Itinerary
- Day 1
Tangier to Chefchaouen
You'll arrive in Tangier and have options depending on your energy level. Some travelers head straight to Chefchaouen, that famous blue-washed city tucked into the Rif Mountains, while others spend time in Tangier's medina or hanging around Zoco Chico square first. Once you get to Chefchaouen, there's a hike out to Cascades d'Akchou waterfalls that follows a scenic route through the area. After that, you'll wander through the narrow streets, check out the kasbah and the exterior of the Grand Mosque, and find some rooftop viewpoints for the light. If you're up for it, there's an optional hike to an abandoned Spanish Mosque that's good for sunset.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchou (Waterfalls of Akchour)
Optional Activities
- Visit medina (old quarter) in Tangier
- Café in Zoco Chico square
- Paseo along the promenade in Tangier
- Explore Grand Mosque exterior (non-Muslims not permitted to enter)
- Tour kasbah (old fortification), garden, museum, and old prison cells
- Climb rooftop at Hotel Atlas for panoramic views of the Blue City
- Hike to abandoned white Spanish Mosque (20-30 minutes, more athletic option)
- Sunset views from Spanish Mosque
Landmarks/POIs Cascades d'Akchou Zoco Chico Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen Chefchaouen Kasbah Plaza Outa el Hammam Ras el Ma Spring Spanish Mosque - Day 2
Chefchaouen to Fes
Start early to photograph Chefchaouen's streets before they fill up with people, then head south toward Fes. You'll stop at Volubilis, the UNESCO-protected Roman ruins, to walk through old merchant homes and temples. From there, continue to Meknes to see the Imperial City, the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Later you'll arrive in Fes and climb up to the Merenid Tombs for views across the city before settling into your riad for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Volubilis ruins
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate in Meknes
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes
- Visit Royal Stables in Meknes
- Visit Merenid Tombs
Optional Activities
- Explore Ville Impériale (Imperial City) in Meknes
- Explore medina in Meknes
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables of Meknes Merenid Tombs Fes Medina - Day 3
Fes
You'll spend the day exploring Fes with a guide who can help you navigate the complicated maze of streets in Fes el Bali, the oldest section dating back to 789 CE. You'll notice Spanish and Tunisian influences in the architecture as you walk. The souks have spices, leather, and pewter if you want to browse. One of the highlights is seeing the Chouara Tannery from a rooftop vantage point, then you'll visit the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin University, which is one of the world's oldest universities still operating. Later you can check out the mellah, Fes el Jdid's old Jewish quarter.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fes medinas with local guide
- Visit Chouara Tannery
- Visit Al Attarine Madrasa
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University
- Explore mellah (old Jewish quarter)
Optional Activities
- Browse Souk el Attarin (spices)
- Browse Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths)
- Browse Souk Smata (slippers)
- Visit Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk)
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque
- Visit Marrakech Museum
- Visit Museum of Moroccan Arts
Landmarks/POIs Fes el Bali Fes el Jdid Chouara Tannery Souk el Attarin Souk Haddadine Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers Al Attarine Madrasa Al-Qarawiyyin University Mellah of Fes - Day 4
Fes to Merzouga
You'll travel south and cross the Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet through cedar forests where you might see Barbary macaque monkeys. After lunch in Midelt, the apple city, with views of the Moulouya River and orchards, you'll continue through the Ziz Valley with its oases and palm clusters. As you get closer to Erfoud, the Sahara starts appearing on the horizon. You can stop to see how locals turn fossil-rich rocks into decorative pieces. Then you'll reach Erg Chebbi's sand dunes, take a camel ride at sunset, and spend the night in a Bedouin-style tent with Berber music and a campfire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in the open air)
Included Activities
- Camel ride through Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Spend night in Bedouin-style tent
- Evening campfire with traditional Berber music
Optional Activities
- Meet nomadic Berber family and drink tea together
- Visit Erfoud fossil mines and see decorative objects
Landmarks/POIs Col du Zad Middle Atlas Midelt Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi - Day 5
Merzouga to Todra Gorge
Rise early to catch the desert sunrise and try sandboarding on the dunes. Later you'll visit Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village, where you can experience traditional drumming and dancing. From there, head to Rissani to see the famous gate and watch the livestock auction. Continue to Tinerhir to see the 30-mile river oasis lined with palm trees and towns. You'll end the day at Todra Gorge, where 984-foot-high red limestone cliffs frame the Todra River. You'll have time to walk around and swim in the shallow river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding in the dunes
- Erg Chebbi (sand dune) tour
- ATV tour
- Visit Khemliya village and experience traditional drumming and dancing
- Explore Rissani market town and livestock auction
- Walk in and around Todra Gorge
- Swim in Todra River
Landmarks/POIs Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Todra River - Day 6
Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
You'll travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs heading toward Ait Benhaddou, Morocco's most photographed kasbah. The route takes you through the Dades Valley and past Boumalne Dades. Stop in Kelaat M'Gouna to see rose bushes and visit a rose collective where workers turn petals into rose water and oil. In Ouarzazate, take a tour of the movie studio and the Musée du Cinema to learn about film history in the area. Once you arrive in Ait Benhaddou, settle into the old town and wander the quiet alleys in the late afternoon. Climb up to the old Granary for views of the kasbah and valley, then have dinner with a view.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Quiet dinner overlooking the valley)
Included Activities
- Visit rose collective in Kelâat M'Gouna to learn rose water and oil production
Optional Activities
- Visit Ouarzazate movie studio
- Visit Musée du Cinema
- Trek to Game of Thrones filming location gates
Landmarks/POIs Dades Valley Boumalne Dades Kelâat M'Gouna Ouarzazate Ouarzazate Movie Studio Musée du Cinema Ait Benhaddou Ait Benhaddou Granary - Day 7
Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech
You'll leave Ait Benhaddou and start ascending the High Atlas mountains, spotting Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet as you go. The panoramic views are pretty incredible throughout. Stop in Taddert to visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn about olive processing. As you descend on the other side, you'll notice the landscape and climate change dramatically. You'll arrive in Marrakech and have free time in the afternoon to rest. Early evening, head to Jemaa el-Fna square, Africa's busiest square, to see musicians, performers, and food stalls. Or grab a seat at a café with mint tea and watch from there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert
Optional Activities
- View Mount Toubkal from a distance
- Explore Jemaa el-Fna square
- Café and mint tea at Jemaa el-Fna square
- Enjoy meal at Jemaa el-Fna square food stalls
Landmarks/POIs High Atlas Mount Toubkal Taddert Jemaa el-Fna - Day 8
Marrakech
Meet your guide for a half-day tour of Marrakech, the Red City with 1000-year-old red sandstone walls. You'll browse several souks including Souk el Attarin for spices, Souk Haddadine with blacksmiths, Souk Smata for slippers, and Souk des Teinturiers for dyes. See the iconic Koutoubia Mosque and its 253-foot minaret, the tallest tower in the city, then relax in the gardens. Walk through the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa to see carved cedar, stucco plaster, and zellij tiling. Check out a couple museums with traditional art and woodwork. Finish in the Kasbah area to see the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the old Jewish quarter.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided half-day tour of Marrakech
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Optional Activities
- Browse Souk el Attarin (spices)
- Browse Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths)
- Browse Souk Smata (slippers)
- Visit Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk)
- Relax in gardens adjoining Koutoubia Mosque
- Visit Marrakech Museum
- Visit Museum of Moroccan Arts
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Visit El Badi Palace
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Visit Jewish Mellah and cemetery
Landmarks/POIs Souk el Attarin Souk Haddadine Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Marrakech Museum Museum of Moroccan Arts Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Jewish Mellah of Marrakech - Day 9
Marrakech to Essaouira
You'll head west from Marrakech across rolling plains and through an argan tree forest native only to this region. You might spot goats eating argan fruit in the tree branches, which is actually pretty common. Stop at an argan cooperative to see how the oil gets extracted and what it's used for in food and cosmetics. After that you'll arrive in Essaouira, which feels much more relaxed than busy Marrakech. Walk the Skala de la Kasbah, an 18th-century seafront with old brass cannons and Atlantic Ocean views. Explore the UNESCO-protected medina and the windswept beach. Try some fresh seafood while you're here. If you're a Jimi Hendrix fan, you can take a taxi out to Diabat beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit argan cooperative
Optional Activities
- Walk Skala de la Kasbah (18th-century seafront ramparts)
- Explore UNESCO-protected medina
- Visit windswept beach
- Enjoy freshly caught seafood meal
- Taxi ride to Diabat beach (Jimi Hendrix connection)
Landmarks/POIs Argan Tree Forest Essaouira Medina Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira Beach Diabat - Day 10
Essaouira to Marrakech
Stroll along Essaouira beach this morning or pick up any last-minute souvenirs before heading back to Marrakech. If you have time, visit the Majorelle Gardens, a nice place to cool off in the afternoon heat away from the medina crowds. You'll walk through subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. After that, head to the airport for your return flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along beach
- Shop for last-minute curios
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Majorelle Gardens
