10-Day Private Morocco Tour: The Grand Itinerary

Your private driver will be waiting to welcome you at the Casablanca airport. Your Moroccan journey begins immediately with a VIP visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, an architectural masterpiece cantilevered over the Atlantic Ocean. After taking in the intricate artisanship, we escape the heavy traffic of Casablanca and drive one hour north to Rabat. Morocco’s capital city offers a much calmer, elegant atmosphere the perfect place to rest and recover from your international flight.

Following a fresh Moroccan breakfast, we journey north into the dramatic peaks of the Rif Mountains. By afternoon, you will arrive in Chefchaouen, a town famous worldwide for its mesmerizing, bright blue architecture. The atmosphere here is deeply relaxed and highly photogenic. Spend your evening wandering the quiet, colorful staircases and sipping traditional mint tea in the lively main square, Plaza Uta el-Hammam.

We leave the mountain air behind and drive south toward the country's cultural and spiritual capital. We break up the journey with a privately guided exploration of Volubilis, a sprawling, 2,000-year-old Roman ruin sitting amidst rolling green plains. You will arrive in Fes by late afternoon, checking into your stunning Riad in time for a quiet, lantern-lit dinner.

The Fes Medina is the largest car-free urban area in the world, containing a labyrinth of over 9,000 narrow, winding alleyways. Navigating it requires true local expertise. We provide a licensed, lifelong resident city guide for the morning to lead you deep into the Medina's heart. You will safely witness the world-famous leather tanneries, marvel at intricate centuries-old madrasas (schools), and watch master craftsmen hand-hammer copper pots just as they have for generations.

Today is a magnificent, full-day cross-country expedition. While it requires about 8 hours of driving, your private 4x4 and expert driver transform what would be a grueling bus ride into a spectacular road trip. You will watch the landscape shift dramatically from the alpine cedar forests of the Middle Atlas home to wild Barbary macaques down into the lush Ziz Valley. By late afternoon, the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi will appear on the horizon. You will leave your vehicle behind and ride a camel into the Sahara just in time for a breathtaking sunset, spending the night in a luxury desert camp complete with real beds and private, en-suite hot water bathrooms.

Wake up early to witness the sun rise over the Saharan dunes a moment you will never forget. After breakfast at the camp, we journey west toward the rugged landscapes of the Dades Valley. Along the way, you will walk through the Todra Gorge, a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains with sheer rock walls towering nearly 1,000 feet above a crystal-clear river. We spend the night in the Dades Valley, surrounded by ancient kasbahs and lush palm groves.

We follow the ancient caravan trading routes toward the "Red City." Our route includes a dedicated stop at Aït Benhaddou, a giant, fortified clay city that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has served as the backdrop for epics like Gladiator. From there, we wind our way up and over the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass before descending into the vibrant, beating heart of Marrakech.

The energy of Marrakech is palpable the moment you step outside your Riad. Spend your morning marveling at the intricate tilework of the Bahia Palace and the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. As the afternoon cools, make your way to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square. As the sun goes down, it transforms into an incredible spectacle of sizzling food stalls, musicians, and storytellers. It is an immersive experience you have to see to believe.

By day nine, we find that our guests appreciate a break from structured touring. Today is entirely yours to control. You might choose to stroll through the vibrant, cobalt-blue Majorelle Garden, book a rejuvenating treatment at a traditional Moroccan Hammam, or dive back into the souks for some final, expert-level souvenir shopping. (Not sure how to pack for the diverse climates of this 10-day trip? See our full Morocco packing list for expert advice).

Enjoy one final Moroccan breakfast on the rooftop of your Riad. Your driver will coordinate with your flight schedule, pick you up directly from your accommodation, and provide a smooth, private transfer to the Marrakech airport for your journey home.