Welcome to Fes, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Your Navigate Morocco driver will meet you at Fes Airport or your agreed pickup point and transfer you to your traditional riad in the heart of the old medina. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Take a gentle first walk into the medina, find a rooftop cafe for a mint tea with your first views over the ancient city, or simply relax at your riad and absorb the extraordinary atmosphere of one of the world’s most intact medieval cities. Fes reveals itself slowly and the first evening is the perfect time to begin that process withoutany schedule. 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 half-day guided cultural tour of Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina and one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Visit Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating university, the Bou Inania Madrasa with its extraordinary decorative craftsmanship of zellige tilework, carved stucco, and cedar wood ceilings, and the world-famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for over a thousand years. The tour also includes the artisan workshops where coppersmiths, weavers, and potters practice their crafts as they have for generations.
After the guided tour and lunch, depart Fes in the afternoon and head south into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco, and the cedar forests of Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys often appear along the roadside. Continue through the mountain roads before arriving in the peaceful valley of Bou Laajoul as the evening settles in. Check into your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay in one of the most tranquil corners of the Middle Atlas.
Meals included: Dinner and Breakfast
After breakfast in Bou Laajoul, continue south through the Middle Atlas and into the pre-Saharan landscape. The road descends gradually from the mountains into the open plains, passing through Midelt before entering the dramatic Ziz Valley. Stop at the panoramic viewpoint high above the valley for sweeping photographs of the date palms, ancient kasbahs, and Berber villages 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 landscapes of the Merzouga desert region. Begin with a visit to 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 next to Khamlia village, home to the descendants of sub-Saharan Africans who have preserved the ancient tradition of Gnawa music for centuries. A live performance by local musicians in this small desert village is one of the most memorable cultural encounters of the entire tour.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for optional activities including ATV quad biking, sandboarding, or a 4×4 desert excursion, all available at an additional cost paid locally. Return to your riad or hotel in the early evening 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 local souk offers a genuine glimpse into desert trade and daily life before continuing 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 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 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.
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 to 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 panoramic 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. The road winds through spectacular mountain scenery before descending into the red plains surrounding Marrakech. Arrive in the city in the late afternoon and 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 different quarters of 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, intricately painted ceilings, 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 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. The drive passes through the Atlantic plains and agricultural heartland of central Morocco before arriving in Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city.
Begin with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, built partly over the Atlantic Ocean and completed in 1993. Its 210-meter minaret is the tallest religious structure on earth and the interior of hand-carved cedar wood, Italian marble, and intricate zellige tilework is breathtaking in scale. 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, walking the Corniche or browsing the city center before dinner independently and an overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Hotel in Casablanca | Meals: Breakfast only
After breakfast, depart Casablanca and head north along the Atlantic coast toward Asilah, approximately two hours by road. The drive passes through the agricultural plains of the Gharb region and the town of Kenitra before reaching the coast north of Rabat.
Arrive in Asilah late morning and spend the rest of the day exploring one of the most charming and underrated towns on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. This small fortified port 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. Wander through the medina, walk the ramparts overlooking the crashing Atlantic, browse the galleries and artisan shops, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in one of the most beautiful and unhurried towns in Morocco. Dinner independently at one of the excellent seafood restaurants in the town.
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 and then east toward Chefchaouen. The drive takes approximately two hours through the northern plains and into the Rif Mountains, the road climbing steadily through forested hillsides and mountain villages before the distinctive blue-painted walls of Chefchaouen appear below.
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. Wander through the iconic blue-washed alleyways and staircases that have made this one of the most photographed towns in Morocco. Visit Outa el Hammam Square, browse the artisan shops for handwoven wool textiles and leather 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. 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 in the Blue City before departing east toward Fes. Take a last walk through the medina in the quiet morning hours, visit any artisan shops you wanted to return to, or simply sit in Outa el Hammam Square with a final mint tea before the road calls.
The drive from Chefchaouen to Fes takes approximately two and a half hours through the Rif Mountains and across the Saiss Plain. Arrive in Fes in the early afternoon and check into your riad in the old medina for the final overnight. The afternoon and evening are free to revisit favorite parts of the medina, explore any corners you missed on Day 2, or simply relax and reflect on eleven extraordinary days of Moroccan landscapes, culture, and hospitality. Dinner independently in the city.
Overnight stay: Traditional riad in Fes | Meals: Breakfast only
Your final morning in Fes 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, or simply relax at your riad before departure.
At the appropriate time, your Navigate Morocco driver will transfer you comfortably to Fes Airport for your departure, bringing your 12-day Morocco adventure to a warm and memorable close. Simply share your flight details with us at the time of booking and we will organize the timing to ensure a smooth 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 Fes?
Yes. The tour begins with a pickup at Fes Airport or your accommodation on Day 1 and ends with a departure transfer to Fes Airport on Day 12. Simply share your arrival and departure flight details with us at the time of booking.
Why are there two nights in Merzouga?
Two nights in Merzouga gives you a genuinely immersive desert experience. The first night in the luxury desert camp provides the full sunset camel trek and campfire experience. The full day on Day 4 allows proper exploration of the desert including nomadic families, Khamlia village, and the fossil sites, and the second night in a comfortable riad or hotel gives you a relaxed base with full facilities after a day of activity.
Are dinners included in the cities?
Dinners are included at Bou Laajoul, 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 Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Asilah, and Chefchaouen, dinners are not included, giving you the freedom to explore each city and town’s restaurant scene independently.
What does the half-day Fes tour cover?
The half-day guided tour covers Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Bou Inania Madrasa, the Chouara Tanneries, and the artisan workshops. It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and gives you a genuine understanding of Fes before the afternoon departure south.
What does the full-day Marrakech tour cover?
The full-day tour covers the medina and souks, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Garden, and Jemaa el-Fna Square with a local expert guide. It takes a full day and gives you a thorough understanding of the city’s history and culture.
Is the Hassan II Mosque visit included?
The mosque is included as a stop on Day 8 but the entrance fee for the guided interior tour is paid locally and not included in the tour price. Your driver-guide will help organize the visit on the day.
What is Bou Laajoul and why stop there?
Bou Laajoul is a peaceful valley in the Middle Atlas Mountains that breaks the long journey from Fes to the Sahara into two comfortable days. It is one of the most tranquil and beautiful corners of Morocco that most itineraries skip entirely, and the overnight there is one of the hidden highlights of the tour.
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.
