Highlights
- Learn to make Moroccan specialties from a local chef in Marrakesh
- Ride a camel and a sandboard on the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert
- Craft your own authentic Moroccan tiles in the ancient Fes medina
- Wander the picturesque streets of the "Blue City" of Chefchaouen
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Marrakesh, Afternoon Gastronomy Tour | Marrakesh |
| Day 2 | Tour the Historic Sites of Marrakesh, Traditional Cooking Class | Marrakesh |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Aït Benhaddou via Ouarzazate | Aït Benhaddou |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Merzouga via Erfoud & Desert Camel Ride | Merzouga |
| Day 5 | Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi | Merzouga |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Fes via Ziz Valley, Midelt & Middle Atlas Mountains | Fes |
| Day 7 | Fes Unveiled Tour, Pottery & Mosaic Workshop | Fes |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Chefchaouen via Volubilis & Meknes, Explore the "Blue City" | Chefchaouen |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Rabat, Royal Palaces & Ancient Ruins Tour | Rabat |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Casablanca, Explore Casablanca & the Hassan II Mosque, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh, Afternoon Gastronomy Tour
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival in Marrakesh, meet your driver at the airport for your transfer to your accommodation in the city. Marrakesh sits at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, creating a diverse mix of cultures in one exciting city.
Check into a traditional riad (a Moroccan house with a courtyard) and get your bearings before embarking on an immersive culinary journey through Marrakesh's medina (fortified historic center) with a three-hour food tour. Pass vibrant market stalls brimming with fresh produce, fragrant spices, meats, and olives. Taste dishes such as couscous, makouda (spiced battered potato cakes), or slow-roasted mechoui (lamb) while your guide shares fascinating anecdotes and explains the cultural significance of food in Moroccan society.
Day 2: Tour the Historic Sites of Marrakesh, Traditional Cooking Class
After you've had a traditional Moroccan breakfast at your riad, meet your local tour guide for a tour of the Old Medina of Marrakesh. Your guide will share the history and stories of the medina, the souks (markets), and the mellah (Jewish) sections, all within the city's rose-pink walls. See the Bahia Palace, a sprawling complex dating to the late 19th century filled with colorful, intricate details. Explore the ruins of El Badi Palace, built in 1578, and the Majorelle Gardens, an artist's landscape garden created in 1923. End your tour at the Tombeaux Saadiens (the Saadian Tombs), the historic royal necropolis.
In the afternoon, join a three-hour Moroccan cooking class at the legendary La Maison Arabe to learn some typical recipes you can take home. With your class, purchase fresh, local ingredients in a nearby souk. Learn to make recipes such as traditional Moroccan mint tea, chicken tajine (meat stew braised in spices), or chebakia (sesame cookies).
Day 3: Transfer to Aït Benhaddou via Ouarzazate
Say farewell to Marrakesh and hop aboard your transfer to Aït Benhaddou, which takes about 3.5 hours. Get ready for a change of scenery as you head up and over the High Atlas mountains. Marvel at Mount Toubkal, which stands at 13,671 feet (4,167 m), and enjoy a panorama of the mountain range at the top of the Tizi n'Tichka Pass as the road snakes down. En route, you'll pass Taddert and stop at an oil cooperative to taste-test locally-made olive oil.
Take a break in the picturesque town of Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara," where you can explore the town's UNESCO-listed 19th-century Taourirt Kasbah. The city has been the filming location for many famous movies and shows, including "Game of Thrones." See sets and props at the Musée du Cinema, or take a guided tour at a film studio for more memorabilia.
Once you arrive in Aït Benhaddou, explore the spectacular Ksar of Aït Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 11th century and is one of the most incredible human-made sites in the region. Stroll through the Old Town's alleys and passageways, then hike up to the old granary for incredible views of the kasbah, surrounding areas, and historic camel caravan routes.
Day 4: Transfer to Merzouga via Erfoud & Desert Camel Ride
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Say farewell to Aït Benhaddou and hit the road for a six-hour transfer to your Bedouin-style tent in Merzouga. Stop en route to explore several communities in the Sahara Desert. Visit the desert town of Tinghir, where you'll find fantastic views of neighboring villages along an extensive river oasis. Continue to the otherworldly red limestones at Todra Gorge, and from here, head to Erfoud for your first look at the shifting Saharan dunes.
Next, make your way to the town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate, then stop by Maison Tuareg to browse carpets, jewelry, leather goods, and more. Eventually, you'll reach Erg Chebbi, a sprawling sea of dunes that covers 14 square miles (35 sq km), with some rising over 650 feet (200 m). Here you'll say goodbye to your driver and switch to a camel for an adventurous ride to your luxury desert camp. Settle into your tent, then enjoy dinner around the campfire with a soundtrack of traditional Berber music and a backdrop of clear desert skies.
Day 5: Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi
Explore the dunes of Erg Chebbi and their surroundings today. Begin with a Jeep drive through the massive dunes to discover the hidden secrets of this exotic landscape. Meet with a local nomad family for a cup of tea and visit the Gnawa House in Khamliya Village to discover this genre of spiritual music often used for healing. Traditionally practiced throughout Morocco, popular maâlems (master musicians) are making the music known worldwide.
Experience the life of a local nomad as you accompany this local family through the desert plateaus. You'll assist them in their daily mission to search for grazing lands and water and help with food preparation for the evening. You'll also get to feed the camels and other animals, learn to weave a camel wool carpet, and cook using traditional utensils and wood fire.
In the afternoon, rent a sandboard and test your skills on the dunes. Glide down the golden slopes and enjoy the soft, warm sand beneath your feet. If you're up for a challenge, tackle the steeper hills and attempt to carve your way down the larger dunes. In the evening, climb up dunes to watch the colorful display as the sun sets, then head back to camp for another campfire dinner under the starlit desert sky.
Day 6: Transfer to Fes via Ziz Valley, Midelt & Middle Atlas Mountains
Enjoy a spectacular desert sunrise and breakfast at your camp in Merzouga before hitting the road to Fes, which will take about eight hours along the scenic route. Your driver will take you through the Ziz Valley, which once served as a vital artery along the ancient Saharan Trade Route. Gaze out the window to see the area's ksars, built by merchants to protect the gold, salt, and spices that passed this way. Stop in Midelt for lunch and enjoy the nearby Moulouya River, which provides the necessary environment for the orchards to thrive in the desert.
As you continue, you'll drive through the village of Azrou and climb to an elevation of 7,146 feet (2,178 m) over the Col du Zad Pass. Here, you'll cut through the Cèdre Gouraud forest, keeping an eye out for the Barbary macaques that congregate in the cedar trees along the road. Afterward, you'll continue to Fes, often called Morocco's "cultural capital." Check in at your riad and then explore this sprawling medieval city, the oldest of the country's four Imperial Capitals and home to cobbled streets, spice-scented souks, and heritage-listed architecture.
Day 7: Fes Unveiled Tour, Pottery & Mosaic Workshop
Meet your guide this morning for an immersive tour of the UNESCO-listed Old Medina of Fes. As the city never experienced much colonial influence, entering the medina feels like stepping back in time. Wander the twisting cobbled streets and stop to peruse the souks for various spices, leather goods, ceramics, shoes, scarves, medicines, and more.
Visit the famous Chouara Tannery, which has an extensive assortment of colorful leather dyes and traditional techniques from centuries ago. Next, head to the ninth-century Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, the world's oldest continuously operating university, and stop at Al-Attarine Madrasa, a 14th-century school featuring beautiful architecture and tiles. Then, wander to some of the other sites of Fes, such as the mellah and Dar al-Makhzen (the Royal Palace of Fes).
You'll return to the medina in the afternoon for a hands-on pottery and mosaic workshop. Guided by a local artisan, you'll learn the art of cutting tiles for the exquisite zellige tilework you've seen around the city. In true Moroccan style, there'll be a break for tea where you can chat with your guide. You'll leave this workshop with a new appreciation for the beautiful artwork around you. End your day of exploring Fes by watching the sunset from the Merenid Tombs in the north or Borj Sud in the south. Both viewpoints offer fantastic views over the city.
Day 8: Transfer to Chefchaouen via Volubilis & Meknes, Explore the "Blue City"
After breakfast in Fes, begin a four-hour transfer to Chefchaouen, making several stops along the way. Your first break is at Meknes, founded in the 11th century. Explore the historic medina, the city walls, and the Ville Impériale area, where you'll find iconic landmarks such as the magnificent Bab al-Mansour Gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Next, you'll see some of Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins at Volubilis. Wander through the once-great city to admire impressive merchant homes, ancient temples, and vibrant mosaics that offer a glimpse into the Roman civilization.
Continue to the picturesque town of Moulay Idriss next, one of Morocco's holiest cities, where you can wander narrow streets lined with green-roofed buildings. Your final stop of the day is Chefchaouen, Morocco's famed "Blue City." Nestled beneath the Rif mountains, this artsy, blue-washed mountain village is known for its winding maze of blue-washed streets, relaxed atmosphere, and some of the friendliest people in the country.
Settle into your traditional riad, then head out to explore. Wander among the medina's azure buildings and narrow lanes to reach the bustling Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and stop for tea at one of the quaint riverside cafés. For sunset views, pass through the historic gates toward the Hotel Atlas and head for the Spanish Mosque.
Day 9: Transfer to Rabat, Royal Palaces & Ancient Ruins Tour
This morning, transfer four hours through the mountains and along the coast to Morocco's capital Rabat, recognized by UNESCO for its impressive white architecture. Explore the city, starting with a trip to the Royal Palace of Rabat and the Chellah Necropolis, where you can wander Roman and Islamic ruins. Continue to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V, an abandoned 12th-century project that features the minaret of an incomplete mosque and some 200 columns.
You'll have time to stroll through the medina and peruse the souks, where you'll find everything from rugs and spices to jewelry and leather goods, and your guide will be on hand to help you barter for goods. Next, take a break from the crowds at the Andalusian Gardens, where paths lead through exotic flower gardens and fruit tree groves reminiscent of Spain's Alhambra.
The journey ends at the doorway to the Kasbah des Oudaïas, the heart of the original city center and home to the city's oldest mosque and the Musée des Oudaïas. Spend time admiring the white and blue architecture and learning about regional crafts, then return to your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Morocco at your leisure.
Day 10: Transfer to Casablanca, Explore Casablanca & the Hassan II Mosque, Depart
Your driver will be waiting for you this morning to take you to the airport, with a stopover in the famous city of Casablanca. Admire the Art Deco buildings in the Hobous and walk the scenic Boulevard de la Corniche along the Atlantic coast. You can also walk the gardens or people-watch from a bench amid the palm trees and French architecture in the airy Mohamed V Square or relax on the sandy beach in the Aïn Diab district before meeting an expert for a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque.
As the largest mosque in Morocco and second-largest in the world, the complex includes a museum, baths, a Quranic school, a library, a prayer room, and a 650-foot (200 m) minaret, the tallest in the world. It's also one of the few mosques in the country where non-Muslims are permitted to enter. During the tour, you'll marvel at the finely carved stone and wood, intricate marble floor detailing, and gilded ceilings.
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