16 Day All-in Berber Tour of Morocco

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat

We will meet you upon your arrival at Casablanca airport to start your All-in 16-days Berber Tour of Morocco. We will visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the largest mosque outside Mecca, before continuing to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah before you check into your overnight accommodation at a riad at the heart of the medina.

Day 2: Rabat – Assilah – Chefchaouen

After breakfast in your riad, we drive mainly along the stunning coastline to Chefchaouen. Along the way, we stop in Asilah, giving you time to explore the city. Asilah is known for its annual art festival, and most of the walls of the medina are painted by various famous artists from all over the world. Your visit includes the Skalla fortress, where you will experience a wonderful view of the medina and the ocean. If time permits, we will have a drive-through Tanger to get a feel of the city. Afterward, we continue over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Overnight in a traditional Moroccan riad.

Day 3: Exploring Chefchaouen

Day 4: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast in your riad, we begin our journey to Fes via Ouazzan and the Roman site of Volubilis. These well-preserved Roman ruins date back to 225 BC. You will have a guided tour of the site, learning about the Roman Empire in this area and seeing the most beautiful mosaics dating back to the 3rd century BC. Next, we travel to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. In Meknes, we see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail, the granary, and the Sahrij Souani, used for irrigation and plantation. Your visit includes also the Mulay Ismail Mausoleum. We then continue via the highway to Fes. Overnight accommodation at a riad in the heart of the medina.

Day 5: Exploring Fez

After breakfast, delve into the oldest city in Morocco, the ‘Spiritual City.’ Spend the morning navigating the medina’s narrow alleyways, visiting cultural and historical sites such as the Al Karaouine Mosque and University, the Medrasa Bouanania, the leather tanneries, and the Najjarine Fountain. After lunch, venture outside the medina to see the Royal Palace gate, explore the Jewish quarter or Mellah, and visit a pottery and mosaic cooperative. In the late afternoon, drive to a fortress for a panoramic view of the Fes medina. Overnight at the same riad.

DAY 6: Fes – Merzouga

After riad breakfast, head south to Merzouga via Ifrane, the ‘Switzerland of Morocco.’ Experience the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains, stopping at a cedar forest to see Barbarian Apes. Witness the changing scenery as you approach Er Rachidia city. After lunch in Midelt, continue through the spectacular Ziz Valley, passing through Berber villages Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive in Merzouga, welcomed with mint tea at your riad.

Day 7: Merzouga Area and Camel Trek

Explore the Merzouga area after riad breakfast, visiting the Gnawa people for music and lifestyle. Meet nomad families in Berber tents, have lunch with a local family, and visit the souk in Rissani. In the late afternoon, embark on a guided camel trek to explore the sand sea of Merzouga. Overnight at the desert camp with dinner and Berber drums under the starry sky.

Day 8: Merzouga – Toudgha Gorges – Dades Valley

Experience a breathtaking sunrise on your camel back to Merzouga. After breakfast and a hot shower, travel to Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges. Lunch in the gorge, then drive through the Dades Valley, admiring sand castles and ‘monkey toes’ rock formations. Overnight in a guesthouse overlooking the Dades Valley.

Day 9: Dades Gorge – Nomad Caves – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate

Day 10: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Imlil

After breakfast in your riad, we travel to Imlil via the dramatic Tizi n’ Tichka Pass. En route, we stop at the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This kasbah is the largest in Morocco and was built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains, at the end of the 19th century to be a stop on the long trading route between Marrakech in the North and Timbuktu in the South. The kasbah now houses many of the Glaoui family members. Next, we continue through the majestic Tizi n’ Tichka Pass (2260m) to the villages of Asni and Imlil in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. You will overnight in an authentic Kasbah in Imlil, a small village with a strong Berber culture.

Day 11: Imlil and Hiking in the Atlas Mountains

Today, hike in the Atlas Mountains, enjoying views of Toubkal Mountain, North Africa’s highest peak. Explore Imlil, immerse in Berber culture, and meet locals. Overnight in the same kasbah.

Day 12: Imlil – Essouira

After breakfast, drive to Essaouira, passing through lush valleys with orange groves and ancient olive trees. In Chichaoua, take a short break for coffee. Pass argan trees, valued for their nutritive and cosmetic properties. Arrive in Essaouira, meaning ‘wall’ in Berber. Explore its unique history, wander ancient streets, and experience its diverse atmosphere. Overnight in an authentic riad in the medina.

Day 13: Exploring Essaquira

After breakfast in your riad, we begin exploring the town, visiting the Skala Fortress, the port, walking through the alleys of the medina and souks, past hundreds of handicrafts, and seeing Thuya wood carved by artisans. Our visit includes the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, and the beach. Lunch is typically Moroccan; bought fish, ‘cooked to order’.

Essaouira is known for its strong winds most of the year so it attracts surfers from all over the world. Essaouira knew many civilizations – including the Portuguese occupation, which affected much of its architecture. However, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s ‘Jewel of the Atlantic’. There is an annual festival of Gnawa music, normally starting in the third week of June. Musical groups come from different parts of Africa and the world, so if your trip coincides with this, you have the option to extend your stay for an extra day. The afternoon is free to walk and explore by yourself. Overnight accommodation is in the same riad.

Day 14: Essaquira – Marrakeck

After breakfast in your riad, we’ll depart for Marrakech. As this area is known for the growth and production of argon products, we’ll have an opportunity to visit the women’s cooperative to see how they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic, and medical properties. After several stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Marrakech before checking in to your riad. After dinner, you will enjoy walking in the famous square of Jemaa El Fnaa, where you’ll be entertained by magicians, storytellers, musicians, and snake charmers. Overnight in a riad in the medina.

Day 15: Exploring Marrakech

After breakfast in your riad, we start exploring Marrakech, the ‘Red City of Morocco’. Your guide will ensure that you see most of the sites with historical and cultural interest, including the famous Jemaa El Fna Square, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs, the Palace of Bahia, and the Ben Youssef Koranic School. Lunch is at a restaurant near the square. In the afternoon, you will visit the Majorelle Gardens, and have a short visit to the new city of Marrakech. Overnight accommodation is at the same riad.

Day 16: Marrakech – Airport Transfer

You may have time to explore a bit more of Marrakech depending on your departure time. We will ensure you get to the airport in time for your flight.