10D Morocco Tour From Tangier By Imperial Cities And South Desert

Day 1: We Meet You at a Starting Point Hotel or Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport or Ferry Port

1. Tangier
   5h
   As soon as you arrive at the airport or port in Tangier, pick up your luggage, and walk outside the terminal to meet your driver-guide holding a sign with your name on it. Then we will drive you to your hotel.
   You'll likely want to get out and explore your surroundings after checking into your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, head to the medina (old quarter) to explore the labyrinth of commercial and residential alleyways, noting the 15th-century Portuguese fortress. Find a café in the hip Zoco Chico square for something to eat and do a little people watching and cap off the day with a late afternoon paseo to enjoy the sunset as you stroll along the seafront promenade of the bustling corniche.
   
   NOTE: If you're interested in more or less days It’s possible to modify this Tour and customize to fit your time schedule

Day 2: Explore Tangier & Caves of Hercules, ⇨ Onward to Chefchaouen

1. Tangier
   2h
   Begin the day early to see more of Tangier and opt to hire a guide to take you through the kasbah (old fortification). You'll enter through the Bab Haha gate at the northeast end of Place du Mechouar and into the medina's Dar Baroud neighborhood.
2. Caves of Hercules
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Meanwhile, just 20 minutes outside of the city, along the most northwestern point of mainland Africa, are the unique Caves of Hercules—so named for its mythical connection to Hercules himself. Close to the mid-19th-century Cape Spartel lighthouse, you can enter the cave complex through the opening that faces the sea and resembles the shape of Africa.
3. Chefchaouen
   3h
   When you're ready, travel straight on to the blue-hued city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. Enjoy the scenic route, stopping along the way to hike (2-3 hours) to the Cascades d'Akchour (Akchour Waterfalls) if time allows. Chefchaouen offers endless winding, narrow streets and picturesque buildings. Find Plaza Outa el Hammam for a restaurant or café and enjoy a meal as you people-watch.
   
   Though non-Muslims are not permitted to enter, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there, explore the nearby kasbah and tour the garden, museum, and some of the old prison cells. Follow a path outside of the city walls to Hotel Atlas and climb to the rooftop to enjoy a panoramic view of the Blue City. For the slightly more athletic, follow the street east to pass over the Ras el Ma Spring and ascend the path (20-30 minutes) until you reach the abandoned white Spanish Mosque. Enjoy one last view over Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains.

Day 3: Chefchaouen ⇨ Volubilis ⇨ Meknes ⇨ Fes

1. Volubilis
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Rise early to wander the streets in quiet, using this time to snap your unobstructed photos. Leaving Chefchaouen, you'll drive toward Fes and can opt to visit UNESCO-protected Volubilis, Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. Wander the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with still-intact heating systems, temples, and many colorful mosaics in situ.
2. Meknes
   2h
   Continue to the smaller, less busy version of Fes, Meknes, for an optional detour and introduction to your first historic imperial city. The two main points of interest are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina. In Ville Impériale, you can visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Meanwhile, just outside of the imperial city, you may want to explore the medina—a smaller and easier-to-navigate version compared to Fes and Marrakesh. Other than the scattered souks, you may like to visit the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa and the Dar Jamaï Museum, a beautiful 19th-century palace-turned-museum.
3. Fez
   2h
   Continue east to your second imperial city, Fes. Before venturing into the medina, drive up the hill to take the time to visit the Merenid Tombs located just north of the city and enjoy the all-encompassing view of historic Fes and the surrounding area. Descend the hill and find your way to your riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden), where you can enjoy a delicious meal and relax for the evening.

Day 4: Fes ⇨ Sightseeing

1. Fez
   3h
   Today you'll explore Fes, the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities. we will arrange an expert guide for a half-day tour to learn more about this city and help you navigate the medina. Start in Fes el Bali ("Old Fes"). Founded in the eighth century, the roads are much narrower, windier, and steeper than those of other imperial cities, making it almost impossible not to get lost at least a few times. Shop the iconic souks (markets) for a variety of wares (spices, leather, ceramics, pewter, etc).
2. Chouara Tannery
   30m
   Then visit Chouara Tannery, which still implements traditional techniques from centuries ago. Find a local leather shop for a rooftop view to watch the masters at work. Find your way to one of the oldest still-operating universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE), next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Though the mosque is only open to Muslims, there are a few places where you can glimpse inside its decorated interior. From there, make your way to the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa or the Bou Inania Madrasa, beautiful examples of Moroccan architecture and artisanship showcasing intricate zellij tilework.
3. Bab Boujloud
   3h · Admission ticket included
   From here, enter through the famous Bab Boujeloud. The outside is blue (the traditional color for Fes), and the inside is green (the color for Islam). Heading through the gate to the main thoroughfare of Talâa Kebira, which is packed with shops. Treat yourself to some retail therapy or pop in the Musée Batha, home to many Moroccan arts—including carved wood and traditional pottery (its highlight)—and a beautiful central garden. Then visit 13th-century Fes el Jedid ("New Fes") to discover the Batha Museum, housed in a 19th-century palace. Spend time in the Andalusian-style gardens before walking to the Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery).

Day 5: Fes ⇨ Ifran ⇨ Cedar Forest ⇨ Midelt ⇨ Ziz Valley ⇨ Sahara Desert

1. Azrou
   2h
   Get an early start today, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. From Fes, you'll travel south toward Merzouga to arrive at the Sahara dunes for a sunset camel ride. Along the way, you'll drive through the town of Azrou and climb an elevation of 7,146 feet (2,178 m) over the Col du Zad pass and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. Here you can enjoy sightings of the local Barbary monkeys before stopping for lunch in Midelt (the "apple city").
2. 3h
   Continue over the Tizi n'Talremt pass and into the Ziz Valley, known for its hidden oases and palm tree clusters. Along the road, you'll see many fortified houses known as ksars—built by merchants to protect precious wares, including gold, salt, and spices.
   
   Continue to Erfoud, a bustling market town known for its date festival and famous for its fossil mining and artisan factories. En route, you can see hillside mines where large rocks are taken from the earth. While in town, stop at a local artisan collective where you can learn about the types of fossils found in the area and see the full process of how the fossil-rich rock is transformed into beautiful objects. Soon, you'll see the sand waves of Erg Chebbi, an extensive sea of dunes covering an area of 13.5 square miles (35 sq km). Never stationary, the massive dunes shift and travel depending on the changing wind.
3. Erg Chebbi
   3h
   Near Merzouga, you can take a short break and switch gears to ride a camel through the dunes to your already-prepared-for-you camp, arriving just before sunset. Climb a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a delicious dinner, relaxing by the campfire. Enjoy an evening of Berber music followed by a night in a bedouin-style tent under an expansive night sky chock-full of unhindered twinkling stars. If four walls and modern comfort are more your style, you can opt to spend the night at a comfortable hotel/auberge in Merzouga.

Day 6: Tour of The Dunes ⇨ Visit Nomad Families ⇨ Merzouga Desert

1. Erg Chebbi Dunes
   3h
   Wake up early to catch a spectacular desert sunrise, then spend the morning exploring more of the Sahara. You can rent a sandboard and test your skills on the dunes, take the Erg Chebbi tour (around the dunes), join a quad ATV tour, or relax for a bit by a pool.
2. Khemliya
   3h
   From there, visit nearby Khemliya, a typical Saharan village (its people are originally from Mali), and enjoy traditional drumming music and dancing before taking a short walk around the settlement.

Day 7: Merzouga ⇨ Rissani ⇨ Arfoud ⇨ Todra Gorges ⇨ Dades Valley

1. Rissani Market
   3h
   Leave the Merzouga region and dunes behind, stop in the market town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate. Known for its livestock auction, it's worth your time finding the "donkey parking lot" to delight your senses as well as take a walk around its traditional market.
2. Boumalne Dades
   3h
   We then continue our journey to Dades Valley passing through villages such as Millab, Tinjdad, and Toroug to arrive later at Todra Valley which is a green one surrounded by mud villages and mountains. Driving around 30 min we get to Todra gorges: a narrow vertical passage with vertical cliffs 300m high rising dramatically on each side, they are a popular destination for climbing lovers. Lunch in the town, continue to Dades valley where you will see the fascinating rock formation known locally as "monkies fingers" as well as beautiful mud Kasbahs. Overnight in a hotel overlooking the valley.

Day 8: Dades Valley ⇨ Rose Town ⇨ Ouarzazate ⇨ Ait Benhaddou ⇨ Marrakech

1. Ouarzazate
   2h
   Today you'll enter the growing town of Ouarzazate, which is a common stopping point along the desert routes, as it offers a bit more accessibility than some of the nearby smaller towns, such as Aït Benhaddou. The town was made popular by the growing movie industry, and you have an option to tour one of two movie studios,including an up-close look at some props and sets. Some popular film credits include "Black Hawk Down," "Prometheus," "American Sniper," and "Game of Thrones." To learn more about the history and filmmaking process in the area, stop at the Musée du Cinema.
2. Ait Ben Haddou
   2h
   Next, you'll reach medieval Aït Benhaddou, Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old ksour dates from the 11th century when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert. We'll have free time to visit it and have lunch in the village. After, we head to Marrakesh via high atlas mountains (2260 ), admiring the impressive mountainous views and special Berber villages on the mountain's sides. Arrive in Marrakesh in the evening.
3. Marrakech
   3h
   After a long day on the road, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you like. In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, a catch-all of entertainment. If you want to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and enjoy a cup of mint tea and a savory meal.

Day 9: Marrakesh ⇨ Sightseeing

1. 3h
   After breakfast, meet your local guide who will lead you through the old city of Marrakech. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will come across lively souks and maze-like alleys. You're sure to be dazzled by displays of djellabas, brightly colored babouches, intricately pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense hubbub of medina life.
   Along the way, your knowledgeable and energetic guide will regale you with the history and stories of the Medina, the Souk, and the Mellah neighborhoods of the Red City.
2. Jardin Majorelle
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   In the afternoon you'll continue your private tour, exploring places like the Bahia and El Badii Palaces, and the Saadian Tombs. You'll also see the Majorelle Gardens, an iconic garden retreat built over forty years by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later inhabited by famed designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Day 10: Marrakech ⇨ Transfer to Airport

1. 5h
   Depending on your departure details, you may wish to check out some attractions you have yet to visit or complete any last-minute gift and souvenir shopping.
   
   It's time to say goodbye to Morocco. Your driver will ensure that you arrive at the airport of your choice with plenty of time before your flight. Have a safe and comfortable journey home or to your next destination!

Pickup details

Our driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name in the arrival area. We're looking forward to welcoming you!

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels