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Morocco, c'est toutRoute: Casablanca – Rabat - Meknes - Fes - Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou - Camel trek and desert bivouac – Berber village – Essaouira - AgadirFor the ultimate Morocco travel experience, check out our Morocco comprehensive itinerary. You’ll see the all the highlights but also explore a hidden side of Morocco. Your Morocco experience kicks off in the magnificent imperial cities and heads south for a camel trek into the Sahara, the friendly town of Taroudant and paradise palm oases. You can cycle through the bizarre landscape of odd rock formations and hike through towering gorges and palm oases hidden from the outside world. You’ll end your trip on the coast, first in the picturesque village of Essauoira and finally Agadir, the number one coastal resort of Morocco. During this comprehensive Morocco itinerary you'll stay different types of accommodation, including small-scale traditional Moroccan hotels, a stylishly decorated riad and a bedouin tent in the middle of the desert. |
| Duration |
21 days / 20 nights departs daily from Casablanca |
Accommodation |
Charming hotels, stylish riads and bedouin tents. Comfort level 2 - 4 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
Please see our Contact Us page for more details |
Includes |
19 nights accommodation with breakfast, 1 night accommodation with breakfast and dinner, car hire (A-class), train and bus tickets, private transfer as described, guided walk Dades Valley, transfers |
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Transport |
Train, private transfer, coach, hire car, camel |
Excludes |
Return flights UK - Morocco, insurance, other meals, entrance fee Volubilis (approx £ 1.50 per person), cooking workshop Marrakech, camel/horse ride Essaouira |
Day 1: UK - CasablancaOn arrival at the airport you’ll be met by our driver and transferred to your hotel, conveniently located in a popular central neighbourhood. Depending on your flight arrival time you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore Casablanca, the first stop on your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. You’ll be able to cover most of Casablanca’s interesting sights in one day. The petit taxi is the easiest way to get around the city; £2-3 will get you all around the city. Agree on a price before you get in though.Despite being on the sea, Casablanca isn’t really a coastal resort with pretty beaches and parasols. There is a public beach and La Corniche, the boulevard where the local Casablancans like to come to see and be seen. One of Casablanca’s few ‘must-see’ sights is the Hassan II Mosque, standing proudly on its rock overlooking the Atlantic. Across the street, you can follow in the footsteps of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman with a drink in Rick’s Café. For a taste of the real Morocco, take a taxi to the Habus, the souks of Casablanca, where you can wander through the little streets and alleyways. On Boulevard Anfa - the Champs-Elysees of Casablanca - you’ll find a string of hip restaurants, coffee bars and designer shops. At night, it's best to take a taxi back to your hotel. |
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Day 2: Casablanca - RabatTravel time: 1.5 hoursAfter breakfast, you'll be picked up at the hotel by our driver and transferred to Rabat (1½ hours). Your hotel for the next two nights is located opposite the old train station in the Ville Nouvelle, the newer part of Rabat. The small-scale hotel has a typical Moroccan atmosphere and small terrace where you can sit with a drink and watch the world go by. Once you’ve unpacked and freshened up, head out to explore the city. |
Day 3: RabatOnce you’ve woken up slowly, you can make your way down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Moroccan breakfasts are usually a cup of coffee or tea, piece of French bread with jam and perhaps a glass of fresh orange juice. The easiest way to get around the city is by the blue ‘petit taxis’ you’ll see driving around everywhere. Get the petit taxi to drop you off at the impressive Kasbah Oudaias on the edge of the old part of the city (the medina) and then continue on foot. As you walk out of the kasbah, you’ll see a lovely little street (Rue des Consuls) with small shops selling aromatic spices, leather, silver, rugs and wood carvings. Other interesting sights include the Bab Chellah, considered to be the most beautiful city ramparts in Morocco, the Parc du Triangle, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the uncompleted Hassan Minaret. In the evening you can stay in the hotel for dinner, or try one of the local restaurants. Just behind the hotel ‘La Mamma and La Bamba’ serves local, Italian and seafood dishes. |
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Day 4: Rabat - MeknesTravel time: 2.5 hoursIn the morning, you'll head for the next stop on your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. Once you’ve checked out, simply cross the street to the train station. The train journey to Meknes takes about 2 hours. Sit back, relax as the countryside of orchards, vineyards, cacti, and bright yellow rapeseed glides by. From the station, you'll take a petit taxi to your riad hotel in the historic part of the city.Meknes a majestic walled city with more than 20 monumental gates (Babs) and over 50 palaces. Most of the sights are quite close together and it’s all easy to do on foot. If you like, the staff at your riad can arrange a local guide for you (approx. £8). In the covered souks, you'll find rows of spices, as well as olives, figs and dates just waiting to be tasted. Other interesting sights include the Dar Jamai Museum and the Kouba el Khayatine. Diagonally across the square is the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the founder of what is now Meknes. In the evening, head back to your riad to relax and freshen up for dinner. As it gets dark, the riad will be filled with candlelight and you’ll be treated to a magical dinner. |
Day 5: Meknes - Volubilis - FesTravel time: 2 hoursAfter a tasty breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to Meknes and continue with your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. You’ll be picked up at the hotel around 9.30am by our driver. Driving along winding roads, 45 minutes later you catch your first glimpse of the impressive ruins of Volubilis, the most remote city in the Roman Empire. Surrounded on all sides by green hills, Volubilis was built as an outpost from which to conquer the tribes beyond the Atlas Mountains. The colossal pillars and mosaics are astonishingly well-preserved.When you've finished exploring the ruins, it’s another 30 minute drive via the pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss to Fes. You’ll be dropped off at your cosy hotel in the Ville Nouvelle, the new part of Fes. The hotel is ideally located in a little side street of the Avenue Mohammed V where you’ll find of shops, tea and juice stalls and restaurants. You'll be arriving in the afternoon which is why we recommend saving the old medina until tomorrow morning, when you can see it at its best. Bear in mind that everything in Fes closes early. The restaurants and food stalls start packing up at 9.30pm, so if you want to enjoy a slow, relaxed dinner go around 6pm. |
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Day 6: FesAfter breakfast, it’s easiest to take a petit taxi to the medina in the old part of the city. This is the most authentic, inhabited ‘medieval’ city in the Arabic world. The medina is divided into separate quarters, each with its own bakery, mosque, fountain and hammam. Walking through the narrow streets, you'll sense medieval Morocco coming to life. The tanneries in particular are well worth seeing.To get the most out of your stay in Fes, buy the travel guide 'Fes from Bab to Bab', available at one of the many book stalls close to your hotel for a couple of pounds. The book is an interesting read and has some great tips for thing to see and do this afternoon, like the doors of the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter with its pretty balconies. There are two good viewpoints for an unlimited panorama of the city and beyond. The Borj Nord is best to visit in the afternoon, the Borj Sud in the morning. You can also pay a visit to one of the many potteries on the edge of the medina to see how they make the colourful Moroccan pottery as well as hand-painted fountains, tables and traditional tajines. |
Day 7: Fes - MarrakechTravel time: approx. 8 hoursFrom Fes, you’ll take the train to Marrakech - an essential part of any comprehensive Morocco itinerary. The trip takes around 8 hours and we’ll take care of your train tickets for you. The trains in Morocco are excellent and they’re a comfortable, fast way to travel between the imperial cities. You won’t need to change trains, so you can settle down and just enjoy the journey. In Marrakech, take one of the beige petit taxis to your hotel (£2), round the corner of the famous Djemaa el Fna. Once you’ve settled into your hotel and freshened up, it’s time to explore. The moment you set foot out of your hotel door, you’ll be greeted by intoxicating smells and colours.The Djemaa el Fna and the surrounding souks form the beating heart of the city and it’s probably where you’ll spend most of your time in Marrakech. During the day the area is quiet except for the odd storyteller, snake charmer or group of musicians catering to the tourists. Bordering the square are the souks, a warren of little streets lined with stalls and shops selling everything under the sun from Moroccan rugs to live tortoises. For something a little different, try visiting the hammam, a traditional Moroccan bathhouse. As the sun begins to set, stroll back to the Djemaa el Fna. As if by magic, the square will have transformed into a huge open-air restaurant with acrobats, musicians and storytellers entertaining the crowds. Mouth-watering aromas will drift out from the dozens of small food stalls with rickety tables. The stalls are numbered and each has its own speciality. |
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Day 8: MarrakechYou can spend today as you wish. If you want to get a taste of the every day life of Marrakech, then join us for our Marrakech city tour and cookery lesson.If you go for this option, you'll be picked up at your hotel around 11am by Gemma, a Dutch lady who's lived in Marrakech for quite some time. She’ll take your into the souks to buy ingredients for tonight’s meal, as you follow her through the narrow alleys you’ll see Marrakech like a local. She knows the way like the back of her hand and everyone knows her. When you’ve filled your bags with ingredients, it’s time to roll up your sleeves for Gemma’s Moroccan cooking workshop. Ghita and Khadija will show you the ropes and teach you how to prepare a traditional tajine - a fish or vegetable stew prepared and steamed in a triangular clay pot. You’ll also learn how to make proper couscous and Moroccan salads. After two hours of chopping and stirring you’ll sit down to feast on your first homemade Moroccan meal. |
Day 9: Marrakech - Aït BenhaddouTravel time: 5 hours
After breakfast your hire car will be delivered to your accommodation, and you'll set off for the next destination on your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. Click on our driving in Morocco page for some useful tips. As soon as you leave Marrakech, you’ll follow a well-maintained road to the High Atlas. After about an hour, you'll twist upwards through terraced wheat fields, cacti, waving palm trees and endless views. In the distance, you'll make out the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. Shortly after the exit, the imposing kasbah Aït Benhaddou will appear, fringed by lush palm trees. A kasbah is a kind of citadel, made up of high-walled buildings of clay mixed with straw. Your first stop in Aït Benhaddou is your stylish kasbah-style palace hotel. This small oasis has a couple of tastefully decorated rooms, a lovely pool surrounded by shaded bedouin tents and a terrace overlooking the kasbah where they serve wonderful food in the evenings. In the afternoon, you can make your way across the river. At the gate to the kasbah you’ll pay a small entrance fee (approx £1) and enter a medieval world with a warren of narrow lanes. |
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Day 10: Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades ValleyTravel time: 3 hoursAfter breakfast it’s a short one-hour drive along the fertile valley and lunar landscape to Ouarzazate, a picturesque town in kasbah-style. You can stop off here to buy some snacks and use the cash machine. As you leave the city, you’ll continue to Skoura (1 hour). Just before you reach the town, you’ll see a sign on the right for ‘Kasbah Ben Moro’. We recommend stopping here to take a look at the kasbah (10 min). From Skoura, follow the road to the village of El-Kelaa M’Gouma where you’ll take the turn off for the Dades Valley.The valley is composed of bizarre rock formations, fertile palm valleys and rugged mountain peaks alternating with small traditional villages and breathtaking views. From here it’s another 40 minutes drive past yet more weird but wonderful colourful rock formations. When the cliffs begin to get narrower and you enter a kind of gorge, you’ll know you’ve nearly reached your small mountain hotel. Moments later you’re greeted by the friendly owner and the guide who will take you on a hike through the mountains later this afternoon. In the evening, you can enjoy another delicious dinner and spend the rest of the evening on the terrace under the bougainville. |
Day 11: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Erg Chebbi desertTravel time: 6.5 hoursTo get the most out of today, we suggest leaving early. After breakfast you’ll drive back through the beautiful Dades Valley to the small town of Tinerhir. You could drive straight on to the desert here, but we suggest turning left at Tinerhir and following the signs to the Todra Gorge. Driving on, the cliffs will begin to close in on you to form a huge, towering gorge. You'll feel very, very small as you look up at the cliffs rising up a staggering 950ft above you. |
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Day 12: Merzouga - RissaniTravel time: 40 minutesYou'll be woken by the camel boys in time to see the sunrise. As the sun slowly creeps up from behind the dunes the sand is basked in a soft purple, red and finally golden glow. Once the sun is up, you’ll climb back onto your camel and plod back to the inhabited world. There's time for breakfast and a refreshing shower back at the hotel before you continue from Erfoud to Rissani.We’ve selected a charming kasbah hotel on the outskirts of this small desert town. The hotel is tastefully decorated by the friendly and extremely welcoming owner Hassan who designed the sets for famous films like 'The Mummy'. You can take a refreshing dip in the pool or relax with a cool drink in the bedouin tent. If you want to wander around the town, there’s an old kasbah that’s open to the public. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, pay a visit to the local market in Rissani. In the evening, you can enjoy a home-cooked tajine and a glass of wine out on the candlelit terrace as you gaze up at the starry skies. |
Day 13: Merzouga - NkobTravel time: 7.5 hoursIt’s a long journey today. From Rissani, you can either travel back the way you came or take the road via Tazzarine. We prefer the second because it’s a little shorter and the scenery is different - although not quite as impressive.After about 3-4 hours you’ll arrive in the small town of Tazzarine. Nothing special, but it’s a good place to stop off for lunch. As you drive out of the town you’ll pass through several small villages until you get to a T-junction. If you have extra time and you fancy another desert experience you can turn left to Erfoud and M’Hamid. It will add another three days to your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. Otherwise, you'll turn right and follow the road to the small town of Nkob. Here you’ll spend the night in a small mountain hotel before continuing on to Taroudant the next day. |
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Day 14: Nkob - TaroudantTravel time: 4.5 hoursFrom Nkob, it’s a further 4½ hour drive to Taroudant where we’ve selected another basic hotel, which is clean but with no extra luxuries. However, if you would like to upgrade, we’ve also found a great riad run by the friendly Moultazim family. Mrs Moultazim is a fantastic cook. The lemon chicken tajine is amazing, as well as the pastilla (pigeon pie). An elaborate three-course feast will set you back £18-£25. If you'd like to eat here, call in advance.The main attraction of Taroudant is the two little squares, the Place Assarag and Place Talmoklate and the souk. Here ,you can have a cup of coffee at one of the outdoor cafes or visit the tanneries at the edge of the town. Around sunset, the area will come to life as the locals gather to shop, chat and stroll across the squares. Around 11pm things begin to wind down and you can stroll back to your hotel (or take a petit taxi) for a good night’s sleep, before your comprehensive Morocco itinerary continues tomorrow. |
Day 15: Taroudant - TafraouteTravel time: 3 hoursToday you'll travel further south across vast plains towards the rugged mountains of the anti-Atlas. The hills are covered in argan orchards. The olive-like fruit of the argan tree are harvested to produce the nutritious argan oil that you'll often find on your breakfast table in Morocco.After about three hours, you'll arrive in the Ameln Valley and you'll immediately understand why it's nicknamed Paradise Valley. The valley is a bizarre landscape of towering cliffs, fertile palm forests and villages. Three miles before Tafraoute, you'll take a left for 10 minutes to the small village of Oumesnat. For the next two nights, you’ll stay in a unique spot, a traditional Moroccan home of Abdsalam and his two sons Rachid and Mustafa. Over 15 years ago they decided to turn their traditional home into a small guesthouse, giving visitors a glimpse into the traditional life in the Ameln Valley. In the evening, dinner is prepared by the women of the house and, as you sit down for a delicious homecooked meal, you’ll really feel part of the family. |
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Day 16: Tafraoute and Amelm ValleyAfter breakfast, you can spend the rest of morning discovering the area around Oumesnat. Follow the dirt track, then turn right on the tarmac road to Tafraoute. As you approach the town you’ll see odd rock formations looking unnaturally piled up, balancing precariously on top of each other. In 1984, the the Belgian artist Jean Verame decided to give the rocks a makeover with a bright lick of paint. It's a real highlight of your comprehensive Morocco itinerary.Before you drive back to Tafraoute, follow the road another 45 minutes to the Ait Mansour Gorge. At the beginning of the gorge, you’ll pass a palm oasis where you can park your car on the square by the river. There’s a wonderful relaxed atmosphere here, with the odd house hidden beneath the lush green palm trees. If you walk for about 15 minutes, you'll get to Chez Messaoud, a great little open air café where you can sit down for a drink out in the garden. If you’re feeling peckish, you can continue to the small centre of Tafraoute where you’ll see the restaurant Etoile d’Agadir. They serve a tasty tajine for less than £3. The tajine with prunes and almonds is out of this world. After lunch, where Rachid or Mustafa will be waiting to take you to a couple of villages nestled at the foot of the mountains to get a taste of the rural life in the Anti-Atlas. The great thing about this guided walk is that it doesn’t feel touristy at all. Two to three hours later you’ll be back at the guesthouse where you’re treated to another homecooked meal. |
Day 17: Tafraoute - EssaouiraTravel time: 6 hoursAfter breakfast and a final cup of tea it's time to say goodbye to the family and continue north on your comprehensive Morocco itinerary, along winding roads straight across the Anti-Atlas. Gradually the landscape opens up into a vast open plain. Follow the road to Agadir, and you'll reach a good place to stop for lunch in about 3 hours. From Agadir it's another 3.5 hours to Essaouira, the coastal village where the sea breeze always blows.Essaouira is one of the prettiest places in Morocco. It’s a lovely spot for sun-worshippers, shopaholics, surfers and seafood lovers, who congregate with the musicians and artists that have made Essaouira their home. Just a couple of minutes walk along the narrow alleyways, you’ll find yourself at the door of one of our selected riads. They're all centrally located in the medina within walking distance of the beach and the Place Moulay Hassan. You'll have the rest of the afternoon free to wander around the town. |
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Day 18 and 19: EssaouiraIf you want to hit the beach, then walk towards the harbour, turn left at the gate and you’ll see a beautiful wide sandy beach stretched out before you. You can rent a sunbed at the parasols for about £2 a day. The eternal sea breeze attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers from far and wide, and you can rent a surfboard and equipment along the beach.The street scene here is an eclectic mix of locals and tourists wandering along the shops and stalls. In the evening you can enjoy a drink and some live music before strolling back to your lovely little riad. We also offer an optional excursion - a camel ride along the beach and dunes. You’ll be picked up around 10am and taken to meet your own camel. Perched on the hump of your camel you’ll slowly plod along the beach and into the dunes. Just ask our Morocco specialists for price details. |
Day 20: Essaouira - AgadirTravel time: 3 hoursAfter breakfast it's time to bid farewell to this pretty little town. You'll travel by bus to Agadir, the final destination on your comprehensive Morocco itinerary. You can pick up your bus ticket at the reception of your riad. It's about a 3 hour drive along a beautiful coastal road. Agadir is the number one beach resort in Morocco. We've selected a small, authentic hotel ideally located in a small side street just off the boulevard. You’ll be right in the middle of it all, but without the noise. The beach is less than 5 minutes walk away. Directly on the beach there's an endless chain of all-inclusive hotels, but that's not really our cup of tea. Instead, we’ve chosen this smaller charming hotel. Once you’ve checked in you can go for a stroll along the boulevard or head straight for the beach.Of course, there is more to Agadir than only the beach. For a fantastic view across the city, visit the old kasbah. In the north of Agadir at the furthest point of the beach you’ll see a hilly plateau with a white Arabic inscription. From the summit, you’ll get some lovely views of the city, the beach and harbour and beyond. It’s about 5 miles on foot, but a petit taxi will cost you around £1.50. |
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Day 21: Agadir - UKToday marks the end of your comprehensive Morocco itinerary, and you'll make your way to the airport to begin the journey home. Many people prefer to stay on the coast a little longer at the end of their trip, so if you’d like to book a couple of extra days in Agadir just let us know on your quote request form. More information on Agadir can be found on our Agadir beach page. We’ll take care of your airport transfer for you. From Agadir it’s about 20 minutes drive to the airport. Once you get back home we’d love to hear about your Morocco travel experiences.If you have any other questions about this Morocco itinerary, drop us an email at info@moroccotravelplan.co.uk or give us a call on 01273 322056. You can also go ahead book this itinerary using our online booking form. |
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Special stay option During this comprehensive Morocco itinerary you'll stay in different types of accommodation, each with its own style and atmosphere. We've visited all of the accommodation ourselves and selected the best ones based on location, friendly staff, service, cleanliness and value for money. If you'd like to add something extra to your itinerary, you can choose to book this itinerary on 'Special Stay' basis, staying in unique accommodation with an added touch of style and Moroccan ambience. |
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Comprehensive Morocco itinerary accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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Comprehensive Morocco itinerary Special Stay accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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