Best of Morocco | 12 days

Fly into Casablanca where you’ll be greeted by an Odyssey Morocco representative who will provide private transportation from the airport to our hotel. If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, we can make suggestions for optional activities. That evening, when everyone has arrived, we’ll meet our tour leader who will brief us on what to expect of our adventure together. Then, we’ll end the day at a restaurant with delicious, traditional Moroccan food.

Included: Airport greeter, transportation, accommodations

We’ll start the day with a morning tour of the beautiful Hassan II Mosque next to the Atlantic Ocean in Casablanca. This impressive mosque is the only one in Morocco that allows non-Muslim visitors and accommodates up to 25,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 outside! Next, we’ll drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where we’ll visit the Udaya Kasbah, Hassan Tower, and the mausoleum of Mohamed V. In the evening, we'll reach Chefchaouen. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, this town is known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco and is renowned for its picturesque blue medina. Chefchaouen is always a favorite of our guests.

Included: Breakfast, all entrance fees, private local guide, transportation, accommodations

We’ll spend the day in Chefchaouen where every turn is a new photo opportunity. After an orientation walk with our tour leader, you can choose a leisurely day exploring the medina and shopping or an active day on some of the hiking trails in the area. (This is also a good day to catch up on jet lag if you need to.) Chefchaouen and the mountains that surround it offer striking views and scenery and don’t disappoint you no matter what the activity.

Included: Breakfast, orientation walk through the medina, transportation, accommodations

Volubulis will be our first stop after leaving Chefchaouen. Morocco has been a crossroads for many cultures and civilizations for centuries and influences are still seen in places like the Roman ruins of Volubulis. This remains of this Roman town are extensive and even include tile mosaics that have weathered hundreds of years. Later that afternoon, we’ll arrive in Fes, the historic center of art and culture in Morocco. That evening, we'll accompany our guide to dinner in the historic Fes medina where we'll try pastilla, a delicious chicken-filled pastry, in a local home.

Included: Breakfast, private tour of Volubulis, transportation, pastilla dinner, accommodations

Once the capital of Morocco, Fes has been known for centuries for scholarship and trading. With our guide, we’ll tour the winding Fes medina known for having over 10,000 streets and passages. In the medina, we’ll visit an artisanal cooperative to see how master craftsman and their pupils create the famous zellige tilework and pottery that Morocco is known for. We’ll also experience the intricate tilework and carving of the Al- Attarine Medrasa. Although no longer in use as a Koranic school, scholars studied here from the 13th century onward. And, we’ll visit the famed Chouara Tanneries which have been in operation since the 13 th -century and still use ancient methods and materials for softening and dyeing leather.

Included: Breakfast, private local guide, all entrance fees, transportation, accommodations

Today, we’ll leave the high energy of Fes and journey to Erfoud, the gateway of the Sahara. Primarily a driving day, you can relax and enjoy the scenery of both the Mid-Atlas and High Atlas Mountains with stops for lunch and tea.

Included: Breakfast, transportation, accommodations

Today, we’ll get our first taste of the incredible Sahara Desert with a morning visit to a local market or an optional ATV adventure. After a leisurely morning, we’ll head to the village of Khemliya where we’ll be serenaded with traditional Gnaoua music and eat ‘Berber pizza,’ made by the village women. After lunch we’ll head to the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes where we’ll ride camels into our Sahara camp. A night in the Sahara is often the highlight of people’s trips, and we can enjoy the stars and Berber music by campfire after a delicious dinner at our comfortable camp.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, camel ride, dinner, transportation, accommodations

Sunrise over the Sahara is just as impressive as sunset, so we’ll want to wake up early to see how the desert lights up. After breakfast, we’ll ride back to our transport van via camel or 4x4 (chose whichever you prefer.) Then, we’ll head to beautiful Todra Gorge. After walking through the base of Todra Gorge with our tour leader, we’ll end the day with a delicious dinner. If you’re interested in having your hands painted with henna, our guide can arrange this optional activity.

Included: Breakfast, camel ride, walk through Todra Gorge, dinner, transportation, and accommodations

If today’s stops look familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen them in a movie like Gladiator. We’ll begin the day with a drive through Dades Valley before visiting the incredibly well-preserved Kasbah Amridil in Skoura. After Skoura, we’ll drive to Ouarzazate, also known as the “Moroccan Hollywood,” where our guide can arrange an optional studio tour. Later in the afternoon, you’ll reach the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, another UNESCO world heritage site and movie site. Your guide will lead you through the Ksar to the pinnacle of the village. If you’re interested in learning about or purchasing an authentic Moroccan rug, we can arrange a visit to the women's cooperative. Dinner that night will be at our accommodations.

Included: Breakfast, entrance fee to Kasbah Amridil, walking tour in Ait Ben Haddou, dinner, transportation, accommodations

After a night near Ait Ben Haddou, we’ll make our way to the bustling city of Marrakech, a favorite destination for both Moroccans and international visitors.  In Marrakech, we’ll visit the exotic and historic Djemaa El Fna square and the beautiful Bahia Palace. Our guide will also orient us to the medina where we may want to explore more the next day. We will end the day on a rooftop cafe where we can watch the sun set behind the famous 12 th -century Koutoubia Mosque tower.

Included: Breakfast, private local guide, tour of the medina, entrance fee to Bahia Palace, transportation, accommodations

We’ll have a free day to explore Marrakech, and our tour leader will be happy to make suggestions on optional activities including shopping, historic sites within the medina, museums, and gardens. Some favorites are the Madrasa Ben Youssef, known for its exquisite architecture, Dar El Bacha museum with its picturesque columns, and the House of Photography. Other optional activities include a tagine cooking class, daytrip to the seaside town of Essaouira, or a relaxing hammam. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a final-night celebration dinner with our tour leader.

Included: Breakfast, accommodations

Today, we'll wish everyone safe travels. Our tour leader will help arrange transportation to the airport or other locations. Additional nights’ accommodation can also be arranged.

Included: Breakfast