Northern Exposure

10 Day Itinerary

Most people imagine the splendour of the desert and the exotic city of Marrakech when they think about Morocco. Yet there is also a lot to see in the north where you will find quite a diversity of cultures, landscapes, and sites. This tour allows you to explore many aspects of the north - modern cosmopolitan cities, ancient sites, relaxed seashores, and the port city of Tangier. Let us take you on a northern adventure.

Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca

Day 2: Rabat

Day 3: Asilah

Day 4: Tangier & Chefchaouen

Day 5: Chefchaouen

Day 6: Fes

Day 7: Fes

Day 8: Fes

Day 9: Meknes

Day 10: Casablanca

Day 1

Arrive in Casablanca

We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel so that you can enjoy a nice shower and then take you for a delicious “Welcome to Morocco” lunch.

After lunch, we will take you on a tour of the Hassan II mosque - one of the biggest and grandest in the world. A professional guide will tell you about the history and its current usage.

Depending on your desires, we can take you for dinner at a traditional Moroccan restaurant, a wonderful seafood restaurant, or Rick’s Café from the movie Casablanca. The movie plays on continuous reel in the lounge upstairs if you want to just stop in for a drink.

Day 2

Rabat

We will drive to Morocco’s magnificent capital city – Rabat. Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat is a modern city built around a number of historic sites.

We will visit the medieval and ancient Roman ruins at Chellah, the incomplete Hassan tower and nearby Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Kasbah of the Udayas.

After a full day of taking in these historic sites, we take you to your riad to freshen up before a nice dinner.

Day 3

Asilah

We will visit the charming seaside town of Asilah. There you can see the 15th century ramparts that were built during the time when the Portuguese controlled this area. The ramparts surround the old medina, where you can explore the many shops, restaurants, and cafes. After checking into your hotel, you can take a walk along the beach/promenade to enjoy the sunset before dinner.

Day 4

Tangier & Chefchaouen

We will drive to the port city of Tangier.Tangier is located on the Strait of Gibraltar and has been an important route connecting Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. It is an international city with a fabled history. From here it is possible to see Spain on a clear day. We will enjoy a bit of the city before a nice lunch along the shore and then drive to Chefchaouen. We will have dinner and stay in Chefchaouen for the night.

Day 5

Chefchaouen

Nuzzled in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen is best known for its unique blue walled medina. It is likely one of the most photographed places in Morocco because of its beauty and its unique culture. Here we will explore the medina and its busy market with its mix of traditional and modern goods. Chefchaouen culture and handicrafts (such as the brightly-decorated hats and woolen garments) are unique to the region. We will have dinner and overnight again in Chefchaouen.

Day 6

Fes

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a bit more time to soak in the scenery around Chefchaouen and then enjoy a relaxing drive to the city of Fes. After you check into your hotel, you will have a bit of time to relax before dinner.

Day 7

Explore Fes

Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, is home to one of the oldest and most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Passing through the gates into the energetic and mazelike medina takes you back in time. The narrow streets are just as they were when they were built in the 8th century, with high walls that protect the courtyards inside from the heat of the midday sun. Enormous theosophical colleges, beautiful mosques and fascinating souks spilling their goods onto the pavement are all part of the scene. You will tour the Fes medina with a professional guide and have the opportunity to shop and enjoy people-watching at a café in the medina. We will have dinner and overnight in Fes.

Day 8

Savour Fes

Enjoy the truly unique experience of a Moroccan cooking class. You will shop for the food in the medina and then learn how to cook local favourites. This is a cultural and culinary adventure enjoyed by many visitors to Morocco. In the afternoon, you have the option of relaxing in a hamman (traditional Moroccan spa) or spending some free time in the medina. After some time to freshen up at your hotel, we will enjoy a nice dinner and overnight in Fes once again.

Day 9

Day Trip to Volubilis

Take a day trip to see the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO listed site in the historic city of Meknes. In Volubilis, you will walk around the ruins to discover the marvelous mosaic work that combine Roman and indigenous cultures with some parts still intact. After touring Volubilis, we will return to Fes. Then we will take you for a dinner and cultural entertainment for your final night in Morocco.

Day 10

Casablanca, Until We Meet Again

We will return to Casablanca for your onward journey.

We believe that your vacation should be a magical experience, based on your desires. This itinerary is provided as a general guide and we are happy to customize it to ensure that you have a wonderful time in Morocco.

Other experiences that can be added to your trip include:

extended trips to the desert by camel
express trips from Zagora to the desert using helicopters
ATV/quad biking in the desert
surfing or kitesurfing on the coast
hiking in the mountains
motorcycle trip along the windy mountain roads
cycling in the mountains or any area of interest
an exploration of cooking and the spices of Morocco
a day trip to Tangier to see Spain (Gibraltar) from Morocco

We look forward to welcoming you to Morocco!