12 Days Tour From Casablanca
Overview
The 12-day tour from Casablanca is considered one of the longest tours in Morocco. It offers travelers a mix of culture, nature, and adventure. The tour covers the major cities of Morocco such as Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes, Fes, Erfoud, Merzouga (Sahara Desert), Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, and Essaouira.
Furthermore, you will visit historical sites, camel trek in the Sahara Desert, stay in a desert camp, enjoy magical sunset and sunrise in the Sahara, explore kasbahs, valleys, and gorges, and experience the vibrant Moroccan culture.
Highlights
Tour Highlights of 12 Days Tour from Casablanca:
- Explore Casablanca
- Explore Rabat
- Blue City of Chefchaouen
- Meknes Imperial City
- Roman Ruins of Volubilis
- Fes Medina and Tanneries
- Ifrane (Little Switzerland)
- Cedar Forest and Middle Atlas Mountains
- Camel Trekking in Merzouga
- Sunset & Sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes
- Camping in the desert
- Visit local markets
- Todra Gorges & Dades Valley
- Rose Valley and Skoura Oasis
- Aït Benhaddou Kasbah
- Marrakech Sightseeing Tour
12 Days Tour From Casablanca
Day 1 : Casablanca → Rabat
On the first day of your 12-day trip from Casablanca, our professional driver will pick you up from the airport or your accommodation in Casablanca. We’ll head straight to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Next, we’ll browse through traditional crafts in the Habous Market and Quarter. After that, we’ll take a stroll along Casablanca’s Coastal Corniche, a picturesque promenade offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll depart for Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Hassan Tower, an iconic minaret dating back to the 12th century, and the Oudaya Kasbah, a well-preserved fortress with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in the Medina.
Day 2 : Rabat → Chefchaouen
After breakfast at the hotel, your 12-day Casablanca tour Itinerary will continue towards Chefchaouen, the blue city. Most of the drive will be by the coast. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to stroll through the narrow lanes and alleyways of the old Medina. This area is famous for its buildings and alleyways painted in white and blue.
After lunch, we will visit the Kasbah Ali Ben Rachis, a 17th-century fortress offering views of the city and mountains. Originally built as a defensive structure, it now houses ethnographic and artistic exhibits. Next is Plaza Utah El-Hammam, the main square in the Medina where you can observe daily life as locals gather. The square gets its name from the public bathhouse located here.
In the evening, we’ll have dinner together before checking into our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3 : Chefchaouen → Meknes → Volubilis → Fes
After breakfast, feel free to wander in the beautiful alleyways of the blue city. Then we depart for Fes, making our first stop in Meknes, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. Here, we visit the impressive Bab Mansour gate, the Sahrij Souani Bassin (a historic water reservoir), and the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum, the final resting place of a former sultan.
In the afternoon, we will explore the ruins of Volubilis, an ancient Roman city with well-preserved mosaics and stone ruins. Continuing our drive through the Moroccan countryside, we will pass by the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, stopping briefly to capture photos of this holy site. We will arrive in Fes in the late evening for dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 4 : Exploring the Fes City
We dedicate the day to exploring the highlights of the imperial city of Fes, starting at the Royal Palace’s seven gates. Then we visit the Old Jewish Quarter, also known as the Mellah. We then proceed to the Sbil Garden, a tranquil oasis featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains.
Our exploration continues in the Old Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will visit the oldest tannery in Africa and witness the traditional leather-making process using natural dyes and age-old techniques.
We also visit several historic Islamic schools, including Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 and considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world, as well as the Medersa Bouanania and Medersa Al-Attarine. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 5 : Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Middle Atlas → Erfoud
After breakfast, we will start our day crossing the Atlas Mountains to Erfoud passing through Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland” due to its alpine-style buildings and cooler climate.
Then the 12 Days Morocco desert tour continues to the famous Cedar Forests. Here, we can see the ancient cedar trees and potentially spot Barbary macaque monkeys. It will be a good opportunity to take photos of the wilderness in Morocco.
Next, we visit Midelt, a market town in the mountains, where we will have free time for lunch. Afterward, we’ll drive across the impressive Middle Atlas Mountains, enjoying the scenic views along the way until we arrive in the Ziz Valley. The Ziz Valley contains the second-longest river in Morocco. We’ll stop there to admire the beautiful panoramic view of thousands of palm trees. We’ll spend the night in Erfoud.
Day 6 : Erfoud → Merzouga (Sahara desert exploration & Camel Trekking)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to Erg Chebbi and begin our 4×4 excursion in the Merzouga desert to explore all the interesting sites around Erg Chebbi dunes. We will start by visiting a nomadic family to learn about their traditional way of life in this harsh environment while drinking Berber tea.
Our next destination is Khamlia village, where you will enjoy the Gnaoua music and dancing performances that belong to the dark skin people originally from Sudan, Mali, and Niger. Free time for lunch in a restaurant
In the afternoon, we’ll go on a camel trek, riding across the stunning dunes of Merzouga to reach the camp with the opportunity to witness the breathtaking sunset. Then continue to the camp. Dinner will be served in the tent and experience Berber drumming music and dancing around the campfire. Spend your first night under the stars.
Day 7 : Merzouga → Toudgha Gorges → Dades Valley
You will wake up early in the morning, and your camel guide will take you on a camel ride to witness the beautiful sunrise over the Sahara dunes. Then return to camp for breakfast before packing up and travel to Tinghir and the famous Toudgha Gorges. These are the highest, narrowest canyons in Morocco, with towering rock walls on either side. You will have free time to walk through the gorges, admire the scenery and take plenty of photos.
After lunch, we will continue driving through the mountains to Dades Valley also known as the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Known for its lush palm groves nestled among dramatic rock formations. You will check into your hotel here for the night and will have dinner.
Day 8 : Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate
After breakfast, we’ll depart for Kalaat M’gouna and Ouarzazate, passing through the Dades Valley lined with thousands of Kasbahs. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to interact with Berber nomads and explore their cave dwellings.
Our next stop is the Rose Valley, known for its fragrant rose fields and unique rock formations. We’ll make a stop in Kalaat M’gouna, the “Rose Capital” of Morocco, and perhaps purchase rose products. Continuing our journey, we’ll visit Skoura and the Birds’ Valley.
We’ll also explore Kasbah Amridil, then drive to Ouarzazate, often called the “Door of the Desert.” Overnight in a hotel.
Day 9 : Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech
We begin the day at the famous Ouarzazate Film Studios, exploring the sets used in various movies and TV shows filmed in this region. Afterward, we depart for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village that has been featured in numerous films, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Then we continue our drive towards Marrakech, passing through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch with opportunities to capture photographs of interesting spots. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Marrakech.
Day 10 : Guided Tour Sightseeing Marrakech
After breakfast, we will be exploring the highlights of Marrakech with a local tour guide. Our stops will include the Koutoubia, the Saadian Tombs, Menara gardens, and the Bahia Palace. Then we head back to the hotel for lunch followed by a walk through the colorful souks and the Medina.
Our day will culminate with a visit to the lively Jemaa El Fna square and enjoy your time watching snake charmers, performers, musicians, and a vibrant souk. We’ll then return to the hotel to spend the night.
Day 11 : Marrakech → Essaouira
In the morning we will depart Marrakech and travel to the coastal city of Essaouira. Upon arrival, we will visit the renowned fishing port and observe the daily catch. Then explore the UNESCO-listed medina, including the Jewish Quarter and Skalla fortress. Browse the traditional souks for handicrafts and souvenirs.
In the evening, we will watch the panoramic sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from a cafe in the main square while sipping mint tea. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Essaouira.
Day 12 : Essaouira → Casablanca
We depart Essaouira after breakfast and travel along the coast to Casablanca. The route offers views of the Atlantic and beaches. Arriving in Casablanca, you can either get dropped off at your hotel or the airport. This concludes our 12-day tour from Casablanca.
Tour Includes
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off in Casablanca
- Air-conditioned vehicle transport
- Multilingual driver/guide
- Car Fuel
- Visit interesting sites en route
- Camel trekking
- Sandboarding (optional)
- Meals: 10(breakfast & dinner)
- 10 hotel nights
- Overnight in a desert camp
- Photos & lunch breaks
Tour Excludes
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tipping
- Fee to enter some monuments
