11 Day Tour
Tangier to Marrakech

Day 1: Tangier - Caves of Hercules - Cap Spartel - Tangier Medina
We will meet you at the airport, drop off your luggage at the hotel (if that is possible), then explore the major attractions around Tangier. Legend has it Hercules himself rested in the caves as he completed one of his twelve tasks - specifically, fetching golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. You will not see him when you visit, but the stone structures inside are worth the visit. As we make our way back to Tangier, we will stop by Cap Spartel, the exact spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. If time allows we can visit the lighthouse, as well. We will also stop at the Kasbah and old Medina of Grande Souk to explore Tangier a bit before we return to the hotel.

Day 2: Tangier - Akchour - Chefchaouen
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive through the Rif Mountains and see some of the Moroccan countryside. We will take a side trip to Akchour to see a waterfall and walk through the pine forest a bit, then continue to Chefchaouen to walk through their medina, local markets, and to see the famous blue- and white-washed walls of the city. At sunset we will drive to one of the best viewing spots, then we'll go to the hotel for dinner and some much-needed rest.

Day 3: Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes
After breakfast we will drive to Volubilis, an archaeological site where they have unearthed the ruins of many buildings and features from the Roman era. There are mosaics in some of the buildings and larger structures to explore at this UNESCO World Heritage site. From there it is just a short drive to another UNESCO World Heritage site - the old medina in Meknes, one of the imperial cities (former political capitals) of Morocco. After lunch we will drive to Fes where we will find a hotel or riad and spend the night.

Day 4: Fes - Ifrane - Azrou forest - Zaida
Most of this fourth day will be spent in Fes. After breakfast, a local guide will show  you around the alleyways and small streets of the old medina, telling you secrets a local would know. After lunch we will visit a tile cooperative to learn more about exquisite Moroccan tiles and the process of making them, then experience a panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. When Fes has been thoroughly explored, we will drive through the mountaintop town of Ifrane, Morocco's "Little Switzerland," and the Azrou forest where we may be lucky enough to interact with the local Barbary Macaques who live there. We will continue on to Zaida where we will stay for the night.

Day 5: Zaida - Middle Atlas Mountains - Midelt - Ziz Valley - Merzouga
After breakfast we will drive mostly south through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through many interesting towns along the way. Midelt is the centre of Morocco's apple production. You'll see farms with many different animals, too. From there we will follow the Ziz Valley, a huge oasis that literally looks like a river of date palm trees, through the ancient towns of Erfoud and Rissani. Rissani is home to one of the oldest continuously functioning souks in Morocco. If it is open (Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday) we can stop so you can enjoy the authentic experience of a souk that focuses on serving the people who use it every week rather than tourists. From there our next stop will be Merzouga and the Sahara desert! We will find a hotel there for dinner and some rest.

Day 6: Merzouga Desert Tour Day
After breakfast at the hotel we will head out to explore the area. We will visit nearby Khamlia Village to hear a live performance of Gnaoua music while we enjoy some mint tea. There will also be time to visit a nomadic Berber family in their tent and ride ATVs over the sand dunes. (If you prefer something quieter than that - like walking through a village garden or visiting the shops in town, just let us know.) Later in the afternoon you will meet the camel who will carry you to your overnight luxury campsite amongst the orange dunes. There you will find a traditional dinner followed by live, traditional music before you retire to your private tent (with running water and a private bathroom) to sleep. Before you sleep, you may want to walk just outside the circle to tents to look at the stars. There are so many more than you might expect when you are literally in the middle of nowhere, far from city lights.

Day 7: Merzouga -  Rissani - Todra Gorges - Boumalne Dades
Those who wake up early will have the opportunity to see a spectacular sunrise over the sand dunes. But whether you see that or not, a traditional Berber breakfast will be available before you leave the camp. After breakfast, you will ride back to Merzouga in an SUV, then we will begin the drive north to Boumalne Dades. We will stop for lunch in one of the Berber villages along the way. After lunch we will drive to Todra Gorge, a magnificent canyon in the High Atlas Mountains, and stop to walk along the river on the floor of the canyon. That will give you a true sense of the 300 metre (984 feet) walls on either side. Our next stop will be a stone formation known as Monkey Fingers as we get closer to Boumalne Dades where we will find a hotel and spend the night. Along the way, we can stop for pictures any time the scenery catches your eye.

Day 8: Boumalne Dades - Kalaat M'gouna (Rose Valley) - Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
After breakfast, we will drive to Kalaat M'gouna, also called Rose Valley or the Valley of Roses. This is the centre of Morocco's rose production, and we can make a quick stop so you can learn more about the distillation process and shop for locally sourced, rose-scented products. We will travel along the "road of a thousand kasbahs," which cuts through the oasis of Skoura before our arrival in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco. We will visit some film making sites quickly before moving on to Ait Ben Haddou kasbah which has been a rest stop for travellers since the days of camel caravans.  It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its history and as an excellent example of traditional Berber/Amazigh out kasbah architecture. From there we will drive to Ounila Valley to Telouet kasbah which once belonged to one of the most powerful families in Morocco - the Glaoui family. From there we will drive along the Tizi n'Tichka pass into the highest of the High Atlas Mountains until we reach Marrakech. Along the way we can stop for photographs whenever the stunning mountain views catch your eye. When we arrive in the city we will find a hotel, have some dinner, and get some rest.

Day 9: Explore Marrakech
After breakfast we will begin a sightseeing tour of Marrakech including the most important historical and cultural sights in the city. You will explore the old medina with a local guide. Then, in the afternoon, we will drive to places like Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs. We will end the day in the city's main square for a sunset tea as we watch it transform from a business centre into something more like a carnival as the vendors set up for Jemaa el-Fna. Snake charmers, storytellers, monkeys, and families will pour into the square for this nightly celebration of life and community.

Day 10: Free time in Marrakech
Ok, free time is not much of a tour, is it? Of course not! This is a day where you get to choose the activity. There are many choices which we can discuss as we plan your trip, but here are a couple suggestions to get you thinking. First, we could take a day trip to Essaouira, a charming town on the Atlantic Coast known for fresh seafood and beautiful beaches. Or, we could visit Ouzoud Falls, a popular tourist spot with gorgeous waterfalls and a lot of fresh orange juice. We could also take a day trip to Agafay Desert to see how it compares to the Sahara. Perhaps a food tour or cooking class is more your style. We could also use the day to revisit any sites from the previous day that you would like to see again, or to shop in the square. This will be a full and busy day, and we will plan it together. Whatever the choice, we will end the day back at the hotel in Marrakech.

Day 11: Departure
This is the final day of our trip. We will meet you in time to take you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. The exact details of this day will depend on your travel schedule, so we will arrange the details when we have that information. We thank you for coming, and we hope you are taking many fond memories with you.