12 Day Tour
Tangier, Sahara Desert, Casablanca, Marrakech, and more!

Day 1: Tangier - Chefchaouen

We will meet you upon your arrival in Tangier, either at the ferry terminal or airport, and immediately start our trip by heading toward Morocco’s Rif region until we reach the beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen. Depending on the time we arrive, there may be some free time to walk around and explore the city a bit. We will find dinner and stay in a riad overnight.

 

Day 2: Chefchaouen - Fes

We will begin with breakfast before we start our drive toward Fes. Along the way we will stop to see the ancient Roman ruins in Volubilis. From there we will drive to the imperial city of Meknes where there will be time to explore the medina a bit. We will end the day in Fes.

 

Day 3: Fes 

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty Moroccan breakfast, we will spend the entire third day exploring the imperial city of Fes, which was founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss II. With the help of local guides, you will explore the intricate medina, the Madrasa Al-Attarine, the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the Karawiyin Mosque, and a few other sites of historic importance. We will spend one more night in the city.

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Day 4: Fes - Azrou - Midlet - Ziz Valley - Merzouga

We will leave the city first thing in the morning today to arrive in

the Sahara desert by sunset. We will travel through towns like Azrou and Midelt, a city situated at just the right altitude between mountains to grow wonderful fruit trees and dairy products. You will see beautiful vistas including the cedar forests and the Ziz Gorge with its river of date palms. By late afternoon we should arrive at the edge of Erg Chebbi, in the town of Merzouga, to check into your hotel then wander to the edge of the desert to see a gorgeous sunset.

 

Day 5: Merzouga

Today will be devoted to discovering the desert around Merzouga. You will have a cup of mint tea and enjoy some Gnawan music in Khamlia. We will explore a desert lake which, when it is full, attracts a wide variety of birds. From there we will drive to the historic city of Rissani, part of the Tafilalet Oasis, to visit the souks. By late afternoon we will return to the desert, mount some camels, and trek to a campsite to spend the night a little deeper in the Sahara Desert.

 

Day 6:  Merzouga - Dades

We will wake up early to a stunning sunrise in the desert before we trek back to the hotel for a shower and to collect your things. From there we will travel past several Berber villages as we drive toward the Todra Gorge. After lunch we will continue our drive through the stunning gorges surrounding the Dades region, staying in a hotel or riad along the way.  There will be many opportunities for pictures throughout the day.

 

Day 7: Dades - Ouarzazate 

 After breakfast, we will drive toward Ouarzazate along the “Road of 1,000 kasbahs” until we reach Rose Valley. There we will take a quick side trip so you can experience nomads who live in caves. From there we will travel to the Skoura palmerie, visit the Aridhyl Kasbah, then finally visit the Taourirt Kasbah before we stop for the night in Ouarzazate.

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Day 8: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - High Altas Mountains - Tizi n Ticha Pass - Marrakech - Essaourira

After breakfast we will drive to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most famous ancient Berber villages in Morocco. In modern times the city was used as a setting for numerous movies including Gladiator, The Mummy, and even Game of Thrones, but in ancient times it was an important stop for camel caravans crossing the Sahara. Back in the car, we will drive (with many stops to photograph the amazing vistas, of course) over the High Atlas Mountains, through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, and on to Marrakech for lunch. We will drive to the beautiful coastal city of Essaouira for the night.

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Day 9: Essaouira - Marrakech

There will be plenty of time after breakfast today for you to explore the city of Essaouira, either

on your own or with a local guide. There will also be time to visit the beach. By about 3 pm we will return to Marrakech to spend the night in a hotel or riad.

 

Day 10: Marrakech

Today will be devoted to exploring Marrakech. A local guide will lead the group around the city to discover sites like Bahia and Badi Palaces, the Saadian Tombs, and the Menara Basin. After lunch at one of the finest traditional restaurants, you will visit the Koutoubia Mosque which has stood over the city’s main square since 1147, then have the rest of the time to explore the nearby Jemaa el Fna square. The square is a popular gathering place at night with storytellers, food, and many different items offered for sale. We will spend the night in your hotel or riad.

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Day 11:  Casablanca - Rabat - Asilah - Tangier

We will leave early today to reach Casablanca. Once we are there, you will visit Morocco’s largest mosque, Hassan II. We will take the coastal road through Rabat and Larach on the way to Asilah where we will spend the night.

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Day 12: Tangier

Our final morning will begin with a quick trip to the beach or the city’s medina or both, depending on what time you need to catch your ride home. We will drive back to Tangier to catch your flight or ferry and thank you for coming, and we hope you are taking many memories home with you.