Casablanca, Marrakesh, 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!
For 2023 departures, see our 11-day Majestic Morocco tour!
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
2024 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)
- Royal Palace (Rabat)
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-Morocco ground transportation and transfers
- Accommodations at first-class hotels
- 19 meals: 11 full buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 6 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours including admission fees
- Experienced English-speaking Tour Director throughout
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 hotel. The drop-off area is approx. 0.5 miles away and travelers should be able to manage luggage from the drop-off area to the hotel. 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.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
For flight details, see Before You Depart.
Apologies to Bogie, but here begins a beautiful friendship with Casablanca and this amazing country. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be greeted at the airport by our Tour Director and transferred to our hotel in Casablanca with some time to relax after our flight. Later, our day concludes with an orientation meeting and welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Idou Anfa Hotel Casablanca or similar
Meals: Dinner
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: The Savoy Le Grand Hotel Marrakech or similar
Meals: Breakfast
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
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
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
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
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
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 similar
Meals: Breakfast
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
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
After breakfast, we'll drive to Rabat, Morocco's coastal capital and fifth-largest city. Upon arrival, 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers who purchase our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight and touch down in the U.S. later today.
Meals: Breakfast
Save up to $600 per person sitewide while supplies last. Book by Dec. 1st.
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip
airfare from one or more airports in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
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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.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended 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.
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!
Day 4 Morning Tour
The hammam is a must-do activity in Morocco. Historically, the hammam was a public bathhouse for the locals to clean off the dirt and grime invariably accumulated after traveling through the desert. Today, the hammam still serves this purpose for the locals but is brought to a higher level for the tourists. In the hammam, you’ll be submerged by a complete relaxation experience within an authentic oriental décor where you’ll be listening to your own body in an atmosphere filled with water, oils, essences, and perfumes. Enjoy a 30-minute scrub with black soap or soothing spices to eliminate toxins from your body. After Hammam, sway to the massage room where you will experience a 30-minute traditional Moroccan massage to eliminate tensions and gain energy and vitality.
Note: Travelers cannot purchase both the Traditional Hammam and Massage optional tour and the Berber Family Experience tour.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
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!
Featured Accommodations
85 Boulevard d'Anfa, Casablanca, 20000, Morocco
Website
Avenue Prince My Rachid - 40000 Marrakech
Website
More than just a place to stay, Hotel Riad BaHamou is full of incredible corners ready for you to have a unique experience.
Km 26 route des gorges du dades – Douar Ait Ouffi – Boumalne Dades – Maroc
Website
The Chergui Kasbah Hotel is a newly constructed hotel standing on a site that brings together the largest and most spectacular dunes in Morocco.
Carretera de Arfoud a Errachidia, Km 5,5. Erfoud, Morocco
Website
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.
8 Avenue Ahmed Chaouki, Fes 30000 Morocco
Website
26, Avenue Chellah BP 14. Rabat – MAROC
Website
Lynn H
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
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
Excellent tour and great tour guides.
Jayshree
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
Enjoyed my experienced
Deborah A
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
Morocco is a bridge between reality and a dream, cultures, religions, tolerance and respect to all human beings.
Margaret
Great tour with excellent guide, nice traveling companions, safe and excellent driver, very nice hotel accommodations with beautiful pools (always a plus for me) and all at a good price.
Linda
The tour was comprehensive covering the entire country and all the important cities. The group was small and we stayed in quality hotels that other tour companies were staying . The price we paid was about half of what the other tours cost and we got a great experience. We would definitely travel with SmarTours again
Carole M
This was not as well organized as previous Smartour trips I have taken.
Richard
THIS WAS OUR SIXTH TRIP WITH SMARTOURS. All of our guides have been outstanding. They made each vacation memorable.
We had an dynamic guide Aziz who was extremely knowledgeable. Great itinerary.
I highly recommend Smartours.
April S
The tour and our guide Aziz was fantastic. We also had other local guides that gave indepth information about the cities we visited.
Richard
This trip was amazing, Aziz, our tour guide made this a very memorable experience. The itinerary was superb, just the right amount of time spent in each location. Our group was 22 people, just the right size and very compatible.
Bonnie R
Loved the SmarTours Magic Moroccan adventure. We learned so much about the country, its history, culture, products, religion, people, etc. Our group of 22 got along well, and Aziz kept us moving and on track. More taxing than expected, and the weather generally uncooperative, all in all we had a fabulous time, and I would recommend this tour.
Margaret t
Morocco is a beautiful country, and there was so much to see! Really enjoyed the sights ranging from seaside into the Sahara
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