Last November, I had the pleasure of guiding Kana.C, Emiri.T, and Dongru.X – three wonderful Japanese travelers – through Morocco for seven unforgettable days. As a guide-driver, I’ve shown many people the beauty of my country, but this journey from Casablanca to Marrakech was special in its own way.
We started in Casablanca, where I picked up Kana, Emiri, and Dongru from Mohammed V International Airport. The drive to Chefchaouen took about five hours, and I could see them getting more excited as we approached the mountains. When we finally arrived at the Blue City, their cameras came out immediately. Everything was blue – the walls, the stairs, the doorways. They spent hours walking through the narrow streets, taking photos at every corner.
That evening, we climbed up to the Spanish Mosque to watch the sunset. The view of the blue city against the mountains was incredible, and I remember one of them saying through translation that it felt like being inside a painting. We visited the old Kasbah from the 15th century, and they were amazed by how well-preserved everything was.
The next day, we drove to Fez, but not before stopping at the Volubilis ruins. These Roman ruins always impress visitors, and Kana, Emiri, and Dongru were no different. They walked carefully among the old mosaics and columns, taking their time to appreciate the history. The view from the hilltop was beautiful that day – you could see the plains stretching out forever.
Fez itself was something else. The medina there is over 1,000 years old, and it’s like a maze. We spent a whole day exploring – the Royal Palace Gate, the Jewish Quarter, Al-Karaouine University (the world’s oldest university!), and of course, the famous tanneries. The smell at the tanneries was strong, but they were fascinated by the traditional leather-making process. We also visited the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, and I explained the cultural and religious significance of the place.
Day four was a long drive, but beautiful. We traveled through the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, stopping at Morocco’s largest cedar forest. We were lucky – we saw some Barbary monkeys! The group loved this unexpected encounter. As we continued through the Ziz Valley, the landscape changed completely. The green mountains gave way to desert colors.
By evening, we reached Merzouga. This is always my favorite part of any tour. The camels were waiting, and even though some of them were nervous at first, soon everyone was laughing and enjoying the ride through the Sahara. The Erg Chebbi dunes are up to 150 meters high, and watching my guests’ faces as we approached the camp was priceless.
That night in the desert camp was magical. We watched the sunset from the top of a sand dune – the sand turned gold, then orange, then red. After dinner, there was traditional music around the fire. The sky was so clear, full of stars. No city lights, no noise, just the desert and us.
The next morning, I woke everyone up early for the sunrise. Trust me, it’s worth losing sleep for. The way the first light hits the dunes is something you have to see to believe. After breakfast, we visited Hamilia Village, where people originally from Mali live. The group enjoyed experiencing their music and culture – it was a side of Morocco they didn’t expect to see.
We continued to Todra Gorge, where the 300-meter-deep canyon walls tower over you. Some of them walked through the gorge, others put their feet in the cool Todra River. It was a good break from driving. That night we stayed in Dades Valley, in the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” surrounded by those beautiful reddish-brown rock formations.
Day six was another long but scenic drive. We passed through Keala M’gouna with its rose fields – unfortunately not in bloom in November, but still beautiful. In Ouarzazate, I showed them where famous movies like Gladiator and The Mummy were filmed. They got excited about that!
Ait Benhaddou was a highlight. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an ancient fortified village, and we climbed through the narrow streets to the top. The panoramic view from up there is incredible. Then we crossed the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters – the mountain roads were winding, but the views made every turn worthwhile.
Our final day was in Marrakech, the Red City. So different from Chefchaouen’s blue! We visited the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian Cemetery, and Bahia Palace. But I think everyone’s favorite was Jamaa el-Fna Square. The energy there is amazing – snake charmers, food stalls, musicians, storytellers. It’s Morocco in its most vibrant form.
As I drove them back to Casablanca airport that evening, I felt that mix of happiness and sadness that comes at the end of a good tour. In seven days, we’d crossed Morocco from north to south, from blue cities to red ones, from mountains to desert, from Roman ruins to medieval medinas.
What I love about this job is not just showing people the famous places, but watching them experience Morocco. The surprise when they taste real Moroccan mint tea for the first time. The laughter when riding camels. The quiet moments at sunset in the desert. The curiosity in their eyes when I explain our traditions and history.
This group of three Japanese travelers – Kana, Emiri, and Dongru – was wonderful to work with. Despite the language barrier – we managed with English and translation apps – we communicated through smiles, gestures, and shared experiences. They were always on time (which I appreciate!), respectful of our culture, and genuinely interested in learning about Morocco.
If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, this route from Casablanca to Marrakech covers so much of what makes our country special. The diversity of landscapes, the depth of history, the warmth of our people. And yes, you’ll take hundreds of photos, but the real memories are the ones you feel – the heat of the desert sand, the coolness of the gorge, the taste of tagine under the stars, the call to prayer echoing through ancient medinas.
Morocco is a country of many colors, and I’m grateful I get to share it with visitors from around the world, one journey at a time.
