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Best of Morocco / 10 Days
A Perfect Mix of Cities, Desert, Mountains & Valley's, Ideal for First Time Travelers

Best of Morocco 10 Day Tour

Best of Morocco / 10 Days

This Classic Morocco Private Tour is ideal for first-time travelers. Perfect for couples, small groups and families, our Best of Morocco tour journeys to the snow-capped Atlas mountains, the grand Sahara Desert, the medieval town of Fes and bustling Marrakech with its vibrant souks and spice market. Discover ancient traditions, nomadic tribes and Berber Villages.

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: MARRAKESH ARRIVAL
  • Transfer to your riad upon arrival at Marrakesh’s Menara Airport.
  • With a morning arrival there is the option to begin historical tour on the first day.
  • Spend the night at a 5 star riad in the Marrakesh medina.
DAY 2: MARRAKESH GUIDED HISTORICAL TOUR
  • Breakfast at your riad.
  • Your introduction to Marrakesh will begin in the Nouvelle Ville, we will navigate our way to French, Gueliz and head to the Majorelle Gardens, a magical and lush garden estate designed by Jacque Majorelle and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent. The Majorelle Garden is filled with colorful walkways, ponds, cacti, and plants as well as a beautiful shop with hand-made goods. On our return to your hotel, we will pass by the La Mamounia Hotel and Garden.
  • Visit the El Bahia Palace. The El Bahia Palace in Marrakesh is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents the trends and standards of the wealthy at that time. The palace is surrounded by an eight hectare garden.
  • Visit the Saadian Tombs. The Saadian tombs in Marrakesh date from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. The tombs were only recently discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-Arts service. The mausoleum comprises the tombs of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the the Draa Valley.
DAY 2: MARRAKESH GUIDED HISTORICAL TOUR CONTINUED
  • Next visit the old Medina. Explore this charming area on foot. In Djemaa el Fna, you will visit the famous 12th century Koutoubia Mosque.
  • Your guide will lead you through the labyrinthine streets and alleys of the Djemaa. Enjoy aromatic smells and venture into the souks specializing in Berber carpets, silver jewelry, handmade shoes, and leather tanneries. Enjoy a three course lunch consisting of fresh salad, tajine, and fruit at one of Marrakesh’s most delectable restaurants.
  • Next, visit the Museum of Marrakesh, a Contemporary Moroccan Art Museum, or Tiskiwin, a private museum dedicated to popular arts & crafts located within a beautiful Spanish-Moroccan house.
  • Evening free to explore Marrakesh on your own. Your private driver will be available to escort you to a variety of restaurants we recommend.
  • Dinner Recommendations: Your riad, Le Marrakeshi, Le Fonduk, Dar Moha, La Trattoria, or Le Comptoir Darna.
  • Spend the night at a 5 star riad in the Marrakesh medina.
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  • Breakfast at your Riad. Journey to the former Portuguese fishing village of Essaouira passing roadside towns and Berber village. During the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pit stop on the hippie trek from Marrakesh.
  • Explore Essaouira, the sea-side medieval town with lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses is enchanting. Learn about the local tradition of thuya wood workshops, roam the art galleries, and enjoy fresh seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June. It also has an expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi.
  • Take a stroll along the sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan, and then on to Skala du Port, the fishing harbor, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. Explore the ramparts, the spice and jewelry souks of the medina, and the Jewish Mellah. The medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is a well-preserved example of a late-18th century fortified town.
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DAY 3: MARRAKESH - ESSAOUIRA EXCURSION CONTINUED
  • Have lunch at the fish grill cafes with wooden tables and benches laid out overlooking the sea.
  • After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to the filming of Othello in Essouaria. Return to Marrakesh in the evening.
  • Dinner Recommendations: Your riad, Le Marrakeshi, Le Fonduk, Dar Moha, La Trattoria, or Le Comptoir Darna.
  • Spend the night at a 5 star riad in the Marrakesh medina.
DAY 4: MARRAKESH - TIZI N'TICHKA PASS - TELOUET - AIT BENHADDOU - OUARZAZATE
  • Breakfast at your riad in Marrakesh. Take the road to Ouarzazate.
  • During your journey to Ouarzazate you will pass the olive groves of the Oued Zat as you ascend to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Built by the French in the 1920’s, the Tizi n’Tichka Pass will take you through stunning mountainous terrain. Along the route you will see panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains as well as fertile valleys, blue and red colored villages, and striking geology.
  • En route stop for lunch and visit the Argan Cooperative where argan oil, argan butter, and argan cosmetics are made by hand from argan nuts. Berber women crack the nuts and the grind them one by one. Enjoy a complimentary tasting. This cooperative is run entirely by women.
  • Lunch in the village or Tadart.
  • En route visit Kasbah Telout, one of Morocco’s hidden jewels and a famous kasbah that is the ancestral home of the Pacha Glaoui Family. Kasbah Telout is hidden on a tiny road in a small village that is 20 minutes outside of Tichka. The original zellij tile, masterful design, and collection of authentic preserved silks are grand remnants of the Glaoui family. Although Kasbah Telout appears to be in ruins on the exterior, its interior is one of true splendor.
DAY 4: MARRAKESH - TIZI N'TICHKA PASS - TELOUET - AIT BENHADDOU - OUARZAZATE CONTINUED
  • Visit Ait Benhaddou. 32 km from Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jesus of Nazareth were filmed here. In recent years, controlled restoration has been carried out under the auspices of UNESCO. Ait Benhaddou once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. Most of the town’s inhabitants live in a more modern village on the other side of the river, however ten families still live within the old ksar.
  • Dinner Recommendations: Your hotel, Chez D’Mtri, Le Kasbah Des Sables
  • Spend the night at a 5 star hotel in Ouarzazate.
DAY 5: OUARZAZATE - SKOURA - VALLEY OF ROSES - BOU THARAR VALLEY OF NOMADS - BOUMALNE DADES VALLEY & GORGE
  • Visit Skoura and the 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. The palm groves were laid out in the 12th century by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its original inhabitants, the Berbers of the Haskourene tribe. The most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco can be found here and many of them are still partially inhabited.
  • The perfumed Valley of Roses, just north of El Kelaa Des Mgouna is a pleasant journey on the road to Ouarzazate. You will stop for a tour of the Capp et Florale distillation factories laid out in the small kasbah town that manufactures the entire nation’s production of rose water (eau de rose). Rose water and other products such as hand and body soaps, oil, crème perfume, and dried roses are for sale and are also popular gifts among Moroccans. Ten tons of petals are required to produce a few liters of precious rose oil and the harvest is a labor of love. The culminating festivities of the annual Rose Festival are a lively time of year to visit.
  • The breathtaking Valley of Nomads located in Bou Tharar is a beautiful valley where nomads live in caves that are surrounded by Mount Mgoun. Mount Mgoun is the second highest mountain in Morocco and boasts extraordinary views of the rust colored, earthy scenery. Have tea with a nomadic family. See how they make their own carpets and co-exist in Bou Tharar with other nomadic families.
  • Visit the Dades Valley. The Dades Valley covers 125 km between the Todra Gorge and Ouarzazate. The Dades Valley boasts limestone cliffs with uniquely shaped erosions and superb scenery along the valley’s piste. Driving along you will pass flower-filled fields, fertile agricultural fields, riverbanks, and several fortified ksours. At the bottom of Gorge of Boulmane Dades there are ruined hilltop kasbahs and valley floor gardens.
  • Lunch will be served at a nearby guesthouse that offers local Moroccan fare and a panoramic view. Relax and sip mint tea while gazing at the impressive valley view. Continue your discovery of the Dades Valley and Gorge after lunch.
  • Dine and spend the night at Xalcua Kasbah & Spa, a 5 star riad with views of the Dades Valley.
DAY 6: DADES VALLEY - TODRA GORGE - ERFOUD - RISSANI - MERZOUGA
  • Breakfast at your riad. Take the road to visit the Todra Gorge, Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga.
  • Visit the Todra Gorge. The Todra Gorge is a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco near the town of Tinghir. Both the Todra River and Dades River have carved out the cliff-sided canyons. The drive is scenic along newly built roads. Drive past the mouth of the Gorge and up to the villages of Ait Hani and Tamtattouchte. The Todra Gorge extends from the village of Tamtattouchte to Tinghir. The Todra Gorge, with cliffs rising dramatically up to 300m on each side of a narrow corridor, is a spectacle with its gigantic rock walls changing color to create magical effects with the sunlight. In the morning, when the sun permeates through the bottom of the gorge, the rock changes from pink rose to deep ochre gradually through the rest of the day.
  • Take the road to Erfoud. Visit the Royal Palace gate. Enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the Borj-Est that rises 935 m (3067 ft) above the city. Tour the fossil sites in Carriere des Fossiles and the Maadid Ksar.
  • Erfoud is a city located in south-east Morocco. Although many ancient fortified villages have existed in the region for several centuries, Erfoud was built up by the French troops after the victory at Tafilalet that ended years of battle in 1932. Erfoud is an active city full of commerce, restaurants, street cafés, hotels, banks, handicrafts, and souvenir shops. While it is a modern Moroccan desert town, it still preserves the authenticity of a true Arab city with an impressively wild market and gorgeous surrounding landscapes filled with oases, dunes, and rocky mountains. Erfoud is a cinematic inspiration for movie directors. Many movies have been filmed in Erfoud, including Prince of Persia, March or Die, and The Mummy.
  • Continue the road to Rissani, a desert town from the ancient Alawi Dynasty and the birthplace of King Mohammed VI, the current King of Morocco. Visit the old Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, the first King of the Alawi Dynasty. Next visit Maison Touareg, a Tuareg house demonstrating Tuareg culture, and then the old Ksar of Rissani. Continue on the road to Merzouga.
  • Option to take the road to the village of Khemlia to listen to Gnaoua music and see how the village association works.
  • Arrive in Merzouga. Take a camel trek along the piste into the Sahara Desert as the sun sets to discover the rocky and majestic Erg Chebbi Dunes.
  • Dine on an 1001 Arabian Nights Moroccan feast and listen to local Moroccan Saharan music at your luxury bivouac.
DAY 7: MERZOUGA - IFRANE - AZRO - FES
  • Rise, have breakfast, and take a sunrise trek back to Merzouga. Depart Merzouga and drive to Fes.
  • Enjoy a lunch en route at Beni Mellal located at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Beni Mellal is on the edge of the great Tadla Plain, a major grain producing region.
  • En route stop to see the view of Ifrane University and go for a short walk around the garden. Ifrane is nicknamed “Little Switzerland” of Morocco for its architecture, cedar forest, and winter ski resort options. Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Morrocan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa. Animals to be found in the vicinity include the threatened Barbary Macaque. Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak, and the introduced London plane.
  • Continue on the road and arrive in Fes in the early evening.
  • Spend the night at a 5 star riad in Fes.
DAY 8: FES HISTORICAL TOUR
  • Breakfast at your riad or hotel in Fes. Discover Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old medina is thought of as a living museum.
  • Jewish Mellah – A mellah is the Jewish quarter located in the old cities of Morocco with a walled boundary. The Fes Mellah is also walled and it has a fortified gateway. These Jewish quarters are located near the royal residencies which enabled its inhabitants to be protected from the wrath of the Muslim populace. The Fes Mellah was once solely inhabited by Jews. This was the first mellah in Morocco and originated in 1438. In contrast with the young Casablanca Mellah, the Fes Mellah is over 650 years old. This picturesque neighborhood adjoins the royal palace where Jews took shelter during the 1912 pogrom.
DAY 8: FES HISTORICAL TOUR CONTINUED
  • Continue on to visit the Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue. Fes was once home to a flourishing Jewish community during the 17th century. The Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan Synagogue was built and founded by the Ibn Danan family, as well as the nearby Mansano Synagogue.
  • Fes el Bali, also known as Rcife, is the heart of manufacturing for Fassi goods. Cross the local fruit and vegetable market and visit the stalls of local traders while watching locals buy their daily goods.
  • Dyers Souk – The dyers market, located along Rue de Teinturies, is the best place to see the dying vats which have been used for centuries to dye cloth and sheep, goat, cow, and camel leather. You will see many tanned hides colored with natural pigments of all shades and hues.
  • Place el-Seffarine is the most important center for the production Fassi style ceramics, brass-ware, and silverware in Morocco.
DAY 8: FES HISTORICAL TOUR CONTINUED
  • The Tannery – The Chourara, or the Tanner’s Quarters, is one of the most lively and picturesque souks in Fes. Located near the Wadi Fès and far from residential areas due to the tannery smell. See the wide array of local leather work, a proud tradition of Fes.
  • Weavers Cooperative – Visit the Weavers Cooperative located in a residential neighborhood. The workshop specializes in weaving the finest jellaba fabric made of silk and wool threads imported from Italy. The shop also makes a quality jellaba fabric from a locally spun, textured wool thread called hubba. Hubba is sometimes referred to as couscous because its nubby texture resembles Morocco’s national semolina dish of the same name.
  • Mausoleum – Zaouia Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani contains the tomb of the 18th centry Sufi Shaykh founder of the Tijaniyya order. The facade of the Mausoleum is highly ornamented with carved wood, stucco, and glazed tilework.
  • University of al-Karaouine – Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world, and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.
  • Lunch at Restaurant Nejjarine in Fes.
DAY 8: FES HISTORICAL TOUR CONTINUED
  • Nejjarine Square – This interesting square is dominated by the beautifully restored Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts housed in an 18th-century foundouk. There is also a superbly decorated wall fountain. Browse the shops before venturing into the carpentry souk with its amazing array of glitzy wedding chairs.
  • Walk along Attarine street filled with the spice and perfume scents of Fes. Shop and explore carpet shops and local handicrafts. Watch Berber carpet weaving demonstrations.
  • The Bou Inania Madrasa – The Madrasa Bou Inania is a madrasa founded in AD 1351–56 by Abu Inan Faris. It is widely acknowledged as a major example of Marinid architecture. The madrasa functioned as both an educational institute and a congregational mosque. It was the last madrasa to be built by the Marinides.
  • Visit the Pottery and Zellij Tile Cooperative, a renowned Pottery Cooperative where you can view how Fasis pottery and zellij tile are made by hand. Tour the cooperative to see how the various artisans work using the ancient Fasis techniques that are unique to this Imperial city and region. View the galleries and shops of the artisans.
  • Dinner Recommendations: Your riad, Le Maison Bleue, Le Maison Blanche, Palais Dar Tazi
  • Spend the night at a 5 star riad in Fes.
DAY 9: FES - MEKNES - VOLUBILIS - CASABLANCA
  • Breakfast at your riad, then take the road to Volubilis and Meknes.
  • The breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis, also referred to as Oualili, was once a thriving town occupied by the Romans. Volubilis has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for the film The Last Temptation of Christ. Discover the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remains visible is several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica, and a triumphal arch. The ruins reveal how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arch, and temples devoted to Roman gods.
  • Enjoy tea at the small café that sits just below the Volubilis ruins.
  • Take the road to Meknes.
  • Arrive in Meknes. Lunch in the Nouvelle Ville of Meknes at a charming restaurant that offers Moroccan cuisine and a variety of local wines from the Meknes region.
DAY 9: FES - MEKNES - VOLUBILIS - CASABLANCA CONTINUED
  • After lunch, begin your visit at the 18th Century Palace built by Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah.
  • Then enter the medina at Bab El-Mansour. First, pass through the triumphal arch and enter Place El-Hedime, the Square of Ruins, which links the medina and the kasbah. The square is lined with modern residential buildings and a covered food souk.
  • Visit the Musée Dar Jamaï. The Jar Jamai museum shows modern Moroccan arts, woodwork, ceramics, carpets, costumes, jewelry, and metalwork. The sophisticated building was once a palace incorporating a mosque, menzah, courtyard, kitchen, and hammam.
  • Take the road to Casablanca
  • Dinner Recommendations: Rick’s Cafe or Seaside Corniche.
  • Spend the night at a 5 star hotel in Casablanca.
DAY 10: CASABLANCA DEPARTURE
  • Breakfast at your hotel in Casablanca. Visit the Hassan II Mosque if time allows.
  • 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 worshippers. 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. On Fridays, the Mosque of Hassan II is open to non-Muslims. The Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Anfa quarter.
  • Drive to the Mohammed V Airport for departure.