Touch down at Marrakesh Menara Airport and experience your first taste of Moroccan hospitality as your driver welcomes you with a personalized signboard in the arrivals area. You will be greeted warmly and made to feel truly at home from the very start of your journey. Enjoy a comfortable transfer from the airport to your carefully selected accommodation in the heart of Marrakesh, giving you your first glimpses of the city’s lively streets, centuries-old ramparts, and the ever-present silhouettes of palm trees.

As you travel through the city, vibrant colors and the buzz of local life stir anticipation for the adventure ahead. The evening is yours to relax and recover from your travels. Settle into your traditional riad or welcoming hotel, unwind, and let the atmosphere of Marrakesh, rich with the aroma of spices and the hum of distant city sounds, set the mood for your journey.

Marrakesh was founded in 1070 and became a major imperial city situated at the crossroads of ancient Saharan trade routes.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

• Standard: Riad Palais des Princesses & SPA

Begin the day with a guided exploration of Marrakesh’s cultural treasures. After breakfast, set out on a three-hour walking tour that takes you deep into the city’s heart. Start at the majestic Bahia Palace, located in the southern Mellah district. Covering 8,000 square meters, this masterpiece of Moroccan architecture features stunning painted and gilded ceilings, delicately crafted wooden marquetry, intricate stucco, and beautiful zellige tilework surrounding tranquil fountains and gardens filled with the scent of orange blossoms. The palace, designed between 1894 and 1900 by Moroccan architect El Mekki for Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed ben Moussa, highlights the best craftsmanship Morocco has to offer and provides countless opportunities for memorable photographs.

Continue to the Saadian Tombs, adjacent to the Kasbah Mosque. These tombs are one of the few remnants of the Saadian dynasty, which reigned during Marrakesh’s golden age from 1524 to 1659. Step softly through this royal necropolis, first used in the 14th century but renowned for its 16th-century splendor. Marvel at the elaborate tiles and ornate koubba built under Sultan Ahmed El Mansour, dedicated to his mother, Lalla Messaouda, and resting place of several of his successors. The entrance was walled up in the 18th century and the site remained lost until its rediscovery in 1917.

Next, visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh’s largest and most iconic mosque. Built in classic Almohad style, its minaret tower soars above the city and serves as a symbol for Marrakesh. The aroma of local spices drifts around you as you stroll through nearby souks, and the hum of daily city life adds vibrancy to your journey through history.

Bahia Palace represents the zenith of 19th-century Moroccan luxury and is a showcase of the era’s finest artisanship.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Riad Palais des Princesses & SPA

After breakfast, leave the shimmering city of Marrakesh behind and set out on a scenic adventure through the High Atlas Mountains. As you drive, watch Marrakesh's distant haze sharpen into a jagged mountain range, their peaks rising dramatically from the plain. This same route was once traveled by ancient caravans carrying gold, precious woods, and salt from the Sahara to Morocco’s imperial cities. The journey takes you past charming villages perched among oak trees, walnut groves, and lingering patches of snow until you reach the impressive Tizi n'Tichka Pass, standing at 2,260 meters.

Descending from the pass, a new world unfolds before your eyes. Before reaching Ouarzazate, detour from the main road to visit the UNESCO-listed Ksar Ait Benhaddou, a stunning adobe citadel perched above the Ounila Valley. Let the fat, red sun cast dramatic shadows as you wander narrow alleyways, passing thick mud-and-straw walls built centuries ago, and climb to the summit for breathtaking views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains against a denim blue sky. Seven families still call this ancient ksar home, while the rest have settled in the more modern side of the valley. Enjoy lunch in the village and learn how Ait Benhaddou served as a vital stop for caravans trading salt, silver, and slaves, and as a backdrop for famous films like Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones.

Continue the journey past Ouarzazate and travel through Skoura, dotted with palm groves, toward the Dades Valley. Here, the terrain transforms yet again: lush greenery nestles between rugged desert crests, and ksars dot the landscape. Settle in for the evening in a welcoming accommodation in the heart of the Dades Valley, surrounded by dramatic formations and deep cultural roots.

Ksar Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages and a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing earthen clay architecture that reflects centuries of trans-Saharan trade and local ingenuity.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard: Auberge Panorama

Begin your journey by traveling through the breathtaking Dades Valley, where verdant palm groves and dramatic rock formations create a striking scene. Your first stop is Tinerhir, a town celebrated for its sprawling palm oasis and the ksours, or fortified Berber villages, perched on rocky hills. Explore the mysterious, decaying Jewish quarter, which reflects the region’s multicultural past and Tinerhir’s historic role as a winter resting point for nomadic Berber tribes migrating southward toward the desert.

Continue onward to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge, just 15 kilometers from Tinerhir. Stand at the base of its towering 300-meter limestone walls and listen to the sound of the clear river flowing through the gorge. The ever-changing light paints the stone in enchanting hues, while climbers can sometimes be seen ascending the dramatic cliffs, drawn by the gorge’s world-class routes.

After savoring the natural beauty, continue deeper into the desert landscape as you journey through Erfoud, a town known for its fossil-rich land. Approaching Merzouga, the road gives way to the undulating golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Pause at a local kasbah for a short rest, then mount a camel and ride into the heart of the Sahara as the sun sets, casting the sand in orange and gold. Climb the highest dune for sweeping views of the desert before reaching your private camp nestled among the sands.

As night descends, dine on a traditional Moroccan meal beneath the star-filled sky and listen to the rhythms of local musicians around the campfire. Revel in the peaceful stillness of the Sahara, then retire to your well-appointed tent with an en suite bathroom and toilet for a comfortable night surrounded by the magic of the desert.

The Todra Gorge stands out as one of Morocco’s premier climbing and hiking destinations, famous for its soaring canyon walls and clear waters that have attracted explorers and adventurers from around the world.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard: Layali Camp

After enjoying breakfast amid the serenity of the desert, your journey today takes you deep into the alluring landscapes and unique culture of Merzouga. Travel across this remarkable region in the shadow of the sweeping Erg Chebbi dunes, renowned for their beauty and the ever-changing patterns they create against the sky. Discover the soul of southern Morocco as you visit a lush oasis, experience the hospitality of local villages, and listen to the sounds of traditional music echoing through the dunes.

After time to rest and refresh at a welcoming auberge, you set out once more for an unforgettable camel ride. The rhythmic movement of the camels and the warm winds across the sands guide you to a vantage point just in time to witness the magical desert sunset. Watch as the colors of the sky shift from gold to deep crimson, casting dramatic silhouettes along the dunes. Dinner tonight is served in the open air, where you are treated to Berber folklore performed by local musicians.

Embrace a truly authentic Sahara experience as you sleep in a traditional Berber tent, immersed in the timeless rhythms of the desert and surrounded by the silence and starlight unique to this landscape.

Merzouga’s proximity to Erg Chebbi has made it a legendary destination for travelers seeking the quintessential Moroccan desert experience, while its surrounding villages continue to preserve the customs and traditions of the Berber people.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard: Hotel Café du Sud

Start your day before sunrise as your desert camp hosts offer to wake you early so you can experience the magical moment when the sun’s first light spills across the Sahara. Stand outside in the cool morning air and watch the dunes transform in color, making for perfect photographs and memories. Afterward, return to a local hotel for a welcome hot shower and a delicious breakfast to prepare for the day’s journey.

Begin your route along the scenic Ziz River, passing through a lush oasis lined with rows of tall palm trees and centuries-old fortified ksours. The fertile green valley is a striking contrast to the arid surroundings. Continue onward to the town of Midelt, set in the heart of the Atlas Mountains, where you will stop to enjoy lunch and stretch after your morning drive.

In the afternoon, travel through winding roads as you cross the Middle Atlas Mountains on your way to Fez. The landscape changes dramatically along the route, shifting from rocky terrain to snow-capped peaks, dense cedar forests, and flourishing vegetation unique to the region. Keep an eye out for Barbary macaques inhabiting the cedar forests near Azrou, a rare species native to North Africa.

Arrive in Fez by early evening, where your driver brings you to a traditional riad or hotel for a well-deserved rest. Take in the atmosphere of this historic imperial city before your exploration begins tomorrow.

The cedar forests near Azrou are among Morocco’s oldest woodlands and are home to the endangered Barbary macaque, an iconic example of North African wildlife.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Riad Sara

Today you step into the labyrinth of Fez, the oldest city in Morocco, renowned for its winding alleys and rich tapestry of history. Begin by visiting the impressive Royal Palace gate, where imposing architecture hints at centuries of dynastic power. Next, explore the city’s Jewish quarter, or Mellah, established in the 16th century as Morocco’s very first Mellah and a vibrant center of community life.

Continue to some of the country’s most treasured cultural and spiritual sites, including the famous Al Qaraouine University, recognized as the oldest operating university in the world. Walk through the atmospheric tanneries, where age-old techniques are still used to produce leather in a kaleidoscope of dye-filled vats. Immerse yourself in the historic Attarine museum before visiting the revered Moulay Idriss mausoleum, a spiritual anchor for the city.

After a lunch break, your exploration continues as you discover the medina’s bustling cooperatives, where skilled artisans craft unique pottery, textiles, and metalwork. Finish your day by climbing to a panoramic viewpoint for a sweeping view across the vast, bustling medina of Fez, a city that has enchanted travelers for centuries with its storied past and vibrant present.

Fez’s ancient medina is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains the largest car-free urban area in the world, preserving its medieval structure and daily rhythms.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Riad Sara

Begin the morning as your driver picks you up from your accommodation at 8:30 AM for the scenic journey to Chefchaouen. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is renowned for its dazzling blue-and-white-washed walls and welcoming atmosphere. As you approach this beloved city, you’ll notice its unique location just south of the Mediterranean coastline in northern Morocco.

On arrival, venture into the heart of Chefchaouen, where every turn reveals vibrant traditional buildings and lively streets. Explore the kasbah museum in the center of the medina, where a restored walled castle now houses a beautiful garden and a small ethnographic museum. Here, discover fascinating glimpses of historical Chefchaouen, including artifacts and panoramic views from atop the kasbah tower. Chefchaouen is known for hand-made wool garments and a thriving handicraft scene, particularly woven blankets that are unique to the region.

Stroll through the winding blue-painted alleys and lively markets, taking in the medley of sights and the gentle hum of town life. The contrast of blue buildings against the mountain backdrop creates endless opportunities for striking photographs. Spend the day hiking through the town, exploring the lively Rif Mountains, and soaking up the tranquil, creative vibe that defines Chefchaouen.

Chefchaouen’s signature blue color is said to symbolize the sky and heaven, a tradition started by Jewish refugees in the 1930s that continues to bring a peaceful aura to this mountain town.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard: Riad Assilah Chaouen