Itinerary

1. Day 1: Tangier and Chefchaouen, the

   • Welcome to Tangier, the crossing point between Africa and Europe. Visit the medina (old quarter), a café in the trendy Zoco Chico square, or go for a paseo to enjoy a stroll along the promenade in this city close to the south of Spain. Alternately, continue on to the Rif Mountains' blue-washed city of Chefchaouen. 
   • Enjoy the scenic route and make stops to hike to the Cascades d'Akchou along the way (Waterfalls of Akchour). Chefchaoen offers countless winding, picturesque buildings and narrow streets. Look for a restaurant or café in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy a meal while people-watching.
   • The Grand Mosque is still worthwhile a visit even though non-Muslims are not allowed inside. From there, tour the nearby kasbah's (an ancient fortification) garden, museum, and some of its former jail cells. A path outside the city walls will lead you to Hotel Atlas, where you can climb to the rooftop for a sweeping view of the Blue City. For those who are a little more fit, follow the road east, cross the Ras el Ma Spring, and then climb the path for 20 to 30 minutes until you reach the deserted white Spanish Mosque. Observe Chefchaouen one last time as the sun sets behind the mountains.

2. Day 2: Volubilis Roman Ruins and Meknes and Fes Imperial Cities

   • Before heading to Fes, get up early to take pictures of the deserted streets. Stop off en route at the Volubilis ruins, the Roman Empire's furthest outpost in Africa, which are protected by UNESCO. Wander the complex and discover the temples, many in-place mosaics, and merchant homes with still-working heating systems. 
   • Continue on to Meknes, a lesser-known and less crowded version of Fes, for an introduction to a former imperial city. The Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina are the two main attractions. Visit the Royal Stables, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and Bab al-Mansour Gate.
   • Travel on to Fes. Fes is a city that is worth getting lost in because of its imposingly sizable (and occasionally perplexing) old medina. Spend some time at the Merenid Tombs, which are north of the city, to enjoy the panoramic views of ancient Fes and the surroundings before going into the medina. 
   • Return to your riad (a traditional Moroccan home with an interior garden) for the evening as you descend the hil

3. Day 3: Fes: A tour of the Imperial City and the Medina of the Middle Ages

   • Meknes, Marrakech, and Rabat are the other Moroccan imperial cities; Fes is the oldest and, arguably, the most fascinating to explore. The city, which is a UNESCO-protected site, hasn't undergone a lot of colonial development, so you can still enjoy its medieval charm. Fes is made up of the early 20th-century French-designed Ville Nouvelle and two old medina quarters, Fes el Bali (where you will spend the majority of your time) and Fes el Jdid (a slightly newer area of the city). Beginning in Fes el Bali, meet your guide who will assist you in navigating the winding, ancient streets of the medinas (789 CE).
   • As you pass the various souks (markets) selling spices, leather goods, and pewter, take note of the architecture with influences from Spain and Tunisia. 
   • Visit the well-known Chouara Tannery and climb to the roof of a nearby store for a better view of the action in this region, which is known for its tanneries and the pungent smell they produce. Observe the zellij tilework at the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa before visiting Al-Qarawiyyin University, one of the oldest still in operation in the world (859 CE). Another expansive view of the city can be found by visiting the mellah (old Jewish quarter) in Fes el Jdid.

4. Day 4: Erfoud, Merzouga, and the Sahara in the Middle Atlas

   • Continue travelling south, passing through the Middle Atlas mountain cedar forests and crossing the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m). As you travel to Midelt (the "apple city") for lunch, you will see families of Barbary macaque monkeys in the trees and along the side of the road. 
   • Enjoy the surroundings, including the apple orchards and the Moulouya River. After that, proceed into the Ziz Valley, which is dotted with oases and clusters of palm trees, via the Tizi n'Talremt pass. Observe the numerous ksars that traders constructed as fortified homes to safeguard their goods (gold, salt, and spices).
   • As you get closer to Erfoud, you'll start to notice the Sahara's sand dunes for the first time. The dunes move as the winds change; they are never still. If you're fortunate, you might run into a nomadic Berber family and get to share a cup of tea. Visit Erfoud to see how the fossil-rich rock from its mines is turned into ornamental and useful items. 
   • Continue on to Erg Chebbi's vast sea of sand dunes. Some dunes, which span 13.5 square miles (35 square km) and reach heights of over 656.2 feet (200 m), change colour in response to the position of the sun.
   • A camel ride through the dunes outside of Merzouga will change the pace and bring you to camp just before dusk. To view the vibrant display as the sun sets behind the enormous dunes, climb up the closest sand dune. 
   • Return to camp for an outdoor dinner and an evening spent by the campfire listening to local musicians perform traditional Berber music under a sky filled with stars. Spend the night in a tent a la Bedouin.

5. Day 5: Merzouga, Rissani Market, and Todra Gorge excursions

   • Before you try your skills at sandboarding, get up early to catch a desert sunrise. Additionally, you will have the choice of taking an ATV tour or an Erg Chebbi (sand dune) tour. 
   • Visit the nearby Saharan village of Khemliya to take part in traditional dancing and drumming before taking a quick stroll through the community. 
   • After leaving the dunes, stop in the market town of Rissani and enter through its grand gate. It's worth your time to find the "donkey parking lot," which is known for its livestock auction and will delight your senses.
   • Then, proceed to Tinerhir. This town in the desert offers breathtaking views of nearby cities hugging the length of the vast river oasis (30 miles or 48 km of palm trees). 
   • Stop at the Todra Gorge, which is your final stop for the day. You can take a leisurely stroll through and around the gorge, which is 984 feet (300 m) high and formed by the Todra River cutting through red limestone, and unwind in the cool waters of the shallow river below.

6. Day 6: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou Kasbah

   • Travel to Ait Benhaddou, the most well-known kasbah in Morocco, along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Pass through Boumalne Dades and the Dades Valley. Visit Kelâat M'Gouna and marvel at the rose bushes that line the edges of the farmland there. 
   • Visit a rose cooperative to observe how rose petals are transformed into rose water and oil. Westward travel will bring you to Ouarzazate, where you can stop and learn about how scenes from Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down were filmed in the area. To learn more about the history of the region and the filmmaking process, take a tour of a movie studio or go to the Musée du Cinema.
   • Visit the close-by A't Benhaddou. The old ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was a significant location along the trans-Saharan trade route in the 11th century. Set up residence in the historic district and spend the late afternoon exploring the almost deserted alleys and passageways. 
   • Climb to the top of the old Granary for a great view of the kasbah and its surroundings. Fans of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones might want to make the journey down to the river to see the gates. 
   • Enjoy a peaceful dinner with a view of the valley long after the daytime crowds have dispersed.

7. Day 7: Tizi n'Tichka Pass over the High Atlas mountains to Marrakech

   • Leave Ait Benhaddou in the past and start climbing the High Atlas mountains. The mountain range's highest peak, Mount Toubkal, stands at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Stretch your legs near the summit for a fantastic vista of the mountains. 
   • Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert to learn how olives are prepared for various uses and to sample some. The climate and landscape will drastically change as you leave the High Atlas behind. You will soon be a part of Marrakech's clamour and noise.
   • After a long day of travelling, check into your hotel and spend the remaining time however you want. The main square, Jemaa el-Fna, which is also the busiest square in all of Africa, comes alive in the early evening with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, making it a hub of entertainment. Choose one of the many cafés surrounding the square and take in a meal and a cup of mint tea if you want to observe the spectacle from a distance.

8. Day 8: Visit the Red City in Marrakech

   • Since the time of the Berber Empire, Marrakech has been a thriving city, earning the moniker "Red City" for its buildings and city walls made of red sandstone that are over a thousand years old (1062 ACE). Meet your tour guide there for a half-day excursion, and then explore the spice, blacksmith, and souk smata markets (slippers). 
   • Visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers' souk), and while you're there, take note of the open areas that branch off of some alleys. These fondouks were once medieval inns that offered lodging for travellers and merchants, as well as for their pets. The tallest tower constructed in Marrakech is the hard-to-miss Mosque's 253-foot (77-meter) minaret. Before going to Ben Youssef Madrasa, unwind in the nearby gardens. This madrasa, constructed in the sixteenth century, once served as housing for mosque students. 
   • Admire the Moroccan craftsmanship found in the carved cedar, the stucco plaster, and the zellij tiling. For more examples of traditional artwork and woodwork, go to the Marrakech Museum or the Museum of Moroccan Arts. The Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Mellah and cemetery are among the noteworthy attractions in the Kasbah region, which is located south of Jemaa el-Fna.

9. Day 9: Essaouira

   • Leave the Red City behind and take a route that crosses vast, rolling plains to the west coast of Morocco. Pass through an argan tree forest along the way; these trees are unique to this region of the world. Even goats have been known to eat argan fruit from branches of trees. Learn about the uses of argan oil in the food and cosmetic industries by visiting an argan cooperative. Argan oil is obtained from the argan tree.
   • Arrive in calm Essaouira, a pleasant change from chaotic Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day as you, please. Stroll along the coast along the Skala de la Kasbah, the seafront ramparts built in the 18th century. Old brass cannons that line the interior walls and provide access to the Atlantic Ocean were installed by European engineers. 
   • Before heading to the deserted beach, explore the UNESCO-protected medina. Fans of Jimi Hendrix might want to take a quick taxi ride to Diabat, which is at the end of Essaouira's beach and is where he is said to have spent some time. Take a fresh seafood meal on your way back to Essaouira.

10. Day 10: Return to Marrakech, Depart

    • Before returning to Marrakech, stroll along the beach or pick up any last-minute souvenirs. 
    • Visit the Majorelle Gardens if you have time. Wandering the gardens full of sub-tropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms, which are not far from the busy medina, is a great way to escape the afternoon heat and noise before you catch your flight home.