Self-Launched North Morocco & Chefchaouen – 8 Days
8 days · Morocco
Exodus charges £1,960
No-markup version: ~£410 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the best of northern Morocco independently — from Casablanca's iconic Hassan II Mosque to the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, a hike to a waterfall in Talassemtane National Park, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and the ancient medina of Fez. This self-launched version follows the same route as Exodus's guided tour at a fraction of the price, using local buses, trains, and self-bookable activities. The total solar eclipse experience (the headline event of the original tour) is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon tied to a specific date — independent travellers can position themselves in Chefchaouen and book a local astronomer-led eclipse viewing event directly. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Casablanca
Casablanca
Fly into Mohammed V International Airport and make your way into the city. Casablanca is Morocco's buzzing economic capital and a great place to ease into the country. Check into your hostel or budget hotel in the city centre, then wander the Art Deco boulevards around the city. In the evening, head to one of the local restaurants near the medina for a bowl of harira soup and a tagine — you're in Morocco now, eat well and eat cheap.
🚌Airport to city centre: CTM bus or train (Casa Voyageurs) — approx. £1–2
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in central Casablanca (e.g. Auberge de Jeunesse de Casablanca or similar) — approx. £18–25/night
- →Explore the Art Deco architecture of central Casablanca
- →Wander the old medina and grab dinner at a local restaurant
- →Pick up a local SIM card and sort your Dirham from a city centre ATM
Hassan II Mosque → Travel to Tangier
Casablanca to Tangier
Start your morning with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world, with a 200m minaret visible for miles around. Guided tours run daily and are self-bookable at the entrance (cover your knees and shoulders). Afterwards, head to Casa Port or Casa Voyageurs train station and take the ONCF train to Tangier. The journey takes around 4–5 hours and is comfortable and scenic. On arrival, drop your bags and explore Tangier's medina and the Kasbah at your own pace. Consider a late-afternoon trip to the Caves of Hercules on the Atlantic coast — shared taxis (grands taxis) run from the city for a few dirhams.
🚌ONCF train Casablanca → Tangier, approx. 4.5 hrs — approx. £12–15
🛏Budget hotel in Tangier city centre (e.g. Hotel Charf or similar guesthouse) — approx. £20–28/night
- →Self-guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque interior (book tickets at the entrance, ~£10)
- →Lunch stop at a supermarket or café en route to the station
- →Explore Tangier's medina and Kasbah independently
- →Optional: Caves of Hercules by shared grand taxi (~£3 return)
American Legation Museum → Chefchaouen
Tangier to Chefchaouen
Spend the morning in Tangier. The American Legation Museum is free to enter and well worth a visit — it's the only US National Historic Landmark on foreign soil, with fascinating exhibits on Moroccan-American history. At midday, take a CTM or Supratours bus from Tangier to Chefchaouen (around 3 hours). Arriving in the 'Blue City', drop your bags and head straight into the medina — the honeycomb of indigo-painted alleyways is even more magical in the late afternoon light. Hike up to the Spanish Mosque above town for sweeping sunset views over the cerulean rooftops.
🚌CTM or Supratours bus Tangier → Chefchaouen, approx. 3 hrs — approx. £6–8
🛏Guesthouse or small hotel in Chefchaouen medina (e.g. Hotel Puerta Azul or similar) — approx. £22–30/night
- →Visit the American Legation Museum, Tangier (free entry)
- →Stroll Tangier's Grand Socco and petit medina before departing
- →Explore Chefchaouen's blue-washed medina independently
- →Hike to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views (free, ~20-min walk)
Eclipse of the Century + Bread-Making Class
Chefchaouen
Today is the centrepiece of the entire trip. The total solar eclipse passes over northern Morocco at approximately 9:45am local time, with totality lasting over four minutes — a truly once-in-a-lifetime event. Book a local astronomer-led eclipse viewing event in Chefchaouen in advance via GetYourGuide or local operators in the medina. Eclipse glasses are essential — buy them in advance online or from local vendors. After the eclipse, head to Café Clock (which has a Chefchaouen outpost linked to the famous Fez original) for an interactive Moroccan bread and patisserie cooking class — bookable directly via the Café Clock website. You'll visit the communal ferran (bread oven) and feast on your creations with mint tea, olive oil and jam.
🚌On foot within Chefchaouen
🛏Guesthouse or small hotel in Chefchaouen medina — approx. £22–30/night
- →Watch the total solar eclipse with a local astronomer-led viewing event — book via GetYourGuide or local operators (est. £15–25)
- →Moroccan bread-making and patisserie class at Café Clock Chefchaouen — book direct (~£25–35)
- →Free afternoon to explore the souks, artisan workshops and Plaza Uta el-Hammam
Waterfall Hike in Talassemtane National Park → Mountain Refuge
Chefchaouen / Talassemtane National Park
Rise early and arrange a shared grand taxi or day-trip minibus from Chefchaouen to Akchour village in Talassemtane National Park (about 1 hour). This stunning park is home to Barbary macaques, Bonelli's eagles and lush river gorges. Hike 30–45 minutes along the riverside trail to reach the beautiful Akchour waterfalls, where you can relax on the viewing platform and take in the cascade. The impressive natural rock arch known as God's Bridge is nearby and worth traversing if you have the energy. After lunch at one of the simple cafes near the trailhead, arrange to be dropped at or hike to a mountain refuge deeper in the Rif Mountains for the night — a simple but spectacular stay with sweeping valley views.
🚌Grand taxi or shared minibus Chefchaouen → Akchour — approx. £4–6pp
🛏Mountain refuge/gîte in the Rif Mountains — approx. £15–22/night including dinner
- →Shared grand taxi or local minibus from Chefchaouen to Akchour (~£4–6 each way)
- →Hike to Akchour Waterfalls — free entry to the park trail
- →Visit God's Bridge natural rock arch
- →Overnight at a simple mountain refuge in the Rif Mountains (e.g. Caiat Lounge Refuge or similar)
Roman Ruins of Volubilis → Fez
Rif Mountains to Volubilis to Fez
Head back towards civilisation with a journey to the ancient Roman site of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can reach Volubilis most easily via Meknes — take a bus or grand taxi from the Rif foothills back toward the main road, then a bus or CTM coach toward Meknes (change as needed), and a grand taxi from Meknes to Volubilis (~30 mins, ~£3pp). Entry to Volubilis is self-bookable at the gate — wander the mosaic-floored townhouses, triumphal arch, oil presses and baths at your own pace. A local site guide can be arranged informally at the entrance if you'd like more context. Continue by grand taxi to Fez (about 1.5 hrs from Meknes). Check into your riad in the medina for a true Moroccan hospitality experience.
🚌Grand taxi/bus from mountains → Meknes, then grand taxi to Volubilis (~£3), then grand taxi to Fez (~£5–7pp). Total transport approx. £15–20
🛏Traditional riad in Fez medina (e.g. Riad Tafilalet, Dar Fes Tresor or similar budget riad) — approx. £25–40/night
- →Self-guided exploration of Volubilis Roman ruins — entry approx. £3–4
- →Optional local guide at Volubilis entrance (~£8–12)
- →Arrive in Fez and settle into a traditional riad
- →Evening wander through the illuminated Fez el-Bali medina
Fez Medina, Tanneries & al-Karaouine
Fez
Dedicate the day to exploring Fez el-Bali, one of the world's greatest medieval cities and a UNESCO-listed medina. Book a half-day walking tour of the medina via GetYourGuide or Klook, or hire a local guide directly through your riad (usually £15–20 for a morning tour). Key stops include the Chouara Tannery — best viewed from the leather shop terraces above (free with a purchase of mint to hold against the smell!), the al-Karaouine University (founded 859 AD, the oldest university in the world), and the souks of woodworkers, dyers and metalworkers. The afternoon is yours: get happily lost in the alleyways, pick up artisan ceramics or leather goods, and take a mint tea on a rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes across the city.
🚌On foot throughout Fez medina (it's car-free)
🛏Traditional riad in Fez medina — approx. £25–40/night
- →Half-day guided medina walking tour — book via GetYourGuide or direct through your riad (~£15–20)
- →Visit Chouara Tannery viewing terraces (free from leather shop rooftops)
- →See the al-Karaouine University and Mosque (exterior)
- →Explore Fez souks independently in the afternoon
- →Late lunch at a local medina restaurant — try a pastilla or mechoui
Train to Casablanca or Marrakech — Adventure Ends
Fez to Casablanca or Marrakech
Rise early, grab a coffee and a msemen (Moroccan flatbread) from a street stall, and make your way to Fez train station (Gare de Fès). ONCF trains run regularly to both Casablanca (arriving ~11:30am) and Marrakech (arriving ~2:15pm, same train, change at Casa Voyageurs). Book your ticket in advance at the station or online via the ONCF website. If you have time in Casablanca or Marrakech before your flight, there's still plenty to explore — the Marrakech medina and Djemaa el-Fna square alone could fill a week. Safe travels — you've just done Morocco independently and saved a small fortune!
🚌ONCF train Fez → Casablanca approx. £10, or Fez → Marrakech approx. £18
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Street breakfast near Fez train station
- →ONCF train Fez → Casablanca (~4 hrs, ~£10) or Fez → Marrakech (~7.5 hrs, ~£18)
- →Optional: extra nights in Marrakech to explore Djemaa el-Fna, the souks and Majorelle Garden
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£410 | £1,960 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,550 per person (79%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£410
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched North Morocco & Chefchaouen – 8 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £410 per person for 8 days in Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,960 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £410 — a saving of roughly £1,550 (79%) per person.
How long is the Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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