Grand tour from Casablanca in 15 days

Arrival at Mohammed V Airport, meet your driver and an overview of the journey. Transfer to the hotel to rest. Dinner and overnight in Casablanca.

• Arrival in Casablanca

After breakfast, a half-day Casablanca tour: the Hassan II Mosque, Mohammed V Square, the Habous district and the Anfa residential area. A seafront fish lunch. Drive to Rabat (the administrative capital): the Mechouar, the Oudaya Kasbah, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Dinner and overnight in Rabat.

• Casablanca
• Rabat

Through coastal fields to the Rif and the blue city of Chefchaouen. A stroll through the medina's alleys, a visit to the Kasbah with its gardens, museum and gallery, and panoramic rooftop views. Waterfalls in the nearby hills and local crafts (wool and woven blankets). Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

• Rabat
• Chefchaouen

We discover the blue medina alleys, the fortified Kasbah with its gardens and its small museum of Rif culture. Panoramas of blue-and-white houses with tiled roofs. A walk in the hills with their waterfalls and a look at the local crafts, unique in Morocco. A leisurely dinner and overnight.

• Chefchaouen

To Meknes for a guided tour from the 18th-century Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and Heri es-Souani (his stables for 12,000 horses). After lunch, the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO), with bathhouses, mosaics and marble pillars. On to Fez. Dinner and overnight.

• Chefchaouen
• Volubilis
• Meknes
• Fez

On foot through the world's greatest 9th-century medina: the Royal Palace gate, the Mellah (Jewish quarter from the 16th century) and the artisan quarters (brass, copper, wedding adornments). The famous Fez tannery, with panoramic views; the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II, Al Karaouine University (9th century) and the Koranic schools. Overnight at an Old Town riad.

• Fez

Departure from Fez toward Erfoud, through cedar forests and the Middle Atlas, with lunch in Midelt. On through the dramatic Ziz Valley oasis, with palm trees and numerous ksars. Arrival in Erfoud, famous for its date festival and fossils. Dinner and overnight at a kasbah hotel.

• Fez
• Ifrane
• Ziz Valley
• Erfoud

The Saharan adventure begins from Erfoud, with a visit to Rissani (the Alaouite capital) and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif. On to a nomad village and lunch at a kasbah hotel beside the Erg Chebbi dunes. Relax by the pool before a sunset camel ride. Berber drumming and song as night falls, a home-cooked Moroccan feast and a night in a private tent.

• Erfoud
• Rissani
• Erg Chebbi

Sunrise and a special breakfast; back to the car toward the Todra Gorge along the rugged "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" (a location for films like The Last Temptation of Christ and Jewel of the Nile). A walk into the gorge, between pink and grey rock walls with springs. On through the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

• Merzouga
• Tinjdad
• Todra Gorges
• Dades

A stroll through the Dades Valley and the Valley of Roses (in bloom April-June). A stop at Kalaa Mgouna, "the rose city," to buy rosewater. Skoura and Kasbah Ameridil. Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa," with its studios (The Mummy, Prince of Persia, Gladiator). The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO). Over the High Atlas to Marrakech. Dinner and overnight.

• Dades
• Rose Valley
• Ouarzazate
• Ait Ben Haddou
• Marrakech

With a local guide: the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque (which inspired the Giralda and the Hassan Tower), the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs (from Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, discovered in 1917, housing about sixty Dynasty members). After lunch, Jemaa el Fna Square and the souks. Overnight at a riad.

• Marrakech

To Essaouira, among argan trees and tree-climbing goats. The women's argan oil cooperative. The Skala Fortress, port and souks, with carved thuya wood. A walk through the medina and a fresh-fish Moroccan lunch. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

• Marrakech
• Essaouira

With a local guide, the medina (UNESCO): the Mellah (former Jewish quarter) and its arts and crafts, with thuya woodwork. Mint tea at a local café and a walk on the Atlantic beach. Overnight at a hotel.

• Essaouira

Along the Atlantic coast, with ocean views and fishing villages. A stop in El Jadida (UNESCO), of Portuguese heritage: the Portuguese Cistern (a 16th-century underground structure) and the ramparts with sea views. After a seafood lunch, on to Casablanca. An optional Corniche stroll and a farewell dinner. Overnight in Casablanca.

• Essaouira
• Oualidia
• Asfi
• El Jadida
• Casablanca

Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. Safe travels!

• Casablanca
• Airport