Itinerary
- Day 1
Tangier
You'll check into your hotel in Tangier and then walk through the medina's narrow streets, discovering the 15th-century Portuguese fortress along the way. Stop by Zoco Chico square for something to eat, and later take a sunset walk along the corniche seafront where you can watch the sun dip over the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
Optional Activities
- Explore medina (old quarter) and its commercial and residential alleyways
- Visit 15th-century Portuguese fortress
- Relax at Zoco Chico square café
- Evening paseo (stroll) along corniche seafront
Landmarks Zoco Chico Portuguese Fortress Medina Corniche 
- Day 2
Tangier to Chefchaouen
Start early at the kasbah and head through Bab Haha gate. About 20 minutes outside the city you'll reach the Caves of Hercules with its unusual Africa-shaped sea opening. From there it's a 2 to 2.5 hour drive to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, where you can hike 2-3 hours to Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls if you want. Once there, wander the blue medina, see the Grand Mosque exterior and kasbah gardens, then climb to rooftop views or head to the abandoned Spanish Mosque to catch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Guided kasbah tour (with expert guide recommended)
- Self-guided kasbah exploration
- Visit Caves of Hercules
- Hire guide at Caves of Hercules for additional insights
- Scenic route with stops between Tangier and Chefchaouen
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchour (2-3 hours)
- Explore Chefchaouen medina narrow streets and buildings
- Dine at Plaza Outa el Hammam restaurant or café
- Grand Mosque exterior viewing (non-Muslims not permitted inside)
- Kasbah exploration including garden, museum, and old prison cells
- Rooftop view from Hotel Atlas
- Hike to abandoned white Spanish Mosque (20-30 minutes) for sunset
Landmarks Kasbah Bab Haha Caves of Hercules Cape Spartel Lighthouse Cascades d'Akchour Chefchaouen Medina Plaza Outa el Hammam Grand Mosque Ras el Ma Spring Spanish Mosque 
- Day 3
Chefchaouen to Fes
Wake up early for photos before crowds show up and shops start opening around 10am. Head out of Chefchaouen toward Fes, with options to stop at Volubilis for its Roman ruins and UNESCO heritage site structures, or detour to Meknes to see the Ville Impériale and medina. Stop at Merenid Tombs for views over Fes before checking into your riad for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Early morning exploration and photography in Chefchaouen
- Last-minute shopping in Chefchaouen medina
- Detour to Volubilis Roman ruins (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Volubilis merchant homes with heating systems, temples, and mosaics
- Detour to Meknes imperial city
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate in Meknes
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes
- Visit Royal Stables in Meknes
- Explore Meknes medina
- Visit 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa in Meknes
- Visit Dar Jama'af Museum (19th-century palace) in Meknes
- Visit Merenid Tombs north of Fes for panoramic city views
Landmarks Volubilis Meknes Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables Bou Inania Madrasa Dar Jama'af Museum Fes Medina Merenid Tombs 
- Day 4
Fes
Spend the day exploring Fes, Morocco's oldest imperial city with the most complete medieval medina. You'll start in Fes el Bali, founded in the 8th century, walking through maze-like streets and visiting the famous Chouara Tannery where traditional techniques are still used. Check out Al-Qarawiyyin University from 859 CE and the madrasas with their intricate tilework. Enter through the blue and green Bab Boujeloud gate and work your way through museums, gardens, Fes el Jedid, and the Jewish quarter. Later visit ceramics collectives and finish with sunset from a panoramic viewpoint.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Half-day guided tour with expert guide
- Self-guided medina exploration
- Shop iconic souks (spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, medicines)
- Visit Chouara Tannery to watch traditional leather tanning
- Find rooftop view of Chouara Tannery (small donation may be required)
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE)
- View Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque (Muslims only permitted inside; non-Muslims can glimpse decorated interior from certain spots)
- Visit 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa
- Visit Bou Inania Madrasa
- Explore old student dorm rooms in madrasas
- Enter through Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore main thoroughfare Talâa Kebira with shops
- Visit Musée Batha (Moroccan arts, carved wood, traditional pottery)
- Explore Andalusian-style gardens at Batha Museum
- Visit Fes el Jedid (New Fes) built in 13th century
- Explore Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery)
- Visit Ville Nouvelle district
- Tour Ceramics and Tile Collective
- Watch tile masters work on intricate mosaics
- Sunset viewing from Merenid Tombs (north) or Borj Sud (south)
Landmarks Fes el Bali (Old Fes) Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin University Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque Al Attarine Madrasa Bou Inania Madrasa Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Musée Batha Fes el Jedid Mellah Ville Nouvelle Merenid Tombs Borj Sud 
- Day 5
Fes
Another full day in Fes lets you explore more thoroughly. Wander the UNESCO medina's passages and shop the souks, then return to the Chouara Tannery for a closer look. You can tour historic madrasas, museums, and gardens at your own pace. Discover Fes el Jedid and the Jewish quarter, or check out Ville Nouvelle. Stop by ceramics collectives to watch artisans work, and end the day watching the sun set over the city from a high viewpoint.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Half-day guided tour with expert guide
- Self-guided medina exploration
- Shop iconic souks (spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, medicines)
- Visit Chouara Tannery to watch traditional leather tanning
- Find rooftop view of Chouara Tannery (small donation may be required)
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE)
- View Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque (Muslims only permitted inside; non-Muslims can glimpse decorated interior from certain spots)
- Visit 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa
- Visit Bou Inania Madrasa
- Explore old student dorm rooms in madrasas
- Enter through Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore main thoroughfare Talâa Kebira with shops
- Visit Musée Batha (Moroccan arts, carved wood, traditional pottery)
- Explore Andalusian-style gardens at Batha Museum
- Visit Fes el Jedid (New Fes) built in 13th century
- Explore Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery)
- Visit Ville Nouvelle district
- Tour Ceramics and Tile Collective
- Watch tile masters work on intricate mosaics
- Sunset viewing from Merenid Tombs (north) or Borj Sud (south)
Landmarks Fes el Bali (Old Fes) Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin University Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque Al Attarine Madrasa Bou Inania Madrasa Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Musée Batha Fes el Jedid Mellah Ville Nouvelle Merenid Tombs Borj Sud - Day 6
Fes to Merzouga
This is a long driving day heading south toward the Sahara. You'll travel through Azrou and climb over Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet through cedar forests where you might spot Barbary macaque monkeys. Grab lunch in Midelt, known for apples, then continue over Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley with its hidden oases and palm clusters. Near Erfoud you'll see early sand dunes and can explore fossil mines. By evening you're at Erg Chebbi's expansive dunes for a camel ride at sunset to your bedouin camp, followed by climbing a dune for views and Berber music under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at camp or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Stop in Azrou town
- Spot Barbary macaque monkeys in cedar forests
- Stop for lunch in Midelt
- Visit Moulouya River and surrounding fruit orchards
- Tea with local nomadic Berber family
- Visit Erfoud market town and date festival area
- Explore fossil mining hillside mines
- Visit local artisan collective to learn about fossil types and transformation process
- View Erg Chebbi sand dunes
- Camel ride through dunes to camp
- Climb nearby sand dune for sunset viewing
- Berber music evening at camp
- Alternative: Stay at comfortable hotel/auberge in Merzouga instead of bedouin tent camp
Landmarks Azrou Col du Zad Pass Middle Atlas Mountains Midelt Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt Pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 7
Merzouga
Rise early to catch the desert sunrise over Erg Chebbi. Spend the morning trying sandboarding, dune tours, quad ATV rides, or relaxing by the pool. Then head to Khemliya village, originally from Mali, for traditional drumming and dancing with a short walk through the settlement. Later you'll go to Rissani to explore its impressive gate and livestock auction, then continue to Tinerhir for river oasis views across 30 miles of palm trees. End at Todra Gorge with its dramatic 1,000-foot red limestone walls where you can swim and explore at a leisurely pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at accommodation or restaurant
Optional Activities
- Early morning desert sunrise viewing
- Sandboard rental and practice on dunes
- Erg Chebbi dune tour (around the dunes)
- Quad ATV tour
- Pool relaxation at accommodation
- Visit Khemliya village
- Traditional drumming music and dancing performance
- Walk around Khemliya settlement
- Explore Rissani market town
- View Rissani's impressive gate entrance
- Visit livestock auction in Rissani
- Explore traditional market in Rissani
- Visit Tinerhir desert town
- Leisurely walk in and around Todra Gorge
- Swimming in Todra River shallow waters
Landmarks Erg Chebbi Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Todra River 
- Day 8
Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
Travel west through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many in disrepair and made of pisé mud, watching traditional farming and nomads passing through Boumalne Dades. You'll explore Kela'a M'gouna where rose bushes cover the hillsides and cooperatives make rose water and oil. Stop in Ouarzazate for the market and optional movie studio tours, then head to Ait Benhaddou. Arrive in late afternoon when crowds have thinned, wander the quiet alleys, climb to the old Granary for panoramic views, and settle in for dinner overlooking the valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at accommodation or restaurant
Optional Activities
- Watch traditional farming methods
- Observe nomads tending animals
- Pass through Boumalne Dades town
- Explore Kela'a M'gouna (Valley of the Roses)
- Visit rose collective to see rose water and rose oil production process
- Tour Ouarzazate market town
- Tour Atlas Corporation Studios movie studio (optional)
- Tour CLA Studios movie studio (optional)
- Visit el Mansour reservoir
- Explore Ait Benhaddou old town empty alleys and passageways
- Climb to old Granary for panoramic views
- View historic camel caravan routes from Granary
- Pay nominal fee to enter old kasbahs for elevated views
- View Game of Thrones gates at river
- Recognize filming locations from Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Jesus of Nazareth
Landmarks Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Boumalne Dades Dades River Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate Atlas Corporation Studios CLA Studios el Mansour Reservoir Musée du Cinéma Ait Benhaddou 
- Day 9
Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech
Start the day climbing over Tizi n'Tichka pass through the High Atlas mountains with sweeping views of the range and Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet. Stop in Taddert to visit an argan oil cooperative and learn how local women process the precious oil. You'll descend the mountains over about 4 to 4.5 hours, noticing the dramatic climate and landscape changes as you approach Marrakech. Check into your hotel and spend the early evening at Jemaa el-Fna Square watching musicians, performers, and snake charmers, or sit at a café with mint tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Stop at Taddert town
- Visit Argan Oil Cooperative to learn oil extraction process
- Early evening exploration of Jemaa el-Fna Square
- Watch live musicians and performers at Jemaa el-Fna
- Watch snake charmers at Jemaa el-Fna
- Enjoy food stalls at Jemaa el-Fna
- Relax at café surrounding Jemaa el-Fna Square
- Enjoy mint tea at Jemaa el-Fna cafés
- Sample savory meal at Jemaa el-Fna cafés
Landmarks Tizi n'Tichka Pass High Atlas Mountains Mount Toubkal Taddert Argan Oil Cooperative Marrakech Jemaa el-Fna Square - Day 10
Marrakech
Explore Marrakech's Red City with its natural red ochre walls. Jemaa el-Fna Square serves as your starting point, with souks to the north, Koutoubia Mosque to the west, and the kasbah area to the south. Hire a guide for a medina tour or use a horse carriage. Visit the 253-foot Koutoubia Mosque minaret and its gardens, then wander through diverse souks and historic fondouks. Tour Ben Youssef Madrasa with its carved cedar and tilework, see the Saadian Tombs hidden until 1917, explore Bahia Palace and its 19th-century luxury, check out Majorelle Gardens with tropical plants, and finish with evening entertainment at Jemaa el-Fna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Dinner at restaurant or accommodation
Optional Activities
- Half-day guided medina tour
- Hire Caliche Horse Carriage from southwest corner of Jemaa el-Fna
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque (admire exterior minaret; non-Muslims not permitted inside)
- Stroll Koutoubia Gardens
- Explore medina alleyways and markets
- Visit Souk el-Attarin (spices market)
- Visit Souk Haddadine (blacksmith wares market)
- Visit Souk Smata (babouches/slippers market)
- Watch Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk) cloth dyeing and drying
- Explore historic fondouks (medieval inns)
- Tour Ben Youssef Madrasa (16th-century Koranic school)
- Explore Saadian Tombs (dating back to 1557)
- Tour Bahia Palace (19th-century palace with courtyard, gardens, woodwork, painted ceilings)
- Walk to Majorelle Gardens (30 minutes or quick taxi)
- Explore Majorelle Gardens' subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
- Explore El Badi Palace (17th-century ruined palace with sunken garden and orange orchard)
- Visit Marrakech Museum (Dar Mnebbi Palace; Berber, Moroccan Jewish, Islamic art and artifacts)
- Visit Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts; clothing, antiques, jewelry, carved cedarwood)
- Experience evening Jemaa el-Fna entertainment (musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls)
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Square Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Gardens Medina Souk el-Attarin Souk Haddadine Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace Majorelle Gardens Almoravid Koubba El Badi Palace Marrakech Museum Dar Di Said Museum 
- Day 11
Marrakech
Spend your final morning doing last-minute shopping in the medina or souks for gifts and souvenirs. If time permits, visit Majorelle Gardens for a peaceful escape before heading to the airport. You'll depart with memories of Morocco's imperial cities, desert landscapes, and vibrant culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
Optional Activities
- Last-minute gift and souvenir shopping in medina
- Last-minute gift and souvenir shopping in souks
- Visit Majorelle Gardens for a peaceful escape
- Explore Majorelle Gardens' subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms
Landmarks Majorelle Gardens Medina 
