14-Day Morocco Tour: Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert

Arrival Airport: Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport, you'll be greeted by your English-speaking driver and transferred to your hotel in Casablanca or Rabat (approximately 1.5 hours to Rabat).

After checking into your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your international flight. In the evening, gather with your tour group and guide for a welcome orientation and dinner at the hotel.

Begin your Morocco tour with a morning visit to the impressive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslims. This architectural masterpiece sits dramatically on the Atlantic coast, with its 210-meter minaret visible from miles away.

Continue to Rabat, Morocco's capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the beautiful Kasbah of the Oudaias, a 12th-century fortification with whitewashed and blue-painted houses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Stroll through the serene Andalusian Gardens.

Visit the Hassan Tower, the iconic 44-meter minaret of an incomplete mosque built in the 12th century, and the adjacent Mohammed V Mausoleum. Tour the ancient Chellah Necropolis, a walled Roman and medieval complex with gardens inhabited by storks.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Rabat's medina. Dinner tonight is at a traditional restaurant in the medina.

Depart Rabat and journey eastward toward Fez. First, visit Château Roslane, one of Morocco's premier wine estates. Tour the vineyard and cellars, and enjoy a tasting paired with lunch.

Continue to Volubilis, Morocco's largest Roman archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through this ancient city dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Marvel at remarkably intact floor mosaics, the Triumphal Arch, and the Basilica.

Stop in Meknes, another Imperial City and UNESCO site. See the massive Bab Mansour gate and visit the impressive Royal Stables, originally built to house 12,000 horses. View the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of the rare Moroccan shrines open to non-Muslims.

Arrive in Fez in the late afternoon.

Immerse yourself in Fez el-Bali (Old Fez), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 9th century, Fez is Morocco's cultural and spiritual heart.

Begin at the ornate Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate). Navigate the maze-like medina with over 9,000 narrow lanes—the world's largest car-free urban area.

Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning 14th-century Islamic school. See the Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 CE and recognized as the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the world.

Explore vibrant souks and watch artisans crafting goods using centuries-old techniques. Visit the famous tanneries where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for over a thousand years.

Delve deeper into Fez's cultural treasures. Visit the historic Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and the Ibn Danan Synagogue from the 17th century.

Explore artisan quarters where craftspeople continue traditional trades. Watch metalworkers, weavers, and woodworkers at their crafts.

Late in the afternoon, enjoy a private performance of traditional Andalusian Moroccan music.

This evening, experience authentic hospitality with dinner at a family-owned riad in the medina.

Begin your journey toward the Sahara Desert. Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains with thick forests of Atlas cedar and cork oak.

Stop at Ifrane, known as "Morocco's Switzerland" for its Alpine-style architecture. Continue through the Cedar Forests of Azrou, home to troops of Barbary macaques (Barbary apes). Stop to observe these endangered primates.

Stop for lunch in Midelt. Continue through the Ziz Valley, famous for its date palm oases and stunning gorges.

Arrive in Erfoud, gateway to the Sahara Desert.

Today is a highlight of your Morocco tour!

This morning, visit Rissani, built on the ruins of Sijilmassa, once the most important caravan trading center in North Africa. Explore an ancient ksar (fortified village).

Learn about Erfoud's famous fossil industry. Visit a workshop to see ancient fossils crafted into decorative objects.

After lunch, board 4x4 vehicles for a drive toward the magnificent Erg Chebbi dunes, some reaching heights of 150 meters.

Transfer to camels for the journey into the dunes. Watch the sand change colors in the afternoon light. Your camel caravan brings you to your luxury desert camp.

Upon arrival, enjoy mint tea and pastries. Climb nearby dunes to watch a spectacular Sahara sunset.

As night falls, gather for dinner featuring traditional Moroccan dishes. Listen to Berber music under the brilliant desert stars.

Optional: Wake early for sunrise over the dunes!

Wake early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Sahara dunes. After breakfast, ride camels back to the 4x4 vehicles.

Journey westward along the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. Stop in Tinerhir, set among date palm groves.

Visit the spectacular Todra Gorge, where massive limestone cliffs tower 300 meters above a narrow corridor. Walk through this dramatic canyon carved by the Todra River.

Continue through the Dades Valley with striking rock formations. Travel through El Kelaa des M'Gouna in the fertile Valley of the Roses.

Follow the legendary "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs", an ancient caravan route dotted with fortified earthen castles.

Arrive in Ouarzazate, often called "Morocco's Hollywood."

Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family.

Continue to Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified ksar sits dramatically on a hillside. Dating back to the 11th century, it represents traditional pre-Saharan earthen construction. This location has appeared in numerous films including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

After lunch, ascend into the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, which reaches 2,260 meters elevation. Wind through spectacular mountain scenery.

Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

Begin exploring Marrakech, founded in 1062. Start at the iconic Koutoubia Mosque with its 77-meter minaret.

Visit the stunning Bahia Palace, a 19th-century palace showcasing Moroccan and Islamic architecture. Explore the Saadian Tombs, dating from the 16th-century Saadian dynasty.

Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, once the largest Islamic school in North Africa. Tour the Dar el Bacha (Pasha's Palace), now a museum showcasing Moroccan crafts and heritage.

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore on your own.

This evening, visit the home of a local imam for an insightful discussion about Islam and Moroccan culture. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Take a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride to the famous Majorelle Garden, created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent.

Wander through this exotic paradise filled with plants from five continents. Visit the Berber Museum inside Majorelle's striking blue Art Deco studio.

Visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum dedicated to the legendary fashion designer.

After lunch, venture into Marrakech's UNESCO-listed medina. Navigate the labyrinthine souks organized by trade.

Emerge at the legendary Djemaa el-Fna, perhaps the most famous square in Africa. As evening approaches, this UNESCO-recognized cultural space comes alive with snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, musicians, and countless food stalls.

Enjoy a full free day in Marrakech to explore at your own pace or participate in optional activities.

Optional Activities (not included):

• Traditional Hammam Experience
• Cooking Class
• Day Trip to Essaouira
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Garden Tours
• Museum Visits
• Souk Shopping

Depart Marrakech for Casablanca (approximately 3 hours).

Arrive in Casablanca for a comprehensive city tour. Visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque for an exterior tour. Drive along the Corniche, Casablanca's scenic Atlantic coastline. Pass the Art Deco city center.

Optional visit to Rick's Café, the famous bar recreated from the 1942 film Casablanca.

This evening, gather for a special farewell dinner at a traditional Moroccan restaurant.

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time for last-minute shopping.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) for your departure flight.

Depart Morocco with unforgettable memories!