Morocco in 10 Days: Mountains, Sahara, and Historic Cities from Tangier to Marrakech

This is a 10-day Morocco tour starting from Tangier and ending in Marrakech. The trip takes you from the north to the south of Morocco through the Rif mountains, visiting Chefchaouen and Fez. You will then head further south to explore the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, spending a night in a Berber desert camp and riding camels. Along the way, you will also stop at the Toudra Gorges, Boumalen Dades, Ouarzazate, and Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou. The tour then continues through the High Atlas Mountains, where you can admire the landscapes and take photos of Berber villages, before finally visiting the Medina of Marrakech and departing from Marrakech airport.

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Day 1 : Tangier - Tetouan - Chefchaouen

Upon your arrival at Tangier port or airport, your driver will be waiting to take you to Chefchaouen via Tetouan and the Rif Mountains. You'll have the opportunity to take some photos of the panoramic Rif mountain landscape during the 3-hour journey. Once you arrive in the blue city of Chefchaouen, you'll check into your accommodation and have the rest of the day to explore the blue streets at your leisure.
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Day 2 : Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes – Fes

After breakfast this morning, we'll head to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient Roman settlement. You'll have the opportunity to explore the alleys, gates, monuments, and mosaic floors, as these Roman ruins from the 2nd and 3rd centuries are the best-preserved in Morocco. Our next stop will be Meknes, another UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the 4 Imperial cities of Morocco. Meknes was the site of the first Arab dynasty created by Moulay Ismail, and you can visit the Medersa Bou Inania and the Bab Mansour, the Gateway to Moulay Ismail Palace. Afterward, we'll continue on to Fes, where you'll check into your accommodation.
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Day 3 : Full day to visit Fes

After breakfast, you'll meet with a local official tourist guide to embark on a cultural and historic tour of Fes, the most ancient and holy of the Imperial cities. The tour will take you through the 2000-year-old living medina, a labyrinth of narrow streets bustling with markets, souks, craftsmen, and animals carrying their loads. You'll visit the Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas (Islamic universities), the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque. The tour will conclude with a visit to Fes Jdid and the revered Merenid Tombs, which offer a spectacular panoramic view of Fes.
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Day 4 : Fes - Ifrane - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz Valley – Merzouga

After an early morning pick-up from your Fez hotel, you will head south to explore the beauty of Ifrane, also known as the Switzerland of Morocco, and take some memorable photos. You will then continue to Azrou to observe the monkeys in the cedar forest and have lunch in Midelt. In the afternoon, you will cross Tizi N Talghamt pass and reach Errachidia, admiring the views of Ziz gorges along the way. After a stop for a panoramic view of Ziz valley, you will continue to Erg Chebbi Dunes, passing through Aoufous and Erfoud, famous for fossils and dates. You may want to visit a local fossil craft workshop before reaching the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi (Merzouga Dunes). Upon arrival at your hotel, you will have dinner and spend the night there.
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Day 5 : Merzouga - Hassi Labied - Khamlia - Nomad family - Fossil Site - Tour of the dunes - (Camel Ride & Night in Sahara)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a 4x4 tour of the dunes, allowing you to explore the black volcanic rocks with fossils and visit a nomadic family living in a tent. You will also visit the village of Khamlia to experience the spiritual music of Gnawa, and see the Date Sarji lake which attracts pink flamingos and wildlife during the springtime. Later, you will break for lunch in Merzouga or Hassi Labied. After lunch, you will explore the canal irrigation system and take a walk through the oasis located at the foot of the dunes. In the afternoon, you will embark on a camel trek for an hour and a half to enjoy the sunset. While on the back of your dromedary, you will continue to the camp where you will spend the night in a traditional nomad tent. Dinner will be served at the bivouac in the middle of the dunes.
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Day 6 : Erg Chebbi Dunes - Erfoud - Tinejdad - Todra Gorges - Boumalne Dades

Begin your day early by witnessing the stunning sunrise atop a dune in the Sahara Desert before enjoying breakfast. Next, return to Merzouga on a camel. On the way, we will pass through Erfoud and Tinejdad en route to Tineghir, where we will take a lunch break. Afterward, we will proceed to Todra Gorges, stopping for photo opportunities and sightseeing. Explore the canyon on foot and admire the magnificent views. Later, we will travel to Boumalne du Dades and take in a panoramic view of Dades Valley before checking into your accommodation and enjoying a delightful dinner.
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Day 7 : Boumalne Dades - Kelaa M’gouna - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Tizi N'Tichka Pass – Marrakech

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Marrakech. En route, we will visit the Rose Valley, which is home to more than 700,000 palm trees and numerous kasbahs that are built in the surrounding area. Damascene roses are raised in the valley for cosmetic purposes, such as the production of rosewater. Our next stop is Ouarzazate, also known as "The gate of the desert," where we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah, one of Morocco's most spectacular ksars. We will stop for a panoramic view of the kasbah of Taourirt and take another photo stop near the Atlas studio before continuing to the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been featured in many famous films. After visiting Aït Ben Haddou, we will drive to Marrakech over the mountains of the High Atlas, passing through the Tizi N'tichka pass, which is 2260 meters above sea level. We will arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon and check into your accommodation.
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Day 8 : Marrakech sightseeing

After breakfast in your accommodation, you will have a private guided walking tour of Marrakech Medina with an official guide from Marrakech. You will see the famous Mosque of Koutoubia, the Medina, and its souks, and explore some more of Marrakech’s secrets: Ali Ben Youssef Koranic school, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace, and Majorelle Gardens. In the afternoon the best option is to explore the medina on your own, approaching the square that in the evening is full of narrators, jugglers, diviners, snake charmers, and musicians.
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Day 9 : Day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech

We will depart this morning at 8 am for Essaouira, a charming seaside town located on the Atlantic Coast. During the 3-hour journey, we will make a stop to see goats climbing on Argan trees and visit an Argan oil cooperative to observe the production process. Upon reaching Essaouira, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can explore the windswept fishing port, the ancient walled medina, and the beautiful beaches. You can take a leisurely stroll along the ramparts or visit the port to see the daily catch, have a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, or simply enjoy the relaxed feel of the small but lively medina. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Marrakech at around 4:00 pm, and the driver will drop you off at your accommodation.
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Day 10 : Transfer to Marrakech airport

The driver will transfer you to the airport up to your flight departure time and the end of our services.