Casablanca, Marrakesh, Boumalne Dades, Erfoud, Fez and Rabat
Spiced with North African culture and a soupçon of French flavor, Morocco captivates with its old-world traditions and magnificent landscapes. Our escorted Morocco tour from the U.S. encompasses must-see destinations like Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, and Rabat. And, if you like, a noble camel will take you on an unforgettable ride during a full-day Sahara Desert excursion. (Cue theme song from Lawrence of Arabia!) You’ll also have time to savor the country’s delightful customs, like the ritual of Moroccan tea, and delectable cuisine—couscous, tagine, and pastilla. From ocean to oasis, mountains to mosques and souks to UNESCO World Heritage sites, majestic Morocco will charm you with its vibrant contrasts and warm Mediterranean lifestyle. 5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
Itinerary at a Glance
2025 Tour Itinerary:
1 night in Casablanca
3 nights in Marrakesh
1 night in Boumalne Dades
2 nights in Erfoud
3 nights in Fez
1 night in Rabat
Tour Highlights
Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca)
Marrakesh city tour with Bahia Palace and Dar El Bacho Museum
Koutoubia Minaret (Marrakesh)
Jemaa el-Fna (Old City Medina Quarter) (Marrakesh)
Farm to Table Cooking Class at the Bennounas Farm
Ait Ben Haddou
Todra Palmeraie Gorge (Erfoud)
Atlas Mountains
Erg Chebbi Desert Excursion by 4x4 vehicles
Camel Ride in the Dunes
Fez Medina tour with lunch at traditional Riad
Attarine Medersas (Coranic school)
Roman ruins of Volubilis
Royal Palace (Rabat)
Your Tour Includes
Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodations at first class hotels
19 Meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 6 dinners
Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
Apologies to Bogie, but here begins a beautiful friendship with Casablanca and this amazing country. Travelers have the option to extend their trip with a pre-night here in Casablanca. Our day concludes with an orientation meeting with our Tour Director, and a welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Idou Anfa Hotel Casablanca or similar Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Casablanca – Marrakesh
Today we start to discover Morocco's largest city and economic capital, Casablanca, the best representation of the modern side of Morocco. Casablanca’s history—well, it’s complicated. Influences range from French to Spanish to Portuguese to Arab to British. We'll begin our city tour with a visit to the only Jewish Museum in the Arabic-speaking world. Next, we'll visit the ornate Hassan II Mosque (with interior admission included), which has the tallest minaret in the world. We'll continue to Aln Diab Corniche for a pleasant stroll along the coast before stopping at Mohammed V Square. We'll visit the Habous Quarter, one of the oldest areas of Casablanca built by the French in the 1930s in an attempt to solve housing shortages. After our visit, we'll depart for Marrakesh.
Accommodations: Jaal Riad Resort Marrakech or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Marrakesh
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a tour of Marrakesh, also known as the "Red City." This majestic town is filled with palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. We'll visit the stunning,19th-century Bahia Palace where we'll see the intricate work done by local artisans. From there, we'll explore the artisan quarters and the colorful souks to witness and experience daily life in Marrakesh. Next, we'll continue to Dar El Bacha Museum. It's one of the medina's finest examples of Riad architecture and is dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork, and heavy, carved cedar-wood lintels. We'll wander past palm readers, snake charmers, acrobats, and musicians as we make our way to the medina's main square, the famous Jemaa el-Fna. This evening, we'll return to the medina to enjoy a typical Moroccan dinner with entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Marrakesh
A free day to explore Marrakesh! Consider an optional hammam and massage to relax and unwind or join our optional Berber Experience in the Atlas Mountains where we'll enjoy a traditional Berber lunch with bread and mint tea and visit a cooperative run by women that extracts Argan oil. Late this afternoon, we'll come together for a cooking class that takes place on the terrasse of the villa in a spectacular décor with the Atlas Mountains in the background. We'll enjoy an exceptional gastronomic experience of our award-winning chef's culinary world, drawing from his extensive knowledge of North Africa's rich food culture. From picking out fresh produce in the souks of his hometown of Marrakesh to sampling spices for the perfect flavor to watching artisinal fillo dough made from scratch in front of our eyes. The chef will unlock the secrets of the recipes he's mastered over the years for us. We'll enjoy dinner with our chef and leave with an inside perspective of one of the world's most highly cherished cuisines.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Marrakesh – Boumalne Dades
Our journey through majestic Morocco continues across the High Atlas Mountains and the spectacular Tichka Pass to Boumalne Dades. We’ll stop for a brief tour of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This giant fortification, which showcases a unique example of pise clay architecture, has been a filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. We'll have time for an independent lunch before we continue to our final destination today: Boumalne Dades. Prepare to be wowed by this town set on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Tonight, we'll savor an included dinner at your Riad-hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel Riad Bahammou or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Boumalne Dades – Erfoud
Today, we’ll marvel at one of Morocco’s most visited natural sights, the lush Todra Palmeraie Gorge with its dramatic 985-foot-high walls. Our walking tour affords plenty of spectacular photo ops! Our travels continue to Erfoud, described as an oasis and “the Door to the Desert.” Enjoy dinner at the hotel and rest up for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime Sahara itinerary.
Accommodations: Kasbah Hotel Chergui or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Sahara Desert Experience
The only word for today’s full-day excursion is unforgettable! We’ll start in Rissani, a caravan center with a large vibrant souk at its heart, where we’ll hop into a 4x4 caravan to venture into the desert, winding through small villages before stopping in serene Tissardmine for a picnic lunch. As we ascend the peak of Erg Chebbi, prepare to be blown away by the desert's vastness. We’ll “trade up” to camels for the real deal: a ride through the Merzouga dunes on camelback! Loaded with memories (and photos) you can’t wait to share, we’ll return to the hotel after sunset for dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Erfoud – Fez
After departing Erfoud, we’ll journey through the scenic Middle Atlas mountain range, while admiring its lush forested slopes brimming with cedar and oak trees. You’ll have a chance to see Ifrane, a picturesque ski area, and in the evening, when we reach Fez, catch the magical city lights as we arrive.
Accommodations: Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace or Barceló Fès Medina or Hotel Les Mérinides Fès or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Fez
Fez is home to the oldest university in the world, and today we’ll join a local expert to learn more about this 1,200-year-old city, which was Morocco’s capital for 400 years and stands as one of the world’s largest, best-preserved medieval fortified cities. Our full-day exploration includes the Fez el Bali Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where life unfolds as it did centuries ago. We’ll wander the famous souks known for authentic Moroccan carpets and ceramics. After the high energy of the souks, a quiet lunch in a riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior courtyard) will be most welcome. We will also see the Nejjarine Fountains and Museum and the 14th-century Attarine Medersas (a place of education) before visiting Fes Jdid, the modern district of the city, in the afternoon. Here, we’ll explore the Jewish Quarter and the Royal Palace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Fez at Leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure in Fez! Explore and wander the city further. Or consider an optional tour to visit a winery with lunch.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Fez – Rabat
After breakfast, we'll drive to Rabat, Morocco's coastal capital and fifth-largest city. En route, we'll stop to explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Upon arrival in Rabat, we'll spend the afternoon visiting the city's fascinating historic sites. We'll see the 19th-century Royal Palace and the city's "Gate of the Winds" (also known as Bab Rouah). We'll visit Hassan Tower, the minaret of an incomplete mosque that was originally intended to be the world's largest. We'll continue to the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas which was built in the mid-12th century. Here, we'll walk through the French colonial gardens and explore the fortress built to shield royalty from attacks. Our tour concludes at Chellah, a necropolis and the site of the ruins of a Roman town known as Sala Colonia. We'll have some free time to relax before we come together for our farewell dinner this evening.
Accommodations: Tour Hassan Palace Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Depart Rabat
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers have the option to extend their trip with a post-night in Rabat.
Meals: Breakfast
Guided Tour Pricing
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Immersing you in stylish luxury, Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is a welcoming respite for discerning travelers. Unpack your bags in elegantly appointed accommodations enhanced by refined design elements and bathed in natural light.
Slow the pace of your tour with a pre- and/or post-night stay so you can arrive refreshed, acclimate to the time zone if needed, and depart leisurely, ensuring a seamless transition into and out of your journey.
Optional Pre-Night in Casablanca
From $89 per person based on double occupancy
Start our tour off on the right foot! Arrive a day early and enjoy more time to recover from travel, adjust to any time differences, and feel well-rested and relaxed on our first day of touring.
Optional Post-Night in Rabat
From $199 per person based on double occupancy
Extend your stay by one night at the end of our tour to make the most of additional free time for exploring our final city, shopping for last-minute souvenirs, or dining at that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Or, use this extra day to relax before beginning the journey home or to your next destination.
Optional Tours
Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Berber Family Experience
$109 per person
Day 4 Half-Day Tour
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a rich program in Amazigh (Berber) landscapes. We’ll drive to the valley of Imlil, famous for its fruit trees (apples, walnuts, almonds, peaches, etc.). Imlil is a favorite hitching post for mountain trekkers. Get ready for a trek (a mule to ride to the hilltop will be at our disposal), where we'll be greeted by a local family and invited into their home to share a traditional Berber lunch with bread and mint tea. With the help of our private guide, we'll enjoy the opportunity to talk with the family, immersing ourselves in their fascinating way of life. After lunch, we’ll cross the Kik plateau and visit a run-by-women cooperative that extracts the Argan oil, unique to Morocco. We'll return to Marrakech in the mid-afternoon.
Note: Travelers cannot purchase both the Traditional Hammam and Massage optional tour and the Berber Family Experience tour.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Traditional Hammam and Massage
$99 per person
Day 4 Half-Day Tour
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a rich program in Amazigh (Berber) landscapes. We’ll drive to the valley of Imlil, famous for its fruit trees (apples, walnuts, almonds, peaches, etc.). Imlil is a favorite hitching post for mountain trekkers. Get ready for a trek (a mule to ride to the hilltop will be at our disposal), where we'll be greeted by a local family and invited into their home to share a traditional Berber lunch with bread and mint tea. With the help of our private guide, we'll enjoy the opportunity to talk with the family, immersing ourselves in their fascinating way of life. After lunch, we’ll cross the Kik plateau and visit a run-by-women cooperative that extracts the Argan oil, unique to Morocco. We'll return to Marrakech in the mid-afternoon.
Note: This is a traditional hammam experience in a public bath house, separated by gender. Most people will be nude in order to receive the full scrub experience. Travelers cannot purchase both the Traditional Hammam and Massage optional tour and the Berber Family Experience tour.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Moroccan Wine Tasting with Lunch
$115 per person
Day 10 Half-Day Tour
We'll head to Christophe’s vineyard in Meknes where we'll enjoy a tour of the vineyard and taste some of Morocco’s most delicious Red, White, Rosé, and Moroccan favorite ‘Gris’ made from Caladoc and Marselan grapes. The winemaker will introduce us to the flavors and aromas and share his passion. A traditional Moroccan lunch awaits us with a tasting of five different wines produced by the vineyard.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 2
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
In Marrakesh, buses and cars are not able to access the medina. The drop-off area is approx. 0.5 miles away and travelers will walk from the drop-off area to the medina. In Dades, travelers stay in a riad (multi-story home converted into a hotel without an elevator). In the sahara, there is bumpy, uneven terrain. Travelers may opt out of the camel ride. On two days during the trip, we'll drive a considerable distance with comfort and sightseeing stops along the way.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.
Reviews
Jesus S
2 months ago
I enjoyed the whole thing.
Manjula S
6 months ago
It was a most enjoyable trip to various parts of Morocco. The guide was knowledgeable and the group dynamics were exceptionally friendly . Hotels and sightseeing all were great. The pace was just right.
Elizabeth D
6 months ago
Learned a lot.
Lynn H
1 year ago
Want to get a real feel for Morocco? Take this tour! I saw things I could not have imagined. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to learn about the vastness of Morocco and it's vibrant people.
Tessie R
1 year ago
Overall a unforgettable trip. Smartours you did it again. Thanks! One complaint when getting off the airplane in Casablanca you need a tour guide waiting in the inside with a sign.
Cecile
1 year ago
Excellent tour and great tour guides.
Jayshree
1 year ago
The Morocco itinerary was excellent but it was a fast space You were on the go constantly as there is lot to see The free time was limited . The country has lot to offer to see . People were very nice and hotels were very nice but could not enjoy it as we had no free time to chill . In your itinerary next time include an extra day in Rabat as it was too much rush and could not enjoy the city and hotel . But really enjoyed this trip 👍
lydie A
1 year ago
Enjoyed my experienced
Deborah A
1 year ago
Smart Tours is phenomenal! The destinations are diverse which gives us the opportunity to travel all around the world. The prices are both reasonable and competitive. The tour guides are knowledgeable and very informative. I learned so much about Morocco historically and current day culture and sites. It was truly a wonderful trip and I actually look forward to re-visiting selected cities in the near future.
Michael Z
1 year ago
Morocco is a bridge between reality and a dream, cultures, religions, tolerance and respect to all human beings.