Casablanca Trip Overview
This 14-Day Morocco Private Tour includes visiting the Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & the Skoura Palm Groves, the Dades Valley and Valley of Nomads along with the Coastal town of Essaouira
Additional Info
* Duration: 14 days
* Starts: Casablanca, Morocco
* Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco
This 14-Day Morocco Private Tour includes visiting the Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert & the Skoura Palm Groves, the Dades Valley and Valley of Nomads along with the Coastal town of Essaouira
Itinerary
Day 1: Casblanca Arrival, Visit Hassan II Mosque and Jewish Heritage Sites, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and ahead to Rabat
Stop At: Rabat Old Town, Rabat Center, Rabat 10030 Morocco
Casablanca Arrival. Visit the Mosque of Hassan II. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshipers. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world.
Overnight Rabat.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Rabat Guided Historical Tour, then continue to Meknes, and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis en route to Fes
Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
Visit the Imperial Cities of Rabat and Meknes, then the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. During your morning tour, you will learn Rabat’s history and enjoy its beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues, and green spaces. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah. Visit the Royal Palace and the Hassan tower which stands on the hill overlooking the Wadi Bou Regreg. Explore the gardens nearby and visit the Palace of Rabat and visit the Necropolis at Chellah/Kasbah of Chellah.
Next take the road to Meknes. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic view of Meknes which includes a splendid look at the old Islamic medina with its numerous tall and soaring minarets. Explore the Old Medina and Bab el-Khemis. Pass through the ancient walls of the medina and the Islamic cemetery from which extends the Jewish quarter and the entrance to the Old Mellah (Jewish neighborhood). Enter through Bab el-Khemis, a large decorated gate from the 17th century often referred to as “Thursday Gate.” Visit the 17th Century Kasbah. Famous for its military scale, Meknes has a massive extension of walls and monumental gates. Its breadth emanates the historical achievements of one of the greatest Sultans in the history of Morocco, Moulay Ismail.
Continue to the Royal Stables and Agdal Reservoir. The Royal Stables are an amazing site, as this massive stable yard was constructed to comfortably house no less that twelve thousand royal horses.
Pass the Bab el Mansour Gate. Regarded as one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, the Bab el Mansour is the most important gateway in Meknes.
Take the National road to Volubilis.
Visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. The breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis, also referred to as Oualili, was once occupied by the Romans. Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ. Discover the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Fes.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Fes Guided Historical Tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site & City
Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
Fes Historical Tour: Islamic Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Historic Monuments, Jewish Heritage (Synagogue and Mellah), Craft Making and Shopping in the Souks.
Begin your day in Fès, the oldest working medina in the world that many refer to as a living museum. Visit The 14th Century Palace Gates of the King. The Royal Palace in Fes is one of the oldest (14th Century) and largest in Morocco. Next visit the Jewish Mellah, the name of a Jewish quarters located in the old cities of Morocco, usually with a walled boundary. Continue onward to visit the Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue. Fes was once home to a flourishing Jewish community during the 17th century and was also the location of two well-known temples: Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue was built and founded by the Ibn Danan family and the Cross the local fruit and vegetable market where you will witness the stalls of local traders and people buying their daily goods. Explore the Dyers souk of silk, wool and cotton.
Visit the following sites in the afternoon:
The Tannery
Weavers Cooperative
Mausoleum (Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Tijani)
University of Kairouine
Mausolem (Zaouia Moulay Idriss)
Nejarine Square
Cross the carpenter area and enter Attarine Street, filled with scents of Fes such as spices and oils. Shop and explore for carpets, scarves, and local handicrafts. Antique and Modern Carpets is one of the places in Fès el Bali where you can see a Berber carpet demonstration. Visit the The Bou Inania Medersa. The Madrasa Bou Inania is a madrassa founded in AD 1351-56 by Abu Inan Faris, who also founded the Madrasa Bou Inania in Meknes. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Fes.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Fes Food Tour, Discover Street Food & Souk Tasting Tour, at Leisure or a Guided Visit to Palaces and Andalusian Gardens
Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
Venture on a Fes Food Tour. This Souks Tasting Trail in the historic Fes medina is a special opportunity to go deep in the heart of Fes and discover local delicacies of the Fassis people. On this Fes Food Tour you will visit three different food souks that ofer the opportunity to try traditional Moroccan street food including dried meats, milawi, harsha, briwats, spicy sardines, spicy potato cakes, soups, olives and more. At the honey souk you will be able to taste an array of delicious wild honeys, discuss their flavors and health-giving properties and find out why honey is so important in Moroccan cooking and Islamic culture.
Afternoon Visit of Majestic Palaces and Andalusian Gardens
Visit the Dar el-Batha Museum and Andalusian Garden. Next visit the Batha Museum and Andalusian Gardens. he Musee Dar el-Batha offers up a great collection of pottery, leatherwork, wood, books, and manuscripts from the nineteenth century centered around a green spacious courtyard.
Visit Palais Mokri. Palais Mokri, also referred to as “El Mokri Palace”, is a landmark in Fes. Built around 1906 by If Tayeb El Mokri, son of the Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the king and himself Pasha of Casablanca, this residence covers about 220 meters of Fasis architecture and a gardens.
Visit Jnane S’bil Garden and Les Jardins De Biehn, an Andalusian Garden built by a French artist. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Fes.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Departure to the Merzouga Sahara Desert. Travel the Middle Atlas passing Ifrane, Azrou and Mideltt
Stop At: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga Morocco
A Journey through the Middle Atlas to the Sahara Desert, Passing Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland,” Midelt, Erfoud (the Capital of Fossils), and Rissani, Arriving in Merzouga for a Sunset Guided Camel Trek and Arabian Nights in the Great Sahara Desert.
Enroute to Merzouga, we will pass Ifrane, stopping to see the cedar tree forest and the local barbary monkeys. We will also pass the American- Moroccan University which was built by the Saudis. On arrive in the Saharan Desert explore the capital of fossils, Erfoud. Then continue to a remote region to see The Musicians of Khemlia in Merzouga. The Musicisans of Khemlia are a century-old Gnaoua group that performs ancient trance music. Tea and nuts will be served. Arrive in Merzouga before sunset and then take a Sunset Camel Trek into the Erg Chebbi Dunes. 1001 Arabian Nights Dinner & Overnight in a Luxury Desert Camp in Merzouga.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at berber camp inside the dunes
Day 6: Merzgouga Deaprture to Skoura. En route visit the Sahara desert town of Rissani, and have lunch with a Berber Family
Stop At: Museum-Theatre, Memory of Ouarzazate, Douar Ihzgane, Skoura M’Daz Morocco
Explore the Merzouga Sahara Desert’s flora and fauna. Then continue to the Sahara Desert town of Rissani which is known for one of the oldest souks in Morocco and it’s ancient tradition of breadbaking called Mafouna. Continue the road via Alnif and the region of the Sahgro Mountains to Ait Ouzzine. Departure from the Region to the Saghro Mountains for Lunch in a Berber Village Enroute to Skoura
Visit the old ksars in the Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine, located in between the Saghro Mountain and Tamlalt Mountain region which surround the village and N’kob. Aït Ouzzine is a Berber village inhabited by over 300 families who live in beautifully painted crenulated kasbahs, with their own henna fields, water wells, livestock, and gardens. This peaceful village is tucked away along an impressive desert route connecting the Draa Valley (Tansikht) and Rissani.
Meet a local Berber family, sip tea in the Sagro Mountains, and dine on couscous. Then explore and tour the village by foot. Walk in the green fields and see how the traditional Berbers live with their gardens of herbs, livestock, and henna plants. After lunch, you can have your hands and feet painted with hennaor your hair adorned with saffron by a local village artist and relax. Experience the tradition of Berber perfume made from musk and amber along with the villages own spices.End the afternoon in Ait Ouzzine with mint tea and almonds.
Drive through the Draa Valley back to Ouarzazate or the Skoura Palmeraie before sunset. The Draa Valley is the road of the old caravans that once traveled to transport dates and other goods from the Draa Region to Marrakech. Overnight at a Boutique Riad in Skoura.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at a hotel in skoura
Day 7: Skoura Visit of the Valley of One Thousdand Kasbahs, visit the Valley of Nomads, the Valley of Roses and Boumalne Dades
Stop At: Middle Atlas, Skoura M’Daz Morocco
Visit Skoura and its “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs.” Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves that provide great views of the Atlas Mountains alongside desert landscapes. It is renowned for the cultivation of roses.
Continue towards the perfumed Valley of Roses,just north of El Kelaa Des Mgouna. On the way to the Valley of Roses, your driver will stop for you to view the Capp et Florale distillation factories laid out in the small kasbah town that manufacture the entire nation’s production of eau de rose. The rose water and other products such as hand and body soaps, oil, cream, perfume, and dried flowers are for sale and also popular among Moroccans.
En route go by pise to the region of Mount Mgoun and the Valley of Nomads. Visit and break bread with a Nomad family and see how cave dwellers have lived in this mountainous region for centuries, isolated from the outside world peacefully. Sip tea with the Nomads in this region of Bouthgrar before heading towards the magnificent Dades Valley and the region of the Dades Gorge. Lunch will be at a well-respected guest house in the Dades Valley with views of a Gorge.
Your journey will then take you through the Dades Valley which covers 125 km between Ouarzazate and Boumalne du Dadès in the High Atlas Mountins. Once you reach Boumalne, at first sight you notice the limestone cliffs with uniquely shaped erosions and superb scenery and the valley’s pise (windy roads. Overnight at a Boutique Riad in Skoura.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at hotel in skoura
Day 8: Skoura Departure to Ouarzazate to visit this region and the Ancient Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, Kasbah Telouet to Marrakech
Stop At: Marrakech Airport Lounge, Av Prince My Abdellah Res Yasmine Majorelle E5A، Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Visit the Adobe Village of Ait Benhaddou. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and became the administrative center of the Zagora region. Ouarzazate became famous when its nearby Kasbah, Ait Benhaddou, appeared in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah is 32 km from Ouarzazate lies in a picturesque village situated in Souss Massa Draa on a hill along the Ouarazazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; for Jesus of Nazareth, the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. After visiting Ait Benhaddou, take the road to Visit Kasbah Telouet, of the Pascha Glaoui.
You will pass the olive groves of the Oued Zat as you ascend onto the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass Road. Built by the French in the 1920’s, the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass can be described as having mountainous barriers, Mediterranean and oceanic influences and desert borders. Lunch Recommendation: Dine on local Moroccan fare made with fresh, argan oil from the local cooperative run by women.
Visit an argan cooperative where argan oil, butter, and cosmetics are made with the argan nut by hand as Berber women crack the nuts and the grind them one by one. Enjoy a complimentary tasting. This cooperative is run entirely by women. Continue on to Marrakech.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 9: Marrakech Guided Historical: Yves Saint Laurent Gardens, Mosques, Monuments, Souks, Gardens
Stop At: Jardin Majorelle, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech 40090 Morocco
Marrakech Guided Historical Tour of the Yves Saint Laurent Moroccan Gardens and Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Explore Historic Sites, Monuments and the Grand Medina with its Lively Souks.
Visit the Majorelle Gardens. The Majorelle Gardens, previously the Jardin Bou Saf, bears its name from its original creator, Jacques Majorelle, the French expatriate artist who was born in Nancy, France, in 1886. Jacques Majorelle was the son of the celebrated Art Nouveau furniture designer Louis Majorelle. In 1947, the son opened his gardens to the public and, during this time, also painted a magnificent ceiling at La Mamounia, a five-star hotel with exquisite gardens and the place where Alfred Hitchcock wrote The Birds.
See the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech. Experience the Jewish Mellah. Founded in 1558 by Moulay Abdallah, the Mellah district was designated as the Jewish quarter in Marrakech. Shop in the Old Spice Market.
Next explore the El Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century and represents trends and standards of the wealthy who lived at that time. Explore the Saadian Tombs. The Saadian tombs in Marrakech date back from the time of the Sultan Ammad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were only recently discovered (in 1917) and were restored by the Beaux-Arts service. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Marrakech.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 10: Marrakech Cooking Class with a Dada Chef, Afternoon Gardens & Palaces
Stop At: Jemaa el-Fnaa, 38 Jemaa el-Fna, Rue El Ksour, Marrakech Morocco
Marrakech Morning Cooking Class in Marrakechwith a Dada Chef. The Marrakech Cooking Class is conducted by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef from and held at a kitchen in the medina or in a palmeraie garden setting. Classes are a total of 4 hours with an option of an add on of wines tasting accompaniment Small groups of maximum 10 participants work alongside a translator (Arabic/English/French), using easy-to-use modern equipment found in everyday kitchens. At the end of each class, you will dine on the meal you have prepared.
Afernoon at leisure or choose to visit the Mamounia Hotel and Gardens for tea and lunch or evening drinks. La Mamounia is where Alfred Hitchcock wrote the movie The Birds. It is situated on the edge of the walls of the old city of Marrakech and is named for its 200-year-old gardens, which were given as an 18th century wedding gift to Prince Moulay Mamoun by his father.
Evening – Visit Djemaa El Fna Square for an evening of adventure at dusk. Beneath the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in the city center of Marrakech lies Djemaa el Fna, a famous UNESCO-recognized city square. During the daylight, Djemma el Fna is every Moroccan travelers shopping paradise. As the sun sets, the real excitement starts. Enjoy a bowl of steamed snails in a local spice broth or, for the adventurous, sheep’s head. Enjoy the nightlife of Gnaoua trance-healers, Andalous musicians, and exotic snake charmers. Easily, this mysterious place can be compared to a land of Arabian fantasies. With its wild and colorful characters, Djemaa el Fna will bedazzle and astound you. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Marrakech.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 11: : Marrakech Departure to Essaouira, often referred to as Old Mogador
Stop At: Essaouira Ramparts, Rue Skala, Essaouira Morocco
Marrakech Departure to the Atlantic Coast of Essaouira. Take the road from Marrakech to seaside Essaouira. En route, visit the winery in Ounara. Embark on a local culinary experience lunch and a wine tasting or Le Fromagerie. Continue to Essaouira. Evening at Leisure.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 12: Essaouira Guided Historical Tour of the Ramparts, Medina, Jewish Mellah and Heritage Sites.
Stop At: Essaouira Fishing Port, Essaouira 44000 Morocco
Essaouira is a seaside medieval town. Visit this charming artist colony that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, and mouthwatering seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival in June. Take a stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offering breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town.
Stop by the fish market. Visit the jewelry market and the cooperative of Thuya wood. Thuya is a wood that is indigenous to Essaouira and is unique for its earthy, menthol, and woody smell. Visit Orson Welles Square. Explore and shop for local musician instruments. Option to visit Jewish Hertiage Sites in Essaouira: the Synagogue and Mellah.Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at a Boutique Riad or Hotel in Essaouira.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 13: Essaouira Departure to Casablanca. Coastal Touring. En route visit El Jadida and the Lagoon of Oualidia
Stop At: New Medina of Casablanca, Blvd Victor Hugo, Casablanca Morocco
Essaouira Morning at Leisure.Coastal touring if departing from Casablanca. Visit Oualidia, El Jadida/Lagoon with oyster lunch and cistern en route to Casablanca. Overnight at a Boutique Hotel in Casablanca.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 14: Casabanca Departure
Pass By: Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, Rte de Nouasseur, Casablanca, Morocco
Breafkast at your Hotel. Casabanca Departure.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
