Colorful Exploration of Morocco: Ancient Cities and Expansive Deserts

What to expect on this itinerary
No trip to Morocco is complete without enjoying the unique blend of the past and present that appears here in abundance and this 13-day tour of the country’s major sites is designed to provide plenty of both. As you wander the medinas, ksars, and kasbahs of this colorful corner of North Africa, a blend of leisure time and exclusive tours will ensure your full enjoyment of every destination you visit.
Customizable Itinerary
Rabat – Arriving to the Capital of Colorful Morocco
Tucked at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, Rabat presents visitors with a head-spinning array of sights, sounds, and smells, each demonstrating a slightly different version of Morocco's multifaceted charm. As the capital of this colorful country perched on the Northwest edge of Africa, Rabat is an excellent ambassador of all things Moroccan, and you will be able to step into this vibrant setting after your flight arrives. A private transfer whisks you effortlessly into the heart of the old town and your luxury hotel.
What's Included:
Chefchaouen – Taking a Turn for the Rural
Fez – Ambling Through the Ages on a Tour of the Medina
Fez – Visiting the Famous Tanneries
Erg Chebbi Merzouga – Chasing Dunes in North Africa
Erg Chebbi Merzouga – Discovering Life in the Desert
Skoura – An Exploration of the Todra Gorge
Atlas Mountains – Visiting a Land that Time Forgot
Essaouira – A Return to the Atlantic
Marrakech – Diving Into Morocco's Iconic Red City
Marrakech – Where the Past Meets the Present
Marrakech – Basking in the Ambient Adventure
Marrakech – Concluding Your Moroccan Tour
Trip Highlights
- Amble through the ages on a private walking tour of Rabat where the Moroccan capital's unique charm and hospitality will be yours to enjoy
- Don't forget your camera as you plunge into the blue tinted neighborhoods and corners of Chefchaouen where you will enjoy a front row seat to this rural paradise
- Ponder the inexorable march of time on a visit to the Roman ruins at Volubilis where you can witness the clash of Mediterranean and North African cultures
- Explore the famous tanneries of Fez where locals have honed their leather working skills for centuries and you can witness this timeless tradition on a private walking tour
- Enjoy the privileged perch of a camel as you pay a visit to the impressive sand dunes at Erg Chebbi Merzouga, your gateway to the Sahara desert
- Watch the horizon mimic a chameleon as it changes from hues of pink to orange on a sunrise stroll atop the impressive dunes of the Sahara
- Discover Morocco's impressive natural beauty on a trip to the Todra gorge where limestone walls careen into the sky and present you with a labyrinthine look at the country's geologic origins
- Plunge into the historic depths of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a private tour of Ait Benhaddou where Morocco's longtime tradition of spectacular ksars will be yours to enjoy
- Soak up the seaside ambiance of Essaouira where you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as a historic medina that dates back to the medieval period
- Check out Morocco's largest outdoor market on a private tour of Marrakech where the country's fourth largest city will come alive from the wit and knowledge of your local guide
Starting Price
$16,900 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 157 reviews
Every detail of the itinerary was amazing. Thanks to Zicasso’s travel agent. From our driver to the riad and hotel accommodations, and each location we visited (Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Atlas Mountains, a camel ride at sunset with glamping in the Sahara Desert, and Marrakech), we were partnered with a local guide who showed us magnificent sights and enriched our experience with historical information. Everything was beyond our expectations!
See more
This was our fourth trip with Zicasso and, like the others, it was amazing and memorable. Even being back home for a while now, I’m still constantly thinking about how fun and unique this experience was. Morocco isn’t easy to navigate, but Zicasso, our travel specialist, and our team expertly guided and educated us on the special history, culture, food, traditions, and sites of this beautiful country.
We started in Marrakech and had night and day food tours in the medina. It was immersive and interesting, and almost an assault on the senses–super-cool experiences. We learned about the cultural influences through the centuries and our guides were experts in their historical and local knowledge. The street food night tour was an evening to remember, sampling all sorts of local foods at places that would be impossible to find on the web.
After our days in Marrakech, we traveled in a loop around Morocco for several days, passing through the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Merzouga, and the Sahara, followed by two and a half days in Fes, another cultural gem. It was an unforgettable journey, filled with highlights:
The boutique hotel in a literal oasis was beautiful and so well appointed–such friendly staff and owners, and perfect food.
Ait Ben Haddou (a kasbah) was like nothing we’d ever seen–no wonder it has been used in so many films. Our private guide there had been in nine movies!
The Sahara trek was unbelievable and my personal highlight. I almost still can’t believe it. A one-hour guided walk on a camel (they were friendly!), stopping to watch a beautiful sunset. It reminded me of the "Dune" movies. The moon literally rose on the opposite horizon as the sun was setting. Then, another 30 minutes on the camels under moonlight to a luxury camp. I say “camp,” but the small restaurant was deluxe and our tent was warm, luxurious, and, of course, had a full, regular bathroom. So not exactly camping!
Fes was super-interesting and our driver and guide ensured we saw so much of what makes Fes the cultural capital.
This was, overall, such a fun experience that will stay with me forever. We’ve recommended Morocco to many since returning!
See more
Flawless doesn't begin to describe how incredible and meticulous the planning and taste that went into designing our Spain and Morocco trip. I reached out to Zicasso’s travel specialist far in advance, describing a dream vacation for my husband and me that included a near-impossible amount of locations to cover through both countries in only two weeks. We had tried coming up with an itinerary with another planner prior to meeting the travel specialist, but it did not work out. When we shared our vision with the travel specialist, he materialized it on paper in a way that made sense and even made adjustments that fit within our budget. We got to see every location with enough time to savor each.
The order of travel from Barcelona to Andalucía to Morocco was an intricate weave that told a story of cross-cultural exchange. We started off with Gaudí architecture and the Sagrada Família, sunsets at the Puente Nuevo, Alhambra, and Córdoba, marveled at the grandeur of the mosque cathedral, savored seafood paella and Picasso art in Málaga. We finished off road-tripping in Morocco, starting from the blue city of Chefchaouhen, continuing our journey through Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains. It was nothing short of magical.
We will never forget the beauty of the sun rising above the Atlas Mountains, private candlelit dinners on our private terrace in the riads, the colors of the souks, and the hospitality of our Moroccan hosts. Each riad was carefully selected and far exceeded our expectations. And of course, our driver in Morocco was an absolute delight and went above and beyond. Besides providing transportation, he acted as a friend who showed us the ins and outs, helping us see Morocco in a way that we would not have if we went in a large group or had chosen to come alone. Overall, my husband and I cannot recommend our travel specialist enough.
See more
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.
See more
We recently returned from a 12-day trip to Morocco. It was an incredible trip! We started in a kasbah in the High Atlas Mountains and then traveled to Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, and ended in Marrakech. We had excellent accommodations, transportation, and local guides.
The trip was planned and booked through the tour operator. Zicasso’s travel specialist was easy to communicate with and addressed all of our concerns. It was a pleasure to meet him in Marrakech for tea and an escort around the square. The people of Morocco were warm and kind. We look forward to returning and spending time in the desert, and we would definitely book with the tour operator again.
See more
We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide and company. Our travel agent really saved our trip. We reached out just a few weeks before our 11-day visit to the country. We were so impressed at how well he listened to what we wanted to do, as well as our challenges with trying to meet up with our daughter. Despite that, he was able to pull together a magnificent itinerary for Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains.
We needed a driver the whole time and our driver was so much more than that. The riads our travel agent found, the restaurants, and the cultural experiences were just perfect. Plus, we had ample downtime. The guides were knowledgeable and accommodating to our requests.
From the minute we arrived in Rabat to the moment we left, we felt in good hands. We are so grateful to their expertise and to Zicasso for connecting us to such an excellent person and company. We will reach out to Zicasso the next time we plan a trip abroad. Meanwhile, we tell everyone we meet about your services.
See more





