Morocco Itinerary

Day 01

Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca. On arrival, you will be met and assisted by our office representative to your hotel (Rooms will be available from 1400 Hrs).

There will be a welcome orientation by your photo guide, Ali Alami.

Depending on time, we can visit the impressive Hassan II mosque. The gigantic structure built over the ocean and intricate handcrafted decor is what has made the Hassan II world renown. We’ll capture some great shots of the delicate Moroccan tile & brass work in the mosque. Dinner is at the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 02

Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen

(By surface 90 km/1 hr – 240km/3 – 4 hrs)

After breakfast, we leave for Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of Morocco in the Rif Mountains. En route, we stop at Rabat, the capital city and residence of the King. There is plenty of time to shoot in this beautiful coastal city. We’ll be able to get some great shots of the royal guards standing watch over the King’s palace and Mausoleum. This visit to the well-known La Tour Hassan Tower & Mausoleum will also allow you to understand the power of this monarchy.

After lunch in Rabat, we drive onward to Chefchaouen. Shooting here is special, which we see as we make our way into the narrow alleys to capture the changing shades of blue and white. Dinner is in the riad.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 03

Chefchaouen

We explore Chefchaouen, the “Blue Town”, tucked away in the Rif Mountains. Perfect for photography, this blue city offers every shade of blue. Some of the most popular shots in Chefchaouen are the unique doors that are decorated with a personal touch of potted plants.

After lunch, we drive into the Rif Mountains where we visit a local women’s association. We will get an inside-look into the lives of these Berber women. Keep your eyes out for the perfect moment to capture these women, dressed in the Rif Berber traditional garb.

Dinner will be served in the riad.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 04

Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez

(By surface 173km/3 hrs – 60km/1 hr)

Before breakfast, we hike up the edge of the mountain for a beautiful shot of this small Berber town. After breakfast, we will drive to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Well spend the morning exploring and shooting around the 2000-year-old ruins, getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire. We can get some fantastic shots of the Roman columns and arches. If you love Mosaic design, Volubilis has some of the best in Morocco.

Lunch will be taken in Meknes, one of Morocco’s Imperial cities. After lunch, we explore Meknes including the stable of Moulay Ismael, the Bab Mansour and medina. In the evening we drive on to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 05

Fes

A sunrise shoot offers amazing shots of the ancient city from the beautiful vista point. After breakfast we tour the medina (old quarter), one of the world’s largest walled in cities. We explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. There are many options for photography.

We eat lunch in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch we complete our and return to our hotel for the evening. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 06

Fes

In the morning, we visit the medina again to capture the narrow streets and alleys before the city wakes up. Then we meet the potters of Fes where we get wonderful shots of the artisans at work. From the intricate hand-painted glaze designed to the zelig tile makers, we enjoy unique shots of a potter’s life.

In the afternoon, we have a private, cultural music experience. Capture the Gnawa musicians as they drum, dance and twirl. Because taking people pictures like this can be difficult in Morocco, we have arranged a short photo shoot with some traditionally dressed ladies to capture them behind the veil. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 07

Fes – Marrakech

(By surface 575km/8 hrs)

After breakfast, we drive through the middle Atlas Mountains towards Marrakech. Take some time enjoying. Although this would be a driving day, we can stop and shoot this beautiful landscape and the small towns like Azrou and Ifrane.

Once in Marrakech, we check into our hotel and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina. The famous Djemaa el-Fna is one of the center attractions of Marrakech. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit for photography.

A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of an adjacent café provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square. My favorite shot is that of the barbeque smoke rising through the strands of light bulbs. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 08

Marrakech

After breakfast, we have a tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. We discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures.

After lunch, we will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech. The tour will conclude with an exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. During this day, you’ll hopefully get some great shots of spice piles, bakeries, hidden alleys, antiques and daily Moroccan life. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 09

Marrakech

Today we will focus on the architecture of Marrakech. We visit 2 – 3 lovely riads in the heart of the Marrakech medina to capture their traditional style using zelig, pillars and woodwork.

In the afternoon, we have time for street photography on our own to capture some candid shots.

Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 10

Marrakech – Berber Village

(By surface 130km/1.5 hrs)

After breakfast, we drive to a local Berber village. “A day in the life of the Berber” is an experience that you won’t want to miss. It is an opportunity for us group to step back from western culture and dive back in time to gain a new perspective on how the mountain people of Morocco really live. This is a unique experience because it allows you to learn by getting your “hands dirty”. Whether we are baking bread in the clay oven, brewing mint tea or cooking tagine over the charcoal, this experience is unique. There are plenty of photo options. We spend the night in Mohammed’s “village.

Overnight in the Rustic Berber House

Day 11

Berber Village – Essaouira

(By surface 176km/2.5 hrs)

After breakfast in the Berber Village, we drive to the coastal city of Essaouira, a picturesque fishing town on the southwest coast of Morocco. In the afternoon, we will have a chance to interact with the local wood carvers and artists who have made Essaouira their home. We are able to get some inside shots of these amazing artists at work, whether carving wood, painting or weaving.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 12

Essaouira

In the morning, we head down to the harbor as the fishermen come in with their catch to photograph them, getting a close up view of a fisherman’s life. Today will be a day to explore the small but colorful medina of Essaouira. Right on the edge of the Atlantic, we are sure to capture the life of this vibrant fishing town.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 13

Essaouira – Casablanca

(By surface 362km/5 hrs)

After breakfast, we drive along the coast to Casablanca. On route, we will discover the beautiful pottery of Safi and the stunning Atlantic Coast. There are ample photo options. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 14

Depart Casablanca

Transfer to the airport for your international flight or continue on our Desert extension.

NOTE: If you are taking the Desert Extension you will drive from Essaouira on Day 13 to the town starting point.

Sahara Extension

Explore the Sahara

Continue your journey over the Atlas Mountains to see even more remote corners of the great Sahara Desert. Photograph the exotic culture of the Berbers stopping in remote mountain villages along the way. Along with your camera you visit the seemingly endless medieval Kasbahs bursting with mystique, madness and activity, and as if that would be enough, there is the picturesque Todra River Valley which makes for a beautiful journey towards the magnificent, colossal Todra Gorges. Camel trek into your oasis and live like a local in a Berber tent. Most of the day will be spent winding your way through the beautiful forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages which makes this part of Morocco so unique.

To learn more click on the Sahara Extension Itinerary button below.