Our Best of Morocco Tour (Marrakech, Imlil, Ouarzazate, Dades, Amellago, Merzouga, Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier, Rabat, Marrakech) lets you experience it all! From the South to North – mountains, desert and sea! Go from the magic of Marrakech, into the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tichka Pass, through spectacular gorges, valleys and kasbahs, to our home village of Amellago, and into the vast Moroccan Sahara for a night under the desert stars. Explore Fes, the most ancient and holy of the Imperial cities. From there, journey high into the Rif Mountains to the enchanting blue town of Chefchaouen, and on to the truly international Tangier. Journey down the Atlantic Coast to the Imperial cities of Rabat and Casablanca, before ending your tour in Marrakech. A wonderful tour to truly experience the amazing diversity which is Morocco!
Our Best of Morocco Tour can be modified from 8-16 days or more depending on your time and what you would like to see.
DAY 1: Marrakech
Upon arrival in Marrakech, you will be met and transferred to your hotel/Riad. Relax and settle in. Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY 2: Marrakech
Explore the famous city of Marrakech, the ‘southern pearl’ of Morocco, and second oldest Imperial city which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travellers. Your tour will include the Menera Gardens, the famous Jardin Majoralle, Bahia Palace and Saadian tombs. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, with its 77m high minaret dominating the centre of Marrakech. Continue to one of the centre attractions of Marrakech; Djemaa el-Fna, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site which is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech. Relax at one of the many cafes surrounding the square to take in all the sights. Continue on and explore the varied and colourful souks. Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY 3: Marrakech – Imlil (62kms)
Depart Marrakech for the High Atlas village of Imlil, located at the base of Toubkal Mountain. Imlil is known as the starting point for treks up Toubkal. Take a guided trek around the village and beautiful valleys. Overnight in Imlil.
DAY 4: Imlil –Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate (244kms)
Depart Imlil for Ouarzazate, crossing the stunning Tichka Pass (2260m) which offers dramatic panoramic views in the heart of the Atlas Mountain chain. On your way visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, used for more films than any other location in Morocco; including, Lawrence of Arabia and The Gladiator. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
DAY 5: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Kelaat M’Gouna – Boumalne Dades (111kms)
Depart Ouarzazate for Skoura, a small village on the north side of the road which probably has the most beautiful palm grove in southern Morocco with dozens of inhabited and uninhabited kasbah. This whole region is called The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Drive through Kelaat M’Gouna, where a rose festival is held every May, to the stunning valleys and gorges of Boumalne Dades. Overnight in Boumalne Dades.
DAY 6: Boumalne Dades – Todra – Amellago (169kms)
From Boumalne Dades depart for our home village of Amellago to meet our family. This journey will take you through snaking road lines, amazing rock formations, small cultivated fields with silver birch along the river bed, and dozens of predominantly seventeenth century kasbah made from the local red mud. Stop on your way and explore the towering Todra Gorges. Time your visit right in Amellago to see (and help with!) traditional harvests of the wheat, olives or almonds. Overnight in Amellago.
DAY 7: Amellago – Goulmima – Merzouga (214kms)
From Amellago, depart for the desert town of Merzouga. Your journey takes you through the Gris Valley, the Heart and the Soul of Imazighen (Berbers). In Merzouga take a camel to explore the Erg Chebbi region of the Sahara desert, and begin your Moroccan desert adventure! Watch the sunset over the majestic Sahara dunes, and spend the night in an oasis in a Berber tent. Overnight in desert oasis.
*If a camel trek is not really your thing, you can still experience the magic of the dunes by staying in a hotel right at their edge.
DAY 8: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes (466kms)
Wake up in the early morning to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After returning by camel to Merzouga, depart for Fes. On your way take in the small but fascinating towns of Rissani and Erfoud. Continue through Errachidia and the spectacular Ziz Valley, through the Middle Atlas towns of Azrou, an important centre for Berber artisans; the majestic Middle Atlas cedar forests, and Ifrane, the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’. A truly diverse journey! Overnight in Fes.
DAY 9: Fes
Explore Fes, the most ancient and holy of the Imperial cities. Your cultural and historic tour will take you through the 2000 year old living medina; a labyrinth of narrow lanes alive with markets and souks, craftsmen, donkeys and mules transporting their loads. Visit the Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas (Islamic universities), the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque. Finish your tour with a visit to Fes Jdid, and the revered Merenid Tombs for a spectacular panoramic view of Fes. Overnight in Fes.
DAY 10: Fes – Chefchaouen (200kms)
Depart Fes for Chefchaouen. A scenic drive will take you through fertile agricultural land to high in the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen, the ‘pearl of the North’, is famous for its vivid blue rinsed houses and is very popular for both tourists and Moroccans, particularly in the hot summer months. Explore winding lanes and narrow alleys which are home to numerous souks offering cuisine and artisan works, such as woollen items, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese; all native to the North and not found anywhere else in Morocco. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
DAY 11: Chefchaouen – Tangier (110kms)
Depart Chefchaouen for the city of Tangier via the green valleys of the Rif Mountains. Tangier, the gateway to Africa from Europe, has always been an international melting pot. Take a tour of Tangier and explore the bustling medina, and city surrounds, and enjoy the stunning vista where the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans meet. Overnight in Tangier.
DAY 12: Tangier – Asilah – Rabat (249kms)
Depart from Tangier on the stunning coast road to Rabat via Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with its whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals. Explore the Imperial City of Rabat, including the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and offering fabulous views, as well as being home to Moroccan artisan galleries. Overnight in Rabat.
Day 13: Rabat – Casablanca -Marrakech (327kms)
Depart Rabat and travel along the Atlantic coast. Stop in Casablanca to visit the central market, Habous district, Mohammed V square and the impressive mosque of Hassan II. Continue on to Marrakech. Your tour ends in Marrakech.
Suggestions for amending your Best of Morocco Tour:
- Omit sightseeing days in Marrakech and leave directly for Imlil
- Add extra days in Marrakech to explore Marrakech
- Omit Imlil and go directly from Marrakech to Ouarzazate
- Go directly from Ouarzazate to Erfoud
- Break the journey from Merzouga to Fes by stopping overnight in Midelt. This will shorten the day’s driving time and allow you to take more time on your journey, maybe taking some time to explore the cedar forests of Ifrane and Azrou. An overnight stop in Midelt is a good option in the warmer months (June-Sept).
- Add extra days in Fes to explore Fes, take a cooking class, or take a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis
- Go directly from Chefchaouen to Rabat
- Go from Chefchaouen to Asilah, and overnight in Asilah, instead of Tangier. Stop off in Tangier on your way.
- End your tour in Rabat
- End your Best of Morocco Tour in Casablanca
Contact Us for more information
Fescooking & Morocco Cultural Tours 