12-Day trip from Marrakech to imperial cities, south & north

Our driver will wait for you at the airport exit in Marrakech. Depending on your arrival time, you might have some free time to explore Marrakech after pickup, or you may need to rest and get ready for the trip starting the next day.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Marana or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar

Today, you will explore Marrakech with a local guide. You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 11th century, and the beautiful Majorelle Garden. Next, we will see several important sites, including the Saadian Tombs, a 16th-century cemetery decorated with colorful mosaic tiles.

You will also explore the lively souks (local markets), such as the Babouche souk, known for shoes; the Chouari souk, an open-air carpenter’s market; the El-Attarine souk, where perfumes and spices are sold; and the Cherratine souk, famous for leather goods.

You will wander through the narrow alleys around the Djemâa El Fnaa square, full of life and color. By the end of the day, you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea at your riad or a local restaurant with a view of the medina.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Marana or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar

Today, we will travel east to Essaouira, a coastal city about two and a half hours from Marrakech. On the way, you will stop for a short break to see the famous goats that climb Argan trees and try some Argan seeds. You will also visit an Argan cooperative, where local women show how they make Argan oil using traditional methods and explain the many uses of the oil.

After that, we will arrive in Essaouira. The driver will drop you off at the entrance to the medina, the old part of the city. You will have free time to walk around and explore the beautiful sights, like historic shops, narrow streets, local markets, and craftsmen at work. You can also visit the Skala, a fortress with a great view of the sea.

After you visit Essaouira, you will return to the hotel, where you can enjoy a drink and relax before dinner.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Maison du Sud or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Raoud Rayhane or similar

We will leave Essaouira in the morning and travel north. Our first stop will be Casablanca, where we will visit Mohammed V Square and the beautiful Hassan II Mosque. After that, we will go to Rabat. There, we will see the Mechouar, which are the walls around the Royal Palace. We will also visit the impressive Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, and the Oudaya Kasbah. The Kasbah overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has galleries showing Moroccan crafts.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Marhaba or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Zyo or similar

We will leave in the morning and travel through the green valleys of the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen. This town is famous for its bright blue-painted houses and is a popular spot for both tourists and Moroccans, especially during the hot summer.

When we arrive, we will walk through Chefchaouen’s narrow, winding streets. You can explore many small markets selling local food and handmade crafts like wool products, detailed embroidery, and goat cheese. These special items are unique to the North and you won’t find them anywhere else in Morocco.

You can relax in the town square, visit a nearby farm, or go for a hike in one of the local parks.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Casa Hassan or similar
Superior: Hotel Dar Echaouen or similar

Our journey will start with a pleasant drive from Chefchaouen to the Roman ruins at Volubilis. Along the way, we will pass through fertile farming hills. Volubilis may not be as grand as the Roman sites by the Mediterranean coast, but it is still one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. After that, we will continue to Meknes, the fourth imperial city of Morocco and a cultural center from the 17th century. There, we will have lunch and explore the old medina with its huge walls. After lunch, we will visit Bab el Mansour and Moulay Ismail’s shrine. Once our visit to Meknes is done, we will travel to Fes, where we will spend the night.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Fes Yamanda or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Palais Houyam or similar

Today, we will take a walking tour of Fes with a local guide. Fes used to be the capital of Morocco and is one of the country’s four imperial cities. The city is divided into three parts. The oldest part is Fes el Bali, which is surrounded by a large wall and has about 9,000 narrow streets and alleys.

Fes-Jdid, or New Fes, includes the Mellah, which is the old Jewish quarter, and the Ville Nouvelle, a newer area built during the French occupation.

During the tour, you will visit the University of Al-Karaouine, one of the oldest universities in the world, and see the Royal Palace’s beautiful brass gates. You will also walk through the busy medina’s narrow alleys and watch local artisans making carpets, weaving cloth, hammering brass, and creating tiles and pottery.

After the tour, if your hotel is too far to walk, your driver will pick you up and take you back.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Fes Yamanda or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Palais Houyam or similar

Accommodation:
Standard: Mouhou Standard Camp or similar
Superior: Mouhou Luxury Camp or similar

Today, we will spend the whole day exploring the desert. First, we will visit the seasonal lake of Merzouga. Then, we will drive to Khamlia, a village known for its people who come as nomads from different African countries. Here, you will have the chance to listen to Gaoua, a traditional music style from this region.

Next, we will go off-road on the famous Paris Dakar rally route, one of the toughest rallies in the world. Our journey will continue into the rocky desert, where we will stop for a panoramic view of the Erg Chebbi dunes, looking like a vast sea of sand.

After that, we will visit the fossil mines and an old, remote settlement built by the French during their rule. Then, we will meet nomad families, enjoy some mint tea, and learn about their daily life and customs.

Before heading back to Merzouga, we may stop for lunch nearby or at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will return to Merzouga and begin a camel ride into the dunes. There, we will watch the sunset and spend the night in a desert camp under a sky full of stars.

Accommodation:
Standard: Mouhou Standard Camp or similar
Superior: Mouhou Luxury Camp or similar

You will wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise in the desert. Then, you will ride camels back to Merzouga. After breakfast and a shower, we will start our trip towards Tineghir. On the way, we will pass through several Berber villages like Erfoud, Tinejdad, and Jorf.

We may stop for lunch in the afternoon. Then, we will visit the Todra Gorges and Tineghir Oasis, stopping along the way to take photos and enjoy the beautiful views. You will have time to walk through the Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s most amazing and impressive canyons, while listening to the sound of the streams. After that, we will continue to Dades, where we will stay overnight.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Kasbah Didis or similar
Superior: Hotel Ksar Sultan or similar

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Marana or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar

Today, you will have free time in Marrakech to relax, shop, or explore on your own. When it’s time, a driver will come to take you to the airport. The exact timing depends on your flight schedule.