Chefchaouen
Two nights and a full free day in the blue town.
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12 Days • Private Grand Morocco Tour
Our 12 Days Tour from Casablanca runs from the Rif mountains through Fes and the Sahara to Marrakech, then finishes by the sea in Essaouira.
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Departure
Casablanca
Tour Type
Private tour
Destination
Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Marrakech, Essaouira
Transport
Private 4x4 or minivan with air conditioning
Availability
Daily, flexible start date
Overview
The 12 Days Tour from Casablanca is our longest loop from the coast and the most relaxed. Instead of adding more stops, it adds time: a full free day in Chefchaouen, a guided day in Fes, two nights near the Erg Chebbi dunes and two nights in Marrakech. The route heads north to the Rif, inland past Volubilis and Meknes, south across the Middle Atlas to the desert, then west through the Todra and Dades gorges and over the High Atlas. The last stretch drops to Essaouira, a walled port with fresh sea air, before the coastal drive back to Casablanca. It suits travelers who want a proper holiday rather than a race between sights.
Twelve days from the blue Rif to the Atlantic, with time to slow down.
What to expect
A free day to explore Chefchaouen
Roman mosaics at Volubilis and the gates of Meknes
Two nights at a camp in Erg Chebbi
Two nights and a guided walk in Marrakech
Walk the sea ramparts of Essaouira
Day by day
1
Casablanca → Rabat
Approx. distance: 100 km
Your driver meets you at your hotel or at Mohammed V Airport. Begin at the Hassan II Mosque, set on a platform over the ocean.
In Rabat you visit the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, then wander the Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden. Dinner is at your hotel.
KEY STOPS: Hassan II Mosque, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas
STAY: Hotel in Rabat
MEALS: Dinner
2
Rabat → Chefchaouen
Approx. distance: 250 km
Drive north after breakfast through farmland and into the green hills of the Rif. You arrive in Chefchaouen around lunchtime and check in to your riad.
Spend the afternoon getting your bearings in the medina around Outa el Hammam square.
KEY STOPS: Rif mountains, Chefchaouen medina
STAY: Riad in Chefchaouen
MEALS: Breakfast
3
Chefchaouen medina → Spanish Mosque
A free day with no driving. Walk to the Ras el Maa spring where locals still wash clothes, browse small weaving shops and visit the kasbah museum.
In the late afternoon, the path up to the Spanish Mosque takes about 30 minutes and gives the classic view over the blue town at sunset.
KEY STOPS: Ras el Maa, Kasbah museum, Spanish Mosque
STAY: Riad in Chefchaouen
MEALS: Breakfast
4
Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Fes
Approx. distance: 260 km
Head south through olive groves to Volubilis, where Roman houses still keep their mosaic floors. Moulay Idriss is visible on the hill nearby.
In Meknes you stop at the Bab Mansour gate and El Hedim square before driving on to Fes for the night.
KEY STOPS: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, Meknes Bab Mansour
STAY: Riad in Fes
MEALS: Breakfast
5
Fes el Bali → Chouara Tannery
A licensed local guide leads a morning walk through Fes el Bali. You see the Bou Inania Madrasa, metalwork and weaving workshops, and the Chouara tannery from a terrace above the dye pits.
The afternoon is free for the souks, a hammam or a quiet rest in your riad.
KEY STOPS: Bou Inania Madrasa, Al Attarine Madrasa, Chouara Tannery
STAY: Riad in Fes
MEALS: Breakfast
6
Fes → Ifrane → Merzouga
Approx. distance: 470 km
The longest drive of the trip. You pass Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, have lunch in Midelt and follow the Ziz Valley palms south through Erfoud.
At Merzouga a camel takes you into Erg Chebbi for sunset, and dinner is served at camp.
KEY STOPS: Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
7
Merzouga → Khamlia → Rissani
Approx. distance: 80 km
A slower desert day. In Khamlia you hear Gnawa musicians play over a glass of mint tea, then visit the market and old ksar in Rissani.
Return to the dunes for a second sunset, dinner and another night at camp.
KEY STOPS: Khamlia, Rissani market
STAY: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
8
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
Approx. distance: 290 km
Leave the desert after breakfast and drive west past Tinejdad to Tinghir. Walk into Todra Gorge, where cliffs close in on both sides of a clear stream.
Continue into the Dades Valley for dinner and the night at your hotel.
KEY STOPS: Tinejdad, Tinghir, Todra Gorge
STAY: Hotel in the Dades Valley
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
9
Dades Valley → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
Approx. distance: 330 km
Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs past Kelaat M'Gouna, Skoura and Ouarzazate to Aït Ben Haddou. Climb through the ksar to the old granary for a view of the river valley.
After lunch you cross the High Atlas by Tizi n'Tichka and reach your Marrakech riad in the early evening.
KEY STOPS: Kelaat M'Gouna, Skoura, Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou, Tizi n'Tichka
STAY: Riad in Marrakech
MEALS: Breakfast
10
Marrakech medina → Jemaa el-Fna
A local guide shows you the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs area and the souks of the old city in the morning.
The rest of the day is yours. Many travelers visit the Majorelle Garden in the afternoon and return to Jemaa el-Fna for the evening food stalls.
KEY STOPS: Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, souks, Jemaa el-Fna
STAY: Riad in Marrakech
MEALS: Breakfast
11
Marrakech → Essaouira
Approx. distance: 190 km
Drive west across the plains into argan country, where goats sometimes climb the trees. A women's cooperative on the way shows how argan oil is made.
In Essaouira, walk the Skala ramparts, the fishing port and the whitewashed medina. Fresh grilled fish by the harbour makes an easy dinner.
KEY STOPS: Argan cooperative, Skala ramparts, Essaouira port
STAY: Riad in Essaouira
MEALS: Breakfast
12
Essaouira → Casablanca
Approx. distance: 360 km
Enjoy a last morning by the sea, then drive north to Casablanca. The journey takes about four and a half hours, and your driver drops you at your hotel or the airport.
KEY STOPS: Essaouira medina
STAY: Drop-off in Casablanca or at the airport
MEALS: Breakfast
The route
Two nights and a full free day in the blue town.
Discover →
Roman ruins with mosaic floors on the way to Fes.
Explore →
Two nights at camp among the tallest dunes.
Explore →
A walled Atlantic port to end the trip.
Explore →
Photography
Practical details
Pickup and drop-off in Casablanca or at the airport
Private vehicle, fuel and English-speaking driver
11 nights in hotels, riads and a desert camp
11 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Camel ride and local guides in Fes and Marrakech
Lunches and dinners not listed
Entry fees for monuments and mosques
Tips and personal expenses
Enquiry
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability for every night. We can also shorten the loop or add extra days anywhere you like.
Good to know
What is included in the 12 Days Tour from Casablanca?
Private transport with an English-speaking driver, eleven nights of accommodation, eleven breakfasts, four dinners, the camel ride and local guides in Fes and Marrakech.
Can I shorten it?
Yes. Our ten-day loop skips Essaouira and the free day in Chefchaouen, or we can remove any night you prefer.
Why finish in Essaouira?
After the desert and Marrakech, the cool sea air and slower pace of Essaouira make a calm end before your flight.
How much driving is there?
Three days have no driving at all. The longest day is Fes to Merzouga, around eight hours with breaks.
What type of accommodation is used?
Riads in Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira, small hotels in Rabat and the Dades Valley, and a tented camp in Erg Chebbi.
Is a guide with us the whole time?
Your driver speaks English and helps throughout. Licensed local guides join for the walking tours in Fes and Marrakech.
What should I bring?
Warm layers for the desert, a windproof jacket for Essaouira, sunscreen, good walking shoes and modest clothes for mosque visits.
More journeys
Twelve days gives you time to enjoy each place properly. Send us your dates and we will start planning together.