Classic 10-Day Morocco Itinerary: Imperial Cities & Desert Journey

Begin your Moroccan adventure in Casablanca, the country's largest city and main international gateway. While not as atmospheric as other Moroccan cities, Casablanca offers the perfect introduction to modern Morocco and hosts the country's most magnificent mosque.

Visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, one of few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. With its oceanfront location and 210-meter minaret (the world's tallest), it's an architectural masterpiece that showcases the finest Moroccan craftsmanship. Guided tours in multiple languages operate throughout the day except during prayer times.

Explore the Habous Quarter (New Medina) with its artisan workshops and stroll along La Corniche, Casablanca's oceanfront promenade. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Rick's Café, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic film "Casablanca," with refined Moroccan cuisine and French influences in a nostalgic atmosphere.

After a gourmet breakfast featuring handcrafted Moroccan pastries and freshly pressed juices, depart Casablanca in your private luxury vehicle for Morocco's elegant capital, Rabat (1-hour scenic drive). This UNESCO-listed city perfectly balances historic grandeur with cosmopolitan charm. Begin at the magnificent Kasbah of the Oudaias, where cobalt blue and whitewashed walls create a stunning Mediterranean atmosphere reminiscent of Greek islands. Your specialist guide will lead you through hidden corners and privileged viewpoints overlooking the Atlantic.

Continue to the Hassan Tower and the ornate Mohammed V Mausoleum, where the exquisite craftsmanship showcases zellige tilework at its finest. As VIP visitors, you'll receive special access to observe the Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony, a spectacle of pageantry rarely witnessed by tourists. Enjoy a private lunch at an exclusive garden restaurant within the walls of the ancient medina, where a specially prepared menu features royal Moroccan cuisine once reserved for the palace.

After lunch, journey northward to the magical Blue City of Chefchaouen (3-hour scenic drive), with your guide revealing stories of the region's fascinating history and culture along the way. Arrive as the golden afternoon light bathes the blue-washed buildings in an ethereal glow. A local host will guide you through the winding streets to your luxury riad, where you'll be welcomed with rose water hand washing, traditional mint tea, and house-made pastries. Settle into your exquisitely decorated suite before enjoying a private dinner on your riad's rooftop terrace, featuring traditional Riffian cuisine under the stars with panoramic views of the blue city and surrounding mountains.

Begin your day with an early morning private photography tour of Chefchaouen's enchanting blue labyrinth before the day's visitors arrive. Your expert local guide will lead you to hidden corners and secret viewpoints known only to residents, revealing the most photogenic perspectives of this azure wonderland. Learn about the fascinating history behind the blue walls – a tradition with both practical and spiritual significance – while experiencing the medina coming to life as shopkeepers prepare for the day.

After a leisurely breakfast at your riad, enjoy a private artisan experience with a master weaver whose family has practiced traditional Riffian textile arts for generations. In their private workshop, normally closed to visitors, you'll observe intricate weaving techniques and have the opportunity to create a small piece under expert guidance. This authentic cultural exchange provides context for the distinctive textiles you'll see throughout your journey.

Following lunch at a charming terrace restaurant overlooking Ras El Maa waterfall, bid farewell to the Blue City and journey toward Fes (3.5-hour scenic drive). En route, stop at the magnificent Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a specialist archaeology guide will bring to life the history of Rome's most distant outpost. Explore remarkably preserved mosaics and grand monuments as the afternoon light casts dramatic shadows across the ancient stones.

Arrive in Fes as dusk descends on the ancient medina. At the edge of the old city, you'll be met by traditional escorts with lanterns who will guide you through the winding alleyways to your magnificent riad – a meticulously restored palace that offers an authentic experience of aristocratic Moroccan life. After a refreshing welcome ritual featuring orange blossom water and rose petals, settle into your sumptuous suite before enjoying an elegant dinner in the riad's candlelit courtyard, accompanied by gentle traditional music.

Dedicate a full day to exploring Fes El Bali (Old Fes), the world's largest car-free urban area and a living medieval city. Navigate the 9,000+ alleyways with an expert local guide who will unveil hidden corners of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at the Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate) and venture into the labyrinthine medina to discover historical madrasas (Islamic schools), fondouks (traditional inns), and bustling souks.

Visit the iconic Chouara Tanneries for a view of the ancient leather-dyeing pits from a leather shop terrace (the strong smell is worth the visual spectacle). Continue to the 9th-century University of Al Quaraouiyine, recognized by UNESCO as the world's oldest continuously operating educational institution, and the exquisite Attarine Madrasa with its incredible zellij mosaics.

In the afternoon, explore the mellah (historic Jewish quarter) before ending your tour at a panoramic viewpoint over the entire medina. The evening features a private dinner with a local family in their traditional home, offering authentic home-cooked Fassi cuisine and cultural exchange.

Start early for a captivating journey through diverse landscapes as you travel from Fes to the edge of the Sahara Desert. Drive through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains, watching the landscapes transform from fertile farmland to cedar forests and high plateaus. Stop near Azrou to see wild Barbary macaques in their natural cedar forest habitat – these playful monkeys are the only primate species north of the Sahara.

Continue through Midelt, known as the "Apple City," where you'll pause for lunch, then enter increasingly dramatic desert landscapes as you traverse the Ziz Valley, a stunning oasis with thousands of palm trees. Arrive at Merzouga in the late afternoon, where your desert guide will be waiting with camels for a magical sunset trek into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, some rising over 150 meters high.

Reach your luxury desert camp as twilight falls, where you'll enjoy traditional mint tea, a sumptuous dinner under the stars, and Berber music around the campfire. Spend the night in a comfortable tent equipped with proper beds and quality linens, with the surreal silence of the desert as your lullaby.

Begin your day with a truly magical experience – witnessing sunrise over the Sahara dunes. Rise before dawn to climb a pristine dune with your private guide, where comfortable cushions and rugs await for your sunrise meditation. As the first rays illuminate the landscape, watch in awe as the desert transforms from deep indigo to soft rose and finally to brilliant gold. This transcendent moment, experienced in perfect tranquility, creates memories to last a lifetime.

Return to your luxury camp for a gourmet breakfast featuring freshly baked bread, local honey, and organic ingredients before departing the desert. Your journey continues westward, first stopping at Erfoud to visit an artisanal fossil workshop where you'll discover how the region's ancient marine fossils are transformed into exquisite decorative pieces. Continue through the dramatic landscape to reach Todra Gorge by midday – a magnificent limestone canyon with walls soaring 300 meters skyward, creating a natural cathedral of stone. Here, enjoy a private picnic lunch in a secluded palm grove before taking a guided walk through the most impressive sections of this geological wonder.

In the afternoon, journey through Boumalne Dades and the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," where your guide will reveal the history of these traditional fortified dwellings that dot the landscape. As the day draws to a close, arrive at the lush Skoura Oasis, a verdant palm grove that has provided sanctuary to travelers for centuries. Check into the exquisite Ksar El Kebbaba, a meticulously restored traditional kasbah offering authentic luxury within mud-brick walls and tranquil gardens. Enjoy a refined dinner featuring organic produce from the property's gardens, accompanied by traditional Berber music under the stars in this desert oasis paradise.

Begin your day with an enchanting early morning walk through the ancient palm groves of Skoura Oasis, where your guide will reveal the ingenious traditional irrigation systems that have sustained this verdant paradise for centuries. Return to Ksar El Kebbaba for a sumptuous breakfast in the garden courtyard before departing for Ouarzazate, known as "Morocco's Hollywood" for its world-famous film studios. Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Atlas Studios, where blockbusters from "Gladiator" to "Game of Thrones" have been filmed, with privileged access to sets normally closed to visitors.

Continue to the crown jewel of southern Morocco's architecture – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. This spectacular fortified village rises from the desert like a mirage, its earthen towers glowing golden in the afternoon light. While most visitors see only the main pathway, your specialist guide will lead you through hidden passages and up to rarely visited sections offering breathtaking panoramic views. Enjoy a private lunch on a secluded terrace overlooking this magnificent kasbah, dining on refined traditional cuisine while absorbing the timeless atmosphere that has captivated filmmakers for decades.

The journey continues with a dramatic ascent of the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m), one of the most spectacular drives in North Africa. Your skilled driver navigates hairpin turns while you marvel at breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys. Stop at privileged viewpoints for photography and meet with local Berber shepherds for an authentic cultural exchange. As you descend toward Marrakech, witness the landscape transform from rocky mountainside to lush agricultural plains. Arrive in the enchanting "Red City" by early evening, where you'll be escorted through the ancient medina walls to your sumptuous riad – an oasis of tranquility in the heart of this vibrant city. Settle into your elegant suite before enjoying a rooftop welcome dinner under the stars, with the illuminated Koutoubia Mosque as your backdrop.

Devote a full day to exploring magical Marrakech, starting with its historic sites. Visit the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, the ornate Bahia Palace, and the magnificent 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque (exterior only, as non-Muslims cannot enter). Continue to the Majorelle Garden, restored by Yves Saint Laurent, whose vibrant blue buildings contrast spectacularly with exotic plants and fountains.

After lunch, dive into the labyrinthine souks with a knowledgeable guide who will help you navigate the different artisan quarters: from spices and textiles to metal work and woodcarving. As evening approaches, head to the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square to witness its transformation from a daytime market to a carnival-like atmosphere with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls.

Begin your day with a sensory experience at a traditional Moroccan cooking class. Start with a guided visit to the local market to select fresh ingredients before learning to prepare authentic dishes like tagine and pastilla. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch in a beautiful garden setting.

In the afternoon, explore a different side of Marrakech with a visit to the Mellah (historic Jewish quarter) and the Bahia Palace. Then discover the contemporary art scene at the MACMA (Marrakech Museum for Contemporary Art) or take the opportunity for specialized shopping with your guide's expertise. End the day with a sunset cocktail at one of Marrakech's stylish rooftop bars, offering panoramic views of the medina with the Atlas Mountains in the distance.

Depending on your departure time, enjoy a relaxed morning in Marrakech. Perhaps visit one of the city's traditional hammams for a spa treatment, or take a calming stroll through the peaceful Menara Gardens, a historic olive grove centered around a reflective pavilion.

Return to Casablanca by private transfer (approximately 2.5 hours), with time allowed for a final Moroccan lunch along the route. Arrive at Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport with ample time for check-in and departure procedures, bringing your 10-day Moroccan adventure full circle.