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 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 elHammam Square at the heart of the medina, browse the artisan shops, 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. The town is at its most beautiful in the late afternoon when the day visitors have departed. 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 takes approximately two and a half hours through the Rif Mountains and across the fertile Saiss Plain. 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 before the full 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 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.
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 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 free time in the late afternoon before 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. Stop in Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, before continuing to the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys roam freely among the ancient cedar trees. Continue through Midelt for a lunch stop before the road descends dramatically into the Ziz Valley. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for sweeping photographs of the palm groves and kasbahs stretching out below before continuing through the Foum Zabel tunnel and across the Tizi-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. 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 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 ATV quad biking or sandboarding across the dunes, available at an additional cost paid locally. Return to your riad or hotel for dinner and a second overnight in Merzouga.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast, leave Merzouga and begin the drive westward. The road passes through 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 souk offers a genuine glimpse into local desert life. Continue through Erfoud toward the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge and enjoy a lunch stop before continuing west through the Dades Gorge, passing the famous Monkey Fingers red rock formations and ancient kasbahs, to the Dades Valley for dinner and an overnight stay.
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 and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue through Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, for a lunch stop before visiting the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most iconic fortified villages. 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 for sweeping views of the surrounding desert landscape.
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. 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. Begin in the UNESCO-listed medina, walking through the colorful souks where local artisans practice leatherwork, metalwork, weaving, and pottery. Visit the Bahia Palace, a magnificent 19th-century royal residence with grand courtyards and intricately painted ceilings. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, a royal necropolis of extraordinary decorative detail, 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 fill the square with color, sound, and aroma. Return to your riad for a final overnight in Marrakech. Dinner independently.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast, depart Marrakech and head north toward Casablanca, approximately three hours by road through the Atlantic plains of central Morocco. Arrive in Casablanca late morning and begin with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and Morocco’s most awe-inspiring piece of modern architecture. Built partly over the Atlantic Ocean and completed in 1993, the mosque’s 210-meter minaret is the tallest religious structure on earth. Its interior of hand-carved cedar wood, Italian marble, and intricate zellige tilework is breathtaking in its scale and detail and it is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors.
After the mosque, enjoy the afternoon to explore Casablanca at your own pace. Walk along the Corniche, the city’s lively oceanfront promenade, explore the Art Deco architecture of the city center, or relax at a seafront cafe overlooking the Atlantic. Dinner independently in the city and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel in Casablanca | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast, depart Casablanca and head north to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant and refined capital city. Enjoy a guided visit to some of Rabat’s most celebrated landmarks, beginning with the Hassan Tower, the imposing unfinished 12th-century minaret that stands beside the beautifully crafted Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of Moroccan royal craftsmanship. Continue to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a beautifully preserved fortified quarter with narrow Andalusian-style blue and white painted streets, fragrant gardens, and panoramic views over the mouth of the Bou Regreg River and the Atlantic Ocean. Rabat carries its history with a quiet elegance and the visit here is one of the more understated but genuinely rewarding stops on the entire tour.
After lunch in Rabat, continue north along the Atlantic coast to Asilah, approximately one and a half hours away. This small and beautifully preserved fortified town sits within 15th-century Portuguese walls with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a whitewashed medina on the other. Asilah is famous for its annual international arts festival, during which artists from around the world paint murals directly onto the walls of the medina, turning the town into a living open-air gallery. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your riad. Spend the evening wandering the medina, walking the ramparts overlooking the crashing Atlantic, or enjoying fresh seafood at one of the port restaurants. Dinner independently in Asilah.
Overnight stay: Riad or hotel in Asilah | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast in Asilah, enjoy a final morning walk along the ramparts or through the medina before departing north toward Tangier. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour along the Atlantic coast road, one of the most pleasant short drives in northern Morocco with views of the ocean on the right and rolling farmland on the left.
Arrive in Tangier late morning and check into your riad or hotel for the final overnight. The rest of the day is free to explore Tangier, a city unlike any other in Morocco. Wander through the old medina and Kasbah, walk along the Corniche, or visit the famous Grand Socco, the lively main square connecting the old and new parts of the city. If time and energy allow, a trip out to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean at the northwestern tip of Africa, and the nearby Hercules Cave are among the most geographically dramatic viewpoints in Morocco and just 14 kilometers from the city center. Dinner independently in Tangier.
Overnight stay: Riad or hotel in Tangier | Meals: Breakfast only
Your final morning in Tangier is yours to enjoy at your own pace depending on your departure schedule. Take a last walk through the medina, enjoy a final mint tea overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, or simply relax at your riad before departure.
At the appropriate time, your Navigate Morocco driver will transfer you to Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, Tangier port, or your agreed departure point, bringing your 12-day Morocco adventure to a warm and memorable close. Simply share your departure details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the 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 12 days and will not share with any other group at any point during the journey.
Does the tour start and end in Tangier?
Yes. The tour starts with a pickup from Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, Tangier port, or your accommodation on Day 1 and ends with a departure transfer from Tangier on Day 12. Simply share your arrival and departure details with us at the time of booking.
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 with a free evening means you can begin exploring at your own pace without any schedule, which makes the guided tour the following morning far more rewarding and immersive.
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 including nomadic families, Khamlia Gnawa music, and fossil sites, and the second night in a comfortable riad 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 available at an additional cost paid locally.
What is there to see in Asilah?
Asilah is one of the most charming towns on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Its compact whitewashed medina sits within 15th-century Portuguese walls and is famous for the murals painted by international artists during the annual Asilah Arts Festival. Walk the ramparts overlooking the Atlantic, explore the medina and its galleries, and enjoy some of the freshest seafood on the Moroccan coast.
Are dinners included?
Dinners are included at the desert camp, the Merzouga riad, and Dades Valley. In all cities including Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Asilah, and Tangier, dinners are not included, giving you the freedom to explore each destination’s restaurant scene independently.
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, desert, and along the Atlantic coast. 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.
