12-Days Morocco Grand Tour

Our 12-day Morocco tour starts by picking you up from Marrakech Airport. Your driver will meet you and take you to the hotel or riad in Marrakech. If you arrive early, you can rest after your flight or go out and explore the city. You can walk in Jamaa El Fna Square, visit the Majorelle Garden, or take a short walk in the medina.

A local guide takes you on a walking tour of Marrakech. Start at the Koutoubia Mosque, the biggest mosque in the city known for its tall tower. Then visit the Bahia Palace, a beautiful old building with gardens, colorful tiles, and wooden ceilings. Next, see the Saadian Tombs where kings and their families from the 1500s are buried. Visit Jemaa el-Fna Square with food stalls, musicians, storytellers, and snake charmers. Walk through the souks where people sell leather bags, spices, carpets, and lamps. In the afternoon, visit the Majorelle Garden with its quiet space and bright blue buildings, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

Drive from Marrakech to Essaouira, a small city by the ocean. Visit the old city walls and fortress built long ago to protect the city. In the past, Essaouira was an important port where people traded goods with Europe and Africa. Walk on the beach, try surfing, or go to the harbor to see fishing boats and eat fresh fish. The city has white and blue houses and many small art shops. Afternoon free time to walk around, take photos, shop, or simply relax at the square.

Drive from Essaouira to Casablanca, arriving around 12 pm for lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, built partly over the ocean with a tall tower and beautiful designs. Stop at Rick's Café, a famous restaurant inspired by the movie Casablanca where you can enjoy a drink or take photos. Evening transfer to hotel.

Drive to Chefchaouen with a stop in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Oudayas Kasbah. After lunch in Rabat, continue driving to Chefchaouen. If you arrive early, walk up to the Spanish Mosque to watch the sunset and see a beautiful view of the blue city.

Spend the morning exploring Chefchaouen, the blue city. Start by visiting Ras El Ma, where water flows from the mountains and many local people come to relax and wash clothes. Walk through the blue-painted streets of the medina with small, colorful streets perfect for photos. Visit the Kasbah, an old fortress in the main square with a museum and tower offering city views. In the afternoon, leave for Fes, passing through the Rif Mountains, green hills, and small villages. Arrive in Fes in late afternoon and check into your riad.

Explore Fes with a local guide. Start by car to see the Royal Palace with its famous golden gates. Visit the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), one of the oldest in Morocco. See a pottery workshop where local people make and paint traditional ceramics by hand. Visit Borj Sud, a fortress on a hill with great views of the old city. Continue on foot through the old medina visiting Al Attarine Madrasa and Bou Inania Madrasa, beautiful old Islamic schools. See Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest university still working in the world. The last stop is the Chouara Tannery where leather is made using old, natural methods. Free time in the afternoon.

Travel to the Merzouga desert, exploring various sites along the way. First stop in Ifrane, a small and clean city with European-style houses, to visit the famous Atlas Lion statue, carved by a German prisoner during World War II. Head to the cedar forest near Azrou where you'll see wild Barbary monkeys. Stop in Midelt for lunch and a short break. Drive through the Ziz Valley, known for its thousands of palm trees. Arrive in Merzouga in late afternoon and relax at the riad to prepare for desert exploration.

Full day experiencing the Merzouga desert. Visit a nomad Berber family living in tents to see how they live in the desert and learn about their simple lifestyle. Drive through the Black Desert to visit the old kohl mines of M'Ifiss. Enjoy a traditional lunch of Berber pizza. Visit Khamlia village to meet the Gnawa people and listen to their special music. Go to Hassi Labied to see its palm grove and learn how local farmers water their land using old methods. Ride camels across the golden dunes. Spend the night in a Berber tent at a desert camp with tasty dinner and live music around the campfire.

Wake early to see the sunrise over the dunes. On the way to Dades, visit the market of Rissani, one of the largest traditional souks in Morocco, especially busy on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Head to Todra Gorges with its tall red cliffs and narrow river for walking and photos. Before reaching the riad in Dades, stop at the Monkey Toes—rock shapes that look like monkey toes!

Drive to Marrakech with stops at several beautiful places. Pass through the Rose Valley, known for its rose farms and rose products like oils and soaps. Stop to learn how locals make them. Drive to Skoura to see the Kasbah of Amridil, a famous mud-brick building showing traditional Berber life. Stop in Ouarzazate, called the "Little Hollywood of Africa," and visit the Atlas Studios where many movies were filmed. Explore the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO site known for its clay houses and film history. In the afternoon, drive over the Tizi N'Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains with stops for photos. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening.

After an unforgettable 12-day tour around Morocco, your driver will take you to Marrakech Airport based on your flight time. Reflect on the incredible journey through Morocco's diverse landscapes, rich culture, and authentic experiences.