10-Day Northern Morocco & Sahara Desert Tour

ARRIVAL AT CASABLANCA AIRPORT (CITY TOUR) ⤍ RABAT

Welcome to Morocco! Your driver will pick you up from the airport and take you on a visit to Casablanca, the country’s economic and financial hub. Once we arrive, we’ll visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and features a magnificent minaret reaching 210 meters in height. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Corniche Boulevard, a scenic promenade lined with palm trees and offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, we’ll drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, via the highway.

Overnight at your riad/hotel in Rabat.

RABAT ⤍ ASILAH ⤍ TANGIER

In the morning, we will visit sights such as Royal Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II and Hassan Tower, one of the highest minaret towers in the world. Next, we will go to Asilah, and take a walk through Medina of the city with white houses painted with murals. Streets of Medina will be perfect for walking along the numerous small shops, cafes and galleries.

Later, we will go to the last place to see during the day, Tangier, and visit Caves of Hercules, one of the complexes of archeological caves situated near Tangier, 14 km away from the city. Finally, we will go to Cape Spartel, the most picturesque natural sight of the region, with the geographical value because of its location at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar., where Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea merge.

Stay overnight in your riad/hotel in Tangier.

TANGIER ⤍ TETOUAN ⤍ CHEFCHAOUEN

Today, we will head toward Chefchaouen, with a stop in Tetouan along the way. Our first stop will be Tetouan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich Andalusian heritage and charming old medina. Take some time to explore the narrow streets of the historic medina, admire its traditional architecture, and experience the authentic atmosphere of this beautiful northern Moroccan city.

After visiting Tetouan, we will continue toward Chefchaouen. The journey will take approximately an hour and a half.

Chefchaouen, also known as the “Blue Pearl,” is famous for its blue-painted buildings, which give the city a unique and distinctive character. The town has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, with many small cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Explore the town’s winding alleyways and colorful streets. Wander through the blue-painted buildings, which provide a unique backdrop for photographs and create a truly memorable experience.

CHEFCHAOUEM ⤍ VOLUBILIS - MEKNES - FEZ

Following our breakfast, we shall move from Chefchaouen to Fez. Our first destination in the morning is Volubilis, a fantastic historical site of ancient Roman ruins. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to 3 BC. You will have enough time to explore the ruins of this historical site. Our next destination in the morning will be the city of Meknes. It was the capital city of Morocco during the era of Sultan Moulay Ismail, whose influence on the architecture of the city is still visible. Discover three famous historical sites of Meknes: Bab Mansour Gate, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and Royal Stables (Heri es-Souani).
Overnight at riad/hotel in Fez.

FEZ GUIDED TOUR WITH A LICENSED LOCAL GUIDE

A day tour to explore one of the most famous imperial cities. In the morning, you’ll meet our local guide at your riad/hotel, and we’ll drive to the Royal Palace, founded in 1276 by Abu Yusuf Yaqub. Next, we’ll head towards the Panorama of Fez, where you’ll enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Medina. After that, let’s visit the Pottery, Bab Boujeloud, and Chouara Tannery.

Afterward, your guide will organize a walking tour of the Medina, visiting its many famous historical monuments. It was founded in the 9th century and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981. It is famous for being home to the world’s oldest university, Al-Qarawiyyin.

Take in the beautiful historic buildings and homes while discovering their stories in the Medina. Overnight at a riad/hotel.

FEZ ⤍ IFRANE ⤍ CEDAR FOREST ⤍ ZIZ VALLEY ⤍ MERZOUGA DESERT

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Fez at 7:30 am. The first stop is in the city of Ifrane, which is known for its beautiful landscapes, clean streets, and European-style architecture. It is often known as the Switzerland of Morocco due to its resemblance to Swiss towns, with its alpine-style houses and snowy winters.

Next, we’ll drive to the Cedar Forest, which provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Barbary macaques. Lunch will be at a nice restaurant in Midelt. After a drive along the foothills of the Ziz Valley Mountains, enjoying the mesmerizing landscape of the valley, we’ll stop for a cup of coffee at the peak of the mountain, where you’ll enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Ziz Valley.

Upon arriving in Merzouga, you'll enjoy a camel ride to the desert camp, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, including a break to relax and watch the sunset over the dunes. Spend the night in a well-equipped Berber camp, enjoy traditional folk songs, and savor a traditional dinner under the stars.

MERZOUGA DESERT ⤍ RISSANI ⤍ TODRA GORGES ⤍ DADES VALLEY

In the morning with an unforgettable experience as you climb the dunes to watch the sunrise over the Sahara (optional). Afterward, return to the camp for a traditional breakfast before setting off towards the Dades Valley. Our first stop will be Rissani, a historic desert town known for its lively traditional souk. Take some time to explore the market, discover local products, and experience the authentic atmosphere of this southern Moroccan town.

We’ll then continue towards the Todra Gorges, where impressive limestone cliffs rise up to around 300 meters. Surrounded by dramatic rock formations and beautiful scenery, it’s a perfect place to enjoy a short walk and take in the views. After exploring the gorges, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the Todra Valley.

Our next stop will be Monkey Fingers, a fascinating rock formation shaped naturally over time. We’ll take a little time here to enjoy the scenery and take some photos. We’ll then follow the famous Tissadrine Winding Road, a scenic mountain road with a series of impressive bends and beautiful views over the Dades Valley.

Overnight at your riad/hotel in Dades Valley.

DADES VALLEY ⤍ ROSES VALLEY ⤍ ATLAS STUDIOS ⤍ AÏT BENHADDOU KASBAH ⤍ HIGH ATLAS MOUNAINS ⤍ MARRAKECH

Following the breakfast, we will drive toward Marrakech. Our first destination in Marrakech will be the Kalaat M’Gouna, otherwise known as Valley of Roses, where you will get to know about the local Berber culture and lifestyle. This place is also known for its cultivation and processing of rose flowers. Each year, a rose festival is celebrated in May in Kalaat M’Gouna.

Our second destination will be Atlas Studios, one of Morocco’s most famous film studios, known for its impressive movie sets and its role in films and TV series shot in Ouarzazate. Later, we will move to visit Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1987, that is one of the most popular sites in Morocco. As soon as we arrive here, it will be time to have lunch and have a nice lunch experience.

Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou is a fortified historic kasbah that once used to serve as a main station on an old caravan route between Marrakech and Sahara. There are numerous movies and TV series that have been shot here: Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, The Message, and recently Game of Thrones.

Finally, we will proceed to the last destination through Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, situated at an altitude of 2,260 meters. You will get some time to have some photos taken there.

Overnight stay at your riad/hotel in Marrakech.

MARRAKECH GUIDED TOUR WITH A LICENSED LOCAL GUIDE

During this day tour, you will visit historic places guided by a local guide, such as the Bahia Palace, which is one of the most magnificent palaces constructed in the late 19th century. Also, pay your attention to the Saadian Tombs that were constructed in the late 16th century.

Ben Youssef Madrasa is an Islamic educational institution that was established in the 14th century by Almoravid Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf. After that, you will walk through the narrow streets of the Medina in direction to Jemaa El-Fna Square, appreciating the dynamic atmosphere of this place and the narrow streets crowded with market stalls offering handmade things and jewelry for everyone's taste.

Jemaa El-Fna Square is the main square in the city and the entrance to the souks where local merchants bring their goods to show and sell them. In case you become hungry, prepare yourself for tasting traditional dishes and have a great lunch.

Next destination is the Majorelle Garden, a renowned botanical garden. This garden was created in the early 20th century by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and currently belongs to the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé.

MARRAKECH ⤍ AIRPORT (RAK)

Today, there is free time until the transfer to the airport for the flight to the next destination.