DAY 1: Arrival in Marrakech

Upon your arrival to Marrakech airport we will meet you and take you to your hotel in the center of the city. Afterwards you will be free to wander into the chaos and color of Djemaa el Fna, the vibrant marketplace in the center of the medina which comes alive at night.

DAY 2: Marrakech Sightseeing escorted by an official local guide

Breakfast will be served at your Riad, after which a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of Marrakech’s winding alleyways, hidden gardens, and secret souks. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, the principal cultural space in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beside which the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque can be seen towering into the sky.

In the evening this square overflows with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and henna artists. Following your tour you will have the full day to spend at your leisure, whether it’s pampering yourself at a local hammam or further exploring the souks of the medina. We will spend the night at our hotel in Marrakech.

DAY 3: Marrakech → Essaouira

Departing Marrakech after breakfast, we make our way through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees, and argan oil cooperatives to the quaint seaside town of Essaouira. This windswept fishing port with its broad beaches and an ancient walled medina, has long been a popular vacation destination for Moroccans.

Essaouira is also a creative hub where many of the country’s wood carvers and artists have made their home, and each year, hosts the Gnaouas Music Festival in the month of June. Stroll along the ramparts and beach as you take in the relaxed vibe of its small but lively medina, or visit the port to savour the catch of the day. We will have dinner in Essaouira and spend the night in a tranquil local hotel.

DAY 4: Essaouira → Safi → Oualidia

We will depart Essaouira for Oualidia. On the way we will stop in Safi, a town previously occupied by the Portuguese. Famous for being the center of sardine exports, Safi is perhaps most well known for its pottery. Soon we will arrive and relax in Oualidia, a charming little fishing village. You will have a protected lagoon, estuary, and the wild Atlantic right on your doorstep.

Oualidia is at the center of Morocco’s richest bird habitat, particularly in spring and autumn, and birdwatching is a very popular activity. Surfing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, kite surfing, and walking along the beach are just some of the other activities you might also enjoy in Oualidia.

DAY 5: Oualidia → El Jadida → Casablanca → Rabat

We will leave Oualidia for Rabat, continuing our journey up the Atlantic Coast. We will pass through El Jadida, a small port city formerly controlled by the Portuguese which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, before stopping in Casablanca to visit Mohamed V Square and the spectacular mosque of Hassan II.

In the afternoon we will arrive in the imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops.

DAY 6: Rabat → Asilah → Tangier

We will leave Rabat and head towards Tangier on the stunning coastal road. On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals. A short drive later we will arrive in Tangier, the gateway between Africa and Europe, which has always been a vibrant international melting pot.

We will take a tour of Tangier and explore the bustling medina, the urban surroundings, and enjoy the stunning view over the waters where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

DAY 7: Tangier to the blue pearl Chefchaouen

We will leave Tangier for the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen, passing through the verdant valleys of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for the vivid blue colour of its houses and is a popular destination for both tourists and Moroccans, particularly in the hot summer months. You will have plenty of chance to explore Chefchaouen and its winding lanes and narrow alleys.

There you will find countless souks offering traditional cuisine and artisan works such as wool clothing, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese, all native to the North and found nowhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm, or hike in the nearby parks.

DAY 8: The blue streets to the vibrant Cultural Capital Fes

Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Meknes → Fes

After breakfast, you will set out for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town still features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a unique perspective on Morocco’s ancient history.

Afterwards we will continue our journey to Meknes, one of Morocco’s greatest imperial cities, often called the “Versailles of Morocco” due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments.

We will take some time to explore the highlights of Meknes, including the Bab Mansour, Sahrij Souani, and the old Medina, before making our way to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco. In Fes we will check into your hotel before having dinner and settling in for the night.

DAY 9: Fes Sightseeing escorted by an official local guide

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a guided tour of the iconic Fes medina. Meet your knowledgeable local guide, who will lead you through the maze-like alleyways of this ancient city. Experience the bustling atmosphere as you encounter traditional forms of transportation like donkeys and mules navigating the narrow streets.

Explore the vibrant souks, where the air is filled with the rich scents of spices and perfumes. Witness the age-old craft of leatherworking at the tanneries, where craftsmen use traditional methods to produce high-quality leather goods. Despite the pungent smell, the leather products crafted here are renowned worldwide and make for excellent souvenirs.

In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the authentic restaurants nestled within the medina. Retire to your hotel for a restful night’s sleep, filled with memories of your exploration of Fes.

DAY 10: Fes to the blend of tranquillity and adventure in the Sahara Desert

Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz gorges → Erfoud → Merzouga

After picking you up from your hotel in Fes we will embark on a picturesque journey to Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges we will catch our first glimpse of the south’s incredible architecture.

After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz Valley.

We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, in a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees, edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga from which we will mount our camels (or 4WD if you can’t do the camels), and ride into the pink sands of the Erg Chebbi.

We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset, and will spend the evening at Luxury Berber Camp amidst the dunes where we will have a campfire and enjoy a Moroccan feast and traditional Berber blues music. After dark you can relax outside and marvel at the stars and crystal-clear Milky Way like few people have seen them.

DAY 11: Merzouga Culture and Traditions

Gnawa music, optional desert activities

After waking up to a desert sunrise and having breakfast, we will be able to relax for a couple hours before taking a 4WD off-road tour around the dunes. On the tour we will visit the oasis of Merzouga, the nomadic depository, and Khamlia Village, where we will be able to hear gnawa music from the local people, who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route. We will continue on to meet desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life.

We will also visit the nearby Lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of birds. After lunch ( Homemade berber pizza ), we will the drive back to our kasbah, where we will be greeted with a glass of tea and have some time to relax beside the pool.

Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the desert as you enjoy a day at leisure in the expansive sands of the Sahara. Take advantage of the various optional activities available to enhance your desert experience such as horse riding, ATV Quads or Dune buggies.

In late afternoon you will enjoy another sunset camel ride through the dunes, you also may consider dune buggies or ATV quads biking with a professional guide take you through the golden dunes back to your tents at the camp where you will enjoy another night under the starry night sky.

DAY 12: Merzouga to Dades Valley

Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley

At your request, our staff will wake you at the crack of dawn to witness the spectacle of the desert sunrise, the colour of the sand contrasting beautifully with the palette of shadows on the dunes. After some light breakfast and tea we will ride the camels back across the desert to the Kasbah to freshen up before our journey back West towards the Todra Gorge, known as “Morocco’s Grand Canyon”.

We will have lunch here and amble along the valley to take in the view. In some time we arrive at the Dades Gorge, where we watch the sunset’s orange glow against the rocks before having dinner and spending the night in our hotel.

DAY 13: Atlas Mountains journey to Marrakech

Dades Valley → Roses Valley → Skoura Oasis → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → High Atlas → Marrakech

In the morning, we venture off the beaten track into the heart of the high Atlas mountains along the road of thousand kasbahs, stopping for a brief hike above the valley ridge and visiting the Berber troglodyte villages. From there, we continue on to Ouarzazate, a bustling southern city often referred to as “The Hollywood of Morocco” owing to the many famous films shot on location such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as several seasons of the hit show, Game of Thrones.

Next, we will explore the nearby Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous ancient ksar in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many of the films and shows shot on location. We then continue north across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech – a fantastical Arabian Nights city with myriad alleyways, souks, and market stalls.

Marrakech is the second oldest imperial city, known as the “Southern Pearl” of Morocco, and has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travellers alike; this remarkable city never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travellers, and we’re sure you’ll love it too. We will arrive in Marrakech by the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the vibrant streets at your leisure before settling in for the evening.

DAY 14: Marrakech at leisure, Transfer to Airport

Today we will make as much use of our time as possible, wandering around the souks of Marrakech and finding souvenirs or gifts for friends before we take you to Marrakech Menara airport with plenty of time to catch your departure flight.