Rabat - Volubilis - Fez - Ziz Valley - Erfoud - Rissani - Sahara - Todgha Canyons - Dades Valley - Ouarzazate - Marrakesh - Essaouira - Casablanca
January 16 - 28, 2025
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| Morocco Flag |
Post-Trip Summary
This was my second time in Morocco. In December 1992, I visited the northern city of Tangiers while traveling through Spain. This time around, I took an indepth tour of the rest of the couunty. I got a decent dose of history, nature, and culture while experiencing interesting sights, amazing scenery, decent weather, friendly people, great food, and comfortable accommodations. Once again, I traveled with Gate1Travel on its "13-Day Kaleidoscope of Morocco" tour.
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Considering how much the cost of foreign travel has gone up over the past 4 years, this tour was quite affordable by any standard. The tour included a nice mix of the big cities, historic sites, and natural beauty. As always, our tour director and motorcoach driver were the consummate professionals, the hotels were outstanding, and the food was great.
How Long Was Your Trip? When Did You Go? Where Did You Go? The tour lasted 13 days from January 16-28, 2028. I spent:
- 1 day flying back and forth from the US
- 12 days visiting the major cities of Rabat, Fez, Marrakesh, Casablanca, and many interesting sites in between.
My tour group had 18 people. Most came from the US, primarily Texas, Florida and California. There were also four Canadians. We were a very seasoned group of travelers and got along well. The group started out with 20 people, but two people had to leave on the third day because one of them had a pacemaker issue with Mexico City's 7,300' altitude. The altitude even got to me on occasion with shortness of breath, but it was nothing like Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
[Insert Pic of Guide, Director and Driver]
[Insert Pic of Tour Group]
How Did You Get There and Back? I flew from my home in Milwaukee to Houston, where I stayed with a travel friend for a day before traveling to Mexico. I had a short, direct flight to Mexico City at the start of the trip. On the way back, I flew from Cancun to Mexico City, then on to Houston. Total air mileage was about 4,360 miles. Once on the ground in Mexico, we traveled about 1,200 miles by motorcoach to each of our destinations. In retrospect, I should have planned an extra day on my own in Mexico City or Cancun because I would have liked another day in either of those places.
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| Air Travel Map - 11,089 Miles Roundtrip |
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| Ground Travel Map - 1,141 Miles |
Was It Easy Navigating Your Way Around? Yes, because we were largely situated either in the heart of each town within walking distance to most everything, or shuttled by motorcoach to each of our destinations.
[Insert Pic of Tour Bus]
The bus also had a bathroom nobody used, as well as USB and plug outlets for charging phones and laptops. The bus didn't have WiFi, but fortunately, my AT&T cell phone plan from the US covered me in Mexico at no additional cost.
By the way, Gate1 has a seat rotation policy so that the same people don't always have the coveted front seats. As usual, I sat in the back behind the rotation zone with a few others so we could talk without interrupting the others.
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| Gate1 Hotels - First Class, Centrally Located |
In Morocco, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C and type E are used. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Yes, you need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type C and E in Morocco.
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| Note: Type E is same as European F |
Meals? Most meals were included in the price of the tour. Breakfast was included every morning at our hotels while lunches and dinners were sometimes on our own. All meals included multiple healthy options to suit all tastes and dietary needs.
How was the Weather? I traveled in January. The weather was chilly at night (mid 40's F) and moderate during the day (mid 60s F) It rained very little.
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| Late January Weather in Morocco |
What Clothing Did You Pack? I brought more clothes than usual for the 13-day trip since I was traveling during winter. We stayed in Boston for a few days prior to the trip and it was winter there. Hence, long pants and shirts that I could layer in Morocco, along with my rain jacket/windbreaker, gloves and a hat. I brought two pairs of comfortable shoes. As usual, the socks and underlayers were all "Dri-Fit" material that could be washed every few days in the hotel sink.
What was the Time Difference? Morocco was 7 hours ahead of my home town time zone in Milwaukee (US, Central Time, GMT/UTC −06:00). There was a little jet lag in the beginning of the tour.
What Was the Currency? What Were Prices Like? Morocco's currency is Moroccan dirham. It is hard to find outside the country. I used my credit card as much as I could and got dirhams from bank ATMs as needed. The conversion rates and fees were fair and nominal.
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| Morocco Dirham - 10 Dirhams = $1 as of 1/15/2025 |
I read about there being a problem getting coins for change but didn't really encounter this.
[Insert Trip Cost Chart - Caption: Morocco Trip Cost - $3,800 ($300/Day)]
Special Trip Considerations.
Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. I stopped giving history lessons in my posts but added links you can click on to read more about the places I visited. You can just read on from here or go back up to the Table of Contents above and jump to a specific day or topic of interest.
Enjoy!
- Safety. Morocco boasts good security services, and the government prioritizes tourist safety. Petty theft is the most common issue you might encounter, but terrorism and kidnapping, though less frequent, are also concerns. In addition, certain travelers, namely women, may need to take certain precautions during their travels. You can get the lastes US Dept of State Travel Advisories here.
- Air Quality. Air quality was generally quite good everywhere.
- COVID. There are no mask or vaccine requirements but if you are concern, take action to protect yourself.
- Physical Condition. We traversed a lot of steps, uneven surfaces, and steep grades absent high temperatures and humidity. If you have mobility or heat issues, this is probably not the tour for you.
Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. I stopped giving history lessons in my posts but added links you can click on to read more about the places I visited. You can just read on from here or go back up to the Table of Contents above and jump to a specific day or topic of interest.
Enjoy!
Day 1 - Thursday, January 16, 2025 - Depart for Morocco
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Depart USA for Casablana, Morocco
About Morocco from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 62F and sunny
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Day 2 - Friday, January 17, 2025 - Arrive in Rabat
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel in Rabat where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Evening orientation meeting with Tour Manager.
Hotel: Dawliz Rabat Hotel
About Rabat from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 58F and overcast
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Day 3 - Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Tour Rabat
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: This morning, take a city tour of Rabat, Morocco's capital. Rabat, which means "Fortified Place" displays all of the fine architecture one might expect to see. View the Royal Palace, then visit the Oudaya Kasbah, the Oudaya National Museum of Ornaments, showcasing an exquisite collection of decorative pieces from intricate jewelry and finely crafted metalwork to delicate ceramics and textiles. Conclude the tour with the Hassan Tower. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Hotel: Dwaliz Rabat Hotel
Daily Journal
Weather: 67F and cloudy
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Day 4 - Sunday, January 19, 2025 - Travel to Volubilis & Fez
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Today, depart for Fez. En route, stop and visit the ancient ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis where you will get a chance to see the well-preserved original mosaics, Roman Road, and city layout. As you travel through the Moroccan countryside, pass by the holy city of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. Upon arrival in Fez, admire panoramic views of the ancient city of Fez from a hill overlooking the medina. Take a short bus tour of the imperial city, conducted by your Tour Manager, on the way to the hotel.
About Volubilis from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 73F and partly sunny
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Day 5 - Monday, January 20, 2025 - Tour Fez
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Fez tour where you will visit the many hidden treasures of the medina that only a Moroccan guide will know. Fez is particularly famous for its tanneries and the Fes el Bali Medina. A short visit to the surrounding leather shops gives you the best view of the tanneries. See the Attarine Medersa, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and visit the Nejjarine Fountains and Museum. Finally, view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famed Jewish quarter of the medina.
About Fez from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 88F and overcast. Light rain in evening.
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Day 6 - Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Sightseeing en Route to Erfoud
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Depart for Erfoud via the montane cedar woods of the middle Atlas Mountains, passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort. Continue to Erfoud via Errachidia and the lush Ziz Valley. Arrive to your Erfoud hotel in early evening.
Hotel: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca
About Erfoud from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 88Fand overcast
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Day 7 - Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Rissani City & Sahara Tours
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Depart to explore the small city of Rissani, on the edge of the Sahara. En route, stop at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Upon arrival in Rissani, tour the lively souk and visit an 18th century ksar. Next, pass by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz, once a Berber city and medieval trade depot. Return to Erfoud for an afternoon at leisure or join the optional tour of the Sahara, including a camel ride into the desert. After sunset, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca
About Rissani from Lonely Planet
About Sahara (Desert) from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 88F and partly sunny
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Day 8 - Thursday, January 23, 2025 - Todgha Canyon & Dades Valley
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Explore Todgha Canyon and Dades Valley. This morning, continue your journey to Tinghir via the Tinjdad Road. Stop to visit the Todgha canyons, which rise to a towering 800 feet. After lunch on your own, continue on the road of the thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley, famous for its roses and the yearly Rose Festival, stop for a panoramic view at the entrance of the Dades Canyons. Arrive at your hotel in Boumalne Dades later this evening in time for dinner.
Hotel: Hotel Xaluca Dades
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About Todgha Canyon from Lonely Planet
About Dades Valley from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 86F and partly sunny. Tropical storm Karl was moving through the area.
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Day 9 - Friday, January 24, 2025 - Travel to Ouarzazate & Marrakesh
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Travel to Ouarzazate, a desert city at the gates of the Sahara. Next, take a tour of the Atlas Film Studios. Discover the sets of legendary films and TV shows, such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Finally, visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon travel to Marrakesh via the highest road point in Morocco, the Tichka Pass, offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountain range. This evening, savor a special dinner hosted by a local family and learn about Moroccan culture and traditions.
Hotel: Movenpick Marrakesh
About Quarzazate from Lonely Planet
About Ait Benhaddou from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 92F and sunny
Today we traveled west from Boumalne Dades to Marrakesh, with stops at a film studio, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the highest road in Morocco.
Leaving Dades, we drove to Ouarzazate, a desert city at the gates of the Sahara. Here we toured the Atlas Film Studios, the third largest televison and movie studio in the world. Here we visited the sets of legendary films and TV shows, such as Gladiator, James Bond, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, Cleopatra, and Lawrence of Arabia.
Later we visited Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic ksar along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture.
We continued to Marrakesh via the highest road point in Morocco, the Tichka Pass, offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountain range.
We'll be in Marrakesh for the next three nights before heading to our final stop, Casablanca.
Day 10 - Saturday, January 25, 2025 - Tour Marrakesh
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Marrakesh City Tour. Take a morning tour of the city. Visit the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the 16th century, where Saadian royalty found their final resting place. Your tour also includes the Koutoubia Minaret, as well as the beautiful Bahia Palace. End the tour by walking through the medina before arriving at the Djemaa el Fna Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure and lively streets of Marrakesh.
About Marrakesh from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 92F and sunny
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Day 11 - Sunday, January 26, 2025 - Tour Essaouira
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Depart Marrakesh for a tour of Essaouira, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of a fortified North African town. Walk along the city's ramparts just north of Moulay Hassan Square where local artists sell their paintings. Continue on to the Skala de la Ville, which is a fortification built along the cliffs that defended the city from sea attacks. Explore the many souks in the medina, including the spice and jewelry souks. Visit a jewelry shop, renowned for its quality and design. Browse the extensive collection of uniquely handcrafted silver jewelry and watch artisans create beautiful silver pieces.
Hotel: Movenpick Marrakesh
About Essaouira from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 71F and sunny
Today we took a day trip from Marrakesh to the Atlantic coast town of Essaouira, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of a fortified North African town. Essaouira is about 3 hours west of Marrakesh.
Along the way, we saw the only producing argan forest followed by a stop at Cooperative D'Argan Marjana, a women-owned cooperative where we saw how Argan nuts are processed into a host of cosmetic products. I bought some anti-wrinkle cream...industrial size...as a souvenir.
Just outside Essaouira, we stopped at a scenic overlook for a panoramic view of town and the Atlantic Ocean. Some enterprising Moroccans were there with camels for us to pose with for pictures, and money, of course. We were warned not to interact with these guys, so we shot right past them as we got off the bus. Essaouira looked very inviting from afar so that just heightened the anticipation of getting there.
Once in Essaouira, we met our local guide Rashid. Our first stop was the seaport with hundreds of fishing trawlers and seagulls waiting for a free meal by the fish cleaning tables. We walked around taking pictures of the medina walls, fishing boats, and people swimming at the beach. I guess the water wasn't too cold.
Once inside the medina, we stopped at Skala de la Ville, which is a fortification built along the cliffs that defended the city from sea attacks. It was here that Game of Thrones, Season 3, the Walk of Shame episode was filmed. The waves crashing on the rocks on shore were a sight to behold.
We then walked through the lively streets and markets of the medina to Bayt Dakira, the House of Memory, a Jewish museum located in the Jewish quarter "Mellah." The museum aims to be a spiritual space dedicated to the Jewish community of the city. It plays an important role in the preservation and valorisation of the Moroccan Jewish community.
We then stopped at a historic silver shop and then back into the medina to Seafood Corner for a fantastic lunch. I had the most delicious penne past wity fruit-de-mer while my friends enjoyed a sea bass lunch.
With an hour to spare before heading back to Marrakesh, we did some spice shopping and browsed the souks. The spice shop seemed to have a cure for anything that ails you and left you wondering if Moroccans even needed doctors with so many home remedies available.
Essaouira was a wonderful place. I left wishing we could stay another day, or two.
Around 3:30 pm, we headed back to Marrakesh. We stopped at the same gas station on the way home that we had stopped at eariler in the day. The same people were working there and gave me a surprised look when they saw me. I bet they thought they'd never see me again.
We arrived back at our hotel in Marrakesh around 6:15 pm. Our small group of friends on the tour (Melinda, Joe, Debbie, Sharyn, and our guide Zou) met at the hotel pool area bar for an hour for beer, coctails and appetizers. Nice time and nice company.
On the way back to our room, we stopped at Sharyn and Debbie's room to marvel at all the stuff they bought on the trip and wondered how they were going to get it all home. It reminded me of my travel friends Vicki and Vicky and all the stuff they bought on trips. I ended up taking home just a jar of Argan face cream from today's visit to Essaouira. I like to travel light.
Go to Table of Contents
Day 12 - Monday, January 27, 2025 - Travel to Casablanca & City Tour
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Depart Marrakesh, Travel to Casablanca. This morning, travel to Casablanca, the commercial heart of Morocco. Upon arrival, join a half day sightseeing tour of Casablanca, which includes the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche seaside. Continue on a short drive through the residential areas of Casablanca to the city center to visit the Mohamed V Square, the Habous quarter and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant.
About Casablanca from Lonely Planet
Daily Journal
Weather: 65F and sunny.
We left Mareakesh this morning bound for our final destination, Casablanca.
It was quiet on the motorcoach with everybody sleeping after a busy day of sightseeing yesterday. Along the way, we passed through an area containing 15% of the world's phosphate deposits. Phosphates are used to make fertilizer, Morocco's biggest export.
At 10:15 am when we were halfway to Casablanca, we stopped for bathroom break. Just as I was coming out of the gas station, a busload of Japanese tourists came rushing toward me like a squadron of zeros descending on Pearl Harbor as they made a beeline for the bathroom with a sense of urgency on their faces.
Upon arrival in Casablanca, we took a half-day tour of the city before heading to our hotel, the Radisson Blu, in the city center.
The first stop on our tour was Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral, a modernist Roman Catholic church built in 1954 by architect Achille Dangleterre and engineer Gaston Zimmer. The stained glass was windows were awe-inspiring. Our guide asked us to identify soumething in the church that didn't belong. I correctly guessed that it was the stained glass window with the devil in it.
After the cathedral, we drove through the Jewish Quarter, past the Royal Palace, and through the French Quarter on our way to the oceanfront promenade, known as the Corniche. The King was in residence at the palace since all the Moroccan flags were raised.
At the Corniche, we took photos of the masive ocean waves crashing on the shore with the Hassan II Mosque in the background. Beautiful.
After a lunch stop on our own along the coastline, we returned to the Hassan II Mosque for upclose photos. The mosque, completed in 1993, is the one of the largest mosques in Africa and the 14th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 700 feet (60 stories). At night, a laser beam projects up to 36 miles towards Mecca.
Around 4:30 pm, we checked in to our centrally located hotel then went for a walk to the hotel we will be staying at in 8 days when we return from the Azores and Lisbon on our way back to the US. NIce place, and close to Casa Port, the station from which the airport shuttle comes and goes.
Ar 5:30 pm, we enjoyed a short walk with our guide through the French Quarter adjacent to our hotel. The history of the French in Morocco only dates back 112 years but they left their mark on the city's architecture.
In the evening we had a farewell dinner with our tour group at a local restaurant, El Gousto. I had a seafood puff pastry appetizer and steak dinner. There were also nice appetizers, dessert and wine.
We returned to the hotel around 9:30 pm, said our good byes and safe travels to our fellow travelers, and went to bed.
Day 13 - Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - Depart Morocco
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| Gate1Travel - 13-Day Morocco Tour |
Itinerary: Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Daily Journal
Weather: 85F and sunny in Cancun. 44F and partly cloudy in Milwaukee.
Instead of returning to the US, we extended our stay in the region with a 7-day excursion to Portugal, starting with 4 days in the Azore Islands and 3 days in Lisbon. After than, we returned to Casablanca for 2 days in early February before heading back to the US. I had never been to the Azores so I was really looking forward to that part of the journey. And I was looking forward to getting reaquainted with Lisbon having not been to this wonderful place since 2002.
So today was a long travel day for most everyone in our travel group. Some had a 6 am flight and had to leave for the airport at 2:30 am. Most of the rest had an 11 am departure for the airport to catch their 4 pm flight. We didn't leave for the airport until 12:30 pm for our 5 pm flight.
After breakfast at our hotel, we wandered to the Central Market a few blocks from our hotel in the French Quarter. We were there a little early as the fishermen were still setting up their stalls with that morning's catch. But it wasn't anything we hadn't seen several times over the previous two weeks. We wandered around the market and surrounding streets some marveling at all the stuff for sale and people watching before heading back to the hotel.
At 12:30 pm, we saw our tour guide, Zou, one last time and met our Gate1 driver who took us to the Casablanca airport 45 minutes away (36 miles) for our 5 pm flights to the Azores via Lisbon.
Like arrival, the process for getting out of Morocco was as cumbersome as getting in. Two baggage scans, four passport checks, and long lines. After an hour, we were at the food court waiting to board out flight to Lisbon.
At 4 pm, we were taken to our plane on a bus. We managed to beat everyone onto the plane and store our carry-ons in the overhead bins before they filled up. By 5 pm, our TAP airlines Embraer 190 was airborne for the 2-1/2 hour flight to Lisbon.
We arrived in Lisbon around 5:30 pm, gaining an hour on the way. We had a 4-hour layover in Lisbon, which made me wish I had booked that direct flight to Ponta Delgado when I first saw it.
We left Lisbon at 10:15 pm and arrived in Porta Delgada on the Azore island of San Miguel around 11:45 pm, gaining another hour en route.
We caught a taxi 10 m inutes to our hotel, the NEAT Avenida, a few miles away by the marina area and checked into our hotel by 12:30 am.
Then it was straight to bed since we had a 7-1/2-hour island jeep tour in the morning.
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