Ten days runs from Fes across the country to Tangier, taking in the imperial cities, the Sahara, the Atlantic coast, and the blue town in the Rif. Along the way you have guided days in Fes and Marrakech, cross the Middle Atlas by way of Ifrane and the Ziz Valley to the Merzouga desert, and see the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, and Chefchaouen.
You open with a guided day in Fes, then cross to the Sahara at Merzouga for a camel trek and a night in the desert. From there you run through the gorges and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech for a guided day, out to the coast at Essaouira, then up through Casablanca and Rabat to Chefchaouen, ending with the transfer to Tangier.
The tour begins with a pick-up from Fes airport and a private transfer to your riad. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Approx. 35 min driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast you explore the highlights of the city with a local guide. You start at the Royal Palace gate, then drive through the Mellah and continue to an ancient fortress for a panoramic view of the medina. You then enter the medieval medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking in the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Najjarine fountain, the tanneries, and the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque and university, the oldest university in the world. You return to your riad in the afternoon.
Approx. 30 min driving / 2–3 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast you drive south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, then continue to the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques. You reach Midelt for lunch, then drive to Merzouga through the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and along the Ziz Valley.
In the afternoon you reach the Sahara at Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the sand, pausing on a high dune for the sunset. You continue to the desert camp for Berber drum music and dancing under a wide sky of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
After breakfast you leave the desert for Rissani, with a large souk (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays). After the souk you continue to Erfoud for a fossilised-marble workshop, then through the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves to the Todra Gorge. Free time for lunch. You continue to the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades, with stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a viewpoint over the valley. Dinner and overnight in a riad.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in the Dades Valley
After breakfast you continue to Kalaat M’Gouna to visit the Roses Valley, then through the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate, where you visit the film studios.
You then set off to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You then continue to Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka pass and the High Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos. Overnight in a riad in Marrakech.
Approx. 5.5 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
After breakfast you explore the highlights of Marrakech with a local guide: the nineteenth-century Bahia Palace, the well-preserved Ben Youssef Madrasa, the medina and its souks, the lively Jemaa el-Fna Square, and the Koutoubia Mosque from outside.
Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you visit the Majorelle Garden (requires online pre-booking), then drive through Gueliz before returning to your riad.
Approx. 45 min driving / 3 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
After breakfast you drive west to Essaouira, with stops to see the argan plantations and cooperatives and, with luck, the goats up in the trees. You reach Essaouira, formerly Mogador, with free time to visit the fishing port, the old ramparts lined with cannons, and the old medina. Finally you are transferred to your riad. Overnight in Essaouira.
Approx. 3 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Essaouira
After breakfast you leave Essaouira and drive on the highway to Casablanca, where you visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, the Corniche, Mohammed V Square, and a stop at Rick’s Café. Free time for lunch. Overnight in Casablanca.
Approx. 4 hours 20 min driving · Overnight: Casablanca
After breakfast you explore Rabat, an imperial city and the current capital. You visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you head north through Ouazzane to the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. Overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Chefchaouen
On the last day, depending on your flight time, you may have time to wander the lanes of the blue medina or spend some time in Tangier. Finally you are dropped off at any location in Tangier. You can also end the tour in Fes. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 2 hours driving
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It is a private experience: only the travellers who make the enquiry take part, with no one else joining. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised trips, which is why we mainly run private tours.
The camel ride runs from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you stay in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that carries people and luggage in and out. ATVs can also be arranged at extra cost.
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with hot running water.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best, with mild, pleasant weather across most regions. Winter is good too, especially in the south and the desert.
Either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. The 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 passengers); minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo, or similar (up to 8 passengers). For groups larger than 8, a minibus for up to 18 can be provided.
