12 days tour from Tangier to Marrakech

Welcome to Morocco! Upon your arrival in Tangier where Europe and Africa meet you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel or riad. Depending on your arrival time, explore Tangier’s coastal charm: visit the ancient Kasbah, stroll through the medina, or enjoy a seaside walk along the Corniche. If time allows, visit the Caves of Hercules, legendary for their mythology and ocean views. Settle in and get ready to begin your journey through Morocco’s most iconic cities and landscapes.

After breakfast, head out toward Chefchaouen, stopping first in the beautiful white-washed town of Tetouan, also known as the “White Dove.” Explore its Andalusian-style medina and take a short coffee break before continuing into the lush Rif Mountains. By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous Blue City. Spend the evening exploring its photogenic alleys, visiting the Kasbah, or enjoying panoramic views from the Spanish Mosque at sunset.

Leave the mountains behind as you drive south to the archaeological site of Volubilis, where you’ll walk among ancient Roman columns and colorful mosaics. Afterward, stop in the imperial city of Meknes, once the capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Admire Bab Mansour, visit the royal granaries, and stroll the quiet medina. Continue on to Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heart, where you’ll check into a riad in the old medina.

Today, dive deep into the 1,200-year-old city of Fes el-Bali, one of the world’s most intact medieval medinas. With your local guide, visit the Al Quaraouiyine University, Bou Inania Madrasa, and Nejjarine Fountain. See the famed tanneries, where leather is dyed in vibrant colors, and explore artisan quarters where pottery, brass, and carpets are made by hand. The atmosphere is intense but fascinating—like traveling back in time.

Departing Fes, you’ll ascend into the Middle Atlas Mountains, with a stop in Ifrane, known for its Swiss-like architecture and clean streets. Continue through the cedar forests of Azrou, where you might spot wild Barbary macaques. The scenic drive through mountain villages and apple orchards leads to Midelt, a tranquil town at the base of the High Atlas. It’s the perfect halfway stop between the north and the Sahara

Begin your descent from the mountains into the pre-Saharan region. Pass through the dramatic Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves and kasbahs. By afternoon, reach Merzouga, at the edge of the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. Relax with mint tea and prepare for tomorrow’s desert adventure. You can take a short walk on the dunes or opt for a sunset quad bike ride. Enjoy a peaceful night in a desert guesthouse or kasbah.

Wake up to a desert sunrise and take time to visit nearby sights—like Khamlia village, known for Gnawa music, or a nomad family living in the desert. In the late afternoon, mount your camel and ride into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The vast, golden landscape is surreal. Arrive at your luxury or traditional desert camp, enjoy tea and dinner, listen to Berber drumming by the fire, and sleep under a sky full of stars.

After watching the sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at camp, ride back and head to Rissani, once a vital trade post. Visit its traditional market, then continue to the spectacular Todra Gorge, with its sheer rock walls and cool river—a favorite for hikers and climbers. From there, drive to the scenic Dades Valley, passing rose fields and kasbahs, and stay in a beautiful guesthouse overlooking the valley’s rock formations.

Continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, stopping at Skoura to explore Kasbah Amridil, one of the best-preserved in Morocco. In Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa,” visit the Atlas Studios or Taourirt Kasbah. By afternoon, reach the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village that looks frozen in time. You’ll stay nearby and explore the ksar’s labyrinth of alleys and mud-brick houses.

After breakfast, take the scenic backroad to Telouet, a once-important kasbah along the ancient caravan route. Then cross the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass Morocco’s highest road pass descending into the bustling red city of Marrakech. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your riad near the Jemaa el-Fnaa, where snake charmers, storytellers, and street food await.

Enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech, starting at the Koutoubia Mosque, then visiting the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and the vibrant souks filled with leather, metalwork, and spices. Visit the serene Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, and explore the medina’s hidden corners. In the evening, return to the Jemaa el-Fnaa square for dinner and entertainment in the heart of the city.

Enjoy a relaxed morning, perhaps sipping fresh orange juice on a rooftop terrace or doing some final souvenir shopping. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport for departure carrying with you the scents, sights, and sounds of a truly unforgettable Moroccan journey.