On the first day of your trip, we’ll meet you at the port or airport and drive through the Rif Mountains, passing through the city of Tetouan to enjoy the views of the beautiful mountains until we reach Chefchaouen, one of the stunning villages at the foot of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen’s medina features a Spanish-style plaza surrounded by many arts and crafts shops, rooftop restaurants, and cafes where you’ll have lunch. The afternoon is free to explore the blue streets of the medina.
After breakfast at your riad, our authentic journey will begin toward Volubilis, crossing Wazan and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will discover the Roman ruins and learn about this archaeological site of Moroccan history. After visiting the ruins, we will make our way to the 17th-century heritage city of Meknes, where we will stop for lunch and stroll through the massive historic walls of the medina, Bab el-Mansour, and enjoy a visit to the shrine of Moulay Ismail. After visiting Meknes, we will head directly to Fez, where you will spend the night in your riad.
After breakfast at your riad, you will begin exploring Morocco’s oldest city, walking through its narrow streets and alleys. Our tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace gate, the Jewish quarter, and the first Mellah ever built in Morocco, constructed during the 16th century. We’ll ensure you visit all the sites of cultural and historical interest, including the famous Al Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region, the tanneries, the Attarine Museum, and the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum. After lunch, you’ll visit the tile cooperative and then enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the entire Medina of Fez.
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll travel to Merzouga via Errachidia and Erfoud. You’ll travel through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt Pass and the Ziz Gorge, enjoying views of the High Atlas plateau. You’ll notice how the landscape changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the town of Errachidia. Here, you’ll have lunch and enjoy Berber hospitality. Afterward, you’ll travel along the lush Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. You will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before beginning your camel trek to spend the night at the desert camp with Berber music and sandboarding.
We will wake up early to watch the spectacular sunrise over the Sahara dunes, have breakfast, and shower. We will then drive through the Saghro Mountains. We will arrive at the Todgha Gorge, where we will enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch and take a short walk through the gorge before arriving in the Dades Valley for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, we will travel through the Dades Valley to Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through the Dades Valley is the path of thousands of kasbahs, offering numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographs of the trip. We will stop at Ait Benhaddou Kasbah for lunch. The largest kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains of the early 20th century, used to be one of his stops during his long journey from the Sahara to Marrakech. Now the kasbah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, we will change course to cross the Atlas Mountains, filled with panoramic views and attractive Berber villages along the way to Marrakech. Overnight in an elegant riad in the medina.
After breakfast at the riad, you can begin exploring Marrakech, “the red city of Morocco.” We’ll make sure you see the most important historical and cultural sites, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. After lunch at a restaurant near the square, you’ll stroll through the souks and see hundreds of handicrafts. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the other parts of the city.
Transfer to Marrakech Airport.
This plan gives you a general idea of how your trip might go, but it’s completely flexible and can be changed to fit your preferences. If any part of this schedule doesn’t quite work for you, just let us know. We’re happy to help adjust the details, including the schedule, things to do, and where you’ll stay, so your trip can be perfectly suited to your tastes and interests.