Day 1: Tangiers – Tetouan – Chefchaouen

On the first day, we depart from Tangiers and head east towards the Hispano-Moorish medina of Tetouan. In the Ensanche area, we will stop for lunch and a chance to see the beautiful Andalusian architecture and white buildings that have been restored to their former glory. At the edge of the medina and the new town, there is a small Tetouan with ancient artifacts from the Phoenician and Roman settlements of Tamuda and Volubilis. After a brief stop in Tetouan, we will continue across the verdant landscape of the Rif Mountains, heading south to reach the picturesque ‘blue’ medina of Chefchaouen. In the evening, you are free to explore the small medina and choose your own restaurant serving local Rif specialties, including locally produced goats’ cheese.

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Old Roman City Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After a delicious breakfast in the riad, we will start our 8 Days Desert Trip From Tangier to Marrakech towards Volubilis, crossing via Ouazan and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will discover the Roman ruins and learn about Moroccan history. Then we will drive to the city of Meknes, the 17th-century heritage, where we will stop for lunch and discover the historical walls of the medina, Bab el Mansour, and visit Moulay Ismail shrine. Later in the afternoon, we head to Fes city where we will spend the night.

Day 3: Fes sightseeing tour with a local guide

On day 3, we will have a full-day private guided walking tour of Fes old medina – Fes El Bali with an English-speaking city guide. The guide will walk us through the maze of souks and sights, visiting some of the highlights including the famous Fes pottery souks, the musical instrument makers, metalworkers, carpet souks, and the Chaouwara tanneries. There are over 9,000 cobbled medieval streets weaving their way through markets, mosques, Koranic schools, riads, and hidden fountains. Worth visiting are the Moulay Idriss Zaouia or shrine, Bab Bou Jeloud ornamental gate, Al-Kairaouine Mosque and University – the oldest university in the world, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Nejjarine fountain, King’s Palace, the Dar Batha Museum, Nejjarine Museum of Arts & Crafts, and the Jewish quarter or mellah. Afterward, we will drive to an ancient fortress for panoramic views of the medina, then return to our Riad for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Fes to Merzouga

We will depart from Fes at 8 o’clock and travel through Ifrane, known for its cool temperatures, snow, and alpine-style houses. It is often referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco. Our journey will continue to the cedars forest, home to the Barbary Macaques. You will have the opportunity to feed them while exploring the Azrou Middle Atlas forest. We will have lunch in Midelt, known as the “apple capital,” located at the foot of Ayachi Mountain. We will continue our journey over the Tizi-n-Talremt pass and through the Ziz Valley. From there, we will reach Errachidia and then Erfoud, famous for its date festival and fossils. Our trip will end at the Merzouga dunes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 5: Merzouga Region Exploration

After breakfast, we will begin our exploration of Merzouga by driving off-road to visit the nomads and learn about their way of life while enjoying Berber tea. Our next destination is the Khamlia village, where you will enjoy Gnaoua music and dancing performances. The inhabitants of Khamlia come from sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Sudan, and Niger. We will then continue to Rissani to visit a traditional souk market. You will have free time for lunch at a restaurant before returning to Merzouga. You will switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. We will stop to enjoy the magical sunset on top of a high dune before continuing to the luxury desert camp. There, you can enjoy Berber drum music while dancing around the campfire under the vast open sky of stars. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the camp.

Day 6: Merzouga to Dades Gorges

If you wake up early enough, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, we will leave for Tinghir and the Toudgha gorges. Along the way, you will pass the water channels called “khettarat,” which you can descend to appreciate the architecture and genius behind this form of irrigation, which prevents evaporation in the summer heat. You will have opportunities to walk beyond the gorge itself or through the village gardens and fields before you reach it. Later, the itinerary will continue to the Dades Valley, where the Dades Gorges lay at the bottom of the sea millions of years ago. Great quantities of sediment were deposited around giant coral reefs, and over time, this material became compacted into a variety of sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and limestone. Eventually, the movement of the earth’s crust caused the region to rise above the sea, forming the Atlas Mountains and surrounding landscape. You will spend the night in a hotel or kasbah.

Day 7:  Dades Gorges – Roses valley – Skoura – Ouarzarate – Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Hight Atlas – Marrakech

On Day 7, the journey continues after breakfast through the Valley of the Roses, which is well-known for its Rose Festival in May. The route also passes by the kasbahs of Skoura, where you can visit the small yet interesting Kasbah Amredhil, which was featured on the 50 dirham banknote. After passing Ouarzazate, the tour proceeds to the most famous kasbah in Morocco, the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which is a World Heritage site and has been featured in many Hollywood blockbusters. The road then leads to Telouet, located in the midst of the mountains, which was once the seat of the last Pasha of Marrakech, El Glaoui, from where the highest pass in Africa, Tizi-n-Tichka, was controlled. Finally, at the end of the afternoon, the tour arrives in Marrakech, where dinner awaits at your hotel or riad.

Day 8: Marrakech Sightseeing guided Tour with local guide

On Day 8, there is a full-day morning tour of Marrakech with a local city guide, starting at your hotel. The tour includes a visit to the souks of the medieval medina, where you will meet artisans, bakers, carpenters, spice merchants, and apothecaries. You will also visit the landmark monuments of Ben Youssef Madersa, the Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque. The tour ends at the famous Place Jemaa el Fna square, where you can enjoy lunch from a roof terrace while overlooking the bizarre activities of acrobats, storytellers, musicians, and snake charmers. Afterwards, you will visit the new town area of Gueliz to see the exquisite Majorelle Gardens, which was originally the private home of the painter Jacques Majorelle and is now owned by Yves St. Laurent. We suggest returning to the square in the evening, as the experience of Place Jemaa el Fna at night is intoxicating, with smoke swirling up from the grills and the pounding rhythms of the street musicians. Dinner awaits at your hotel or riad.

Day 9: Free day Marrakech for Hammam and Shopping

On Day 9, you have a free day to explore the souks in the Medina of Marrakech for shopping and to enjoy a hammam experience. You can also enjoy a cup of tea on the roof of a restaurant.

Day 10: Marrakech – Essaouira

On Day 10, after breakfast, the tour drives west to Essaouira city, with stops along the way to see the Argan trees and goats and to take in panoramic views. Upon arrival in Essaouira, which was formerly known as Mogador, one of the important coastal cities in Morocco, the tour visits the fishing port, the ancient ramparts with cannons, and the old medina. Overnight stay in Essaouira.

Day 11: Esssaouira – Casablanca Airport

On Day 11, after breakfast, the tour picks you up from your accommodation in Essaouira and drives to Casablanca, depending on your flight time. If time permits, you might visit the Hassan II mosque. Then you will be dropped off at the airport, marking the end of your 11-day Morocco holiday from Tangier.