Morocco North to South: Cities & Atlas Hiking – 9 Days

Morocco North to South: Cities & Atlas Hiking – 9 Days

The perfect blend of culture and adventure, this 9-days itinerary takes you through Morocco, from Tangier to Marrakech. Immerse yourself in the wandering souks, markets and workshops of local artisans in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech. Explore the modern cities of Rabat and Casablanca on the Atlantic coast. Finish your hike between the High Atlas foothills countryside, where you’ll share a meal with a local family and spend the night.

Highlights

  • Wander the quiet blue streets of Chefchaouen

  • Explore the ruins of the Roman Empire’s furthest point in Africa at Volubilis
  • Explore the souks, tanneries and artisan workshops of medieval Fez
  • Explore Jemaa el-Fna Square – the busiest square in Africa
  • Hike through the countryside of the High Atlas foothills and spend the night with a local family

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 arrive in Tangier – Chefchaouen Chefchaouen
Day 2 Roman Ruins of Volubilis and the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes Fez
Day 3  Exploring the Imperial City and medieval Medina Fez
Day 4 Fez To Rabat & Casablanca  Casablanca
Day 5 Casablanca to Marrakech Marrakech
Day 6 Marrakech: Exploring the Red City Marrakech
Day 7 Amizmiz and the High Atlas mountains Amizmiz
Day 8 Return to Marrakech  Departure
Day 9 Depart Fram Marrakech Departeur
8 days desert tour from marrakech

Day 1 arrive in Tangier – Chefchaouen

Welcome to the northern corner of Africa (Tangier), the gateway to Africa! Closer to the south of Spain, you can visit the café medina (old town) on the trendy Zoco Chico square, or stroll along the promenade. Alternatively, head straight to Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains. Enjoy a scenic route with stops along the way to hike to the Cascades d’Akchour (Akchour waterfall). Chefchaouen has endless winding narrow streets and picturesque buildings. Find a restaurant or cafe in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy food while people watch.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed in, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there, explore the nearby kasbah (old fortifications) and tour the gardens, museums and some old prison cells. Follow the path outside the city walls to the Atlas Hotel and climb to the rooftop for panoramic views of the blue city. For the more athletic, follow the street east past Ras el Ma Spring and follow the trail (20-30 minutes) to the abandoned white Spanish mosque. Enjoy the last view of Chefchaouen as the sun goes down.

4 Days Tour From Casablanca To fes

Day 2 Roman Ruins of Volubilis and the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes

Wake up early and take pictures of the deserted streets before setting off for Fes. Along the way, stop at the UNESCO-protected site of Volubilis – the furthest point the Romans had in Africa. Wander through the complex and discover merchant homes with still intact heating systems, temples and many in-situ mosaics. Continue to the smaller, less busy Meknes Fes to learn about the historic imperial city. The two main attractions are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the Medina. Be sure to visit Bab Mansour Gate, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and Royal Palace.

Continue to Fez, your second imperial city. With its impressively large old medina, Fes is a city worth getting lost in. Before venturing into the medina, take time to visit the Mausoleum of Tomb, located just north of the city, for an all-encompassing view of historic Fez and the surrounding area. Descend and return to your riad (traditional Moroccan house with an internal garden) for the night.

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Day 3  Exploring the Imperial City and medieval Medina

Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities, and perhaps the most interesting and exciting to explore. It has the most complete medina in the Arab world, relatively unspoiled since its founding more than 1,200 years ago. Often considered the cultural capital of the country, it consists of three parts, two medina districts, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the more modern, French colonial-influenced Ville Nouvelle. Meet your guide and spend half a day learning about the history and culture as you navigate the narrow streets of the medina.

Start at the Bab Boujeloud gate in Fes el Bali and enter the main road of Talâa Kebira. As you pass the shops and souks, watch out for Spanish and Tunisian-influenced architecture. Visit the Chouara Tannery and marvel at the many dye-filled stone jars and staff still using centuries-old techniques. Next, admire the intricate zellij tilework of the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa, before heading to Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery) in Fes el Jdid. If you have time, visit Ville Nouvelle to discover the dramatic changes in architecture.

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Day 4 Fez To Rabat & Casablanca

Venture west to the imperial city and current capital Rabat. Explore the medieval fortifications of the Challa necropolis and stroll through Roman and Islamic ruins. Enter Rabat’s old town center through the gates of the Kasbah des Oudaias. From there, visit a 20th-century Andalusian garden for a peaceful space away from the crowds. Explore the Hassan Tower, the incomplete mosque and the minaret of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. This is a 12th century project that has been abandoned and today only the tower and about 200 columns remain.

Continuing as we drive south along the Atlantic coast until you reach Casablanca. Stroll along the Boulevard de la Corniche, the promenade that follows the Atlantic Ocean (often referred to as the Miami of Morocco) to the Hassan II Mosque. While interior tours are only offered in the morning, use your time and watch the sunset behind the architectural marvel. Grab a bite to eat at Rick’s Café, a restaurant, bar and café that has been redesigned to mirror the bar from the movie classic “Casablanca.”

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Day 5 Casablanca to Marrakech

Casablanca is Morocco’s modern commercial capital and home to the stunning Hassan II Mosque. Perched on an outcrop over the Atlantic Ocean, it has a 690-foot (210 m) minaret – the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world! It is estimated that 80,000 believers can be accommodated in the compound and 25,000 people can be accommodated inside. What makes this mosque unique is that it is one of the few mosques in the country that non-Muslims can enter. Take a morning tour to admire the exquisite ornate handicrafts: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble floor details and gilded cedar ceilings.

Arrive in vibrant Marrakech in the mid to late afternoon and settle in before exploring the surroundings. For a unique tour of the medina, board a calèche (horse carriage in French) and start orienting yourself. In the evening, the main square, Jemaa el-Fna, is bustling with entertainment with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games and food stalls. If you want to enjoy the view from a distance, choose one of the many cafés around the square for a mint tea and a meal.

Day 6 Marrakech: Exploring the Red City

Known as the “Red City” for its red sandstone walls and buildings, Marrakech was once an important trading capital for the Atlas Mountain tribes and remains an exciting former imperial city. Explore the ancient medina of Marrakech starting from the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Although the mosque is not accessible to non-Muslims, it is worth checking out its 12th-century foundations and 253-foot (77 m) minaret. Visit the fountain and swimming pool adjacent to the garden.

Indulge your senses as you explore the complex labyrinth of souks hidden behind ordinary restaurants and shops. Head to Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari and Souk Smata for a variety of spices, woodwork and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit the Souk des Teinturiers or the souk of the dyers to learn how fabrics and yarns are dyed using traditional methods. Next, admire the fine example of Moroccan-Islamic architecture of the 16th-century Koranic school Ben Youssef Madrasa, and notice the ornate details of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, carved plaster and zellij tiles.

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Day 7 Amizmiz and the High Atlas mountains

Today, you will venture south of Marrakech to Amizmiz (about an hour’s drive), a small town at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. Take some time to explore the small markets of the old town, then join your mountain guide as you trek the narrow roads and mule trails in the surrounding hills. Hike between small Berber villages and observe local farmers and shepherds tending their animals and landscapes. You may even see children on their way to or from school, often shared between several nearby villages.

As you learn how to make homemade bread, stop for lunch with a local family and gain insight into their day-to-day life. Continue your hike into the afternoon before heading back to another local Berber home where you will be welcomed for dinner and given a room to retire for the evening.

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Day 8 Return to Marrakech

Have breakfast with your host, then say goodbye and go. Continuing to discover the local scenery and other nearby towns before getting back to Marrakech.

Once in Marrakech, explore the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna, visit the Saadian Tombs and discover the 500-year-old craftsmanship in its construction. Visit the sunken gardens of the 17th-century Badi Palace as you pass through the mellah (Jewish quarter) and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. If you have time, you may wish to visit the Dadi Said Museum (also known as the Moroccan Art Museum) to see exhibits of clothing, antiques, jewelry and beautifully carved Spanish-Moorish carved cedar wood ornaments.

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Day 9 Depart Fram Marrakech

Wake up early and complete last-minute gift and souvenir shopping before finding the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba. Koubba, the only surviving monument to Almoravid, was rediscovered in 1948. If time permits, visit the Marrakech Museum. Housed in the 19th-century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace, the museum houses modern and traditional art, including artifacts from Berber, Moroccan Jewish and Islamic cultures.

R

INCLUDED

  •  include Private tour
  • Daily breakfast Hotel accommodation and all transportation in Tangier
  • Airport Full transportation with air-conditioning,
  • gas and driver English speaking guide and driver Overnight in Rabat, Fes, & Chefchaouen & Marrakech ,
  • Tour Guide in Fes & Marrakech
  • including breakfast 
  • Daily including breakfast, free time to explore scenic spots, take photos, etc.
  • Customized and flexible stops
Q

NOT INCLUDED

  • Lunch
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance tickets to monuments
  • Tips

NOTE : At Traveling Morocco Agency we offer Luxury & Standard accommodations Tour from Tangier  to Marrakech via Chefchaouen,Fes, Meknes, Rabat ,  .
So please feel free to contact-us

Morocco North to South: Cities & Atlas Hiking – 9 Days with Traveling Morocco Agency , We have Luxury & Standart options for our guests .