Highlights of Morocco

Your Moroccan grand adventure begins in the country’s bustling economic hub. After landing at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), a seamless transfer brings you to your central boutique hotel where you can unpack, unwind, and rest up after your flight. In the evening, gather with your dedicated CheckMorocco Tour Leader and fellow travelers for a comprehensive welcome meeting, outlining the incredible route ahead, reviewing essential local customs, and sharing safety tips. If you arrive early, take a relaxing stroll along the Atlantic coastline or admire the stunning exterior architecture of the monumental Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most intricate mosques in the entire world.

Meals Included: None.

Approximate Driving Time: 45 minutes.

Leaving Casablanca behind, travel north along the scenic Atlantic highway toward the historic port city of Tangier, where the Mediterranean meets the ocean. Here, enjoy an introductory guided walk through the lively Grand Socco plaza, explore the historic high-walled Kasbah district, and navigate the whitewashed coastal alleys that have inspired writers and artists for generations. In the afternoon, the journey winds inland and climbs directly into the dramatic, rugged peaks of the Rif Mountains. As the sun begins to set, arrive in the world-famous, dreamlike blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen to check into a charming, traditional riad for the night. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 5 hours 30 minutes.

Enjoy a completely unstructured, self-paced day to fully immerse yourself in the photogenic magic of Chefchaouen’s historic medina. Spend your morning wandering through the maze of cobalt, indigo, and sky-blue residential pathways, photographing the iconic decorated doorways, and browsing vibrant markets filled with regional handwoven wool blankets, brass lanterns, and locally harvested mountain goods. If you are feeling active, opt for a rewarding afternoon trek through the surrounding Rif Valley trails, climbing up to the isolated Spanish Mosque where you can sit and take in a stunning panoramic sunset viewpoint overlooking the entire blue city below. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: None.

Bid farewell to the Rif Mountains as you head south toward the ancient imperial heart of Morocco. Your first key stop is a special community lunch at a rural women’s development association supported by CheckMorocco, where you will enjoy a traditional, home-cooked meal that directly contributes to local families. Afterward, step back in time at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubilis, exploring the remarkably preserved ancient Roman ruins, colorful floor mosaics, grand bathhouses, and triumphant marble arches alongside an expert local site historian before continuing your drive to the majestic city of Fès. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch. Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours 30 minutes.

Prepare to step back centuries into the world’s largest and best-preserved living medieval city. Alongside an expert local specialist guide, navigate the mind-boggling labyrinth of over 9,000 winding, car-free alleys that make up the iconic Fès el-Bali Medina. Stand on a high balcony overlooking the famous Chouara Tannery to watch skilled artisans dye leather using ancestral, completely natural stone vat methods, marvel at the intricate tilework and carved cedar wood of the Al-Attarine Madrasa, and view the grand exterior of the ancient Al-Qarawiyyin University, widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating educational institution on Earth. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: None.

An incredible, visually shifting travel day awaits as you journey across Morocco’s diverse geographic landscapes. Wind through the alpine-style architecture and clean streets of Ifrane, often called the Switzerland of Morocco, and traverse the high cedar forests of the Middle Atlas range, keeping an eye out for the native wild Barbary macaques that live in the trees. Descend through the stark, dramatic pre-desert river canyons of the Ziz Valley, watching the landscape slowly shift from green mountains to rocky desert plains, until you arrive just before dusk at the edge of the spectacular, towering Erg Chebbi sand dunes in Merzouga. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Approximate Driving Time: 7 hours 30 minutes.

Spend a peaceful Saharan morning exploring local desert life, learning about ancestral oasis irrigation farming, or choosing an optional, adrenaline-pumping 4×4 Land Cruiser expedition across the sand tracks to meet the local Gnaoua musicians in Khamlia village. In the late afternoon, step into the classic desert experience as you mount your camel caravan to trek deep into the rolling golden sand ridges. Stop along the high dunes to witness a truly unforgettable Saharan sunset before arriving at your premium desert camp for an evening of traditional music around a crackling campfire and a spectacular night of stargazing under an incredibly clear desert sky. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Approximate Driving Time: 1 hour.

Wake up early to catch a breathtaking desert sunrise over the rolling sand dunes before enjoying a hearty breakfast at camp. Travel back out of the desert pastures and journey through the arid stone plains of the southern wilderness until you reach the majestic Todra Gorge. This jaw-dropping natural wonder features massive, sheer limestone cliff faces that rise 160 meters high above a cool, spring-fed river oasis. Spend a relaxing afternoon walking along the shaded valley paths, watching rock climbers tackle the canyon walls, and enjoying the crisp, refreshing mountain air running through the gorge. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours.

Travel down the legendary southern caravan trail, famously known as the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing historic mud-brick fortresses and sprawling green palm oases. Pause for a visit in Ouarzazate, the undisputed cinema capital of North Africa, to see where legendary Hollywood epics have been filmed. Continue a short distance to the iconic earthen ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore this ancient defensive mud-brick complex at golden hour, climbing to the old granary at the top for stunning views of the surrounding river valley. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Leave the desert plains behind and climb high into the clouds as you drive over the dramatic, winding Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, which sits at an impressive altitude of $2,260text{m}$. Arrive in the mountain trekking hub of Imlil, leave your heavy luggage with the local mule drivers, and set off on a scenic, moderate uphill walk into the isolated village of Aroumd. Nestled right at the foot of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, you will spend the night in an authentic, rustic Berber mountain gîte, sharing a hearty, slow-cooked traditional tagine right by an open fireplace with your group. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours.

Trek back down the mountain trails to Imlil to meet your transport and begin your journey west toward the refreshing breezes of the Atlantic shoreline. Along the route, make a meaningful stop at the Zarbiat Achbarou carpet weaving cooperative for fresh mint tea and a live demonstration of traditional indigenous textile techniques passed down through generations of Berber women. In the late afternoon, arrive in the laid-back, white-and-blue historic fishing port of Essaouira, checking into your coastal accommodation and enjoying the relaxed, easygoing rhythm of ocean life. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours 45 minutes.

Enjoy a completely free day to explore the artistic, bohemian charm of coastal Essaouira at your own pace. Walk along the historic sea ramparts and Portuguese fortification walls where old brass cannons still point out to sea, and stroll down to the bustling fishing docks to select fresh seafood grilled right before your eyes. The afternoon is perfect for exploring the medina’s peaceful, wide alleys to shop for delicate thuya-wood carvings, or treating yourself to a luxury local Argan oil hammam session to fully unwind and refresh your body. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: None.

Leave the coast behind and head inland to the grand, imperial “Red City” of Marrakech. Upon arrival, dive straight into an exciting guided afternoon walking tour through the dense medina souks, historic spice plazas, and hidden architectural funduqs. As twilight begins to fall, gather in the legendary Djemaa el-Fna Square to watch the massive open-air plaza transform into a living theater filled with street musicians, traditional storytellers, henna artists, and hundreds of smoky, open-air food stalls serving up delicious Moroccan delicacies. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Your final full day in Morocco is completely yours to design. Opt for an unforgettable, early-morning hot-air balloon ride over the surrounding desert plains, or take a peaceful morning stroll through the serene, cobalt-blue botanical layouts of the famous Jardin Majorelle. Spend your afternoon diving into history by exploring the intricate tilework and grand courtyards of the Bahia Palace, shopping for final souvenirs in the vibrant markets, or booking a farewell group dinner inside a beautifully restored palace hidden deep within the medina walls. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: None.

Enjoy a final group breakfast at your riad as your grand Moroccan horizon tour officially comes to a close. Take some time to swap photos and contact details with your fellow travelers and Tour Leader before departing. You can fly out at any time today directly via the Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK), or easily coordinate a smooth ground transfer back up north to Casablanca if you are catching an international flight out of Mohammed V International Airport. Meals Included: Breakfast. Approximate Driving Time: 30 minutes or 2 hours 45 minutes.