Day 1: Marrakech – Menara Airport
After your arrival at Menara Airport in Marrakech, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your Riad, a guesthouse with a central courtyard or garden that was once a traditional family home. You can choose to stay in the old Medina, a hotel in the modern new town outside the ramparts, or a boutique hotel or villa in the exclusive Palmeraie area. Depending on your arrival time, you can either explore Marrakech on your own or enjoy the facilities of your hotel. The Medina is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys with various neighborhoods specializing in different arts, crafts, and produce. Take some time to relax in your traditional guesthouse, enjoy the rooftop terrace, and take in the sounds and smells of the city. Dinner will be served at your Riad or hotel.

Day 2: Marrakech Sightseeing Guided Activities
On this day, you will have a full-day morning tour with an English-speaking city guide of Marrakech, also known as the “red city” because of its pink-hued ramparts. Your guide will take you through the souks of the medieval Medina, introducing you to artisans, bakers, carpenters, spice merchants, and apothecaries. You will also visit the landmark monuments of Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Your tour will end at the famous Place Jemaa el Fna square, where you can enjoy lunch from a roof terrace overlooking the bizarre activities of acrobats, storytellers, musicians, and snake charmers. After lunch, your guide will take you to Gueliz to visit the exquisite Majorelle Gardens. We suggest that you return to the square for an evening experience, even if you decide to eat elsewhere, as the Place Jemaa el Fna at night is an intoxicating one with smoke swirling up from the grills and the pounding rhythms of the street musicians.

Day 3: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge (204 km)
Your day will begin with a departure by 4×4 car from Marrakech and travel to Ouarzazate, passing through the stunning High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260m). There will be opportunities to stop at panoramic viewpoints for photos. Your first scheduled stop of the day is to visit the once glorious kasbah of Telouet. Then, you will drive from Telouet through the lunar landscapes of the Ounila valley to the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where films such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. You will have lunch at Ait Ben Haddou. In the afternoon, you will continue through the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient kasbahs stand amongst the palm trees. From here, the route takes you through Kela’a M’gouna, the Valley of Roses, with a stop to see cosmetics locally made from the valley’s abundant roses. You will continue to the Dades Gorge, where you will stay in a hotel.

Day 4: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorges – Erg Chebbi Merzouga (168 km)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel in the Dades Valley and take the road of 1000 Kasbahs, driving through the colorful Berber villages of the valley. You will reach Tineghir with its beautiful palm grove and Jewish quarter, then continue to the Todgha Gorges (Todgha), where you will have free time to trek along the canyons of about 300m high, a favorite place for rock climbers. Afterward, you will head to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, the Sahara desert, and have time for lunch on the way before arriving in Erfoud. From there, you will go to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes and depart on camels. Once at the bivouac, you will take a camel ride to watch the sunset from the top of the dunes. Back at the bivouac, you will have dinner and overnight in a luxury camp in the desert, an unforgettable night!

Day 5: Merzouga – Errachidia – Midelt – Azrou – Fes (199 Km)
You will rise early to see the spectacle of the sunrise over the Sahara dunes before making your way back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. Then, you will depart to Errachidia via Erfoud and the Ziz Valley, continuing to Midelt. After lunch in the place, you will depart to the north across the Middle Atlas Mountains through the 1,120m altitude mountain. You will drive through the cedar forests of Azrou and stop to hand-feed the monkeys. Continuing via Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco,” you will arrive early evening in Fes. You will have a free dinner and night in a Riad.

Day 6: Fes – Guided Sightseeing
You will enjoy a guided tour to explore the medina and famous souks of Fes. The narrow, cobblestoned streets are lined with ancient mosques and tall, green-glazed minarets. You’ll visit Fes’s most beautiful palaces and monuments and stop at the tannery and ceramics cooperative to see traditional Moroccan crafts. Dinner is free, and you’ll spend the night in your accommodations.

Day 7: Fes – Meknes – Khnifra – Beni Mellal – Ouzoud Waterfalls (371 km)
After breakfast, you’ll head to Ouzoud Waterfalls via the Middle Atlas Mountains. You’ll stop in Beni Mellal for lunch, one of the big regions in Morocco that produce oranges and vegetables. After lunch, you’ll continue to Kelaat Sraghna via the largest fields of wheat. You’ll reach Ouzoud in the afternoon, one of the most surprising attractions in Morocco. The falls are close to the Atlas Mountains village of Tanaghmeilt and take their name from the Berber for “grinding grain.” This is an ideal and popular day trip any time of year. You’ll have dinner and overnight in a Riad.

Day 8: Ouzoud Waterfalls – Demnat – Marrakech – Essaouira (271 km)
Start the day early in the morning from Ouzouda to cross the High Atlas Mountains with a brief stop for coffee. After about 2.5 hours of driving, arrive in Marrakech before continuing on to the historic port of Mogador/Essaouira. Spend the morning at your leisure shopping or relaxing in Essaouira, a charming coastal fishing town with well-preserved architecture, alleyways, and medina showcasing a mix of Phoenician, Berber, Portuguese, Jewish, and French influences. Take a stroll through the peaceful squares, browse artisan shops and galleries, and admire the unique handicrafts made of ‘tuya’ wood, which are only found in Morocco. Return to your Riad for an overnight stay in Essaouira.

Day 9: Essaouira – Sidi Kaouka – Marrakech (271 km)
Spend the morning at your leisure shopping or relaxing in Essaouira before departing for Marrakech at 4:00 pm via the scenic island road featuring the Argan tree forest (sometimes with goats!), which only grows in this region of the world. Arrive in Marrakech by 6:30 pm for dinner and an overnight stay in a Riad.

Day 10: Marrakech – Menara Airport
Transfer from your hotel to the Marrakesh airport.