Days
8
Price from
Explore Morocco on this all-encompassing journey from Casablanca to Marrakech
Take in the rich history and diverse culture of Morocco on an eight-day journey through this North African gem. Marvel at the Mosque of Hassan II in French-infused Casablanca, discover the charming streets of the medina in magical Meknes, uncover ancient history at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, wander through the labyrinth of twisting alleyways in Fes el-Bali, relax in the lakeside settlement of Bin el Ouidane and, as the sun goes down, watch Djemaa el-Fna come to life with markets and magicians in Marrakech. Indulge your senses on this mesmerising adventure bursting with vibrant colours, spiced aromas and the taste of 1001 Moroccan treats.
- Start
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Destination
- Morocco
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PGCM
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 38 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel
Why you'll love this trip
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Marvel at the size of the Mosque of Hassan II, which dominates the Casablanca skyline – this massive edifice is the largest in Africa and second only in the world to the great mosque at Mecca.
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Uncover one of the most remote parts of the Roman Empire, and the most impressive Roman ruins in Morocco, at the World Heritage site of Volubilis.
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Enjoy the magical atmosphere and hospitality during your feature stay in a traditional riad, a Moroccan house with an interior garden, fountain and beautifully decorated rooms.
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Dive into Fes’ medina and be surrounded by the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco in arguably the world's most fascinating and confounding old city.
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Witness the evening transformation of Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, where food, music and entertainment come together to make one of the world’s greatest public squares.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip includes a full-day tour around the Medina of Fes on Day 4. You will be on your feet at least five to six hours, this is one of the highlights of Morocco and well worth any weariness at the end of the long day.
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The weather in Morocco can be extreme. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially for those who aren't accustomed to the heat, so please consider carefully what time of year you travel. If you do travel in the warmer months, pack layers to cover you from the sun, bring the necessary sun protection and drink plenty of water.
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Although you shouldn’t expect any aggressive selling techniques in Morocco, please be aware that you may be approached by shop owners and street vendors offering their goods to you on regular occasions.
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We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Peregrine style of travel, but keep in mind the service and accommodation in Morocco may differ to standards you're accustomed to at home.
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In 2021, Ramadan will take place from 12 April to 11 May. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience. However, some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.
Gallery
Itinerary
Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at Casablanca Airport, you will be met by a Peregrine representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm with an important welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, then a great option for your limited time in Casablanca is to visit the Villa des Arts. This gorgeous Art Deco gallery building dates back to the 1930s and holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you are looking for a different type of cultural experience, then you can discover a unique and fascinating part of Moroccan history at the Museum of Judaism.
Accommodation
- Hotel Kenzi Basma or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Casablanca - Religious Casablanca Urban Adventure - MAD1206
- Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD948
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.While this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time, please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday.
Please be aware that some of our travellers in Casablanca are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Peregrine trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Peregrine. These guides are in no way connected to Peregrine and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers not to join any tour offered by unauthorised guides. For a selection of exciting, immersive and safety-assessed excursions in Casablanca, please visit Urba
This morning you will visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the massive edifice of the Mosque of Hassan II. Opened in 1993, and second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building sits partly on land and partly over sea, and in one area water can be seen through a glass floor. It can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and the main roof is retractable to create an open courtyard. It is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Later, you will leave Casablanca and drive north along the coast to Rabat (approximately 1.5 hours), the elegant capital of Morocco and its first Imperial city. It contains numerous fine Arab monuments, some dating from the 10th to 15th century Almohad and Merenid dynasties, and others that are far older. Start your visit with a walk through the medina and souks, then explore the lovely walled quarter known as the Kasbah des Oudaias and enjoy an included local drink. Afterwards, continue the walk to visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the vast minaret of the Mosque of Hassan II. In the late afternoon, continue on to Meknes (approximately 2 hours), the sixth largest city in the kingdom, and former capital of Morocco.
Accommodation
- Riad Ritaj or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque
- Rabat - Kasbah Les Oudayas
- Rabat - Kasbah Oudaya Local Drink
- Rabat - Mausoleum Mohammed V
- Rabat - Hassan Tower
- Rabat - Mausoleum Hassan II
Meals Included
- Breakfast
This morning you will discover the charming streets of Meknes’ medina – the old walled section of the city. Enter via the northern gate, Bab Berdaine, and walk to the shrine of Moulay Ismail who, in the 17th century, turned Meknes from a provincial town into a spectacular Imperial city. Visit Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. This peaceful and spiritual resting place of Sultan Moulay Ismail is one of the few sacred sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Constructed during his lifetime, the mausoleum's location was chosen by Ismail as it had once housed Meknes's Palais de Justice (courthouse), and he hoped in death to be judged in his own court by his own people. Take some time to soak up the atmosphere of this place before driving out of the city to the ruins of Volubilis (approximately 45 minutes). Volubilis was once a provincial Roman capital, a distant outpost of the empire, and the remains make an undeniably impressive sight. Volubilis is the foremost Roman site in Morocco and was declared a World Heritage site in 1997. Upon arrival you will take a tour around the ruins with a local guide. Please remember to pack drinking water, a hat, sunglasses and suncream for this tour as it may get hot and you will be exposed to the sun. And, of course, don’t forget to take your camera as the town is filled with fantastic mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, many of which remain intact. After time spent imagining Volubulis as the bustling city it once was, continue on to the living museum of Fes for the night (approximately 1.5 hours). Check in to your hotel in late afternoon, and perhaps spend the evening relaxing in this calming oasis, away from the buzz of the Fes streets.
Accommodation
- Riad Tafilalet or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Meknes - Medina walking tour
- Volubilis - Entrance and Guided Tour
- Meknes - Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco: vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming – a visual and pungent feast for the senses. It is made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters, and you will stay in the elegant Ville Nouvelle, or New City, which has a distinctly French character. Today head into the huge, well-preserved medieval old city, known locally as Fes el-Bali, and the mother of all medinas. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the speciality sections that divide the souk. Filled with historic khans, madrasas and dye-pits, stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, and where the squawk of chickens, smell of spice and sound of hammering of copper fills the air, it’s not hard to imagine yourself back in the Middle Ages. Spend the day exploring the old city, visiting El-Attarine Madrasa, the tanneries and the splendid Fondouk el-Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and listen to the amazing ‘call to prayer’ from the roof of your hotel. Your leader will be on hand to talk you through some of the most interesting customs and traditions of Moroccan people. Later in the evening, seek out a memorable dinner of one of the city’s signature dishes, the salty and sweet pastille.
Accommodation
- Riad Tafilalet or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Fes - Al-Attarine Madrasa
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Today’s experience will include shopping in carefully selected places. As the receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry, Peregrine has established a centralised system of receiving and distributing payments from these recommended suppliers. For more information, please refer to the Important Notes section or talk to your tour leader on the ground.In addition, please note that if you are not interested in the shopping experience, you need to advise your tour leader about it beforehand. It is possible for you to have a free time during the tour, however it will be impossible to set a meeting point inside the medina due to the fact it is so complicated to navigate. If you decide to leave the group, you will only be able to meet back with them in your hotel in Fes.
Bin el Ouidane is your destination today. You will drive approximately 7 hours in a comfortable private van, with frequent stops along the way, and witness the beautiful and ever-changing Moroccan landscape as well as slow, rural life. On many occasions you will have a chance to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables, which are mostly grown in nearby villages. Small village shops often sell original handicrafts too, if you’d like to stock up on souvenirs. Today you will also experience the art of tea-making. Join a local family for a cup of truly delicious mint tea and share a home-cooked lunch with them too. Bin el Ouidane is a small settlement beautifully placed on the bank of the lake, surrounded by sheer rocks. Take a moment to sit back and enjoy the calm and peacefulness of the place. Perhaps take a short walk for a closer look at the majestic Bin el Ouidane dam, an arch-shaped wall that not only provides hydroelectric power to the surrounding settlements, but also irrigates fields in Beni Moussa and the Tadla plains. Without the irrigation system, it would be nearly impossible for local farmers to grow their crops. Everything at this beautifully located homestay is free so remember, there is nothing wrong with sitting back on the terrace and admiring the view.
Accommodation
- Guest house l'eau vive or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Khenifra - Tea-making demonstration
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Today you will drive for approximately 3 hours from Bin el Ouidane to Marrakech. There’s no rush as the scenery on the way is always interesting, and you will enjoy a stop en route at Ouzoud Falls. Spend some time admiring these multi-tiered falls, then continue to Marrakech. On arrival in Marrakech you will check in to your beautiful riad, or Moroccan mansion. This evening, why not head to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna, one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. You can enjoy a bite of famous Moroccan pastries with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and then finish your day with a cup of tea on one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the square.
Accommodation
- Riad Challa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Ouzoud - Ouzoud Falls
Meals Included
- Breakfast
After breakfast today, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This splendid mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque; its famous minaret is the prototype for others of its kind around the world. Then walk back through the streets of the old medina to Djemaa el-Fna. The rest of the day is free to explore further or shop in the bazaar. Perhaps visit Le Jardin Secret, a traditional medina garden revived for the 21st century. This historic riad has one of the most beautiful courtyards in Marrakech, combining exotic and traditional Islamic gardens that are fed by the original khettara, an underground irrigation system. Or head back into the medina, where every step brings a new smell, a new sight or a new gift to buy. Watch skilled artisans perfect their craft, practice your haggling skills or take a break from the hustle to sip on tea or share a tajine, filled with the aromas of Morocco. For your final evening, perhaps dine on Moroccan specialities with your old-new friends in one of the traditional riads in Marrakech.
Accommodation
- Riad Challa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Marrakech - Medina walking tour
- Marrakech - Djemaa El Fna tasting walk
- Marrakech - Fresh orange juice tasting
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Your trip ends today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around midday and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring here. Speak to your leader about the wealth of extra activities to do around Marrakech.
Optional Activities
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD350
- Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050
- Marrakech - Imlil & Aroumd day trip - MAD1817
- Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806
- Marrakech - Oukaimeden Day Tour - MAD1882
- Marrakech - Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust - MAD1650
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
- Marrakech - Ourika Valley Day Tour - MAD1817
- Essaouira - Food & Culture Urban Adventure - MAD1554
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, TaxiAccommodation
Comfortable hotel (1 night), Traditional riad (3 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Feature stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque
- Rabat - Kasbah Les Oudayas
- Rabat - Kasbah Oudaya Local Drink
- Rabat - Mausoleum Mohammed V
- Rabat - Hassan Tower
- Rabat - Mausoleum Hassan II
- Meknes - Medina walking tour
- Volubilis - Entrance and Guided Tour
- Meknes - Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Fes - Funduq al-Najjarin
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Fes - Al-Attarine Madrasa
- Khenifra - Tea-making demonstration
- Ouzoud - Ouzoud Falls
- Marrakech - Medina walking tour
- Marrakech - Djemaa El Fna tasting walk
- Marrakech - Fresh orange juice tasting
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia
Essential trip information
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