10 days Morocco itinerary from Marrakech to Tangier

Arrival in Marrakech

Your 10 days Morocco itinerary from Marrakech to Tangier begins at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), where your private driver waits to take you straight to your riad in the heart of the old medina.

The first evening is yours: explore Jemaa el-Fnaa as it turns into a bustling open-air kitchen, or relax with mint tea on your riad’s terrace above the red rooftops.

Overnight in a riad in Marrakech

Marrakech private guided tour

With a local expert, you uncover the Red City’s treasures: the Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture, and the Saadian Tombs, then the maze of the souks and their quarters of blacksmiths, dyers and spice merchants.

In the afternoon you visit the gardens of the Koutoubia Mosque and the world-renowned Majorelle Garden, the perfect introduction to the culture you’ll meet throughout the trip.

Overnight in a riad in Marrakech

Marrakech to the Dades Valley, via Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate

We climb the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres, with panoramic views of Berber villages, then visit Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco’s most famous ksar and the backdrop for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

After a stop in Ouarzazate for the Taourirt Kasbah and the film studios, we continue through the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of the Roses to the Dades Valley and its Monkey Fingers rock formations.

Overnight in a riad in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast

Dades Valley to Merzouga, via the Todra Gorge

Today we walk through the narrows of the Todra Gorge, a 300-metre-deep canyon where the walls stand just metres apart, then turn towards the Sahara through Erfoud, the fossil capital.

In Merzouga, you mount your camel for a sunset trek into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, reaching your luxury camp for a traditional Saharan dinner under the stars and Berber drums around the campfire.

Overnight in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast

A full day in the Sahara: Khamlia and the nomads

A full day of Saharan discovery. In Khamlia, you hear soulful Gnaoua music performed by descendants of enslaved people brought from sub-Saharan Africa, then drive off-road to meet nomad families in their traditional tents and learn about their resilient way of life.

The afternoon is free for sandboarding or an optional quad bike tour. Tonight, for a different view of the desert, you stay in a beautiful hotel on the edge of the dunes, with a swimming pool and panoramic views.

Overnight in a hotel in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast

Merzouga to Fes, via the Ziz Valley and the cedar forests

We head north through the Ziz Valley, one of Morocco’s largest palm oases, and cross the Middle Atlas to the ancient cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques.

After a stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”, we reach Fes by evening, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital, and settle into a traditional riad in the medina.

Overnight in a riad in Fes

Fes private guided tour

Step back in time in Fes el-Bali, often called the world’s largest car-free urban area. Your guide shows you the iconic Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), Al-Qarawiyyin, often described as the world’s oldest continuously operating university, the stunning Bou Inania Madrasa and the Chouara Tannery.

In the afternoon you visit the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and admire the golden doors of the Royal Palace, with a guide to lead you through the medina’s 9,000 alleys.

Overnight in a riad in Fes

Fes to Chefchaouen, via Volubilis

Leaving Fes, we visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose Roman ruins hold remarkably preserved mosaics, then continue into the Rif Mountains.

As the afternoon fades, the blue-and-white town of Chefchaouen appears. Spend the evening wandering the Blue Pearl, with its relaxed atmosphere and the glowing lanterns of Plaza Outa el-Hammam.

Overnight in a hotel or riad in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen to Tangier

Enjoy a last morning in the blue city: hike to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view, or browse the local crafts. In the afternoon we continue to the coast.

In Tangier, the legendary cosmopolitan port, stroll along the corniche or visit the Kasbah overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, and enjoy the city’s unique blend of African and European influences.

Overnight in a hotel in Tangier

Departure from Tangier

On the final day of your 10 days Morocco itinerary from Marrakech to Tangier, after a relaxed breakfast, your driver takes you to Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG), the ferry port or any hotel in the city.

You leave with a deep connection to Morocco’s landscapes, people and culture, from the southern desert to the northern shores.