Our fullest route from the north, for travellers with ten days to see the country properly: the Rif, the imperial cities, the Sahara, the kasbah valleys, Marrakech and a finish on the Atlantic coast.
Tour highlights
- Cape Spartel and Chefchaouen
- Volubilis, Meknes and Fes
- Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dades and Todra gorges
- Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
- Essaouira on the coast
Itinerary
Day 1 — Tangier to Chefchaouen
A stop at Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, before we climb into the Rif to Chefchaouen for the night.
Day 2 — Chefchaouen
A full day in the blue town: the Ras el Maa spring, the Kasbah museum, the weavers' souk and a walk up to the old Spanish Mosque for sunset.
Day 3 — Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes
We visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial gates of Meknes on the way to Fes.
Day 4 — Fes
A full day with a local guide in the medina: the tanneries, the Al Qarawiyyin mosque and university, and the souks around them.
Day 5 — Fes to Merzouga
Crossing the Middle Atlas through Ifrane's cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, we reach Erg Chebbi in time for a camel trek into the dunes at sunset and a night at a desert camp.
Day 6 — Merzouga to the Dades Valley
Sunrise over the dunes, then west through Erfoud and the Todra Gorge to the kasbahs and rose fields of the Dades Valley.
Day 7 — Dades Valley to Ouarzazate
We continue through Skoura's palm oasis to Ouarzazate, with time for the Atlas Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah.
Day 8 — Ouarzazate to Marrakech
A visit to Ait Ben Haddou, the earthen kasbah on the old caravan road, before we cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
Day 9 — Marrakech
A guided day through the medina: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia mosque and gardens, and the souks around the Jemaa el-Fna.
Day 10 — Essaouira day trip
A last day on the coast: the ramparts, fishing harbour and blue-shuttered lanes of Essaouira, before returning to Marrakech in the evening for your onward journey.
