Welcome to Marrakech, the Red City and the cultural heart of southern Morocco. Your Navigate Morocco driver will meet you at Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation and transfer you to your traditional riad in the medina.
The rest of the day depends on your arrival time. If you arrive in the morning, you will have the afternoon available for a guided city tour of Marrakech’s most important landmarks. Your local guide will take you through the UNESCO-listed medina, the Bahia Palace with its ornate courtyards and painted ceilings, the Koutoubia Mosque whose 70-meter minaret has defined the city’s skyline for over eight centuries, and the legendary Jemaa el-Fna Square, where the evening atmosphere of musicians, storytellers, food stalls, and street performers is unlike anything else in the world.
If you arrive in the afternoon or evening, the day is yours to settle in at your own pace. Take a gentle stroll through the medina, explore the souks, and enjoy a dinner of your choice at one of the many excellent restaurants in and around the medina. Marrakech has no shortage of options, from rooftop terraces overlookingJemaa el-Fna to intimate traditional restaurants hidden inside the old city.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast only
Early morning departure from Marrakech, heading east across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level. The mountain road winds through spectacular switchbacks with sweeping views of rocky peaks, deep valleys, and Berber villages perched on the hillsides. Stop along the way for panoramic photographs before beginning the descent toward the pre-Saharan plains of the south.
The first major stop of the day is the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. This ancient ksar, built entirely from red earthen clay, has appeared in productions including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Mummy. Your guide will walk you through the narrow alleyways and take you up to the top granary for sweeping views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Continue through Ouarzazate for a lunch stop before heading east through the Valley of Roses, passing through Kelaat M’Gouna where Damask roses are cultivated and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue into the Dades Valley, arriving in the late afternoon. The winding roads, dramatic red rock formations, and ancient kasbahs clinging to the cliffsides make this one of the most beautiful overnight settings in southern Morocco. Check into your riad for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast, begin the day with a drive through the Dades Gorge, passing the famous Monkey Fingers red rock formations near Ait Oudinar before the valley opens out into the broader southern plains. Continue east to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. At its narrowest point the walls close in to just a few meters wide. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge before continuing south through Erfoud toward Merzouga.
By late afternoon, the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon. Your camels will be waiting at the edge of the desert for a sunset trek across the golden sands. As the sun descends, the dunes glow in shades of amber and rose and the silence of the Sahara settles completely around you. Arrive at your luxury desert camp to a warm welcome of mint tea and Berber bread. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under a sky full of stars, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of live Berber music around the campfire.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
Rise before dawn to witness the Sahara sunrise, one of the most peaceful and memorable moments of the entire journey. As the first light creeps over the dunes, the desert awakens in shades of gold and pink. After breakfast at the camp, say farewell to the Sahara and begin the long drive north to Fes.
The drive north passes through the historic town of Rissani before entering the stunning Ziz Valley, where the Ziz River winds through a long corridor of thousands of date palms, ancient mud-brick kasbahs, and small Berber villages. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for sweeping photographs before continuing through the Foum Zabel tunnel and across the Tizi-n-Talghemt mountain pass into the Middle Atlas.
Continue north through the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys roam freely among the ancient trees. Pass through Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, for a short coffee stop before the final stretch north to Fes. Arrive in Fes in the evening and check into your traditional riad in the heart of the old medina. Fes has an extraordinary variety of restaurants within and around the medina, and your guide will recommend the best options for dinner based on your preferences.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast at your riad, your local expert guide will meet you and begin the full guided cultural tour of Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina of Fes and one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Walking through its nine thousand alleyways with a knowledgeable guide reveals a city where centuries-old architecture, bustling souks, and living craft traditions all exist side by side.
Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating university. Explore the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning 14th-century theological school of extraordinary decorative craftsmanship. Head to the world-famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using the same natural pigments and traditional methods for over a thousand years, viewed from the rooftop terraces of the surrounding leather shops. Round off the day with a walk through the artisan workshops where coppersmiths, weavers, potters, and ceramicists practice their crafts as they have for generations.
Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating university. Explore the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning 14th-century theological school of extraordinary decorative craftsmanship. Head to the world-famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using the same natural pigments and traditional methods for over a thousand years, viewed from the rooftop terraces of the surrounding leather shops. Round off the day with a walk through the artisan workshops where coppersmiths, weavers, potters, and ceramicists practice their crafts as they have for generations.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast, depart Fes and head northwest toward Chefchaouen, the famous Blue City nestled in the heart of the Rif Mountains. The drive takes approximately two and a half hours on a road that passes through fertile farmland before climbing into the forested Rif hillsides. Arrive in Chefchaouen late morning and check into your traditional riad in the medina.
The rest of the day is yours to explore the Blue City at your own pace. Wander through the iconic blue-washed alleyways and doorways that have made this one of the most photographed towns in Morocco. Visit Outa el Hammam Square, the lively heart of the medina, and browse the artisan shops selling handwoven wool textiles and leather goods. For those with the energy, the walk up to the Spanish Mosque above the town rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in northern Morocco. The town has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with a good selection of restaurants in and around the medina to explore for dinner independently.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Chefchaouen | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast in Chefchaouen, enjoy a final morning walk through the blue medina before departing for Casablanca. The drive takes approximately four hours through the Rif Mountains and across the Atlantic plains before arriving in Morocco’s largest city and economic capital.
After breakfast in Chefchaouen, enjoy a final morning walk through the blue medina before departing for Casablanca. The drive takes approximately four hours through the Rif Mountains and across the Atlantic plains before arriving in Morocco’s largest city and economic capital.
End of tour with Navigate Morocco
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a fully private tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions by Navigate Morocco. You will have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide for all 7 days and will not share with any other group at any point during the journey.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Marrakech with a pickup from Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation and ends with a transfer to Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca on Day 7. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the timing accordingly.
Why are dinners not included in the cities?
Dinners in Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, and Casablanca are not included because these cities have such a wide and diverse range of excellent restaurants that we prefer to give our travelers the freedom to explore independently and choose what suits their taste and budget. Your driver-guide will always be happy to recommend the best options in each city. Dinners are included at the smaller overnight stops of Dades Valley and the Sahara desert camp, where restaurant choice is more limited and the included meal is part of the experience.
What happens if I arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon?
If you arrive in the afternoon or evening, Day 1 is a relaxed arrival day with time to settle into your riad and explore Marrakech at your own pace. The guided city tour option is available for morning arrivals only. Navigate Morocco will adjust the Day 1 plan to suit your actual arrival time.
Is Day 4 a very long drive?
The drive from Merzouga to Fes is approximately 6 to 7 hours in total. However it is broken up with stops at Rissani, the Ziz Valley viewpoint, the Azrou cedar forest, and Ifrane, making it a scenic and engaging day rather than a tiring one. Departing after the desert sunrise breakfast ensures a comfortable arrival in Fes by early evening.
What type of accommodation is included?
You will stay in a traditional riad in Marrakech, a riad in Dades Valley, a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, a traditional riad in Fes, and a traditional riad in Chefchaouen. All accommodations are chosen for their comfort, cleanliness, and authentic Moroccan character.
Is the camel trek suitable for all travelers?
Yes. The sunset camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes is slow-paced and guided by experienced local handlers, making it suitable for travelers of all ages and fitness levels. A 4×4 transfer to the desert camp can be arranged as an alternative if preferred.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. Navigate Morocco offers fully flexible itineraries. Stops, pacing, accommodation preferences, and optional activities can all be adjusted to match your group’s interests and schedule.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are comfortable across all regions of the route. Summer can be very hot in the Sahara and southern Morocco, while winter is cooler but still manageable with appropriate clothing particularly in the mountains.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings in the mountains and desert. A small daypack is ideal for daily excursions and the camel trek, and a scarf is useful for the desert wind and when visiting religious sites.
