10 Days from Tanger Amazing Morocco Tour

DAY 1: MEETING AT TANGIER PORT/AIRPORT AND DRIVING TO CHEFCHAOUEN
During the first day of the trip, we will meet you at the port or the airport and drive through the Rif mountains and Tetouan city, enjoying the views of the beautiful mountains until we get to Chefchaouen, a stunning village at the foot of the Rif mountains. The medina of Chefchaouen has a Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky arts and crafts stores, roof-top restaurants and cafes. Dinner and overnight will be in Chefchaouen.
DAY 2: CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FES
After breakfast at the riad, our authentic journey will start towards Volubilis, crossing via Wazan and other Rif villages. In Volubilis, we will discover the roman ruins and learn about the archeological site and its long rich history. After the visit to the ruins we will shift our way to Meknes city, the 17th century stronghold where we will stop for lunch and explore different sites, such as the historical huge walls of the medina, Bab Mansour Gate and Moulay Ismail mausoleum. After the visit to Meknes, we will drive directly to Fes, where you will spend the night at a riad.
DAY 3: FES SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast at the riad, you will start exploring the oldest city in Morocco, walking in its alleys and narrow streets. The tour starts by a visit to the Royal Palace gate, then, to EL-Mellah (Jewish quarter), which is the first Mellah that was built in Morocco, and that was during the 16th century. We will ensure that you visit all the sites with cultural and historical interest, including the renowned Al-Qaraouine University, the oldest in the region; the tanneries; the Attarine museum and Mulay Idriss mausoleum. After lunch, you will visit a tile cooperative and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes.
DAY 4: FES – IFRANE – MIDELT – ZIZ AVALLEY – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA
After breakfast at the hotel, you will travel to Merzouga via Errachidia and Erfoud. You will pass through the fascinating Tizi-N-talghamt mountain pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau. You will notice how the scenery changes, revealing hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. There, you will have lunch and enjoy Berber hospitality. Afterwards, you will travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrival to Merzouga will be during the afternoon. You will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into the riad.(HB).
DAY 5: MERZOUGA – SAHARA DESERT – CAMEL TREK
After breakfast at the riad, you can explore the local area before starting the camel ride. You will visit the Gnawa people – whose origin is traced back to Mali, Senegal and Sudan- in their village Khamlia, where you will learn about their music and lifestyle. Later, we will drive in the desert area to meet nomad families to explore their way of life. Lunch will be a traditional Berber meal (Berber stuffed pizza). You will also have the option to visit the old city of Rissani, the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty from which the current ruling royal family in Morocco originates. Rissani is surrounded by about 360 ksars (fortified villages with many towers) and has a big souk (an open market), held three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, heading to Tombouctou in Mali. In Rissani, you will walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths. Then, you will get back to the village of Merzouga. In the afternoon, you will ride a camel, guided by an experienced camel-man, and explore the hidden sides of the highest sand dunes in Morocco. Dinner will be served in front of the tent where you will spend the night.
DAY 6: SAHARA DESERT – TODGHA GORGES – DADES VALLEY
In Merzouga, you will get up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara. Then, we make our way back by camels to our guesthouse for breakfast and shower. After that, we will drive through Rissani and Erfoud, heading towards Todgha Gorge where we will enjoy fascinating landscapes with special rock formations along the canyons and have a traditional Moroccan lunch. We will take a short walk through the gorge before arriving at Dades Valley for dinner and accommodation.
DAY 7: DADES VALLEY – OUARZAZATE – AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Ouarzazate. The way through Dades Valley is the Route of One Thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. For lunch, we will stop at Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the beginning of the 20th Century. It used to be one of his stops during his long travel from the Sahara to Marrakech. Today the kasbah is recognized by the UNESCO as a world heritage site. After lunch, we will shift the way to cross the high Atlas Mountains, full of panoramic views and attractive Berber villages all along the way to Marrakech. The night is to be at a fancy riad in the medina.
DAY 8: MARRAKECH CITY TOUR
In the 8th day we explore Marrakech in a guided tour. After breakfast at the riad, we start our exploration of Marrakech, “the Red City of Morocco”. We will ensure that you visit the most important sites of historical and cultural interest, including the Majorelle Gardens, the Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian tombs and the Bahia Palace. After Lunch at a restaurant near the square, you will walk through the souks and view hundreds of handicrafts. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to wander by yourself other parts of the city.
DAY 9: DAY TRIP TO ESSAOUIRA
After breakfast at the riad, you will start a trip to the coastal city of Essaouira; getting there after about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to start exploring the city. You will visit the Skala Fortress, see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of handicrafts. Essaouira, nicknamed “City of the Wind”, attracts surfers from all over the world. The place witnessed various cultural interactions, including during Portuguese occupation, which has left a strong effect on its architecture. However, it remains a small village with much history. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantic”. You will also visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil. There, they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. You will have lunch the Moroccan way – fresh fish “cooked to order” at the fish market. In the afternoon, you will travel back to Marrakech. You will stay overnight at the riad. (BB).
DAY 10: MARRAKECH – AIRPORT
Transfer to Casablanca or Marrakech airport.