Whether you want to focus on something specific - be it landscapes, cities, customs, or traditions - or whether you want to experience as many aspects as possible that Morocco has to offer, that is the first decision that needs to be made. Since Morocco is such a huge country, it is better to decide and then focus on one or two areas where you can experience this. You should bring enough time to take in and enjoy everything you want to see and experience, rather than trying to fit it all in. Also, the Moroccan population is a mix of Berbers, Arabs, Africans and Andalusians, which is also something to consider when planning your itinerary, depending on what cultural and traditional aspects (e.g. gastronomy) you want to experience on your trip.

The North of Morocco - the Blue City

The evening sun bathes the town in a blaze of blue color. The whole town seems to glow - like a mystical underwater world. But these are only brief moments in the turbulent alleys, which are winding, narrow, sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, leading the visitor from square to square and store to store. Here you can find handicrafts, leatherwork, handmade carpets or the warm djellaba with hood, famous in this area. Not all that glitters is gold, but those who are not immediately persuaded to buy the next best thing can still purchase small treasures here.

Today we will visit Rabat city, the capital of Morocco. Rabat is one of Morocco's four royal cities, along with Fez, Meknès and Marrakech. The name goes back to an Islamic border fortress (ribat) built by Zanata Berbers in the 10th century at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. In the 12th century, the Almohads had the ribat expanded into a fortified city (kasbah), which remained an important trading city until the 19th century with and in competition with Salé. We will visit the Medina, the Kasbah of Oudaia and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Break time for lunch. Overnight in Rabat city in a charming Riad or Hotel.

 Stage 1 - the local open pit mine

In Mefiss we make a first stop. Here Hassan shows us the quarries where even today Eyliner coal is laboriously mined. He told me (Monika) that he himself worked here as a child after his father died at an early age. He gives me such a stone. Shiny and special.

 Stage 2 - La Musée du fossiles et minérales

On we go to the fossils. Incredible what can be found here in this plain. A small museum contains fascinating treasures. Outside we see a whole "turtle family". Some of the fossils are still cut and polished by hand. You can buy beautiful plates, polished coral fossil or snails.

After a hearty Moroccan breakfast in your hotel, we will hike the dunes by 4×4 around the Erg Chebbi dunes, populated desert region of sand. You will have an opportunity to discover how and where nomadic families live in this area.  We will have an inevitable stop at the village of Khamelia, where people are living, originated from Mali and Senega. We will enjoy a nice concert of Gnawa music, while we'll have a delicious cup of tea. Afterwards we continue to Mefiss a place where Berber had been working in extracting Eyeliner from the mountains many years ago and where the French army had lived in colonial days. In the midday we will visit a local restaurant specialised in Berber Pizzas.

If you are interested in German art, we will have a round trip to the monuments of Hannsjörg Voth, a German artist.

Back to the hotel to relax and enjoy your free time, Dinner and overnight in the Hotel.

Departure from Marrakech in the morning at about 9:00. We pass interesting sights, like goats on trees. Photo stops can be made at any time. Arrived in Essaouira (after about 2 hours) you will first move into your accommodation (probably a riad in the old medina). The afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

If you let your eyes wander over the sea on the old Portuguese fortress, you will discover them: The Purple Islands. These islets, off the coast of the small harbor town of Essaouira, or formerly Mogador, got their name because the Phoenicians used to extract the precious dye purple from sea snails here, which was reserved for kings and nobles.

Colors still play a role in this small artist town and its many, sometimes hidden art museums, which is also famous for its music scene and the annual Gnawa music festival.

If you still have room in your luggage, you should buy one of the beautiful wooden works made of thuja and lemon tree. And don't miss the morning local fish market. Would you like to try a freshly caught oyster? Or have a fish you've never seen before prepared on the spot? The variety is indescribable. Of course, a walk on the miles of wide sandy beach is a must. We take you there, to this picturesque little town: Africa North Journeys.

Watch more - Essaouira and Sahara

We will pick you up from your hotel after an early breakfast and drive you to the first stage of this day - either form Fez to Ifrane (64 km) or from Meknes.

This day we will pass through the High Atlas Mountains, the most fascinating and beautiful natural region of Morocco. Ifrane is one of the cleanest and most unique cities in this area, also called Moroccan Switzerland.

The tour continues through the largest cedar forests in Morocco, inhabited by the endangered Barbary macaques. Photo stops are of course possible at any time.

Today we will visit Meknes city, the Ismaili capital and one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco. Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became the capital of Morocco under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), Our visit to this City includes: Bab Al - Mansour , Sahrij Souani basin , the Royal stables, the granary and also the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Break time for lunch. Before we drive to Volubilis we will stop in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, a beautiful panoramic view of Moroccan houses architecture. Overnight in Meknes city in a charming Riad or Hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast we will get to know the so-called religious and cultural capital of the country and the oldest city. We will visit the great royal palace gate and then the famous Al Qaraouine University. The tanneries and the Attarine Museum are on the program as well. After a break for a delicious lunch, we will visit the most exotic and oldest part of the city: Fes El Bali, the walled medina with narrow pedestrian streets and ornate entrance gates, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Fes el Bali is a paradise for local handicrafts with colorful Moroccan styles, leatherwork, metalwork, etc. Dinner and overnight stay in Fez.

Discover the offers of our Cooperation "Africa North Journeys - Morocco" - Some examples:

5 Days Tour From Fes to Merzouga Desert

7 Days Morocco Tour From Fez to Sahara Desert

10 Days Around Morocco Tour From Fez

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and one of the most important economic centers.

After an early breakfast we will visit one of the largest mosques in Africa, the Hassan 11 Mosque, located on the west coast of the city; and then of course the famous Rick's Café. Getting a lunch package, we will drive to the next Africa Journey step.

Discover the offers of our Cooperation "Africa North Journeys - Morocco" - here some examples:

2 Days Morocco Tour From Casablanca

5 Days Morocco Tour From Casablanca

8 Days Morocco Tour From Casablanca