10-Day Morocco Tour from Tangier to Marrakech via Sahara

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Day 01

Tangier and the Blue City of Chefchaouen

• Welcome to Tangier, the crossing point between Africa and Europe. Visit the medina (old quarter), stop at a café in the trendy Zoco Chico square, or go for a paseo and enjoy a stroll along the promenade in this city close to southern Spain. Alternatively, continue on to Chefchaouen, the blue-washed city in the Rif Mountains.
• Enjoy the scenic route and make stops to hike to the Cascades d'Akchour along the way. Chefchaouen offers countless winding, picturesque buildings and narrow streets. Look for a restaurant or café in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy a meal while people-watching.
• The Grand Mosque is still worth a visit, even though non-Muslims are not allowed inside. From there, tour the nearby kasbah's garden, museum, and some of its former jail cells. A path outside the city walls leads to Hotel Atlas, where you can climb to the rooftop for a sweeping view of the Blue City. For those who are a little fitter, follow the road east, cross the Ras el Ma Spring, and then climb the path for 20 to 30 minutes until you reach the deserted white Spanish Mosque. Observe Chefchaouen one last time as the sun sets behind the mountains.

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Day 02

Volubilis, Meknes, and Arrival in Fes

• Before heading to Fes, get up early to take pictures of the deserted streets. Stop en route at the Volubilis ruins, the Roman Empire's furthest outpost in Africa, which are protected by UNESCO. Wander the complex and discover the temples, many in-place mosaics, and merchant homes with still-working heating systems.
• Continue on to Meknes, a lesser-known and less crowded version of Fes, for an introduction to a former imperial city. The Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina are the two main attractions. Visit the Royal Stables, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and Bab al-Mansour Gate.
• Travel on to Fes. Fes is a city worth getting lost in because of its imposingly large, and occasionally perplexing, old medina. Spend some time at the Merenid Tombs, north of the city, to enjoy panoramic views of ancient Fes and the surroundings before going into the medina.
• Return to your riad, a traditional Moroccan home with an interior garden, for the evening as you descend the hill.

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Day 03

Explore the Imperial City and Medieval Medina of Fes

• Meknes, Marrakech, and Rabat are the other Moroccan imperial cities; Fes is the oldest and, arguably, the most fascinating to explore. The city, which is a UNESCO-protected site, has not undergone much colonial development, so you can still enjoy its medieval charm. Fes is made up of the early 20th-century French-designed Ville Nouvelle and two old medina quarters, Fes el Bali, where you will spend the majority of your time, and Fes el Jdid, a slightly newer area of the city. Beginning in Fes el Bali, meet your guide, who will assist you in navigating the winding, ancient streets of the medinas, dating back to 789 CE.
• As you pass the various souks selling spices, leather goods, and pewter, take note of the architecture with influences from Spain and Tunisia.
• Visit the well-known Chouara Tannery and climb to the roof of a nearby store for a better view of the action in this region, which is known for its tanneries and the pungent smell they produce. Observe the zellij tilework at the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa before visiting Al-Qarawiyyin University, one of the oldest universities still in operation in the world, founded in 859 CE. Another expansive view of the city can be found by visiting the mellah, the old Jewish quarter, in Fes el Jdid.

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Day 04

Through the Middle Atlas to Erfoud and Merzouga

• Continue travelling south, passing through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains and crossing the Col du Zad pass at 7,146 feet (2,178 m). As you travel to Midelt, the "apple city," for lunch, you may see families of Barbary macaque monkeys in the trees and along the roadside.
• Enjoy the surroundings, including the apple orchards and the Moulouya River. After that, proceed into the Ziz Valley, dotted with oases and clusters of palm trees, via the Tizi n'Talremt pass. Observe the numerous ksars that traders constructed as fortified homes to safeguard their goods such as gold, salt, and spices.
• As you get closer to Erfoud, you will start to notice the Sahara's sand dunes for the first time. The dunes move as the winds change; they are never still. If you are fortunate, you might run into a nomadic Berber family and get to share a cup of tea. Visit Erfoud to see how the fossil-rich rock from its mines is turned into ornamental and useful items.
• Continue on to Erg Chebbi's vast sea of sand dunes. Some dunes, which span 13.5 square miles (35 square km) and reach heights of over 656.2 feet (200 m), change colour in response to the position of the sun.
• A camel ride through the dunes outside Merzouga will change the pace and bring you to camp just before dusk. To view the vibrant display as the sun sets behind the enormous dunes, climb the closest sand dune.
• Return to camp for an outdoor dinner and an evening spent by the campfire listening to local musicians perform traditional Berber music under a sky filled with stars. Spend the night in a tent à la Bedouin.

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Day 05

Desert Sunrise, Rissani Market, and Todra Gorge

• Get up early to catch a desert sunrise before trying your skills at sandboarding. You will also have the option of taking an ATV tour or an Erg Chebbi sand dune tour.
• Visit the nearby Saharan village of Khemliya to take part in traditional dancing and drumming before taking a quick stroll through the community.
• After leaving the dunes, stop in the market town of Rissani and enter through its grand gate. It is worth your time to find the "donkey parking lot," which is known for its livestock auction and will delight your senses.
• Then proceed to Tinerhir. This desert town offers breathtaking views of nearby settlements hugging the length of the vast river oasis, with 30 miles (48 km) of palm trees.
• Stop at the Todra Gorge, your final stop for the day. You can take a leisurely stroll through and around the gorge, which is 984 feet (300 m) high and was formed by the Todra River cutting through red limestone, and unwind in the cool waters of the shallow river below.

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Day 06

Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, and Aït Benhaddou

• Travel to Aït Benhaddou, the most well-known kasbah in Morocco, along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Pass through Boumalne Dades and the Dades Valley. Visit Kelâat M'Gouna and marvel at the rose bushes lining the edges of the farmland there.
• Visit a rose cooperative to observe how rose petals are transformed into rose water and oil. Continuing westward brings you to Ouarzazate, where you can stop and learn how scenes from Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down were filmed in the area. To learn more about the history of the region and the filmmaking process, take a tour of a movie studio or visit the Musée du Cinema.
• Visit nearby Aït Benhaddou. The old ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a significant location along the trans-Saharan trade route in the 11th century. Settle into the historic district and spend the late afternoon exploring the almost deserted alleys and passageways.
• Climb to the top of the old granary for a great view of the kasbah and its surroundings. Fans of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones might want to make the journey down to the river to see the gates.
• Enjoy a peaceful dinner with a view of the valley long after the daytime crowds have dispersed.

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Day 07

Cross the High Atlas to Marrakech

• Leave Aït Benhaddou behind and start climbing into the High Atlas Mountains. The mountain range's highest peak, Mount Toubkal, stands at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Stretch your legs near the summit for a fantastic vista of the mountains.
• Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert to learn how olives are prepared for various uses and to sample some. The climate and landscape will drastically change as you leave the High Atlas behind. You will soon become part of Marrakech's clamour and noise.
• After a long day of travelling, check into your hotel and spend the remaining time however you wish. The main square, Jemaa el-Fna, which is also the busiest square in all of Africa, comes alive in the early evening with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, making it a hub of entertainment. Choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and enjoy a meal and a cup of mint tea if you want to observe the spectacle from a distance.

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Day 08

Discover Marrakech, the Red City

• Since the time of the Berber Empire, Marrakech has been a thriving city, earning the moniker "Red City" for its buildings and city walls made of red sandstone that are over a thousand years old (1062 ACE). Meet your tour guide for a half-day excursion, then explore the spice, blacksmith, and souk smata markets for slippers.
• Visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the Souk des Teinturiers, the dyers' souk, and take note of the open areas branching off some alleys. These fondouks were once medieval inns that offered lodging for travellers and merchants, as well as for their pets. The mosque's 253-foot (77-meter) minaret is the tallest tower constructed in Marrakech. Before going to Ben Youssef Madrasa, unwind in the nearby gardens. This madrasa, constructed in the 16th century, once served as housing for mosque students.
• Admire the Moroccan craftsmanship found in the carved cedar, the stucco plaster, and the zellij tiling. For more examples of traditional artwork and woodwork, go to the Marrakech Museum or the Museum of Moroccan Arts. The Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Mellah and cemetery are among the noteworthy attractions in the Kasbah region, located south of Jemaa el-Fna.

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Day 09

Coastal Escape to Essaouira

• Leave the Red City behind and take a route that crosses vast, rolling plains to the west coast of Morocco. Pass through an argan tree forest along the way; these trees are unique to this region of the world. Even goats have been known to eat argan fruit from the branches. Learn about the uses of argan oil in the food and cosmetic industries by visiting an argan cooperative.
• Arrive in calm Essaouira, a pleasant change from chaotic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day as you please. Stroll along the coast by the Skala de la Kasbah, the seafront ramparts built in the 18th century. Old brass cannons line the interior walls and overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
• Before heading to the deserted beach, explore the UNESCO-protected medina. Fans of Jimi Hendrix might want to take a quick taxi ride to Diabat, at the end of Essaouira's beach, where he is said to have spent some time. Enjoy a fresh seafood meal on your way back to Essaouira.

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Day 10

Return to Marrakech and Departure

• Before returning to Marrakech, stroll along the beach or pick up any last-minute souvenirs.
• Visit the Majorelle Gardens if you have time. Wandering through the gardens full of subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms, not far from the busy medina, is a great way to escape the afternoon heat and noise before you catch your flight home.