12 Days Morocco Tour From Casablanca

This immersive 12-day journey takes you from Morocco’s modern economic hub in Casablanca through imperial cities, mountain villages, and desert landscapes before concluding in vibrant Marrakech. You’ll experience the country’s rich cultural tapestry through guided medina tours, Sahara desert adventures, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and coastal escapes – all with comfortable accommodations and private transportation.

✔ Iconic Architecture: Hassan II Mosque & Marrakech’s palaces
✔ Cultural Immersion: Fes’ medieval medina & Chefchaouen’s blue alleyways
✔ Desert Magic: Camel trek & luxury camp under Saharan stars
✔ Cinematic Landscapes: Ait Ben Haddou & Atlas Mountain routes
✔ Coastal Contrast: Atlantic breezes in artsy Essaouira

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Your Morocco adventure begins in Casablanca, where you’ll be greeted at Mohammed V International Airport. After settling into your hotel, visit the awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque, its minaret towering over the Atlantic. Stroll along the Corniche seaside promenade, watching locals enjoy coffee at beachside cafes. For dinner, the iconic Rick’s Café offers a nostalgic ambiance inspired by the classic film.

Day 2: Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Departing early, drive north to Rabat, Morocco’s political capital. Here you’ll explore the Hassan Tower’s unfinished minaret and the exquisite Mohammed V Mausoleum with its white marble and gold leaf interior. Wander through the Kasbah of the Udayas’ blue-and-white streets before continuing into the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen by evening. The blue-washed buildings glow beautifully at sunset.

Day 3: Chefchaouen Exploration

Spend a full day discovering why photographers adore this mountain town. Lose yourself in the medina’s cobalt alleyways, where every turn reveals new photo opportunities. Visit the main square for mint tea and local goat cheese. In the afternoon, hike to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for panoramic sunset views over the valley. Don’t miss browsing for woven blankets and argan oil products in the artisan shops.

Day 4: Journey to Fes via Volubilis & Meknes

Today’s route takes you through Morocco’s historical heartland. First stop is Volubilis, where remarkably preserved Roman mosaics stretch across ancient stone floors. Continue to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities, to admire the monumental Bab Mansour gate and visit the lavish Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Arrive in Fes by evening, where the scent of spices welcomes you to the world’s largest medieval medina.

Day 5: Fes Medina Immersion

With a local guide, navigate the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali’s 9,000 alleyways. Visit the Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD, and the intricate Bou Inania Madrasa. At the Chouara tanneries, watch workers dye leather in vibrant pits as they have for centuries. After lunch in a traditional riad, explore the Jewish Quarter’s distinctive architecture and end your day bargaining for ceramics in the souks.

Day 6: Into the Sahara Desert

The landscape transforms dramatically as you cross the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, a ski resort town with Swiss-style chalets, then encounter Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou. Descend through the Ziz Valley’s palm oases before reaching Merzouga, where your camel caravan awaits. Ride into Erg Chebbi’s golden dunes as the sun sets, then enjoy a festive evening of Berber drumming at your luxury desert camp.

Day 7: Sahara Desert Discovery

Wake early to watch the sunrise paint the dunes in fiery hues. Today reveals desert life – visit a nomadic family’s tent for mint tea, explore the abandoned village of Khamlia (known for Gnawa music), and try sandboarding down steep slopes. As evening falls, climb a high dune for silent contemplation under an infinite starry sky.

Day 8: Dades Valley via Todgha Gorge

After breakfast, journey west through the dramatic Todgha Gorge, where 300-meter cliffs narrow to a ribbon of sky. Walk along the riverbed between towering rock walls, then continue through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Stop at Dades Valley’s “Monkey Fingers” rock formations before overnighting in a kasbah-style hotel with panoramic views.

Day 9: Hollywood of Morocco to Marrakech

Your route winds past Ouarzazate’s Atlas Film Studios, where blockbusters like Gladiator were filmed. At Ait Ben Haddou, cross the river to explore this UNESCO-listed ksar’s earthen buildings. The Tizi n’Tichka Pass delivers breathtaking High Atlas Mountain vistas before descending into Marrakech. Spend your first evening in Djemaa el-Fnaa square amid storytellers and sizzling food stalls.

Day 10: Marrakech’s Treasures

A guided tour reveals Marrakech’s imperial splendor: the Saadian Tombs’ golden mosaics, the Bahia Palace’s intricate cedar ceilings, and the Koutoubia Mosque’s iconic minaret. After lunch, Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Garden offers a tranquil escape with its cobalt walls and exotic plants. Evening brings free time to shop for lanterns in the souks or enjoy a rooftop dinner with Atlas Mountain views.

Day 11: Coastal Escape to Essaouira

Trade desert heat for Atlantic breezes on this day trip. Essaouira’s fortified medina, a UNESCO site, charms with blue-shuttered houses and artisan workshops. Watch fishermen unload their catch at the bustling port, then sample wood-fired seafood at open-air grills. Walk along the sandy beach where wild horses gallop before returning to Marrakech in the evening.

Day 12: Departure from Marrakech

On your final morning, savor last moments in the Red City – perhaps sipping fresh orange juice in a courtyard garden or picking up final souvenirs. Your driver will transfer you to Marrakech Menara Airport for your onward journey, leaving with memories of Morocco’s extraordinary contrasts.