Morocco Azure
10 Days Tour from Tangier To Marrakech
Traveling from the north to the south, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, from towering mountains to low valleys, from the greenest forests to the driest deserts, and from lively cities to quiet villages.
All of this can be experienced in just 10 days. It might sound unbelievable, but it’s true: this is Morocco. This itinerary is compact enough for a brief holiday, yet extensive enough to explore the country's major highlights.
Tour from Tangier to Marrakech, with desert, Imperial Cities, Chefchaouen and Essaouira
Day 1: Tangier - Tetouan - Chefchaouen
On the first day of the tour, we will pick you up in Tangier at your chosen location: the port, airport, or a downtown hotel. After meeting and completing entry formalities, we will head to Tetouan to explore its historic medina, which showcases a blend of the old and 20th-century architecture, reflecting its history as the capital of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco.
Next, we will travel to Chaouen, the 'blue village,' famous for its vibrant medina. We will stroll through the winding alleys from Uta el-Hammam square, visit the 14th-century kasbah, now an ethnographic museum, and enjoy beautiful views of the medina. In the evening, you will unwind in a riad in Chaouen's historic center after a day of exploration.
Day 2: Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fez
On the second day of our tour, we will leave Chaouen and the Rif Mountains to visit Morocco's historical sites. A highlight is Volubilis, the most significant archaeological site in Morocco, featuring ruins of a Roman city, including a temple to Jupiter, a triumphal arch for Emperor Caracalla, stunning mosaics, and an early urban layout.
In Meknes, we will appreciate 17th and 18th-century architecture from Sultan Moulay Ismail's reign, with the mausoleum being the most extravagant monument, alongside notable sites like Bab Mansour Gate and the Royal Palace.
Fez stands out for its rich history and art. We will end the day here, allowing time for a leisurely stroll and relaxation in the riad, preparing for a deeper exploration of this culturally vibrant city tomorrow.
Day 3: Fes Guided Tour
To fully explore Fez, you need a full day and a guided tour with an official guide to uncover the medina's highlights. This will be your experience on the third day of the circuit. The tour will include various monuments in the historic center, featuring iconic sites in Fez el Bali (old medina) and Fez el Jedid (new medina) such as mosques (Karaouine, Andalusians), squares (Nejjarine, Alaouites), artisan areas (tanneries, mellah), and Koranic schools (medersas of Bou Inania and Attarine).
In the afternoon, you can relax or explore museums, and don't miss shopping in the souks, as Fez is Morocco's 'handicraft capital.' After evening activities, unwind at the riad.
Day 4: Fez - Ifrane - Monkey Forest - Erfoud - Erg Chebbi dunes
After days of cultural tourism, we turn our attention to nature, starting our journey from Fez to the Middle Atlas, the wettest region of Morocco. Here lies Ifrane, a charming mountain town with Alpine-style roofs, and Ifrane National Park, home to Barbary macaques among its abundant cedars. A walk through the forest offers a chance to spot these protected primates.
As we leave the forest, we will transition to the Ziz Valley, characterized by brown, golden, and reddish hues, where small oases of date palms line the modest riverbanks.
Arriving in Erfoud, we will be near the Sahara desert, once a lush orchard millions of years ago, now known for its fossils sold in local shops.
Our true desert experience begins in Merzouga, at the Erg Chebbi dune field, where we will ride camels like the Tuareg. Our trek ends at a luxurious tented camp in the dunes, where we will enjoy Berber tea, a traditional dinner, and a bonfire. Before sleeping, gaze at the stunning starry sky above.
Day 5: Erg Chebbi Dunes - Visit to nomads - Khamlia - Merzouga Desert
On the fifth day of our Sahara journey, we will explore its attractions, starting with a breathtaking dawn. After breakfast, we’ll drive to Merzouga and take a 4×4 to Khamlia, a community known for its UNESCO-recognized Gnawa music, where we’ll enjoy a concert and traditional dance.
Next, we’ll venture off paved roads along former Paris-Dakar rally paths, visiting old kohl mines and meeting semi-nomadic families to learn about their livestock care and lifestyles. Finally, we’ll return to Merzouga, stopping for a panoramic view of the Erg Chebbi dunes before dinner and relaxation at a Berber-style hotel.
Day 6: Merzouga Desert - Rissani - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley - Ouarzazate
On the sixth day of our circuit, we journey on asphalt, leaving the desert to explore the Dades Valley between the Sahara and the Atlas. We will stop in Rissani, where locals shop with donkeys in the medina, showcasing a blend of history and daily life.
As we travel through crumbling kasbahs and palm oases, we will reach the Todra Gorges, a narrow gorge formed by the Todra River, popular with travelers and climbers alike.
Our journey continues to Ouarzazate, the region's main city and a center for the Moroccan film industry, where we will enjoy dinner and a cozy night at a hotel-riad.
Day 7: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech
We will begin our day in Ouarzazate with a visit to the kasbah of Taourirt, a fortress and former palace of the El Glaoui family, showcasing well-preserved Berber architecture. Its reddish adobe exterior contrasts with the richly decorated Islamic-style interior.
Next, we'll continue our road trip and stop at the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a historic walled village that was a key caravan stop to Marrakech and is known for its appearances in films like Game of Thrones.
Afterward, we will drive up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains, reaching 2,260 meters for stunning views of the range.
Finally, we will descend into Marrakech, the 'red city' and a top tourist destination, where you can enjoy the afternoon exploring the old town, shopping, or relaxing at your riad.
Day 8:Marrakech
Marrakech has many attractions that require a full day to explore, and having a guide enhances the experience.
On the eighth day of our trip, we'll take a guided morning tour. We'll likely visit Jemaa el-Fna square, a UNESCO site, the Koutoubia mosque, and the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Ben Youssef medersa.
In the afternoon, you can visit the Majorelle Gardens or the Marrakech Museum, or enjoy leisure activities and shopping in the souks or Gueliz before returning to the riad to relax.
Day 9: Marrakech - Essaouira - Marrakech
This 10-day tour from Tangier ends with a visit to Essaouira, known for its historic town and stunning beaches.
We will depart in the morning, passing through expansive argan fields, with a stop at a local cooperative to learn about argan oil production.
In Essaouira, you'll have free time to explore the medina and the Skala, a 16th-century Portuguese fortress featured in Game of Thrones.
Beachgoers can swim or engage in various activities, weather permitting.
In the afternoon, we will return to Marrakech for our final night in a central riad.
Day 10: Departure from Marrakech
The tenth day is the last day of this tour, and its schedule will depend on the time of your flight back home.
Whether or not there is time for a last free time in Marrakech, we will pick you up at the riad for the transfer to the airport.
And at the passenger terminal, when all that remains is boarding, we will say goodbye until next time, with gratitude for the trust in our agency.
Services included
- Accommodation: 9 nights in carefully selected hotels, riads, and a desert camp
- Transportation: Private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver
- Meals: Daily breakfasts and some dinners (especially in remote areas like the desert camp, Ouarzazate)
- Local Guides: Licensed local guides in Fes, Marrakesh.
- Desert Experience: Camel trekking in Merzouga with overnight stay in a Berber-style desert camp
- Entrance Fees: Admission to historical sites such as Volubilis, Kasbahs, and museums (when listed)
- Airport Transfers: Pickup in Tangier and drop-off at Marrakech airport
- Bottled Water: Often included during transfers and long drives
Services not included
- Lunches and Some Dinners: Especially in major cities where there are varied food options (Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakesh, Casablanca,Rabat)
- Lunches
- Drinks: Soft drinks, alcohol
- Tips and Gratuities: For guides, drivers, hotel staff, and camel handlers
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, etc.