Thirteen days makes a full circuit of Morocco from Tangier, taking in the north, the imperial cities, the Sahara, the High Atlas, and the Atlantic coast. Along the way you see Cape Spartel and the Cave of Hercules, Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Ifrane, the Merzouga desert, the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, and Assilah.
You start in Tangier and cross the Rif to Chefchaouen, then run through Volubilis and Meknes to Fes for a guided day. From there you cross the Middle Atlas to the Sahara at Merzouga for a camel trek, a night in the desert, and a full 4×4 day, then head through the gorges and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech for a guided day. The last leg goes out to Essaouira, then up the coast through Casablanca, Rabat, and Assilah, ending back in Tangier.
You are collected from your accommodation, the airport, or the port in Tangier, the bride of the north, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic at Cape Spartel. You start with a short tour of Tangier, visiting the Cave of Hercules and Cape Spartel. Free time for lunch. You then drive inland to Chefchaouen via Tetouan and the Rif Mountains, with stops for the panoramas. Overnight in a riad.
Approx. 2 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Chefchaouen
After breakfast you explore Chefchaouen with a local guide. The blue city, also known as Achaoun (horns in Berber), is famous for its lanes and facades painted in shades of blue and white. You stroll the charming old medina with its distinctive doors. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you can hike to the Spanish Mosque on the hill for a spectacular citywide view. Overnight in the same riad.
No driving / 2 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Chefchaouen
After breakfast you have a final wander through Chefchaouen’s alleys, then drive to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with mosaics, columns, and archways. You continue 30 km to Meknes, to visit Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables, the granary, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. You then proceed to Fes. Overnight in a riad.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Fes
You are collected from your riad after breakfast to explore Fes, the country’s cultural and spiritual heart. A driving tour covers the Royal Palace Gate, the Mellah, the Borj Sud fortress view, and the Ceramic Village and School. The walking tour of the medieval medina with a local guide takes in the Al Attarine Madrasa, the University and Mosque of Al-Qarawiyyin, and the colourful Chouara tanneries.
Approx. 30 min driving / 3–4 hours walking · Overnight: Riad in Fes
After breakfast the tour heads south via Imouzzer to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, then continues to the cedar forest to see the Barbary macaques. Free time for lunch in Midelt. You drive over the Tizi n’Tilghmt pass and along the Ziz Valley with scenic stops.
In the afternoon you reach Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the golden dunes, pausing on a high ridge for the sunset. You continue to a luxury desert camp for Berber drumming around the fire under a star-filled sky. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 7 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
After breakfast the day is given to exploring the Merzouga region — dunes, a seasonal lake, fossil areas, small mines, and lush oases. You visit an old kohl (eyeliner) mine, then share tea with nomads in their woven tents. You continue to Khamlia village for Gnaoua music and dance. Free time for lunch. You stroll through a palm grove and drive to the wild lake of Merzouga, often home to flamingos, before returning to Merzouga. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 2 hours off-road driving · Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga
Waking early for the sunrise is a must. After breakfast you leave the desert for Rissani, a major regional market, especially lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. You continue to Erfoud to visit a fossil workshop. You then drive via the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves to the Todra Gorge. Free time for lunch. You proceed through Boumalne Dades to the Dades Valley, stopping at the “monkey fingers” rock formations and a lookout over the valley. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 5 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley
After breakfast you continue to Kalaat M’Gouna to visit the Roses Valley. You then drive through the Skoura palm grove and reach 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. 6 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 hotel. Overnight in Essaouira.
Approx. 2.5–3 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Essaouira
You leave Essaouira and follow the highway north to Casablanca. You begin with the Hassan II Mosque, perched on a promontory over the Atlantic and the largest mosque in Morocco. After lunch, you continue with the highlights of Casablanca: Mohammed V Square, a photo stop at Rick’s Café, and a walk along the Corniche. Overnight in Casablanca.
Approx. 5–6 hours driving · Overnight: Casablanca
You drive along the coastline to 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 to Assilah, the beautiful seaside city. Overnight in a riad.
Approx. 3–4 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Assilah
On the last day you depart from Assilah and head to Tangier, with drop-off at your departure terminal. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 1 hour 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.
Yes, it suits travellers of all ages and includes two-night stays in most destinations for a relaxed pace. On a few days you can expect about 5 to 7 hours of driving. If you’d prefer shorter drive times, let us know and we’ll tailor the itinerary to your pace.
