Itinerary
WONDERS & DESERTS OF MOROCCO
Small Group Tour — Minimum 2 to Maximum 6 Travelers
DAY 1: TORONTO / CASABLANCA
Departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport with Royal Air Maroc, bound for Casablanca.
DAY 2: CASABLANCA / RABAT (90 KM) (L/D)
Arrival at Casablanca Airport. You’ll be greeted by your English-speaking driver-guide and begin your Moroccan journey with a guided visit (interior and exterior) of the iconic Hassan II Mosque.
After lunch, enjoy a panoramic tour of Casablanca, Morocco’s economic capital. Highlights include United Nations Square, Mohammed V Boulevard, the elegant Anfa villa district, the Aïn Diab Corniche, and the traditional Habbous Quarter.
Later in the afternoon, continue to Rabat. Dinner and overnight stay.
Note: The guided visit of the Hassan II Mosque will be conducted in French and may be shared with a small group.
DAY 3: RABAT / MEKNES / VOLUBILIS / MOULAY IDRISS / FES (226 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, begin the day with a guided historical walking tour of Rabat. Stroll along the esplanade of the Royal Palace (Dar el Makhzen), with its magnificent sculpted gates, and pause for a photo stop at the Merinid necropolis of Chellah. Continue to the impressive Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a marble masterpiece of traditional Moroccan architecture and one of the most beautiful tombs in the world. Visit the Mechouar Walls, the Andalusian Garden, and the Kasbah of the Udayas, built in the 12th century by the Almohads. The kasbah’s monumental gate, crafted by Sultan Yacoub el Mansour, is a striking example of Almohad artistry.
Depart for Meknes, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. After lunch, enjoy a guided walking tour, starting at El Hedim Square, located at the entrance to the medina between the old town and the imperial district. Explore the traditional market and food souk. Highlights include:
- Bab Lakhmis, the richly decorated 17th-century gate
- Bab el Mansour, the city's most iconic gate—ranked among the four most beautiful in the world and the largest in North Africa
- Heri Es-Souani, the royal granaries and stables built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 18th century
- The Agdal Basin
- Visit to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail*
Continue to Volubilis for a guided tour of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to remarkably preserved Roman ruins, including mosaics and a basilica, set at the foot of Mount Zerhoun.
Then, admire a panoramic view of Moulay Idriss, Morocco’s holiest town, dramatically perched atop a rocky hill above the Erroumane Valley.
In the evening, arrive in Fes. Dinner and overnight stay.
*Visit to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is subject to completion of restoration works.
DAY 4: FES (B/L/D)
After breakfast, begin your full-day exploration of Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco.
Start with a guided tour of Fes El-Jdid, followed by a walk along the esplanade of the Royal Palace, where you can admire its magnificent golden gates. Continue with a guided walking tour of Fes El Bali, the old medina—the largest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—founded between 789 and 808 by the Idrisid dynasty.
Highlights include:
- Seffarine Square, known for its traditional metalworkers
- The exquisite Medersa el Attarine, built in 1323 by Marinid Sultan Abou Said, featuring stunning examples of Oriental craftsmanship
- An exterior view of the Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University, one of the oldest in the world and the pride of Fes El Bali
- Nejjarine Square and its beautifully tiled fountain topped with an intricately carved cedar canopy
- Various artisan quarters and traditional souks where you can observe local craftsmen
- The Chouara Tanneries, in continuous operation since the Middle Ages and one of the most iconic sights in the medina
Enjoy lunch in a traditional riad-style restaurant in the heart of the medina. In the afternoon, visit a world-renowned Fassi ceramics workshop, then head to the Merinid Tombs at Borj Nord for a panoramic view of the entire old city.
Conclude your day with a visit to the famous Bab Boujloud, the beautifully decorated Blue Gate of Fes.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5: FES / IFRANE / MIDELT / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA / LUXURY DESERT CAMP (464 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, depart for Merzouga via the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, known as the “Little Switzerland of Morocco”, a charming alpine-style town nestled at high altitude and surrounded by one of the Atlas Mountains’ most beautiful cedar forests. Along the way, keep an eye out for Barbary macaques, a native species often seen in the wild.
Continue to Midelt for lunch before heading toward Errachidia, traveling through the spectacular Ziz Gorges and Ziz Valley, and crossing the High Atlas via the Talghemt Pass at an elevation of 1,907 meters. Arrive in Erfoud, set within the Tafilalet palm grove, and proceed toward the majestic dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert near Merzouga.
Upon arrival, take time to relax before heading out to admire a breathtaking sunset over the dunes. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and an authentic desert celebration with local music and a magical atmosphere beneath the stars—an unforgettable Sahara experience.
Dinner and overnight stay in a luxury desert camp (bivouac).
DAY 6: LUXURY DESERT CAMP / MERZOUGA (B/L/D)
Wake up early to witness the magnificent sunrise over the Sahara dunes—a truly breathtaking moment. After breakfast, set off on a 4x4 excursion through part of the Erg Chebbi dunes, some of the highest in the Sahara, reaching up to 150 meters.
Your journey continues with a visit to a nomadic village, where you’ll experience the soulful rhythms of traditional Gnawa music. Then, explore the village of Merzouga and the nearby oasis of Hassilabied, known for its traditional irrigation system.
Enjoy lunch and unwind at your desert accommodation, beautifully set at the foot of the dunes. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to fully enjoy the serenity of the Sahara—swim in the pool overlooking the dunes (weather permitting), climb the sand hills, or simply relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Later, meet your camel handlers and set out on a memorable camel ride at sunset, pausing atop the dunes to take in the golden views before returning by camel to your lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 7: MERZOUGA / TODRA GORGES / TINGHIR / DADES (280 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, depart for the Dades Valley, traveling through Tinjdad. Along the way, enjoy a walking visit of Ksar El Khorbat, a fortified adobe village where many of the traditional homes are still inhabited. This hidden gem offers a genuine glimpse into Morocco’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Continue toward Tinghir and arrive at the spectacular Todra Gorges for a scenic walk. These towering limestone cliffs, carved over millennia by the Todra River, rise up to 300 meters and create a dramatic, canyon-like passage—one of Morocco’s most striking natural landscapes.
From there, travel through the lush Tinghir palm grove and continue into the Dades Valley, known for its rugged beauty and ancient kasbahs.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Dades region.
DAY 8: DADES / KELAA M’GOUNA / OUARZAZATE / AÏT BEN HADDOU / MARRAKECH (324 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, set out along the legendary Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through the Valley of Roses via Kelaa M’Gouna, Skoura, and Ouarzazate. Make a photo stop at the striking Kasbah Taourirt, one of the region’s architectural highlights.
Continue to the iconic Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, enjoy a guided walking tour of this remarkable ksar—a traditional pre-Saharan village made entirely of earthen clay and surrounded by fortified walls. Some of the structures resemble small castles, complete with soaring towers adorned with intricate brick patterns. The oldest sections are believed to date back to the 12th century.
In the afternoon, journey toward Marrakech by way of the stunning Tizi n’Tichka Pass, winding through breathtaking High Atlas mountain scenery at an altitude of 2,260 meters.
Dinner and overnight stay in Marrakech.
DAY 9: MARRAKECH (B/L/D)
After breakfast, begin your guided walking tour of Marrakech with a visit to the enchanting Majorelle Garden, one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. Home to over 300 plant species from five continents, this vibrant botanical oasis dazzles with its signature Majorelle blue, yellow accents, and artistic landscaping.
Continue to the Menara Gardens, where you’ll see the historic Saadian pavilion with its iconic green pyramidal roof, followed by a visit to the ancient city walls that once protected Marrakech. Stop at the lively Place des Ferblantiers before exploring the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century masterpiece often called the Little Alhambra, built by a grand vizier as a tribute to his beloved.
Enjoy lunch in the medina, then continue your UNESCO-listed medina walking tour, with its labyrinth of vibrant souks filled with exotic scents, colorful textiles, and traditional crafts. Visit the Ben Youssef Medersa, a stunning example of Saadian architecture, and discover the legendary Jemaa el-Fna Square—the pulsating heart of the city, alive with snake charmers, musicians, storytellers, acrobats, and more.
Soak in the rich atmosphere of Marrakech’s cultural soul, with its dazzling colors and aromatic spices. End the day at the Koutoubia Mosque, whose magnificent minaret towers 77 meters above the city.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 10: MARRAKECH / ESSAOUIRA (190 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, depart for Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, a charming coastal town on Morocco’s Atlantic shore. On the way, you may spot the iconic goats perched in argan trees. Stop at an argan oil cooperative, where you’ll learn about this prized oil, renowned for its cosmetic and culinary properties.
Continue to Essaouira for lunch, then enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic Skala of the city and the fishing port, known for its blue wooden boats and 18th-century fortifications. These former Portuguese bastions are now legendary symbols of the city.
Explore the UNESCO-listed medina, which has preserved its authenticity in both layout and materials. Stroll through traditional souks, artisan workshops, and local markets. Discover the historic Jewish quarter (Mellah) and the Consulate district.
After the tour, enjoy free time. You may take a leisurely seaside walk, or relax in Place Moulay Hassan, the town’s lively main square, lined with cafés and facing the sea. At sunset, the view from the city ramparts over the Atlantic Ocean is simply spectacular.
Essaouira will captivate you with its authentic seaside charm.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 11: ESSAOUIRA / SAFI / OUALIDIA / EL JADIDA / CASABLANCA (370 KM) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, travel along the scenic Atlantic coastal road toward Safi, an important fishing port that was once a Portuguese settlement.
Continue to Oualidia for lunch—this peaceful seaside town is known for its stunning lagoon, one of the most beautiful along Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
In the afternoon, journey to El Jadida, also known as Mazagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified city was built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and remained under their control until it was reclaimed by the Moroccans in 1769. Enjoy a walking tour along the city’s ramparts, offering spectacular views of the town, the port, and the sea.
Later, continue to Casablanca.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 12: CASABLANCA / MONTREAL (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca Airport for your return flight to Montreal.
Meal Plan Key
B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | AI: All-Inclusive
Full Board: Accommodation with 3 meals per day (excluding beverages – no alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, juices, soft drinks, tea, *coffee, herbal tea, or bottled water included).
Half Board: Accommodation with 2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner – excluding all beverages).
Breakfast Only: Accommodation with breakfast (excluding all beverages).
*Morning coffee is included with breakfast.
Note: All distances indicated are approximate.