13 Days Grand Morocco Tour: Tangier, Chefchaouen, Sahara & Coast

Casablanca Arrival

Your private driver greets you at the airport. Depending on arrival time, visit the Hassan II Mosque before heading to Rabat for the night. (Total: 1.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Rabat

Rabat – Tangier

Explore Rabat's Oudaïa Kasbah, Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, then continue to Cap Spartel, Hercules Cave and the Roman rock-cut graves — a panoramic point where you can see Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar. End the day in Tangier's old medina and the Grand Socco. (Total: 4 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Tangier

Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen

An orientation walk through Tetouan's old medina en route, then arrival in the vividly blue Chefchaouen — the Kasbah Museum, Plaza Uta el-Hammam and the Grand Mosque, with splendid blue-washed doorways at every turn. (Total: 2.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis (Walili) with a local guide — the Capitoline Temple, Basilica, Triumphal Arch and mosaic floors. In Meknes, see the Bab Mansour gate, Agdal Reservoir and old Medina, then continue to Fes. (Total: 4.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Fes

Fes Guided Tour

A full day in the world's oldest working medina with a local guide: the Royal Palace exterior, Blue Gate, Bou Inania Madrasa, Nejjarine Fountain, Al Quaraouiyine University, the tanneries and Borj Sud.

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Fes

Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Cross the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and Azrou's cedar forests, lunch in Midelt, then follow the Ziz Valley's palm groves into the desert. Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. (Total: 7 hours driving)

Overnight in a luxury desert camp, Merzouga

Sahara Desert Exploration

A full day exploring the Erg Chebbi dunes by 4x4: the Merzouga oasis, Khamlia village (home to Gnaoua musicians descended from Senegalese ex-slaves who arrived via the salt route), nomad tents, and Merzouga Lake's seasonal birdlife. Continue to Rissani — once Sijilmassa, meeting point for the Timbuktu salt caravans — to walk the largest souk in the south. Afternoon free for the pool, or an optional quad bike / dune buggy excursion.

Overnight at a kasbah hotel in Merzouga

Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Skoura

Morning Gnaoua music, then depart the Sahara via Todra Gorge's 300-metre canyon walls and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Skoura Oasis. (Total: 4.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Skoura

Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa" (optional Atlas Studios visit), then the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou on the old Sahara caravan route, before arriving in Marrakech. (Total: 4.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Marrakech

Marrakech Guided Tour

The Koutoubia Mosque, El Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens with a local guide, then the souks to Jemaa el-Fnaa for storytellers, musicians and fresh juice.

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Marrakech

Marrakech – Essaouira

A different side of Morocco along the Atlantic: Essaouira's whitewashed, blue-shuttered medieval medina, thuya-wood workshops and art galleries. (Total: 2.5 hours driving)

Overnight at a boutique riad or hotel in Essaouira

Essaouira – El Jadida – Casablanca

Follow the Atlantic coastline to the Portuguese-built citadel of El Jadida (Mazagan), a UNESCO World Heritage site — visit the citadel and its underground cistern before reaching Casablanca. (Total: 4 hours driving)

Overnight at a hotel in Casablanca

Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight after breakfast.