Itinerary
- Day 1
Fes
You'll arrive in Fes and dive into the medieval medina right away with a local guide. Starting at Bab Boujeloud Gate, you'll walk through leather shops and head to the Chouara Tannery where leather workers use techniques that haven't changed much in centuries. From there, check out Al-Qarawiyyin University (still operating after over a thousand years) and see the detailed tilework at Al Attarine Madrasa. Before wrapping up, you'll explore the Jewish quarter in Fes el Jdid, and if timing works out, catch the sunset from the Merenid Tombs for views over the whole city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of Fes medina
- Visit Bab Boujeloud Gate
- Browse leather goods at shop next to Chouara Tannery
- View of 11th-century dye pots at Chouara Tannery
- Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University and glimpse of Mosque interior
- Visit Al Attarine Madrasa and view zellij tilework
- Explore Mellah in Fes el Jdid
Optional Activities
- Sunset viewing from Merenid Tombs
Landmarks/POIs Bab Boujeloud Gate Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin University Al Attarine Madrasa Mellah Merenid Tombs - Day 2
Fes to Merzouga
Head south toward Merzouga, driving through cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains and passing the Col du Zad at 7,146 feet. Watch for Barbary macaque monkeys along the route. After lunch in Midelt, you'll cross Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley and see oases tucked into the landscape, plus fortified ksars that once guarded trade routes. Continue to Erfoud to visit a fossil collective if interested. Late afternoon you'll reach Erg Chebbi and climb onto a camel for a ride into the massive sand dunes. Head to a nearby dune to watch the sunset, then return to camp for dinner and an evening around the fire.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Midelt), Dinner (Delicious dinner at camp)
Included Activities
- Travel through Cedar forests of Middle Atlas mountains
- Stop at Col du Zad pass viewing
- Lunch in Midelt
- Travel through Tizi n'Talremt pass
- Travel through Ziz Valley
- Optional visit to local collective in Erfoud
- Camel ride through Erg Chebbi dunes
- Sunset viewing from sand dune
- Campfire and dinner at camp
Optional Activities
- Visit local collective to learn about fossil mining and meet artisans in Erfoud
Landmarks/POIs Col du Zad Pass Midelt Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt Pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi - Day 3
Merzouga to Ouarzazate
Get up early to watch sunrise over the dunes and try sandboarding. Later, head to Khemliya to see a traditional Saharan village where residents originally came from Mali. You'll pass through a gate into Rissani market town with its livestock auction and parking area for donkeys. From there, reach Tinghir and walk into the dramatic Todra Gorge, dropping 984 feet with a shallow river running through. Continue through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing traditional fortress homes and possibly nomadic groups. Head west to Kelâat M'Gouna with its rose farms (and rose festival season if timing aligns), then drive to Ouarzazate. Take a studio tour to see how films have used these desert locations as backdrops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Sandboarding experience
- Visit traditional Saharan village in Khemliya
- Explore Rissani market town
- Visit Todra Gorge
- Swim/relax in Todra River
- Travel through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Visit Kelâat M'Gouna
- Studio tour in Ouarzazate
Landmarks/POIs Khemliya Rissani Tinghir Todra Gorge Todra River Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Kelâat M'Gouna Ouarzazate - Day 4
Ouarzazate to Marrakesh
Start early heading to Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO site with mud-brick buildings dating back to around the 11th century when it sat on major trade routes. Spend time walking the narrow streets. Then travel over the High Atlas mountains on a winding road, passing views of Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet. Stop near Tizi n'Tichka Pass (7,415 feet) for mountain views. Visit an argan oil cooperative in Taddert to learn about processing. Descend into Marrakesh, check into your hotel, then explore Jemaa el-Fna square and the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque with its 253-foot minaret. Walk through the attached gardens with fountains and pools. Later, return to Jemaa el-Fna to see musicians, performers, and stalls, or grab food at a nearby café.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Aït Benhaddou kasbah
- Explore narrow streets and passageways of Aït Benhaddou
- Travel through High Atlas mountains
- Stop at Tizi n'Tichka Pass viewing
- Visit argan oil cooperative in Taddert
- Learn olive processing techniques
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna square
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Stroll gardens with fountains, pools, flowers, and palm trees
- Experience Jemaa el-Fna activities and atmosphere
Landmarks/POIs Aït Benhaddou Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Taddert Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque - Day 5
Marrakesh
Explore Marrakesh starting at spice markets like Souk el-Attarin or Souk Smata where you can browse slippers, rugs, and leather. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa School to see Moroccan architecture and tilework. Wander through alleyways past converted Fondouks (old merchant inns). Depending on flight time, head south of Jemaa el-Fna to see the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs, the 17th-century El Badi Palace with its courtyard and sunken gardens, or the 19th-century Bahia Palace with detailed woodwork and painted ceilings. Or stay closer to explore the Almoravid Kouba, the Marrakesh Museum in the Dar Mnebbi Palace, or the Museum of Moroccan Arts for its woodwork collection. If there's time, relax in the Majorelle Gardens before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Browse spice market Souk el-Attarin or Souk Smata
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa School of Islam
- Explore Fondouks and alleyways
Optional Activities
- Visit 500-year-old Saadian Tombs
- Visit 17th-century El Badi Palace with courtyard and sunken gardens
- Visit 19th-century Bahia Palace with intricate woodwork and painted ceilings
- Visit Almoravid Kouba
- Visit Marrakesh Museum (Dar Mnebbi Palace)
- Visit Museum of Moroccan Arts
- Relax in Majorelle Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Souk el-Attarin Souk Smata Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Almoravid Kouba Marrakesh Museum Museum of Moroccan Arts Majorelle Gardens
