12-Day Itinerary from Tangier to Tangier

Day 1: Arrival in Tangier

Pick-up at Tangier airport according to your flight arrival time and transfer to the hotel. Free time to enjoy discovering the city of Tangier. Overnight stay at a hotel with breakfast included.

Day 2: Tangier – Chefchaouen

Breakfast at your hotel and we begin our route toward Chefchaouen, or Chaouen as many call it, located in the only intercontinental natural park declared a biosphere reserve. It is a village hanging on the mountain, painted in white and blue, populated by wise, friendly, and respectful people, offering visitors beautiful urban landscapes, precious samples of local craftsmanship, and a peace and serenity that is hard to find today. Accommodation in a riad with breakfast.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Fes

We leave the rich world of Chefchaouen behind and head toward Fes, the first of the imperial cities, which proudly houses one of the oldest universities in the world. Along the way, we will visit the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis. We will also see a panoramic view of Moulay Idriss, the holy city where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Fes to enjoy the sunset while visiting the walls and gates of its medina, or simply sipping welcome tea from the riad’s terrace overlooking the medina. Accommodation in a riad with breakfast.

Day 4: Tour of the Medina and Monuments of Fes

After a delicious breakfast at the riad, we begin our guided tour of the new part of Fes, visiting the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter (Mellah). Next, we will head to a viewpoint at the South Tower to observe the entire medina and its mosques. Afterward, we will explore the medina on foot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its labyrinthine alleyways, organized by guilds of potters, dyers, etc., and the bustle of its people will transport you centuries back in time. You will feel as though time has stopped at the “La Magana Bounania” water clock 1,200 years after its construction—a true wonder! Accommodation in a riad with breakfast.

Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

We depart south crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains until reaching Ifrane, nicknamed “Little Switzerland of Morocco” due to its resemblance to the European country. The Atlas lion once inhabited this area, which is why it has become the symbol of the city with a stone statue dedicated to it in the town center, where we will stop for photos. We will cross the famous cedar forests to admire the Great Gouraud Cedar, the oldest in the region, and feed the hundreds of Barbary macaques living in the area. After lunch in Midelt, the landscape transforms into arid terrain filled with spectacular geological formations and deep green valleys, such as the Ziz Valley. We will begin to see traditional adobe architecture, palm groves, and distant kasbahs as we reach the gateway to the desert. An hour after passing Erfoud, we arrive at the impressive dunes of Merzouga. Following hospitality tea, we will drop our luggage in the rooms and climb the first dunes near the hotel to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. Dinner and accommodation at a hotel located just a few meters from the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Day 6: Merzouga – Nomad Families – Khamlia Village – Night in Tents

We are in the desert, and today will be a day of total desert exploration! After a hearty breakfast, we will circle Erg Chebbi—the expanse of sand dunes featuring Morocco’s Grand Dune, standing over 250 meters high. We will connect via off-road tracks used in the historic Paris-Dakar rally, with the Algerian border mountains in the background. We’ll stop at the Tissardmin oasis to see fossil beds still found in the region, then continue toward a nomad settlement to learn about their daily life and customs. Next, we stop at a scenic viewpoint offering a complete panoramic view of Erg Chebbi before arriving at Khamlia, a village originally settled by people from Mali. Here, we can relax over tea while enjoying a performance of spiritual Gnawa music. Return to the hotel to embark on a camel caravan into the heart of the dunes to witness an unforgettable sunset. We arrive by camel at the camp, where we will stay in luxury tents made of camel hair, just like those used by desert nomads. Dinner and overnight stay in tents in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.

Day 7: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

“A Rendezvous with the Sunrise”: Being in the desert, it is highly recommended to wake up early to walk up the highest nearby dune to enjoy the sunrise and the soothing natural scenery. We will return on camels to Merzouga village. After a delicious breakfast, we say goodbye to the desert and set off for Rissani, where we will visit its traditional market (if lucky enough to coincide with market days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Sundays). We continue toward Erfoud, with an optional visit to a fossilized marble factory, before heading to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. An hour later, we reach one of the highlights of the High Atlas: the Todra Gorges. The river canyon features vertical rock walls of grand scale and beauty—a paradise for climbers. After lunch on site, a half-hour walk is recommended to appreciate the gorges up close. In the afternoon, we continue into the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of Figs, passing through Boumalne Dades and stopping at the “monkey fingers” rock formations. Dinner and overnight stay in the Dades Gorges.

Day 8: Dades Gorges – Rose Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

After breakfast, we enjoy one of the best views of the Dades Valley from a strategic mountain overlook, admiring the numerous picturesque kasbahs scattered across the landscape. Following several stops along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, the Rose Valley, and the vast Skoura palm grove, we arrive in Ouarzazate. Here we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah (former residence of the Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakech) and optional film studios or the Cinema Museum. After lunch in town, we set off for Marrakech across the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, making photo stops along the way as the lunar landscape transitions into lush green and ochre hues. Arrival in Marrakech around 6:00 PM and accommodation in a riad with breakfast.

Day 9: Tour of the Medina and Monuments of Marrakech

This morning, we will explore the Medina of Marrakech with a local guide. We begin by admiring the historic ramparts surrounding the medina, the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque (twin to the Giralda in Seville), the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Majorelle Garden. We will emerge into Jemaa el-Fna Square, where the daytime atmosphere contrasts wonderfully with the evening energy. The afternoon is free to practice the art of bargaining in the souks or discover hidden spots in the medina at your own pace. Accommodation in a riad with breakfast.

Day 10: Marrakech – Casablanca

Breakfast at your riad and a free morning to enjoy discovering the deeper corners of the Marrakech medina. In the afternoon, we continue our journey toward Casablanca. Upon arrival in Casablanca, transfer to the hotel, free time, and accommodation in a hotel with breakfast included.

Day 11: Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah

After breakfast at your hotel, we begin our tour in Casablanca with a visit to the famous Hassan II Mosque, one of the tallest religious temples in the world and one of the few open to non-Muslim visitors. We continue to Rabat, known as the City of Gardens and the administrative capital of Morocco. In Rabat, we will visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. We then depart for the beautiful coastal town of Asilah via Kenitra. Upon arrival in Asilah, you will have free time to stroll through its charming small medina and enjoy its historic port. Overnight stay in Asilah at a riad with breakfast.

Day 12: Asilah – Tangier Airport

Breakfast and a free morning until the agreed time for your private transfer to Tangier airport/port. We will assist you with checking in your luggage and guide you to your boarding gate (remember it is recommended to arrive 2 hours prior to flight departure). Here our services end. Safe travels!