Itinerary

1. Day 1: The ‘Red City’, the ‘Ochre City’ And the ‘Daughter of the Desert’

   • Our tour starts in Marrakesh, a city with more nicknames than most.
     • Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in the country and yet, its most popular.
     • It is from Marrakesh several daytrips are made.
   • Today’s activities will depend on your arrival time.
     • There is much to explore in and around the old town and it is easy to get lost.
     • Thankfully, however, we have a private tour guide to show us Marrakesh’s impressive attractions: palaces, city views, a citadel, garden oases, tanneries, mosques and much more.
   • If you cannot fly directly to Marrakesh, then you will need to take a connecting flight from Casablanca or we will need to transfer you by land from Casablanca to Marrakesh.

2. Day 2: Hiking to the Top of Giant Waterfalls And Approaching Them by Boat

   • We make a daytrip today to Ouzoud Falls.
     • There we have a guided hiking tour as well as take a paddle boat ride.
   • Ouzoud Falls is the collective name for several tall waterfalls which empty into the El-Abid River gorge.
     • Ouzoud Falls, standing 600 meters tall, is unsurprisingly the most visited site in the region.

3. Day 3: Tree-Climbing Goats, an Organic Oil Factory And a Charming Coastal Town

   • We make another daytrip today, this time heading to Essaouira.
     • En route, we pass by tree-climbing goats (really, no joke!) and stop at a small factory where organic argan oil is produced.
       • This oil is good for skin and hair.
     • Once in Essaouira, we are provided with a guided tour.
       • The partially fortified old town (a.k.a. medina) has a layout designed by European colonists in the late 18th century.
       • Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina is dotted with bastions, ramparts, art galleries and lively outdoor markets.
   • On a side note, swimming is encouraged only in the summer months, as the water is too cold during the winter and even fall seasons.
   • On a final note, CharlieTheTraveler cannot guarantee the tree-climbing goats will be there when you pass by.

4. Day 4: Over a Dozen Outdoor Markets, Street Entertainers And Architectural Landmarks

   • Today is all about exploring Marrakesh.
   • Home to around 18 markets (a.k.a. souks), some describe this city as ‘one giant marketplace’.
     • Historically, Marrakesh has served as a marketplace where tribesmen and Berber villagers would buy and sell goods (such as carpets) and find entertainment on the streets.
       • Hundreds of years later, the goods and especially the entertainment are as alive as ever.
   • The heart of the city is Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.
     • Expect to see acrobats, drummers, pipe musicians, dancers, storytellers, comedians and fairground acts.
   • No less compelling than these entertainers are the city’s architectural attractions.
     • We spend the day visiting them.

5. Day 5: The Country’s Iconic Village And One of the Largest Movie Studios in the WorldDay 6: Daydreaming in the Sahara Desert, Dinner And a Show Under the Stars And Sleeping in a Luxury Camp

   • Although we relocate from Marrakesh ultimately to a village in the desert, we make two must-visit stops along the way.
   • The first stop is to the historic and fortified village of Ait Benhaddou.
     • Ait Benhaddou serves as a fine example of Morocco’s earthen clay architecture.
     • Several films shot in Morocco have used both Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate as locations.
   • The second stop is to the town of Ouarzazate.
     • Ouarzazate is a town best known for its film studio called Atlas Studios.
       • Atlas is one of the largest movie studios in the world in terms of land area.
     • We visit a cinema museum which displays many of the studio's props.

6. Day 6: Daydreaming in the Sahara Desert, Dinner And a Show Under the Stars And Sleeping in a Luxury Camp

   • We are relocating once again.
     • Our desert exploration continues north today.
     • The first destination is Dades Gorges.
       • They are a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the river.
     • The next destination is Todgha (a.k.a. Todra) Gorges.
     • They are a series of limestone river canyons.
     • En route to our final destination, Erg Chebbi, we stop in the Rissani village.
     • Rissani is home to a locally famous pizza-like dish called madfouna.
     • Erg Chebbi is where our luxury camp is located.
       • We sleep in a tent.
       • Erg Chebbi is essentially a large sea of red dunes formed by wind-blown sand.
       • After arrival, we go camel riding with a tour guide.
       • Dinner is included on today’s tour.
       • Before the night ends, we watch a traditional show with music and fire.
   • Important to note, although the camp usually has Wi-Fi and should have electricity, outages do happen from time to time.

7. Day 7: Monkeys And the Middle Ages Meet the 21st Century

   • After breakfast, which is included on today’s tour, we go quad riding and reach the nearby village of Merzouga. 
   • We then relocate to the city of Fez (also spelled Fes). 
   • Several scenic stops are made along the way, such as to Ziz Valley and the Cèdre Gouraud Forest, the latter of which is home to monkeys. 
   • Fez will for sure stimulate our senses. 
   • It is the firstborn of Morocco’s four royal capitals and arguably the best-preserved medieval city of the Arab world.

8. Day 8: Meal Inside a Native’s Home And the Best-Preserved Medieval City of the Arab World

   • Fez is truly a crossbreed between the Middle Ages and the modern times.
     • Today we dive right into the sightseeing:
     • Fortresses, mosques, a tannery, centuries-old brass-working shops, a historic university, city views, souks and more.
     • Fez is Morocco’s second most popular tourist destination after Marrakesh, but it hosts no fewer must-see landmarks.
   • Following the tour, we are taken to a native Moroccan’s home.
     • There we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner.
     • The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture and good company creates an unforgettable experience.

9. Day 9: The Blue Pearl Village of Africa

   • Today we relocate to a charming blue village called Chefchaouen.
     • It is nicknamed the 'blue pearl of Morocco'.
     • The beauty of Chefchaouen's mountainous surroundings is enhanced by the contrast of the brightly painted old town.
     • It is an attractive place for tourists generally and influencers especially.
     • There are so many postcard-perfection locations to take a selfie.
   • Among the places we visit is, of course, the main square.
     • It is lined with cafes and is filled to the brim with locals and tourists mingling.

10. Day 10: Casablanca or Tangier, Your Choice!

    • Where we relocate today depends on whether you will be leaving the country from Casablanca or from Tangier.
    • If the former, then we will visit the giant Hassan II Mosque.
      • Completed in 1993, it is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world.
      • Its minaret is the world's second tallest at 210 metres (689 feet).
    • If you are departing Morocco tomorrow from Tangier, then we do a city tour:
      • A citadel, ramparts, street shops, public squares, markets, gardens, mosques and more.

11. Day 11: Our Tour Ends Today

    • Transportation will be arranged for you to reach Tangier's airport or harbor or Casablanca's airport, whichever you prefer.
    • Note there is an additional charge to be dropped off in Tangier.