Excellent
Casablanca to Essaouira
Combining the best of culture and coastal bliss, this two week tour of Morocco ensures you won't miss out on any of the key sights - the Imperial Cities of Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Meknes, the dunes of the Sahara, ancient ruins and more, and then rewards you with a few days of rest and relaxation the Atlantic Coast in Essaouira.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Travelling with children or prefer being on your own, see our private version of this tour.
Tour Overview
Duration
13 daysStarts
CasablancaEnds
CasablancaRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
15 yrs, accompanied by an adultDeparts
Mondays & SaturdaysHotel Rating
4 star hotels & traditional riadsCountries
MoroccoArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 12, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 3Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Casablanca
Day 1 - Casablanca
Upon arrival at the airport in Casablanca, you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is free for you enjoy at your own leisure. Why not find a restaurant in town to try the local cuisine?
Day 2 - Marrakech City Tour
Day 2 - Marrakech City Tour
Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning after breakfast we head to Marrakech to meet the rest of the group before embarking on a guided city tour of Marrakech. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city's exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city.
Day 3 - Ait Benhaddou
Day 3 - Ait Benhaddou
Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. Departing the city this morning we travel across the plains of haouz and reach the great High Atlas mountains. Climbing over the pass of Tizi n Tichka, we stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views over the Mountains and valleys to Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defence purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco. Carrying on we continue south to the Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zazat). Ouarzazate is famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including James Bond – The Living Daylights, The Mummy and more recently Game of Thrones.
Day 4 - Camel trek into the Sahara
Day 4 - Camel trek into the Sahara
Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - Merzouga (Sahara). This morning we begin our journey into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, rose fields and magnificent gorges. Travelling from Ouarzazate, there is a possibility of visiting the kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura before seeing the rose fields and reaching scenic Todra Gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 1000ft, it is known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. After time to wander through Todra we hit the road again for Merzhouga – our base before we head into the Sahara. Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara. If you would prefer to take a Jeep to the Berber camp, this can be arranged locally through your guide at no additional cost.
If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara hotel alternative at no additional cost. Please do let us know your preferred option at the time of booking.
Day 5 - Merzouga
Day 5 - Merzouga
Merzouga (Sahara) - Fes. Departing early, we climb back on our camels disembarking for a truly stunning sunrise. After freshening up and breakfast in Merzouga we’re back on the road heading for Fes. It’s a long drive today however there is a lot to see on the way. We’ll pass through cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Moyen Atlas mountains. Just before Fes we stop at Ifrane – a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort. Along the way we also start to see our first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the mountains and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination. We arrive into Fes in the early evening.
Day 6 - Fes
Day 6 - Fes
Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city. This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends – so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder of the day is at leisure – why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).
Day 7 - Volubilis & Meknes
Day 7 - Volubilis & Meknes
Fes - Volubilis - Meknes - Rabat. Departing Fes this morning we visit the fascinating UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date back to AD40. Continuing on we stop at the Imperial City of Meknes, which became known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its impressive buildings and elaborate monuments. After lunch and some free time our final stop of the day is Rabat – Morocco’s capital where we overnight.
Day 8 - Rabat & Casablanca
Day 8 - Rabat & Casablanca
Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning we take a guided tour of Rabat and visit some of the capital’s highlights, including the impressive Chellah - a necropolis and complex of ancient, medieval ruins, the Royal Palace and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch we continue to Casablanca where we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world - it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time. After our visit to the mosque we drive on toMarrakech for the night.
Day 9 - Essaouira
Day 9 - Essaouira
Marrakech - Essaouira. Today we have a leisurely morning before starting our journey to Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic Coast via private transfer, and upon arrival enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Why not find a restaurant in the charming old town and try the local cuisine.
Days 10-12 - Free time in Essaouira
Days 10-12 - Free time in Essaouira
Essaouira - Casablanca. Spend the next three days exploring the sights and delights of Essaouira at your own pace. Set on the rugged shores of the breezy Atlantic Coast, this charming seaside city offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. While away the days here exploring its winding streets lined with whitewashed houses, picking your way through the shops in its ancient medina, or sitting at an ocean-facing restaurant sipping on a cup of coffee. During the warmer months why not try some water sports too, as the windy shores here offer ideal conditions for wind and kite surfing. On the evening of day 12 a private transfer will take you back to Casablanca for the night.
Day 13 - Casablanca
Day 13 - Casablanca
Our amazing tour of Morocco ends today after hotel check out. An included onward departure transfer to Casablanca airport will be provided.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post Tour Accommodation Casablanca (From price)
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation Casablanca (From price)
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
On any of our Signature Morocco tours starting in Casablanca, you can opt to start your tour in Marrakech instead!
R 1,475
per passengerPrefer to end your tour in Marrakech?
R 1,695
per passengerHotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. We also offer a triple share option on this tour, please contact us for details. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews