Day Excursions

Day excursions depart from your accommodations or other location as you prefer. Your driver will pick you up promptly at 8:30 a.m. and deliver you back again by 5:00 p.m., or as you prefer.

Departures from:

• Marrakech
• Fes   
• Rabat    
• Tangier    
• Casablanca

• CASCADE D’OUZOUD: Fall in love again – this time, with the beautiful waterfalls that are a signature destination of the Atlas Mountains. Dropping 110 meters into the canyon below, the falls are seldom without a rainbow. Have lunch at one of the cafes tucked into the trees along the path to the falls, perhaps spot some of the Barbary apes hanging around. This trip takes you through the breathtaking peaks and valleys of the Atlas range, through Berber villages, and terraced fields. Time permitting, you can also visit the natural bridge and caverns at nearby Demnate, surrounded by 100-year-old olive groves that produce some of the country’s best olive oil.
• OURIKA VALLEY: Your destination is the village of Setti Fatma, nestled in a canyon with no fewer than seven beautiful waterfalls. Hikes range from easy 20-minute walks to strenuous climbs through streams and large boulders. Even if you’re not a hiker, you’ll appreciate the stunning scenery in the region. We’ll also take you to a jewel of a saffron farm and botanical garden where you can sip saffron tea and discover the fine points of cooking with the world’s finest saffron!
• IMLIL: Spectacular mountain scenery is your constant companion on this journey into the High Atlas. Perched atop verdant terraced fields, Imlil is a world away from the heat and hustle of Marrakech. Regardless of your level of ambition or interest, there’s a beautiful walk or hike in store. (Mules are available to carry children.)
• AGAFAY DESERT: If you’re aching for a camel ride and a desert visit but don’t have the time to cross mountain passes for the Sahara experience, this trip’s for you! Just half an hour from Marrakech, the Agafay Desert is stony rather than sandy, and offers breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains. You can ride a camel, then visit a Berber village and have tea or lunch with a family there. Make it special: Plan your camel ride for the afternoon, then stay overnight in a deluxe tent camp!
• TIZI-N-TEST: Take the road less travelled to Tizi-n-Test (Test Pass.) instead of Imlil. This fork in the road opens up to more spectacular mountain vistas, but also takes you to the Goundafi Kasbahs and Tin Mal Mosque, now out of use, but one of only two in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter. From the Kasbah viewpoint, you can see the mosque further to the south.
• ESSAOUIRA: Surf’s always up in Essaouira! Stroll the wind-swept beaches, then visit the bustling harbor where you can see ships being built before your eyes. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Essaouira’s medina is a treasure trove of quality arts and crafts produced by local artisans. Don’t miss the array of gleaming fish and fresh fruit and vegetables in the market, then settle at one of the excellent seafood restaurants for a sumptuous lunch. Make it special: Climb aboard a camel for a ride along the beach. (Horses also available.) Visit a nearby winery for a tour and tasting or visit to a women’s co-operative where argan oil is produced.
• OUALIDIA: It’s oyster heaven in Oualidia! Raw, fried, breaded or sauced – eat your fill! There are none finer! Not a fan?  Other seafood delights are on the menu – and so are golden beaches! Take a boat tour of the placid lagoon and Atlantic breakwater or indulge in a refreshing swim. On your way back to Marrakech, find a lasting memento of your day on the coast at the pottery works at Safi.
• KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU: Cross the Tichka Pass to reach this UNESCO World Heritage site on the plains approaching Ouarzazate. This is one of the best-preserved examples of red pisé (rammed earth) architecture. Note: This is a long day, returning at approximately 7:30 p.m. Make it special: stay overnight in Ouarzazate, and tour the city, the Taourirt Kasbah, and Atlas Studios before returning to Marrakech.

• VOLUBILIS: Just a short hour’s drive from Fes, tour the substantially intact and well-preserved Roman ruins of the city of Volubilis. The site consists of houses of the wealthy with glorious mosaic floors, as well as those of ordinary working people. The remains of shops, public baths, and facilities for the production of olive oil provide remarkable insight into life of this important Roman capital of bygone days. Complete your visit of the area with a short drive to the nearby village of Moulay Idriss perched on the hillside above Volubilis. This town is holy to Muslims as the site of the tomb of Idriss I, the first Muslim leader of Morocco. This trip can be combined with a half-day tour of Meknes.
• MEKNES: Meknes is one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities (current or former capitals) along with Fes, Rabat, and Marrakech. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and easily navigable without a guide. At your option, we’ll transport you to points of interest that are beyond comfortable walking distance. Optional: Cap off the day with a winery visit and tasting – Meknes is at the heart of Morocco’s growing wine industry!
• AZROU FOREST/SOURCE DE L’OUM RHBIA: Just an hour from Fes, you’ll find yourself in the cool cedar forests near Azrou, home to wild Barbary monkeys. Some are not so wild… not if you have peanuts or juicy dates. They’ll delicately take them from your fingers, and then shamelessly look for more. You can visit Ifrane, Morocco’s “Little Switzerland” with its leafy boulevards and steeply angled roofs designed to shed the winter’s heavy snows.  Or continue into the mountains to the lovely waterfalls at Source de L’Oum Rhbia. Relax in one of the carpeted reed cabanas that line the river while local villagers prepare lunch for you.

FROM RABAT:

• SIDI BOUKNADEL: Escape the city for the cool green oasis of the gardens at Sidi Bouknadel. This national cultural heritage site is a testament to both horticultural and artistic achievement. But you’ll be totally captivated by the aviary, pools and fountains, and secret passages between the lovely gardens.
• MOULAY BOUSSELHAM: Moulay Bousselham is a key destination for birds – and for birders! We’ll arrange a morning boat tour of the Merja Zerga lagoon, where an expert guide will help you spot native and migrating bird species according to the season. You’ll finish in time to have lunch at a local café where fresh seafood is a specialty, and time also to visit some of the golden beaches along the coast as you return to Rabat.
• VOLUBILIS: The Roman ruins at Volubilis are just a two-hour drive from Rabat. The site consists of houses of the wealthy with glorious mosaic floors, as well as those of ordinary working people. The remains of shops, public baths, and facilities for the production of olive oil provide remarkable insight into life of this important Roman capital of bygone days.

FROM TANGIER:

• GROTTE DE HERCULE: Just a short distance out of town at Cape Spartel, the Grotte de Hercule is part of a complex of caves with one opening onto the sea and one onto land. The view from the cave towards the sea through the “Africa”-shaped opening is dramatic, as the rushing waters swirl into deep pools at the base of the cliff face. Travel further down the coast for lunch at the seaside town of Assilah, then discover the off-the-beaten-path ruins at Lixus, once a flourishing Roman center in North Africa. According to legend, the mythological garden of the Hesperides, keepers of the golden apples sought by Hercules, was located here. However, it’s the ruins of the amphitheater, mosaics and other structures that are the real draw.
• TETOUAN: Tetouan has a vivid history, having been settled, claimed, ruled, or otherwise controlled by Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, Spanish – even pirates for a time! The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on account of its renown for skill in the creative arts, is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network. Savor a taste of Andalusia in everything from art, architecture and cuisine as you tour this memorable city!
• CHEFCHAOUEN: High in the Rif Mountains, the “Blue Village” of Chefchaouen is full of charm and intrigue! The distinctive ethereal blue color is said to have been brought to the town by Jews fleeing the Spanish inquisition, and that in their tradition, although it is likely also true that in the 1970’s, residents were encouraged to expand this practice as a way to draw tourists. Be as it may, Chefchaouen has much to offer the day tripper. The medina is full of unique textiles and other wares unique to the area, the excellent cuisine touched with a little Spanish. Chefchaouen is woven into a mountain hillside: be prepared for steep steps and uneven pavement.  There is also good hiking in the nearby Talassemtane National Park.

FROM CASABLANCA:

• EL JADIDA: El Jadida is a bustling port city that carries with it its historic roots as a fortified city built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. It marries European and Moroccan influences in its architecture and culture. The remains of the Old Portuguese City (fortifications and ramparts) are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the serene underground cistern and the late-Gothic Church of the Assumption are not to be missed.
• SAFI: If you love hand-crafted pottery, Safi is a must-see on your Moroccan tour itinerary! Plan a visit to the excellent National Museum of Ceramics housed in a Portuguese-built fort, then stroll through the artisanal workshops in the hillside Colline des Potiers quarter. Ceramics are still made in traditional ways here, and you can see the preparation of the clay itself, the artisans at work, and the wood-fired ovens. Want to make your own pot? You can – and have it shipped to you! Or find a treasure in one of the many shops selling the distinctive Safi pottery. 
• RABAT: A visit to Rabat is a great way to fill a few hours if you’ve just arrived in Morocco, and want a short sight-seeing jaunt while you adjust to a new climate and time zone, or if you have an evening flight home and have a day to available for one more adventure! Just an hour from Casablanca, Rabat is Morocco’s national capital and one of Four Imperial Cities. Take in the Kasbah des Oudayas, the Chellah, and other sites, have lunch on a historic floating restaurant, then return to Casablanca.

• SIDI BOUKNADEL: Escape the city for the cool green oasis of the gardens at Sidi Bouknadel. This national cultural heritage site is a testament to both horticultural and artistic achievement. But you’ll be totally captivated by the aviary, pools and fountains, and secret passages between the lovely gardens.
• MOULAY BOUSSELHAM: Moulay Bousselham is a key destination for birds – and for birders! We’ll arrange a morning boat tour of the Merja Zerga lagoon, where an expert guide will help you spot native and migrating bird species according to the season. You’ll finish in time to have lunch at a local café where fresh seafood is a specialty, and time also to visit some of the golden beaches along the coast as you return to Rabat.
• VOLUBILIS: The Roman ruins at Volubilis are just a two-hour drive from Rabat. The site consists of houses of the wealthy with glorious mosaic floors, as well as those of ordinary working people. The remains of shops, public baths, and facilities for the production of olive oil provide remarkable insight into life of this important Roman capital of bygone days.

• GROTTE DE HERCULE: Just a short distance out of town at Cape Spartel, the Grotte de Hercule is part of a complex of caves with one opening onto the sea and one onto land. The view from the cave towards the sea through the “Africa”-shaped opening is dramatic, as the rushing waters swirl into deep pools at the base of the cliff face. Travel further down the coast for lunch at the seaside town of Assilah, then discover the off-the-beaten-path ruins at Lixus, once a flourishing Roman center in North Africa. According to legend, the mythological garden of the Hesperides, keepers of the golden apples sought by Hercules, was located here. However, it’s the ruins of the amphitheater, mosaics and other structures that are the real draw.
• TETOUAN: Tetouan has a vivid history, having been settled, claimed, ruled, or otherwise controlled by Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, Spanish – even pirates for a time! The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on account of its renown for skill in the creative arts, is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network. Savor a taste of Andalusia in everything from art, architecture and cuisine as you tour this memorable city!
• CHEFCHAOUEN: High in the Rif Mountains, the “Blue Village” of Chefchaouen is full of charm and intrigue! The distinctive ethereal blue color is said to have been brought to the town by Jews fleeing the Spanish inquisition, and that in their tradition, although it is likely also true that in the 1970’s, residents were encouraged to expand this practice as a way to draw tourists. Be as it may, Chefchaouen has much to offer the day tripper. The medina is full of unique textiles and other wares unique to the area, the excellent cuisine touched with a little Spanish. Chefchaouen is woven into a mountain hillside: be prepared for steep steps and uneven pavement.  There is also good hiking in the nearby Talassemtane National Park.

FROM CASABLANCA:

• EL JADIDA: El Jadida is a bustling port city that carries with it its historic roots as a fortified city built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. It marries European and Moroccan influences in its architecture and culture. The remains of the Old Portuguese City (fortifications and ramparts) are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the serene underground cistern and the late-Gothic Church of the Assumption are not to be missed.
• SAFI: If you love hand-crafted pottery, Safi is a must-see on your Moroccan tour itinerary! Plan a visit to the excellent National Museum of Ceramics housed in a Portuguese-built fort, then stroll through the artisanal workshops in the hillside Colline des Potiers quarter. Ceramics are still made in traditional ways here, and you can see the preparation of the clay itself, the artisans at work, and the wood-fired ovens. Want to make your own pot? You can – and have it shipped to you! Or find a treasure in one of the many shops selling the distinctive Safi pottery. 
• RABAT: A visit to Rabat is a great way to fill a few hours if you’ve just arrived in Morocco, and want a short sight-seeing jaunt while you adjust to a new climate and time zone, or if you have an evening flight home and have a day to available for one more adventure! Just an hour from Casablanca, Rabat is Morocco’s national capital and one of Four Imperial Cities. Take in the Kasbah des Oudayas, the Chellah, and other sites, have lunch on a historic floating restaurant, then return to Casablanca.

• EL JADIDA: El Jadida is a bustling port city that carries with it its historic roots as a fortified city built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. It marries European and Moroccan influences in its architecture and culture. The remains of the Old Portuguese City (fortifications and ramparts) are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the serene underground cistern and the late-Gothic Church of the Assumption are not to be missed.
• SAFI: If you love hand-crafted pottery, Safi is a must-see on your Moroccan tour itinerary! Plan a visit to the excellent National Museum of Ceramics housed in a Portuguese-built fort, then stroll through the artisanal workshops in the hillside Colline des Potiers quarter. Ceramics are still made in traditional ways here, and you can see the preparation of the clay itself, the artisans at work, and the wood-fired ovens. Want to make your own pot? You can – and have it shipped to you! Or find a treasure in one of the many shops selling the distinctive Safi pottery. 
• RABAT: A visit to Rabat is a great way to fill a few hours if you’ve just arrived in Morocco, and want a short sight-seeing jaunt while you adjust to a new climate and time zone, or if you have an evening flight home and have a day to available for one more adventure! Just an hour from Casablanca, Rabat is Morocco’s national capital and one of Four Imperial Cities. Take in the Kasbah des Oudayas, the Chellah, and other sites, have lunch on a historic floating restaurant, then return to Casablanca.

PRICE PER PERSON: CAD

PRICE PER PERSON: USD

PRICE PER PERSON: EUR

All excursions leave your hotel/riad at 8:30 a.m. and return you to your riad/hotel by 5:00 p.m., or at your convenience by special arrangement with your driver. All excursions include all ground transportation, services of the driver, private 4X4 vehicle and fuel. Lunch, snacks, and beverages are not included. Where applicable, admissions to historic sites or other points of interest as well as optional guiding services are not included. Please contact us for estimates, as these vary from destination to destination.  

Travelling alone? Please contact us for solo pricing. Travelling with children under five years of age? We provide government-approved car seats at no cost. Prices valid to December 31. Subject to currency fluctuations.