8 Days Essential Morocco Tour itinerary from Marrakech

8 day Essential Morocco tour from Marrakech to Fes and Chefchaouen via the Sahara desert. During these 8 days / 7 nights you will visit so many amazing sites. Including : the high Atlas mountains, the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, the Ait-Ben-Haddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate city. In addition to Amridil Kasbah, Dades valley and Todra gorges. Also visit Merzouga Sahara desert. Where ride camels, witness magical sunset and sunrise and spend the night in a desert camp. Explore the Sahara desert of Merzouga in a 4×4 car. Furthermore you will visit the Rissani traditional market, and Erfoud the fossils town. Then visit the Switzerland of Morocco Ifrane, and the cedars forest where the Barbary macaque live. Explore Fes and Meknes two of the imperial cities of Morocco. Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the blue city of Chefchaouen. Finally, the tour ends in Tangier.

1st day : Marrakech – High Atlas mountains – Telouat Kasbah – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Ouarzazate  

The 8 day Morocco desert tour starts with an early pick up from the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. Then drive through the fascinating High Atlas mountains, and Tizi-N-Tichka pass. Stops will be made for panoramic views of the breathtaking landscapes. Then we visit the Kasbah of Telouat.

After that we continue to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. A fortified village recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Furthermore, the Kasbah has appeared in many movies including : Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy…etc. And also TV series including Game Of Thrones. Then we head to “The gate of the desert” Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel

2nd day : Ouarzazate – palm groves of Skoura – Amridil Kasbah – Rose valley -Dades Valley 

After breakfast, we explore the city of Ouarzazate. Firstly, we visit the Atlas studios, where various famous movies were shot, and also visit the Taourirt Kasbah -A fortified mud castle, and one of the most ancient and spectacular Ksars in Morocco. After that we drive east to visit Amridil Kasbah surrounded by palm groves in Skoura. Then continue to Kalaa Magouna famous for the Rose valley. A Rose Festival is held annually in May, where the locals offer their rose products, from : perfumes, rose water, oil, to cosmetic products. Then we drive to Dades valley through Boumalne Dades. Inevitable stops at the “monkey fingers” rock formation, and on a spot atop a mountain overlooking the Dades valley . Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Boumalne Dades.

3rd day : Boumalne Dades – Todra Gorges -Erfoud -Merzouga Sahara – overnight in a luxury camp

After breakfast, we continue to Todra Gorges, the course of Todra river has carved out a grand canyon through the mountains -Making a high red cliff-sided canyon. Feel free to wander in the gorges and appreciate the beauty of the landscape. Then drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Free time for lunch on the way.

In the afternoon we reach the Sahara desert of Merzouga. Where you switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. A stop will be made for you to enjoy the magical sunset on top of a high dune. Then continue to the desert luxury camp. Where you can enjoy the Berber drums music while dancing around the campfire, under vast open sky of stars. Dinner and overnight in the camp.

4th day : Explore Merzouga region – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga lake – Erg Chebbi – palm grove

Wake up early in the morning is a must do, in order to contemplate the beautiful sunrise, in the middle of the desert. Free time for breakfast. Then you return on camels to Merzouga, where the driver awaits. We dedicate the day of your Morocco desert tour to explore the region of Merzouga. The area has so many incredible sites, from sand dunes, wild lake, mines, fossils areas to fabulous oases. Which are ideal places for so many outdoor activities.

Firstly, we start our journey in Merzouga, by driving off-road to visit an ancient eyeliner mine. Then we pay the nomads a visit, in their handmade woven tent. Learn how they live while drinking a Berber tea. Our next destination is the Khamlia village, where you will enjoy the Gnaoua music, and dancing performances. Its inhabitants are originating from sub-Saharan countries like Mali, Sudan and Niger. Free time for lunch in a restaurant. After that we take a stroll in a palm trees grove. Then drive a few kilometres to see the wild lake of Merzouga, also called flamingos lake. Dinner and overnight In a hotel.

5th day: Merzouga Dunes – Erfoud – Midelt – cedars forest – Ifrane – Fes

After breakfast, we leave the desert to visit Rissani town, the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Rissani still a major trading center in the region, with a large souk lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. After a stroll in Rissani souk, we continue to Erfoud where we visit one of the workshops of fossilized marble

After that we drive along the Ziz river, we stop for a panoramic view of the Ziz valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt. Then we continue to cedars forest, where the Barbary Macaques live. Feel free to feed them while wandering in the forest. After that we visit Ifrane, famous for its low temperature, snow and the alpine-style houses -No wonder it is called the Switzerland of Morocco. Finally, we drop you off at your accommodation in Fes.

6th day : Guided tour sightseeing Fes

We pick you from your accommodation in Fes after breakfast, to explore the city of Fes. The city is considered one of the imperial cities, besides being the cultural and religious center of Morocco.

We start the day by visiting the Royal Palace gate. Then the well preserved medieval Medina, that is listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The Blue gate or Bab Boujloud is the entrance of the old Medina. You will enter the Medina with a local guide. To visit The Medrasa Bouanania, the Najjarine fountain, the Tanneries and finally the Quaraouin mosque and university – The oldest university in the world. After that we leave the Medina to visit the Jewish quarter “the Mellah”. Then we drive to an ancient fortress, for panoramic views of the Medina and the city of Fes. Then return to your riad.

7th day : Fes – Meknes – Volubilis ruins – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, we depart to visit Meknes, the Ismaili capital and one of the imperial cities. In which we visit : Bab Al-Mansour, Sahrij Souani basin, the Royal stables, the granary and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Free time for lunch. Next we drive 30 km away from Meknes to visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. It is well preserved, as it is recognized as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It has many beautiful mosaics scattered here and there, along with ancient pillars and archways.

After strolling in the ruins, we head north through Ouazzane, to reach Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains. Also known as the Blue city. The city is famous for its buildings and alleyways painted in blue. Overnight stay in a hotel.

8th day : Transfer to the Tangier airport

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you can have a free time to stroll in the beautiful alleyways of the blue city, before we drive through the Rif mountains to reach Tangier, then we transfer you to the airport. End of the 8 days Morocco tour.