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Casablanca
1 day
Welcome to Morocco! After you land in Casablanca, you'll be chauffeured to Rabat from the airport. Check into your luxe accommodations, then get to know the city with the help of your driver and guide.
Once you've worked up an appetite, grab lunch at a delicious spot that suits your taste. As Morocco's capital and home to the royal family, Rabat oozes imperial glam, from relics of empires past to contemporary eateries specializing in fine dining. If you're hungry for traditional fare, consider taking advantage of the Atlantic's incredible bounty. Even in the medina, you'll find super fresh delicacies like briny oysters and creamy sea urchins. Whatever your palette, your guide will give you an excellent recommendation for where to enjoy your first meal.
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Rabat
4h
Walk off lunch by exploring the blue-painted Oudaya neighborhood that sits perched above the Atlantic Ocean. The Kasbah of the Oudayas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the crown jewel of this enclave, so explore the complex or stroll around its lush Andalusian gardens, and return to the ramparts for a vivid sunset. You'll visit the Hassan Tower, one of the most magnificent buildings of the Almohad Dynasty. A curiosity of a landmark, Hassan Tower is a minaret of a 12th-century mosque, a lofty construction project that was ultimately abandoned.
After you wander the ruins, check out the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, which serves as a stellar taste of the intricate tilework, mosaics, and craftsmanship that you'll see throughout the land. Tonight, enjoy Rabat's robust culinary scene. You will find good Moroccan food around the city, but if you're looking for something more continental, head to the embassy quarter of the New City (just inland from the medina)
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Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Pass by
Today is all about royal vibes: enjoy breakfast in Chefchaouen before hitting the road to explore some imperial cities, culminating in Fes. Your first stop is Meknes, a historic town that boasts a more manageably-sized medina than you'll find once you reach Fes. The shopkeepers are also easy-going here, and you can truly take your time exploring souks filled with spices, slippers, and colorful treasures. Thanks to your driver, you'll make the most of your stopover here with a visit through the scenic Ville Impériale area. Depending on how much time you'd like to spend here, you can discover an array of palaces, gardens, and architectural sites.
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Moulay Idriss
Pass by
Next up is Morocco's oldest town, Moulay Idriss. Considered a holy city by many, the city was founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss I, Morocco's first major Islamic ruler. Learn about the conception of the Idrisid dynasty, and be sure to visit the emerald-green minaret here—it's the only round minaret in the country. Your driver will also help you select a great place to enjoy lunch amid the charm of this hilltop town.
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Volubilis
1h · Admission ticket included
The royal treatment continues with a trip through the centuries in Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll find the country's best-preserved ruins from the Roman empire. The sprawling complex features examples of merchant homes (and their ingenious heating systems), intact mosaics, temples, and more. If you're inspired to dive deeper and want to extend your time here, your expert English-speaking guide will give you a private tour tailored to your interests.
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Fez
15h
When you've had your fill of sightseeing, you'll end your day in Fes at a luxuriously-appointed five-star riad. An oasis in the imperial city, your accommodation will feature a central courtyard where you can lounge and keep cool and, depending on where you stay, may even house its own hammam on the ground floor. If you're interested in a more bespoke spa experience, you can enjoy a relaxing massage in one of Fes's hammams in the evening. Regardless of where you choose to soak and scrub off the day, a delicious dinner awaits. You can hang back at your luxe riad or head out to one of the city's best dining spots.
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Azrou
Pass by
Today, get an early start so you can answer the seductive call of the Sahara. After an early breakfast, you'll start your road trip by crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains through the town of Azrou and its majestic Cèdre Gouraud Forest, where troops of Barbary macaque monkeys lounge in ancient cedar trees near the road. Then, stop for lunch in Midelt, which sits on a cold, high desert plateau. As the day continues, you'll cross a landscape of steep mountain ranges, broad valleys, and narrow canyon passes. Your driver will take you through the Ziz Valley, an essential branch of the ancient Saharan Trade Route. Gaze out the window to see the area's ksars, fortified houses built by merchants to protect the gold, salt, and spices that passed this way
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Erfoud
30m
After crossing through the Ziz Gorge, you'll see early signs of Saharan dunes. You'll also pass through Erfoud, a bustling market town known for dates and fossils discovered in hillside mines. If you like, you can stop at a local artisan collective to learn about the area's fossils and learn how locals transform them into an array of products. As you continue, the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi will emerge in the distance. This vast sand sea covers 13 square miles (35 square km), with some dunes rising over 650 feet (200 m).
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Erg Chebbi
15h
Once you reach the Sahara, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in North African luxury. Mount a camel for a ride across the dunes as the sun sets. Take in the golden glow across the landscape with an unobstructed view (you can even spot Algeria in the distance). As night falls, you'll maintain visibility as the moon reflects off the sand, guiding you and your camel to your unique accommodation for the night: a luxurious camp nestled at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Sink into total relaxation in your glamping tent. Later, enjoy a dinner prepared by local Berber tribesmen and cozy by the fire, serenaded by live music.
Gaze up at the heavens from your romantic spot, or see if you can stargaze from atop the dunes before you turn in for the night
