Grand Morocco Tour: North to South – 10 Days

Day 1: Tangier and the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen

Welcome to Tangier – the door between Europe and the African countries! Located near the south of Spain, visit the medina (old town), the cafés of trendy Zoco Chico square, or stroll along the promenade along the paseo. Or, head straight to Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains. Enjoy the scenic route, stopping along the way to hike to the Cascades d’Akchou (Akchour Waterfalls). has endless winding amazing narrow streets and picturesque buildings. Find a restaurant or café in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy a meal while people watching.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed in, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there explore the nearby kasbah (old fortifications) and visit gardens, museums and some old prison cells. Follow a small path outside the city wall to the Atlas Hotel, climb to the roof, and enjoy the panoramic view of the Blue City. For the slightly more sporty, head east on the street past Ras el Ma Spring and up the trail (20-30 minutes) until you reach the abandoned White Spanish Mosque. explore the great last view of Chefchaouen as the sunset.

Day 2: Roman Ruins of Volubilis to Meknes and Fes

Get up early to snap photos of the deserted streets before heading to Fes. Along the way, stop at the UNESCO-protected ruins of Volubilis – the furthest point in Africa for the Romans. Wander through the complex and discover merchant houses with intact heating systems, temples, and many original mosaics. Continue to the smaller, less busy Fes  & Meknes to learn about this historic imperial city. The two main attractions are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the Medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Royal Mews.

Continue to Fes. With its impressively large ancient medina, Fez is a city worth getting lost in. Before entering the medina, take time to visit the Merenid Tombs, located north of the city, and enjoy panoramic views of historic Fez and the surrounding area. Descend and return to your riad (traditional Moroccan house with an indoor garden) for the night.

Day 3: Fes: Exploring the Imperial City and old Medina

Fez, the oldest imperial city in Morocco (Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat are the others), is perhaps the most worth exploring. A UNESCO-protected site, the city hasn’t experienced much colonial development, allowing you to experience its medieval charm. Fez is made up of two ancient medina districts, Fes el Bali (where you’ll spend most of your time) and Fes el Jdid (the newer part of the city), as well as the French-designed Ville Nouvelle in the early 20th century. Starting in Fes el Bali (789 AD), meet your guide who will help you navigate the narrow and labyrinthine ancient streets of the medina.

Notice the Spanish and Tunisian-influenced architecture as you pass the various souks (markets) selling spices, leather goods and pewter. Known for its tanneries and the pungent smells associated with them, visit the popular Chouara tanneries and climb to the roofs of nearby shops to get a better idea of what’s going on. Visit the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and admire zellij tiles, then visit one of the world’s oldest still functioning universities, Al-Qarawiyyyin University (859 AD). Find the mellah (Old Jewish Quarter) in Fes el Jdid for another panoramic view of the city.

Day 4: Middle Atlas: Erfoud, Merzouga and Sahara Desert

Continue south, over the Col du Zad pass, through cedar forests in the Middle Atlas Mountains. You’ll spot families of Barbary macaques in the trees and along the roadside as you head to Middelt (“Apple Town”) for lunch. Next, cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and enter the Ziz Valley dotted with oases and palm groves. Note the ksars, fortified houses built by many merchants to protect their wares .

Approaching Ilford, you’ll start to see the early signs of the Sahara dunes. The dunes are never static, they move with the wind. If you are lucky, you may even meet a Berber nomadic family and have the opportunity to drink tea together. Visit Erfoud to learn how the fossil-rich rocks from its mines were transformed into decorative and utilitarian objects. Continue to the vast sea of dunes at Erg Chebbi. Covering 13.5 square miles, some dunes rise to more than 656.2 feet , their colors changing with the moving sun.

Outside of Merzouga, change the pace and prepare for a camel ride across the dunes to reach camp before sunset. Climb up the nearest dune and watch the colorful display of the sun as it sets behind the giant sand dunes. Back at the camp, enjoy dinner in the open air, and in the evening enjoy traditional Berber music by the locals by the campfire under the stars. Spend the night in a Bedouin-style tent.

Day 5: Merzouga to Rissani Market & Todra Gorge

Wake up early to watch the desert sunrise, then try your sandboarding tricks. You also have the option of taking an Erg Chebbi (sand dune) tour or an ATV tour. Visit Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village nearby, to experience traditional drumming and dancing, followed by a walk around the village. Leaving the dunes, stop at the market town of Rissani, entered through an impressive gate. Famous for its livestock auctions, it’s worth your while to find a “donkey park” to please your senses.

Continue to Tinghir. This desert town has stunning views of neighboring towns and is surrounded by an expansive river oasis. Stop at Todra Gorge, today’s final destination. Standing 984 feet high and carved by the Todra River through the red limestone, here you can take leisurely walks in and around the canyon and relax in the cool waters of the shallow river below.

Day 6: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou Kasbah

Follow the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Aït Benhaddou, the most famous Kasbah in Morocco. Pass the Dades valley and Boumalne Dades town. Stop at Kelâat M’Gouna to admire the rose bushes bordering the farmland. Visit the Rose Collective to learn about the process of transforming rose petals into rose water and rose oil. Continue west with a stop in Ouarzazate to discover how its vicinity has been featured in films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Black Hawk Down. Take a film studio tour and visit the Film Museum to learn more about the filmmaking process and history of the region.

Head to nearby Aït Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, ancient Kesa dates back to the 11th century, when it was important on the trans-Saharan trade route. Settle into your quarters in the old town and spend the late afternoon wandering the alleys and passages that are almost deserted. Climb up the old granary – it’s a great vantage point to see the castle and surrounding area. Fans of Game of Thrones might want to take the trek down to the river to see the gates from the hit HBO series. Enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the valley long after the crowds have left.

Day 7: Tizi n’Tichka across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech

Leave Aït Benhaddou and start climbing the High Atlas mountains. See Mountains Toubkal, the highest peak in the range at 13,671 feet. Near the top, stretch your legs and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the mountains. Stop in Taddert to visit an argan oil cooperative to learn and taste how olives are processed for various uses. As you walk down the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll notice dramatic changes in climate and landscape. In no time you’ll be part of the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.

After a long day on the road, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you please. In the evening, the main square – and the busiest in all of Africa! –Jemaa el-Fna, where musicians, performers, snake charmers, games and food stalls come alive for entertainment! If you want to admire this spectacle from afar, enjoy a mint tea and a good meal at one of the many cafés around the square.

Day 8: Marrakech: Explore the Red City with Tour Guide

Nicknamed the “Red City” for its 1,000-year-old red sandstone walls and buildings, Marrakech has been a prosperous city since the Berber Empire (1062 ACE). Meet your guide for a half-day tour, starting with a tour of the stalls of Souk el Attarin (spice), Souk Haddadine (blacksmith) and Souk Smata (slippers). Visit the Souk des Teinturiers (Dyeers’ Open Air Market) and visit the Koutoubia Mosque, noting along the way some of the small lanes that lead to open spaces. These fondues were once medieval inns, providing travelers and merchants with shelter for themselves and their animals.

At 253 feet (77 meters), the unmissable minaret is the tallest tower in Marrakech. You can relax in the adjoining garden before heading to the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Built in the 16th century, this religious school once housed students from the nearby mosque. Admire Moroccan craftsmanship: carved cedar, stucco stucco and zellij tiles. Visit the Marrakech Museum or the Moroccan Art Museum for more examples of traditional art and woodwork. South of Jemaa el-Fna is the Kasbah area, which has several sights worth seeing: the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Mellah and cemetery.

Day 9: Marrakech to Essaouira

Say goodbye to the Red City and follow a route across vast rolling plains to the west coast of Morocco. Along the way, pass through argan groves endemic to this part of the world. You might even see goats eating argan fruit from the branches. Visit an argan cooperative to learn how argan oil is extracted from the tree and how it is used in the food and cosmetic industries.

Arrive in the laid-back port city of Essaouira, a stark contrast to the frenetic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day as you choose. Stroll along the coast to the Skala de la Kasbah (18th-century seaside walls). Designed by European engineers, ancient brass cannons line the walls, providing access overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the UNESCO-protected medina, then head to windswept beaches. Jimi Hendrix fans might want to take a taxi to Diabate, at the end of Essaouira beach, where he reportedly spent some time. Walk back to Essaouira for a meal of freshly caught seafood.

Day 9 Departure from Marrakech

Stroll along the essaouira beach or pick up you at the last-minute curios before going back to Marrakech. If time permits, visit the Majorelle Gardens. Away from the hustle and bustle of the medina, a stroll through gardens filled with subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies and palms is the perfect place to escape the heat and bustle of the afternoon before your return flight home.