunset over the dunes whilst dinner is prepared, and then indulge in a sumptuous dinner under the star-filled desert sky. The next morning, don’t forget to view the unforgettable desert sunrise, we promise it is worth it!
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Auberge du Sud Luxury Desert Hotel & Camp
Dades
After your return dromedary trip to the Auberge du Sud Hotel, it’s time to move on to the High Atlas Mountains, stopping along the way to visit the Todra Gorges.
Dades is in the heart of traditional Berber country, and you will feel every bit of Berber hospitality in your tranquil hotel, Dades Xaluca Hotel. The Atlas are mountain biking and hiking havens, and you will have the opportunity to partake in these activities or visit oil mills and carpet cooperatives depending on your interests. As this is rose cultivation country, don’t forget to pick up some gloriously fragrant rose oil or rose water.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Dades Xaluca Hotel
Marrakech
On your way to Marrakech, head towards the famous kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou. This group of high-walled, earthen buildings is the most famous of its kind in the Ounila Valley. Delight in a local Moroccan lunch with a gorgeous view overlooking this historic kasbah. As you continue over the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, stop briefly to savour a traditional and refreshing Berber tea.
Marrakech is a city teeming with culture. Walk through the thousand-year-old walls and enter its medina, where you’ll find winding alleys, bustling souks, and artisan workshops. Your expert guide will lead you through Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle, the historic and picturesque Medersa Ben Yousef, the Mellah—Marrakech’s Jewish quarter—and the vibrant Jmaa el Fnaa square known for its storytellers and performers.
Marrakech is also the perfect launchpoint to explore the Berber villages of the striking Atlas Mountains. Your guide will take you to one of these ancient high mountain towns, where you can partake in a traditional Berber lunch.
Soar through the air on a sunrise hot air balloon ride or zip through the streets on a private sidecar city tour. At night, enjoy a private dinner in a luxury tent under the stars on the Agafay plateau, complete with a background of poetic Gnawa music.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Riad Nashira & Spa
Essaouira
Your journey continues to Essaouira, a bohemian seaside town with a uniquely relaxed atmosphere. Its port once linked wares from sub-Saharan Africa to the rest of the world. Dotted with gorgeous synagogues and a top destination for musicial icons and hippies of the 60s, this cultural melting pot and laid-back entrepôt is the perfect place to enjoy seafood grilled in open air stands or surf off spectacular golden-sand beaches.
Your expert guide will whisk you around the brilliantly blue harbour and narrow streets of the colourful medina, pointing out the best local haunts. Don’t miss the Skala, a series of walls built to protect the medina from the crashing waves of the Atlantic, featured in Game of Thrones!
At the end of the day, retreat to your traditional riad, Mimouna Essaouira, and admire the medina, ocean views and cinematic sunsets from its sunny terraces.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Riad Mimouna Essaouira
Casablanca
For your last stop, Casablanca: the largest city in Morocco and the country’s main financial, commercial, and manufacturing centre. Here you will find a plethora of seaside gourmet restaurants and bars, and of course a colourful Medina.
Before you say goodbye to Morocco, your guide will take you to the magnificent and enormous Hassan II Mosque, with the world’s tallest minaret, plus a last stroll through the Medina, to pick up any last minute souvenirs. Adieu Morocco!
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Odyssee Center Casablanca
Depart from Casablanca
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something just for you.
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