Seven days makes a full loop from Fes, taking in the imperial cities, the blue town in the Rif, the Atlantic coast, and the Sahara. Along the way you see Meknes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Chefchaouen, and the highlights of Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, along with the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Todra Gorge.
You start north from Fes to Meknes, Volubilis, and Chefchaouen, then Rabat, then down the coast through Casablanca to Marrakech for a guided day. From there you cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, then through the Todra Gorge to Merzouga for a camel trek and a night in the desert. The last day returns through Rissani, the Ziz Valley, the cedar forest and Ifrane to Fes.
The tour starts with an early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Fes. You set off to visit Meknes, the Ismaili capital, taking in Bab Al-Mansour, the Sahrij Souani basin, the royal stables, the granary, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Free time for lunch. You then drive 30 km to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After a walk through the ruins, you head north through Ouazzane to Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif Mountains. Overnight in a hotel.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Chefchaouen
After breakfast you have time to wander the blue city, then drive to Rabat through the Rif Mountains. Rabat, an imperial city and the current capital, sits on the Atlantic coast. You take in the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Overnight in a riad.
Approx. 4 hours driving · Overnight: Riad in Rabat
After breakfast you leave Rabat and drive along the coast to Casablanca. You visit the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque on the continent, then the Corniche, Mohammed V Square, and a stop at Rick’s Café. Finally you drive inland to Marrakech, the red city, with time to wander Jemaa el-Fna Square. Overnight in a riad.
Approx. 3.5 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
You drive through the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops for the panoramas and Berber villages.
Your next stop is the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a 40-minute hike up to explore it. You then head to Ouarzazate, the gate of the desert. Free time for lunch, then you continue to the Roses Valley through the palm grove of Skoura, and drive to Boumalne Dades for the night (dinner included).
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades
After breakfast you drive through the scenic Dades Valley, stopping at a viewpoint. You then continue to the spectacular Todra Gorge, with free time to walk through it, then through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad, with free time for lunch.
In the afternoon you reach the golden dunes of the Merzouga Sahara. You set off on a camel trek, pausing on a high dune for the sunset, then continue to a luxury desert camp, welcomed with Berber hospitality. Dinner with drumming and dancing around the fire. Overnight at the camp.
Approx. 5 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.
You then drive along the Ziz river, stopping for a view of the Ziz Valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt or on the way. You continue to the cedar forest of the Barbary macaques, then visit Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco. Finally you are dropped off at any location in Fes. This is the end of the tour.
Approx. 7 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.
