Day 1: Marrakech – Menara Airport

Upon arrival at MARRAKECH airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your Riad – a guesthouse that has been converted from a traditional family home surrounding a small courtyard patio or inner garden. You can choose to stay in the old city Medina, in a modern new town outside the ramparts, or a few kilometers out of town in a boutique hotel or villa in the exclusive palms. Depending on your arrival time, you will have the rest of the day to explore the vibrant city of Marrakech unguided or enjoy the facilities of your hotel. The old Medina of Marrakech is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, with different neighborhoods and streets specializing in various arts, crafts, and produce. Take time to relax in your traditional guesthouse, enjoy the roof terrace and soak up the sounds and smells of Morocco’s favorite city. Dinner will be served at your Riad/hotel this evening.

Day 2: Marrakech sightseeing with guide

Your English-speaking city guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning and take you on a full-day morning tour of Marrakech, also known as the ‘red city’ due to its famous pink-hued ramparts. You will explore the souks of the medieval Medina, meet artisans, bakers, carpenters, spice merchants, and apothecaries, and visit landmark monuments like the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Your tour ends at the famous Place Jemaa el Fna square. You can enjoy lunch from a rooftop terrace overlooking the bizarre activities of acrobats, storytellers, musicians, and snake charmers. Your guide will then take you to Gueliz to visit the exquisite Majorelle Gardens. We suggest you return to the square for an evening Even if you decide to eat elsewhere, the experience of 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 – Essaouira (100 km)

Today, you will depart from Marrakech and head towards the seaside town of Essaouira. The relaxing drive will take you through argan oil cooperatives to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. The windswept fishing port has broad beaches and an ancient walled Medina with ramparts built into the cliffs, making it a popular destination. With its relaxed feel, you can take in the small but lively Medina, stroll along the ramparts or beach, or visit the port to see the daily catch. The Gnaouas Music Festival is held in Essaouira in June. Overnight in Essaouira.

Day 4: Essaouira – Casablanca – Rabat

Depart from Essaouira to Rabat and continue your journey along the Atlantic Coast. Along the way, you will pass through El Jadida, a small port city that was once controlled by the Portuguese and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will also make a stop in Casablanca to visit Mohammed V Square and the impressive Hassan II Mosque. Explore the Imperial City of Rabat, including the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, and the Oudaya Kasbah. The Kasbah overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers fabulous views, as well as being home to Moroccan artisan galleries.

Day 5: Rabat – the Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen

Depart from Rabat to the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen, passing through the green valleys of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue-rinsed houses and is very popular with both tourists and Moroccans, particularly in the hot summer months. Explore Chefchaouen’s winding lanes and narrow alleys, which are home to numerous souks offering cuisine and artisan works, such as woolen items, intricate embroidery, and goat’s cheese; all native to the North and not found anywhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm, or hike in nearby parks.

Day 6: Chefchaouen – Fes

After breakfast in your Riad, embark on a scenic drive from high in the Rif Mountains through the fertile agricultural hills to the Roman Ruins at Volubilis, an open-air museum. Although not as spectacular as the Roman sites on the Mediterranean rim, Volubilis is still a great way to envision an important part of Moroccan history. From there, continue to Meknes, the fourth of Morocco’s imperial cities and a 17th-century heritage site. Stop for lunch and explore the historical walls of the medina. After lunch, take a glimpse at Bab el Mansour and enjoy a visit to Moulay Ismail’s shrine. Then, drive directly to Fes city where you will spend the night.

Day 7: Fes – Guided Sightseeing

After visiting the economic capital, Casablanca, and the political capital, Rabat, it’s time to explore the intellectual capital of Fez, also known as the Mecca of the West and Athena of Africa. With a population of approximately 1 million, Fez is the country’s second largest city after Casablanca, and one of the four imperial cities. Fez is divided into three distinct parts: Fes el Bali, the oldest part surrounded by a big wall, with over 9,000 narrow streets and alleys; Fez-Jdid, or the new Fes, which is home to the Mellah, the Jewish quarter, and Ville Nouvelle, the newest section created during French occupation. Fez el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Medina is the largest in the world. The oldest university in the world, the University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859, is located among the narrow streets and alleys and is still operating today.

Day 8: Fes – Merzouga

After breakfast, we will leave Fez and head to the Todra Gorges, passing through Ifrane to arrive at the cedar forests of Azrou where wild monkeys can be seen. Lunch will be in the small Berber village of Zaida. We will continue through the Atlas Mountains, enjoying the landscapes of Medilt, to arrive at the small town of Rich and then Erfoud, the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, before finally reaching Merzouga. We will spend the night in a hotel in Merzouga.

Day 9: Merzouga – Merzouga

After breakfast, we will start our explorative journey of the area by visiting the village of Khamlia, originally home to slaves from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. Nearby is the Merzouga lake, home to bird populations including flamingos. You may also like to visit the Berber nomad wire house, where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. In the afternoon, you will ride a camel, guided by an experienced Camel man, to explore inside the mysterious sand sea of Erg-Chebbi. Here, you will spend your first night under the stars or in a traditional Berber nomad tent. Dinner will be served in the tent where you will spend the night, and breakfast will be provided the following morning.

Day 10: Merzouga – Dades Gorge

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise on top of the dune in the Sahara Desert and have breakfast. After these beautiful moments, you will ride your camel back to the hotel to freshen up. We will then depart towards Tineghir, passing through Erfoud and Tinejdad, with a lunch break along the way. In the afternoon, we will continue to Todra Gorges via Tineghir, stopping for photos and admiring the views. We will arrive at Todra Gorges to enjoy its marvelous canyon views while hiking on foot. Later, we will drive to Boumalne Dades and stop for a panoramic view of the Dades valley.

Day 11: Dades Gorge – Marrakech

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Ouarzazate via Skoura. We will stop for a panoramic view of the Kasbah of Taourirt, and then another photo stop near the Atlas film studios. Next, we will visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the village. In the afternoon, we will drive to Marrakech over the High Atlas Mountains, passing through the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2260m altitude).

Day 12: Marrakech – Menara Airport

We will transfer you from the hotel to Menara Airport.