Itinerary
- Day 1
Tangier
You'll arrive in Tangier and get settled at your hotel. Depending on when you touch down, there's time to walk through the medina's narrow lanes and check out the 15th-century Portuguese fortress. Stop by a café in Zoco Chico square for something to eat, then head to the corniche seafront in the evening to catch the sunset and take a stroll along the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore the medina (old quarter) and commercial alleyways
- Visit the 15th-century Portuguese fortress
- Visit Zoco Chico square
- Evening paseo along the corniche seafront
Landmarks/POIs Medina of Tangier Zoco Chico Corniche of Tangier - Day 2
Tangier to Chefchaouen
Start early and head through the Bab Haha gate to explore Tangier's kasbah. About 20 minutes outside the city, you'll see the Caves of Hercules near Cape Spartel lighthouse. Then travel to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, where there's an optional 2 to 3 hour hike to Cascades d'Akchour if you're interested. Once there, wander the blue-hued streets, visit the Grand Mosque's exterior and kasbah, then climb to Hotel Atlas rooftop for views or trek to the abandoned Spanish Mosque to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of kasbah through Bab Haha gate and Dar Baroud neighborhood
- Visit Caves of Hercules
Optional Activities
- Hire a kasbah guide for additional insight
- Hike to Cascades d'Akchour (2-3 hours)
- Pay for a guide at Caves of Hercules
- Explore Plaza Outa el Hammam for dining
- Visit Grand Mosque exterior
- Explore Chefchaouen kasbah and garden
- Tour old prison cells
- Climb to Hotel Atlas rooftop for panoramic view
- Climb to abandoned Spanish Mosque (20-30 minutes) for sunset view
Landmarks/POIs Kasbah of Tangier Bab Haha Caves of Hercules Cape Spartel Lighthouse Cascades d'Akchour Chefchaouen Medina Plaza Outa el Hammam Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen Ras el Ma Spring Spanish Mosque (Chefchaouen) - Day 3
Chefchaouen to Fes
Rise early to explore Chefchaouen before shops open at 10 am so you get quiet streets and clear photos. After that, head toward Fes with optional stops at the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO site) and the imperial city of Meknes. At Volubilis, you can see merchant homes with heating systems, temples, and colorful mosaics. In Meknes, visit Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Royal Stables, and the medina. Continue east to Fes, check out the Merenid Tombs for panoramic views, then settle into your riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Volubilis Roman ruins with entrance fee
- Visit Merenid Tombs
Optional Activities
- Explore Meknes Ville Impériale and Bab al-Mansour gate
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Visit Royal Stables in Meknes
- Explore Meknes medina
- Visit 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa in Meknes
- Visit Dar Jama'af Museum in Meknes
Landmarks/POIs Volubilis Meknes Medina Bab al-Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail Royal Stables of Meknes Bou Inania Madrasa (Meknes) Dar Jama'af Museum Merenid Tombs Fes Medina - Day 4
Fes
Spend the day exploring Fes, the oldest imperial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consider hiring a guide for a half-day tour to help navigate the maze-like medina. Visit Fes el Bali's souks and the famous Chouara Tannery (bring mint leaves for the smell), then see Al-Qarawiyyin University and Mosque, Al Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa. Enter through the Bab Boujeloud gate, shop Taâla Kebira street, and visit the Musée Batha. Explore Fes el Jedid, the Mellah, Ville Nouvelle, and a Ceramics and Tile Collective. Catch sunset from Merenid Tombs or Borj Sud.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Chouara Tannery
- Entrance to Al Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa
- Entrance to Musée Batha
- Entrance to Ceramics and Tile Collective
- Access to Merenid Tombs or Borj Sud viewpoints
Optional Activities
- Hire expert guide for half-day medina tour
- Shop iconic souks (spices, leather, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves)
- Rooftop view at leather shop overlooking Chouara Tannery (small donation may be required)
- View interior of Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque from outside
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Shop Taâla Kebira street
- Explore Fes el Jedid
- Walk Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery)
- Explore Ville Nouvelle
- Enjoy sunset from Merenid Tombs in north or Borj Sud in south
Landmarks/POIs Fes el Bali (Old Fes) Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin University Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque Al Attarine Madrasa Bou Inania Madrasa (Fes) Bab Boujeloud Taâla Kebira Musée Batha Fes el Jedid Mellah (Jewish Quarter) Merenid Tombs Borj Sud - Day 5
Fes
Continue your exploration of Fes, the oldest imperial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Again, hiring a guide for a half-day medina tour helps with navigation through all those winding streets. Visit Fes el Bali's souks and the famed Chouara Tannery (mint leaves help with the smell), Al-Qarawiyyin University and Mosque, Al Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa. Enter through Bab Boujeloud gate and shop Taâla Kebira street, then visit Musée Batha. Explore Fes el Jedid, the Mellah, Ville Nouvelle, and a Ceramics and Tile Collective. Watch the sunset from Merenid Tombs or Borj Sud.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Chouara Tannery
- Entrance to Al Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa
- Entrance to Musée Batha
- Entrance to Ceramics and Tile Collective
- Access to Merenid Tombs or Borj Sud viewpoints
Optional Activities
- Hire expert guide for half-day medina tour
- Shop iconic souks (spices, leather, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves)
- Rooftop view at leather shop overlooking Chouara Tannery (small donation may be required)
- View interior of Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque from outside
- Visit Bab Boujeloud gate
- Shop Taâla Kebira street
- Explore Fes el Jedid
- Walk Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery)
- Explore Ville Nouvelle
- Enjoy sunset from Merenid Tombs in north or Borj Sud in south
Landmarks/POIs Fes el Bali (Old Fes) Chouara Tannery Al-Qarawiyyin University Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque Al Attarine Madrasa Bou Inania Madrasa (Fes) Bab Boujeloud Taâla Kebira Musée Batha Fes el Jedid Mellah (Jewish Quarter) Merenid Tombs Borj Sud - Day 6
Fes to Merzouga
Leave Fes early and head south toward Merzouga. Drive through Azrou and climb the Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet through cedar forests where you might spot Barbary macaque monkeys. Grab lunch in Midelt overlooking the Moulouya River and fruit orchards. Continue over Tizi n'Talremt pass into the Ziz Valley with hidden oases and palm clusters. Pass fortified ksars and early Saharan dunes near Erfoud, visit a fossil artisan collective, then explore the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Take a camel ride through the dunes at sunset to your camp, watch the sunset, then have dinner with Berber music under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Camel trek accompanied by camel guide through Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Bedouin-style camp with dinner and Berber music
Optional Activities
- Tea with nomadic Berber family (if time allows)
- Visit Erfoud fossil artisan collective
- Stay at comfortable hotel/auberge in Merzouga instead of bedouin camp
- Overnight at bedouin-style tent camp
Landmarks/POIs Azrou Col du Zad Pass Middle Atlas Cedar Forests Midelt Moulouya River Tizi n'Talremt Pass Ziz Valley Erfoud Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 7
Merzouga
Wake early to catch the desert sunrise and explore more of the Sahara. You can rent a sandboard and test your skills on the dunes, take a tour around Erg Chebbi, join a quad ATV tour, or relax by the pool. Visit nearby Khemliya, a typical Saharan village with traditional drumming and dancing. Head to the market town of Rissani, enter through the impressive gate, find the livestock auction and donkey parking lot, then walk the traditional market. Continue to Tinerhir for panoramic views of the river oasis with 30 miles of palm trees, then reach Todra Gorge—nearly 1,000 feet high and carved by the Todra River. Take a leisurely walk around the gorge and relax in the cool river waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Desert sunrise viewing
- Visit Khemliya village with traditional drumming music and dancing
Optional Activities
- Rent sandboard and practice on dunes
- Erg Chebbi tour around the dunes
- Quad ATV tour
- Relax by pool
- Visit Rissani market
- Explore Tinerhir
- Walk and explore Todra Gorge
- Swim in Todra River
Landmarks/POIs Erg Chebbi Khemliya Rissani Tinerhir Todra Gorge Todra River - Day 8
Todra Gorge to Ait Benhaddou
Travel west along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many in disrepair and made of pisé mud (rammed earth). Pass through small towns with traditional farming and spot nomads tending animals. Cross Boumalne Dades and its river bridge, then reach Kela'a M'gouna, the Valley of the Roses. Visit a rose collective to see how rose petals become rose water and oil for cosmetics. Continue to Ouarzazate with optional tours of Atlas Corporation Studios or CLA Studios to see movie props and sets (Game of Thrones, Black Hawk Down, and Prometheus filmed here). Visit the el Mansour reservoir and Musée du Cinema. Head to medieval Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 11th century. Explore alleys in the late afternoon, climb to the old Granary for views, enter old kasbahs, and spot Game of Thrones filming locations by the river. Finish with dinner overlooking the valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kela'a M'gouna rose collective with entrance fee
- Visit el Mansour reservoir
- Visit Ait Benhaddou UNESCO site with entrance fee
Optional Activities
- Tour Atlas Corporation Studios or CLA Studios in Ouarzazate
- Visit Musée du Cinema in Ouarzazate
- Climb to old Granary at Ait Benhaddou
- Enter old kasbahs at Ait Benhaddou (nominal fee)
- Visit Game of Thrones filming location gates by river
- Recognize film locations (Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Jesus of Nazareth)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Boumalne Dades Dades River Kela'a M'gouna Ouarzazate Atlas Corporation Studios CLA Studios el Mansour Reservoir Musée du Cinema Ait Benhaddou - Day 9
Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech
Leave Ait Benhaddou and begin the winding ascent over the High Atlas mountains through Tizi n'Tichka pass. You'll see sweeping vistas over the mountain range and Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet. Stop in Taddert to visit the Argan Oil Cooperative and learn how local women extract argan oil for health, food, and cosmetic industries. As you descend the High Atlas, watch the landscape shift from mountains to foothills to flat plains. Arrive in Marrakech, settle into your hotel, and explore Jemaa el-Fna Square in the early evening with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, or have mint tea and a savory meal from a café overlooking the square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert with entrance fee
Optional Activities
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna Square
- Enjoy mint tea and meal at café overlooking Jemaa el-Fna Square
Landmarks/POIs Tizi n'Tichka Pass High Atlas Mountains Mount Toubkal Taddert Jemaa el-Fna Square - Day 10
Marrakech
Spend the day exploring Marrakech, the Red City, with vibrant sights, sounds, and smells. Orient yourself around Jemaa el-Fna Square (souks to the north, Koutoubia Mosque to the west, kasbah area to the south). Request a guide for a half-day medina tour or hire a Caliche Horse Carriage. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque's 253-foot minaret and beautiful gardens. Explore medina souks including Souk el-Attarin (spices), Souk Haddadine (blacksmith), Souk Smata (slippers), and the dyers' souk. Visit medieval fondouks, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Almoravid Koubba, El Badi Palace, Marrakech Museum, and Dar Di Said Museum. Relax at Majorelle Gardens with subtropical plants and bamboo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens
- Entrance to Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Entrance to Saadian Tombs
- Entrance to Bahia Palace
- Entrance to Almoravid Koubba
- Entrance to El Badi Palace
- Entrance to Marrakech Museum
- Entrance to Dar Di Said Museum
- Entrance to Majorelle Gardens
Optional Activities
- Hire guide for half-day medina tour
- Hire Caliche Horse Carriage
- Explore medina and souks (Souk el-Attarin, Souk Haddadine, Souk Smata, Souk des Teinturiers)
- Visit medieval fondouks
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna Square for entertainment and food stalls
Landmarks/POIs Jemaa el-Fna Square Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Gardens Marrakech Medina Souk el-Attarin Souk Haddadine Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers (Dyers' Souk) Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace Almoravid Koubba El Badi Palace Marrakech Museum Dar Di Said Museum Majorelle Gardens - Day 11
Marrakech
Handle any last-minute gift and souvenir shopping in the medina or souks. Optionally visit Majorelle Gardens for a final escape from the medina's hustle and bustle. Take in the lush gardens filled with subtropical plants and bamboo to relax before heading home. Depart Marrakech with memories of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Complete last-minute shopping in medina or souks
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Marrakech Medina Majorelle Gardens
