Grand Morocco Tour: From North to South – 11 Days

This tour will offer you a magical 11-day journey through the untamed lands of Morocco, discovering breathtaking landscapes and new, incredible cultures. Your journey will start in Tangier, the gateway of Morocco, that stunning place where the East and the West mix in an explosion of colors and tastes, to continue in the most mysterious and enchanting cities of the country, like Volubilis, that will make you travel back in time with its Roman ruins, the desert towns of Erfoud, Merzouga, Rissani and the ksar of Aït Benhaddou. During the trip, you will explore the hidden treasures of deserts and feel like a local, riding a camel with some caravans in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, under the warm light of the sunset, while reaching for shelter in an oasis.

Highlights

• Wander the quiet, blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen
• Discover souks, tanneries, and artisan workshops in medieval Fes
• Enjoy traditional Berber music beside a campfire under the stars in the Sahara
• Explore old fortified kasbahs and palm oases in Morocco’s desert
• Watch snake charmers and acrobats in Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fna Square

Day 1: Welcome to Tangier!

Your great adventure will start in the sunny Tangier, the city that holds the gateway between the West and the East,  where populations from different countries and culture can merge in a wonderful and exciting mix, as it can be shown by the exceptional architecture, full of many different influences, and the streets of the historical center. While in the past, the city was simply depicted as a simple port district not worth visiting, in the last years, Tangier, lying on the stunning Maghreb coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, has shone under a new bright light, thanks to its white beaches. The city has welcomed wanderers of any sort, such as artists and explorers. As soon as you arrive here and check into your accommodation, you need to dive into the city’s magical atmosphere. The medina (old quarter) will charm you with its unique alleyways, which host local shops and houses, surrounding the famous 15th-century Portuguese fortress. You can also walk on the relaxing promenade of the city, breathe in the enchanted essence of the city, or visit the Zoco Chico area for a quick bite and experience the everyday life of the city.

Day 2: Explore Tangier and Caves of Hercules, Onward to Chefchaouen

On the second day, you can hire one of the many expert guides in the territory and start a tour of the kasbah (old fortification). Although it is quite simple to navigate on your own, a guide will offer you many details and anecdotes that will make you learn more about the Moroccan culture. The guide will accompany you to the Bab Haha gate and show you the stunning Place du Mechouar, and then will help you discover the Dar Baroud medina.

Just outside the frenetic city life, you can visit the enchanting Caves of Hercules and the mid-19th-century Cape Spartel lighthouse, just nearby the ancient site. They are two of Africa’s jewels, at the head of the continent, in the northwest. Thanks to a guide’s help, you can tour the fascinating cave complex, which takes its name from the famous ancient Greek hero, and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of this exceptional place, which has stood tall and majestic since its construction by the Phoenicians, according to historians.

The journey will continue in the stunning Chefchaouen, known for its many charming shades of blue, in the Rif Mountains. Explore the nature around the city with a reinvigorating hike through the mountains (2-3 hours), which will take you to the Cascades d’Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour). After experiencing the wonderful landscapes of the road, you will arrive in Chefchaouen, just in time to rest a bit in Plaza Outa el Hammam,  where you can go to a restaurant or a café and have a little taste of the city.

The city offers endless attractions and picturesque places for wandering tourists. For example, the Grand Mosque is one of the buildings to see and savor, although the entrance is not available to Non-Muslims. The tour, however, must continue to the exploration of the kasbah and the other buildings nearby, such as the garden that surrounds the area, the museum, and the old prison cells. Following the amazing path of the Ras el Ma Spring, you could walk right into the majestic abandoned Spanish Mosque. Here, you could soak in the magical landscape of the mountains, or you could admire the exquisite skyline of the city, bathing in the sunset, on the rooftop of the Hotel Atlas.

Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes, Visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis & The Imperial City of Meknes

Right after the dawn, go out of your bed and spend the first hours of light and wander though city, while it’s still calm and quiet and take advantage from the absence of tourists to walk a little bit through the streets, shop in the local boutiques and take pictures of the most astounding places, unbothered by the afternoon’s crowd. After a little rest, you can leave behind Chefchaouen and start your trip to the ancient ruins of Volubilis and the majestic imperial city of Meknes, and later, if you wish, the city of Fes.

Volubilis (a UNESCO world heritage site) is renown as an archaeological site that in the past hosted one of the farthest points of the Roman Empire, which was recognized bbyits beauty, its great production of wheat for the whole Empire and the presence of a wild fauna, full of exotic animals, that were later brought to the capital for feasts and sacrifices, although this caused a very dangerous problem for the local population and its surroundings. The city, however, stood proud for over 200 years, until the Roman control was too broad that it had to be directed somewhere else, in 285 CE. Despite the fact that it was abandoned, some of the ancient ruins have been kept intact, up to this day, and can be visited by willing tourists. During the tour, you could walk through the ancient merchant houses and admire in all their charm its temples, decorated with fascinating mosaics, undamaged until this day.

Far from the countryside, you could finally arrive at your first stop in the journey through imperial cities, in Meknes. As soon as you come into the center, one of your main goals should be to see the majestic Ville Impériale (Imperial City), which holds so many buildings that will amaze you, such as the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. After the luxurious historical site, you might swing to the city center and visit the medina, which could be quieter than the other cities’ ones, but it is certainly as charming and populated by local souks to explore. Close to the medina, you will stumble across the 14th century Bou Inania Madrasa building, a jewel of the territory that is worth discovering thanks to a guided tour, and the Dar Jamaï Museum, a 19th century palace that has been turned nowadays into an interesting museum that you should visit, to admire the beautiful artefacts that it holds.

Your day could not be over before stepping into the second imperial city, Fes. First, you should stop in the surroundings of the center and drop by the Merenid Tombs, to the north, to start exploring the history of Fes and its unforgettable landscape. After that, you can dive into its medina and get lost in the sea of the little labyrinthine streets, which will charm you with its stories. At the end of the day, you can reward yourself with a well-earned meal and relax at the riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden) of your choice.

Days 4-5: Fes: Exploring the Imperial City & Medieval Medina

The trip will go on between the walls of the ancient Fes, one of the most charming and mysterious cities in Morocco, and the oldest imperial center of the country. The city has resisted through the centuries to the invasions of other populations, so the city has been intact from foreign influences and stands as the symbol of the Arab culture itself. As soon as you will enter into its medina, renown as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will magically travel back in time and will find yourself to discover the magic of Fes’ history and art.

The historical center of the city is basically an open museum, since you could walk into its streets and look at unbelievable pieces of art or discover new, amazing stories about its history. If you would search for the help of a local guide, you could spend a wonderful time by touring around the medina and discovering new places, such as madrasas (Arabic for any type of educational institution) or the souks. In the absence of time, you can surely visit it in one full day, but you should try to take advantage of any time in your hands and soak in the spirit of Fes.

The first recommended spot to visit will be, of course, Fes el Bali (“Old Fes”), where you could learn all about the charming history of the city center. This part of the city has a huge place in its development and highlights its spirit, that made it known and loved all these years. You will notice immediately the astounding architecture, so unique and fascinating, and all thanks to its history. The unique and picturesque artistic choices of the city’s style have been influenced by the huge waves of refugees, from Cordoba (in Southern Spain) and Kairouan (in Tunisia), centers known at the time as capitals of Western Islam, that have been welcomed in the city in the 8^th century by Moulay Idriss. The craftsmanship helped the construction of the medina, creating such a mysterious and enchanting place.

As a matter of fact, medinas like those in Fes or other cities in Morocco are known for their intricate narrow streets, which intersect with each other, creating a maze that even local people sometimes can get confused. It will feel like an adventure walking through them, trying to find your way out (you could try to follow the stream of people going around, and as soon as you encounter more and more people, you will find yourself in one of the main streets). The day will be even more interesting, thanks to visits to the local souks, traditional markets, most of the time really close to each other, where you can taste the essence of the Moroccan cuisine and lifestyle, trying their variety of spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, medicines, and more.

One of the traditional techniques that you can see firsthand in Fes is easily achieved in Chouara Tannery, which uses the same traditional techniques for centuries, as many other leather work shops in the city. Thanks to a little donation to the tanner, you could learn about the process of the tanning work, watching the craftsman in the meantime. The production is quite simple, as the tanner at the beginning will cover the animal hide with a mixture made of pigeon droppings and limestone, in order to fix the leather and take away the fur. Secondly, the master will color the leather by dying it with some special ingredients for a week, in some huge tanks, and later they will take them out and let them dry on the outside. Unfortunately, the process could provoke a strong scent that can be disturbing, but you could bring some mint leaves to soften the smell.

After that, you can drop by the famous Al-Qarawiyyin University (859 CE) next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, which is one of the oldest and respectable universities in the world, up to these days still open to students and visitors. Although the mosque is not available for Non-Muslims to visit, there are some special places where you can see some details of its astounding architecture. Just a few steps away from the university, you can also look up Al Attarine Madrasa or the Bou Inania Madrasa, where you can experience the delicate and charming architecture of Arab buildings, full of zellij tilework contrasted with dark cedarwood.

Another jewel of the Fes’ landscape is the Bab Boujeloud, the gate that opens the road from the Fes el Bali to the rest of the city. It is mainly recognized for its bright colors, on one side the shade of the city, blue, and on the other the color of Islam, green. Over the gate, you will be catapulted in a land of magic, the main thoroughfare of Talâa Kebira, full of many interesting shops that lead to the Musée Batha, a full on museum in a 19^th century building that holds in itself and treasures the secrets of Moroccan arts and traditions, such as including carved wood and traditional pottery, surrounded by a luxurious garden in the impeccable Andalusian style and get away from all the stress. Another place to enjoy visiting is the Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery). You could stop for some time to soak in the marvelous landscape on the city and take some pictures, before getting back on the tour to visit the Ville Nouvelle, in the south of the city, where you could learn about the architecture of the center and the changes that have been developed during the years, creating a wonderful and eclectic artistic and cultural heritage.

Take a further step into the local arts and take a tour of the  Ceramics and Tile Collective, in order to achieve greater knowledge in the ancient craftmanship’s techniques such as making wares, from shaping the clay to painting the designs, as well as one of the most known art here in Morocco, mosaics.

The tour will then take you to the discovery of the Merenid Tombs, back in the north, and the Borj Sud, in the south.
From these places, you could have the chance to see Fes’ landscape and admire its colors and endless beauty.

Day 6: Over the Middle Atlas from Fes to Erfoud, Merzouga & the Sahara

On this new day, rise and shine early, to start a new great adventure, driving from Fes to Merzouga, in the south, and reach the majestic desert and ride some camels between the magical dunes of the Sahara. The journey will take you to some magical mountains, to the Azrou at an altitude of 7,146 feet (2,178 metres), and after you will cross the Col du Zad pass, you will start wandering around the cedar forests in the Middle Atlas mountains. From there, you can drop by Midelt (the ‘apple city’) for a quick lunch break and relax near the Moulouya River and its luxurious gardens and orchards, breathing some fresh air and enjoying the wonderful sightseeing of the trip and the city. Here, you can also admire some local Barbary macaque monkeys.

After that, you will continue your adventure in Tizi n’Talremt and along the way, you will have the chance to admire some fascinating particular buildings, the ksars, which were built by merchants, to protect their loved belongings and treasures, such as gold, salt, and spices. You will then set foot in the Ziz Valley and witness a mysterious phenomenon, the presence of magical hidden oases full of palm trees and water mirrors, just like in those ancient legends.

While travelling to your next stop, you will slowly be entering the desert, starting to see some dunes just crawling on the horizon. On the road, you can stop in one of the local Berber nomadic families to drink a nice cup of tea and enjoy their everyday lifestyle, while also learning about some of their ancient techniques, like water mining, an ingenious way to transfer water to farmland before modern pump as well as nomadic shepherds and their settlements.

Then, you will come to the amazing lands of Erfoud, a huge market which has become famous for the presence of fossil mining and artisan factories, but also a huge date festival that has been going on for a long time. In fact, along the journey,  you can check every step of that process, from the hillside mines where workers can extract rocks from the land, up until the local artisans workshops, where they almost in a magical way can transform those rough rocks, of every kind,  and transform them in many beautiful objects, molding them in their hands.

Then, your tour will lead you to an immense land of dunes, wide almost as 13.5 square miles (35 square km), where magic comes real and something unusual will amaze you: in fact, in Erg Chebbi the dunes will mysteriously change now and then, moving around the area and changing color, depending on the moment of the day or the light that will set on them, creating a charming rainbow of colors and lights that will leave you speechless.

To rest and take a little break, you can leave your camel ride and enjoy the experience that will await you in Merzouga. In fact, in the light of the sunset, you will arrive at a camp already set near a dune. Here you will be welcomed by a warm fire, in front of your tent, and a delicious dinner, living a real Bedouin-style night, tasting the traditional food under a breath taking sky, full of stars, and caressed by the sweet tunes of Berber music, that will transport you in a different time and forget the frenzy of everyday life. Although if you don’t find yourself comfortable sleeping on the outside, in a tent, you could decide to book a room in a hotel or an auberge in Merzouga.  

Day 7: Desert Adventures Around Merzouga, Rissani Market & Todra Gorge

After the magical and quiet night, you can catch the sunrise, casting a wonderful light on the sand dunes. In here, you can choose between many different activities to enjoy, like embarking on an Erg Chebbi tour of the dunes, taking a quad ATV tour, maybe renting a sandboard to roll on the dunes with your friends, or even dropping by a pool to restore your mind. But your stop could not be for too long, as you should also visit one of the typical Saharan villages, such as Khemliya, where you can take part in a spectacle of traditional drumming music and dancing, and experience the air of the village. On the detour of your journey between the dunes of Merzouga, you can walk around and keep exploring the country, up to the magical gate of the market town of Rissani. The city is known for its picturesque livestock auction, which will be an exciting stop as you walk around the market and experience the amazing show in front of your eyes.
Then, you will continue to travel up until the Tinerhir, a desert town that stands in its glory surrounded by the other towns nearby and a glorious river oasis, long almost 30 miles or 48 km of palm trees,  and impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus. After this stop, you can step into your next destination, Todra Gorge. Here, you will have some time to relax and wander around the city, in the fresh air of the Todra River, which crosses the city up in 1000 ft through red limestone, that will caress you, and you will have some time off until the evening.

Day 8: Todra Gorge to Aït Benhaddou, Stopping at Dades Valley & Ouarzazate

As soon as you are ready to hit the road again, you will be welcomed to the charming Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, which is an interesting site full of kasbahs, even though some are unluckily destroyed because they were built on pisé mud (rammed earth). Through the journey, you will pass through Aït Benhaddou, where you will have the chance to see small characteristic towns with nomadic tents, tribes, and farmers, using ancient farming methods passed from generation to generation. On the road, you will admire the fascinating Dades River, which will lead you to Boumalne Dades, a major town and bridging point, to finally reach an enchanted place, Kela’a M’gouna, the “Valley of the Roses.” The valley will show you every little secret that it holds, from the picking of the right flowers, up to the process that will make possible the production of many refined and loved rose-scented products, such as cosmetics and perfumes.

In the meantime, you may stop by the El Mansour reservoir, which is a fascinating point of the territory, which has been helpful for the local community in water sourcing for farming methods, and has also been made famous by the movie industry of the place. However, the journey should go on, since Ouarzazate is the next exciting destination, just waiting for you! The city, which has mainly become famous as a huge film production location, will welcome you openly for your trip, as it is fairly bigger than the other surrounding centers and could provide many new and amazing activities for you, like tour in two of the most famous production company of the territory, Atlas Corporation Studios or CLA Studios, so you will learn everything about this new thrilling world!

Thanks to these tours, you will discover the history of the film sector in the country and how these companies have developed over the years and have had such a wonderful success. In fact, during the tour, you will find out how these locations and production companies have worked side by side with other famous Hollywood companies for the development of products such as Black Hawk Down, Prometheus, American Sniper, and Game of Thrones. Nearby, there is also the Musée du Cinema, where you can learn about the backstage of their growth and the films they have produced.

When you have explored the Moroccan Hollywood, you will have no time to stop, since the journey will lead you to Aït Benhaddou, a splendid medieval kasbah which has been so praised for its beauty and importance, that it has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a main point of departure in the Saharan trade route, which connects the main merchant cities in the country, just at the center of the desert, since its foundation in the 11^th century. There, you can walk through the magical streets of the city and dive into its spirit, enjoying a nice and relaxing afternoon, before checking in your accommodation.

In addition, you can check up a wonderful spot in which you can admire the landscape of the city and its picturesque kasbah, the Granary. From there, you can admire the area all around the city and take a look at the historic camel caravan routes. Also, with a small fee, you can climb on some of them and enjoy a terrific view of the territory. Movie connoisseurs would be pretty amazed to visit these buildings and the area surrounding, since they could recognize the location of many loved and praised productions, that have become history, like Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Jesus of Nazareth.

At the end of the day, you may relax in the valley and have a special dinner.

Day 9: Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka Pass over the High Atlas

The day will rise as you will begin your trip over the High Atlas mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, up until the Mount Toubkal, which clocks in at 13,671 feet (4,167 m), enjoying a nice hike into these breathtaking mountains and their splendid views.

After the pass, you will be stepping foot on an amazing city, Taddert, where you can hop on the Argan Oil Cooperative, a very special facility where the famous argan oil is produced by local woman in order to make the special ingredient, used in health food and cosmetics and learn about its process.

After your visit to Taddert, you will have the chance to explore more the Atlas Mountains, while you will slowly see the territory around you change: the rocks of the harsh desert will turn into sweet hills and then to smooth plains, as the weather will also mitigate, until you will arrive in the enchanting Marrakech.

Finally, you could relax a little bit from the long trip of your day by checking into your preferred accommodation here in the city. The rest of the day will be focused solely on your enjoyment, as Jemaa el-Fna Square will make you feel like in a fiabesque setting, surrounded by with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls, that will enlighten your evening, or you can choose to visit one of the various choice of restaurants and cafes in the city center, to order some local delicious food.

Day 10: Marrakech: Explore the Red City

Your day will start in the magical and inspiring city of Marrakech, which has been called and known as the Red City, because of the rich red pigment of its buildings. From the moment you step into the Jemaa el. Fna square, you will be surrounded by the many attractions of the historical city center: going north, you will find the picturesque souks, then turn to the Koutoubia Mosque and the Gardens.  You could also walk south, towards the kasbah area, where you will discover the Saadian  Tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the El  Badi Palace.

The city will amaze you, and it will be the perfect lost stop, since you will be mesmerized by its frenzy and fascinating spirit. During the day, you could tour around its buildings and city centre, in order to discover every single detail of its history, culture, and hidden gems, while you hire one of the Caliche Horse Carriages in the square. There are thousands of activities and secrets that Marrakech will let you see:

• The Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens: At west of the square, you will admire the ancient and stunning Koutoubia Mosque, a minaret almost 253 ft tall (77m) which was built under the Almohad Dinasty and recognized as the oldest tower of the city and despite the fact that Non-Muslims cannot enter in the building, you may have a glimpse on the outside of the majestic architecture in the inside. Nearby, you will also find the 12th-century foundations of the original mosque, aligned with the direction of Mecca, and the Koutoubia Gardens, a stunning garden full of fountains, pools, and any sort of flower where you can walk around and enjoy the peace and quiet of the place.

• The Medina, Souks, and Fondouks: In the mysterious alleys of the medina you can explore the magic of the local shops that populates it, where you can spend days wandering around the different and picturesque shops, such as Souk el-Attarin (spices), Souk Haddadine (blacksmith wares), and Souk Smata (babouches or slippers) or the Souk des Teinturiers, the dyers’ souk, in which are shown the techniques of the ancient craftsmen for the creation of yarn and dying cloth.

• Fondouks: These are some courtyards that have become typical of the city and their creation dates back to the Middle Ages, when merchants and travelers could find some shelter in these inns and rest from the frenetic day in the markets. Here, the merchants will find some peace and sleep on the first floor, after leaving their animals and belongings on the ground floor, to make them rest for the next day. Despite the fact that in the present they have been mainly used as shopping areas or residences, they still represent a huge part of the city’s past, and you can visit them.

• Ben Youssef Madrasa (Koranic School):  This is a majestic madrasa, which was constructed in the 16^th century and nowadays has been chosen as the perfect place for the students of the mosque. You can enter the fine building and appreciate the meticulous art of the architects behind its creation, with the carved cedar, stucco plaster, and zellij tiling of the central courtyard, in the ancient dorms, or the prayer hall.

• Saadian Tombs: Thanks to a small passage, you could enter this amazing site, which was recently brought the light in 1917 by the French government, after many years in the dark. In there, the group of tombs, surrounded by the small gardens and the graves, is a wonderful example of the passionate architecture of the place, with the pavilions and the 500-year-old mausoleum.

• Bahia Palace: Explore the luxurious and breathtaking 19th-century palace, which stands and enlightens the whole city with its beauty, while also experiencing the flourishing courtyards and gardens.

• Majorelle Gardens: (30-minute walk or taxi ride) These flourishing gardens will offer you some shelter from the frenetic lifestyle of the city and will give you a safe and calm place to restore your heart and soul, through the various plants and flowers.

Other sites in the area include:

• Almoravid Koubba: Rediscovered in 1948, it is one of the last Almoravid Movement.
• El Badi Palace: it is a 17th-century palace, nowadays famous for its sunken garden and ornamental orange orchard. Its name stands for “Palace of the incomparable”, to reflect its beauty that has lasted through the passing of time.
• Marrakech Museum: The museum holds a variety of historical and cultural details of Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic cultures. Nowadays, the museum can be found in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace.
• Dar Di Said Museum: This fiabesque building, decorated with exquisite Hispano-Moorish carvings in cedarwood, has also been called the Museum of Moroccan Arts, as it holds exhibitions about the cultural heritage of the country, exposing ancient clothes, jewelry, and other artefacts of the Moroccan culture.

Day 11: Depart Marrakech

On your last day, you can focus your day on saying goodbye to this wonderful city, by Complete any last-minute gift and souvenir shopping or by wandering in the marvelous Majorelle Gardens, the luxurious gardens of the city where you can shelter one last time from the noise of the city and the traffic and restore your mind. As the sun sets, you will be ready to go back home, bringing all the precious memories made in this magical once in a lifetime journey.