The delectable aroma of couscous emanates from the kitchen. Sandstone walls shine red and encircle ancient cities. Valleys filled with date palms and the decadent scent of worldly spices. This handcrafted private luxury tour of Morocco takes you along the path of indigenous North Africans, spanning beyond the trans-Saharan Trail. Wander along illustrious sand dunes and witness the lavish remnants of sultanates’ legacies. Relax in restored mansions and experience traditional tribal sounds in a...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
City of Wonder
Arrive in Casablanca where your private transfer meets you at the airport. The city sits against the coastline and fills with the ocean breeze. Palm trees sway against the Atlantic and linger beneath the towering façade of the Hassan II Mosque minaret, which rises 690 feet in the air. Art Deco buildings line the streets and decorate the skyline. You make your way out of the city and on to the energetic enchantment of Marrakech, a city that embodies the vivacious culture for which Morocco is known. The aroma of citrus fruits, such as orange and lemon drift through the streets. Strong red walls encircle the narrow and meandering alleys of the medina.
The city has embraced its eccentricities and showcases them in the expansive Djemaa el Fna Square. In the evening over 100 local cooks swarm the interior and set up makeshift grills. The aroma of slow cooking kebabs wafts around the cobblestone paved plaza. People watch the activity from on high, with panoramic views from rooftop cafes. Henna artists hold people’s palms and swirl ancient artwork over visitors’ hands and forearms. Storytellers gather crowds and weave legends of magic carpets and towering desert sand dunes. People cheer and sigh when the hero arrives. Jugglers toss sticks and blocks in the air as snake charmers play their rhythmic music like a soundtrack of the city. The plaza emanates enchantment and provides insight into the culture that has captivated visitors from around the world.
What's Included:
Day 2
Inside the Red City
Day 3
Antique Imagery
Day 4
Desert Guidance
Day 5
Remnants of Paradise
Day 6
Nomadic Allure
Day 7
Winding Trail
Day 8
Making Clans
Day 9
Visiting the Locals
Day 10
The Trail’s Edge
Day 11
Following the Foothills
Day 12
The Path’s End
Trip Highlights
- Trek through the Sahara Desert on camelback to witness breathtaking sand dunes
- Witness Barbary apes in their natural habitat of the high altitude cedar forest
- Traverse historic trading routes that led from desert to mountain passes
- Explore historic ruins and treasured remains of cultural architecture and trades
- Experience the spirited and captivating culture of Morocco
- Stay in luxurious historic mansions located in the hearts of old cities
- Visit traditional Berber villages speckled throughout the Moroccan landscape
- Tour through historic walled cities made of desert clay
Detailed Description
Geometric mosaics decorate the courtyard of a historic theological school. The largest minaret in the world stands on the edge of the Atlantic coastline. Cedar forests black out the surrounding mountains and villages climb up terraced hills. Your 12-day private luxury tour of Morocco showcases an inspiring breadth of culture and landscape. Listen to the active antique workshops of artisan vendors and luxuriate in a rooftop café overlooking the fast-paced splendor of Djemaa el Fna Square. Watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi and follow the path of history to illuminate Morocco’s enchanting present.
Arrive in Casablanca, and your time following the Berber trail begins. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you through the wide boulevards of the city, a reminder of a French colonial past. You make your way to Marrakech and are charmed by the entertaining presence in Djemaa el Fna Square. Your private guide meets you at your hotel and takes you on a fabulous tour of the Red City. Witness illustrious tombs and exceptional palaces. Journey over the High Atlas Mountains along Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
Wander through the narrow alleyways of the clay city Aït Ben Haddou. Dades Valley blossoms with fields and date palms and the Rose City of Kalaa M’gouna. Once through the Dades and Todra Gorge you will arrive at the desert-side town of Merzouga. Visit ancient tribes and Merzouga Lake to see the stunning avifauna that calls the water home. Trek via camel into the Sahara and discover the ethereal beauty of the barren landscape. Enjoy a night under the stars at a luxury camp before returning to Merzouga. Make your way through Rissani and into Ziz Gorge to find splendid landscape around Errachidia. The alpine village of Imilchil is known for its autumn Marriage Festival, along with the nearby pristine waters of Lake Isli.
Ifrane is a university town where storks nest on rooftops and the king of Morocco spends time in the winter. Explore the nearby villages and enjoy the cool, Franco-esque atmosphere of the mountains. Once in Fez you will have a full day tour of the imperial city, following your guide through the stunning architecture and wondrous panoramas of the cityscape. En route to the current capital of Rabat you will spend time at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the 17th century capital city of Meknes. Your private transfer, arranged by your Morocco travel agent, will escort you to Casablanca, where you will board your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.87 stars based on 760 reviews.
I'm not sure it's possible to be any more satisfied with the service provided by the Zicasso travel partner's team.
Ahead of the trip, our travel designer was in constant contact, by phone and email. In terms of the itinerary and the logistics/preparation for the trip, we discussed the right locations, iterated on the excursions, and ultimately planned out a wonderful holiday in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. He listened (for example, that we wanted more food experiences vs wine), suggested (for example, Segovia vs Toledo, Nerja vs Marbella), and coordinated all of the details.
And our concierge was amazing once we were on the ground. Coordinating with drivers and guides (especially since our inbound flight was delayed), making suggestions for restaurants and booking reservations, and providing guidance for myriad logistical situations (for example, the best route to take while driving from Sevilla to Ronda).
The travel company's team really delivered for us and we cannot thank them enough for our incredible Spain experience!
Reviewed By Alex G.
Our trip to Morocco was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Our driver was excellent and an excellent companion throughout the journey—reliable, friendly, and always helpful.
The guided tour through the medina in Marrakech with our guide was a standout experience, especially with the bonus of dining at a fantastic restaurant he recommended. Two major highlights of the trip were the unforgettable hot-air balloon ride and our magical night in the desert.
Although our time in Casablanca was brief, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide in Rabat was knowledgeable and made the experience engaging and informative. We ended our trip in the stunning town of Chefchaouen, where another guide provided an exceptional tour—he was informative and passionate about his city.
The accommodations were perfect at every stop, and we truly appreciated the welcome gifts and meals provided by Zicasso's travel specialist and his team. Their attention to detail made all the difference.
I would highly recommend him and his company to anyone planning a trip to Morocco. It was an unforgettable experience that I will be sharing with friends and family for years to come.
Reviewed By Joan F.
We had an amazing time in Morocco. The entire trip went very smoothly and we truly felt immersed in the Moroccan culture. Our guide and driver were efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.
Reviewed By Jeff E.
We enjoyed a spectacular journey encompassing Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Our guide and driver were very professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Each of the special events enabled us to interact extensively with everyday Moroccans. Our accommodations were superb and gave us a real feel for the country. We loved every moment of the adventure!
Reviewed By Ryan D.
If you are looking for a white-glove, red-carpet experience, Zicasso's tour planner and his company are your go-to. He created an amazing itinerary that fit our budget. He was terrific with communication and follow-up. The minute we set foot in Morocco, his team was there, ready to go. They were 10 to 15 minutes early every day. We traveled through four cities, with wonderful stops, sights, commentary, and tours.
Our tour guide first introduced himself as the fixer. I was wary. Four days later, it proved true. He saved me and my dresses. I left my dresses in the Casablanca hotel room. Five hours later, I discovered the "Oh no!". Our guide hopped on the phone, called the hotel numerous times, contacted several colleagues, and found someone to drive my dresses three hours to our Marrakech hotel. The dresses arrived by noon the next day.
Most of all, our tour planner created and delivered a magical, memorable experience, without mishap. My 80-year-old mother said it was the best vacation she's ever taken. We are truly grateful.
Reviewed By Tracey R.
We had the most amazing time in Morocco, thanks to our wonderful Zicasso trip planners. From the very beginning of the planning stages, our agents were not only super-accommodating, but provided great ideas to make our trip as special as could be!
Once we landed, our guide and driver made sure we were comfortable throughout our trip. We visited Marrakech, Merzouga, Fes, and Chefchaouen. Each of these destinations were special in their own way and we had amazing tours in the medinas, visited gardens and museums, had a cooking class and, of course, a wonderful night in the desert.
None of this could have been possible without the expertise of the entire team at the travel agency. The logistics were impeccable, the hotels so beautiful, and suggestions for shopping and meals were perfect as well!
We cannot thank the team enough for such a special experience and we hope to work with them in the future! Thank you so much!
Reviewed By Florencia T.