Overview
Highlight Morocco Tour is an exciting mix of culture and history, this complete 12-day itinerary covers all highlights of Morocco’s historic Imperial cities, Tangier, Chafchaouen Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech with additional time dedicated to Chefchaouen, and Fes. You’ll start in Tangier on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar and take your way south to lovely Marrakech. Morocco’s exceptional architecture, ornate artisanship, delicious food, and bustling souks are sure to leave you charmed and let you enjoy the magic of the highlight of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi with an experience of the silence of the Sahara desert and the beauty of the canyon of Todra gorges and the charming of the valley of the roses. This itinerary will take you to visit the wonderful 17th-century Unesco Heritage Kasbah Ait Benhaddou ….and cross the Atlas Mountains and see the goats climbing Argan trees.
Important Notes
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
- Infant seats are available on request if advised at the time of booking.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required.
What’s Included
- 12 Days Transportation in Private 4WD Toyota Prado Land-Cruiser with A/C or New Mini-Van with A/C
- 10 Nights’ in Authentic Moroccan Riads & 1 Night at “Berber Tents” Luxury Desert Camp
- Camel trekking to spend the night in a “Berber Tents with private toilet and Hot Shower ” in the middle of Sahara desert of Erg Chebbi Dunes
- All breakfasts and 4 Dinners (Sahara desert, Dades Gorges and Ouarzazate)
- English, French, Or Italian – speaking driver / guide for the entire trip
- English – speaking city guides in imperial cities like Marrakech and Fes
- WiFi if necessary in the car
Not Included
- Lunches & 7 Dinners (Chafchaouen, Fez, Essaouira and Marrakech)
- Entrance Fees
- Beverages (Drinks)
- Airfare
- Tips for guide, drivers
- Travel insurance
Day 1
Tangier – Chefchaouen (3 Hours Drive Road)
We will meet you in Tangier AIRPORT or Tangier MED and drive to the nearest city, Chefchaouen, situated in the Rif Mountains.The views of the valley and villages are panoramic and breathtaking. Chefchaouen is famous for its bright blue-washed buildings. It is spectacularly photogenic! As you stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and azure walls of the medina, you will notice most men wearing Djellabas made of wool and many women wearing colorful straw hats. You will have lunch in a local restaurant with time to shop for local handicrafts, such as wool garments and woven blankets, in the main square of the medina. You will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including bed and breakfast.
Day 2
Chefchaouen – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes (4 Hours Drive Road)
This morning after breakfast, we will travel to the nearby city Meknes, the third Imperial city of Morocco. Meknes is known as “The Versailles of Morocco,” for its elaborately decorated gateways. We will visit the Bab El Khamis and Bab El Mansour, two of the most beautiful gateways, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Later on, we will head to the village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, a place of pilgrimage for Moroccans. We will stop here for lunch. Afterward we will explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city dates from the third century BC and is amazingly well preserved, including several mosaics. After this visit, we will continue our drive toward Fes where you will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including bed and breakfast.
Day 3
Fes, Tour of the City with a Local Guide
After breakfast in your riad, we will drive to Chefchaouen via the city of Asilah. Most of the drive will be by the coast. Our first stop will be in Asilah, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city. Asilah is known for it annual festival for the art – most of the walls of the Medina is painted by various famous artists from all over the world. Your visit includes the Skalla fortress, where you will experience a wonderful view of the Medina and the ocean. If time permits, you will have a drive through Tanger to get a feel of the city. Afterwards you will continue over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Overnight at your Moroccan authentic riad includes Bed and Breakfast.
Day 4
Fez – Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Ziz valley – Erfoud – Merzouga (5 Hours Drive Road)
After breakfast we will leave Fez toward Merzouga passing through Ifran, known as the Switzerland of Morocco for its architecture and climate. You will be enchanted by the cedar forests of Azrou and its friendly monkeys. We will stop for lunch at Midelt and afterwards continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains and past the nomads that live there. The views are both spectacular and varied; thick forests, volcanic rock, soaring cliffs and valleys of palm trees. In the town of Erfoud, we will visit an amazing fossil factory and learn how they excavate, polish, and shape Trilobites, Orthoceras, Ammonites, and other fossils into beautiful objects. We will continue on to Merzouga .Bed, breakfast and dinner in your riad.
Day 5
Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Dunes – Tamrdanite – Khamlia Hassi El-Bied (2 Hours Drive Road)
In the morning after breakfast, your excursion will start from the tents taking you through the sand-sea dunes near the Algerian border where you will have a chance to take photos and see the black volcanic rocks. We will also have the opportunity to meet a nomad family and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. We will pass close to tiny Berber villages, like Tamrdanite, before we reach Khamlia. In the tiny desert village of Khamlia, we will be treated to a performance of Gnawa music, a spiritual and hypnotic form of music that has been played for centuries by the black people who live here.
In the morning after breakfast, your excursion will start from the tents taking you through the sand-sea dunes near the Algerian border where you will have a chance to take photos and see the black volcanic rocks. We will also have the opportunity to meet a nomad family and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. We will pass close to tiny Berber villages, like Tamrdanite, before we reach Khamlia. In the tiny desert village of Khamlia, we will be treated to a performance of Gnawa music, a spiritual and hypnotic form of music that has been played for centuries by the black people who live here. Gnawa music is internationally recognized and is said to have healing properties.Along our short drive today, you will be enchanted with the view of the lake at Ait Sareji, especially In springtime, when it attracts pink flamingos and many other birds. We continue to your next adventure, camel trekking! You will ride these Ships of the Desert into the heart of the Sahara, witnessing a spectacular sunset through the dunes. Back at the Dunes Luxury Camp you will enjoy another night of Berber food and countless stars.
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Day 6
Erg Chebbi – Erfoud – Tinjdad – Tinghir – Todgha Gorges – Boumalne Dades (3- 4 Hours Drive Road)
Set your alarm to wake up early this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the dunes! It is a moment not to be missed. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious breakfast before we continue our adventure by car to the city of Rissani, the former capital of the Alawite Sultans. Rissani was once an important market for caravans traveling the sub-Saharan region, and it is still an impressive market to visit today. We will take a walk through the local market and traditional souk.
Set your alarm to wake up early this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the dunes! It is a moment not to be missed. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious breakfast before we continue our adventure by car to the city of Rissani, the former capital of the Alawite Sultans. Rissani was once an important market for caravans traveling the sub-Saharan region, and it is still an impressive market to visit today. We will take a walk through the local market and traditional souk. We will also see the ruins of Sijilmassa, the Moulay Ali Cherif Gate, and visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, where the father of the founder of the Alawite Dynasty is buried. This is a wonderful destination for those who wish to learn some of the history of the country, as well as visiting the Gate itself. We will stop in Tinjdad, where we will have lunch. We will continue on the road along the river until we reach the Gorges, where we will stop and walk through this magnificent natural structure with its incredibly high rock walls (up to 300 meters). This stunning place has been featured in many films. Later, we will pass through the Boumalne Du Dades, and there will be time to explore its rock formations often compared to human figures and monkey’s fingers. You will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including bed and breakfast.
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Day 7
Dades Valley – Boutghrar – El Kelaa M’gouna – Skoura – Ourzazate (4 Hours Drive Road)
After breakfast, we will begin our journey through the valley of Dades, enjoying its beautiful vistas. Next, we will take you for a drive over the wonderful Pist Mil Kasbah, accessible only by 4×4, passing by quaint Berber villages, such as Boutghrar. You will have the opportunity to meet some Berber nomads who live in the caves there. We then continue to El Kelaa M’gouna (the Valley of Roses), where roses are grown and processed into perfumes, oils, and lotions, and where you will have a break for lunch. We will head to Ourzazate by crossing the beautiful palm grove oasis in Skoura, where you will see many exotic Kasbahs, such as the Amerhidil Kasbah. When we reach Ourzazate, you will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including dinner and breakfast.
Day 8
Ourzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Tizi N’Tichka Pass – Marrakech (4 Hours Drive Road)
After your breakfast, we will depart for Marrakech. Our first stop will be at the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next we will visit Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in the world and host to such famous films and television shows as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, The Man Who Would Be King, Vikings, Game of Thrones, and Aladdin, as well as several James Bond and Jason Bourne movies. After a break for lunch, we will drive through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass which offers superb views of the High Atlas Mountains and small Berber villages. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.
Day 9
Marrakech, Tour of the City with a Local Guide
Today, after breakfast you will have a full day to tour and discover Marrakech, the famous Red City. Your guide will take you to the most beautiful palaces and monuments of Marrakech, including the 19th century Bahia Palace, the 16th century Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Majorelle Gardens. You will have lunch in the Medina and also have an opportunity to visit the famous Souks, where the merchants sell everything from leather and carpets to spices and jewelry. Jemaa el-Fnaa is perhaps the most famous town square on earth. From ancient times until today, tradesmen, snake charmers, acrobats, magicians, mystics, musicians, and monkey trainers have populated this UNESCO World Heritage site. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.
Day 10
Marrakech – Essaouira (3.5 Hours Drive Road)
This morning after breakfast, we will leave the imperial city of Marrakech for the coastal city of Essaouira, famous for its beautiful fortress, the Gnaoua Music Festival and international windsurfing competitions. Essaouira is renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, since the powerful trade winds blow almost constantly onto the protected, waveless bay. Essaouira is also a center of Argan oil production. It has become a tourist attraction due to the tree-climbing goats who are unique to the region, as Argan trees are the only type the goats climb. With its animated port, colorful marketplace and history of artists seeking inspiration, Essaouira is full of life, full of light, and full of magic. You will spend the night at an authentic Moroccan riad, with bed and breakfast included.
Day 11
Essaouira – Chichaoua – Marrakech. (3.5 Hours Drive Road)
After breakfast we will drive you out of Essaouira about 20 Km to one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in Morocco called “Sidi Kaouki” to enjoy a half day of swimming and relaxing. We will have a delicious seaside lunch there and later on we will drive back to Marrakech. Overnight with bed and breakfast in your Riad.
Day 12
Marrakesh to your FLIGHT TIME
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport at your flight time.
Book Your Tour
Important Notes
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
- Infant seats are available on request if advised at the time of booking.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required.