Day 1 – Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca and meet your driver for a private transfer to the hotel. After time to relax, set out with a private guide to visit the Hassan II mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world—and one of the few mosques in Morocco that allow non-Muslims to enter the interior. While the mosque was built in the 1990s, it is a stunning tribute to traditional Moorish architecture, with exquisite mosaics and carved stucco as well as remarkable technological innovations. (B)

Day 2 – Rabat

Your driver meets you this morning for the short drive to the coastal capital city of Rabat. After lunch at your hotel, join a private guide to discover the history and highlights of this World Heritage-listed imperial city. Explore the walled city center, designed by the French in the early 20^th century, and meander through the medina—markedly less frenzied than those in Marrakech and Fez. Venture into the picturesque kasbah and wander its maze of narrow lanes and white-washed houses. (B)

Day 3 – Meknes / Volubilis / Fez

Depart for Fez with your driver today, stopping to visit the imperial city of Meknes, which became Morocco’s capital in the late 17^th century during the reign of Moulay Ismail. Also a World Heritage site, Meknes still boasts its original fortifications as well as the stunning Royal Stables, a remarkable feat of architecture and engineering built to house some 12,000 horses. Continue to Volubilis and enjoy a tour of this ancient Roman city, where colonnades and an impressive arch stand out on the surrounding plains.  Settle into your traditional courtyard home, or riad, in the Fez medina this afternoon. (B)

Day 4 – Fez

Delve into enchanting Fez on a full-day tour, discovering Fes Jdid, the 13^th-century so-called “new city,” as well as the legendary souks of the old city. Peer into magnificent mosques and madrassahs to see their carved Moorish arches and mosaics. Watch artisans plying timeless trades, from tanners straddling vats of lye to ceramicists painting delicate designs in glaze. At the end of the tour, sip a mint tea on the rooftop terrace at your riad, listening to the call to prayer echo over this medieval city at dusk. (B)

Day 5 – Atlas Mountains / the Sahara

Experience an astonishing range of landscapes today as you drive towards southern Morocco, passing through the lush cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains and the dry, scrub-covered High Atlas Mountains on the way to the edge of the Sahara. Travel by 4x4 vehicle to a traditional Berber-style tented camp, then set out on a short camel trek to the top of the dunes to watch the sunset. Enjoy a chance to stargaze under dark desert skies tonight. (B,D)

Day 6 – Todra Gorge / Skoura

This morning, leave the desert behind and travel along “The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs." Along the way, detour into Dades Gorge or Todra Gorge,  dramatic wadis carved by the Dades River. Continue to your accommodation in Skoura, where you will stay for two nights. (B,D)

Day 7 – Skoura

After several busy days, enjoy a day at leisure to relax by the pool at your hotel, or venture out into the surrounding red-rock country to explore oasis villages and historic kasbahs. (B,D)

Day 8 – High Atlas Mountains / Ait Ben Haddou

As you head into the High Atlas Mountains today, follow an old caravan route to the 11^th-century World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified hilltop village known for its Moroccan earthen architecture. Go off the beaten track in a 4x4 vehicle to witness striking geological formations and centuries-old kasbahs before arriving at your charming hotel high in the mountains. (B,D)

Day 9 – High Atlas Mountains

Soak up the tranquil ambiance and the views during a free day at your guesthouse. Or hit the trails with a guide, hiking to neighboring Berber villages to get a glimpse of everyday life in the High Atlas. (B,D)

Day 10 – Essaouira

Descend into the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains and skirt Marrakech on your way to the charming coastal town of Essaouira. Check in to your hotel and, if you wish, enjoy an afternoon stroll along the seaside Corniche. (B)

Day 11 – Essaouira

Settle into the relaxed rhythms of this welcoming beach town. Meander through the medina with your private guide, watch the fishing boats return with the catch of the day, or take a walk (or a swim) at the beach. In the late afternoon, head up to the impressive Portuguese ramparts and watch the sun set over the Atlantic. (B)

Day 12 – Marrakech

Travel inland to cap off your journey in fabled Marrakech, your home for your final three nights. Relax at the hotel or take a walk to get acquainted with this effervescent city. (B)

Day 13 – Marrakech

Join a guide for a private tour of the historic sites of Marrakech, including the beautiful El Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs. See Koutoubia Mosque, and venture into the souk, where merchants hawk everything from spices and nougat to cut brass lanterns and kitchenware. If you wish, return to your riad to learn how to cook Moroccan dishes during a cooking class with the chef. (B)

Day 14 – Marrakech

Today is unscheduled so that you can experience Marrakech as you wish on your final day. We recommend a visit to the Jardin Majorelle, where you can stroll through the exotic botanical gardens of Yves Saint Laurent and visit a gem of a museum dedicated to Berber culture. Located near the French Quarter, the garden offers a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, and a delightful place to stop for lunch. As night falls, consider a visit to the Djemaa el Fna, the main square and cultural heart of Marrakech, where locals flock to be entertained by snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, and more. Wander through the lively food stalls to see what’s cooking, and find a spot on one of the café terraces that surround the square for a great view of the action. (B)

Day 15 – Marrakech to the U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport this morning for your return flight to the U.S. (B)