Departure from Tangier in the morning, heading south through the city and into the Rif Mountains. The drive to Chefchaouen takes approximately two hours on a road that climbs steadily through forested hillsides, Berber villages, and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. Arrive in Chefchaouen late morning or early afternoon and check into your traditional riad in the medina.
The rest of the day is entirely yours to explore the Blue City at your own pace. Chefchaouen is one of the most visually extraordinary towns in Morocco, its medina a maze of narrow alleyways, staircases, and doorways painted in every shade of blue imaginable. Wander freely through the blue-washed streets, visit Outa el Hammam Square at the heart of the medina, browse the artisan shops selling handwoven wool textiles andleather goods, and take the walk up to the Spanish Mosque above the town for the best panoramic view of the blue rooftops and the Rif Mountains on all sides. The town is at its most beautiful in the late afternoon when the day visitors have departed and the blue streets take on a quieter and more photogenic quality. Dinner independently at one of the rooftop restaurants in the medina.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Chefchaouen | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast in Chefchaouen, enjoy a final morning walk through the blue alleyways before departing southeast toward Fes. The drive from Chefchaouen to Fes takes approximately two and a half hours through the Rif Mountains and across the fertile Saiss Plain. The landscape flattens and opens out as you leave the northern mountains behind and approach the city, the minaret of the Kairaouine Mosque visible on the skyline as you near the medina.
Arrive in Fes late morning and check into your traditional riad in the heart of the old medina. The rest of the day is free for you to begin exploring Fes at your own pace, a worthwhile experience even before the guided tour tomorrow. Wander into the nearest alleyways, find a rooftop cafe with views over the medina, or simply settle into your riad and absorb the extraordinary atmosphere of one of the world’s most intact medieval cities. Fes reveals itself slowly and the free evening is the perfect introduction before the full guided day tomorrow. Dinner independently at one of the excellent restaurants in and around the medina.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast at your riad, your local expert guide will meet you for a 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. With over nine thousand alleyways, centuries-old monuments, and artisan workshops that have been operating for generations, Fes genuinely rewards a guided visit far more than an independent exploration. A great guide does not just show you where to go. He opens doors you would never find on your own and brings the deep history of the city to life in a way that no guidebook can replicate.
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 featuring intricate zellige tilework, elaborately carved stucco walls, and ornate cedar wood ceilings. 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.
Enjoy some free time in the late afternoon to browse the souk or sit in a traditional cafe before returning to your riad. Dinner independently in the city.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes | Meals: Breakfast only
Early morning departure from Fes, heading south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first stop is Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, a spotlessly clean alpine town with European-style stone chalets and cool mountain air. Continue to the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys roam freely among the ancient cedar trees. Stop for photographs and to watch the monkeys up close before continuing south through Midelt for a lunch stop.
After lunch, the road descends dramatically into the Ziz Valley, one of the most beautiful and photogenic landscapes in southern Morocco. The valley follows the Ziz River 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 theTizi-n-Talghemt mountain pass 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 unforgettable moments the desert offers. As the first light creeps over the dunes, the desert awakens in shades of gold and pink. After breakfast at the camp, check out and transfer to your comfortable riad or hotel in Merzouga for the second night.
The full day is dedicated to exploring the rich culture and remote corners of the Merzouga desert region by 4×4. Your experienced desert driver will take you off the beaten path to discover hidden dune formations, ancient desert tracks, and landscapes that few visitors ever see. Along the way, visit a nomadic Berber family in their tent and gain a genuine insight into their quiet, self-sufficient way of life. Continue to the fossil mines near Merzouga, where millions of years of prehistoric marine life are embedded in the local rock. Head to Khamlia village, home to the descendants of sub-Saharan Africans who have preserved the ancient tradition of Gnawa music for centuries, and enjoy a live performance by local musicians.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon and early evening are free for optional activities. ATV quad biking across the Erg Chebbi dunes is the most popular choice, offering a thrilling way to experience the desert landscape from a different perspective as the evening light sets in. Sandboarding is also available. All optional activities are at an additional cost paid locally. Return to your riad or hotel for dinner and a second overnight in the desert.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast, leave Merzouga and begin the drive westward. The road passes through the historic town of Rissani, the ancient former capital of the Tafilalt region. If your visit falls on a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), a brief stop at the Rissani souk offers a genuine glimpse into local desert trade and daily life before continuing west through Erfoud toward the Todra Gorge.
The Todra Gorge is 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, creating one of the most dramatic corridors of rock in Morocco. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge, absorb the extraordinary scale of the landscape, and enjoy a lunch stop before continuing west into the Dades Valley.
The afternoon drive through the Dades Gorge passes the famous Monkey Fingers red rock formations near Ait Oudinar and a series of ancient kasbahs clinging to the cliffsides. The Dades Valley, often called the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, is one of the most beautiful overnight settings in southern Morocco. Check into your riad overlooking the valley for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by some of the most striking scenery in the country.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast, depart the Dades Valley and head west through the Valley of Roses, passing through Kelaat M’Gouna where Damask roses are cultivated by local Berber farmers and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, for a lunch stop. If time allows, a briefvisit to the Taourirt Kasbah or the famous Atlas Film Studios, where sets from productions including Gladiator and Game of Thrones still stand in the desert landscape, is worth a short detour.
From Ouarzazate, visit 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 some of the most celebrated productions in cinema history. Your guide will walk you through the narrow alleyways and take you up for sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Please note that entrance fees to Ait Ben Haddou are paid locally and not included in the tour price.
Continue north 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, with sweeping views of rocky peaks, deep gorges, and Berber villages perched on the slopes. Descend into the red plains surrounding Marrakech and arrive in the city in the late afternoon. Check into your riad in the medina for an overnight stay. Dinner independently in the city.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast, your local expert guide will meet you for a full guided cultural tour of Marrakech, the Red City and one of the most vibrant and celebrated cities in the world. Begin in the UNESCO-listed medina, walking through the different quarters of the colorful souks where local artisans practice leatherwork, metalwork, weaving, and pottery using centuries-old techniques. Visit the Bahia Palace, a magnificent 19th-century royal residence with grand courtyards, intricately painted ceilings, carved stucco walls, and fragrant orange tree gardens. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis discovered in 1917 after being sealed for centuries, and the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, whose 70-meter minaret has defined the Marrakech skyline for over eight centuries.
In the afternoon, visit the stunning Majorelle Garden, a botanical space of exotic plants and electric blue architecture once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. As the evening approaches, make your way to Jemaa el-Fna Square, the beating heart of Marrakech and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, where storytellers, musicians, acrobats, and food stalls bring the square to life. Return to your riad in the evening for a final overnight in Marrakech. Dinner independently at one of the excellent restaurants in the city.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast only
Your final morning in Marrakech is yours to enjoy at your own pace depending on your flight schedule. Take a last walk through the medina, enjoy a final mint tea at a rooftop cafe overlooking the ancient city, browse the souks for any last souvenirs, or simply relax at your riad and reflect on nine extraordinary days of Moroccan landscapes, culture, and hospitality.
At the appropriate time, your Navigate Morocco driver will transfer you comfortably to Casablanca Airport, approximately three hours by road from Marrakech. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the departure timing to ensure a smooth and comfortable end to your journey.
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 9 days and will not share with any other group.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Tangier with a pickup from Tangier port, airport, or your accommodation and ends with a departure transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca Airport on Day 9. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the timing accordingly.
Why are there two nights in Fes?
Two nights in Fes gives you a free evening to settle into the medina atmosphere on Day 2 before the full guided cultural tour on Day 3. Arriving in Fes with a free evening means you can begin exploring at your own pace without the pressure of a schedule, which makes the guided tour the next morning far more rewarding.
Why are there two nights in the Merzouga desert area?
Two nights gives you the complete desert experience. The first night in the luxury desert camp provides the sunset camel trek, campfire, and stargazing. The full day on Day 5 with a 4×4 allows proper exploration of the desert including nomadic families, Khamlia Gnawa music, fossil mines, and optional ATV activities, and the second night in a comfortable riad or hotel gives you full facilities after a day of activity.
Is the 4×4 desert exploration included?
Yes. The full day of Sahara Desert exploration by 4×4 on Day 5 is included in the tour price. Optional activities such as ATV quad biking and sandboarding in the afternoon and evening are not included and are available at an additional cost paid locally.
Are dinners included?
Dinners are included at the desert camp, the Merzouga riad, and Dades Valley, where restaurant options are more limited and the included meal is part of the experience. In Chefchaouen, Fes, and Marrakech dinners are not included, giving you the freedom to explore each city’s excellent restaurant scene independently.
What type of accommodation is included?
You will stay in traditional riads in Chefchaouen, Fes (two nights), and Marrakech (two nights), a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, a comfortable riad or hotel in Merzouga, and a riad in Dades Valley. All accommodations are chosen for their comfort, cleanliness, and authentic Moroccan character.
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 and northern Morocco.
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.
