Day 1 Arrive; Tangier to Chefchaouen

Welcome to Tangier-the gateway between Europe and Africa. Close to southern Spain, you can visit the café Medina (Old Town) in the trendy Zoco Chico Square, or take a stroll along the promenade. Or, head straight to Chefchaouen, a blue city in the Rif Mountains. Enjoy the scenic route and stop along the way to hike to Cascades d’Akchour (Akchour waterfall). Chefchaouen has endless winding narrow streets and picturesque buildings. Look for restaurants or cafes in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy the food while people watch.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there, explore the nearby castle (old fortifications) and visit the gardens, museums and some old prison cells. Follow a path outside the city walls to the Atlas Hotel, then climb the roof to enjoy the panoramic view of the Blue City. For those who exercise a little bit, please go east along the street past Ras el Ma Spring, and then walk up the path (20-30 minutes) until you reach the abandoned white Spanish mosque. When the sun sets, enjoy the last view of Chefchaouen.

Walking time: 2-3 hours

Day 2 Chefchaouen Volubilis and imperial cities of Meknes and Fes

Before heading to Fez, get up early to take pictures of unmanned streets. Along the way, stop at the UNESCO-protected site of Volubilis, the furthest place in Africa for the Romans. Wander through this complex and explore commercial residences with intact heating systems, temples and many in-situ mosaics. Continue to the smaller and less busy Fes Meknes to introduce your first historic imperial city. The two main attractions are Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and Medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour Gate, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and Royal Stables (Palace).

Continue east to your second imperial city Fes. Fes has an impressive (and somewhat confusing) ancient Medina, a city worth losing in it. Before entering the Medina, drive up the mountain and take a moment to visit the Meerenid Mausoleum in the north of the city and enjoy everything here-a panoramic view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Go down the mountain and find your riad (traditional Moroccan house with indoor garden), where you can enjoy delicious cuisine and relax in the evening.

Day 3 Explore the medieval Medina and the imperial city of Fes

Fes is the oldest of the 4 imperial cities in Morocco, and perhaps the most interesting and exciting to visit. It has the most complete old Medina in the Arab world and has been relatively unaffected since its establishment more than 1,000 years ago. Generally considered the cultural capital of the country, it consists of three parts: the two Medina districts, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the more modern Ville Nouvelle influenced by French colonization. Meet with your guide, stroll through the narrow streets of the Medina, and spend half a day learning about history and culture.

Start at the gate of Bab Boujloud in Fez el-Bali, then enter the main road of Talaa El Kebira. When you pass shops and open-air markets (markets), pay attention to the buildings influenced by Spain and Tunisia. Visit the Chouara tannery and watch workers using centuries-old technology. Next, before heading to Mellah (Old Jewish Quarter and Cemetery) in Fes el Jdid, admire the intricate zellij tiles of the 14th century Al Attarine madrasa. If you have time, please visit the new city and feel the great changes in architecture.

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

Start your day early and head south to Merzouga. Along the way, you will climb 7,146 feet (2,178 m) above sea level, over the Col du Zad pass, and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Before heading to Middelt (“Apple City”) for lunch, admire the local Barbary macaques and admire the nearby Muluya River. Continue through the Tizi n’Talremt mountain pass and enter the Ziz Valley, famous for its hidden oasis and palm trees. Along the road, you will see many sturdy houses called ksars, which were built to protect valuables, including gold, salt, and spices. Continue to Erfoud, famous for dating festivals and fossil mining.

Here you can visit the local collective to learn more about the process and meet some local craftsmen. Continue to Erg Chebbi, a vast sea of ​​sand dunes covering an area of ​​13.5 square miles (35 square kilometers). Never stand still, huge sand dunes will move and move as the wind changes! After reaching Merzouga, change gears and ride a camel through the dunes to the camp that has been prepared for you. Climb up the nearby sand dunes to watch the sunset, then return to the campsite for a delicious dinner and relax by the campfire.

Day 5 Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge

Catch the sunrise before renting a sandboarding to test your skills. Leave the sand dunes and head to KHamalia to experience a traditional Sahari village that people originally came from Sudan. Continue west through a striking gate to enter Rissani. The market town of Rissani holds livestock auctions, and there is also a “donkey parking lot”, a place worthy of (listening) and experiencing! Proceed to the desert town of Tinghir, and then to the 984 feet (300 m) deep Todra Gorge. You will have time to explore the Todra Gorge and relax inside cool and enjoy the fresh water of the shallow Todra River.

Through the ancient castle valley. Although many castles are now in disrepair, some of them are still inhabited by local families. You may even encounter herders herding their animals. Head west to Kela’a M’gouna. Famous for its Rose Festival, here you can see extensively planted farmland, surrounded by fragrant rose bushes. Continue west to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, which is popular because of the film industry. Take a studio tour and learn how the nearby desert landscape appears in many movies.

Day 6 Aït Benhaddou Kasbah over the High Atlas to Marrakech

Go to nearby Aït Benhaddou. Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is believed to date back to the 11th century, when it occupied an important place on the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate and the southern desert. Walk along the narrow street until you reach the granary and admire the surrounding scenery. From there, ascend the High Atlas Mountains, looking for the highest peak of Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet or 4,167 m). Stop near the top of the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 m) to enjoy the view of the mountains.

When you descend to the High Atlas Mountains, you will notice a dramatic change in climate and landscape. Soon, you will 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 wish.In the evening, the main square — and the busiest square in Africa — Jamaa al-Fna square is full of musicians, artists, snake charms, game and food and entertainment stalls.. If you want to admire the spectacle from a distance, please choose one of the many cafes around the square and enjoy the food.

Day 7 Explore Marrakech 

Marrakech is nicknamed the “Red City” (because of its 1,000-year-old red sandstone walls and buildings), and is a major economic center and home to the prosperous Medina (Old Arab Quarter). It has always been a vibrant city, full of exotic sights, sounds and smells-perhaps a shock for the senses! Meet your guide for a half-day tour of the Medina and explore the rich history and culture of the Medina. Start the day west of Jemaa el-Fna, then walk to the striking minaret of Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. The 253-foot (77 m) high minaret is the tallest tower ever built in Marrakech. Indulge your senses and explore the stalls of Souk el-Attarin (spices), Souk Haddadine (blacksmith) and Souk Smata (slippers). Next, visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic School, experience 16th-century architecture and marvel at the exquisite details: arabesques, Islamic calligraphy and colorful geometric tiles.

As you walk in the alleys of Marrakech, pay attention to Fondouks or Caravanserai, medieval inns on the ancient trade routes, providing shelter and supplies for travelers and merchants. Today, some have been converted into residential properties, while others are large shopping areas and workshops that you can explore. Depending on your energy level, you may wish to visit several attractions south of Jemaa el-Fna. Some options to consider are the 500-year-old Saadi tombs, the extensive courtyards and sunken gardens of the El Badi Palace in the 17th century, or the intricate woodwork and painted ceilings of the Bahia Palace in the 19th century.

Day 8: Departure from Marrakech

Depending on the specifics of your trip, you may want to explore the Kasbah area south of Jemaa El Fna. After getting there, visit the tomb of the Saadi dynasty and discover the 500-year-old craftsmanship in its construction. When you pass through Myra and head to the 19th century Bahia Palace, you can visit the sunken gardens of the 17th century Badi Palace. If you have time, you may want to visit the Musée Dar de Said (also known as the Museum of Moroccan Art) to see the exhibits, including beautifully carved Spanish-Moroccan clothing, antiques, jewelry and ornaments carved from cedar.