Itinerary
- Day 1
Tangier to Chefchaouen
You'll arrive in Tangier, where Europe and Africa meet. The medina is worth wandering through, or you can head straight to Chefchaouen if you're short on time. Getting there takes you through some nice scenery, and there's an option to stop and hike up to Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls along the way. Once in Chefchaouen, you'll walk the narrow blue-painted streets, check out Plaza Outa el Hammam, climb through the kasbah and its museum, and potentially head to Hotel Atlas's rooftop for views across the town or hike to the abandoned Spanish Mosque for sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour)
- Explore the medina of Chefchaouen
- Visit the kasbah and museum
- Explore the kasbah garden
Optional Activities
- Visit the medina (old quarter) of Tangier
- Café in Zoco Chico square
- Paseo along the promenade in Tangier
- Dine at Plaza Outa el Hammam
- Visit Grand Mosque exterior (non-Muslims not permitted inside)
- Explore old prison cells in kasbah
- Climb to Hotel Atlas rooftop for panoramic view
- Hike to abandoned Spanish Mosque (20-30 minutes) for sunset views over Chefchaouen
Landmarks/POIs Zoco Chico Cascades d'Akchour Plaza Outa el Hammam Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen Kasbah of Chefchaouen Ras el Ma Spring Spanish Mosque of Chefchaouen - Day 2
Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes
Start early to photograph Chefchaouen's quiet streets before driving to Fes. You'll stop at the Volubilis ruins, a UNESCO site showing how far the Romans reached in Africa, with merchant homes that still have their heating systems, temples, and mosaics. After that, head to Meknes to see the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Then continue to Fes, stopping at the Merenid Tombs before settling in for the night. You'll stay in a traditional riad and have dinner there to relax after traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Volubilis ruins
- Visit Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Visit Royal Stables
- Visit Merenid Tombs
Optional Activities
- Dine at a local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables of Meknes Merenid Tombs - Day 3
Fes
Fes is Morocco's oldest imperial city and its cultural heart, with a medina that's the most complete in the Arab world. A guide will take you through the medinas for about half the day. You'll start at Bab Boujeloud gate and follow Talâa Kebira, the main street, noticing Spanish and Tunisian architectural influences. From there, you'll check out the Chouara Tannery to watch traditional leather work, then see the detailed zellij tilework at the 14th-century Al Attarine madrasa. The Mellah, which is the old Jewish quarter with its cemetery, comes next in Fes el Jdid. If there's time left, you can head to Ville Nouvelle to see the contrast between old and new architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day guided medina tour with certified guide
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Explore Talâa Kebira thoroughfare
- Visit Chouara Tannery
- Visit Al Attarine madrasa
- Explore Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery)
Optional Activities
- Visit Ville Nouvelle
- Explore shops and souks
Landmarks/POIs Bab Boujeloud Talâa Kebira Chouara Tannery Al Attarine Madrasa Mellah Fes el Bali Fes el Jdid Ville Nouvelle - Day 4
Fes to Merzouga
You'll start early heading south toward Merzouga. The route takes you over the Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet through cedar forests where Barbary Macaque monkeys sometimes appear. Lunch happens in Midelt, called the 'apple city', situated near the Moulouya River. After that, you'll cross the Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley with its hidden oases and palm groves. Along the way, you'll see fortified ksars that once guarded valuable goods. Stop in Erfoud, famous for its date festival, to visit a local cooperative about fossil mining. Later you reach Erg Chebbi's massive sand dunes, where you'll ride a camel through them to your camp, climb a dune to catch the sunset, and end the day with dinner by the campfire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at camp by campfire)
Included Activities
- Camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes accompanied by camel guide
- Visit local collective in Erfoud to learn about fossil mining
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Midelt
- Explore the Ziz Valley
Landmarks/POIs Col du Zad Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi - Day 5
Merzouga - Todra Gorge
Catch the sunrise over the dunes and try sandboarding before leaving. Head to Khemliya to see a traditional Saharan village whose residents originally came from Mali. Pass through a dramatic gate into Rissani, a market town with livestock auctions and what locals call the 'donkey parking lot'. Continue to the desert town of Tinerhir and then reach the 984-foot-deep Todra Gorge. You'll have time to explore the gorge and wade in the shallow Todra River to cool off. Traveling west takes you through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, where fortified houses still shelter local families and nomads graze their animals. Later you'll reach Kela'a M'gouna with its rose farms, then head to Ouarzazate for a studio tour showing how desert landscapes appear in films.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Khemliya traditional Saharan village
- Explore Todra Gorge
- Studio tour in Ouarzazate
Optional Activities
- Sandboard rental in Erg Chebbi
- Swimming in Todra River
- Explore Rissani market and 'donkey parking lot'
- Journey through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
Landmarks/POIs Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate - Day 6
Ouarzazate - Aït Benhaddou - Marrakech
Rise early to travel to Ait Benhaddou, Morocco's most recognized kasbah and a UNESCO site dating back to the 11th century when it was important for trans-Saharan trade. You'll walk through the narrow streets and passages of this traditional mud-brick town. Then head over the High Atlas mountains on a winding road, and you'll see Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet, Africa's highest peak. Stop near the top of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 7,415 feet to take in mountain views. Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert to learn how olives get processed. Then descend into Marrakech, check into your hotel, and explore that afternoon. You'll visit Jemaa el-Fna square and the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque with its 253-foot minaret, plus the gardens around it. Return to Jemaa el-Fna in the evening to experience Africa's busiest square with its musicians, performers, snake charmers, and food stalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Aït Benhaddou
- Visit Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna square
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
Optional Activities
- Explore Koutoubia Mosque gardens for late afternoon stroll
- Eat or drink at Jemaa el-Fna square
Landmarks/POIs Aït Benhaddou Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Taddert Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque - Day 7
Marrakech
Marrakech, the 'Red City', gets its name from the 1,000-year-old red sandstone walls and buildings. It has Berber roots rather than Arab, and was once a major trading center. For a different view, you can ride in a caléche, a horse-drawn carriage, to explore the city. Look for the foundouks, medieval inns that sheltered merchants and travelers; many are now shops or homes. Wander through the complicated souk maze tucked behind ordinary restaurants and shops. Check out Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata for spices, woodwork, and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit Souk des Tenturier or the dyers' souk to see cloth and yarn being dyed the traditional way. Then see the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, with its carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided medina tour by calèche (horse-drawn carriage)
- Explore souks including Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, Souk Smata, and Souk des Tenturier
- Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa
Optional Activities
- Browse foundouks converted into residences or shopping areas
Landmarks/POIs Souk el Attarin Souk Chouari Souk Smata Souk des Tenturier Ben Youssef Madrasa - Day 8
Marrakech
Depending on your flight time, you might explore the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna. Check out the Saadian Tombs to see 500-year-old craftsmanship. Visit the sunken gardens at the 17th-century El Badi Palace, then walk through the mellah and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. If time remains, the Dar Di Said Museum, also called the Museum of Moroccan Arts, has clothing, antiques, jewelry, and carved Hispano-Moorish decorations made from cedar wood that you can see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Saadian Tombs
- Visit El Badi Palace and sunken gardens
- Explore mellah
- Visit Bahia Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts)
Landmarks/POIs Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Dar Di Said Museum
