Guided Tours in Herndon, Virginia

Day 1: CASABLANCA

Your driver will meet you upon your arrival in Casablanca. You will be delivered to your hotel, and if you’d like to, you’d be given a tour around Casablanca. The tour will include the central market, the Habous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa, and the Hassan II Mosque.

Day 2: CASABLANCA / RABAT / CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, you’ll head to Chefchaouen, also known as the “blue city of Morocco.” Stop by at Rabat for lunch, and enjoy the capital of the nation. You’ll also visit the Medina with the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the Mosque, and the ramparts and walls of the Mechouar. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 3: CHEFCHAOUEN

After breakfast, visit Chefchaouen once more. You will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city, nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. Wander through its blue labyrinth and be greeted by the artistry of local artisans. There are many family-run inns to delight with their hospitality, architecture, and décor. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 4: CHEFCHAOUEN / VOLUBILIS / MEKNES / FES

Spend the day exploring the 2000-year-old ruins of Volubilis. Have lunch either in Moulay Idriss or Meknes. Meknes, one of Morocco’s most striking imperial cities, is a citadel of monuments and sumptuous palaces. Then, head to Fes. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 5: FES

After breakfast, enjoy Fes, a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization. Appreciate the splendors of the architecture of Medersa. Visit the city of Moulay Idriss, the great Àl Karaouiyne University, the Andalusia mosque, the Rsif Mosque, the Karaouiyne Mosque, the Medina and the Kissaria, and more. Enjoy lunch at the Medina and spend some time shopping in the afternoon before going back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 6: FES / AZROU / MIDELT / ERFOUD

After breakfast, drive across the Atlas Mountains. The first hills you will see of the Middle Atlas seem surprisingly un-Moroccan. There are evergreen pines, tall cedar trees on the peaks, and poplars on the foothills. The road across is almost ceremonial. Also visit Azrou, the first real town of the Middle Atlas, as well as the Midelt, the High Atlas, and more. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the hotel in Erfoud.

Day 7: ERFOUD / MERZOUGA

After breakfast, most of the day will be spent relaxing at the hotel or exploring the small but interesting desert town. In the afternoon, you will head off in a 4-wheel drive across the barren land to the majestic Sahara sand dunes. Afterward, check in with the Touareg host. Dinner and overnight stay will be enjoyed under the blue stars.

Day 8: MERZOUGA / TODRA GORGES / DADES / OUARZAZATE

You’ll receive an early wake-up call for the sunrise excursion to the Sand Dunes, and you’ll set off on a Camel trek. An experience not to be missed is to watch the sun as it rises from the top of the golden dunes. Head back to the tent for a special breakfast with the Touareg people, and then continue on to explore the holy ancient city of Rissani by your 4X4 Land Rover. You’ll also visit the Tinghir, the Dades valley and river, the El Kalaa Del Mgouna and Boumaine, among others. Fill yourself up during lunch at a local restaurant located at the feet of canyons, before continuing on to Ouarzazate, where your dinner and overnight stay will be.

Day 9: OUARZAZATE / AIT BENHADDOU / MARRAKECH

After breakfast, you will head off towards Marrakech. On the way, you’ll visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s jewels, which has also been used as the location for many famous films. Afterward, head to the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll also get to visit the Jemaa el-Fna, the Menara, the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian tombs, the museum of Dar Si Said, the remains of the Badii Palace, the Bahia Palace, and more. You can have lunch at Chez Ali, and stay overnight at the hotel in Marrakech.

DAY 10: MARRAKECH / ESSAOUIRA

Depart to Essaouira (Mogador). Apart from the immediate impact of sea air and the friendly animation of the town, the predominant images of Essaouira are of the Atlantic — picture a rugged coast and offshore islands, the vast expense of empty sands trailing back along the promontory to the south, and the almost gothic scenery of the eighteenth-century fortifications. You can have optional lunch at Chalet de la Mer and stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: ESSAOUIRA / EL JADIDA / CASABLANCA

After breakfast, you will depart to Casablanca via El Jadida and stop at El Oualidia. Relax and enjoy a seafood lunch. Stop along the coastline to El Jadida and visit the citadel. Visit the Vestige of the Portuguese occupation during the 11th century. Continue to Casablanca where you will stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12: CASABLANCA / AIRPORT MOHAMMED V

Head to the Mohammed V Airport to catch your flight back to your home after having a memorable trip that you will cherish for a lifetime!