Magical Morocco Immersion

Q: Where and when does this tour end?

This tour will end at the Casablanca Internation Airport (CMN). The estimated arrival time is 1 PM (13:00). Note: Transfers to Casablanca Airport are complimentary. Transfers to Marrakech Airport can be arranged for an additional fee.

Q: What if I have a large group that would like to do this tour?

Contact us ! Groups of 6 or more qualify for special discounts and groups of 13 or more can be accommodated as a private tour (again, for special pricing).

14 Day Group Tour
Casablanca to Casablanca

Book Now

Detailed Itinerary | Dates and Prices | FAQ

About This Tour

Tour Type: Small Group Tour
Starts from: Casablanca
Ends in: Casablanca
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate
Maximum Group Size: 12

Tour Highlights

Wander through the blue streets in Chefchaouen
Uncover the ruins of an ancient Roman outpost
Travel back in time in the maze-like medina of Fes
Ride through the shifting sand of the Sahara on a shore-footed camel
Get off of the beaten path and live like a local in the Valley of Roses
Experience breathtaking vistas in the High Atlas Mountains
Become acquainted with the excitement of beguiling Marrakech
Stroll through the seaside city of Essaouira

Inclusions

Ground transfers to/from Airport
Private transportation
English Speaking Tour Manager
Cooking Class
13 Nights of Accommodations
Meals Included: 13 Breakfasts; 5 Dinners; 2 Lunches
Guided Tours of Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, & Marrakech
Guided Walk in Tinghir Palmeraie
Entrance Fees (to sites listed)

Detailed Itinerary

In August 2018, I traveled to Morocco with a group of university students through Morocco Immersion. Before that trip was over, I knew I would return again on my own to explore this beautiful country more. So, 8 months later and I found myself back in Morocco for a 2-week vacation and I would not think of going through anyone but Morocco Immersion for a return trip. As a solo traveler, Sharon was amazing through the booking experience to ensure there was another traveler for the trip to go and that the other solo traveler would be a good fit (I now have a new friend that I shared 14 amazing days of adventure with on this trip).

I was excited to explore the northern part of the country, areas not traveled with my students. From Rabat and Chefchaouen to Meknes, Fes, & Midelt, the landscape was beautiful and cities enriching to explore. The desert camel trek brought a familiar quiet to soak in the rolling dunes of sand and think while swaying on the camel. And, being in the Valley is like being home - welcomed as family and immersed into a beautiful community with the opportunity to go pick roses and be in the kitchen. A short, enjoyable stay in Marrakech, then ended the trip with a beautiful night on the coast in Essaouira. I loved traveling through the various landscapes and watching the changes across the miles driven with great conversation or music along the way.

Morocco Immersion is truly a step above any other travel organization I have ventured with abroad! For this trip, Hicham was an amazing guide and the best driver I could have asked for. He was attentive to our interests, caring, encouraging of stops at the best spots for amazing photos to capture our journey, and a great teacher of some Berber words and recipes! Grateful for two weeks of adventure that resulted in a valued friendship.

Overall, it was 2 weeks of perfection...exactly the vacation I needed and confirmed that Morocco has captivated me in such a special way. I can't wait to return again (inshallah)!

Natalie Coers

Day 1: Welcome to Morocco!

Arrival Casablanca and transfer to Rabat

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Rabat
Accommodations: Hotel des Oudaias (or similar)

Welcome to Morocco! Your tour will start at the hotel in Rabat (details provided upon booking). You can arrive any time, as today will be a day of leisure to recover from your travels and prepare for the journey ahead. This evening you will meet in the lobby at 6:45 PM from which you will head to a welcome dinner to get to know your fellow travelers and to get all of your questions answered about the journey to come.

Airport transfers can be arranged by request and are complementary from Casablanca. Transfers from airport in Marrakech can be arranged for an additional fee.

Day 2: Royal Rabat and Charming Chefchaouen

Rabat to Chefchaouen

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Chefchaouen
Accommodations: Casa del Norte (or similar)

This morning after breakfast you enjoy a tour of the current capital city of Morocco, Rabat. Your visit will include all of the important sites such as Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum, and Kasbah of the Udayas. After you tour, you will continue to the Blue city of Chefchaouen. You’ll arrive here by mid afternoon and have time to explore this magical small city before returning to your riad for the evening.

Day 3: A Blue Wonderland

Chefchaouen

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Chefchaouen
Accommodations: Casa del Norte (or similar)

Today you will have the whole day free to explore this magical city and discover why it is called Morocco’s Blue Pearl. Optionally, you can head to nearby Akchour for a hike to the waterfall, Cascade d'Akchour. The hike to the big waterfall is a somewhat challenging 10 miles round trip, but there are several smaller waterfalls along the way, so you can do as much or as little of the trail as you'd like. If you choose to hike, you'll return to Chefchaouen by early afternoon and have the rest of the evening free to explore on your own.

Day 4: Roman Ruins, Magnificent Meknes, and Fascinating Fes

Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Fes
Accommodations: Riad Al Makan (or similar)

After breakfast, you will depart Chefchaouen and head south towards Fes. On the way, you will stop to visit the ruins of the Roman outpost of Volubilis. Before the Romans came, Volubilis was an Amazigh city known as Oulili (pronounced wa-lee-lee) which dates back to the 3rd century B.C. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in the 18th century and subsequently further damaged by Moulay Ismail’s architects (who used pieces to build the gates of the city of Meknes), it is still “an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire", according to the UNESCO World Heritage listing. The city was reclaimed by the local Amazigh tribes around 235 AD and it was near here in the 8th Century that Idriss I established the first dynasty of the Kingdom of Morocco. After a guided tour of Volubilis, you will stop for lunch at the nearby sacred city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (time permitting) which is home to the Idriss I’s tomb. After lunch, you’ll head to the lessor known imperial city of Meknes. Your visit will begin by entering the old medina through the interesting gate of Bab Mansour, which incorporates marble pillars that were moved from the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Once inside the medina, you will visit the tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail. It was under this eccentric ruler’s reign from 1672 to 1727 that Meknes served its time as the capital of Morocco. Next you will visit the impressive Agdal reservoir and Heri es-Souani, a former granary and stable that lay alongside the reservoir and which once housed 12,000 horses. After exploring Meknes, you’ll make the short drive to Fes where you will stop for the night.

Day 5: Fes Immersion!

Full Day in Fes

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Fes
Accommodations: Riad Al Makan (or similar)

Today after breakfast, your local guide will meet you at your riad for a guided tour of the city. To start your tour, you will first go to the Royal Palce and then walked through the old Mellah (Jewish Quartier) of the city. From here, you will head to one of the Borj (towers) and get a panoramic view of the entire medina. Next, you’ll head to a mosaic house where you will have a demonstration of the traditional pottery methods utilized by Fassi artisans – you’ll see every step of the process from the formation of the clay to the piecing together of the mosaics. After this, the tour will take you into the medina of Fes where you will discover the ancient streets and neighborhoods, visit the various artisan sections (including the tanneries), and the important historic monuments (including the tomb of Idriss II and the Al-Qarawaiyin University - the oldest continually operated university in the world). Your tour will end after lunch at which time you’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the medina. Don’t worry if you get lost – that is all part of the experience.

Day 6: Monkeys, Mountains, and More!

Fes to Midelt

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Midlet
Accommodations: Ksar Timnay (or similar)

Today after breakfast, you will make your way to the desert. Your first stop of the day will be in the Alpine-like city of Ifrane. Known as "Little Switzerland", this garden city is different from anywhere else in Morocco. Even the local cafe has a more European feel with delicious deserts and coffee. After a brief stop here, you will continue through the Middle Atlas mountains to Azrou and through the largest cedar forest in all of Africa - home to the Atlas Monkeys (aka Barbary Apes). These demanding little guys will likely expect you to pay a toll in peanuts before allowing you to continue to the high plains between the Middle and High Atlas mountains where you will stop for the night. After your welcome tea, you stretch your legs by heading to the adjacent ecological park before heading back to your accommodations for dinner.

Day 7: Saharan Sands and Camel Trek

Midelt to Merzouga

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Merzouga Desert
Accommodations: Bouchedor Luxury Camp (or similar)

After breakfast, you will continue your journey to Merzouga and the great sand sea of the Sahara, Erg Chebbi. You’ll arrive in time to do a little exploration of desert region and with a little time to relax and unwind from the days driving. Just before sunset, you will climb aboard your camel and trek through the dunes to your Berber camp for the night. Once there you will watch the sunset and the stars come out. Dinner will be served and traditional music will be played while you lounge around the campfire gazing at the stars. When you are ready, you can retire to your tent for the night… or, if you wish, you can sleep under the stars.

Day 8: Gorges Galore

Merzouga to Dades Valley

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Boumalne Dades
Accommodations: Kasbah Tizzarouine (or similar)

This morning, your camel guide will wake you early so that you can watch the sun rise over the dunes. After watching the sunrise, breakfast will be served at camp and you’ll have time to shower and prepare for your day before taking to your camels on more time to trek back to the edge of the dunes and transfer back to your more conventional transportation. From here, you’ll head to the breathtaking Dades Gorge. Along the way, you’ll stop to visit the ancient irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains. After this, you’ll head to the oasis town of Tinghir where you will have a guided walk of the palmeraie and Mellah (old Jewish area). Next, you’ll visit nearby Todgha Gorge where you will walk through the most impressive part of the canyon. After this, you’ll head to the beautiful Dades Valley to your accommodations for the night. Dinner will be served here.

Day 9: A Day in the Life - Family Immersion

Full Day in the Valley of Roses

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Boumalne Dades
Accommodations: Kasbah Tizzarouine (or similar)

This morning after breakfast, you’ll make the short drive to the “next valley over” to the heart of the Valley of Roses. On the way, you can visit a local market and then go to the home of a local family where you can help to prepare lunch (or just relax) and then join the family for a traditional couscous lunch. After lunch (and a little relaxation), you can explore a little more of the Valley either by car or by foot before heading back to your hotel in time for dinner.

Day 10: Picture Perfect Vistas

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Marrakech
Accommodations: Riad Mabrouk (or similar)

After breakfast, you once again take the road of 1000 Kasbahs on your way to the city of Ouarzazate (pronounced: Wor-za-zet, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco). After passing through Ouarzazate you will make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. You’ll have a chance to explore this impressive ksar, before traveling over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka path, reaching an altitude of nearly 7500 feet above sea level. There will be plenty of stops for tea and photographs as you take in the breathtaking vistas before arriving in the evening to Marrakech.

Day 11: Magical Marrakech

Full Day in Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Marrakech
Accommodations: Riad Mabrouk (or similar)

After breakfast, your local city guide will meet you at your riad and show you all around Marrakech. Your tour will include visits to various monuments of the city such as Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and Koutoubia Mosque. After you’ve visited these monuments, your guide will escort you to the souks of Marrakech where you'll have a chance to visit the various artisans and to learn about their crafts. Your tour will end by mid-afternoon and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own. Perhaps you might want to visit one of Marrakech's famous gardens or try dinner at one of the city's amazing restaurants.

Day 12: Beachbound!

Marrakech to Essaouira

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Essaouira
Accommodations: Hôtel El Kasbah Souiria (or similar)

Today after breakfast, you will travel to the walled city of Essaouira, also known as Mogador from the Portuguese word meaning “wall”. Archeological evidence shows that this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the city as it is now was designed in the 18th century by the French engineer, Thédore Cornut. On the way to Essaouira, you will see groves of Argan trees from which Morocco’s liquid gold (argan oil) is produced with the unique help of local goats. You will arrive to the coastal city at around lunch time - just in time to make your way to the shore for a seafood lunch of freshly caught fish. Afterwards, you will have the afternoon free to discover this beautiful city.

Day 13: Culinary Delights

Essaouira

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Essaouira
Accommodations: Hôtel El Kasbah Souiria (or similar)

After two weeks of sampling Moroccan cuisine, you may wish to know how to recreate it when the craving hits after you return home. Well, today is your chance to learn! After a relaxing morning, you'll meet your cooking guru and head to the souk to shop like a Moroccan to gather all of the fresh ingredients that you'll need and then head to her home for a step by step hands-on cooking class. Once you have created your last Moroccan feast, you'll sit down as a group for one last meal. After the cooking class, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to do some last minute shopping and prepare for your departure. Don't forget to catch the best show in town - the sun setting behind the ramparts to the sound of the street musicians!

Day 14: À Bientôt!

Meals: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, depending on your departure time, you may have some free time to explore Marrakech on your own before transferring to the Marrakech Airport in plenty of time of your departing flight.

Note: Transfers can be arranged to Casablanca Airport for an additional fee.

Dates & Prices

Please Note: Due to COVID-19, we have suspended group tours until June 2021. These trips are available for private tours at the same price (with a minimum of 2 passengers).