Join this 12 Days Morocco itinerary from Tangier and visit the beautiful places where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. You will also explore the Hercules Caves and Cap Spartel. Then, you will travel to Chefchaouen, the Blue City. Here, you can walk through the blue streets and enjoy the peaceful views. Next, you will go to Volubilis, where you will see ancient Roman ruins and visit Meknes, where you will see the famous gates and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Then, you will continue to Fes, where a local guide will show you places like the Royal Palace, Al Karaouine Mosque, and the leather tanneries.
After Fes, the journey continues to the Sahara Desert. You will pass through beautiful mountains and visit Ifrane and Azrou. In the desert, you will ride camels, meet nomad families, and enjoy traditional music. Then, you will stay overnight in a desert camp.
The next day, you will visit Rissani, Erfoud, Todgha Gorges, and Dades Valley. Here, you will see amazing views and visit places that sell local crafts. Afterward, you will visit Ouarzazate and the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Then, you will drive through the Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech. In Marrakech, you will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and the busy souks.
After that, you will travel to Essaouira, a peaceful coastal town. You can relax at the beach and enjoy the local crafts. Next, you will visit Casablanca and Rabat. In Rabat, you will see the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Finally, you will drive back to Tangier, stopping in Assilah to explore its peaceful streets. The trip ends when you reach Tangier for your departure.
Today, our driver will meet you at Tangier Airport or Port with a warm welcome. Tangier is a unique city where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and serves as a bridge between Africa and Europe. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the city of Tangier, a lively city where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoy the view from Cap Spartel, the northernmost point of Africa. We will also visit the Hercules Caves, a place full of interesting stories and legends. Overnight in Tangier.
After breakfast in Tangier, we will drive to Chefchaouen, the “Blue City” in the Rif Mountains. The drive will be beautiful, with views of mountains and green landscapes. When we reach Chefchaouen, you will check into your hotel and you will be free to enjoy this beautiful city on your own. You can take a stroll through the town’s blue-painted streets, capturing the beauty of the surroundings and making unforgettable memories.
Wander through the Medina’s narrow alleys and discover picturesque scenes at every corner. Don’t miss Rass el Ma, a peaceful spot where a natural spring flows from the mountains, accompanied by traditional water mills. It’s a perfect place to sit, relax, and watch locals gather water from the spring. In the afternoon, you can hike up to the Spanish Mosque, located at the top of the town.
From here, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Chefchaouen’s blue-painted buildings with the Rif Mountains in the background, especially stunning during sunset. Afterward, head to Outa el Hammam square, the heart of the town, where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere surrounded by local cafés and shops. You can also have dinner at one of the nearby restaurants while enjoying live local music performances. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
After breakfast, we will leave the blue city of Chefchaouen towards Fes. On the way, we will stop at Volubilis, a UNESCO site with ancient Roman ruins and stunning mosaics. You will have time to explore and learn about Morocco’s Roman history. Next, we will drive to Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. There, you will visit Bab Mansour, a beautiful gate, and explore El Hedim Square.
You will also visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and see Hari Swani, an impressive granary and stable built by Sultan Moulay Ismail, and Qara Prison, an underground prison with a fascinating history. Finally, we will drive to Fes for overnight.
Today will be dedicated to exploring the spiritual city of Morocco. After breakfast, you will meet your driver and local guide, who will take you by car to start your tour. First, you will visit the beautiful Royal Palace gates in Fes, stop by the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), and see a pottery cooperative where skilled artisans make ceramics.
You will also enjoy a great view of the Medina, the old part of the city. Next, you will walk with your guide through the Medina’s narrow streets and lively markets. You will visit the famous Al Karaouine Mosque and University, one of the biggest mosques in Africa and the oldest university in the world. It can hold up to 20,000 people. You will also see Medersa Bou Inania, a 14th-century school with amazing tile work, carvings, and brass doors.
Then, you will explore the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, a beautifully restored building where merchants once stayed and stored their goods. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Chouara Tanneries, a famous spot where leather is made the traditional way. In the afternoon, we will get back to your Riad and you will be free to walk around the Medina, enjoy its atmosphere, and meet the locals. Overnight in your Riad.
After breakfast, we will leave Fes and travel towards the Sahara Desert. On the way, we will enjoy views of the Middle Atlas Mountains and small Berber villages. Our first stop is Ifrane, a neat town built by the French in the 1930s. It looks like Switzerland, with red-roofed houses, flowers, and parks. Next, we will visit Azrou, a Berber town surrounded by cedar and pine forests. In the Cedar Forest, you can see and feed Barbary monkeys.
This is Morocco’s largest forest. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Midelt, a town famous for its apples. After lunch, we will drive through the green Ziz Valley and stop to take in the beautiful views. By evening, we will reach Merzouga, where you will be welcomed with mint tea. You will check into your Hotel near the Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight at the hotel.
Today will be an exciting day in the Sahara Desert of Morocco! After breakfast at your hotel, we will explore the amazing golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. These dunes stretch 28 km from north to south, 8 km wide and rise up to 160 meters high. Your driver-guide will take you around the dunes. You will visit a nomad family living in a tent in the desert.
While sharing a glass of mint tea, your guide will explain their unique way of life. Next, drive deep in the black rocky desert to visit the Mascara mine. The French used to exploit this mine during their colonial rule in Morocco. Today, the mine is abandoned, but you can still see the old scars and tunnels. After we will pass by old Berber villages made of mud and stopping at scenic spots for great views. You will meet the Gnawa people, originally brought from Sudan and Mali, and enjoy their spiritual music and culture.
After lunch, you will relax at your hotel, and we will stop at the Merzouga lake, a great spot for birdwatching, where you might see flamingos and other desert birds. In the evening, you will ride camels into the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes to watch a magical sunset. As the sun goes down, you will see the dunes change color. Overnight at the desert camp includes dinner, a live Berber drum show, and breakfast.
Today try to wake up early to watch the beautiful sunrise from the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, we will leave the Sahara and drive to the Dades Valley. Our first stop is Rissani, the town where Morocco’s royal family, the Alaouite dynasty, began.
You will visit its busy market, which has sections for dates, spices, vegetables, and animals. Next, we will head to Erfoud to visit a workshop that creates items from fossilized marble. Afterwards, we will drive through green palm trees and small Berber villages to reach the Todra Gorge, a deep canyon about 300 meters (984 feet) high.
You will have time to walk around and enjoy the cool water of the Todra River. After lunch, we will continue to the Dades Valley to see amazing rock shapes called “monkey toes” and beautiful old buildings that look like sandcastles. You will stay overnight with dinner and breakfast included at a hotel looking at the green valley.
After breakfast, we will leave the Dades Valley and go to Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. On the way, we will drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, where you can take great pictures. In Kalaat Mgouna, also called the “Rose City,” we can stop at one of the women’s local cooperatives to buy rose products like rosewater, perfume, lotion, and more.
Afterwards, we will drive through small Berber villages and arrive at Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” because many famous movies were filmed there. You can visit the Atlas Film Studio, one of the biggest in the world, where films like Gladiator and The Mummy were filmed. After that, we will visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, an old fortress built in the 18th century.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have a guided tour of the Kasbah and then stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will drive to Marrakech through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the Atlas Mountains. We will drop you off at your accommodation by the evening.
Today will be dedicated to exploring the Red City of Marrakech. Our official guide will meet you at your accommodation and start exploring the city. Starting with the famous Koutoubia Mosque and its beautiful gardens, followed by a visit to the stunning Bahia Palace and the historic Saadian Tombs.
After a delicious Moroccan lunch, explore the colorful souks in the Medina, where you can shop for spices, crafts, and souvenirs. In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the Majorelle Garden before heading to Djemaa el-Fna Square to watch the sunset from a rooftop café. In the evening, experience the lively square filled with performers, musicians, and food stalls, and if you like, end the day with a relaxing hammam spa treatment. Then back to your hotel for the overnight.
After breakfast, we will leave Marrakech and drive to Essaouira, a beautiful coastal town on the Atlantic Ocean. On the way, you will see lovely views of the countryside and Argan tree forests, where goats often climb the trees. In Essaouira, you will be free to visit the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with blue and white buildings, small streets, and busy markets.
Explore the Skala de la Kasbah, an old fortress with cannons and amazing views of the ocean. Walk along the harbor to see colorful fishing boats and enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you can relax on the sandy beach or enjoy the lively town. Essaouira is also famous for its handmade crafts like woodwork and woven fabrics. You will spend the night in Essaouira, enjoying the calm and peaceful seaside atmosphere.
Today, after breakfast, we will drive to Rabat. On our way, we will visit the famous Hassan II Mosque, a beautiful example of modern Islamic architecture located by the Atlantic Ocean. Completed in 1993, it is the largest mosque in Africa and has a towering minaret that stands 210 meters tall. Afterwards, we head to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
In Rabat, we will visit the Hassan Tower, an unfinished minaret from the 12th century, and explore the nearby Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a beautiful resting place for the late king and his family. We will also visit the Oudayas Kasbah, a charming fortress with narrow streets, colorful gardens, and views of the ocean. Overnight in Rabat.
On the last day of this tour, we transfer you back to Tangier. We will drive along the coast, and if we have time, we may pass by Assilah, a peaceful seaside town known for its whitewashed buildings and vibrant street art. You can take a stroll through its quiet streets, explore the city walls built by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, we will continue to Tangier, where we will drop you off at the port/airport or your accommodation for the night.
At Sahara Discovery, your satisfaction is our priority. If the tour we’ve arranged doesn’t perfectly match your expectations or needs, simply reach out to us, and we’ll work closely with you to create a customized itinerary that aligns with your desires. Our goal is to ensure your Moroccan adventure is nothing short of extraordinary, and we’re committed to crafting the perfect experience just for you. Your dream journey is only a conversation away!
