9 Day Atlas and Medinas Walking Tour
Nine days splitting the medinas with the High Atlas: city lanes, mountain valleys, and legs that earn their dinners.
The shape of the journey.
Nine days lets you add mountain country and a kasbah stop to Morocco's imperial cities. You'll visit Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech, then cross the High Atlas Mountains. Ait Ben Haddou, one of the country's most photographed kasbahs, sits on the way south.
The route, in order.
The tour begins with airport reception in Casablanca and a visit to the Hassan II Mosque before continuing to Rabat to explore the capital's royal and historic sites.
You settle in for the night ahead of continuing inland the following day.
The route continues to Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis, with mosaics dating back 2,000 years, before several days exploring Fez el-Bali, the world's oldest medieval university city.
Time is spent in the souks, artisan workshops and historic madrasas of the medina.
The journey crosses the High Atlas Mountains, with scenic stops along the way and a visit to a Berber village for mint tea and conversation with a local family.
This gives a genuine sense of rural mountain life alongside the tour's city-focused days.
The tour stops at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village of earthen architecture that has featured in Gladiator, Game of Thrones and other major productions.
A guided walk through its narrow lanes leads up to the granary for sweeping valley views.
The final day is spent in Marrakech, exploring the medina, souks and Jemaa el-Fna square before your departure transfer.
The tour concludes with airport transfer arranged as part of the package.
- English-speaking resident tour manager and local guides
- Airport reception and welcome in Casablanca
- Private transport throughout the trip
- Selected accommodation in riads and hotels
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Entrance fees to sites visited
- 24/7 support throughout the trip
- International flights
- Lunch, unless stated in the itinerary
- Tips for the resident tour manager
- Room service and personal expenses
- Transport to and from the meeting point
Riads, guesthouses and a camp. All of them ours to vouch for.
Properties are confirmed with your final itinerary. In the cities you stay in riads inside the old walls; in the desert, a private camp; on the kasbah road, family-run guesthouses we have slept in ourselves.
Asked before every long journey.
Anything else, ask us directly. The person who answers is the person who will run your trip.
ASK US ANYTHINGWhere does the tour start and finish?
The tour begins with airport reception in Casablanca and finishes in Marrakech, with departure transfer included as part of the package.
Share your flight details when you enquire so pickup and drop-off can be planned around your arrival and departure.
What makes this different from the shorter imperial cities tour?
This nine-day version adds a crossing of the High Atlas Mountains, a visit to a Berber village, and a stop at Ait Ben Haddou, giving more time in the landscape alongside the imperial cities.
It suits travellers who want a broader mix of history, culture and scenery.
Is this a private or group tour?
This tour can run as a private or shared group experience depending on your preference and group size, with numbers up to 40 accommodated.
Private tours offer more flexibility on pace and stops along the route.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast and dinner are included throughout the tour. Lunch is generally not included, giving you flexibility to choose restaurants along the way.
Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice.
How much walking is involved?
Exploring the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, along with Ait Ben Haddou, involves a fair amount of walking on cobbled or uneven surfaces.
The pace is manageable for most fitness levels, with guides adjusting timing where needed.
What is the Berber family visit like?
The visit gives you the chance to sit down for mint tea and conversation in a local home, learning about rural mountain life directly from the family who hosts you.
It is a genuine cultural exchange rather than a staged performance.
What should I wear at religious and cultural sites?
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appreciated at mosques and other religious or cultural sites, including the Hassan II Mosque.
Your guide will advise on expectations at each stop, and layers are useful for the High Atlas crossing where temperatures can vary.
Is airport transfer included?
Yes, airport reception on arrival in Casablanca and departure transfer at the end of the tour are both included.
Share your flight details when you enquire so these can be arranged around your schedule.
Can this tour be customised?
Private departures can often be adjusted to focus more time on particular regions or interests, subject to availability.
Mention any specific requests when you enquire so the team can advise on what's possible.
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended for a trip of this length, covering nine days on the road between cities and mountain country.
You should arrange your own policy covering medical costs, cancellation and travel disruption before departure.
