Casablanca to Essaouira - 13 days
Casablanca to Essaouira - 13 days
Casablanca to Essaouira - 13 days
13 Days Starting and ending in Casablanca, Morocco
Visiting: Casablanca, Marrakech, Ait Benhaddou, Todra Gorge, Fes, Rabat, Essaouira
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1770/CTES
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
15-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 13-day journey from Casablanca to Essaouira, exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Morocco. Begin in Casablanca, visiting the iconic Hassan II Mosque, before delving into the vibrant streets of Marrakech and its famous Djemaa el Fna. Traverse the stunning High Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou, and marvel at the dramatic Todra Gorge. Experience the magic of the Sahara Desert with a camel trek or jeep ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, and enjoy a night under the stars at a Berber camp. Discover the medieval charm of Fes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the imperial city of Meknes. In Rabat, explore the Chellah necropolis and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Conclude your adventure with three relaxing nights in the coastal city of Essaouira, known for its picturesque medina and vibrant shopping scene, before returning to Casablanca. Enjoy guided sightseeing, comfortable accommodations, and private transfers throughout this unforgettable Moroccan odyssey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation Name: hotel
Upon arrival at the airport in Casablanca, you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is free for you enjoy at your own leisure. Why not find a restaurant in town to try the local cuisine?
Day 2: Marrakech City Tour
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning after breakfast we head to Marrakech to meet the rest of the group before embarking on a guided city tour of Marrakech. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city's exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city.
Day 3: Ait Benhaddou
Location: Ait Benhaddou
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. Departing the city this morning we travel across the plains of haouz and reach the great High Atlas mountains. Climbing over the pass of Tizi n Tichka, we stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views over the Mountains and valleys to Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defence purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco. Carrying on we continue south to the Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zazat). Ouarzazate is famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including James Bond – The Living Daylights, The Mummy and more recently Game of Thrones.
Day 4: Todra Gorge
Location: Todra Gorge
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Berber Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - Merzouga (Sahara). This morning we begin our journey into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, rose fields and magnificent gorges. Travelling from Ouarzazate, there is a possibility of visiting the kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura before seeing the rose fields and reaching scenic Todra Gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 1000ft, it is known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. After time to wander through Todra we hit the road again for Merzhouga – our base before we head into the Sahara. Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara. If you would prefer to take a Jeep to the Berber camp, this can be arranged locally through your guide at no additional cost.
If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara hotel alternative at no additional cost. Please do let us know your preferred option at the time of booking.
Day 5: Merzouga
Location: Fes
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Merzouga (Sahara) - Fes. Departing early, we climb back on our camels disembarking for a truly stunning sunrise. After freshening up and breakfast in Merzouga we’re back on the road heading for Fes. It’s a long drive today however there is a lot to see on the way. We’ll pass through cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Moyen Atlas mountains. Just before Fes we stop at Ifrane – a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort. Along the way we also start to see our first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the mountains and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination. We arrive into Fes in the early evening.
Day 6: Fes
Location: Fes
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city. This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends – so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder of the day is at leisure – why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).
Day 7: Meknes
Location: Rabat
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fes - Volubilis - Meknes - Rabat. Departing Fes this morning we visit the fascinating UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date back to AD40. Continuing on we stop at the Imperial City of Meknes, which became known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its impressive buildings and elaborate monuments. After lunch and some free time our final stop of the day is Rabat – Morocco’s capital where we overnight.
Day 8: Casablanca
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning we take a guided tour of Rabat and visit some of the capital’s highlights, including the impressive Chellah - a necropolis and complex of ancient, medieval ruins, the Royal Palace and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch we continue to Casablanca where we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world - it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time. After our visit to the mosque we drive on toMarrakech for the night.
Day 9: Essaouira
Location: Essaouira
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Essaouira
Meals Included: Breakfast
Marrakech - Essaouira. Today we have a leisurely morning before starting our journey to Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic Coast via private transfer, and upon arrival enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Why not find a restaurant in the charming old town and try the local cuisine.
Day 10-12: Essaouira
Location: Essaouira
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Essaouira (2), Casablanca (1)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Essaouira - Casablanca. Spend the next three days exploring the sights and delights of Essaouira at your own pace. Set on the rugged shores of the breezy Atlantic Coast, this charming seaside city offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. While away the days here exploring its winding streets lined with whitewashed houses, picking your way through the shops in its ancient medina, or sitting at an ocean-facing restaurant sipping on a cup of coffee. During the warmer months why not try some water sports too, as the windy shores here offer ideal conditions for wind and kite surfing. On the evening of day 12 a private transfer will take you back to Casablanca for the night.
Day 13: Casablanca
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our amazing tour of Morocco ends today after hotel check out. An included onward departure transfer to Casablanca airport will be provided.
What's Included
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Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
Enjoy breakfast daily, along with 3 lunches and 3 dinners, including a traditional Berber meal at our Sahara camp.
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Accommodation
Stay for 11 nights in 3-4 star hotels and riads, and 1 night in simple accommodation at a Sahara Desert camp, with a hotel alternative available.
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Guided sightseeing
Experience guided sightseeing in Casablanca, Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou, and Marrakech.
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Camel trek or Jeep into the Sahara Desert
Embark on a camel trek or take a Jeep into the Sahara Desert.
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Licensed English speaking Moroccan tour guide
Be escorted by a licensed English speaking Moroccan tour guide from day 1 to 9.
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Specialist guides in some cities
Benefit from specialist guides in some cities.
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Private transfers
Enjoy private transfers from Marrakech to Essaouira and Essaouira to Casablanca.
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Airport transfers
Receive airport arrival and departure transfers on days 1 and 13.
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Transportation
All transportation and transfers are in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included.
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Tips for guide and driver
Tips for your tour guide and driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow USD$2-3 per day, per traveller for your guide and USD$1-2 per day, per traveller for your driver. -
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees ranging from USD$155 - 195 per person, paid in local currency, are not included.
Age Policy
18yrs or 15yrs accompanied by an adult
Mode of Transport
Travel in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles with airport transfers on days 1 and 13, and enjoy private transfers from Marrakech to Essaouira and Essaouira to Casablanca.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights in 3-4 star hotels and riads, and experience a night in simple accommodation at a Sahara Desert camp, with an alternative hotel option available for added comfort.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Sahara Desert stay?
During the Sahara Desert stay, you have the option to stay in a simple accommodation at a Berber camp nestled among the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Alternatively, you can opt for a hotel with en-suite facilities at no additional cost.
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Are there any guided tours included in the trip?
Yes, the tour includes guided sightseeing in several locations such as Casablanca, Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Ait Benhaddou, and Marrakech. Additionally, the tour is escorted by a licensed English-speaking Moroccan tour guide from day 1 to 9, with specialist guides in some cities.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. One of the dinners is a traditional Berber meal at the Sahara camp.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, all transportation and transfers are provided in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles. This includes private transfers from Marrakech to Essaouira and Essaouira to Casablanca, as well as airport arrival and departure transfers on days 1 and 13.
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What activities are available in Essaouira?
In Essaouira, you can explore the sights and delights at your own pace. The city offers a charming seaside atmosphere with winding streets, whitewashed houses, and an ancient medina. You can also enjoy ocean-facing restaurants and, during warmer months, try water sports like wind and kite surfing.
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Is there an option to ride a camel in the Sahara Desert?
Yes, there is an option to ride a camel into the Sahara Desert to watch the sunset and spend the night at a Berber camp. If preferred, a Jeep ride to the camp can be arranged at no additional cost.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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