Morocco Luxury Tour

Day 1: Casablanca – Fes

Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be met by your guide and driver and taken to your hotel in Fes. If time and energy permit, head out for your first taste of the bustling Fes El Bali, the 1200-year-old cultural and commercial heart of the city. In the evening, we recommend heading to the rooftop of the riad at sunset to enjoy a glass of wine as you listen to the haunting sounds of the call to prayer echoing from the minarets across the city.

Day 2: Fes

Today you will have a private guide and driver at your disposal to explore Fes, the second-largest city in Morocco and its cultural capital. Continue your exploration of the medina, where narrow alleys create a crowded labyrinthine warren of stalls that overflow with spices, olives, rugs, and leatherwork. Walk down Talaa Kebira, the spine of Fes el Bali, to the Bou Inania Medersa, a seminary/dormitory that offers a splendid example of Moroccan architecture’s three main elements: tile mosaics, carved plaster, and painted cedar. See the striking Blue Gate, the gates of the Al-Karaouine Mosque, and Chouara Tanneries for a look at how leather is treated. Your day will conclude with a candlelit dinner of Nouvelle Moroccan cuisine at one of Fes’s most well-regarded restaurants.

Day 3: Sahara

This morning your guide and driver will take you to the vast Sahara Desert, a journey that passes through the Middle Atlas Mountains. As you head south, notice how the terrain changes from cedar forests to rocky cliffs before finally opening to the expansive desert dunes of the Sahara. Upon arrival, you will settle into your luxury tented accommodations. Take a sunset camel trek through the dunes and then enjoy an evening of stargazing around the campfire.

Day 4: Skouara Oasis

Awaken to the quiet sounds of a desert morning and enjoy breakfast as the sun rises above the dunes. The morning is free to explore the desert as you wish: take another camel trek or perhaps go sand-boarding down the dunes. After lunch, hop back into your 4×4 vehicle and continue exploring the desert. Travel east toward the Skoura Oasis, passing through the Todgha and Dades valleys along the way. Spend the night in a deluxe Kasbah hotel or an excellent small inn in Skoura.

Day 5: Marrakech

This morning you can spend some time climbing in and around the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou before continuing on your journey to Marrakech. The trip will take you over the High Atlas via the Tizn Tichka pass, which affords unbeatable expansive views. Upon arrival in Marrakech, settle into your hotel. Even before you reach the famous Djemaa el Fna, you can hear the drum beats and smell the barbecue smoke from the food vendors’ grills, a remarkable change from the desert silence.

Day 6: Marrakech

Spend the morning scrubbing off the desert sand in a traditional Moroccan hammam. In the afternoon, continue exploring Marrakech. A must-see is the Majorelle Gardens, a gift to the people of Marrakech from designer Yves Saint-Laurent – the brilliant cobalt blue and sunny yellow of the gardens offer endless photographic opportunities! We are happy to make reservations at any of Marrakech’s excellent restaurants – and highly recommend the fish tagine at La Maison Arabe!

Day 7: Essaouira Day Trip

Head out for a day trip to seaside Essaouira, a whitewashed town that is remarkably reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Long famous for its art galleries and thuya wood crafts, Essaouira is also becoming a popular surf destination – if you wish, we are happy to arrange a windsurfing lesson. We also recommend eating some freshly grilled sardines, served by the port. Before returning to Marrakech, stop at a coop to pick up some Argan oil, a natural moisturizer.

Day 8: Marrakech

Today is reserved for you to explore personal interests in an itinerary that you devise in concert with our guide. The museums of Marrakech are a fascinating starting point for learning about Moroccan history as well as the contemporary art scene. The Maison de la Photographie and the Musee Boucharouite, which focus on folk art rugs, are highly recommended. We also love enjoying mint tea in the beautifully restored Secret Garden!

Day 9: Marrakech – Casablanca

Depart from Marrakech for the overland trip to Casablanca (which generally takes 2.5 hours). You will be brought to the Mohamed V International Airport for your international departure flight.