DAY 1: Arrival in Marrakech.

Upon your arrival to Marrakech airport we will meet you and take you to your hotel in the center of the city. Afterwards you will be free to wander into the chaos and color of Djemaa el Fna, the vibrant marketplace in the center of the medina which comes alive at night.

DAY 2: Marrakech → Guided Sightseeing Tour

Explore the world-famous city of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers alike. Your tour will include the Menara Gardens, the famous Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, and the Saadian tombs. You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, whose 77 meter minaret dominates the center of Marrakech. You will continue to the Djemaa el Fna, which is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have a chance to relax at one of the many cafes surrounding the square to take in all the sights. Later you will be able to explore the lively and colorful souks.

DAY 3: Marrakech → Essaouira

We will depart Marrakech for the seaside town of Essaouira.  A relaxing drive through lush valleys filled with orange groves, ancient olive trees, and argan oil cooperatives will take you to this UNESCO World Heritage listed city. This windswept fishing port, with broad beaches and an ancient walled medina has long been a popular destination. Stroll along the ramparts and beach as you take in the relaxed vibe of the small but lively medina, or visit the port to see the catch of the day. Essaouira also hosts the Gnaouas Music Festival every June.

DAY 4: Essaouira → Safi → Oualidia

We will depart Essaouira for Oualidia. On the way we will stop in Safi, a town previously occupied by the Portuguese. Famous for being the center of sardine exports, Safi is perhaps most well known for its pottery. Soon we will arrive and relax in Oualidia, a charming little fishing village. You will have a protected lagoon, estuary, and the wild Atlantic right on your doorstep. Oualidia is at the center of Morocco's richest bird habitat, particularly in spring and autumn, and birdwatching is a very popular activity. Surfing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, kite surfing, and walking along the beach are just some of the other activities you might also enjoy in Oualidia.

DAY 5: Oualidia → El Jadida → Casablanca → Rabat

We will leave Oualidia for Rabat, continuing our journey up the Atlantic Coast. We will pass through El Jadida, a small port city formerly controlled by the Portuguese which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, before stopping in Casablanca to visit Mohamed V Square and the spectacular mosque of Hassan II. In the afternoon we will arrive in the imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops.

DAY 6: Rabat → Asilah → Tangier

We will leave Rabat and head towards Tangier on the stunning coastal road. On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals. A short drive later we will arrive in Tangier, the gateway between Africa and Europe, which has always been a vibrant international melting pot. We will take a tour of Tangier and explore the bustling medina, the urban surroundings, and enjoy the stunning view over the waters where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

DAY 7: Tangier → Rif Mountains → Chefchaouen

We will leave Tangier for the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen, passing through the verdant valleys of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for the vivid blue color of its houses and is a popular destination for both tourists and Moroccans, particularly in the hot summer months. You will have plenty of chance to explore Chefchaouen and its winding lanes and narrow alleys. There you will find countless souks offering traditional cuisine and artisan works such as wool clothing, intricate embroidery, and goats cheese, all native to the North and found nowhere else in Morocco. Relax in the square, visit a local farm, or hike in the nearby parks.

DAY 8: Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes

After breakfast in your riad, our journey will start with a scenic drive that will take us from high in the Rif Mountains through bucolic farmland to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, an open-air museum. While not as spectacular as some of the Roman sites on the Mediterranean rim, Volubilis is still a relaxed and inspiring way to envisage an important part of Moroccan history. We will carry on towards Meknes, the fourth of Morocco's imperial cities and and the historical seat of power for Morocco's 17th century ruler, Sultan Moulay Ismail. There we will have lunch and explore the huge historical walls of the medina, after which we will see the Bab el Mansour and visit Sultan Moulay Ismail's shrine. After Meknes we will drive directly to Fes, where we will spend the night.

DAY 9: Fes sightseeing tour with official local guide

We will get an insider's perspective on the oldest and largest medieval city in the world as we take a guided city tour of Fes. You will experience the heady mix of aromas, sights, and sounds in the souks of the medina, which you can navigate by following five themed circuits twisting their way through the labyrinth of alleyways. After exploring the colorful dye-pits, tanneries, and restaurants, we will return to our hotel to prepare for an optional night of Moroccan entertainment and cuisine at a local restaurant.

DAY 10: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Gorges & Oases → Erfoud → Merzouga

After breakfast our guide will come to pick you up from your Hotel in Fes. From there we will embark on a picturesque journey towards Ifrane, through hills covered in forests of cork oak and giant cedar in which a few Barbary apes still make their home. Crossing strikingly beautiful passes over both the Middle and High Atlas ranges we will catch our first glimpse of the South’s incredible architecture. After passing through a barren plain of scrub and desert on the other side of the mountains, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, from which we will have a fantastic view of the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas rising behind the town. Crossing Tizi-n-Talremt (Pass of the She-Camel), we will descend into a desert plain along the Ziz valley. We will then head south to Erfoud and Rissani, into a huge oasis containing over six million palm trees and edged by many ksours (fortified villages). Our route will continue through an immense palm oasis and a vast area of stony plain that marks the transition to the desert before reaching the tranquil desert town of Merzouga, where we have selected a charming kasbah hotel on the outskirts of the Erg Chebbi golden sand dunes. There you will be able to relax beside the swimming pool, and in the evening enjoy a live show by a desert blues band.

DAY 11: Merzouga Culture and Traditions → Tea with Nomads → African Spiritual Music → Fossils → night in the Sahara Dunes.

After waking up to a desert sunrise and having breakfast, we will be able to relax for a couple hours before taking a 4WD off-road tour around the dunes. On the tour we will visit the oasis of Merzouga, the nomadic depository, and Khamlia Village, where we will be able to hear Gnawa music from the local people who are descendants of ex-slaves that found their way to Morocco from Senegal via the Salt Route. We will continue on to meet desert nomads in their tents and discover their way of life. We will also visit the nearby Lake of Merzouga, with its diverse population of birds. Afterwards we will leave for Rissani. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu, Mali. Here you'll be able to walk through the souk, where you will be able to find spices, vegetables, and cloths. After having a pizza lunch in Rissani we will drive back to our kasbah, where we will be greeted with a glass of tea and have some time to relax. In the afternoon we will mount our camels and ride into the pink sands of Morocco's highest dunes. We will have time to wander around the dunes before watching the sunset. In the evening we will dine on Moroccan cuisine and enjoy traditional live music around the campfire. You will spend the night in warm Berber tents in the silence of the desert, and you can relax outside and marvel at the Milky Way spreading across the pitch-black night sky.

DAY 12: Merzouga → Rissani → Todra Canyon → Dades Valley & Gorge

We will leave the desert behind and journey towards the Todra Gorge. This 1000 foot gorge is hemmed in on all sides by vertical limestone cliffs, and is known as Morocco's Grand Canyon. There will be plenty of time to explore the plunging depths and dizzying heights of the gorge, and see how its color changes as the sun moves across the sky. We will continue on to the Dades Valley where we will spend the night.

DAY 13: Dades Valley → Roses Valley → Skoura Oasis → Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Atlas Mountains → Marrakech

After breakfast we will drive through the villages of this charming area, passing fields cultivated by Berber women, with the peaks of the High Atlas as a fitting backdrop. Our journey will continue toward Ouarzazate, through the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Rose Festival in May, and past the Road of 1000 Kasbahs by the Skoura Oasis before arriving in Ouarzazate. In Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”, we will visit the cinematographic museum before continuing on to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters such as “Gladiator” “Indiana Jones” and “Lawrence of Arabia”. You will have the chance to explore some of the ruined buildings and climb to the top of the hill where the agadir (granary) offers a spectacular view over the village and the surrounding countryside. You may also want to enter one of the houses and share a glass of mint tea with some of the locals to gain a better understanding of their way of life. In the afternoon you'll drive north across the High Atlas Mountains. The road, completed by the French Foreign Legion in 1936, winds up over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and offers stunning views over the mountains before descending past Berber villages to the plains surrounding Marrakech. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up scenery from Arabian Nights - alleyways, souks, and market stalls. This remarkable city, dating from the 11th century, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travelers. The graceful architecture of the renowned 11th-century Koutoubia Minaret dominates the skyline.

DAY 14: Marrakech at leisure → transfer to airport

Today we will make as much use of our time as possible, wandering around the souks of Marrakech and finding souvenirs or gifts for friends before we take you to Marrakech Menara aiport with plenty of time to catch your departure flight.