15 Day Grand Tour from Tangier to the Desert

Day 1: Tangier – Chefchaouen

Reception at the port of Tangier. We begin our journey by venturing into the Rif Mountains, arriving in Chefchaouen in the afternoon. Chefchaouen is a Berber city whose name means “the horns.” It boasts a beautiful setting where the contrast of its white and blue-washed houses, arranged on different levels, stands out against the green landscape irrigated by the Lau River.

Day 2: Chefchaouen – Fes

After breakfast, we will enjoy a visit to the village before departing for Fes, a beautiful city founded in the 8th century. Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, with a medina that transports us back to the 13th century. Here, artisans are grouped by streets and activities reminiscent of ancient guilds, living alongside rural families who have moved to the city in recent years.

Day 3: Fes – Volubilis – Meknes – Azrou

In the morning, we explore the city of Fes. Its architectural wealth, fascinating medina, and magnificent historical monuments make Fes the cultural capital of Morocco. After lunch, we head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Take a walk through the Roman city before arriving in Meknes. We will visit the city highlights: the Tomb of Moulay Ismail, El Hedim Square, and the famous Bab Mansour gate. Finally, we arrive in the village of Azrou, located in the Middle Atlas.

Day 4: Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga

We depart Azrou for Merzouga, crossing the cedar forests, the Midelt pass, the Errachidia reservoir, and the magnificent panoramic views of the Ziz Valley. We pass through Erfoud (the “Gateway to the Desert”), where we will watch the sunset from the top of Borj d’Est, which offers a marvelous view over the city. We then follow the desert tracks to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight in a lodge at the foot of the dunes.

Day 5: Erg Chebbi

After breakfast, we tour the dunes via desert tracks, visiting the two oases of Merzouga, nomad families in their tents, the village of Khamlia (the village of the Black people), the Mifis mines, the desert plateaus, and the Tissardime Oasis. We return to the lodge in the afternoon. Later, mounted on dromedaries, we head into the dunes to witness the sunset and sleep in a wild oasis located two hours away in the heart of the dunes. A magical night!

Day 6: Erg Chebbi – Taouz – Rissani – Fossil Quarry – Merzouga

Returning from the desert, we take the track toward Taouz to discover prehistoric rock engravings. Then we head to Rissani, ancient Sijilmasa, once an important center on the caravan routes trading salt and slaves with Mali and Niger. We visit its famous gate, ancient palaces, and the souk. At noon, we will eat the local specialty: Berber Pizza. After lunch, we visit the fossil quarry and return to the lodge.

Day7: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

We depart from the dunes toward Erfoud to reach Tinghir, where we visit the “fougarras” (ancient 15th-century irrigation channels) and the Tinghir palm grove. We arrive at the Todra Gorges for lunch. Afterward, we cross the city and the Boumalne Dades Valley to reach the Dades Gorges, where the river has eroded the rocks over time to form a unique and peculiar landscape.

Day 8: Dades – Boutaghrar – Skoura – Ait Ben Haddou

Morning departure via desert tracks toward the Valley of the Roses and the magnificent Berber village of Boutaghrar, where we will have tea with a local family. We follow the “Route of the Thousand Kasbahs,” a stage that is off the beaten path. We will make several stops at beautiful sites: kasbahs, panoramic viewpoints, valleys, and nomads living in caves. Upon reaching Skoura, we leave the tracks for the main road toward Ait Ben Haddou, where several international films like *Gladiator*, *Sahara*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, and *The Mummy* were filmed.

Day 9: Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech

We visit the splendid Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a famous film location. Then, we cross the mountains to discover the Telouet Kasbah. In the late afternoon, we return to Marrakech via one of Morocco’s most beautiful mountain passes, the Tizi n’Tichka (2,260m high), with its wonderful scenery.

Day 10: Marrakech

After breakfast, we have a guided tour of Marrakech. We begin with the Menara Gardens and its reflecting pool, the Saadian Tombs where the city’s founders are buried, the Bahia Palace (residence of the former Vizier), and the Koutoubia with its splendid minaret. We finish at the impressive Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, a fabulous souk by day and a magical spectacle by night.

Day 11: Marrakech – Essaouira

In the morning, we take a walk through the modern part of Marrakech. After lunch, we depart for the small fishing port of Essaouira, located on the southern coast with over 11 kilometers of beach.

Day 12: Essaouira

In the city, you can visit the Woodcraft Museum located in an ancient palace, the old watchtower, and the Skala of the port, which offers views of the coast, the islands, and the entire city. Visit the Marine Gate connecting the port to the city or watch the fish auction. The intricate alleys of the medina showcase the work of jewelers, goldsmiths, and marquetry artisans (cedar and ebony). In the city bastions, you can still see Spanish cannons from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Day 13: Essaouira – Safi – Rabat

Breakfast and departure along the coast toward Rabat, the administrative and political capital of the country. We will tour the diplomatic quarter, the Royal Palace, the Mohammed V Mausoleum complex, and the Hassan Tower.

Day 14: Rabat – Larache – Asilah

After breakfast, we continue along the coast to Asilah, a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture. Asilah is a small fishing port that developed under the Spanish protectorate. It is enclosed by the ochre walls of the Portuguese ramparts, and its houses feature doors and windows in blue, green, and yellow, contrasting beautifully with the white walls.

Day 15: Asilah – Tangier

Breakfast and transfer to the port of Tangier.